Nightline Inside Scientology Part 3

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Run time: 03:18 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtLHdakEARU   Posted on YouTube: October 24, 2009 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: October 26, 2009 By DU Member: Amerigo Vespucci Views on DU: 1117

 

[Taverner]

1. I hope ABC has some good lawyers on retainer!

The CoS doesn't reason, they litigate...

They sue...

Yes, the Cos is made up of those kinds of cowards

[YOY]

2. Man that place is run by weasals...

Not that most religions aren't but they really just scream "WEASAL!!!" The moment they start talking it's a done deal.

[benld74]

3. All religions I know will talk your head off about their beliefs,,,

This one will not speak about theirs. WHY?
I call a hearty BS

[Stuckinthebush]

4. Because they are really screwy and its a scam

I've got to believe that L Ron Hubbard was just seeing if he could dupe a bunch of people with this scientology stuff. He died and his cult got out of hand.

[Gedankenaustausch]

5. I feel strongly that Scientology

is the target for a lot of criticism by many people, but I don't know why. I really don't see their beliefs as any more 'hokey' and screwy as any other mainstream religion. The only difference I see is Scientology's alleged blurring the line between church and business. It kind of seems like old school Catholicism with the whole 'buying of salvation' if you will. But, I really think that's the only thing I find negative about the church. Sure they've got their share of crazies, but what religion doesn't? They've got their ridiculous ideas about the creation of the earth, higher beings, etc., but what religion doesn't?

I really take issue when 'religious' people try to shut down another religion because they find their beliefs 'screwy' or other adjective. I mean, just because some 'screwy' ideas are newer than others doesn't make them any more 'screwy' than the old ideas. If someone had never been exposed to religion in their life and then all the religions were put before them, I really think it's a toss up on what the person would consider the most 'screwy' idea. As far as other criticisms about the church dealing with the aforementioned church/business thing, and the 'cult' status it has, I think those are very valid criticisms. But, I believe that just denouncing a religion as screwy isn't the right path to take here.

>>>Edited because I realized that I spelled 'adjective' as 'adjektive'... I've spent too much time in Germany!!>>>

[AtheistCrusader]

6. If it makes you feel any better.

I think they are all screwy. All of them. Every last one.

Though some are more entertaining than others.

[Gedankenaustausch]

9. me2

I feel like all of them are screwy as well. I just think it's illogical to say that 'I believe in (insert screwy belief), therefore Jimmy's belief in (insert other screwy belief) is screwy.'

I hope you see my point. It's like when Christians make fun of Mormons by saying that Joseph Smith was crazy or some other bad thing. I'm like have you read the bible lately? wanna talk about crazy?

I just feel that its wrong to criticize a group for beliefs that are 'screwy' when you also hold beliefs that others may find as 'screwy.'

[Stuckinthebush]

13. As the original poster of the screwy comment

I will let you know that I am a non-theist and hold no religious beliefs. Therefore, I am fine with calling scientology screwy.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

7. Scientology is not just "screwy" --

it has been implicated in the deaths (if you've spent that much time in Germany, surely you must be familiar with their reputation for criminal violence in Europe?) and fleecing of people. They are a dangerous cult that the public needs to be kept aware of.

[Gedankenaustausch]

8. ok

I'm really unaware about the criminal violence but I would welcome a link or something, I just googled 'Scientology Europe violence' and couldn't find anything on the first page. I am totally not saying that it doesn't exist, (I'm not trying to be one of those 'WELL SHOW ME THEN!!!!! people), I just couldn't find it. If you have a link or more information about it I would appreciate it so I could be aware.

I don't know what tone your comment 'if you've spent that much time in Germany, surely you must be familiar with their reputation for criminal violence in Europe?' was meant to be in, but it seemed a little inflammatory. I hope it wasn't meant this way.

But, if there is violence caused by scientologists in Europe, which I'm sure there is (I mean, why not?), I would direct you also to the violence performed by Islamic followers in Europe. I don't know if the level of violence by those following Scientology could rival the violence of the Madrid train bombings or the bombings in London. Furthermore, not far from where I live, last year the police here in Germany arrested 4 (I think 4 but don't quote me) for conspiring to attack US military bases in the nearby areas, as well as attacks against German military. Furthermore, there are the terror threats against Germany that followers of Islam would attack Germany with bombings etc. if Germany did not stop participating in the war in Afghanistan and/or re-elected Angela Merkel. I don't know if followers of Scientology have made similar threats.

Furthermore, you could also point to the violence committed by Christians in the US, for example the killing of abortion doctors, the unwillingness of some christian parents to help their kids seek medical treatment resulting in their deaths. And especially the violence that has been committed by religions in the past. All religions have their extremists, all have had their share of innocent blood on their hands. My point is that I feel like Scientology is a group that is easy to target. Because of their small numbers and their perceived 'cookyness' they serve as a great scape-goat, which if this wasn't the 21st century could be used to easily propagate violence against them.

I'm not trying to defend Scientology; however, I will defend anything/one if I feel they are being unfairly targeted, especially for reasons like their beliefs are 'screwy' and 'they commit violence,' when 'screwy' beliefs are a matter of opinion and violence in other religions can be easily be paralleled.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

10. Try Googling -

"Germany" and "Scientology". I am just surprised someone who has spent so much time in Germany is so completely unaware with what is going on with Scientology.

[Gedankenaustausch]

11. everything I could find

was because of exploiting people for monetary gain and cult-like practices. I found scores of articles about brainwashing, extortion, and other cult-like things, but I found no violence in any of the articles. If you find them please let me know. Admittedly, I only looked through the first two pages of google results, from google.com, and google.de, searching in English and in German. But, thanks for not commenting on any of the issues that I raised in my last post. You basically just re-posted what you said already. Thanks for the recap. It really shows your....depth... of knowledge on the issue.

And I really don't appreciate the tone of your 'I am just surprised someone who has spent so much time in Germany is so completely unaware with what is going on with Scientology' comment. It's really offensive. Just so you know, I am aware of the controversy with Scientology and the German government. However, I am not aware, nor are any of my German flat mates for that matter, of any violence committed by them. I guess I should have told them 'I am just so surprised someone that has lived their life in Germany is so completely unaware with what is going on with Scientology. I did however, find 2 articles about violence committed against Scientology followers. One of my German flat mates also knew about this as well, as one of these instances happened in his hometown.

Maybe Germany is just a vacuum, and the only truth that gets out winds up in your hands.

Now, I will ask again, can you send me a link? Or do you want to talk about any of the issues that I raised in the last post? If not, don't post.

I would also like to ask, have you ever read any of the Scientology texts? If so, what did you think about them. And don't be dishonest and wikipedia one of them and give me a 5th grade book report. If you haven't read anything besides these hard to find articles about violence committed by Scientologists just admit it.

[Stuckinthebush]

12. Agree with part of your response

Most religions are a bit screwy.

Scientology has more cult-like characteristics than main stream Xtianity or Judaism or Islam. Screwy was a poor choice of words because it isn't precise enough.

Scientology is a cult.

[Gedankenaustausch]

14. I agree

it does have cult-like characteristics.... well let's just say, yeah, it's a cult. B.t.w. I was completely unaware of the Xtianity word... thanks for turning me on to it, its my new fav :)