So, the Cruise video leaks, and suddenly flooding every internet community is "Anonymous" - which is an anti-Scientology group destined to bring down Scientology. Newsweek did a story about them last week. This online campagin resulted in mass protests all over the globe "in 100's of cities" thousands of people protested Scientology.
Check out Google for the latest headlines.
I've linked to the documentary A Beginners Guide to L Ron Hubbard before, but it's worth another look. Hardeep Singh Kohli investigates for Channel 4 UK whether or not he can find God through Scientology. This leads him on an unlikely adventure through Europe and eventually Russia where he chronicles his experience in becoming a Scientologist. It's embedded below, but full screen is recommended for longer videos.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. L ron hubbard was rumored to have said.
"writing for pennies is no way to get rich.if you want to make millions,start a religion."
and thats exactly what he did.
my problem is not with someone starting a religion.
if it gives you happiness,and puts a smile on your face,thats great.
but when you start looking a bit closer to this "religion" some disturbing stories start to surface.
while we can be tolerant of another religion,even convert if we so desire.
some stories on see on scientology reflect:
intolerance,control,propaganda,emotional manipulation,fiscal liability.
all the makings of a fascist religion.
one that once your in,it's not easy to get out.
i find scientologies philosophy and doctrine to be questionable at best and repressive at its worst.
the fact that this organization continues to fight vehemently for its secrecy only lays more credence on its accusers claims.
check out:
http://www.xenutv.com/
with all this new publicity,and new public awareness,until this organization becomes more transparent in its claims.there will will always be a tide of suspicion.
till next time..peace.
Enoch D.D.S
enoch at 10:15AM on Feb 11th 2008
2. some stories on scientology reflect:
intolerance,control,propaganda,emotional manipulation,fiscal liability.
all the makings of a fascist religion.
_______________________
I feel that way about all western religions. Even though I am not religious, I have a lot more respect for eastern religions like Taoism or Jainism. I think they live exemplary lives, non-violent and focused and I have incorporated some of their practices into my (atheist) life.
I live in the Tampa Bay area and visited the Scientology center in Clearwater once. It's definitely impressive. Gold and marble everywhere, the foyer is truly grand, but the CRAP they talk about leaves no doubt about their collective insanity. I always knew L. Ron Hubbard made the whole thing up in his head. Think about it...Sci-Fi writer first, little alien-based religion next. I think I am going to start a religion, too. I will call my church the First Assembly of Reason, Logic and Common Sense.
emma at 12:24PM on Feb 11th 2008
3. I feel sorry for the guy. He did get brainwashed. He heard the stories of the people and how the werre being repressed, but never qualified it with the fact that they brainwash people. When youre brainwashed, you never know it until you snap out of it. By the end of the show, he had a very positive view of the church, he even brushed off their rediculous "genesis" story as unimportant. Brainwashed indeed.
Brett at 1:45PM on Feb 11th 2008
4. ATHEIST
Scientology is an important story in modern Hollywood.
The Writer's Guild offers resources and bargains for better contracts. SAG is the Screen Actors Guild.
Tom Cruise, Travolta and others have turned Scientology into an unofficial union or guild for professionals working on Tom Cruise movies.
It takes a lot of effort to finish a movie on time and under budget. Many Scientology principles seem aimed at that process.
http://www.able.org/about/l-ron-hubbard/images/l-ron-hubbard_4.jpg
I see people still don't know how Scientology started. L. Ron Hubbard decided to create a religion that was so ridiculous, only the most gullible would join. It was a JOKE, folks. but then Hubbard got creative and decided to give his phony religion a few sensible rules.
At first, Scientology was the story of a Galactic Empire that collapsed, and sent some of their prisoners to earth to inhabit human bodies. Those are the Thetans.
Scientology went after movie stars and people who felt guilty about being famous. Those movie stars used their influence to get better jobs for fellow Scientologists. Tom Cruise apparently deals with the Xenu origin by... pretending it doesn't exist.
Or maybe Tom Cruise is a secret follower of Xenu. If you want to know the true origin of Scientology, check out the character played by Travolta in "Battlefield Earth."
http://www.lovefilm.com/lovefilm/images/products/3/4913-large.jpg
William Hays at 2:36PM on Feb 11th 2008
5. "I think they're all loony - no offense!" LOL Jeff, you crack me up. Calling someone loony is offensive in most cultures.
Mel at 3:32PM on Feb 11th 2008
6. Would this be the appropriate place to mention L. Ron Hoover and the First Church of Appliantology (thanks to Frnk Zappa)? Or fellow SF writer Larry Niven's Third Evangelical Church of Rodney?
alan at 4:25PM on Feb 11th 2008
7. So they used a combination of total immersion and cheap psychological tricks on Hardeep.
Hardeep never has a bad hair day.
Captain Negative at 4:31PM on Feb 11th 2008
8. i agree emma,
for the most part anyways.
western religious philosophy can be intolerant also.
i find those of that ilk to be of the fundamentalist type.
eastern religious philosophy has their fundamentalist intolerants also.
and we all know,fundamentalism=braindead.
but you can always leave these religions.
not so easy to do in scientology.
they are like the mafia,once your in...your IN.
i find that very draconian and not a little reprehensible.
oh,and i live in the tampa bay area also.
coincidence?
till next time..peace.
Enoch D.D.S
enoch at 6:36PM on Feb 11th 2008
9. I've been a practicing Taoist for many years. A couple of times a week, I go hang out at a Taoist center, practicing martial arts, Qigongs and meditations. Not once has anyone mentioned, "god."
I certainly don't speak for Taoism and I don't doubt that some practitioners of Taoist arts are "religious." I do not agree though that Taoism is a "religion." It certainly isn't one to me, an atheist. Taoism doesn't require even an ounce of dogma.
And if anyone knows of a single Taoist who wants Taoism to take over America's politics and culture, I'd like to hear about it.
Captain Negative at 6:51PM on Feb 11th 2008
10. Scientology is no more looney than any ther religion. Invisible men, ghosts, aleins, what's the difference?
mac at 8:32PM on Feb 11th 2008
11. Good point, mac. Could it be that L. Ron Hubbard drew from mormonism?
Captain, Taosim is "classified" as a religion, but because there is no deity to worship (much like Buddhism and Jainism), it could be called a lifestyle as well.
Enoch, if you haven't seen the downtown Clearwater Scientology Center, you should visit. It is open to the public every so often. I didn't perceive anyone to be pushy; it resembles a museum visit more than anything and it offers some insight into how they are able to "capture" their following.
Just make sure it's not during one of those "Anonymous" demonstrations...
The mafia...aren't they a roman catholic organization? :)
emma at 9:17PM on Feb 11th 2008
12. Emma:
I'm pretty sure.....though, does William Hays have any info on that subject of the mafia?
ella at 4:02AM on Feb 12th 2008
13. You silly. All religions are not looney. God respects many if not all. For instance, one time a Muslim girl was giving me grief, saying that a work-related job was beneath her. (We called her the Pakinstani Princess) But I refused to yell at her, as I thought it beneath me. Some angel came to her in a dream that night and told her to behave herself. She came the next day and reported the dream to me. If God didn't care for Muslims, why would he warn her to behave herself?
I can't say for sure why there are so many religions, but it could actually be God's doing--to prevent a monopoly. I personally enjoy watching Eastern Orthodox ceremonies. And where would Jim Carrey be without Zen Buddhism? ("Oh, exalted one, I have yet to achieve super-galactic oneness...")
The Goddess Athena at 11:03AM on Feb 12th 2008
14. Athena, I thought you were atheist. Was that sarcasm?? (very confused)
K at 4:49PM on Feb 12th 2008
15. I like all the Anonymous protesters in England wearing the Guy Fawkes masks. If you have never seen the V for Vendetta movie, check it out. Nothing else out there even comes close to depicting the situation we find our country in today. SCARRY ! And apparently, so are some of these Scientologists. An hour searching on Youtube about these folks sure was "enlightening".
BILL G at 9:53AM on Feb 13th 2008