Iria

Source: Tech-Ex
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It's no secret that a war has broken out between a group of hackers calling themselves Anonymous and the Church of Scientology. However, it appears the first innocent casualty has fallen.

OmegaRED

This "war" on Scientology will last about as long as it takes Anonymous members to get social lives (or when GTA4 comes out whichever happens first), the idea that attacking their website will impact Scientology in the real world is only something a bunch of nerds could have dreamed up.

I say let the rich and gullible have Scientology. Tom Cruise and John Travolta aren't likely to be flying planes into any office buildings (maybe a volcano) nor picketing funerals of gays or military dead (gays are certainly welcome in Scientology). Scientology will implode on itself one day or it will eventually become a "respected" religion just like the rest, singling it out will accomplish nothing.

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germanjulian

sigh.... their goal is to have power in politics.... ur simplistic view of scientology is pretty sad to be honest... i am more worried about them then any islamic terror network as they already have more power and resources to control and terrorise

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OmegaRED

Give me a break. You're more worried about a bunch of pampered celebrities who can't even take criticism without launching lawsuits over Islamic terrorists willing to kill you or convert you?

Let me put it this way: One of those groups will try and nuke you the other will produce the movie about it.

Look, I know what Scientology is about and how it operates (much like any other brainwashing cult) but America is already controlled by Christianity and if Scientologists think they're going to start making any decisions they are delusional. They'll only have as much political power and influence as their money can buy them, much like any other special interest group. When push comes to shove the entire organization would collapse because it is built and run by scammers and they'll be the first to abandon ship if their "religion" ever goes under the microscope.

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ChaosMinionX

I hope they succeed, someone needs to get rid of that cult. Germany has already taken the first steps to outlaw it as well, I hope other countries follow suit.

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Vikingod

a wise man once said "the only difference between a cult and a religion is money".

And as far as political control goes, the christian churches have had political power for hundreds of years, as have the islamic and every other mainstream religion. What makes Scientology any worse? At least they haven't started a war or bombed a bus station.

Do I buy what their selling? No, of course not, I'm an educated man. But I don't buy what everyone else is selling either. I really don't see the core differences between any of them, other than time and history.

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ChaosMinionX

Well said.

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OmegaRED

Personally, I feel that all that separates a cult from a religion is time and membership numbers...but money don't hurt either

Scientology couldn't even convert Nicole Kidman and we're supposed to believe they're going to take over the White House? If a war breaks out between Christianity and Scientology I'd bet on the side that carries shotguns and crosses not lawyers and e-meters.

That's just it, I suspect many of these Anonymous guys are motivated by their own religious beliefs and I won't support it. They're hypocrites for going after one organization and ignoring the ones in their own backyard. I've seen their reasons for doing this (a few dead scientologists who strayed) but that's not even the hair on the camels ass compared to what any of the monotheist religions have accomplished.

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WaltC

Sort of like the Republican and Democratic national parties, maybe?... Let's face it, the world is full of groups both large and small who have large or small numbers of adherents, and all of them have budgets and raise differing amounts of money for one thing or another. At the core of such groups there is always dogma of one sort or another--in politics we call such dogma "party platforms." Politics for many is a religion all its own.

In the US, we are Constitutionally granted the right to free association, which means simply that the the choice of what groups of people we wish to belong to is ours and is a choice the government may not usurp. OTOH, being a member of a particular group is no defense for law breaking. I sort of like it balanced that way...

Besides, elevating Scientology to the status of religion seems a gross exaggeration to me. It seems little different to me from the "if it feels good it's OK to do it" school of philosophy. For me Scientology is just one more kook philosophy adopted only by kooks. The world is full of such groups and if we expect them to honor the personal choices we make in life then we had better honor their personal choices, too.

Well, what about gun-toting governments who come a knockin' at your door to arrest you for membership in a group that is breaking no laws and depriving no one else of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? That specter scares me far more than the Scientologists or the Christians or the Atheists do, because governments have far more money and far more guns.

And that in turn isn't even a hair on the camel's ass of what various atheistic, or else anti-Christian governments, have accomplished during the ages in terms of raw human carnage. Stalin, for instance, slaughtered tens of millions and he's just for starters on the list of history's self-professed atheist mass murderers.

I guess the point I'm trying to make here is simply that depriving other people of either their life or their liberty or their happiness is not something historically restricted to one or two groups of people, or one or two religions, or one or two governments. Historically, people from all of these groups at one time or another have committed dreadful atrocities. It's called "human nature," unfortunately, and it's something that every person who has ever lived was born with.

Basically, I think that if we treat people according to our opinions of the things they believe, instead of treating them as we would have them treat us, then we only get what we deserve in the end. Intolerance has never served anyone well, imo.

dragonfist22

WaltC,

I have to say that you hit the nail on the head. As a Scientologist, I really think that I am a kook and can certainly get tired of hearing the media representation of my religion. But that is not the point.

If more people took this view of other's views, there would be a lot less violence and none of the major atrocities in our history (Stalin, Hitler, Roman treatment of Christians,Crusades,Inquisitions,911, etc.).

I don't have to believe what you believe and you don't have to believe what I believe, for us to treat each other decently.

Maddogg6

Hmmm - some people can be bought... politicians seem to fit that description - no?

I personally worry about Co$'s influence they *are* exerting in washington (pandering 'Study Tech' to our dept of education)... and
look at the Lisa McPherson case. A murder charge dropped over alleged copyright issues.. .come on. (tho admittedly, I havent spent too much time investigating that case - but thats my understanding)
Lisa McPherson Memorial Page: killed by the Church of Scientology

Another gal, who was critical of Co$ was proven framed by the CoS (they mailed them self a mail bomb - she lucked out when a raid uncovers docs to prove it.)
Paulette Cooper - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Of course you'll find plenty of stuff denying all this too from the Co$ - but, 1 fluke is easily dismissed - but this many - is too many to be all 'false accusations'

I read part of RLH's Dianetics a long time ago and seen it was brainwashing swill that it is - I burned that book (literally) and am ashamed to have spent the $3 on it as a used book store.

But yeah - they are scary to me too.

Google 'Church of Scientology Criminal' - and be over whelmed.
Sure you'll find some with 'Catholic Criminal' - but with the Co$ with their reported 3.5M (??) members - pff - statistically something is wayyy wrong there considering there are sooo many more catholics.

Look up Narc-anon too - I read people passing out from excess steam room exposure in their 'detox' regimen - anyone with common sense will tell you - 'passing out' is dangerous for human physiology. AFAIK there are many pending lawsuits reguarding their practices such as this.
Bottom line - I have little respect for those who feel they can practice medicine without a license as they have been charged with on multiple occasions - they seem to feel above the laws in some aspects - but make use of them against those critical against them - thus their nickname of 'the church of sueology'

dragonfist22

Yeah, well, wikipedia and the internet in general, is not exactly a reliable source of factual information.

Just one example:

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/04/we.../04seelye.html

If I really wanted to find out what, say Christianity was all about or what the basic tenent are, I would read the Bible. I might Google it. But I certainly wouldn't consider it a reliable source of facts as anyone can create a web page and write whatever they want. Doesn't make any of it true.

And brainwashing could hardly be done by someone reading a book by its very definition.

It all really comes down to whether one really cares to find out the truth or would they rather find something to further support hatred and ignorance. I, certainly, if I had the desire, find tons of information on the internet to support hatred of Christianity, Ismal, Judaism, Muslim, etc., etc. But I would know exactly what I was doing. Or I could read the tenents of those religions and come to an understanding.

If all I was interested in was forwarding my own prejudice, well, the internet is an easy place to do that.

Maddogg6

I hope your not inferring FOX/ABC/CBS/NBC news is more reliable? Give me PUBLIC contributed and regulated info over single body controlled info ANYDAY - sure, we will never be exposed to 100% truth - but wikipedia is more democratic than ANY OTHER source... you believe in democracy dont you?

AND I also said *if* you care to read it...
And who would interpret the bible for you - will you take it literal, or as parable ?
Exactly - you need to look in multiple places - GOOGLE just points me to the sources - Google isnt the source to be wrong or right - its just a search engine. The site(s) - as in multiple - are *all* prejudice huh? You obviously didnt try it... ok - thanks for the disrespect - I may return the favor.

1) You chose the VERY LAST definition - what about...
What is 'propaganda'? - its often books, movies, music - and NOT always personal interventions.


2) so, yes... a book 'can' be a tool for brainwashing
3) And besides... 'swill' as I used it = 'material' - the 'lessons' (eh hem) imposed in 'brainwashing'

please point out 'hatred' on my part... opinion maybe - facts as reported by multiple sources definitely - but, to infer I am spreading 'hatred' is out of line. Spreading the word of allegations <> hatred.

Problem is -
1) this isnt a debate about those religions
2) the 'truth' is there are MANY allegations against Co$ and RLH. Its not 'hatred' - its facts as reported by those multiple sources.
3) And yup - you'll find those who use their religion to perform their fraud too as well. No argument there.

Point out my prejudice. please. Dont confuse opinion with prejudice - there *is* a difference. Notice how I, even tho, you clearly insulted me - kept my composure and simply re-stated my case. Seems you are prejudice against anyone critical of your faith - this is typical of any faith.

dragonfist22

Wow. No prejudice there.

Maddogg6

where exactly?

And still no ON TOPIC 'facts' from you either.... just more 'accusations' ...

Support your case - or drop out of the debate already...