What the heck is Scientology?

[Danoz]

So, I met somebody who told me she was a scientologist. She was quite serious, though was unable to explain to me what exactly this meant. I've always shrugged the entire thing off as a bit of a satire, but what I actually know about the entire deal is limited. I know there's aliens and distance past spirits involved, and the whole thing about avoiding normal diagnoses and beliefs about modern health...so why the hell is it so difficult to find a formal layout of what these supposed scientologists actually believe? Every bit of propaganda I've seen has been a highly emotional modern advertisement with absolutely zero substance. The Tom Cruise interview I saw on this topic was, quite honestly, disturbingly emotional and without substance.

Can somebody tell me what the heck Scientology is and what these people actually believe?

 

[JonathonWally]

So, I met somebody who told me she was a scientologist.

Run away next time that happens.

 

[Captain X]

It's a cult that believes in brain washing its members with stories about alien overlords so they won't notice that they're being robbed blind by the "church". Srsly. Ya, Rly.

http://www.whyaretheydead.net/
http://www.xenu.net/

Kindly inform your friend that "It's a trap!" if she isn't already too brainwashed.

 

[JonathonWally]

Kindly inform your friend that "It's a trap!" if she isn't already too brainwashed.

No, don't. You're much better off not talking to her ever again.

 

[ShamelessMcBundy]

I have a feeling that this thread won't end well ...

 

[Danoz]

It's a cult that believes in brain washing its members with stories about alien overlords so they won't notice that they're being robbed blind by the "church". Srsly. Ya, Rly.

http://www.whyaretheydead.net/
http://www.xenu.net/

Kindly inform your friend that "It's a trap!" if she isn't already too brainwashed.

Actually not a friend, just a person I had met at a happy hour who felt like sharing this fact about herself. I realized I knew nothing about Scientology-- but, as I said, she was quite serious... I would have described her as both wild-eyed and passionate to share her faith in this. Only reason I created this thread was because I was curious as to whether somebody had an actual breakdown of what Scientology-people actually believe. All I have to go on is South Park, though from what I'm told, the South Park writers aren't far off base...

 

[Nardpuncher]

I chekced wikipedia a while ago because I didn't really know either.
I never got to the alien stuff, but it still sounded like crap because it was all about 'auditing' out the bad memories or feelings from your past or something. Sounds more like bad psychology than a real belief system in any sense of the word.

 

[JonathonWally]

I chekced wikipedia a while ago because I didn't really know either.
I never got to the alien stuff, but it still sounded like crap because it was all about 'auditing' out the bad memories or feelings from your past or something. Sounds more like bad psychology than a real belief system in any sense of the word.

You're on the right track, it's more about "getting the evil spirits out of your brain that are living there after Xenu destroyed their bodies in the giant bomb in the volcano.

No, I'm not making this up.

 

[Danoz]

I chekced wikipedia a while ago because I didn't really know either.
I never got to the alien stuff, but it still sounded like crap because it was all about 'auditing' out the bad memories or feelings from your past or something. Sounds more like bad psychology than a real belief system in any sense of the word.

You're on the right track, it's more about "getting the evil spirits out of your brain that are living there after Xenu destroyed their bodies in the giant bomb in the volcano.

No, I'm not making this up.

Sounds like it could be a good Zelda sequel...

 

[Captain X]

I chekced wikipedia a while ago because I didn't really know either.
I never got to the alien stuff, but it still sounded like crap because it was all about 'auditing' out the bad memories or feelings from your past or something. Sounds more like bad psychology than a real belief system in any sense of the word.

Mostly they make you do that so if you leave, they can use it to blackmail you so you won't go public with any of the shit they put you through.

 

[auntiehill]

Cue Alan Shore

Probably one of the best descriptions ever.
Scroll down a bit for the video.

 

[ShamelessMcBundy]

I saw that episode! His speech was awesome!

 

[JoeZhang]

Broadly Scientology is only slightly less whacked out than Christianity and should be avoided at all costs.

 

[Danoz]

Cue Alan Shore

Probably one of the best descriptions ever.
Scroll down a bit for the video.

Wow, and I thought the episode of Southpark was embellishing. No wonder Scientology people don't lay it all out. I mean, you can really tell that this was created by a science fiction writer.

 

[SmoothieX]

I was just standin' there, Tom Cruise won't come out of the closet, so I pull out my gun, and I cap this bitch!!

 

[backstept]

I think that scientologists operate on an inherently prideful level . . . the whole scientology system plays to people's selfish nature

 

[shapeshifter]

What the heck is Scientology?

It is a load of crap, imo.

 

[Plecostomus]

Heh. We had a Scientoligist at my previous job. Guy spent hours and days trying to "save" me from the Latter Day Saints. I reported him to the owner and the owner said he'd take care of the issue... Shortly thereafter I was called into the office and the owner was reading some books given to him by Wacky Scientology Dood... Owner was all like "How can you NOT believe this stuff, you really should listen to him."

His wife stepped in a few days later. He came to his senses, and told Scientolgy Dood to keep his yap shut. Scientolgy Dood quit a day later.


Geeze, I don't mind explaining my faith but I don't push it like that. Yikes!

 

[backstept]

yeah, I'll gladly talk about my faith to people who want to hear, but it's the whole condescending attitude of those 'in the know' trying to 'save' the stupid unbeliever that really gets my goat . . .
to be honest, no religion or belief system is free from that sort of person

 

[miraclefan]

Heh. We had a Scientoligist at my previous job. Guy spent hours and days trying to "save" me from the Latter Day Saints. I reported him to the owner and the owner said he'd take care of the issue... Shortly thereafter I was called into the office and the owner was reading some books given to him by Wacky Scientology Dood... Owner was all like "How can you NOT believe this stuff, you really should listen to him."

His wife stepped in a few days later. He came to his senses, and told Scientolgy Dood to keep his yap shut. Scientolgy Dood quit a day later.


Geeze, I don't mind explaining my faith but I don't push it like that. Yikes!

THAT'S funny as hell!

yeah, I'll gladly talk about my faith to people who want to hear, but it's the whole condescending attitude of those 'in the know' trying to 'save' the stupid unbeliever that really gets my goat . . .
to be honest, no religion or belief system is free from that sort of person

Unfortunately that's very true!