The Cult of Scientology

eezarthegreat

I just want to get feedback from everyone here.

Did you know there is a scientology building on Abbey street?

How do you feel knowing that cult is in Dublin?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5H_PTbutLs&feature=user

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxAockcJTH4&feature=user

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0McXwtywWg&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dq8jG2iEmvw&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nFHalJFa00&feature=related

Zombrex

Isn't Scientology a religion now?

cavedave

They have a building now? wait till i get my angry mob, pitch forks and burning torches. Rabble Rabble Rabble.

eezarthegreat

Wicknight wrote: »

Isn't Scientology a religion now?

It's officially a religion but seriously....

5uspect

Damn Christians have a few buildings here in Limerick too.

We're all doomed I tells ya...

seamus

Wicknight wrote: »

Isn't Scientology a religion now?

Not in this country. Or any other right thinking country afaik.

collie1

they have been in abby street for more than 10 years i think.

Saruman

collie1 wrote: »

they have been in abby street for more than 10 years i think.

They have been there even longer than 10 years, they were there when i was a teenager and would get the bus on middle abbey street. free personality test.

Dades

Scientology hleped me with my dislexia.

eezarthegreat

collie1 wrote: »

they have been in abby street for more than 10 years i think.

Yeah it's been there a while, trying to gage how people feel in general about the cult itself....but the obvious idiots are out with their funboy remarks

Dades

eezarthegreat wrote: »

the obvious idiots are out with their funboy remarks

Even more obvious would have been to search the forum to see if the topic of Scientology had come up before.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055050639

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054933885

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054905081

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055218323

I think all the serious stuff has been said!

Saruman

look up the late late show scientology show from years ago, unless its one of the youtube links you posted (can not watch them here).

I have no feeling about them as i have no dealings with them. Now would i.

super_furry

They're a gang of mentalists, simple as that.

collie1

Saruman wrote: »

They have been there even longer than 10 years, they were there when i was a teenager and would get the bus on middle abbey street. free personality test.

yeah i remember some english gob****e trying to ask me to do some test. i know what i told him as well;)

eezarthegreat

collie1 wrote: »

yeah i remember some english gob****e trying to ask me to do some test. i know what i told him as well;)

yeah i remember years ago when I was in my teens getting the bus near there and I had heard about the FREE IQ test, if I knew back then what I do now I would have done a lot more than just laugh

Andy-Pandy

Why would i care about them, there nuts! But i think anyone who lives there life devoted to a religion is nuts.

At least they get spaceships.

Dades

Dades wrote: »

Scientology hleped me with my dislexia.

A doctor helped me with mine, but i dont worship her.

Dades

Deleted User wrote: »

A doctor helped me with mine, but i dont worship her.

No, but like Scientology she was in it for the cash.

eezarthegreat

Dades wrote: »

No, but like Scientology she was in it for the cash.

That's kinda what those freaks really want, crazy how much you pay for their "books of knowledge"

collie1

eezarthegreat wrote: »

That's kinda what those freaks really want, crazy how much you pay for their "books of knowledge"

its all coming back to me now.those fruit cakes wanting money off me fo some tiny little book

eezarthegreat

collie1 wrote: »

its all coming back to me now.those fruit cakes wanting money off me fo some tiny little book

Stupid cult, it's all ****ed up. It's interesting to watch the efforts people make to disrupt it on youtube.

That's what's frustrating about us Irish, when it boils down to it we're too ****ing lazy to do anything about anything

orestes

There were two protests at their Abbey Street office within the last couple of months, dunno how succesful they were but apparently the people involved handed out quite a lot of leaflets and stuff about scientology and some of it's shady dealings

eezarthegreat

orestes wrote: »

There were two protests at their Abbey Street office within the last couple of months, dunno how succesful they were but apparently the people involved handed out quite a lot of leaflets and stuff about scientology and some of it's shady dealings

Ah finally....something positive

that's good to hear

is it a common thing?

collie1

eezarthegreat wrote: »

Ah finally....something positive

that's good to hear

is it a common thing?

i was in amsterdam over the paddy's w/end. the held a rally over there and also handed out leaflets about this cult. they really are nuts

cavedave

handed out leaflets about this cult. they really are nuts

Cult + Time = Religion

eezarthegreat
but the obvious idiots are out with their funboy remarks

Scientology is exceptionally odd. And my standard for odd is parthenogenesis and public cannibalism once a week. But I think it is worth looking at their beliefs to see where they stand on the scale of viciousness.

To take one issue: Homosexuality
Anglicans: We will have a fight amongst ourselves to decide if we can marry you
Catholics: You can be it you just cannot do it
Scientology: You can be cured of it like we cured various celebrities we wont mention for libel reasons
Islam: We will hang you for it

It is easy to rag on scientology because Xenu has to be the funniest idea for a Devil figure ever but I think it is worth pointing out that the worlds most major religion has more actively harmful actions carried out in its name.

eezarthegreat

cavedave wrote: »

Cult + Time = Religion



Scientology is exceptionally odd. And my standard for odd is parthenogenesis and public cannibalism once a week. But I think it is worth looking at their beliefs to see where they stand on the scale of viciousness.

To take one issue: Homosexuality
Anglicans: We will have a fight amongst ourselves to decide if we can marry you
Catholics: You can be it you just cannot do it
Scientology: You can be cured of it like we cured various celebrities we wont mention for libel reasons
Islam: We will hang you for it

It is easy to rag on scientology because Xenu has to be the funniest idea for a Devil figure ever but I think it is worth pointing out that the worlds most major religion has more actively harmful actions carried out in its name.

I'm by no means defending "the worlds most major religion" but fact of the matter is this cult is gaining ground and it's apparent that people her feel like I do. Which is good to see

Dave!

I'd be more inclined to take scientology seriously if L. Ron Hubbard was crucified. And not a science fiction writer.

Can we crucify Tom Cruise instead?

gramlab

Andy-Pandy wrote: »

At least they get spaceships.

Damn site better than an aul wafer of bread on a sunday morning.

Wonder how much cash you have to give em to get one of those?

Zillah

seamus wrote: »

Not in this country. Or any other right thinking country afaik.

What a wonderfully absurd thing to say. No right thinking country would accept a religion that is based on the galactic emperor Xenu, whereas our flesh-eating blood-drinking zombie-Jesus self-hating impending-apocalypse cult is the exact sort of thing that a right thinking nation would get on board with.

seamus

Zillah wrote: »

What a wonderfully absurd thing to say. No right thinking country would accept a religion that is based on the galactic emperor Xenu, whereas our flesh-eating blood-drinking zombie-Jesus self-hating impending-apocalypse cult is the exact sort of thing that a right thinking nation would get on board with.

Most of "right thinking" countries have evolved with said religions already in place before the country was. None of the modern western countries "Got on board" with Christianity, it was already there.
Ideally we would not distinguish between any religions, they'd all have the same, "weird sect" status, but we do have to share our government with these believers. So we're as close to "right-thinking" as we can get for the moment.

There's a fair argument to say that if Christianity hadn't been in place, what we consider "right-thinking" today would be something altogether very different.

Most western countries recognise that so long as a belief system asks nothing except belief and devotion froms its followers, it can't be that bad.

When the belief system demands money from its followers or engages in underhand tactics to try damage the reputation of its detractors, then we have a serious problem.

cavedave

Lions 3: Christians 0
I do not think people should be persecuted for their religious beliefs (or lack of them). I do not think persecuting a religion works, I think it just makes it stronger.


I do think people should be mocked for their religious beliefs. Particularly those that involve aliens.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=aRe0e-Vr0-U

I also think they should be mocked for that creepy Tom Cruise promotional video.

When the belief system demands money from its followers or engages in underhand tactics to try damage the reputation of its detractors, then we have a serious problem.

I agree once people start kidnapping and threatening people then you need legal sanctions. Up till then though pointing and laughing might be a better course.

Asiaprod

DaveMcG wrote: »

I'd be more inclined to take scientology seriously if L. Ron Hubbard was crucified. And not a science fiction writer.

Can we crucify Tom Cruise instead?

Only if you include John Travolta. A proper crucifixion requires three sacrifices

cavedave

Asiaprod
A proper crucifixion requires three sacrifices

Can we have a vote on who number 3 will be?
http://www.topsocialite.com/67-celebrities-who-are-scientologists/

Free Katie

oriain

Didn't the results of the last census show that there were officially no Scientologists in Ireland? Yet the "church" is there, bold as anything on Abbey Street for I don't know how many years. I smell dirty shenanigans I do!

Although I had a lot of fun when I had that stress test with that machine to measure my thenon-something-or-other levels.

South Park and Germany have the right idea if you ask me!

Dades

cavedave wrote: »

Can we have a vote on who number 3 will be?

At the moment - I'm thinking Lisa Marie Presley.

But everyone else is a close second.

Tim Robbins

eezarthegreat wrote: »

Yeah it's been there a while, trying to gage how people feel in general about the cult itself....but the obvious idiots are out with their funboy remarks

It's hard to legislate against them.
Firstly do you legislate against the mysterious unsubstantiated believes, well then you have to get rid of Christianity, Islam and every major religion.

Secondly, do you legislate that a group that takes money from you. Well then you have legislate against most religions again. Some evangelicals make you, or suggest you pay 10% of your salary. How different is that?

Basically, all Scientology is a new age religion, which also has scripture, tonnes of anecdotes of helping people with their lives and probably takes more money from you than the traditional ones. You can't ban it outright unless you have a way of objectively differentiating it or else you have to ban other religions.

In fact, Scientiology is probably a very good reason for an atheist to bring their children up with some form of Christianity. At least they have some way of learning about religion in a reasonable safe, controlled enviroment and see what all this faithy stuff is all about. If they are logical person, they'll see the holes and leave it.

However, if they are faithy person and never get experience of a "good" religion, they are just more susceptible to getting nabbed by Scientologists or a Christian cult.

eezarthegreat

They had a thing on RTE yonks ago and it claimed that tom cruise pays the rent on the abbey street building?

Either way, it's involved in a lot of under the table work, violence, coercion and threatening behaviour

Sicko cult for the sick masses

Tim Robbins

eezarthegreat wrote: »

Either way, it's involved in a lot of under the table work, violence, coercion and threatening behaviour

Christianity has been involved in all the above. In fact there is ample evidence of paedophilia - a most heinous Crime - in the state's largest church?

I think you are missing the point. How do you legislate against Scientology and leave Religions which had covered up Paedophila alone?

cavedave

eezarthegreat

Sicko cult for the sick masses

Does that comment indicate a certain disdain for the plain people of Ireland?

seamus

oriain wrote: »

Didn't the results of the last census show that there were officially no Scientologists in Ireland?

Afaik, the census only recognises "official" religions when tabulating the result.

So people who put down "Jedi" and other such nonsense, get put in the "Not Stated" category when it comes to counting. Afaik, "Atheist" is officially put into the "No Religion" category.

The CSO isn't overly helpful in its results though. I can't seem to find an extended breakdown. The "Other Stated Religions" category shows the biggest growth, fuelled mostly by Islam - which is now the third biggest religion (4th if you include "No religion") - but Islam stills gets lumped into "Other".

eezarthegreat

Tim Robbins wrote: »

Christianity has been involved in all the above. In fact there is ample evidence of paedophilia - a most heinous Crime - in the state's largest church?

I think you are missing the point. How do you legislate against Scientology and leave Religions which had covered up Paedophila alone?

Sounds like someone is found of scientology

As I said before I'm in now way defending christianity or any of the rest, scientology has been established in recent years and is obviously a complete money hungry farce.

You can doubt and question christianity all you want but it's here, established, respected and loved, not-innocent but it does not preach hatred or evil and doesn't incite negative feelings

Johnmb

eezarthegreat wrote: »

You can doubt and question christianity all you want but it's here, established, respected and loved, not-innocent but it does not preach hatred or evil and doesn't incite negative feelings

???
Are you talking about christianity as in the religion that tortured people to force them to believe, and still threaten people with hellfire and damnation as being a religion that doesn't preach hatred or evil and doesn't incite negative feelings? Or do you use the term to refer to something else?

as for the scientologists, they are the equivalent of a dangerous christian cult. No more dangerous, nor any less dangerous, just more well known.

cavedave

it does not preach hatred or evil and doesn't incite negative feelings

Have you read the bible? It is mainly advice on what you can kill people for and how to kill them.

(Deuteronomy 22:28-29 NAB)
If a man is caught in the act of raping a young woman who is not engaged, he must pay fifty pieces of silver to her father. Then must marry the young woman because he violated her, and he will never be allowed to divorce her.


(Deuteronomy 17:12 NLT)

Anyone arrogant enough to reject the verdict of the judge or the priest who represents the LORD your God must be put to death. Such evil must be purge from Israel.


(Leviticus 20:13 NAB)

If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them shall be put to death for their abominable deed: they have forfeited their lives.

(Exodus 21:20-21 NAB)

When a man strikes his male or female slave with a rod so hard that the slave dies under his hand, he shall be punished. If, however, the slave survives for a day or two, he is not to be punished, since the slave is his own property.

Dades

cavedave wrote: »

Have you read the bible? It is mainly advice on what you can kill people for and how to kill them.

*Sigh*

That was the Old Testament God before he went to therapy.

death1234567

cavedave wrote: »

When a man strikes his male or female slave with a rod so hard that the slave dies under his hand, he shall be punished. If, however, the slave survives for a day or two, he is not to be punished, since the slave is his own property.

Sounds fair to me . You can beat them until they are half dead and it will take one or two days for them to die but if you make it quick and painless your up the creek. Isn't the bible great.

Tim Robbins

eezarthegreat wrote: »

You can doubt and question christianity all you want but it's here, established, respected and loved, not-innocent but it does not preach hatred or evil and doesn't incite negative feelings

I am afaid you are not really thinking about this very objectively.

Your criteria is impossible to measure objectively. Let's have a look:

1. established - so it Scientology
2. respected - Christianity gets mixed feedback, more to the point how do you measure respect objectively?
3. loved - again subjective.
4. does not preach hatred or evil - again this is all subjective.

So you have no objective and reliable criteria to differentiate between Scientology and Christianity only a bit a of fluffy logic and your own opinion.

In fact it's actually very hard to objectively differentiate between Scientology and other Religions. They all have wishy washy views of truth with absolutely no objective evidence. They all take money off people.

So the only thing you could do is legislate that a religion can only take so much money off someone, but then you have two problems:
1. You have taken away someone right to give as much money as they want.
2. You'd have to do that to know religions.

So you haven't really made any progress in this thread. In fact you have missed a very pertinent point i.e. the difficulty in objectively differentiating between religion and cults and doing it fairly.

cavedave

Dades

That was the Old Testament God before he went to therapy.

I heard he was Bipolar

gramlab

cavedave wrote: »

(Exodus 21:20-21 NAB)

When a man strikes his male or female slave with a rod so hard that the slave dies under his hand, he shall be punished. If, however, the slave survives for a day or two, he is not to be punished, since the slave is his own property.

Never knew the bible was so safety concious and ahead of its time.

No lost time accident to report to the HSA.

Zillah

Dades wrote: »

*Sigh*

That was the Old Testament God before he went to therapy.

Some Gnostics maintain that Yaweh of the Old Testament is the very embodiment of evil. Seems a much more comfortable fit than the normal attempts believers have to make to shoe-horn their God into the all-loving category.

Zillah

eezarthegreat wrote: »

You can doubt and question christianity all you want but it's here, established, respected and loved, not-innocent but it does not preach hatred or evil and doesn't incite negative feelings

Ahahahaha.

Oh...wow.

Ahahahaha.

eezarthegreat

Obviously the bible says a lot of ****, nobody in their right mind would follow it to a tee.

I have never been told that if I wanted to learn more about a religion I would have to pay so don't give me this whole "you're missing the point ****" as I get it all and I understand the points raised.

I have never read the bible in whole but I have never felt the idea imposed on me of "if somebody doesn't believe what I do they must be dealt with" and before anybody says it the reason I have beef with this cult is because it casues more harm than good and at least, as flawed as it is, christianity can do THAT right....at least