Scientology: super cult

[Óglaigh_na_hÉireann]

I never took the 'religion' seriously until I read this article from TIME magazine:

http://www.xenu.net/archive/media/time910605.html

Not only is it based on ridiculous beliefs, it's an out-right fraud. But it's also a pretty frightening cult. The organization is rich as hell from draining cash from its members, manipulating the stock market, money laundering and many, many other types of financial fraud.


Anyone who has seen the film "Battlefield Earth" (rated the worst film of the year that it was released in) knows that this Ron L. Hubbard guy was a moron and had the mental complexity of an 8 year-old boy. But I guess he was smart enough to create a false religion to 'subsidize his income'. It turns out the guy embezzled $200,000,000 from the organization and put it into his own foreign accounts. The IRS has been targeting the cult for decades.

The cult is also completely paranoid. It hires hundreds of lawyers and private investigators to fuck with people that bother to criticize the organization; the article states that one former member was told to kill his psychologist and then do an "EOC"---which is 'end of cycle', their way of telling him to commit suicide. The current leader of it supposedly fires weapons at pictures of 'supposed enemies' of the cult.

Like I said, I didn't take it seriously until I read the article and learned people have actually been really hurt by it... and you know a religion sucks when South Park can absolutely destroy it in 30 minutes.

 

[KMac151993]

Just watch the South Park episode about it.

 

[Guest]

All you have to do is look at Tom Cruise and see how much of a nut case he is. Seriously he is one odd F***. I can't even watch his movies anymore, not even the old ones.

The growth of Scientology is scary. All of Hollywood seems to be into it now, Travolta, Cruise etc.

I have to see those Scientology nuts everyday in the subway. They're always asking me if I want to take their stress tests, and personality tests.

 

[KMac151993]

HAHA, I wish I could meet one I would just die laughing if I did.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

Just watch the South Park episode about it.

Exactly...it's a classic show and shockingly educational.

 

[jiggafini19]

The growth of Scientology is scary. All of Hollywood seems to be into it now, Travolta, Cruise etc.

It amazes me how many small minded idiots in this country follow what those jagbags do in Hollywood. Sad, really. Why people care so much about what they do and who screws who, has kids with who...I don't get it.

The fundamental beliefs of Scientology are completely flipped. I honestly thought it was some kind of joke until I read more about it. Those beliefs are truly what the whole basis of the idea is founded on. Nuts.

 

[KMac151993]

It amazes me how many small minded idiots in this country follow what those jagbags do in Hollywood. Sad, really. Why people care so much about what they do and who screws who, has kids with who...I don't get it.

The fundamental beliefs of Scientology are completely flipped. I honestly thought it was some kind of joke until I read more about it. Those beliefs are truly what the whole basis of the idea is founded on. Nuts.

I still do consider it a joke.

 

[punishment]

L Ron Hubbard did an amazing job building scientology up. I remember when I was a kid in the 80s, Hubbard always had TV advertisements for "self-help" books. They taught you stuff like how to deal with depression, sadness, etc. And also taught you home medicinal remedies.

I remember buying one of his books at a yard sale back in like 93, and some of the stuff he had makes sense. But then it turns odd on you. Once you buy the first book, you get follow up books at a fairly cheap price. At least that it was the back page of the book that I had said.

Usually cults arise locally, and don't spread to much beyond certain boundaries. But the fact that this guy created a national cult through television, and books that appeared to be self-help books, is absolutely amazing.

I believe that most of you in your 30s will recall having seen the L. Ron Hubbard book commercials back in the 80s. They always came on during my favorite late night shows, like Knight Rider, Ultraman, Airwolf, the Hulk and Manimal.

 

[jiggafini19]

I believe that most of you in your 30s will recall having seen the L. Ron Hubbard book commercials back in the 80s. They always came on during my favorite late night shows, like Knight Rider, Ultraman, Airwolf, the Hulk and Manimal.

Of course!!! I wanted to mention that in the post but figured everyone would think I was crazy. I always remember seeing those commercials, but I used to think it was some kind of weight loss product as a kid.

Pseudo Religion at best, but probably a cult.

 

[Óglaigh_na_hÉireann]

Exactly...it's a classic show and shockingly educational.

There's also an episode that absolutely destroys mormonism.

 

[KMac151993]

There's also an episode that absolutely destroys mormonism.

I find that one hilarious!

 

[punishment]

There's also an episode that absolutely destroys mormonism.

There is a South Park episode that destroys every religion. And the catholic church moreso than others. Like the one where the catholic priests tells the pope he just found out that kids are telling their parents that they are being molested by catholic priests and that the molestations must be stopped, and the pope misinterprets what the priest is saying and says something to the effect of "yes, I agree with you, this must be stopped, but how do we stop kids from telling."

They trashed mormonism and judaism. Both hilarious. I haven't seen the scientology one yet, but I hope I can catch it soon. I also remember there being some controversy about a muslim one, I don't know if it ever aired though.

 

[Óglaigh_na_hÉireann]

The difference is that they never bothered to attack the principles behind Catholicism or Judaism. They made fun of it, but there's a difference between their approach to Mormonism and Scientology from the angle they used on Catholicism.

But yeah, I saw that one, it was pretty funny. I especially liked the Super Mario portion.

 

[mschla]

Why in the fuck would anyone join something like this?!?!?! Do they hand out free drugs?

 

[BGIF]

... I always remember seeing those commercials, but I used to think it was some kind of weight loss product as a kid. ...

DIANETICS!

Take Control of Your Life!

I had a friend who bought the Dianetics book to kick his 3 pack a day habit.

 

[punishment]

DIANETICS!

Take Control of Your Life!

I had a friend who bought the Dianetics book to kick his 3 pack a day habit.

That's what it was called. I remember that now.

Jigga, it was like a motivation book. Kind of like Anthony Robbins right now. But there were diet tips in there, among a lot of other self-help tips for any other crisis in life.

 

[irishnd31]

DIANETICS!

Take Control of Your Life!

I had a friend who bought the Dianetics book to kick his 3 pack a day habit.

Rep points for you. Good call on the dianetics. Those commercials have since been replaced by more annoying infomercials such as The Ab Workout, Sweatin to the Oldies, Jessica Simpson and her ProActiv, and last but not least ....the King of all horrible, awake in the middle of the night and there is nothing else on TV, commercials.... THE LITTLE GIANT LADDER SYSTEM. Anyone ever catch that gem of a commercial? The one where they are in Vegas and some 500 lb. gluttonous hog announces that he is a large man (NO????) and states that he can go all the way to the top of the ladder. THEN, he wants to prove the durability of the Little Giant by jiggling and thrusting at the top of the ladder and it doesn't cave on him. 500 lbs at the top of the ladder and jiggling like he is the last contestant left standing in a hula hoop contest.

Marketing genius.

 

[scooper]

I'm sharing in the overnight feeding duties of our 6 week old. I know all too well about the infomercial crap, including the Little Giant Ladder System. It's amazing what sleep depravation will do to your sense of judgement. My wife had to hide the credit card.

Anybody need a DVD on getting rich quick via real estate, or maybe a wax that buffs out any scratches on your car? I'm keeping my ladder system, thank you.

 

[irishnd31]

I'm sharing in the overnight feeding duties of our 6 week old. I know all too well about the infomercial crap, including the Little Giant Ladder System. It's amazing what sleep depravation will do to your sense of judgement. My wife had to hide the credit card.

Anybody need a DVD on getting rich quick via real estate, or maybe a wax that buffs out any scratches on your car? I'm keeping my ladder system, thank you.

LMAO.
Ahh, so you've seen the Little Giant first hand haven't you? Gotta love the chubby guy. "Hey, I'm in Vegas, I'm going all the way, baby." Great stuff.

 

[Stealingshrimp]

I'm not a scientologist, the cult actually scares me
but if you think about it
walking on water, turning water into wine, and resurrecting oneself is ALOT crazier than aliens

 

[Óglaigh_na_hÉireann]

I'm not a scientologist, the cult actually scares me
but if you think about it
walking on water, turning water into wine, and resurrecting oneself is ALOT crazier than aliens

Not really. We live in one hell of a weird world.

I definitely think there is a good and evil force at work. It's easier to recognize the bad stuff. Go to a place with a horrible history and you'll learn that everything isn't as 2-D as it first seems.

 

[BGIF]

... Good call on the dianetics.

Last night I read the post and was trying to think of the commercial. Suddenly a neuron flashed and a dormant brain cell threw up an image of my friend trying to start a fire one winter in his fireplace. He was ripping the pages out of a paperback to use as tinder. "Whoa, it's un-American to burn a book," I exclaimed. "This book isn't fit for toilet paper. It would insult the shit," he muttered back.

All I read was the title.

I'm sure Tom Cruise upon reading this thread would note, "See, you only read the title and 20 years later you have the keenest power of recall on IrishEnvy. If you had only read the book you'd know everything like I do."

 

[scooper]

You think he's reading this? If so, Hi Tom! Leaving Nicole Kidman is the dumbest thing you've ever done. Joining Mindhead...er um Scientology is second. Love the movies, though. Keep it up. And remember, the plaque for the alternates is down in the ladies room.

 

[punishment]

Since we were talking about South Park and scientology here...

For those interested, the episode will be re-airing on July 19. It aired in November, and was supposed to re-air in March, but apparently Tom Cruise pulled it off the air. (He can't have that much power, right?) But anyways, it is being aired on July 19, so you can all check it out. Who knows, some of you might convert to Scientology after watching this episode.