Why is Scientology hated so much?

[Microphone Fiend]

I see people protesting against Scientology and for the life of me I cannot understand why? It has caused the death of one person I know of, in actuality maybe a handful tops. Contrasts that with the unimaginable number of people that die each year for other religions and it leaves me scratching my head. Why do people hate this religion so much? Is it because of the nature of their religion that inflames people so much?

It reminds me of a short Science Fiction story I read concerning religion called The Way of Cross and Dragon. (There is also a sparknotes-esque summary on Wikipedia if you are interested, but it is a great short story so why not take 15 minutes out of your life to look at it?) In the story, there is a Catholic priest in the future who travels to shut down heresy throughout the universes and he hears about a newfound, popular religion that makes a prophet out of Judas with flying dragons, mass murder, rebirths and the likes in the story. When the priest confronts the religion's originator, the heretic man is surprisingly truthful about making up the religion because he believes that religion is about who can tell the best story. It is more depth and intrigue in the story but thats my quick summary for you to not give the ending away.

I guess the question I am trying to ask is whether Scientology is hated so much because it shows the hypocrisy and ironic nature behind religion? Scientologists do not impose themselves on others, yet we have Wikipedia doing negative articles about them and youtube'd rallies against them, etc etc. I mean, sure they have some crazy stuff that they believe, but what religion doesn't?

 

[Phyzzle]

^^Scientologist spotted!!^^

 

[penkitten]

go to my siggie:

 

[StevenR]

Scientologists do not impose themselves on others

uh, actually they do, big time. Tom Cruise was imposing his views on others in his anti psychology rant. Scientologists have also been known to be heavy handed and even threaten people who speak out against them in any way.

 

[taiyuu_otoko]

People don't like scientology because scientologists are crazy brainwashing baboons that want to steal your mind! Wait, let me rephrase that.

Brainwashing is best applied between the years of 0 and 7. Hence the famous Jesuit quote "give me a child when he is born and by the time he is 7 I will have his soul! bwha haha ahahahahahah" or something like that.

anyways, if you are brainwashed like normal people are (school church etc) then you dont' really KNOW you are being brainwashed. Scientologists try to brainwash people after they've grown up, and their brains have developed the "non-brainwashing element" otherwise known as the "critical factor", are much more resistant, so they (the scientologists) get flack.

the secret is to create your own religion, and then brainwash yourself, and others if you can. Just make sure you build up a nice healthy religion in your brain before you go out and get converts.:cheer: :cheer: :cheer:

 

[MikeYikes122]

People don't like scientology because scientologists are crazy brainwashing baboons that want to steal your mind! Wait, let me rephrase that.

Brainwashing is best applied between the years of 0 and 7. Hence the famous Jesuit quote "give me a child when he is born and by the time he is 7 I will have his soul! bwha haha ahahahahahah" or something like that.

anyways, if you are brainwashed like normal people are (school church etc) then you dont' really KNOW you are being brainwashed. Scientologists try to brainwash people after they've grown up, and their brains have developed the "non-brainwashing element" otherwise known as the "critical factor", are much more resistant, so they (the scientologists) get flack.

the secret is to create your own religion, and then brainwash yourself, and others if you can. Just make sure you build up a nice healthy religion in your brain before you go out and get converts.:cheer: :cheer: :cheer:

It's like Francisco said, I think you need to lay off the sake.

For the OP, Scientology is one of the most corrupt organizations in modern history. Go to Xenutv.com or watch the South Park episode parodying the religion. Both are true in their expose' of Scientology.

I'm about to go to sleep so I don't have time to explain why Scientology is bad, but I'll drop a link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_org

Read a little bit about Sea Org and that should give you an understanding of why people protest Scientology.

 

[Gubby]

Scientology is little worse than other religions in terms of stupidity. But it steps out of its bounds. Most religions draw a line somewhere and act stupid within those bounds. Scientologists go out and try to propagate their mind virus as hard as possible, no matter who gets hurt. That's why people fight back, and rightly.

I believe Hubbard was known to have said something like "a religion is the best way of making money" sometime before he made up scientology. Other religons were generally inspired by funny mushrooms or fever dreams. This is the basic difference here. Scientology is the epitome of heartless american brainwashed capitalism.

 

[KontrollerX]

Scientology is hated because people on the internets like to have a cause to rally against.

Well and also Scientology has brought about a lot of needless deaths of its own members.

Go to the operation clambake website to learn all about the horrors of Scientology.

http://www.xenu.net/

 

[Microphone Fiend]

^^Scientologist spotted!!^^

No sorry, I don't follow religion at all. I try not to speak against others beliefs if they help them, so why does everyone feel the need to talk about Scientology. It does not have to be 'real' if it helps people.

uh, actually they do, big time. Tom Cruise was imposing his views on others in his anti psychology rant. Scientologists have also been known to be heavy handed and even threaten people who speak out against them in any way.

Ummm America is based on Puritanical views. The laws, morals and the 'norm' are all derived from Christianity. The Puritanical views are imposed on others in every political speech and every time State and Religion come together.

Why not do something productive like tackle Mormons who are raping and impregnating minors and threatening those in the organization who speak against them? FLDS is a prime example.

People don't like scientology because scientologists are crazy brainwashing baboons that want to steal your mind! Wait, let me rephrase that.

Brainwashing is best applied between the years of 0 and 7. Hence the famous Jesuit quote "give me a child when he is born and by the time he is 7 I will have his soul! bwha haha ahahahahahah" or something like that.

anyways, if you are brainwashed like normal people are (school church etc) then you dont' really KNOW you are being brainwashed. Scientologists try to brainwash people after they've grown up, and their brains have developed the "non-brainwashing element" otherwise known as the "critical factor", are much more resistant, so they (the scientologists) get flack.

the secret is to create your own religion, and then brainwash yourself, and others if you can. Just make sure you build up a nice healthy religion in your brain before you go out and get converts.:cheer: :cheer: :cheer:

Sadly this makes sense. I think you are the only one that read what I was saying. Thanks

It's like Francisco said, I think you need to lay off the sake.

For the OP, Scientology is one of the most corrupt organizations in modern history. Go to Xenutv.com or watch the South Park episode parodying the religion. Both are true in their expose' of Scientology.

I'm about to go to sleep so I don't have time to explain why Scientology is bad, but I'll drop a link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_org
that should give you an understanding of why people protest Scientology

Read a little bit about Sea Org and don't see the problem. Like Will Smith said, look at the crazy things Christians believed. Someone was reborn, walked on water, parted the seas, etc etc. Crazy as fvck as well but why is it more believable?

Oh and HAHAHAHA Most corrupt organization my ass. Are you kidding me? Elaborate pleaaaaaase. I have seen the SP episode and was shocked at how they charge money BUT if the people get feelings of contentment and happiness then who cares? It is only money at the end of the day. It is akin to seduction. Am I corrupt if I get what I want from a chick from giving her what she wants? It is not like they are not getting what they want, they are getting EXACTLY what they want, all they do is pay money for it.

 

[MCristo]

Christians just like something to ***** about to keep their minds off of how ridiculous their own religion is

 

[SinJester]

They are just too far out there. They don't believe in psychology do they? That counts me out. Hey that's not even taking into acount the whole alien thing.

 

[Microphone Fiend]

Scientology is little worse than other religions in terms of stupidity. But it steps out of its bounds. Most religions draw a line somewhere and act stupid within those bounds. Scientologists go out and try to propagate their mind virus as hard as possible, no matter who gets hurt. That's why people fight back, and rightly.

I believe Hubbard was known to have said something like "a religion is the best way of making money" sometime before he made up scientology. Other religons were generally inspired by funny mushrooms or fever dreams. This is the basic difference here. Scientology is the epitome of heartless american brainwashed capitalism.

Nice. I like that idea. Perhaps it is just Performativity at its worst and people have had enough. I've only heard one instance of someone getting hurt though. The well documented case of a female who was refused medical attention until it was too late. BUT what about medical procedures that cannot be performed due to other religion? Religion and Science are always at odds in the present world it seems, ever since Galileo and Copernicus

Scientology is hated because people on the internets like to have a cause to rally against.

Well and also Scientology has brought about a lot of needless deaths of its own members.

Go to the operation clambake website to learn all about the horrors of Scientology.

http://www.xenu.net/

How many needless deaths have been suffered by Christianity, Muslims, or Tibet Monks in the past decade?

Oh and please show me "a lot of needless deaths of its own members" because I checked the site you gave me and saw THREE accounts of someone dying or being killed.

 

[MikeYikes122]

Oh and HAHAHAHA Most corrupt organization my ass. Are you kidding me? Elaborate pleaaaaaase. I have seen the SP episode and was shocked at how they charge money BUT if the people get feelings of contentment and happiness then who cares? It is only money at the end of the day. It is akin to seduction. Am I corrupt if I get what I want from a chick from giving her what she wants? It is not like they are not getting what they want, they are getting EXACTLY what they want, all they do is pay money for it.

Take it from someone who has been in Scientology:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZvmvlZM1gw

 

[Microphone Fiend]

Take it from someone who has been in Scientology:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZvmvlZM1gw

Are you insinuating that one person who no longer likes the religion proves something? That's like me saying that since Nietzsche was a Christian and later denounced Christianity and showed the hypocrisy with Christianity, no one else can benefit from Christianity. People who believe in the religion still get something out of it, that is why they are still in it. All religions, heck ALL the BELIEFS that you keep, are brain-washing when you think about it. Perception is reality.

 

[Falcon]

I never had a problem with scientology. I can guess as to why people hate it so much; however, I feel there are worse problems in our world and scientology, or religion as a whole for that matter, contributes so little to those problems.

 

[Papermoon]

I don't really see your point, OP.
You ask why people hate scientology, you get answers and then you say "naaa, not true".

?

Saying that christianity and other religions killed people too, is not an argument. It's like saying "yes, your honour I murdered that man, but there are so many other murderers out there". It simply has no relevance to this case. Plus, the many killings of christianity you assumingly refer to happened in the past. If the pope were to declare a holy war right now, I doubt there would be many followers and yay-sayers.

This is now, if something bad happens, you have to act against it. Not point the finger to the past and shrug your shoulders.

As I said: I just don't get your post.

 

[Phyzzle]

There are good reasons for the hate for Scientology - as opposed to any other small religion.

1. The overwhelming emphasis on financial contributions to the church.

Okay, there are other churches like that, but what really makes them unique is,

2. The lawsuits and harassment. They consider their own beliefs trade secrets. Even a well-organized, controversial institution like the Catholic Church isn't going to sue you as a corporate spy for pointing out that they believe in the Trinity or oppose abortion. No other well-known religion keeps its own theology secret or requires tens of thousands of dollars in payment to reveal it.

 

[Bible_Belt]

Why is Scientology hated so much?

They're an insult to science, which they just make up to suit their needs. Keeping things secret hides their ridiculous assertions.

They're also an insult to any real religion, all of which frown upon some dude just making up his own cultish faith and declaring himself messiah.

They're a goofy cult of wannabes who need to belong to something. Some people think that is true for any religion, but it is certainly true of this attempt at one. At the higher levels, they get less goofy and more drunk on their own power over all of the other goofballs.

And L Ron looks like 'The Skipper' from Giligan's Island:
http://lronhubbard-tribute.com/LRHcopy.jpg

 

[Microphone Fiend]

Saying that christianity and other religions killed people too, is not an argument. It's like saying "yes, your honour I murdered that man, but there are so many other murderers out there". It simply has no relevance to this case.

Okay, but if other religions are not held accountable for their actions, why is Scientology? If no other religion gets persecuted, then can you blame Scientology for expecting a pass in front of the judge?

Plus, the many killings of christianity you assumingly refer to happened in the past. If the pope were to declare a holy war right now, I doubt there would be many followers and yay-sayers.

Check the facts, do you think the Scientology deaths happened this morning? The 'many killings' of Scientology (aka the most popular of the three deaths/murders) took place over 13 years ago. So are you insinuating that the past is no longer relevant or is it?

This is now, if something bad happens, you have to act against it. Not point the finger to the past and shrug your shoulders.

Well why not focus on something productive? I mean these people have religious stockholm syndrome, so why are we trying to change THEIR minds. Why not fight for actual injustices rather than people who willingly give away their freedom? Tibetian unrest has lead to 80, possibly 100 deaths in 2008 and people are protesting because someone is willingly giving away their freedom? Fvck these people, they are not worth our time or attention. That's like bending over and lubing your butthole and then complaining when some one fvcks you in the ass. You don't deserve attention for imprisoning yourself willingly.

 

[Microphone Fiend]

Responses in bold

Why is Scientology hated so much?

They're an insult to science, which they just make up to suit their needs. Keeping things secret hides their ridiculous assertions.
But so did Christianity. The bible said the Earth was flat and science proved them wrong, then it was the center of the universe and Galileo and Copernicus proved em wrong. Then they say that the books are simply human interpretations and shouldn't be taken literally. Can science ever believe a man parts seas?
They're also an insult to any real religion, all of which frown upon some dude just making up his own cultish faith and declaring himself messiah.
"insult to any 'real' religion." What makes a religion 'real'? Being believable?

They're a goofy cult of wannabes who need to belong to something. Some people think that is true for any religion, but it is certainly true of this attempt at one. At the higher levels, they get less goofy and more drunk on their own power over all of the other goofballs.

And L Ron looks like 'The Skipper' from Giligan's Island:
http://lronhubbard-tribute.com/LRHcopy.jpg

Actually now that I think about it, Scientology is like the the postmodern approach to religion. It like plays off the characteristics found in regular religion in a way that pokes fun at the whole idea.