In it's relatively short life-span, Scientology has garnered a lot of attention from the media and public at large - mainly for its unorthodox idea's about the world and humanity as well as the way in which it takes money from it's members. My question is - can Scientology be called a religion? Or is it merely a cult? And moreover, should it be allowed to advertise itself on the internet if it IS a cult?
It seems to me that the only goal of Scientology is to relieve as many rich and dumb people of their money as possible. The 'Audits' that they have to pay increasingly ridiculous amounts of money for are supposedly stripping the person of 'negative traumatic incidents' from past lives and yet they use This to do it - which seems weird.
So to sum up: Is Scientology a religion? Or a cult?
Is it harmful to the people that follow it?
(Until the world agrees that Scientology is either a religion or a cult) Should they be allowed to advertise themselves to people?
Do you have any personal views or experiences of Scientology?
Just because you think a religion is stupid doesn't mean it is a scam[/quote] No, you're right, it doesn't mean that. But scientology IS a scam. That's a fact.
That was offensive. Some people actually believe in it, making it a religion
Those are the ones being scammed. Religion is the cover, the believers will defend it and that's why scientology still exists. But sadly, the believers are defending those who are scamming them.
And I fully agreed to that point. But, though it was not me who made the original statement, I think you interpreted it 'backwards': it's not thinking that religion is stupid who makes it a scam; it's the religion being a scam that makes it stupid. Also, there was no statement about how the guy thought about it in the first place; he just said it was a scam. It is probable that he thought it was stupid but he didn't mention it in the slightest. My point is: you're totally right here, you just interpreted things that weren't written.
Sorry if I am cherry picking on that point, but I felt like clearing misunderstandings.
I agree DarthLama, and HahiHa. I feel bad for anyone who has fallen under that. Some people are just looking for something to follow, go to religion, and fall under a cult, like Scientology. Hubbard was a monster. Normally, I'm extremely respectful about others and their religions, but I don't even consider this a religion.
Sorry all of you Scientology followers, the signs add up. Do some research.
I have to wonder if back in Rome if there were groups of people gathered together saying some of the same things about Christianity that we are saying about Scientology? (before Christianity took hold of course)
I have to wonder if back in Rome if there were groups of people gathered together saying some of the same things about Christianity that we are saying about Scientology?
Um, yes they probably did. Except if they were caught the Romans would either beat them possibly kill them. Good thing we're a little more tolerant
