I agree it's fraud. Though I don't see the difference between an organization that promises to save your soul from Threatens for a price, and one that promise to save your soul from Satan if you pay your tithing. Either way it's superstitious scaremongering for profit.

^I'm no fan of Christianity, but it's unfair to compare well meaning Christians with the scumbags who run Scientology.

Scientology requires that you buy ridiculously expensive classes, books, treatments and potions in order to advance your level of religiosity. Most sects of Christianity accept voluntary donations, but do not require them in exchange for the right to participate.

Lock those sci-fi rejects up and throw away the key as far as I'm concerned.

Yes, in real churches it's absolutely free to waste your time and money.

>> ^dystopianfuturetoday:
^I'm no fan of Christianity, but it's unfair to compare well meaning Christians with the scumbags who run Scientology.
Scientology requires that you buy ridiculously expensive classes, books, treatments and potions in order to advance your level of religiosity. Most sects of Christianity accept voluntary donations, but do not require them in exchange for the right to participate.
Lock those sci-fi rejects up and throw away the key as far as I'm concerned.


They do -now-, but Christian churches have done their share of arm-twisting/extortion in the past. Let's remember the practices of selling indulgences, and tithing. Both of those were directly trading "salvation" for money.

Perhaps a better comparison would be to compare Scientology to a young Christianity. When you do that, they just don't look all that different.

I just can't believe people don't bring up Operation Snow White when talking about Scientology.

Well said stormsinger.

>> ^Stormsinger:
>> ^dystopianfuturetoday:
^I'm no fan of Christianity, but it's unfair to compare well meaning Christians with the scumbags who run Scientology.
Scientology requires that you buy ridiculously expensive classes, books, treatments and potions in order to advance your level of religiosity. Most sects of Christianity accept voluntary donations, but do not require them in exchange for the right to participate.
Lock those sci-fi rejects up and throw away the key as far as I'm concerned.

They do -now-, but Christian churches have done their share of arm-twisting/extortion in the past. Let's remember the practices of selling indulgences, and tithing. Both of those were directly trading "salvation" for money.
Perhaps a better comparison would be to compare Scientology to a young Christianity. When you do that, they just don't look all that different.


That was one of my points over on the comment I made for this video: http://www.videosift.com/video/Scientology-Leader-Can-t-Handle-the-Heat-On-Xenu-Storms-Out

Scientology will learn from its mistakes and slowly become more and more "mainstream" as it grows. Until we start educating people that ALL religion is basically the same, we will have cults and religions (and really, there isn't much of a difference there if you look deep enough.

Christianity presently makes people shoot abortion doctors, deprive homosexuals of basic rights, and all sorts of other bigotry. Why isn't Christianity "dangerous" the way scientology is? Oh, I'm sure some will say that isn't ALL christianity, just the fringe, but the reality is that I'm sure Scientology has its moderates as well...

... Really people, if there was an all powerful force in the universe, there would be some consistency in religion. The very fact that there are so many different views should give you a clue that religion addresses a basic human need to understand the unknown, but isn't actually based on anything real.

Well, except for the Mormons... they are clearly right.

A cult is just a religion without any political power.

I calculated the amount of money spent while going to a Christian church as follows: Number of weeks in a year x a quarter x the number of years I went to church in pre/elementary school + number of weeks in a year x a dollar x the number of years I went to church in junior/high school. I spent roughly 260 of my parents hard earned money at the collection plate. "Mom, can I borrow a dollar?"

>> ^entr0py:
I agree it's fraud. Though I don't see the difference between an organization that promises to save your soul from Threatens for a price, and one that promise to save your soul from Satan if you pay your tithing. Either way it's superstitious scaremongering for profit.

One actually does things for the community, and society while the other one strong arms people/groups/etc into going away.

If you can't figure out what the difference between the two is, I pity you. But around here, the churches(*insert Christian brand* and *insert Jewish brand*) do more to help people than the government does.

>> ^Mashiki:

One actually does things for the community, and society while the other one strong arms people/groups/etc into going away.

Since when was this about food not bombs vs the catholic church?

Is scientology considered a religion instead of a cult anywhere else but in the US?
I'm not really sure what the difference is, is a cult considered more extreme and worship a leader?