I don't think we need to worry about Scientology getting "banned" anytime soon (in the US, anyway), regardless of whether they become violent.

But could somebody please explain to me the difference between Scientology and every other religion on the planet?

called worldwide schens on scientology!

Brian Fellows wrote: Well, aside from the fact that they're responsible for the largest infiltration of the federal government in US history,

While it is obviously hard to measure these things exactly, but I would have to say that Christianity has done a much better job of infiltrating the US government.  Most US elected officials, all branches and levels, claim to be Christian, often regardless of actual belief.

And that's just the US.  Christianity is the official religion of numerous countries, and even has its own country entirely.  Islam is also the official religion of several countries and has managed to push its legal system into effect in many countries as well.

And that's just current affairs.  History yields even more exciting results.

On the "government infiltration by a religion" scale, I would have to say that Scientology is strictly minor league.

...and the way they harass and blackmail their critics,

Again, strictly rookie.  Many people routinely are killed in the name of Islam, and the same was true of every other religion until quite recently.  There are still occasional killings in the name of other religions, but less frequently.  Harass and blackmail?  That's for amateurs.

and the way they abuse so-called "Suppressive Persons", and the mysterious deaths (see Lisa McPherson) that have been linked to them,

I think the Catholic Church/altar boy scandals have this one beat by a mile.

... and the fact that their claims of being a "bona fide religion" are only a ploy to keep their tax exempt status, among other things...

How can you know that?  That may or may not have been true of L.Ron originally, but it appears pretty clear to me now that most Scientologists are actual believers.  MUCH more so, IMO, than is true of the average Christian church in this country (and certainly in Europe). 

L. Ron Hubbard wrote: THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN CONTROL PEOPLE IS TO LIE TO THEM. You can write that down in your book in great big letters. The only way you can control anybody is to lie to them. [...] [An] individual is lying to you because he is trying to control you---because if they give you enough misinformation they will pull you down the tone scale so that they can control you. -L. Ron Hubbard, "Technique 88"

www.xenu.net

www.factnet.org

www.scientologywatch.org

www.suppressiveperson.org/

www.spaink.net

www.narconon-exposed.org

www.studytech.org

www.modemac.com

www.truthaboutscientology.com

www.scientology-lies.com

www.lermanet.com

www.freedomofmind.com

www.altreligionscientology.org

www.xenutv.com

it's not a religion they just call it that to seem more legit.

what other religion makes you pay to attend?

This has inspired me to spread the word against scientology

not kidding at all i must make people hate this

like come on! this is an artist's rendition off wikipedia of xenu's spaceplane:

i laughed

Fellows wrote: Don't really have time for a lengthy discussion right now, but as far as your belief that Scientology is "minor league", with their track record, (as much as I hate this saying) why not nip it in the bud

I certainly agree with that.  Take them out while we can.  But I don't get why Scientology is being singled out as more goofy and/or evil than other religions.

Good links, too.

FROG MAN wrote: I think the best way to really see if the religion is corrupt or just some poeople that are involed are to read teachings from the start of the religion.

Not a bad approach.

FROG MAN wrote: And scientology 's teachings seem pretty screwed up.

Again, I agree - but that same statement applies equally, it seems to me, to all other religions with which I am familiar.

carl wrote: what other religion makes you pay to attend?

All of them?

Scientology is just more straightforward about collecting cash, that's all.

Tithing is deeply embedded in Christianity, for instance.  While it is currently deemed voluntary by most people, that was not always the case.

The RC Church used to have a practice of essentially charging for admission to heaven.

Many churches around the world are directly supported by taxes (this is indirectly true in the US), whether you belong or not.

Almost every church of every kind around the world has managed to create a de facto obligation that you are "supposed to" give money whenever you attend a service.

There are Buddhist temples that have collection boxes on the side of the street.  People driving by will stop on and drop cash in, toll-booth style, with an almost 100% hit rate.

"Voluntary" =/= voluntary.

Try loudly declaring in church that you will no longer be donating to the collection plate.

Do you put money in the collection plate?

More relevantly - do most people in your congregation put money in the plate?

Clark Kent wrote: Do you put money in the collection plate? More relevantly - do most people in your congregation put money in the plate?

Its still optional. Although virtually mandatory, its optional

But that's my point.  Most churches around the world collect cash from 99% of their members.  Scientology just get that last 1%.

Like you say, it is "virtually" mandatory.  Churches have managed to ingrain into society that it is incredibly rude to go to chuch and not donate.  Heck, I go out of my way to make sure to pack appropriate cash before going to church.

To say that the Christian church (and all other churches) don't "require" payment is a theoretical distinction at best.  Practically, the result is the same - except that the RC church is the most efficient fund-raising machine this side of Hillary Clinton.

thatoneguy: that's freggin scary

wow i was bored so i went to a scientology forum and directly insulted it, calling it a cult. look at one of the replies:

Because I have three stars on my shoulder. I am a combat General. Killing people is boring for me now. As a scientologist, it is boring. Setting up the machine guns and killing the small children who try to destroy my defense position. Just what kind of General do you think that I am?

Not at all. 

I just fail to see why people freak out about Scientology, and then go to church/mosque/synagogue/temple.  I don't see how Scientology is any less goofy/mercenary/evil/whatever than any large mainstream religion.

Thatoneguy123 wrote: Its not their beliefs that I hate, its their rules and with their ways of how they act to people out of their cult.

Ok - and how do other religions think of outsiders?

I am not aware of a single religion that does not discriminate against or mistreat outsiders in some way.

Extremist Christians and Muslims (and others), of course, just go ahead and kill outsiders.  Slightly less extreme people keep telling outsiders that they are going to hell, and try to pass laws that prohibit behavior that they deem inappropriate (gay marriage or abortion, for instance).

Some Mormon sects routinely engage in forced marriages of minors, as well as associated kidnappings and whatnot.  And then we have honor killings and "female circumcision", and many other fine traditions.

Everything that Scientologists do in the name of Scientology is absolutely miniscule compared to what Christians in this country alone accomplish on a regular basis.  I don't even have to get medieval - today's Christians (and others) are bad enough.

Clark Kent wrote: I am not aware of a single religion that does not discriminate against or mistreat outsiders in some way.

I think Quakers get pretty close.

Predatorr wrote: But if you believe the whole xenu thing and the E-meter, you just might be an idiot.

I agree.

But how is that any less goofy than believing that you were a Labrador in a previous life, or believing that an old man in the sky made the world in 6 days?

Razgriz Ghost wrote: Proves my entire point that if you want to control people create a religion.

Time for a semi-random famous quote:  "Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful."

Did somebody post and delete?

(But, BTW, "interpolate" is in fact a word)

Ah, yes, I remember.  There may be some special Scientology meaning to the word, for all I know.  Those guys were pretty funny.

(But I don't think you've got the meaning quite right either)

My god these people are relentless I gotta stop watching this. It's not helping them to recruit more followers I can say that much. 

XenoSabre wrote: P.S. - Didn't scientology originate from some sci-fi novel written in the mid-50s?

Kind of.  It was invented by L. Ron Hubbard, who was also a science fiction writer (Battlefield Earth).  And the religion itself sounds a lot like science fiction. 

And wouldn't you say that Christianity and Islam (and all the other religions too) are doing a pretty good job of that as well?

I grant you that Scientology is freaky.  But it still just looks like amateur hour compared to the religion pros out there.

Clark Kent wrote: And wouldn't you say that Christianity and Islam (and all the other religions too) are doing a pretty good job of that as well? I grant you that Scientology is freaky.  But it still just looks like amateur hour compared to the religion pros out there.

Uh yeah, I would, hence the reason that I am a little shakey in my beliefs. Religion is corruptable, people are gullible and religion is a nice tool to control those people. Christian, Islam, Buddhism, Scientology, whatever. As far as scientology goes I'm not more worried about it than I am any other religion and yeah it is amateur hour when you compare it to christianity, a religion that has a different sect, that is thriving, becuase a man wanted to divorce someone.  

Pop quiz for anybody who isn't brihard, and no google:

What was Heinlein's middle name? 

TKD wins.

Name your prize, so long as it is free and harmless.