Can anyone explain Scientology to me?

Angela Harlem · 01-20-2002, 05:51 AM

I met these 2 woman today who were, and they didnt tell me until they gave me a business card, but they were fascinating until I saw that. In fact they didnt mention anything about it, what they were telling me was about reflexology and stuff, I didnt think that had much to do with it, not that I have any real clue...But does anyone know?

Kieran McConville · 01-20-2002, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Angela Harlem:
I met these 2 woman today who were, and they didnt tell me until they gave me a business card, but they were fascinating until I saw that. In fact they didnt mention anything about it, what they were telling me was about reflexology and stuff, I didnt think that had much to do with it, not that I have any real clue...But does anyone know?

Don't quote me on this Angie, but I believe the scientologists are indeed adherents of a lot of new-age remedies and the like. I think it might tie in with a belief about energy fields or something. A web-search for L. Ron Hubbard (their founder, and also a sci-fi writer) might prove enlightening.

PS. I am not a scientologist.

Anthony · 01-20-2002, 06:26 AM

Scientology can be summed up by simply saying; a bunch of fetid dingo kidneys.
What a load of crap.

I mean, did anybody SEE BattleField Earth, positively the worst movie ever made. Personally, I would check what the hell I was doing following a man who has the ability to write such a pathetic and remarkably stupid story (L.Ron Hubbard wrote the story). How anyone can even follow such a man is beyond me.

Don't get involved, its a bunch of crap.

Ant.

foray · 01-20-2002, 08:11 AM

i confuse scientology with christian science

so i dunno either

(puppy sleeping on lap - typing weirdly therefore)

foreplay

Johnny Swallow · 01-20-2002, 09:28 AM

A cult by any other name still leads to ritual suicide.

Like O2 · 01-20-2002, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Johnny Swallow:
A cult by any other name still leads to ritual suicide.

Ouch!

adam's_mistress · 01-20-2002, 12:10 PM

I was approached by some Scientologists when I was in college. It was the beginning of my freshman year and the campus was rather large, and given my naivety, I didn't know I was approached by a Scientologist until I started receiving several phone calls -

Let me back up. This was 11 years ago. A young woman, my age, approached me while I was reading some ethinicites book for an assignment during a break from classes. She came right up to me and we started talking about different ethnicities in the US, and we chatted it up a bit. She seemed friendly enough, seemed genuinely interested in what I had to say. She pulled out a questionaire with a ton of questions on it, I mean a TON of questions: they were mainly health and spchologically based and the answers were divvied into A,B,C, format. She gave me the impression that these questions were for a psychology course, as during our conversation she had said she was a psych major and kept talking about her psych classes. I took the time and filled it out, but smartly enough I didn't disclose my phone number or address. I told her I didn't feel comfortable giving out personal information like that, and if it was a school project and they needed to contact me, then my name would be on file. She said, No Problem, she understood. And we quickly drifted into some interesting converstation. We talked some more for about an hour. She seemed like a very nice person and it seemed like we had a lot in common. We chit chatted about travel, music, etc. etc. We agreed to meet for coffee later that week. I let up my guard and gave her my phone number.

2 days later I had people from the Church of Scientolgy calling me, telling me that my questionaire had been evaluated, and wouldn't I come in for a counseltation? I told them no thankyou, and hung up. The next day I received not 1, but 2 more phone calls from Scientologists telling me they could "help" me. I said no. This went on for 8 days straight, as the final straw that broke my back was when they rang me at 7 am on a Sunday. I told them that questionaire or not, if they didn't stop harrassing me, I would take legal action. I never got another phone call.

Nor did I ever see that girl on campus ever again.

Beware, this type of stuff happens on college campuses all the time, as Scientologists see campuses as a breeding ground for for not only naivety, but for the easily influenced and swayed. (there's a few articles on the web speaking out against this type of college recruiting - do a search)

The way recruiters like the one you happened upon operate is that their actions (pleasant conversation revolving around health and psychology, hobbies - actually those types of questions are on the questionaire) may seem hardless enough, but there is ALWAYS an alterior motive. They are recruiters looking to spread the word of their own brand of 'gospel.'

The last time I was approached by a Scientologist was on my doorstep a year ago. I look fairly young for my age, and this woman, who was clearly younger than me, approached me on the premise of "I saw you at your car, I'm visitng a friend, haven't I seen you before, I think we went to high school together... you look familiar" I told her that it was probably impossible that we went to high school together, and she started in on this "seminar" business and we should get together sometime for lunch and talk... I shut the door in her face. Just goes to show that these people do indeed mean business, and will go about any sly way to trick their potential recruits into getting them inside the church.

Scientology is more or less a secret society. It is very hard to know exactly what it is mainly because to "know" about Scientology entails being a member of the church and paying soe hefty dues. It is fair to say you can find out information by reading the books by L. Ron Hubbard, but applying the Scientologist thought process means you paying your dues to the church so you can attain information on how the church is run, what it's members are encouraged to do in terms of recruiting, and how to apply the Scientologist thought process to every aspect of your life. There is literally a gag order set upon the members of the church - meaning: reeling possible members in, having them fill out quesitonaires that are about 150+ questions long, questioning them once they go in for their counseltation, pointing out every 'wrong' aspect in their lives, generally making that person feel worthless but "the church of Scientology can helP, and make them (the recruits) ask questions later.

It is very unlikely you will find any info on Scientology on the web (my father had to do a project for his job, as his company was approached by Scientologists as possible clients - the job was turned down by the company) The whole of Scientology is pretty much shrouded in secrecy AND most info on the web that sheds any light on how the church operates is shut down by the church of Scientology. As a fyi, the church's hardball tactics in the recruiting field are under the gun and the church was banned in Germany (there's articles on the web about that for sure.) As you may know there are many celebrities that are members of the church: John Travolta, Priscilla Presley, Alley Kirstie, and David Duchovney I believe. They have come out and said they were Scientologists, but they never really talk about it, ifyouknowwhatImean.

Just beware - but if you want to get a gist on what it's about, try reading L.Ron Hubbard's "Dianetics." That's the key book that the church of Scientology is based on.

*NOT a Scientologist*

adam's_mistress · 01-20-2002, 12:28 PM

Here's site you may want to check out. Sheds a most unpositive light on Scientology, I heard about it on a messageboard because someone was approached... I'm surprised this hasn't been shut down.
http://www.xenu.net/archive/secret.html

Klodomir · 01-20-2002, 01:09 PM

They preyed on me when I was a teenager, using the same questionnaire that adam's mistress mentioned, but we had been educated on cults at school, so I knew what it was about. Everything that adam's mistress says is accurate in my experience. I actually live next to one of them right now. He doesn't try to peddle it much, so I'm okay with him, but generally speaking I try to avoid them.

Secret Squirrel · 01-21-2002, 01:16 AM

WHOAH!! Thanks Adam's mistress! What a story. To be honest, I have no intention of joining any religion, such as this, I've only heard all the weird things (which seem to be the total sum of it) and wondered if anyone knew. I guess it would be hard to find out anything if they are so secretive. At first I thought she was just a bit of a greenie, she does a lot for the Bush Fire Brigades and seemed so nice. I have to admit though, I really smirked when I saw the business card, it reminded me of the soft selling of certain other 'religious' practices.

One thing I know, Im sure as shit not handing over 30% of my income to any new age cult!

Thanks.

***Still unsubscribed***

CannibalisticArtist · 01-21-2002, 03:54 AM

this is so fucking childish.

Angela Harlem · 01-21-2002, 04:38 AM

How is this childish?

kobayashi · 01-21-2002, 03:18 PM

i don't see why some of you are upset about the existence of this religion. granted their recruiting process appears to be blatantly over-aggressive, but i wouldn't doubt that some political parties or even other religions wouldn't push the same boundaries of common sense.

of course we think it's silly but if someone believes in it i fail to see the harm. it's not like their eating babies or something...

------------------
reflective panelling

[This message has been edited by kobayashi (edited 01-21-2002).]

Angela Harlem · 01-21-2002, 10:02 PM

Thanks for clearing that up Cannibalistic Artist. I thought I had really offended someone there.

KobeObe, aren't all religions 'sold'? Even if the intentions are pure, there's this sense of needing to acquire mass numbers, to either make money off, or do some soul saving with.

kobayashi · 01-21-2002, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Angela Harlem:
KobeObe, aren't all religions 'sold'? Even if the intentions are pure, there's this sense of needing to acquire mass numbers, to either make money off, or do some soul saving with.

i would agree with you but from an 'end user' perspective, someone can thoroughly enjoy the religion and find solace and happiness or whatever within it, and not want anything more to do with it.
i feel for everyone here who has been 'pursued', i have as well but by a different religion of which i believe some individuals on this board associate themselves with(i am not a part of any sort of religous organization).

------------------
reflective panelling

CannibalisticArtist · 01-22-2002, 02:53 AM

Scientology i mean. do these so called "adults" have any better way to spend their time and money then to worship a sci-fi writer's BS? what next? the "force" will be a recognized religion? silly people.

Clark W. Griswold, Jr · 01-22-2002, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by adam's_mistress:
"I saw you at your car, I'm visitng a friend, haven't I seen you before, I think we went to high school together... you look familiar"

The whole of Scientology is pretty much shrouded in secrecy

Mmmmm.... This is interesting. These tactics are the same ones used by AMWAY clowns looking for new blood. Coincidence?

Kieran McConville · 01-22-2002, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Clark W. Griswold, Jr:
Mmmmm.... This is interesting. These tactics are the same ones used by AMWAY clowns looking for new blood. Coincidence?

Amway people scare me. It's like they're all brainwashed by their dreams of endless wealth or something.

I tell ya, it's the word that dare not speak its name.

mug222 · 01-22-2002, 03:50 PM

Well personally I find it just about as believable as following a 2,000 year old carpenter.

-->mug knows he will be destroyed for saying that.

Screaming Flower · 01-22-2002, 03:56 PM

*screaming flower quickly steps out of the way of the lightning that will soon hit mug*

01-20-2002, 05:51 AM	#1
Angela Harlem Jesus Online Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: a glass castle Posts: 30,163 Local Time: 05:50 PM	Can anyone explain Scientology to me? I met these 2 woman today who were, and they didnt tell me until they gave me a business card, but they were fascinating until I saw that. In fact they didnt mention anything about it, what they were telling me was about reflexology and stuff, I didnt think that had much to do with it, not that I have any real clue...But does anyone know? __________________

01-22-2002, 03:56 PM	#20
Screaming Flower ONE love, blood, life Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 11,961 Local Time: 01:50 AM	screaming flower quickly steps out of the way of the lightning that will soon hit mug __________________

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01-20-2002, 06:26 AM	#3
Anthony Refugee Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: London, UK Posts: 1,538 Local Time: 06:50 AM	Scientology can be summed up by simply saying; a bunch of fetid dingo kidneys. What a load of crap. I mean, did anybody SEE BattleField Earth, positively the worst movie ever made. Personally, I would check what the hell I was doing following a man who has the ability to write such a pathetic and remarkably stupid story (L.Ron Hubbard wrote the story). How anyone can even follow such a man is beyond me. Don't get involved, its a bunch of crap. Ant.

01-20-2002, 08:11 AM	#4
foray Rock n' Roll Doggie Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: full of sound and fury Posts: 3,386 Local Time: 07:50 PM	i confuse scientology with christian science so i dunno either (puppy sleeping on lap - typing weirdly therefore) foreplay

01-20-2002, 09:28 AM	#5
Johnny Swallow Bad Daddy Johnny Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: NW Arkansas Posts: 1,925 Local Time: 01:50 AM	A cult by any other name still leads to ritual suicide.

01-20-2002, 12:10 PM	#7
adam's_mistress Acrobat Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Queen Lurker Posts: 323 Local Time: 06:50 AM	I was approached by some Scientologists when I was in college. It was the beginning of my freshman year and the campus was rather large, and given my naivety, I didn't know I was approached by a Scientologist until I started receiving several phone calls - Let me back up. This was 11 years ago. A young woman, my age, approached me while I was reading some ethinicites book for an assignment during a break from classes. She came right up to me and we started talking about different ethnicities in the US, and we chatted it up a bit. She seemed friendly enough, seemed genuinely interested in what I had to say. She pulled out a questionaire with a ton of questions on it, I mean a TON of questions: they were mainly health and spchologically based and the answers were divvied into A,B,C, format. She gave me the impression that these questions were for a psychology course, as during our conversation she had said she was a psych major and kept talking about her psych classes. I took the time and filled it out, but smartly enough I didn't disclose my phone number or address. I told her I didn't feel comfortable giving out personal information like that, and if it was a school project and they needed to contact me, then my name would be on file. She said, No Problem, she understood. And we quickly drifted into some interesting converstation. We talked some more for about an hour. She seemed like a very nice person and it seemed like we had a lot in common. We chit chatted about travel, music, etc. etc. We agreed to meet for coffee later that week. I let up my guard and gave her my phone number. 2 days later I had people from the Church of Scientolgy calling me, telling me that my questionaire had been evaluated, and wouldn't I come in for a counseltation? I told them no thankyou, and hung up. The next day I received not 1, but 2 more phone calls from Scientologists telling me they could "help" me. I said no. This went on for 8 days straight, as the final straw that broke my back was when they rang me at 7 am on a Sunday. I told them that questionaire or not, if they didn't stop harrassing me, I would take legal action. I never got another phone call. Nor did I ever see that girl on campus ever again. Beware, this type of stuff happens on college campuses all the time, as Scientologists see campuses as a breeding ground for for not only naivety, but for the easily influenced and swayed. (there's a few articles on the web speaking out against this type of college recruiting - do a search) The way recruiters like the one you happened upon operate is that their actions (pleasant conversation revolving around health and psychology, hobbies - actually those types of questions are on the questionaire) may seem hardless enough, but there is ALWAYS an alterior motive. They are recruiters looking to spread the word of their own brand of 'gospel.' The last time I was approached by a Scientologist was on my doorstep a year ago. I look fairly young for my age, and this woman, who was clearly younger than me, approached me on the premise of "I saw you at your car, I'm visitng a friend, haven't I seen you before, I think we went to high school together... you look familiar" I told her that it was probably impossible that we went to high school together, and she started in on this "seminar" business and we should get together sometime for lunch and talk... I shut the door in her face. Just goes to show that these people do indeed mean business, and will go about any sly way to trick their potential recruits into getting them inside the church. Scientology is more or less a secret society. It is very hard to know exactly what it is mainly because to "know" about Scientology entails being a member of the church and paying soe hefty dues. It is fair to say you can find out information by reading the books by L. Ron Hubbard, but applying the Scientologist thought process means you paying your dues to the church so you can attain information on how the church is run, what it's members are encouraged to do in terms of recruiting, and how to apply the Scientologist thought process to every aspect of your life. There is literally a gag order set upon the members of the church - meaning: reeling possible members in, having them fill out quesitonaires that are about 150+ questions long, questioning them once they go in for their counseltation, pointing out every 'wrong' aspect in their lives, generally making that person feel worthless but "the church of Scientology can helP, and make them (the recruits) ask questions later. It is very unlikely you will find any info on Scientology on the web (my father had to do a project for his job, as his company was approached by Scientologists as possible clients - the job was turned down by the company) The whole of Scientology is pretty much shrouded in secrecy AND most info on the web that sheds any light on how the church operates is shut down by the church of Scientology. As a fyi, the church's hardball tactics in the recruiting field are under the gun and the church was banned in Germany (there's articles on the web about that for sure.) As you may know there are many celebrities that are members of the church: John Travolta, Priscilla Presley, Alley Kirstie, and David Duchovney I believe. They have come out and said they were Scientologists, but they never really talk about it, ifyouknowwhatImean. Just beware - but if you want to get a gist on what it's about, try reading L.Ron Hubbard's "Dianetics." That's the key book that the church of Scientology is based on. NOT a Scientologist

01-20-2002, 12:28 PM	#8
adam's_mistress Acrobat Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Queen Lurker Posts: 323 Local Time: 06:50 AM	Here's site you may want to check out. Sheds a most unpositive light on Scientology, I heard about it on a messageboard because someone was approached... I'm surprised this hasn't been shut down. http://www.xenu.net/archive/secret.html

01-20-2002, 01:09 PM	#9
Klodomir Refugee Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Denmark Posts: 1,198 Local Time: 07:50 AM	They preyed on me when I was a teenager, using the same questionnaire that adam's mistress mentioned, but we had been educated on cults at school, so I knew what it was about. Everything that adam's mistress says is accurate in my experience. I actually live next to one of them right now. He doesn't try to peddle it much, so I'm okay with him, but generally speaking I try to avoid them.

01-21-2002, 01:16 AM	#10
Secret Squirrel The Fly Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 32 Local Time: 04:50 PM	WHOAH!! Thanks Adam's mistress! What a story. To be honest, I have no intention of joining any religion, such as this, I've only heard all the weird things (which seem to be the total sum of it) and wondered if anyone knew. I guess it would be hard to find out anything if they are so secretive. At first I thought she was just a bit of a greenie, she does a lot for the Bush Fire Brigades and seemed so nice. I have to admit though, I really smirked when I saw the business card, it reminded me of the soft selling of certain other 'religious' practices. One thing I know, Im sure as shit not handing over 30% of my income to any new age cult! Thanks. *Still unsubscribed*

01-21-2002, 03:54 AM	#11
CannibalisticArtist War Child Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: West Coast babyeee Posts: 511 Local Time: 10:50 PM	this is so fucking childish.

01-21-2002, 04:38 AM	#12
Angela Harlem Jesus Online Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: a glass castle Posts: 30,163 Local Time: 05:50 PM	How is this childish?

01-21-2002, 03:18 PM	#13
kobayashi Rock n' Roll Doggie VIP PASS Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: the ether Posts: 5,142 Local Time: 02:50 AM	i don't see why some of you are upset about the existence of this religion. granted their recruiting process appears to be blatantly over-aggressive, but i wouldn't doubt that some political parties or even other religions wouldn't push the same boundaries of common sense. of course we think it's silly but if someone believes in it i fail to see the harm. it's not like their eating babies or something... ------------------ reflective panelling [This message has been edited by kobayashi (edited 01-21-2002).]

01-21-2002, 10:02 PM	#14
Angela Harlem Jesus Online Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: a glass castle Posts: 30,163 Local Time: 05:50 PM	Thanks for clearing that up Cannibalistic Artist. I thought I had really offended someone there. KobeObe, aren't all religions 'sold'? Even if the intentions are pure, there's this sense of needing to acquire mass numbers, to either make money off, or do some soul saving with.

01-22-2002, 02:53 AM	#16
CannibalisticArtist War Child Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: West Coast babyeee Posts: 511 Local Time: 10:50 PM	Scientology i mean. do these so called "adults" have any better way to spend their time and money then to worship a sci-fi writer's BS? what next? the "force" will be a recognized religion? silly people.

01-22-2002, 03:50 PM	#19
mug222 War Child Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 526 Local Time: 06:50 AM	Well personally I find it just about as believable as following a 2,000 year old carpenter. -->mug knows he will be destroyed for saying that.