Scientolgy...

[andy at handiwork]

Apparently most of the cast of 'My Name is Earl' are Hubbardistas. Shame, cos otherwise its not a bad show.

[muswell]

William Randolph Hearst once observed that "no one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public."
Founder of Scientology Hubbard took the concept two steps further
1. you can make a lot of money by underestimating the publics intelligence and
2. they don't lust have to be american.

There are any number of chancers that have found they can make money by opening a string of churches to sell religion. So to criticise Scientology for being a baseless and empty philosophy designed to manipulate gullible people out of their money so that they can be used by cynical people with nothing but contempt for their members is to misunderstand the basis and purpose of all religion.

Personally I would love to do a Hubbard and tour the world on a boat attended by a flock of female lovelies, although I would prefer them to be over the age of consent.

[mrchapel]

No I`m talking about operation snow white, which involved scientologists covertly infiltrating the IRS to try to obtain religious tax status for scientology and to purge unfavorable records about L Ron HUbbard and Scientology. It also involved the infiltration of over 130 government agencies from 30 countries and the trial also brought to light operation freakout, a plan intended to have the US author and journalist Paulette Cooper imprisoned or committed to a mental institution as revenge for publishing a book that was highly critical of scientology.

Find out for yourselves. Go to youfoundthecard.com or google lisa mcpherson

[Jonone]

Seems they weren't very covert. Over the years the CIA and other intelligence agencies have done this kind of thing routinely. The predictable consequences of CIA meddling is more grave. What's the Scientology bodycount ?

[one eyed jack]

I watched the doc on iPlayer last night and found it really interesting.

Despite the evils of its corruption, it does expose how cults are founded and through its legend over time and manipulation of those with weaker minds or seeking higher ideals are led into what could easily become another religious movement.

This sort of thing makes me beleive that Jesus did exist but was most probably a political subversive and maybe mor ethan he purported to be (a fair few examples of that in todays society).

if anything I think new head of the scientology church was more a student of the art of war more than just Dianetics by his approach.

The guy had that swagger more suited to wall Street in the 80's than a quasi relgious movement.

Hell even Jimmy Swaggart had more class.

Even more dodgy is the fact I have a copy of the book in my collection (alongside Mein Kampf)..LOL

[andy at handiwork]

'Even more dodgy is the fact I have a copy of the book in my collection (alongside Mein Kampf)..LOL'


He really does, but to be charitable I put it down to 'Know thine enemy', rather than plans Terry might have to annex Enfield tomorrow,the rest of London later.

[Dave Wells]

All religions should be banned full fuckin stop !

[mrchapel]

Scientology ain`t a religion. Quite a few countries have denied it religious status which means they`ve got to pay tax on all their "donations"

[Sam Slater]

It's a religion. People are scared to call Scientology a religion because then it may force some to question the cultish manner of our more traditional religions. That would make too many uncomfortable and it might upset our unelected Bishops in the House of Lords.

[andy at handiwork]

It would appear from a report in today's Grauniad that local councils have been giving the Hubardistas substantial reductions in their rate bills over the past 10 years in some mistaken belief that scientology is a force for good and a benefit to the area. Westminster council gave them an 80% reduction whilst the City of London only charged them only a fifth of what they should have paid, a saving of ?1.3m since they opened their so called 'church' near St Pauls. Even Sunderland, a council I am sure could have found much better things to do with local's money let them off ?30k in rates. Here's something you wont see very often - me agreeing with Eric Pickles, communities secretary. He said he did not want 'this controversial organisation' to be given the same kind of preferred treatment usually reserved for charities.