Scientology

Hey, everyone. That thread about War of the Worlds and watching that interview with Tom Cruise (and seeing interviews in the past with John Travolta and Kelly Preston) has made me curious about this way of life. Does anyone practice it or know anyone who does? I plan on doing more research, as I've always read up on other lifestyles and/or religions for as long as I've wondered about the meaning of life. But, I wanted to see if anyone in here could enlighten me or anything. If you think it's a sham, that's fine, that's not really what I want to hear. I put it in the dog house, because talk of religion tends to get a little messy. But, if you know of someone personally who got involved in scientology and is worse off because of it, please tell me. Or if someone's bettered themselves by becoming a scientologist, I'd like to hear about that, too. I want to hear actual stories, though, experiences, whether they be firsthand or through friends and family. Please, I'm not interested in just hearing bashing, though. I hope that doesn't sound too harsh. Anyway, this may not get any posts at all, but, I thought I'd ask, as it's freshly on my mind. :)

Not knowing what it was all about either, and hearing about this new religion/trend (?) in the media recently, ... I did a little reserch on the scientology.org website.... and, didn't understand anything. :D

My main mantra is "to each their own" even if I don't necessarily agree with it. What I know of Scientology leads me to believe it's a bunch of crap but whatever floats your boat...

... The biggest probably that I have is that it is called a "religion". It is not a religion. It is not based on or focuses on a God of any sort (God, Allah, etc.). It was "created" by a science fiction author, for God's sake! Therefore, in my eyes, it's more of a new age cult or a social gathering of people than a religion. When people refer to it as that (a religion) is the only time I get upset. It is decidedly NOT.

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Originally posted by Samantha Puppy
When people refer to it as that (a religion) is the only time I get upset. It is decidedly NOT.

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I think when they refer to it as a religion, they're going by this definition of religion....

"A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion."

I haven't gotten to the point where I think it's a bunch of crap, but, I am not yet a believer in it, either.

like I said.... a "new trend".

Maybe so but to many, especially those that are religious, religion means to follow [a] God in some capacity. Since this has nothing to do with God, we don't believe Scientology can be classified as a "religion". That's what I meant.

I thought they believed in God, though....hmmmm....someone who followed it told me that they did. I'll have to look into it before I can say an opinion on it, since I don't know anything about it, yet.

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Originally posted by Samantha Puppy
Maybe so but to many, especially those that are religious, religion means to follow [a] God in some capacity. Since this has nothing to do with God, we don't believe Scientology can be classified as a "religion". That's what I meant.

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I knew what you meant, I was just trying to express what a scientologist might mean when they say it. There are a few definitions of the word, that's all I was saying.

Oh, I know! Definitions vary from year to year and person to person, that was my point. :) I honestly don't know enough about Scientology to say much beyond what I've already said - I do know that you don't have to "renounce" your actual religion to be a part of it. Even so, it's still too fruity for my tastes. I'm about as conservative and classical as they come.

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Originally posted by Samantha Puppy
Oh, I know! Definitions vary from year to year and person to person, that was my point. :)

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I know, I just got it out of the dictionary. :) That's my source for definitions. ;)

And, my whole research into religions and beliefs is because I am yet to find a religion that I believe everything about. I don't go to church because I'm not sorry for having sex outside of marriage, simple as that. ;) So, I'm constantly trying to learn about other options, because until I can believe something 100% and practice it daily, I won't be a part of it. I can't be lukewarm. ;) that's why I don't consider myself really anything, besides spiritual, at this point. :)

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Originally posted by beeniesmom
like I said.... a "new trend".

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well, it's been around for about fifty years, which is new compared to most religions, but, it's not necessarily just a trend, either.

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Originally posted by finn's mom
And, my whole research into religions and beliefs is because I am yet to find a religion that I believe everything about. I don't go to church because I'm not sorry for having sex outside of marriage, simple as that. ;) So, I'm constantly trying to learn about other options, because until I can believe something 100% and practice it daily, I won't be a part of it. I can't be lukewarm. ;) that's why I don't consider myself really anything, besides spiritual, at this point. :)

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I wasn't sorry for that either... because some part of me knew that Josh was going to be the guy I married. And he's the only person I've ever been with in that way. I guess that's why I felt okay with it. Nothing I was necessarily PROUD of, but at the same time I am/was.

I'm just about the same way as you though. I am very happy in my religion (Missouri Synod Lutheran, more "strict" than Evangelical Lutheran) but I still have questions. For me though, I just accept that with anything with as big a spectrum as religion has, I will always have questions and that I like what I know of it, it's a good foundation for who I am, and that there will always be things in this world I don't quite "get". So long as I keep on being true to myself, I'll be happy. I'm a good person with strong convictions and morals and I owe a lot of that to my upbringing in the church. I don't go to church as often as I should (it's an hour from my house) but it doesn't mean I don't practice what I've learned over the years.

Anyway, that's my little take on religion for me. For everyone else, like I said, whatever floats your boat. I don't judge others because I don't like being judged myself. :)

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Originally posted by Samantha Puppy
Anyway, that's my little take on religion for me. For everyone else, like I said, whatever floats your boat. I don't judge others because I don't like being judged myself. :)

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Yeah, I just figure if I know there's something that I do that I'm going to hell for, why be a part of it? No matter what I do, I'm not going to ask for forgiveness for premarital sex. ;) I could ask, but, it would be fake, basically. I consider myself a good person, too. I follow the ten commandments, and, I follow the golden rule. I'm not perfect, by any means. But, no one is. I guess I learned from my mom and dad, because we didn't go to church. I'm like you, though, I don't judge others for following what they believe, as long as it doesn't involve the suffering of others. I just can't see the good in any religion or belief that involves inflicting any kind of pain on another person. (I edited this cuz I eat meat! d'oh!)

edited: as for the ten commandments, maybe i don't follow them all, cuz i do seem to always end up working on sundays.

I support any religion that tortures and/or sacrifices dogs and children...

















Or not. ;) :D :p