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Scientology - Psychology - what's the difference?

Oliver

Penultimate Amazing
Oliver
Joined
Aug 12, 2006
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17,396
So after watching the infamous Interview with Mr. David Miscavige* I start to wonder what difference there is between Scientology and Psychology.

From what I know the auditors are trying to figure out what bothers you and try to get over those things that in some way hinder you from being more successful and productive.

That, of course, is as true for Scientology as it is for Psychologists. So why do Psychologists and Scientology both claim that both practices are not comparable? :boggled:

In as far?

What's the difference anyway?

*Source:
Part 1/9 Scientology leader David Miscavige on ABC Nightline
Part 2/9 Scientology leader David Miscavige on ABC Nightline
Part 3/9 Scientology leader David Miscavige on ABC Nightline
Part 4/9 Scientology leader David Miscavige on ABC Nightline
Part 5/9 Scientology leader David Miscavige on ABC Nightline
Part 6/9 Scientology leader David Miscavige on ABC Nightline
Part 7/9 Scientology leader David Miscavige on ABC Nightline
Part 8/9 Scientology leader David Miscavige on ABC Nightline
Part 9/9 Scientology leader David Miscavige on ABC Nightline
 
What's the difference between psychiatry and exorcism at that? Both try to get you free from your "demons", right? One works and is based on tests and studies, while the other isn't.
 
Psychology, neuroscience, and psychiatry are science-based disciplines. They rely on the scientific method to try to understand how the brain/mind works and also to address problems that might arise affecting human behavior.

Scientology is a very large money-generating scam.
 
Well for starters there's this:

The church was founded by science-fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, who declared that the galactic dictator Xenu dumped millions of corpses in volcanoes on Earth 75 million years ago and blew them up with 17 hydrogen bombs. The souls, or ''thetans'', of the dead were contaminated and in turn contaminated humans, who can be cleansed only by Scientology.
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Then there's no Sea Org in Psychology.

There's Church of Psychology.

There's no leader of Psychology.

Members of Psychology aren't forbidden to contact ex-members, and ex-members aren't cut off from all contact with their family members and declared "suppressive persons" who must be shunned and attacked.

Children aren't raised in isolated Psychology bases to be indoctrinated in Psychology and believe it's Psychology vs. the world.

The price of Psychology doesn't go up each time you complete a level.
 
What's the difference between Scientology and World of Warcraft?

They both require the development of specific skills - which are not terribly useful outside the context of the game.

Thye both have carefully designed "level up" strategies to keep you enticed as you play.

Perhaps the biggest difference is that Scientologists don't realize they're just part of a massive game, and take it much more seriously.

Of course, Scientology also has higher fees than WoW. But, that's just a matter of degrees.
 
Not sure if this is completely on topic, but my take on the reason for Scientology's vehement opposition to psychology is that contained within psychology is the language to describe and explain the brainwashing, cult behavior and all the other b.s. at the core of the scam that is Scientology. They have good reason to fear anything that could show them for what they are.

ferd
 
ferd burfle said:
Not sure if this is completely on topic, but my take on the reason for Scientology's vehement opposition to psychology is that contained within psychology is the language to describe and explain the brainwashing, cult behavior and all the other b.s. at the core of the scam that is Scientology. They have good reason to fear anything that could show them for what they are.
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Or to put it even more simply, L. Ron Hubbard hated shrinks because they kept telling him he was completely nuts.

Much like my 400 pound coworker who changes doctors every time one of them suggests she needs to lose weight. She cannot understand how all these terrible incompetent doctors slip through the licensing tests.
 
Very good analogy, I think.


M.



Wowbagger said:
What's the difference between Scientology and World of Warcraft?

They both require the development of specific skills - which are not terribly useful outside the context of the game.

Thye both have carefully designed "level up" strategies to keep you enticed as you play.

Perhaps the biggest difference is that Scientologists don't realize they're just part of a massive game, and take it much more seriously.

Of course, Scientology also has higher fees than WoW. But, that's just a matter of degrees.
Click to expand...
 
Bikewer said:
Psychology, neuroscience, and psychiatry are science-based disciplines. They rely on the scientific method to try to understand how the brain/mind works and also to address problems that might arise affecting human behavior.

Scientology is a very large money-generating scam.
Click to expand...
This.
 
methinks some folk have a rose-coloured glasses view of the "science" behind, in particular, much of psychiatry.
 
ferd burfle said:
Good point and thanks, TM, I hadn't considered the personal history angle.

ferd
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I'll also add that every woo needs its nemesis.
Marketing-wise, it's a lot easier to sell yourself when you have someone to blame.

The environmentalist\peta cults blame big industry.
The alternative medicine gurus blame big pharma.
The church blames gays\atheists\whomever the current big target.
The truthers blame the government
etc etc etc
 
icerat said:
methinks some folk have a rose-coloured glasses view of the "science" behind, in particular, much of psychiatry.
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Well, since you just equated psychiatry to psychology, I think you might be a bit confused yourself.
 
A Laughing Baby said:
Well, since you just equated psychiatry to psychology, I think you might be a bit confused yourself.
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Doubtful, given I spent many years as a research psychologist, but then again, it was a while ago :cool:

I'm guessing you read the OP and ignored the fact other posters commented on psychiatry, which was primarily what I was referring to.

Much of counselling/therapeutic psychology has little or poor-quality science behind it as well.
 
icerat said:
Doubtful, given I spent many years as a research psychologist, but then again, it was a while ago :cool:

I'm guessing you read the OP and ignored the fact other posters commented on psychiatry, which was primarily what I was referring to.

Much of counselling/therapeutic psychology has little or poor-quality science behind it as well.
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And yet, regardless, it still has more science and research behind it than Scientology.
 
To be charitable: I suspect that some (but not all) of L. Ron Hubbard's original criticisms about psychology (and psychiatry) were legitimate. Psychology was a bit of a minefield of good and bad ideas, for a while.

However, the various fields of psychology have improved over time: The methods and theories have, in general, become much more reliable in explaining the brain, and improving behavior, etc. Any legit criticisms Hubbard had, have long since been addressed.

Scientology, on the other hand, has not improved in such ways. It might rip off ideas from the real science and claim it as their own. But, the only way CO$ innovates is in the realm of draining brains and wallets.

Some evidence comes from those who escape from it. Real psychology can, when carefully applied, break the spell, and send you off on a much more productive life.
 
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A Laughing Baby said:
And yet, regardless, it still has more science and research behind it than Scientology.
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sure, but the same could be said of any "religion".

My point remains that most people really have no idea of the lack of or poor science behind much of the practice of psychiatry and psychology.

Wowbagger is correct to note it's much improved, at least in academic circles, but in it's public practice their foundations are still remarkably flimsy and affected by fashion. Witness the "recovered memories" debacle.
 
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