What is the attraction to Scientology?

Jackovarian · 08-09-2009 05:45PM #1

Just wondering, why do you think people get involved in Scientology so easily?

08-09-2009 05:47PM

A slim oppurtunity to sniff Katie Holmes knickers

Elessar · 08-09-2009 05:47PM

Brainwashing, in a nutshell.

NedTermo · 08-09-2009 05:48PM

Elessar wrote: »

Brainwashing, in a nutshell.

Small brain to fit in there.

FearDark · 08-09-2009 05:50PM

Southpark made it look cool anyways.

Gingervitis · 08-09-2009 05:52PM

http://www.cracked.com/article/85_6-bull****-facts-about-psychology-that-everyone-believes/

Have a look at #4: "Cult Members are Stupid, Gullible Sheep!"

Salvelinus · 08-09-2009 05:52PM

mental ilness/insecurity
bang crazy chicks
quick money
all of the above

Jackovarian · 08-09-2009 05:54PM

Even after all the horror stories. The fact that you have to pay. The brainwashing. Why do people believe in this rubbish?

Like, it was made up by a science-fiction writer, who obviously seen that more money was to be made by turning one of his stories into a religion...

People probably just do it because its fashionable to do so, and they have absolutely no intelligence.

Biggins · 08-09-2009 05:56PM

Love bombing
Quick fixes(?) to seemingly complex problems.
The status of (dumb) celebs espousing the cult!

...that and the fact that all those of limited foresight are all under the one roof occasionally, so they find it easier to get on with one another with their limited intellect and poor comprehension skills - which is unable to see "the wood from the trees".

Rented Mule · 08-09-2009 06:17PM

The book Dianetics works for some people.

They conveniently leave out the story about the aliens living under the volcano stuff until they have your credit card information.

Pygmalion · 08-09-2009 06:20PM

If you've actually looked at the core beliefs of scientology from the beginning it's easy to see why people believe it.

When you first join scientology you're told very little (pretty much none) of the crazy beliefs, you're pretty much told that bad experiences in your life can cause problems in the future and that by talking about them and getting over them you'll end up happier and less stressed, and this works for many people.

You pretty much "work your way up" (for want of a better phrase) to the crazy ****, at the start it's perfectly reasonable, then they tell you a bit of crazy stuff but you're thinking "Hey, if Scientology has worked me for so far then maybe they're right" and you start to accept what they tell you, in a way I'd consider it brainwashing, or at least exploiting the trust that you've built up in order to keep them paying.

By the time you get to the stuff about aliens and volcanoes and stuff you might have been a member for years and have spent 10s of thousands of euro in total, even if you don't believe it (and by that stage many people are willing to believe anything that the Church tells them) a lot of people don't want to admit that they've been wrong the whole time, after losing all that money and time, and possibly some friends and family along the way.

dlofnep · 08-09-2009 06:21PM

Same as any religion, except for Scientology is much more cunning and actively tries to lure people in.

javaboy · 08-09-2009 06:25PM

Cults attract vulnerable, impressionable and if the monthly "cult in summer bay" Home and Away storylines are to be believed, very hot chicks.

Why wouldn't you join?

ScumLord · 08-09-2009 06:31PM

I thought Scientology was just a fad religion for the rich. I've never really heard of too many normal people joining it. Heard very little about it at all since the Cruise highlighted just how crazy the members are.

Nolanger · 08-09-2009 06:32PM

It tries to rid all the negative mind crap you built up in school from bullying or from your parents?

AnonoBoy · 08-09-2009 06:55PM

Scientology is not a cult.

I firmly believe they are the answer to humanity's problems.

Please desist from bad mouthing our fine fine religion just because you can't understand its amazingly helpful beliefs and practices.

Sincerely,

Tom Cruise. AnonoBoy.

sky88 · 08-09-2009 06:57PM

i think people join it cause they think they will meet some celebritys

jumpguy · 08-09-2009 07:00PM

At least one scientology will come in and call us bigots haha. Anywho, basically, watch the scientology episode of south park, and the big with aliens, spirits and volcanoes and the caption "This is what scientologists actually believe" pretty much explains it.

Kazooie · 08-09-2009 07:02PM

If you ever go to New York I'd recommend going to the Church off Times Square. We went in and they showed us a 15 minute video about Dianetics. Never laughed as much in my life. Gave a fake name and legged it. They never mentioned the aliens and crap which disappointed me..

They do pray on the insecure and vulnerable for sure.

Kold · 08-09-2009 07:10PM

Out of interest, is there a HQ in Dublin?

Biggins · 08-09-2009 07:12PM

Kold wrote: »

Out of interest, is there a HQ in Dublin?

Yes.
Church of Scientology Mission of Dublin & Hubbard Dianetics Foundation
62-63 Middle Abbey Street

http://www.scientology-dublin.org/

Its not as glam as its website. Its a dirty old black door and the HQ is one floor rooms on a first floor.
The whole building is externally filthy. Have protested outside it myself.

Salvelinus · 08-09-2009 07:13PM

Kold wrote: »

Out of interest, is there a HQ in Dublin?

Used to be a few freaks around Abbey Street offering personality tests. I fell for it once as I was bored waiting for a friend. it's only when I sat down did I see the scientology references.

Dozen Wicked Words · 08-09-2009 07:13PM

nana, nana nana nana, Leader, nana nana nana nana Leader, nana nana nana nana Leader, Leader, Leader.

A place awaits you on the planet Blisstonia.

My name is URL · 08-09-2009 07:17PM

It's the greatest pyramid scheme ever dreamt up

Biggins · 08-09-2009 07:20PM

The Irish protest group: http://anoneire.ning.com/

Also see: http://www.unitedpeople.ie/exposed.html

CPT. SURF · 08-09-2009 07:20PM

Biggins wrote: »

Yes.
Church of Scientology Mission of Dublin & Hubbard Dianetics Foundation
62-63 Middle Abbey Street

http://www.scientology-dublin.org/

Its not as glam as its website. Its a dirty old black door and the HQ is one floor rooms on a first floor.
The whole building is externally filthy. Have protested outside it myself.

Out of interest, why?

Biggins · 08-09-2009 07:23PM

CPT. SURF wrote: »

Out of interest, why?

Had a friend who was sucked into it.
Was requested by the family to extract said person as I was the only one capable of doing it with available resources to hand.

CPT. SURF · 08-09-2009 07:26PM

Biggins wrote: »

Had a friend who was sucked into it.
Was requested by the family to extract said person as I was the only one capable of doing it with available resources to hand.

Did you get him/her out of it? I have heard that people who leave the church are just as bat sh1t crazy as those who remain involved. Like they still believe in the teachings but not the organization's methods/practices/etc.

deman · 08-09-2009 07:26PM

People join so that if they should ever happen upon a road accident, they can stop and help. Because nobody else will help the injured. According to the Word of our Lord Tom. :-)

Kold · 08-09-2009 07:32PM

deman wrote: »

People join so that if they should ever happen upon a road accident, they can stop and help. Because nobody else will help the injured. According to the Word of our Lord Tom. :-)

However if they want a blood transfusion, they can f*ck off.

Biggins · 08-09-2009 07:33PM

CPT. SURF wrote: »

Did you get him/her out of it? I have heard that people who leave the church are just as bat sh1t crazy as those who remain involved. Like they still believe in the teachings but not the organization's methods/practices/etc.

You will understand if I am sparing with details. Yes, got the person away from them.
Folk that come out of it are not "nuts" as such. They train of thought process however has been altered in a way that they are made to see things different.
For (one) example: they are taught that anything that disagrees with their way of life or thinking process is either just pure evil and/or wrong from beginning to end.

Depending on the deep level of comprehension skills that have been altered, each individual case of those effected can take different time periods in which to regain a somewhat normal everyday way of reasoning and thinking.

What is the attraction to Scientology?

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