Scientologists convicted of organised fraud in France

Isn't that the whole idea of current? An article attains popularity for a short time and then another, etc.

Hate knows no time limit.

Where there is religious attacking you'll find a liberal using the self righteous bat.

I don't need no stinkin' self righteous bat!

Plus you really need to get over your constant need to place convenient political labels on everyone who disagrees with you. Many can never be pinned down by your outdated labels.

That's a label in itself...can't be labeled. That's almost an entire group of people with egos big enough to think they are different. It's cute.

From the story I heard, it started out as a bet between Hubbard and Isaac Asimov that Hubbard could make more money starting his own religion than writing science fiction.

Could be so.
Somewhere around here I have an unflattering book from several years back that was co-written by L. Ron Hubbard Jr.

Ever asked one of the "Borg" why their fearless leader offed himself? They'll tell you he felt is was time to move to the next level. You gotta luv that level of mindless insane devotion.

so similar to mindless hate.

What's similar to mindless hate? They invoked the 'borg' so it's definitely not mindless. Instead of Scientology, someone should have built a religion around Star Trek. Be more fun, for sure.

my subtly too much for you?

Star wars has their own religion....why not Star Trek?

Star Trek is taken. Also know as LDS.

...Jammer your 'subtly', if that's what you want to call it, is always far too much for me. But I just keep coming back for more. sigh.

It's as if you're trying to beat me somehow....

I'm sensing you may have a definite opinion towards Scientology.

Cult, religion. The distinction is vague to me.

Yes, RFI...very vague indeed.

It's a start. At least the desire is there to kick their asses out of France.

Did you even read the article? Being forced by your employer to take the scientology test, and then being fired for for not doing it is not called fucking consent.

I'm cool, I just can't afford the move.

retro, be careful in posting information like this out in the public. The Cleons might see this and take you away for galactic espionage.

Damn it, I'm telling the Giant Head...

the improbability of that is improbable....

Why are you wanting to punish everyone for what some do?

You dislike religion that much that you blindly think they are all the same? You're going to have to pony up and back that thought up.

...except you can't tax religions, only churches.

I don't know whether churches should or shouldn't be taxed. I think it comes down to whether or not they are truly non-profit; I don't believe this is the case for the Church of Scientology.

All religions are the same, as in without money they can't function. Spirituality will always take a back seat to the survival of the church or temple.

Most churches make sure to have a least one sermon a year that touches on the importance of tithing.

Not all religions need money. I'm sure there are some that survive just fine with their few people....just like all people don't need money.

Terrible statement anyway.

I believe you have struck a chord I can agree with for once jammer, atheist survive quite nicely without money being donated to their cause!!! Lol

They donate to their own tower of Babel.

Tower of Babel? I'm not following that metaphor, Jammer.

Egotistical tower someone built a long time ago.

hahahaha!!

I agree that just calling something stupid is a shallow and pointless endeavor, and usually only done out of frustration.

BUT...

Expressing discontent with an exploitative "religion", so long as it is done progressively, is neither pointless nor hateful; rather, dissent is the basis of a democratic society. If it's an opinion then it's one formed from ugly truths--the Church of Scientology has proven its extremity on more than one occasion. Our rights to free speech and to protest are guaranteed to us for more than matters concerning the government. We should certainly exercise them if we observe such a threat to society.

Sure, but most of the clowns posting on here don't take it that far. They see the words "church" and "fraud" in the same article and blow a load in their pants trying to type out how it's typical of all religion.

What people doing other than bad mouthing what they don't believe?

Jammer....and your point is? Don't criticize anything you don't believe in? Ok so no talking bad about elves, dragons, the Loch Ness monster, etc. No you just have a problem with people insulting that big bugaboo...organized religion. You don't have a problem constantly sniping at the President of the United States, and some people might see that as more of a slight then attacking religion, but that's not going to stop you from Obama bashing, I'm sure.

Oh Ares, once again your verbal acrobatics astound. Just seeing someone use 'clowns' and 'blow a load in their pants' in the same post is quite an accomplishment. You rushing to religion's defense is admirable, but just makes me want to bash it all the more, honestly.

Your exaggeration is so off base it's funny.

Try again---and this time actually try.

How about not everybody thinks like you?

Sorry if this is a revelation.

And I am sure you will now commence to try and belittle me instead of having some introspection.

Just to save you the time and any further response....

*****yawn*****
...............................

Then why are you trying to make me think like you by thinking that thought?

Damn Jammer after that post I feel like I'm in the Matrix.

Don't take the red one.

"Just seeing someone use 'clowns' and 'blow a load in their pants' in the same post is quite an accomplishment."

Particularly when done in defense of religion.

The difference is that you can go to a Church of Christian faith and not contribute any money, and still take away spiritual knowledge.

@Ares That's really true of *any* reputable spiritual group, be it Christian or otherwise. Money should never be a prerequisite to spiritual knowledge.

Of course, I was just using a single religion for the sake of simplicity, but you're absolutely right.

I figured as much, but I tend to think this is one of those points worth making as broadly and as many times as possible. :) If someone demands money (or sex or anything else aside from a reasonable amount of time and a sincere desire to learn) in exchange for spiritual knowledge run far, far away.

While most religions don't bar you from reaching some sort of enlightenment via monetary donations, they sure as hell say the way to go to heaven is to tithe 10% of your income, time, and thoughts. - I find this almost more fraudulent, as at least with scientology you figure out it is a joke before you die (assuming you have enough money to give).

I think that L. Ron guy was maybe the most influencial athiest to ever live. Religion should come from within, not from a book, parents, or church.

There's a big difference between charging large, mandatory sums of money before someone can gain "enlightenment" and suggesting that someone offer a percentage if they can. Granted, it's been quite some time since I've been in a church, but I've never heard of someone being told that tithing was the way to heaven.

Plus, it's optional and somewhat anonymous--and that's the point. You could go to a church and not give (either because you couldn't, or you didn't want to) and no one would tell you that you couldn't be there. Scientology, on the other hand, charges fees that can reach into the hundreds or thousands of dollars, paid in advance, to take their courses which are considered necessary for enlightenment. Big difference.

Most christian churches like to you drop a little coin into the collection. Makes converting the heathens go much faster.

It also helps pay for upkeep. If you expect a church (or temple or mosque or coven or troth or any other religious group) to provide you with a place to meet, all the things used during the service (hymnals, candles, incense, what have you), clergy able to devote their time to the needs of the congregation (particularly if you expect it to be their full-time job), social hour/coffee hour/cakes and ale/whatever the heck you want to call it after, isn't it reasonable to expect that you help where you can?

And again, big difference between saying please donate what you can, and saying you have to pay $1000 up front to attend this course and reach the next level of this religion.

Well I guess I have to disagree with you guys. To be scammed out of money, or anything for that matter, does not mean you are forced to give it. You really only have to give it under false pretenses. And you do not have to be an atheist like me for my statement to ring true. Muslims would likely agree that christian churches are a scam and Christians would feel that way about Muslims. In fact I do not know of any religion that says another religion is correct. So, even if you believe in your chosen religion you would be hard pressed to say that other religions are legitimate and not "scamming" their members that contribute. For that reason anyone that defends religion against my statement is really only defending their own. Which is fine. I just disagree.

Sounds like a plan to me.

Well, his fiction did have it's moments.

Read a book called Fear. One of the best psych-horror novels you will ever find.

check out this other book called the bible. pure riot.

Douglas Adams would have made a way better cult leader. There would have been more drinking and fun rituals.

Good point EdJoy, that would be a cult I could get behind.

vesher I totally agree.

Lol id say they're official now!

Praise the whomever!