Scientology - Yet Again

[hgc]

All religions may be based on a con, but it's probably more relevant for the more recently founded religions -- due to that knowing more about the specifics of the con thing. For older religions, with origins in the mists of early recorded history in their locales and with many thick layers of tradition accumulated over the years, the original con becomes a lot less important than the religious tradition.

Those newer religions, without the historic traditions, rely instead on the personality of a charismatic founder or successor to recruit and excite the faithful. These people are usually skillful grifters, a la Smith and Hubbard.

 

[dudalb]

No. First they tried the blackmail and extortion route. After that failed, they harassed the IRS through the courts until it caved in.

Lawrence Wright's book "Going Clear" goes into some detail on exactly how the CO$ managed to get tax exempt status. It does not reflect well on either the IRS or the CO$.

I cannot recommend "Going Clear" enough. IMHO is is easily the definitive book about the CO$.

 

[Tristan Chi]

Knowing vitrually nothing about CO$, how should I behave in practice when confronted with seemingly militant pundits?
They demand of me to drastically alter my ways.

 

[Garrette]

Knowing vitrually nothing about CO$, how should I behave in practice when confronted with seemingly militant pundits?
They demand of me to drastically alter my ways.

Speak in tongues, lay hands upon them, and cast out their demons

 

[Tricky]

Name the religion that isn't based on a con.

Neo-paganism is really just an excuse to get nekkid and party. They don't have tithes and whatever dues they collect go into buying land where they can get nekkid and party.

Of all religions, I like it best.

 

[Garrette]

Neo-paganism is really just an excuse to get nekkid and party. They don't have tithes and whatever dues they collect go into buying land where they can get nekkid and party.

Of all religions, I like it best.

I've seen some of them nekkid. It's still a con.

 

[desertgal]

Neo-paganism is really just an excuse to get nekkid and party. They don't have tithes and whatever dues they collect go into buying land where they can get nekkid and party.

Of all religions, I like it best.

So, it's like the sixties, only cleaner and less psychedelic? (Not that I remember the sixties, but I have Polaroids.)

 

[mustbeso]

I'm thinking atheism or agnosticism sound good in this context. You get to eat pork, no bead stuff to remember, you don't have to dress funny, etc. Don't know why it's not more popular.

 

[hgc]

I'm thinking atheism or agnosticism sound good in this context. You get to eat pork, no bead stuff to remember, you don't have to dress funny, etc. Don't know why it's not more popular.

No rules about wearing, or not wearing, headgear. No rules about facial hair. No rules about lobster consumption. No rules about Onanism. No rules about menstruation. No rules about snake handling, davening, whirling, foot washing or ring kissing.

 

[Weak Kitten]

Only problem with atheism and agnosticism is that you have to take sole responsibility for your actions and work out the details of your morality for yourself. Also, no comforting afterlife story for when a loved one dies.

Many people just don't have the moral and spiritual strength to put aside the training wheels of theism and try to figure out their place in the universe for themselves.

 

[geni]

You really need to catch up on your reading if you are only up to 1994.

The tip off for me was the line about recently getting tax exempt status in the US. Recently? Then I checked the date on the article.

Then again, has much changed in the last 20 years?

In fairness Saint Hill Manor is one of the less documented bits of scientology. When I looked to expand the wikipedia article I wasn't able to find much.

 

[geni]

I agree. Still, what religion isn't, looked at honestly, based on a con? I know it's a cynical point, but I don't think it's inaccurate.

Rastafari movement which appears to have grown out of a mix of misunderstandings and hope.