you didn't look deep enough. Did you talk to any families who have lost members to Scientology?

Have you ever listened to the dialog between a new member and their coach?

Did you talk with anyone who after joining decided to leave the church?

When was the last time you paid $10,000 for a spiritual cleansing or audit?

When was the last time you were advised to get a family member to co sign a $15,000 loan (provided by scientology) for an investment set of L.Ron Hubbard books (leather bound, gilt edged)

When was the last time you were told by your minister, priest or rabbi to avoid interaction with family members because they are spiritually unclean?

Any extreme organization --whether affiliated with church or not, that employs tactics designed to foster a strong dependancy (for emotional well being, positive self image etc) on the organization.. that requires members to follow blindly is in my opinion a cult.

Both might be true.

What you say is right on, MarketGuy57. It's one big, power trip with pathetic people begging some strange power to make them worthwhile.

And Milton Katselas thinks he's "god"; he directed me in a play once, and BETWEEN ACTS, while I was in costume, and BECAUSE I forgot to follow one tiny direction, he came RUNNING backstage and threw a whole cupful of water at me!

CONTROL FREAKS and desperate followers....superstition reigns for the followers, and power for the leaders!

I have NO patience with relativists and other nitwits who offer apologias for these people. Scientology is a criminal cult and should be stamped out.

Period.

I think that just about everyone agrees that Scientology is rediculous and creepy, except Scietologists ofcourse.

But to say that a religion should be stamped out is pretty scary. It's just as criminal and evil, if not a little more. That statement reeks of Hitler, are you quoting "Mein Kampf".?

Why do you think that it is a "criminal cult" (as opposed to just a "cult"?

Why should it be stamped out? (Why stop with Scientology? How about stamping out LDS, or Seventh Day Adventists, or Unitarians; or why not all Protestants?)

I seem to have read somewhere that Judaism, Christianity, Islam, or the various denominations within each, were (or still are) considered "criminal" and or heretical, and should be stamped out and their devotees be considered criminals.

Looking for Nazis? Look at Scientology, they're the ones who fill the bill.

You need to try thinking for a change...

Get bent and get lost...

I'm not asking that you compare or contrast the named religions to each other or to Scientology. I am asking why you claim that Scientology should be considered "criminal" or be the object of a movement to stamp it out?

I merely raised the historical claim (or "fact") that almost all religions, as well as various denominations or divisions within them, have been the subject of such claims and attempts to "stamp" them out; and therefore asked the question of why Scientology should be considered different than they?

(I am not a Scientologist; nor am I attracted by what I know (admittedly little) about it.

Asking me to get bent surely does not further the discussion. (Of course, you may not want to have such a discussion.)

So witty AND intelligent!

Though I shouldn't be surprised, really. When someone makes such disgustingly intollerant comments you should expect childish explosions and language...

I really thought that your "shove it" comment was brilliant and adequate in response to the prior well written and intelligent posting.

I'm just so glad that you've joined this DISCUSSION forum, my day wouldn't have been as enjoyable without your brilliant perspective.

Now go take a flying leap...

Geezuz Horus! Your reactions here seem out of charactor relative to what you usually have to say. Just curious if there is a personal element to this -- eg a close friend, family member etc who was or is a member.

I willingly admit that I know virtually nothing about Scientology (or Mind-Fuck or whatever they are called) and really don't see any reason to learn much more.

If they are engaging in criminal acts, then by all means, people should compile the evidence for that and present it to the appropriate authorities for prosecution.

"But to say that a religion should be stamped out is pretty scary. It's just as criminal and evil, if not a little more. That statement reeks of Hitler, are you quoting "Mein Kampf".?"

"Hence today I believe that I am acting in accordance with the will of the Almighty Creator: by defending myself against the Jew, I am fighting for the work of the Lord [p. 60]." Mien kampf