Persia Posted July 18, 2011 #1 Share Posted July 18, 2011 Since 1993, Scientology, which many people have long considered to be a “cult,” has been a religion in the eyes of the United States government, with the tax exemption that goes along with that. But whether it is actually a “religion” in the way that most of us think about religion is a wholly different matter. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/guest-voices/post/is-scientology-a-religion/2011/07/17/gIQATEnSKI_blog.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Wearer of Hats Posted July 18, 2011 #2 Share Posted July 18, 2011 Arguably, you're only a cult until you've been around long enough. that said, it's a tax dodge. People who knew Hubbard when he set up Happiology have confirmed it. Friends of Hubbard have confirmed it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
libstaK Posted July 18, 2011 #3 Share Posted July 18, 2011 Scientology is a cult, I don't care how long it hangs around it will always be a cult - thetans? seriously? and because L Ron Hubbard said so no less? amazingly discombobulating. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fyfee Posted July 18, 2011 #4 Share Posted July 18, 2011 It's a cult. We watched a lot of documentaries about it at school and the people were talking about how the leaders of the cult would teach them how to deal with their families when their families asked them to leave scientology. Eventually they would separate them from their families completely. Doesn't sound very friendly to me. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+HerNibs Posted July 18, 2011 #5 Share Posted July 18, 2011 It is classified as a religion by the IRS. I consider it a business. A scam business at that. A violent abusive scam business. Nibs 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corp Posted July 20, 2011 #6 Share Posted July 20, 2011 The belief system itself could be seen as a religion. The Church however is without a doubt a cult. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLOMBIE Posted July 20, 2011 #7 Share Posted July 20, 2011 We have had several cases on that in Germany, and Scientology was never allowed to operate as a religious community. The official status they have in Germany is that of membership corporation, very much like a sports or cigar club. They are also under close observation by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution. I am glad it is like that, as I very much believe that is is a cult. A very dangerous and evil one indeed. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beckys_Mom Posted July 20, 2011 #8 Share Posted July 20, 2011 It is many things ...A cult...a scam..and a religion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Snstr Posted July 20, 2011 #9 Share Posted July 20, 2011 "Quickest way to make a millions dollars is to start a religion." ...probably followed by "U mad bro?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beckys_Mom Posted July 20, 2011 #10 Share Posted July 20, 2011 (edited) I am glad it is like that, as I very much believe that is is a cult. A very dangerous and evil one indeed. Is there a religious cult that is not dangerous and evil? Edited July 20, 2011 by Beckys_Mom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLOMBIE Posted July 20, 2011 #11 Share Posted July 20, 2011 Good remark, Beckys_Mom. Well, it is debatable whether it's a cult or not (it does have cult-like structures), but I would not call the Freemasons dangerous and evil. Or the Jedis in the UK, which are now a recognized religion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beckys_Mom Posted July 20, 2011 #12 Share Posted July 20, 2011 Good remark, Beckys_Mom. Well, it is debatable whether it's a cult or not (it does have cult-like structures), but I would not call the Freemasons dangerous and evil. Or the Jedis in the UK, which are now a recognized religion. Give them time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLOMBIE Posted July 20, 2011 #13 Share Posted July 20, 2011 You mean they will eventually turn to the dark side? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
truthseeker68 Posted July 20, 2011 #14 Share Posted July 20, 2011 In my opinion ALL religions started as a Cult. Christianity started as a handful of followers didn't it.??? Scientolgy the same way...and many,many others. Who knows...a thousand years from now Scientology may be bigger than Christianity..??? And they may look back and say that Christians or Muslims are a Cult. I'm just saying... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+HerNibs Posted July 20, 2011 #15 Share Posted July 20, 2011 In my opinion ALL religions started as a Cult. Christianity started as a handful of followers didn't it.??? Scientolgy the same way...and many,many others. Who knows...a thousand years from now Scientology may be bigger than Christianity..??? And they may look back and say that Christians or Muslims are a Cult. I'm just saying... The only way to "advance" or become a better member of Scientology and learn it's doctrine is by money. Their "religious texts" are secret and unless you pony up the money, you don't get to become a good or great Scientologist. As far as I know, all other religions don't consider their religious texts as proprietary and secret. Nibs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
truthseeker68 Posted July 20, 2011 #16 Share Posted July 20, 2011 No...but they expect a donation or sacrifice to the chosen Church or GOD now don't they. In the Bible somewhere..??? I believe is mentions something about giving part of your earnings to the Church...well at least with Scientology you feel like your gettin something for your money... Look at the Temple in INDIA for instance...they have found Hundreds of Millions worth of tributes given to the temple...but yet people are starving.??? Hmmmmmm.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+HerNibs Posted July 20, 2011 #17 Share Posted July 20, 2011 No...but they expect a donation or sacrifice to the chosen Church or GOD now don't they. In the Bible somewhere..??? I believe is mentions something about giving part of your earnings to the Church...well at least with Scientology you feel like your gettin something for your money... You can still be part of a church/mosque/temple and NOT donate. Scientology doesn't work that way. You do NOT get to learn the doctrine unless you pay. Look at the Temple in INDIA for instance...they have found Hundreds of Millions worth of tributes given to the temple...but yet people are starving.??? Hmmmmmm.... Yeah, just like the Catholic Church. False trail. Not the same thing. Nibs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S.Tx.Rocker Posted July 20, 2011 #18 Share Posted July 20, 2011 Since 1993, Scientology, which many people have long considered to be a “cult,” has been a religion in the eyes of the United States government, with the tax exemption that goes along with that. But whether it is actually a “religion” in the way that most of us think about religion is a wholly different matter. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/guest-voices/post/is-scientology-a-religion/2011/07/17/gIQATEnSKI_blog.html "I like to describe Scientology as a global spiritual enterprise – a religious corporation with a far greater emphasis on the “corporate,” profit-making side of the ledger." That doesn't sound like any type of religion to me. It sounds more like a bunch of people that pretty much care about money, based on the above statment. I think it's b***s**t. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Snstr Posted July 20, 2011 #19 Share Posted July 20, 2011 "I like to describe Scientology as a global spiritual enterprise – a religious corporation with a far greater emphasis on the “corporate,” profit-making side of the ledger." That doesn't sound like any type of religion to me. It sounds more like a bunch of people that pretty much care about money, based on the above statment. I think it's b***s**t. Well then wouldn't a religion that worships money and profiteering be legit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little_dreamer Posted July 20, 2011 #20 Share Posted July 20, 2011 Since Scientology won't admit to its doctrine, it is not a religion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WoIverine Posted July 20, 2011 #21 Share Posted July 20, 2011 (edited) A religion? Hardly. What's that shock device they use called? I forget, but the whole thing is crazy. I would think that a "religion" should at least be a few hundred years old. Side Note: Everytime 'anonymous' attacks Scientology...they get even more interesting. Go Anon! Edited July 20, 2011 by Spid3rCyd3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erowin Posted July 20, 2011 #22 Share Posted July 20, 2011 Scientology is a money making scheme. Not even the head leaders actually believe any of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WoIverine Posted July 20, 2011 #23 Share Posted July 20, 2011 (edited) Scientology is a money making scheme. Not even the head leaders actually believe any of it. I actually think the celebrities do buy into it, especially Tom Cruise. That guy's a few bricks short. I feel bad for Katie. Edited July 20, 2011 by Spid3rCyd3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLOMBIE Posted July 21, 2011 #24 Share Posted July 21, 2011 But isn't Tom Cruise one of the leaders by now? I remember that being said after his beautiful speech leaked. Oh, by the way, I have casually met Tom Cruise on 2 occasions, and he did not seem "a few bricks short" at all. Just a bit stiff and eccentric. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WoIverine Posted July 21, 2011 #25 Share Posted July 21, 2011 I just really can't even buy into anything created by L Ron Hubbard, I'm sorry, but no. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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