has anyone ever had any dealings with scientologists in Ireland?

calfmuscle

Has anyone ever had any dealings with scientologists in Ireland?

Iv found out some people I work with are scientologists. I don't know what to make of this as I'm only here a short while. Has anyone any experience Luke this?

omahaid

You're definitely not working with scientists? Different bunch altogether

calfmuscle

omahaid wrote: »

You're definitely not working with scientists? Different bunch altogether

Unfortunately I'm finding that out!

qo2cj1dsne8y4k

Not in Ireland no, but I went to spend time with my ex when he lived in Toronto and they had this big huge centre that offered people free personality tests, for the laugh I went to do it. Not taking it at all seriously, and after spending 15 mins (a lot longer than I thought!) doing it, the old man sat me down on the couch with the results and told me how dark my life was and how I was in a really bad place.
Say whuuut?! But told me if I purchased these videos and done this and that and came back to a meeting with others to say how their lives had changed for the better then I would be on the right road.

calfmuscle

I don't think they have tried to recruit me, not yet anyways, but they are very secretive and money oriented!

FloatingVoter

I saw the Late Late with Tom Cruise on it. Scary stuff.

Nemeses

Do you ask the same question for every religion that person may be who ever you could be working with?

Has anyone ever had any dealings with <Insert religion type> in Ireland?

Bit silly don't you think?

Wattle

Did their personality test once for a laugh. Naturally they recommended some very expensive courses.

Tabnabs

Nemeses wrote: »

Do you ask the same question for every religion that person may be who ever you could be working with?

Has anyone ever had any dealings with <Insert religion type> in Ireland?

Bit silly don't you think?

A bit silly that people, especially their own "subscribers", think scientology is a religion at all...

FouxDaFaFa

calfmuscle wrote: »

Has anyone ever had any dealings with scientologists in Ireland?

Iv found out some people I work with are scientologists. I don't know what to make of this as I'm only here a short while. Has anyone any experience Luke this?

It's interesting that there's a cluster of them. Are they related to each other? Did one of them convert the others?

You're sure you're not accidentally working in a Scientology centre?

keelanj69

Nemeses wrote: »

Do you ask the same question for every religion that person may be who ever you could be working with?

Has anyone ever had any dealings with <Insert religion type> in Ireland?

Bit silly don't you think?

Seems you can't ask a specific question these days without this type of thing popping up.

'Does anyone else eat Rice Krispies?'

'That's very inconsiderate OP. Think of the Corn Flake eaters.'

Nemeses

Tabnabs wrote: »

A bit silly that people, especially their own "subscribers", think scientology is a religion at all...

I lol'd at that..

Ush1

Tabnabs wrote: »

A bit silly that people, especially their own "subscribers", think scientology is a religion at all...

Why's that? 'Cause it's newer than the other ones?

Nemeses

keelanj69 wrote: »

Seems you can't ask a specific question these days without this type of thing popping up.

'Does anyone else eat Rice Krispies?'

'That's very inconsiderate OP. Think of the Corn Flake eaters.'

I've no problems with questions , I like a good topic or debate.

But to me, this question feels like a branding of a person due to their believe or what they decide to do or who they are etc


It's a bit like asking - "has anyone ever had any dealings with black people in Ireland?"

Sounds racist doesn't it? That's because it is.


The question the OP asked I think, almost falls in this category too. It is inconsiderate in a roundabout way.

keelanj69

Nemeses wrote: »

I've no problems with questions , I like a good topic or debate.

But to me, this question feels like a branding of a person due to their believe or what they decide to do..

I guess. You can see what I mean though. If the OP wasn't specific the thread title would read 'Have you ever met a person of any religeon?'.

Btw, I'm pro choice in regards to cereal.

Edit: That question I wouldn't consider racist. If it read 'Have you any dealings with black people? Heard they're all useless, layabout shíts. Should I avoid?'

shane9689

Nemeses wrote: »

I've no problems with questions , I like a good topic or debate.

But to me, this question feels like a branding of a person due to their believe or what they decide to do or who they are etc


It's a bit like asking - "has anyone ever had any dealings with black people in Ireland?"

Sounds racist doesn't it? That's because it is.


The question the OP asked I think, almost falls in this category too. It is inconsiderate in a roundabout way.

? like asking has anyone dealt with black people??? thats the most ignorant thing ive ever heard...being black ISNT a choice ...being RELIGIOUS is .....
and you should judge people on it because believing in an organised religion is like believing in the Irish government...pure ignorance and quite foolish in MY opinion, not anyone elses, just mine...so i say go ahead.. but i say do it to anyone religious not just this lot...does it mean their bad people? no, does it mean you should be weary of their advice when taking it? yes. all my opinion though...but dont compare it to asking about black people because it really is a terrible example.not the same at all

maximoose

Nemeses wrote: »

But to me, this question feels like a branding of a person due to their believe or what they decide to do or who they are etc

It does. But TBH, if what someone decides to do/be is scientology, then I have absolutely no problem in branding them as bat-sh*t crazy.

Nemeses

keelanj69 wrote: »

I guess. You can see what I mean though. If the OP wasn't specific the thread title would read 'Have you ever met a person of any religeon?'.

Btw, I'm pro choice in regards to cereal.

I'm glad to hear your pro choice in cereal. I would have been disappointed in you otherwise.


Yeah, I probably misread the question anyway or else I'm in a cranky mood.

Apologises to all and Cereal on Keelanj! (good man!)

Nemeses

shane9689 wrote: »

? like asking has anyone dealt with black people??? thats the most ignorant thing ive ever heard...being black ISNT a choice ...being RELIGIOUS is .....
and you should judge people on it because believing in an organised religion is like believing in the Irish government...pure ignorance and quite foolish in MY opinion, not anyone elses, just mine...so i say go ahead.. but i say do it to anyone religious not just this lot...does it mean their bad people? no, does it mean you should be weary of their advice when taking it? yes. all my opinion though...but dont compare it to asking about black people because it really is a terrible example.not the same at all

Doesn't matter if its choice or not, A Question is a question regardless.


You give me an example so. Granted my example is a poor choice but it gets to the point I was trying to make.

EDIT - I believe its ok from the ghetto to call them black now. I don't follow the trend.

Meh, My point still stands, OPs question is a sweeping statement and generalising. Some may be offended by it. I'm not though.

joeguevara

When I was waiting for the bus to Leixlip, just off O'Connell Street, I was asked to do a free personality test. Found out after that they were probably Scientologists. Not that pushy. Might have been a different story if I had gone inside. As a student, on holidays in Germany, a group of us were offered free meal if we did a personality test. No word about it being for scientologists. Once in and fed we did the personality tests. They told me I was borderline sociopath ( I kind of fudged a good lot of the answers) and told me how I could improve myself. Made a quick escape after that. In fact, they said, they had never met a group with so many personality disorders. Great food though.

Capt'n Midnight

calfmuscle wrote: »

Has anyone any experience Luke this?

Are you sure they weren't Jedi ?

Jonny7

Nemeses wrote: »

Doesn't matter if its choice or not, A Question is a question regardless.


You give me an example so. Granted my example is a poor choice but it gets to the point I was trying to make.

EDIT - I believe its ok from the ghetto to call them black now. I don't follow the trend.

Meh, My point still stands, OPs question is a sweeping statement and generalising. Some may be offended by it. I'm not though.

I've seen dozens of threads on scams, pyramid schemes and dodgy religions

Speaking of sweeping generalisations, someone "choosing" to be a scientologist is the same as your grandmother "choosing" to indirectly fill the bank account of someone in Nigeria

becost

About ten years ago, I was walking along O'Connell street and a nice young gent offered me a free personality test. Curiosity got the better of me and I went with him to a fairly grotty office above a shop on abbey street. I was given a form with a load of questions where you had the option to strongly agree, agree, disagree, strongly disagree. The questions started out innocent enough but then they began getting stranger. Questions like "Could you agree to strict discipline?" or "Do you resent the efforts of others to tell you what to do?" or "Would you prefer to be in a position where you did not have the responsibilities of making decisions?"
I thought the questions seemed to be designed to specifically identify a certain type of (easily led) individual and not at all a general personality test. And strangely, both staff members had disappeared leaving me sitting alone at a desk in this room although I did get the feeling they were probably watching me from a secret room or on a hidden camera. I got a sinister feeling about the whole thing and just got up and left. It wasn't for several years after that I found out this "free personality test" is run by the Scientologists. I initially thought that they were just some bunch of perverts/weirdos looking for gimps.

shane9689

Nemeses wrote: »

Doesn't matter if its choice or not, A Question is a question regardless.


You give me an example so. Granted my example is a poor choice but it gets to the point I was trying to make.

EDIT - I believe its ok from the ghetto to call them black now. I don't follow the trend.

Meh, My point still stands, OPs question is a sweeping statement and generalising. Some may be offended by it. I'm not though.

yes its a sweeping statement on scientologists, which is a "religion" and has nothing whatsoever to do with racism or being racist, and you tried to draw a comparison!

its not wrong to stereotype people with a belief because those people chose that belief, but it is wrong to stereotype people due to their colour or ethnicity because they did not choose that...thats where your comparison fails, and why you shouldnt compare it to racism which is judging people on something they cant control. judging people on their religion is fine because they can control that

see where im coming from yet?

Capt'n Midnight

Nemeses wrote: »

Do you ask the same question for every religion that person may be who ever you could be working with?

Has anyone ever had any dealings with <Insert religion type> in Ireland?

Bit silly don't you think?

It would be silly if
- it was a religion ( it isn't - they bullied their IRS approval )

- imagine how the US would react if a a foreign power did this
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Snow_White

- and let's not forget stuff like harassment and setting lawyers on people


there are several different splinter groups of Scientology because even they were appalled by what was going :eek:

calfmuscle

calfmuscle wrote: »

I don't think they have tried to recruit me, not yet anyways, but they are very secretive and money oriented!

hmm, sounds like the Catholic Church.

caustic 1

Seems to me no matter what question you ask these days it is racist, biased, sexist or whatever term is "hip" at the time. Everything to over the top and PC in this world.

Nemeses

Too many of ye to quote:

I'm not going to read wikipedia article. I'll bookmark it for later though.

My grandmother is street wise - She wouldn't fall for something like that so we are ok on that one.


Granted, That was my opinion and I'll respectfully accept your point of view as well.

My comparisons aren't great but here, I tried to get the point across regardless.



Can someone give a general summary of being a Scientologist pleaseth?

gw80

Nemeses wrote: »

I've no problems with questions , I like a good topic or debate.

But to me, this question feels like a branding of a person due to their believe or what they decide to do or who they are etc


It's a bit like asking - "has anyone ever had any dealings with black people in Ireland?"

Sounds racist doesn't it? That's because it is.


The question the OP asked I think, almost falls in this category too. It is inconsiderate in a roundabout way.

F&%k EM

shane9689

caustic 1 wrote: »

Seems to me no matter what question you ask these days it is racist, biased, sexist or whatever term is "hip" at the time. Everything to over the top and PC in this world.

no one here mentioned anything about sexism or bias-ism, and my comment was correcting his comparison, it was a poorly choosen comparison

also if thats whats "hip" then great!!!beats doing something stupid and calling it "hip. its about time we got rid of these problems instead of brushing them under the carpet like all the other generations!

Nemeses

gw80 wrote: »

F&%k EM

No idea where your going with that against my post..


Go on anyway.

Nemeses

shane9689 wrote: »

no one here mentioned anything about sexism or bias-ism, and my comment was correcting his comparison, it was a poorly choosen comparison

also if thats whats "hip" then great!!!beats doing something stupid and calling it "hip. its about time we got rid of these problems instead of brushing them under the carpet like all the other generations!

Ok chill man, So I made a poor comparison - Relax.

Fussgangerzone

I haven't had any dealing with scientologists, but it should, in my opinion, be handled like most religious topics in the office; ignored.

If they want to delude themselves and throw money away good luck to them. Shift the conversation to films, even if Tom Cruise does get mentioned a lot.

If you feel that you're being discriminated against, that's a different story.

As for people who think scientology is like every other "religion", no two religions are the same. Scientology is rightly notorious for evangelism and moneygrubbing, so it's perfectly reasonable to consider it differently to other religions with regard to the workplace.

To all intents and purposes, scientology is a sci-fi flavoured pyramid scheme, as opposed to traditional religions which are more like the mafia.

shane9689

Nemeses wrote: »

Ok chill man, So I made a poor comparison - Relax.

that comment wasnt meant for you but for caustic, or whatever his name is

i know, i made my point and so did you, end of

Nemeses

shane9689 wrote: »

that comment wasnt meant for you but for caustic, or whatever his name is

i know, i made my point and so did you, end of

Ah well, in that case..

Down with that sorta thing.

gw80

Nemeses wrote: »

No idea where your going with that against my post..


Go on anyway.

You seem to think that scientologists deserve to be defended like minority groups and should be respected and tiptoed around when they should really be ridiculed and shown up for what they really are.

Thats why i say F*&K EM

shane9689

Fussgangerzone wrote: »

I haven't had any dealing with scientologists, but it should, in my opinion, be handled like most religious topics in the office; ignored.

If they want to delude themselves and throw money away good luck to them. Shift the conversation to films, even if Tom Cruise does get mentioned a lot.

If you feel that you're being discriminated against, that's a different story.

As for people who think scientology is like every other "religion", no two religions are the same. Scientology is rightly notorious for evangelism and moneygrubbing, so it's perfectly reasonable to consider it differently to other religions with regard to the workplace.

To all intents and purposes, scientology is a sci-fi flavoured pyramid scheme, as opposed to traditional religions which are more like the mafia.

^^ this guy!
sums it perfectly

Capt'n Midnight

Fussgangerzone wrote: »

I haven't had any dealing with scientologists, but it should, in my opinion, be handled like most religious topics in the office; ignored.
...

If you feel that you're being discriminated against, that's a different story.

As for people who think scientology is like every other "religion", no two religions are the same. Scientology is rightly notorious for evangelism and moneygrubbing, so it's perfectly reasonable to consider it differently to other religions with regard to the workplace.

To all intents and purposes, scientology is a sci-fi flavoured pyramid scheme, as opposed to traditional religions which are more like the mafia.

Scientology is notorious for gathering information it can use against people.

Imagine if the Catholic church recorded everything in confessionals and told people as penance to gather data on people they meet / work for / prominent persons And to weasel themselves into jobs where that was easier and to harass people during their spare time (ringing up public officials at home at 3am) And were caught doing it repeatedly And you begin to get an idea of what's probably happening.

Do not give personal information or gossip or corporate secrets or indeed anything that could be used against a person to anyone you believe to be a scientologist. At least the NSA/PrISM/ECHELON have some checks and balances

I'm not saying that all scientologists are like this. But it just isn't worth the risk because if for whatever reason some of them decide they could advance their cause by ruining your live they'll have a large organisation primed and ready to assist.

"If you feel that you're being discriminated against, that's a different story."
There is a huge difference between real discrimination and deliberately taking offence so you can go legal.

shane9689

^^ I could tell you follow that procedure with any work partner, or nearly any stranger in general

Cienciano

A guy I went to school with joined. He left after about 3 years, but reckoned he spend about €20k on it :eek:

Nemeses

gw80 wrote: »

You seem to think that scientologists deserve to be defended like minority groups and should be respected and tiptoed around when they should really be ridiculed and shown up for what they really are.

Thats why i say F*&K EM

Nope, not the case at all.

I do not believe in religion, I don't belong to some form of a cult.

I am me. I exist.

To be honest, I couldn't really care for what religion you are. Just don't inflict it on me.




Are you a catholic by any chance?

gw80

Nemeses wrote: »

Nope, not the case at all.

I do not believe in religion, I don't belong to some form of a cult.

I am me. I exist.

To be honest, I couldn't really care for what religion you are. Just don't inflict it on me.




Are you a catholic by any chance?

staunch atheist, I would have said the same about all religions but didnt want to get into a big spiel about that, I would,nt consider myself militant atheist but i think we have enough problems with religion in this country without turning a blind eye to another controlling cult thrown into the mix,

Nemeses

gw80 wrote: »

staunch atheist, I would have said the same about all religions but didnt want to get into a big spiel about that, I would,nt consider myself militant atheist but i think we have enough problems with religion in this country without turning a blind eye to another controlling cult thrown into the mix,

I concur.


To me, religion is a load of sh!te to be honest. Regardless of what it is.

shane9689

i was thinking of starting an anti-religion..where we all get together in a cow shed and talk of crushing the infidel believers...ill gather collections to give to the needy for the craic whilst skimming 33% off the top and then we will go protest a funeral. Ofcourse ill need a volunteer to bully the politicians into submission and anyone caught molesting people shall be quietly hidden at the back of the cow shed...they can milk the cows while theyre at it since they enjoy touching things so much

Nemeses

shane9689 wrote: »

i was thinking of starting an anti-religion..where we all get together in a cow shed and talk of crushing the infidel believers...ill gather collections to give to the needy for the craic whilst skimming 33% off the top and then we will go protest a funeral. Ofcourse ill need a volunteer to bully the politicians into submission and anyone caught molesting people shall be quietly hidden at the back of the cow shed...they can milk the cows while theyre at it since they enjoy touching things so much

Where does one sign up for this craic?

shane9689

Nemeses wrote: »

Where does one sign up for this craic?

We will have our website up soon!
Luckily for you, we need a minister of non-belief
http://www.themonastery.org/ordination

ordain yourself here and get a nice wealthy chunk of prophet from our donations in return...but if you get married we'll have to kill you...100% to the cause of die

mattjack

joeguevara wrote: »

When I was waiting for the bus to Leixlip, just off O'Connell Street, I was asked to do a free personality test. Found out after that they were probably Scientologists. Not that pushy. Might have been a different story if I had gone inside. As a student, on holidays in Germany, a group of us were offered free meal if we did a personality test. No word about it being for scientologists. Once in and fed we did the personality tests. They told me I was borderline sociopath ( I kind of fudged a good lot of the answers) and told me how I could improve myself. Made a quick escape after that. In fact, they said, they had never met a group with so many personality disorders. Great food though.

becost wrote: »

Many years ago, I was walking along O'Connell street and a nice young gent offered me a free personality test. Curiosity got the better of me and I went with him to a fairly grotty place over a shop on abbey street. I was given a form with a load of questions where you had the option to strongly agree, agree, disagree, strongly disagree. The questions started out innocent enough but then they began getting stranger. Questions like "Could you agree to strict discipline?" or "Would you prefer to be in a position where you did not have the responsibilities of making decisions?" or "Do you resent the efforts of others to tell you what to do?"

I thought the questions seemed to be designed to specifically identify a certain type of (easily led) individual and not at all a general personality test. And strangely, both staff members were not around although they were probably spying on me from some secret room or something but I got a sinister feeling about the whole thing and just got up and left. It wasn't for several years after that I found out this "free personality test" is run by the Scientologists.

We'll be collecting you two shortly , your wedding to each other has been arranged.
Bring a bucket of hair , a frog and a wild camel , none of your fancy zoo camels.

Zen65

shane9689 wrote: »

. . and you should judge people on it because believing in an organised religion is like believing in the Irish government...

I think the point you are making is correct, but could be open to misinterpretation, which is exactly what religion thrives on.

You're using two different meanings to the verb 'believe' here, which is quite subtle. You can believe in the Irish government, because the existence of the government is supported by a substantial amount of irrefutable evidence. You may well choose not to have faith in the government, because the competence of the government is supported only by subjective evidence.

Belief in organised religion is equally valid, because there is evidence to support the fact that organised religions exist. Having faith in their teachings, which are about the need and virtue of having faith, is less understandable, since there is almost no evidence to support these articles of faith, and plenty of transparent failings in the religious teachings which would undermine them.

Perhaps a more illustrative comparison would be that religious belief (faith) is akin to believing that Elvis is still alive, on another planet, having been relocated by Xenu.

Scientology: the fusion of science and codology!

Z

shane9689

Zen65 wrote: »

I think the point you are making is correct, but could be open to misinterpretation, which is exactly what religion thrives on.

You're using two different meanings to the verb 'believe' here, which is quite subtle. You can believe in the Irish government, because the existence of the government is supported by a substantial amount of irrefutable evidence. You may well choose not to have faith in the government, because the competence of the government is supported only by subjective evidence.

Belief in organised religion is equally valid, because there is evidence to support the fact that organised religions exist. Having faith in their teachings, which are about the need and virtue of having faith, is less understandable, since there is almost no evidence to support these articles of faith, and plenty of transparent failings in the religious teachings which would undermine them.

Perhaps a more illustrative comparison would be that religious belief (faith) is akin to believing that Elvis is still alive, on another planet, having been relocated by Xenu.

Scientology: the fusion of science and codology!

Z

Thanks, youre right...and if im making a speech or something id look over that, but im just not arsed on boards, and if some religious person argued the point i just wouldnt care anyways

Capt'n Midnight

Cienciano wrote: »

A guy I went to school with joined. He left after about 3 years, but reckoned he spend about €20k on it :eek:

Glad he got clear :pac:


The joke being that someone on the average wage could never afford enough auditing to get Clear.

calfmuscle

You have to love After Hours, this thread goes from racism to hilarity, loving it!

One thing I would like to be clear on, is scientology a religion? Does anyone know for sure?

Some one asked about their being a "cluster" of them where I work. The business owners and one of their children work their as well as another member of staff who is also a scientology. So four in total, but its a small company only 8 employees in total.