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^^^ MLK we have actual video footage of. I'm not going to comment on that because I'm not going to start a civil-rights debate too.
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I wasn't trying to start a civil rights debate either, but how does a video footage exactly ensure anything about the intentions of a person or the context provided? This isn't an existence sort of thing going on.</p>
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And nobody claims that about Locke either way... so not relevant?
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You'd be surprised... ;)</p>
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And I didn't say that that WAS their intention. I am merely saying that you don't know. The early Christians were ostracized by the "established" Jewish religion. They were considered a "cult". Now they are an established religion and nobody would think of calling them a fringe-religion or something of the like.
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Admittedly it's not easy to always trace the exact intentions of historical figures. I was merely trying to point out how ridiculous the "You weren't there, so ______" was. Sorry if it got out of hand. ;) Nothing against you, romani...</p>
<p>If I know someone is a scientologist it usually makes it in my mind more likely that they are slightly off-balance mentally. There is a much lower probability of that with most other mainstream religions.</p>
<p>Well I do not consider scientology a religion.its a for-profit cult. How they fool people untill they completely brainwash them.I don't like how a lot of the government if florida,specifically tampa/clearwater, actually meet with these people and take campain money from them...<strong><em>?? Freezone scientology im cool with.if you want to be a lil off and believe the stuff that's cool but the "'church' of scientology" I dislike with a passion. Why do you have to pay all this money, IF there intention wasn't to make money?? And as far as having millions of members? BULL *</em></strong>..most of europe won't let em come near there. California and florida <em>seem</em> to be where most their members are.</p>
<p>I read somewhere once you make it to the highest level of scientology they basically tell you the religion is fake and we scammed you out of a lot of money.</p>
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With the assistance of psychiatrists, he summoned billions of his citizens together under the pretense of income tax inspections, then paralyzed them and froze them in a mixture of alcohol and glycol to capture their souls.
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<p>Glycol IS an alcohol, all founders of religions should have to take organic chemistry.</p>
<p>I don't know guys, I'm kind of wary of those summoning, paralyzing psychiatrists.</p>
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Hubbard made millions a week when Scientology gained a lot of members.
Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. - By Michael Crowley - Slate Magazine</p>
<p>Scientology has also killed several members:
Scientology associated deaths</p>
<p>I protested at Orlando in April, and it was fun.</p>
<p>Scientology is a destructive cult, not a bona fide religion.
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Yes, because no one who is a Christian, Jew, or Muslim has ever made money off of their religion. And Christianity and Islam clearly have never been used to justify killing anyone. I mean, we'd definitely have a hard time making a list of "deaths associated with Christianity or Islam".</p>
<p>By your definition all religions are pretty much destructive cults. I agree with the OP, the way people view scientology is pretty hypocritical. I don't want anything to do with scientology, but I'm not going to start legislating laws trying to outlaw it either.</p>
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Yes, because no one who is a Christian, Jew, or Muslim has ever made money off of their religion. And Christianity and Islam clearly have never been used to justify killing anyone. I mean, we'd definitely have a hard time making a list of "deaths associated with Christianity or Islam".
<p>I distrust any religion started by a really good fiction writer.</p>
<p>Although I will tell you that Battlefield Earth was one FANTASTIC READ. I am sure the movie stank, they usually do, but try the book. It's just a wonderful tale, although after Earth gets saved, it does go downhill after that.</p>
Lucille: Well, apparently, mood-altering medication leads to street drugs. That's what this very handsome young doctor said on the Today Show.
Michael: That was Tom Cruise, the actor.
Lucille: They said he was some kind of scientist...
I was lured into the church when I was in LA. In an attempt to save a few bucks, I decided to check out a "free admissions" museum. Oy! I was held captive for 2 hours. The funniest part was when one of the scientologists explained how a small current going through my body, measuring impedance to see if I was depressed.</p>
<p>Well I don't like any religions I have better things to do,but this....CULT is taking over <em>hollywood</em> making it look all glamorous when its a crock of ****..plus they use and abuse people. I know a scientologist who is high on them stupid ot levels and he realized its a scam too late..now he still pays em money and promotes em(though not as much) so they don't tell everyone his dirty lil secrets and ruin his career. Its pure blackmail.confess all your skeletons so when you wake up they have the bait to keep you and people buy it hook,line and sinker.its disgusting</p>
<p>people are only making a big fuss out of Scientology because Tom Cruise ....converted to it. Which brings me to another issue:</p>
<p>Why the hell did all the pathetic losers of the world make such a HUGE deal out of him jumping on a damn couch! It's still a mystery to me how he can get more publicity for embarrassing himself in front of the whole word than that given to real news. What's been going on in Darfur? I don't know, but Tom Cruise can jump on couches! Isn't that amazing!?!?!
I really want to understand what the hell is wrong with people! Please, someone help me with this. :)</p>
<p>Anybody ever wonder why religion has this untouchable position in our society? If someone ever criticizes a religion, most people think they've stepped over the line and get all angry at them. IMO religion should be open to criticism as much as the government is and it should be mocked if it deserves to be mocked. People should stop thinking that religion is on this pedestal where nobody can touch it or talk about it in a bad light.</p>
<p>Also, scientology is not a "religion", it is a cult. A cult founded by a sci-fi writer who wanted to get rich. Oh and how many "religion"s do you know harass their ex-members and have a goal to tank their reputation?</p>
<p>Look up the documentary "Panorama - Scientology and Me" on youtube and watch the whole episode, not just the clips where Sweeney blows up (but he does rightfully so).</p>
<p>They're not looked down on specifically for their ridiculous beliefs, but more because of their ridiculous nature of keeping tabs on all of their members and trying to slander any of their vocal critics.</p>
<p>Oh yea and I just read someone's post; I'd bet money that MOST religions were started by really good sci-fi writers, just because you know specifically of one guy who did it in the last century doesn't mean the others weren't started by one :) Once scientology hits the 500+ year mark (if it lasts long enough) and doesn't get branded a cult and keeps growing, it has a chance to have as much respect as the current days religions do. Once enough time has passed, nobody will remember how it was founded besides knowing the guys name.</p>