Tom Cruise scientology video

[Northwood_DK]

Just came across this. I guess wow is the only thing to say.

Go play some volleyball with the boys.


hxxp://gawker.com/5002269/the-cruise-indoctrination-video-scientology-tried-to-suppress

[molson]

Amazing.

I think that thing must have some subliminal messages or something, because after I saw that last night I started reading a little bit of stuff on the internet on Scientology. (I wanted to see exactly what turned him completely insane)

The scariest line:

"I want to take all the spectators, and either put them on the playing field, or out of the arena".
(Which I interpret, quite reasonably, to mean that Tom Cruise wants to take all non-scientologists and either bring them into the fold, or execute them).

[Groundhog]

Reading about Scientology just makes me angry, so I try and avoid it now.

[NoMyths]

"It's rough and tumble, and it's wild and wooly, and...it's a blast."

If it came off scripted as opposed to abstract improv, I'd have wondered if Wes Anderson wrote that line.

[st.cronin]

I respect Scientology. I don't believe any of its metaphysics, but I also don't believe the more outlandish things said about it.

[Groundhog]

I respect Scientology. I don't believe any of its metaphysics, but I also don't believe the more outlandish things said about it.

I think you need to read more about it.

One of my girlfriend's friends is a psychology major, and she did a pretty indepth study on scientology over here in Australia, including signing up and going undercover for a while. It was all text book brainwashing stuff, with a whole heap more creepyness. There is nothing to respect about it at all.

And that's not even mentioning the literally COUNTLESS other reports out there from former members.

[st.cronin]

I think you need to read more about it.

One of my girlfriend's friends is a psychology major, and she did a pretty indepth study on scientology over here in Australia, including signing up and going undercover for a while. It was all text book brainwashing stuff, with a whole heap more creepyness. There is nothing to respect about it at all.

And that's not even mentioning the literally COUNTLESS other reports out there from former members.

Well, "brain-washing," whatever that is, is not nearly the most outlandish claim made about scientology.

[molson]

Someone called into the Howard Stern show this morning to defend Cruise - she said she "followed" Scientology but wasn't an offical member because she didn't have enough money. Which apparently wasn't a red flag to her about the true intentions of the group.

Tom Cruise is high, high up in the Church of Scientology hirearchy. (I've heard as high as #2). Does he REALLY believe, or is this just a money making scheme for him?

[Groundhog]

Well, "brain-washing," whatever that is, is not nearly the most outlandish claim made about scientology.

What do you mean then, the alien Xenu crap? The 'Rehabilitation Project Force'? The death of Lisa McPherson? Or one of the countless other stupid or dangerous things about this "religion"? We've got a lot to choose from.

Seriously, I fail to see what you or anyone else could respect about an organization like Scientology.

[Groundhog]

Someone called into the Howard Stern show this morning to defend Cruise - she said she "followed" Scientology but wasn't an offical member because she didn't have enough money. Which apparently wasn't a red flag to her about the true intentions of the group.

Tom Cruise is high, high up in the Church of Scientology hirearchy. (I've heard as high as #2). Does he REALLY believe, or is this just a money making scheme for him?

I think he really believes it, just as I believe that most of the other followers do as well. No matter how wacky or stupid something seems, you can just about garauntee that someone out there believes it is the Truth.

These Scientologist folks are just wackos, pure and simple. All you need to do is watch the countless footage of Scientology rallies and protests and events, and you can see it. These guys aren't sane.

[cartman]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4c/Sp_912.jpg

Tom Cruise is an ok actor. But not as good as that Napoleon Dynamite guy.

[st.cronin]

What do you mean then, the alien Xenu crap? The 'Rehabilitation Project Force'? The death of Lisa McPherson? Or one of the countless other stupid or dangerous things about this "religion"? We've got a lot to choose from.

Seriously, I fail to see what you or anyone else could respect about an organization like Scientology.

Its basically the same stuff people say about Mormons. Now, I'm one of the first ones to say that not all beliefs are equal - but there are reasonable ways to attack beliefs, instead of spreading vicious rumors.

[molson]

I think he really believes it, just as I believe that most of the other followers do as well. No matter how wacky or stupid something seems, you can just about garauntee that someone out there believes it is the Truth.

These Scientologist folks are just wackos, pure and simple. All you need to do is watch the countless footage of Scientology rallies and protests and events, and you can see it. These guys aren't sane.

I agree that he seems genuine in his insanity, but at some level within the Church of Scientology, there's a sane element that's simply ripping off regular people. It's a giant "self-help" business, nothing more or less.

I guess with Cruise they just saw a famous wacko that will bring them publicity. I've read that very early-on, celebirty recruitment was a huge goal, and members actually got cash rewards for bring celebries on board.

[Julio Riddols]

Save Katie Holmes.

[Buccaneer]

From Roger Freidman



Tom Cruise’s consuming passion for Scientology is now evident in a most unprecedented way: promotional videos made in 2004 but not publicly seen until this weekend have started showing up on the Internet.

In the videos, Cruise expresses his disgust for psychiatrists — vowing to “crush” them with “no mercy” — spews Scientology lingo and addresses the group’s dead founder, L. Ron Hubbard, as if he were still alive. Hubbard died in 1986.

Cruise, who does not have a college degree, is also described in the videos by a voice-over narrator as a NASA spokesman and an expert on illiteracy.

The videos became available online in advance of a new unauthorized biography that cites Cruise as “the number two” in Scientology in the world. “Number one” would be David Miscavige, the Cruise-like leader who succeeded Hubbard two decades ago.

One of the videos was up for a while at radaronline.com. Several others have come and gone on other sites. Some media outlets — like this column — have some of the videos but can’t host them because of concern over copyright issues. Since Saturday night, the videos have been appearing and disappearing on the Internet.

One can be found for now on gawker.com (click here) (http://gawker.com/5002269/the-cruise-indoctrination-video-scientology-tried-to-suppress).
I am told the promotional DVD that contains all the videos started circulating a couple of months ago among anti-cultists and critics of Scientology.

As a regular critic of Scientology and of Cruise, I’ll tell you something startling: I feel sorry for him after seeing all of the videos. Cruise is impassioned but inarticulate and a little uncertain of what he’s saying. For all the “control” he’s supposedly exhibiting, he looks manipulated and programmed.

Janet Maslin wrote in her recent positive review of Andrew Morton’s book, “Tom Cruise: An Unauthorized Biography”: “Mr. Morton is … in some larger sense an astute observer. His overall impression of Mr. Cruise makes sense. He provides a credible portrait extrapolated from the actor’s on-the-record remarks and highly visible public behavior. This book describes a controlling, fervent figure…”

The videos, along with the book, could affect what’s left of Cruise’s career. The actor is so consumed by Scientology at this point that he seems to have no awareness of the ridicule he’s subject to all over the Internet. It’s been caused by many things, not the least of which is his current, strange marriage and all its attendant publicity.

The Scientology problem has been harder to pin down until now. But one look at the videos and it all becomes quite clear. Cruise spouts “LRH” lingo by rote, using all their terms and acronyms like “KSW” (keep Scientology working) and something called “half-ack,” not realizing what the latter sounds like.

Cruise is totally subsumed into the Hubbard world. In one video, which played on YouTube, he says: “Being a Scientologist you know absolutely you look at someone and you know you can help them. It really is KSW. I don’t mince words with that…”

But KSW also has made Cruise sound like a megalomaniac. “Being a Scientologist,” he says, “when you drive past an accident, it’s not like anyone else. As you drive past, you know you have to do something about it. Because you know you’re the only one that can really help.”
This sense of self-importance shouldn’t come as a surprise. In recent years, Cruise has sent out press releases from time to time in which he boasts of having saved people in feats of derring-do that have always come across as suspicious and have never been confirmed.

They include a 2006 incident in which he claimed to have come to the roadside aid of a stranded motorist and several episodes in 2003 while he was filming "The Last Samurai" in New Zealand, including supposedly assisting a local family in changing a flat tire on a country road and helping a young girl catch her runaway horse.

Watching the videos, at first, you think they can’t be real. One person who saw them told me they looked like sketches from “Saturday Night Live.” They’re alternately funny and scary.

In all of them, the theme song from “Mission: Impossible” plays in the background. In one of them, the Scientology promo makers use unauthorized clips showing Ellen DeGeneres, Oprah Winfrey, Barbara Walters and other media figures introducing Cruise as “the biggest movie star in the world.”

In one particularly jarring moment, Cruise and Miscavige appear before a cheering crowd of the faithful at what seems to be the Scientology center. It’s an ornate room with a full-size portrait of Hubbard. Cruise lavishes praise on the diminutive Miscavige as a great leader.
“And I’ve met the leaders of leaders, OK: I’ve met them all. So I say to you sir, C.O.B. [Chairman of the Board], we are lucky to have you and thank you very much.”

Cruise then addresses the portrait of Hubbard as if he were alive.
“To you, Mr. L. Ron Hubbard, sir, I take this as a half-ack.” The crowd laughs and cheers wildly. “I will be on my way. These are the times now people, these are the times we will all remember. Were you there, what did you do. I think you know I am there for you. And I do care so very, very much.”

But there’s a lot that Cruise doesn’t care for. While many of the videos simply show him spewing the party line and proclaiming his love for Hubbard’s work, there are more serious moments.

Certainly, the worst of these is when the movie star declares his “disgust” for psychiatry and psychiatrists. Scientology disapproves of the use of pharmacological drugs and requires all of its members to sign an agreement never to seek treatment for mental health.

“We have the ability to improve conditions to see the realities, to be able to fight and to have the courage to crush these guys.” A booming narrator’s voice then intones: “Specifically, psychiatric drugs at the core of all education failures.”

Cruise concludes, with absolute seething: “Psychiatrists, I’ve had it, I’ve absolutely had it. It’s disgusting to me.”

What will be the fallout from these videos and the Morton book? It’s hard to say. Cruise’s recent box office trend is downward, starting with a disappointing showing for "Mission: Impossible 3," and then heading into the disastrous "Lions for Lambs." He’s currently filming his movie about Hitler, “Valkyrie,” which already has cost $90 million or more and isn’t finished.

Meanwhile, many in the entertainment press were aghast Monday when ABC’s Diane Sawyer failed to ask Katie Holmes a single question on “Good Morning America” about the book, the videos or any of the other controversies that have swirled around her nearly three-year relationship with Cruise.

Sawyer, who prides herself on being a great journalist, managed to elicit from Holmes only that she liked wearing pink during her pregnancy.
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[Groundhog]

Its basically the same stuff people say about Mormons. Now, I'm one of the first ones to say that not all beliefs are equal - but there are reasonable ways to attack beliefs, instead of spreading vicious rumors.

Nothing I mentioned above is a rumour. It's all fact. I don't buy in to respecting something just because people believe in it. Why can't it be called out on its messed up practices by citing facts? People should be warned.

Why should you be reasonable in attacking something just because some people think it's true?

[Julio Riddols]

Dola: Freedom Medal of Valor? What the hell?

[SteveMax58]

I wish I could go on vacation...but I cant. Because I know...I know.


Yeah...makes sense.

[molson]

Yeah...makes sense.

Ya, that was gold.

Facinataing too - I still don't get why he can't go on vacation. What is he doing that's so damn important? That guy's up to no good.

[Atocep]

Facinataing too - I still don't get why he can't go on vacation. What is he doing that's so damn important? That guy's up to no good.

You don't understand the pressures that come with being the only person able to help when driving by an accident.

[Groundhog]

The fact that Scientology are doing all they can to get the Cruise videos off the web does lend credence to the fact that yes, they know how batshit crazy this stuff looks.

I guess it's moments like these that cause their on-street recruiters and advertisement billboards on the sides of buses to never, ever use the word "Scientology", or else they won't even manage to get their foot in the door with the poor suckers they lure in.

[Schmidty]

Its basically the same stuff people say about Mormons. Now, I'm one of the first ones to say that not all beliefs are equal - but there are reasonable ways to attack beliefs, instead of spreading vicious rumors.

You've got it waaaaay wrong here.

Mormons aren't nearly as aggressive or vicious in their "recruitment". It's not a viable comparison.

[Fonzie]

Tom Cruise and his army of In-The-Arena Scientologists are evidently out there helping a lot people. That's great, because it makes me feel less guilty about never helping anyone.

[Fonzie]

Dola-
Tom Cruise and his army of In-The-Arena Scientologists are evidently out there helping a lot people. That's great, because it makes me feel less guilty about never helping anyone.

And would ya look at that? He just helped ME! KSW people! KSW!

[Groundhog]

One day, hundreds of years from now, Scientologists will probably sit in a big church and listen to stories of the legendary son-of-Hubbard Cruise, and how he helped a family in New Zealand by fashioning a new tyre out of sticks and grass, and then, by the good grace of Lord Hubbard, he chased down a wild stallion on his bare feet, and broke it in with a single stroke of it's neck.

[st.cronin]

You've got it waaaaay wrong here.

Mormons aren't nearly as aggressive or vicious in their "recruitment". It's not a viable comparison.

Perhaps I should clarify. I have found nothing remotely worthwhile in the practice of Scientology. But the people who hold those beliefs are still people, and it is "there but for the grace of God go I."

[watravaler]

I think the end game, in Hubbard's mind, is/was to show the abusdity of all religion. They do a good job, imo...I think Cruise knows exactly what he is doing...

[Anthony]

Perhaps I should clarify. I have found nothing remotely worthwhile in the practice of Scientology. But the people who hold those beliefs are still people, and it is "there but for the grace of God go I."

wow, aren't you the greatest human, tolerant of all humans no matter how insane or absurd their beliefs.

st. cronin: Nazi sympathizer.

[Groundhog]

Perhaps I should clarify. I have found nothing remotely worthwhile in the practice of Scientology. But the people who hold those beliefs are still people, and it is "there but for the grace of God go I."

Fair enough, but that doesn't mean that 'they' (meaning the church itself and the people in positions of power) get a green light to do all kinds of crazy shit without criticism, in fear of hurting the feelings of the poor people that got sucked in to it.

I don't agree with pointing blame and insults at the people that got sucked in. I agree that's not right and there are all kinds of reasons why people believe what they believe not matter how crazy it is, but all the same, we can't go easy on their religion just because it'll hurt their feelings. If there is one Western religion (maybe corporation is a better word) that deserves the bad treatment it gets, it's this one.

[Groundhog]

I think the end game, in Hubbard's mind, is/was to show the abusdity of all religion. They do a good job, imo...I think Cruise knows exactly what he is doing...

Yeah, that's what I've read anyway. It started out very tongue in cheek. The fact that it's gotten to this point speaks volumes about human beings.

[st.cronin]

Fair enough, but that doesn't mean that 'they' (meaning the church itself and the people in positions of power) get a green light to do all kinds of crazy shit without criticism, in fear of hurting the feelings of the poor people that got sucked in to it.

To a certain extent, yes - that's part of the greatness of this nation. Of course there are obviously limits, some of which the scientologists (as well as mormons, christian scientists, muslims, that guy in Kansas who protests funerals, etc) do cross - I don't completely disregard the criticisms.

[Anthony]

i feel great knowing st. cronin is on the opposite coast from me. i wouldn't be comfortable knowing someone with his mentality was a short drive away from me.

[Greyroofoo]

Personally I believe anyone who thinks the son of "god" walked the Earth is a certified wacko.

[Neon_Chaos]

Wow. His maniacal laugh is scary.

[Neon_Chaos]

Personally I believe anyone who thinks the son of "god" walked the Earth is a certified wacko.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/d8/Buddy_Christ.jpg

[k0ruptr]

I think the end game, in Hubbard's mind, is/was to show the abusdity of all religion. They do a good job, imo...I think Cruise knows exactly what he is doing...

I Agree, and while im at it anyone can criticize any religion, its no different to me.

[Neon_Chaos]

Who would win in a pray-off?

Scientologist Tom Cruise and his fanaticism on a whole other level of crazy... or Traditionalist Catholic Mel Gibson and his drunken anti-Semitic slant?

Welcome to Hollywood.

[Rizon]

My best friend went to a scientology rehab clinic. That place was crazy. He told me that he never wanted to do drugs not to keep healthy or out of trouble, but so he never had to go to that loony place again.

[Schmidty]

Personally I believe anyone who thinks the son of "god" walked the Earth is a certified wacko.

Oooohhh, did poor baby Greygoogoo meet a bad chwistian when he was a kiddie, scarring you for life?

Anyway, I totally understand people thinking christians are wackos. If you aren't one, then you don't get it, and I don't expect you to. It's all good.

[Radii]

Who had 33 posts for someone to attack Christianity in this thread? And who had the parlay with Schmidty showing up within 10 posts to play the role of the persecuted Christian? Oh, everyone? Carry on, then.

[Schmidty]

Who had 33 posts for someone to attack Christianity in this thread? And who had the parlay with Schmidty showing up within 10 posts to play the role of the persecuted Christian? Oh, everyone? Carry on, then.

I didn't play the "persecuted" christian, although I did essentially get called a wacko, which can be intrepreted certain ways. I was just making a quip, and then said that I understand why people would think a christian is a wacko.

And I do get called names a lot of times because of my faith, so that can be interpreted a certain way as well. I have never beat anyone over the head with what I believe, but if someone's going to insult me and a lot of other people, I'm definitely not going to just take it up the ass without saying anything.

If someone says that all atheists (assuming you are) are a bunch of sad, pathetic people, blah, blah, blah, wouldn't you say something as well?

[Coder]

Anyway, I totally understand people thinking christians are wackos. If you aren't one, then you don't get it, and I don't expect you to. It's all good.

Nothing personal Schmidty, but that very sentence can be said by just about EVERYONE with a certain belief and hold just as much value.

If you're not a buddhist, then you don't get it. If you're not a Muslim, they you don't get it. If you're not a Scientologist, then you don't get it. If you're not an atheist, then you don't get it. etc etc.

Bottom line.. no one gets it, and we're all wrong.

[-apoc-]

I get it all :p

[Schmidty]

If you're not a buddhist, then you don't get it.

Actually, I do understand buddhism as I've studied it extensively (particularly Theravada buddhism from Sri Lanka and Thailand). I don't believe in some of the tenants such as reincarnation, but I think that the religion is wonderful and parts of it are very benificial, such as meditation, understanding The Noble Eightfold Path and the Four Noble Truths, etc. I think that studying some of the Suttas is great, and I think that there are very practical things that can be applied to one's life within Buddhism. I often listen to Dhamma talks at work in addition to Christian sermons/programs.

My mind is certainly not closed, and I would never call another person's beliefs wacko, although Scientology is an exception considering the fruit that it bears.

[Radii]

I want to apologize to Schmidty, we PM'd each other and I hope it's all good. when I first opened this thread, the first thing that crossed my mind was "I wonder how long it will be before someone compares Scientology to Christianity and this shit spirals out of control."

My response is just based on patterns on the board, not comments about anyone's personal beliefs. Just like the running "SirFozzie in 3..2...1" jokes in the Pats threads, no more, no less. Was trying to make a little sarcastic joke and it came out wrong.

E-HUGS FRIENDS.

[Schmidty]

I want to apologize to Schmidty, we PM'd each other and I hope it's all good. when I first opened this thread, the first thing that crossed my mind was "I wonder how long it will be before someone compares Scientology to Christianity and this shit spirals out of control."

My response is just based on patterns on the board, not comments about anyone's personal beliefs. Just like the running "SirFozzie in 3..2...1" jokes in the Pats threads, no more, no less. Was trying to make a little sarcastic joke and it came out wrong.

E-HUGS FRIENDS.

Thanks bro. As I said in the PM, I hate having enemies I didn't even know I had. :)

[Neon_Chaos]

We are all blessed by The noodly appendage.

[Toddzilla]

To their apparent credit, the group of people that I never hear bash Scientology are the organized religions. I've never seen a Christian preacher on television saying Scientology needs to be stopped, or they're all a bunch of whackos. Good for them. This is, IMO, a basic understanding that people in general find new/different religions to be strange, crazy, and threatening.

Everything said about Scientology - not about the specific tenets of the religion, rather the generalizations - can be said and have been said about Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, and every other religion for that matter.

Hell, Islam takes a much worse beating that Scientology does nowadays, but because some extremist nutjobs did some seriously bad things, people get away with it. It's human nature.

[molson]

Everything said about Scientology - not about the specific tenets of the religion, rather the generalizations - can be said and have been said about Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, and every other religion for that matter.



I've thought about this more and I guess I agree - except that Scientology's business aspect resembles the early days of Christianity more than today's version.

You can take part in organized Christianity without paying a penny. You can show up at church on Sunday and you'll be welcomed. When Christianity was still emerging, you had to pay your way into heaven. I guess Scientology could be considered in that early, "emerging" level, where it's "audits" and whatnot are ONLY available if you pay up.

[Neon_Chaos]

To their apparent credit, the group of people that I never hear bash Scientology are the organized religions. I've never seen a Christian preacher on television saying Scientology needs to be stopped, or they're all a bunch of whackos. Good for them. This is, IMO, a basic understanding that people in general find new/different religions to be strange, crazy, and threatening.

I think it's more of a "Well, they're not important, are a non-factor, and have not gone on and wide-spread public attempts to dennounce our own religion. So why even bother giving them the time of day? Besides, we already have two or three more established religious orders to feud with."

[Neon_Chaos]

dola

Only one solution...

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[Blade6119]

Ill say this quite simply, and move along as it likely wont be a popular sentiment. Doesnt every religion have things that non-believers laugh at and say how could those idiots believe that? Dont get me wrong, im not saying any one sect is right or wrong, but christianity for instance believes jesus was walking on water and turning water to wine, not to mention rising from the dead and healing people on touch. Im merely pointing out that an outsider may see that as pretty crazy things to believe, so my personal practice is to respect every religion for what it is and go about my day.

[molson]

Ill say this quite simply, and move along as it likely wont be a popular sentiment. Doesnt every religion have things that non-believers laugh at and say how could those idiots believe that? Dont get me wrong, im not saying any one sect is right or wrong, but christianity for instance believes jesus was walking on water and turning water to wine, not to mention rising from the dead and healing people on touch. Im merely pointing out that an outsider may see that as pretty crazy things to believe, so my personal practice is to respect every religion for what it is and go about my day.

Again, I don't think the mockery of Scientology is based on it's core belief system or anything. (Well, I guess that can be part of it).

[Subby]

Scientology won't be legit until it has something like The Crusades or the Spanish Inquisition or the Salem Witch Trials.

[JPhillips]

There's a difference between a religion's beliefs and it's practices. While I find the beliefs of Scientology to be nuts, that's not really my beef with them. The practices of Scientology are the problem.

Two issues really stand out, the need to pay to become a part of the religion and the secrecy of the religion's beliefs. We all know about the costs of Scientology, but the obsessive secrecy is probably worse. Why do they refuse to disclose or discuss core beliefs of the religion? Why do they hold the "truths" of the religion from the majority of it's own practitioners?

It's the money are secrecy that bother me far more than the beliefs.

[johnnyshaka]

Ill say this quite simply, and move along as it likely wont be a popular sentiment. Doesnt every religion have things that non-believers laugh at and say how could those idiots believe that? Dont get me wrong, im not saying any one sect is right or wrong, but christianity for instance believes jesus was walking on water and turning water to wine, not to mention rising from the dead and healing people on touch. Im merely pointing out that an outsider may see that as pretty crazy things to believe, so my personal practice is to respect every religion for what it is and go about my day.

I tend to agree with you in that other religions may seem odd to any outsider and I think a lot of that perception is based on popular misconceptions and ignorance. For example, being Catholic I'm supposed to believe all those stories about Jesus you mentioned but in reality I don't necessarily care so much about what Jesus supposedly did but rather the message that the particular story conveyed. My point being, a lot of people get caught up in the "fluff" and don't see the substance.

With Scientology all we see is the "fluff" and can't see the substance which is by design and is probably why it is such a cause for concern.

[Fonzie]

Scientology won't be legit until it has something like The Crusades or the Spanish Inquisition or the Salem Witch Trials.

They're working on it I'm sure. My money's on a Psychiatrist Holocaust.

[rkmsuf]

Travolta is getting the shaft here. He was believer when Tom Cruise still appeared to have all his faculties.

[Mustang]

Travolta is getting the shaft here. He was believer when Tom Cruise still appeared to have all his faculties.

Travolta doesn't have all his faculties either.

For Exhibit A I present Battlefield Earth.

[rkmsuf]

Travolta doesn't have all his faculties either.

For Exhibit A I present Battlefield Earth.

so why isn't he higher up on the nut chain?

[Toddzilla]

so why isn't he higher up on the nut chain?His hair fell out.

[Honolulu_Blue]

so why isn't he higher up on the nut chain?

http://media.independent.com/img/photos/2007/10/27/Money_Bag_with_Dollar_Sign.jpg

[ace1914]

Well I feel compelled to add my two cents. Having attended some scientology meetings, I think people get the wrong idea of the "religion", and I use that term very loosely. The "religion" is nothing more than a tax shelter to operate a profitable corporation, under the leniant tax restrictions of a religion. In my opinion, very savy way to grow monetarily. Also from what I've seen, read and heard(my dad is a devoted Scientologist)its pretty much what you make of it. If you allow them to railroad your ass, they will. When they call me for a function and I don't feel like going, I say no and hang up. That's it. Once they showed up unannounced at my pops house a couple years back when I still lived in Atlanta. I'm black and my dad lives in SW Atlanta which isn't known for being the nicest area. He said to them, "ya'll gotta go, because my son is visiting," and shut the door. Again, that's all too it.

Now the meat and potatoes. Do I believe all of the aliens stories about things that happened millions of years ago? I don't know. But really, is it any less believable than immaculate conceptions, parting seas, and turning water to wine?

Their cause is pretty standard, though. Clearing mental barriers to create a higher level of conciousness, pretty much the same as any other. The group can be very aggressive, but like anything else, if you do not have your own mind they will appear overly aggressive when in recruitment.

They offer "courses" and when you go, its not so much a religion as much as it feels like school. All in all, its a different feel, different than my baptist upbringing and not nearly what every makes it out to be.

[ace1914]

so why isn't he higher up on the nut chain?

Tom Cruise is younger, richer, and is (maybe its was now) more charismatic.

[Groundhog]

Now the meat and potatoes. Do I believe all of the aliens stories about things that happened millions of years ago? I don't know. But really, is it any less believable than immaculate conceptions, parting seas, and turning water to wine?


Those other things were written down outside of anyone living today's generation. I don't believe those other things either, but this alien Xenu crap was invented not that long ago, so everybody with any sense knows it's a heap of crap.

[Karlifornia]

Anyone wanna take a guess as to who made this video?

<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/JCbKv9yiLiQ&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JCbKv9yiLiQ&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

I'm going to guess someone representing another religion. If time has taught us anything, it's that people of faith generally don't care much for people of a different faith.

[DaddyTorgo]

Well I feel compelled to add my two cents. Having attended some scientology meetings, I think people get the wrong idea of the "religion", and I use that term very loosely. The "religion" is nothing more than a tax shelter to operate a profitable corporation, under the leniant tax restrictions of a religion. In my opinion, very savy way to grow monetarily. Also from what I've seen, read and heard(my dad is a devoted Scientologist)its pretty much what you make of it. If you allow them to railroad your ass, they will. When they call me for a function and I don't feel like going, I say no and hang up. That's it. Once they showed up unannounced at my pops house a couple years back when I still lived in Atlanta. I'm black and my dad lives in SW Atlanta which isn't known for being the nicest area. He said to them, "ya'll gotta go, because my son is visiting," and shut the door. Again, that's all too it.

Now the meat and potatoes. Do I believe all of the aliens stories about things that happened millions of years ago? I don't know. But really, is it any less believable than immaculate conceptions, parting seas, and turning water to wine?

Their cause is pretty standard, though. Clearing mental barriers to create a higher level of conciousness, pretty much the same as any other. The group can be very aggressive, but like anything else, if you do not have your own mind they will appear overly aggressive when in recruitment.

They offer "courses" and when you go, its not so much a religion as much as it feels like school. All in all, its a different feel, different than my baptist upbringing and not nearly what every makes it out to be.

so when the aliens come back or whatever is supposed to happen...are you going to save us all?

[bosshogg23]

so when the aliens come back or whatever is supposed to happen...are you going to save us all?

Kirk will save us :D

http://www.st-files.de/stgalaxis/anderevoelker/tribbles/images/tribble_ds9k7_kirkluke2.jpg

[Ironhead]

Kirk will save us :D

http://www.st-files.de/stgalaxis/anderevoelker/tribbles/images/tribble_ds9k7_kirkluke2.jpg

Hmm, I think we are screwed.

http://echosphere.net/star_trek_insp/insp_captkirk_preview.jpg

[ace1914]

Those other things were written down outside of anyone living today's generation. I don't believe those other things either, but this alien Xenu crap was invented not that long ago, so everybody with any sense knows it's a heap of crap.

Right.... unsubstantiated claims that were written 2000 years ago are definitely more believable. I definitely see the logic there.

[ace1914]

so when the aliens come back or whatever is supposed to happen...are you going to save us all?

Everyone but you. I'll let them send your soul to eternal damnation.:)

[Axxon]

I respect Scientology. I don't believe any of its metaphysics, but I also don't believe the more outlandish things said about it.

Do you believe the story that I told about almost being kidnapped by scientologists who planned to use me to get my mother to reveal the location of one of their own who had left them?

I could probably find a copy of the police report filed at the school.

If you do, then would you consider that one outlandish??

I still remember it and I still do consider it outlandish. I wasn't even scared of these people so I would have gone with them. I have that memory of being within minutes of being abducted and it felt like the stories where people miss their flight and it crashes.

Now, I certainly don't think that every scientologist is like this clearly and I don't even know how many of the same people are still running the show but if you ask me do I believe any "outlandish" things I hear and I can only answer that I can certainly believe that they are capable of outlandish things.

[Kodos]

Scientology won't be legit until it has something like The Crusades or the Spanish Inquisition or the Salem Witch Trials.

Don't worry. Soon the Cruisades will be upon us all!

[Groundhog]

Right.... unsubstantiated claims that were written 2000 years ago are definitely more believable. I definitely see the logic there.

Dude, like I said, I don't personally believe it. But the fact that it happened "a long, long time ago" makes it a little easier for me to understand how other people might.

(on a side note, I replied to this post about an hour ago, yet it seems to have vanished... Scientology conspiracy?!?)

[Swaggs]

The thing about Scientology being a religion, that does not seem right, is that they do not seem to be interested in spreading "the word" to everyone (like Christians "saving souls," Mormans sending out missionaries, Muslims trying to convert everyone, etc.). Most other religions seem to have the goal of spreading their message and trying to convert others, while Scientology seems to be more on the down low and more exclusive.

I think that is why some folks (like me) equate it more to a cult than to a religion.

[Groundhog]

The thing about Scientology being a religion, that does not seem right, is that they do not seem to be interested in spreading "the word" to everyone (like Christians "saving souls," Mormans sending out missionaries, Muslims trying to convert everyone, etc.). Most other religions seem to have the goal of spreading their message and trying to convert others, while Scientology seems to be more on the down low and more exclusive.

I think that is why some folks (like me) equate it more to a cult than to a religion.

That's because people get scared off due to the bad press it gets. They are on the streets recruiting often enough around these parts, they just do it without openly admitting who they are.

[wade moore]

The thing about Scientology being a religion, that does not seem right, is that they do not seem to be interested in spreading "the word" to everyone (like Christians "saving souls," Mormans sending out missionaries, Muslims trying to convert everyone, etc.). Most other religions seem to have the goal of spreading their message and trying to convert others, while Scientology seems to be more on the down low and more exclusive.

I think that is why some folks (like me) equate it more to a cult than to a religion.Judaism doesn't really do this either, do they?

[Groundhog]

http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,26278,23137654-10388,00.html?from=mostpop


Bart's $11m scientology d'oh-nation

THE voice of Bart Simpson last year handed a stunning $11.2 million over to her beloved Church of Scientology - twice as much as Tom Cruise. Nancy Cartwright, 50, made the donation as part of Scientology’s Global Salvage effort, which aims to “de-aberrate” Earth - meaning to rid mankind of psychology ills and other “aberrant” behavior.

PageSix.com reports Cruise, easily the church's most prominent member, only coughed up $5.6 million in instalments.

Cartwright can certainly handle the financial blow. She's been earning $280,000 an episode on The Simpsons since 2004.


Two things from this. Firstly, Tom 'Jesus' Cruise had better lift his game, though I imagine they would take in to account advertising along side his donations.

Secondly, Nancy Cartwright gets friggin $280k an episode?!?

[Mac Howard]

:rolleyes:

[Yossarian]

Whilst not directly related to the video, this seems an appropriate place to link to:


Jonathan Coulton's site (http://www.jonathancoulton.com/songdetails/Tom%20Cruise%20Crazy) (the guy who wrote the Portal song) where he has a new song called "Tom Cruise Crazy"