Scientology

[Sagiquarius]

Hi all,

I want to get your thoughts on Scientology. It's areligion or a school of thought certainly would seem to fall in line with many of the problems facing many of us.

I emailed this dude at a church not too far from where I am and I basically asked him what could Scientology do for me. He replied that Scientology undercuts many of our problems like depression, anciety, lack of focus and lack of motivation. He's singing my song right?

The only problem is who knows if any of this actually works. He suggested that I buy that book "Dianetics", which I guess is like the handbook for Scientology. It oulines the techniques by which you can overcome these problems.

Has anyone looked into Scientology or the book Dianetics? If so has it helped you in any way?

[megrocks]

Scientology (like other cults) markets to lost college students. They had an office located across the street from my university and one time a friend and I were cocerced into going in. They had us take a long mulitple choice test about our feelings, and if we have been searching for our place in the world - about 300 questions. After the "test" you met with one of their people, and they worked on getting you to join (and buy the Dianetics book.) I remember posters on the wall showing "the Higher Churches of Scientology" and they were mansions along the beach and in the Alps. I snuck out before meeting with the person, but I think if you're looking for spiritual fufillment - Scientology is not what you're looking for.

[WeirdBrake]

Also, L. Ron Hubbard was a raging homophobe as well, so think carefully before making him your spiritual/mental health guru.

[paiger81]

Alright, so my favorite actor(John Travolta) ever is a Scientologist, so I've looked into it.

Scientology isn't necessarily a religion, there are Catholic Scientologists, Baptist Scientologists, etc.

Their "cures" for a lot of the mental illness and what not is meditation. John Travolta claims he can cure people of their headaches with his touch. I'm not saying it can't happen(cause I believe in all sorts of occult type stuff) but I'm not sure I could follow a religion created by the same guy who wrote "Battleship Earth"

[Sagiquarius]

Damn...thanks for the info you guys. The reason I asked is because it looked more than a little sketchy. I was slightly skeptical once the guy said in his email that I need to buy the Dianetics book...and that it would be the best $8.99 I ever spent on myself.

So I guess the search continues.

[gluegun]

The fact that you have to buy the book is a warning sign in and of itself. Most religions just can't wait to give you a free copy of their holy book.

[WeirdBrake]

Some have written it out as the "Church of $cientology."

[hopeless]

I've heard of scientology since Tom Cruise & John Travolta are devoted to this kind of thing. I'm not sure to call this a religion or not, but I think it's a fake.

[gluegun]

Yeah, but aren't all religions fake? I mean, if this belief system makes people "feel good" then how is it different from any other belief system?

[WeirdBrake]

Originally posted by gluegun
Yeah, but aren't all religions fake? I mean, if this belief system makes people "feel good" then how is it different from any other belief system?

That's a good point. Not a very politically correct point, but a good one. ;)

[paiger81]

"Scientology is not authoritarian. There is no enforced belief or “faith” system. Instead, one learns to think for himself and only those things one finds for himself to be true are true. It is a voyage of self-discovery. "

From the Scientology website.^^^

And there is a difference between religion and your beliefs, although for some they intertwine, you don't need to have religion to have beliefs and vice versa.

[Lumburg]

To see a little bit of what makes scientology so creepy, look at this page.

http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Secrets/E-Meter/

[midtwenty]

Any religion which you must pay for courses in order to attain greater levels of spirituality is a scam
It could be argued that your weekly tithe at a "mainstream" church is the same as paying for courses in religion and spirituality.
Just a thought.

The fact that you have to buy the book is a warning sign in and of itself.
You mean like, the Bible?

[paiger81]

Religion: Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.

Scientologists do not believe in a higher power, so technically not a religion.

[Lumburg]

The only difference between a religion and a cult is popularity.

[sweetliss]

believe in yourself...do the right thing because it is right, not out of fear of eternal damnation....you cant steer yourself wrong then.

[Sagiquarius]

Wise words. My problem though is the whole spiritual awakening thing. I can't help feeling than there's more to life than what this society of "get paid and get things you want" is based upon. There has to be. So then how to wake up from this dream? Because that's what it feels like

[gluegun]

You certainly don't need God or heaven or any religion to wake up from the dream. You can create a moral code and belief system that is based on the here and now. You can find those things within yourself.

[Sagiquarius]

Certainly a guide wouldn't hurt. I'm not looking for God or heaven because I think most of the sectors who claim to have the answers are terribly misleading...but that's a discussion for another day