[Boris]

I think thats called Catholicism.

[tripspace]

So Boris, when can I can join all these great, noble protests your organising.....what? You were too busy picking petty squables on the internet? Gee thats too bad....

[jgl]

Tripspace- scientology is a great load of bollocks, no doubt about it.

But does an organised protest outside their offices make any sense? Scientology is a cult. People in cults are trained to ignore outside criticism. Therefore a protest does nothing for them.

I agree that scientology is pretty interesting to the observer. I tried their 'personality test' for laughs, I've read fiction by L Ron Hubbard, and I've tried to read Dianetics. Anyone who falls for that rubbish is well beyond the reach of a simple protest.

[tripspace]

I guess a good reason for this is it's simple; spread information about scientology, and people will be aware, and avoid it. Pretty effective. What can really be done about situations such as Zimbabwe? A lot more complicated and uncertain, not that nothing should be done it just isn't as straightforward. I once nearly went in for a free personality test because I had no idea who L.Ron Hubbard was! I think people should know.

jgl I guess the people I'm trying to reach are people who don't know or are just starting out pehaps, before auditing. I mainly want to hand out leaflets with information, perhaps it shouldn't be outside but it seemed like the most appropriate place! They have intoductory dianetics sessions at the centre, pehaps it is important they hear the other side. As I said, I know it's not a big problem here, perhaps more of a 'symbolic' protest along with the int. community.Thanks for the constructive comment.

[Krad]

Originally Posted by tripspace

I guess a good reason for this is it's simple; spread information about scientology, and people will be aware, and avoid it. Pretty effective. What can really be done about situations such as Zimbabwe? A lot more complicated and uncertain, not that nothing should be done it just isn't as straightforward. I once nearly went in for a free personality test because I had no idea who L.Ron Hubbard was! I think people should know.

Ahhh, now we approach the root of the issue. So you got sucked in once and now you're vexed and want to bite back.


Boris, that's my point exactly. If you look at any religion there are going to be some things that may be considered weird. Catholics believe in the Eucharist, Jesuits don't believe in using modern medicine, Mormons used to have a stance towards polygamy, etc. etc. Basically, if Scientology took some of the steps that other religions took, such as sponsoring schools, missions, providing food and water for those in need, what would be the reaction today?

Oh, and one of the bad things about Scientology, is that unlike other cults where they're just brainwashed to ignore you, Scientologists have it ingrained in them to sue you for you all you're worth. Lawsuits are actually explicitly included in their doctrine. In fact, hope no Scientologists are reading this now, cause they'll probably file a suit just over this thread. Xenu needs money after all...

[XI_YAN]

Arguements that nothing should be done about Scientology because the ppl must be idiots to believe in it is entirely specious. Ppl who believed in Hitler's ethnic cleansing were also idiots and the entire world went to war over that. Communism is another brand of idiocy that the world opposes. How about the xenocides in the Congo, Darfur, Sudan, Ethiopia or Uganda? Also a unique form of the worst idiocy - by your arguement we should ignore it?

[Krad]

Originally Posted by XI_YAN

Communism is another brand of idiocy that the world opposes.

Hey now, speak for yourself.

How about the xenocides in the Congo, Darfur, Sudan, Ethiopia or Uganda? Also a unique form of the worst idiocy - by your arguement we should ignore it?

I think the point is protesting something useful, such as said genocides, would be much better received than protesting a bunch of alien worshipping celebrities...

[XI_YAN]

the suggestion was that if the ppl were stupid enough to believe in it then they deserved what they got, which is a dangerous arguement. No-one in their right mind would argue that Jews deserved the death chambers - the only thing different here is degree. And ppl need to be protected. As for - there are 'more important things to protest' - by that arguements let's NEVER protest anything unless we all agree it's REALLY important.

[Krad]

Originally Posted by XI_YAN

the suggestion was that if the ppl were stupid enough to believe in it then they deserved what they got, which is a dangerous arguement. No-one in their right mind would argue that Jews deserved the death chambers - the only thing different here is degree.

Wait...are you saying the Jews *volunteered* for the gas chambers?

And ppl need to be protected. As for - there are 'more important things to protest' - by that arguements let's NEVER protest anything unless we all agree it's REALLY important.

Sounds like a plan to me. Would probably cut down on all the "WE PROTEST THE FACT THAT HOT DOGS COME IN PACKS OF EIGHT AND BUNS IN PACKS OF SIX" marches.

[jgl]

Originally Posted by XI_YAN

Yes one may be born every minute but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try to protect them from their own stupidity - after all most laws are created to protect ppl from themselves.

This statement is so misguided that I have to take exception to it. Most laws are created to protect people from other people. A state that was based on laws to protect individuals from themselves would be a scary, scary place to live.