As an atheist, I say no. In my opinion all religions are pretty wacky and coo-coo, so it's pretty amusing to me when other religions, or religious people
bag on scientology (or any other religion for that matter). People always refer to scientology as a cult, but a cult is defined as "a system of religious beliefs and ritual," which would put every religion under the same category. I
think most people regard scientology as straight out weird because of all the alien talk and beliefs, but how is a talking snake and a man living inside a
whale for 3 days (christianty) any different and/or less weird? In scientology I know a lot of it is about money...you have to pay your way to the next level,
but so what? If people want to be a part of something like that and believe that is "the way," then I don't really see the need for the big
outcry (just like Catholics believe you have to confess your sins to a priest - just as wacky in my opinion but it is regarded as the way it is in their
religion). All other religions out there are just as about money as the rest of them. You may not necessairly have to pay to know more information, but it is
highly favorable to tithe and people who do are usually regarded in higher lights than those who do not. In mormonism, you basically have to tithe or you are
not allowed at certain church activites. I mean, obviously there are crazy ass people who are scientologists (tom cruise) but there are crazy ass people in
every religion out there. A lot of scientologists are not even famous and fly under the radar...so there are definitely "non-crazy" scientologists as
well, just as there are non-crazy people in other religions. I just think it's hypocritical when other religions bag so much on scientology.
Is scientology really that diff from other religions?
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 DoesThatSparkle |
Is scientology really that diff from other religions? |
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Posts: 2789 (06/24/2009 11:16 PM) |
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AudaciousAudrey |
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Posts: 27032 (06/24/2009 11:18 PM) Biggest Know It All '09
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tl;dr except for the first few lines
I agree that most religions are cult-like. The main difference is that scientology is based on some sci-fi books that were never meant to be taken as fact, they were just for entertainment. It is also a newer religion so it is bound to be taken less seriously than other religions. |
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DoesThatSparkle |
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Posts: 2790 (06/24/2009 11:21 PM) |
AudaciousAudrey wrote:The same could be said for the bible. |
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AudaciousAudrey |
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Posts: 27033 (06/24/2009 11:24 PM) Biggest Know It All '09
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DoesThatSparkle wrote:I agree, however the Bible has a lot more witnesses to vouch for its authenticity and has been preserved for thousands of years. I don't believe in the Bible either, though. |
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xBecky |
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Posts: 12906 (06/24/2009 11:24 PM) |
I can understand that viewpoint, but I can tell you from experience as a Christian that I have never seen someone viewed in a better light because of what they
give. Offerings and donations are kept private, and only the office knows what people give, and the only purpose of that is so that around tax time a statement
can be sent out for charitable donations.
As far as all religions being cults, yes, that can be said based on one definition of the word cult. However, as language evolves, so words evolve to mean diverse things. I think this page gives a good breakdown of the usage of the word 'cult.' So, while all religions could be cults, in my view a cult is a group of people led by a charismatic leader seeking his/her own gain, whose members are forced/coerced to give money and time to the 'cause,' and whose members are shunned if they ever choose to leave. Using that definition, which is often how society views a cult, I would not characterize major religions: Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hindu, Sikhs, etc. as cults. |
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rachaelthinksbeesareokay |
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Posts: 2391 (06/24/2009 11:25 PM) Grammar Cop '09
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Yeah I agree, even being nonreligious, I believe that some things in the Bible actually did happen. Not so sure about the ark or Jonah and the Whale, but I do
believe that there was a dude named Jesus walkin' around like a hippie.
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AudaciousAudrey |
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Posts: 27034 (06/24/2009 11:26 PM) Biggest Know It All '09
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rachaelthinksbeesareokay wrote:Same. We have plenty of evidence that Jesus existed as a human. |
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DoesThatSparkle |
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Posts: 2792 (06/24/2009 11:26 PM) |
xBecky wrote:Mormonism? That's a major religion and definitely fits the bill of your revised cult defintion (not saying the definition is wrong, just saying it's broadened from the standard webster defintion). |
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DoesThatSparkle |
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Posts: 2793 (06/24/2009 11:28 PM) |
Well yes, I definitely believe Jesus as a man existed. As the son of god? No.
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xBecky |
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Posts: 12908 (06/24/2009 11:32 PM) |
...It's an unpopular opinion to be sure, but I feel that Mormonism comes extremely close to being a cult. I don't hold anything against the people, but
yes.
Well yes, I definitely believe Jesus as a man existed. As the son of god? No. Which, with that in mind, basically negates the whole rest of the bible as being of truth. Perhaps it negates the spiritual aspects of the Bible as being truth in your mind, but don't rule out the historical significance. There are some people and places in the Bible thought not to have existed, but yet have been found in archeological digs. I find it interesting not only as a spiritual book for me, but also as a peek into BC and 1st century life. |
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DoesThatSparkle |
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Posts: 2794 (06/24/2009 11:41 PM) |
Just A Little Stitious wrote:If it fits the definition, then how is it not a cult? And isn't that what people who are in cults usually say? It's part of the whole brainwashing thing - which I think applies to every religion (brainwashing).
Edited By: DoesThatSparkle
06/24/2009 11:44 PM.
Edited 2 times.
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harmnybunny |
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Posts: 14860 (06/24/2009 11:47 PM) |
...It's an unpopular opinion to be sure, but I feel that Mormonism comes extremely close to being a cult. I don't hold anything against the people, but yes. My Protestant friend is extremely persistent that Mormonism is a cult. Like, he repeatedly said this.  They have their own "Bible" don't
they?
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orangepeel19 |
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Posts: 11888 (06/24/2009 11:48 PM) Friendliest JJBer '09
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I'm Buddhist...but I believe it's more of a philosophy, a way of life that I chose to follow, rather than a religion. I don't pray to the Buddha and the teachings are about SELF improvement through your
own actions instead of praying to anyone.
It's followers are ruining it by praying to nothing and that Tibetan guy...that's his name again? The so called authority on Buddhism in the Western world, irritates the hell out of me because when he's asked about it, and has the power to explain things the right way, he says absolutely nothing. He's so dumb. This has nothing to do with your post I'm sorry. I think that the difference with Scientology is that you need to pay. Sure you can buy a bible but Churches don't try to stuff multiple things down your throat. |
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DoesThatSparkle |
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Posts: 2795 (06/24/2009 11:50 PM) |
harmnybunny wrote:See, this is what I'm talking about lol. One religion bashing on another religion. Makes no sense to me...all religious beliefs are pretty wacky and out there like I already stated. What makes one any less wacky in terms of beliefs? |
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LauraN1234 |
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Posts: 3138 (06/24/2009 11:50 PM) |
Eh I think all religion is whack-o. Mormonism isn't much weirder than other religions.
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orangepeel19 |
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Posts: 11890 (06/24/2009 11:52 PM) Friendliest JJBer '09
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I meant that you have to pay for. Of course anyone with a belief tries to pin it on others.
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DoesThatSparkle |
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Posts: 2796 (06/24/2009 11:53 PM) |
orangepeel19 wrote:But what makes having to pay any more weird or wacky (sorry for the over use of the word on my part tonight), than other religious beliefs and practices? |
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orangepeel19 |
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Posts: 11891 (06/24/2009 11:56 PM) Friendliest JJBer '09
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DoesThatSparkle wrote:That you have to pay for followers/members to join you. McKenna, who pays? I don't know because I'm not of the faiths but none of my friends that are, pay. |
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oneandahalf |
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Posts: 5807 (06/24/2009 11:58 PM) |
Well, you have to pay tens of thousands of dollars just to find out there's some galactic alien emperor named Xenu. You have to reach OT8 before they tell
you all that and it takes years and LOTS of money.
People can believe what they want, but I really have a hard time respecting Scientology as a religion because of that, and its creator L. Ron Hubbard. The scare tactics and harassment used by the organization to those who want to leave is also pretty sickening. Say what you want about other major religions, but you can leave them anytime you want, come back anytime you want, you aren't required to give any money, and they're generally upfront about their message. |
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xBecky |
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Posts: 12911 (06/25/2009 12:00 AM) |
What makes one any less wacky in terms of beliefs? When I think of Christianity's view towards Mormonism, there are two main reasons for the 'tension.' I put tension in quotes because it is so mild compared to tensions between other religious groups. One is the fact that some major Mormon scripture has been disproved by archaeology. The second is that they consider themselves Christian, when many of their beliefs are different from the Christian church as a whole. When I say 'as a whole,' I mean the things that Protestant Christianity, Roman Catholics, and the Orthodox Christians agree on. Are claims in many religions incredible? Yes. That is the part where faith comes in. There are plenty of churches and denominations that make you play. I'm assuming you mean pay here. Which Christian denominations require payment? I haven't run across any yet, but I haven't seen or studied them all yet either. Also, just because a certain church or denomination does things one way means that it is condoned by the church as a whole, or viewed as truth. All humans are fallible. |
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harmnybunny |
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Posts: 14861 (06/25/2009 12:01 AM) |
DoesThatSparkle wrote:I agree with you religions shouldn't bash each other. I can't say what makes one religion less "wacky"/ more "logical" than another, but from the viewpoint of Christianity I can tell you what makes something less "valid" -- if it strays from the Bible. Like Mormons have their own Book of Mormon with edited parts of the bible and that's what made my friend wary. |
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