That's the real reason most people with two or more functioning brain cells disdain Scientologists. The author correctly points out that many other faiths have their share of weird ideas, but then, they aren't represented in the public's mind with mental midgets and loons like Tom Cruise, Jenna Elfman, John Travolta, and Kirstie Alley.

Celebrities are, by their very nature, shallow and stupid people. And a religion that promises superpowers just by spending hours talking about yourself is tailor-made for them. That's why the CoS targets these fools.

Are you aware of the level of formal education of the scientologist celebreties? Its very low, which is not surprising. I believe that of those you list none of them has ever taken a college course. As you correctly point out, anyone with the slightest tendency toward critical analysis would immediately reject scientology.

So how does 'anyone with the slightest tendency toward critical analysis' feel about Islam or Christianity?

In other words how does anyone OTHER THAN an agnostic stand up to any type of critical analysis?

Walnuts are bigger than peanuts but they are both nuts!

Peanuts are legumes (beans), not nuts.

Oh, and I'm an agnostic.

I was watching Alton Brown on the Food Channel and he did say Peanuts are NOT nuts but legumes. Shame on me for forgetting!

Anyhow I agree with a post below that mainstream religions like to label 'new' religions as cults to protect themselves.

I just don't see much difference between the two. OK, one is more heavy handed but I have see a LOT of parents be very heavy handed with their religion. Just look at the marriage laws for Jews in Israel.

Religion does not require critical analysis, in fact, in requires the lack thereof. My point was that anyone with critical analysis would immediately see Scientology's demand for payment as a precursor of knowledge to be a sham.

I see the billions of billions that the Catholic chuch has and I also see a sham.

As stated in the article, the Catholic Church does not require you to pay to play. Neither do other mainstream religions. The nature of the demand for payment should send up red flags for anyone except the completely naive.

I too am an agnosic, so I do not categorize faiths as religions or cults. It doesn't make a difference to me.

All religions, but especially Scientology, prove that people are willing to do and believe the silliest things if they think it can give them some supernatural leg up. Hey, Mormons think they are protected from evil by their underwear.

Are Scientologists deists, theists, or atheists?

Christian churches, Catholic or otherwise, may not <i>require</i> you to pay, but it's made clear each and every Sunday that you really <i>ought</i> to.

I agree with the original statement only to the extent that Scientology, being newer, is a little easier to see through than other organized religions. But not that much easier. If we lived in a society that was majority scientologist within only a tiny number of Christians, instead of the other way around, we might well see it differently.

between the familial pressure to follow cultural traditions and the psychological brain-washing techniques used by most cults, gangs and military special forces.

Yeah, but those who do pay get to sit in the front pews and have a metal plaque with their name on it even. LOL

Scientology, not talking about the Church of Scientology, but Scientology as a set of communication processes, operates on the theory that we are spirits who have become trapped and have sunken into various degrees of unconsciousness about our compulsive behaviors and thoughts.

It is up to each man and woman, perhaps with the help of each other, to choose and select from these communication processes the ones that will help them to look at what went on before they became unknowing or unconscious or confused.

For myself, I enjoy finally seeing and knowing why I do some of the things I do and I enjoy no longer feeling constrained to act out in a certain way. It helps me to conduct myself in a more appropriate way towards my spouse, friends, etcetera.

The derivative of Scientology that works best for me is called Idenics.

Your reply sounds gnostic, gnosis: the point of light within each of us, and, if in all things, pantheistic. Apparently, Scientology has provided you a method, a way. But you are, apparently, not of "The Church."

This implies a difference. What is it?

But you did not answer my question unless you mean members (or "believers"?) are welcome to choose any path to transcendence, including deism, theism, or atheism?