Scientology: Religion or Cult?

I'm sure where I stand on it, but I'd like other opinions on it. Please, no Christian-bashing or "all religions are cults" kind of comments. I'd like to keep this thread on this very narrow topic for as long as humanly possible.

 

From what I have read...neither. It is a business.

 

With the paramaters you have set on your question how can one honestly answer?

If one truly wants opinions then one must realize that other factors influence one's opinions and are definitely drawn into the picture.
Dare I say that this can really be a big snafu when it comes to religion?

Nature of the beast I'm afraid.

This in mind I would have to say that on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays (sometimes) they are cultish. On Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays they are religious (sometimes).

Depending on sea tides, the price of kelp and other factors it can change drastically.

OK. I'm being facetious but what answer are you looking for?

Stu may have nailed it actually but I couldn't come up with that answer and NOT compare it to other religions.

 

Dont know enough about them but I did like Hubbards SciFi books

 

Clembo, I don't now why it's necessary to bash Christianity or religion in order to give an honest response. It's called "objectivity" and you should be able to answer from that position--not every response requires a personal opinion or an insult. Thanks for participating, though.

I agree with the business-like aspect of Scientology, but even though it may have started as a business (look at the heavy marketing of the book "Dianetics" in the 1970s), I think it's taken on cult-like tones over the years. The reason I even brought it up (Heaven help me) is because of the Tom Cruise/Katie Holmes divorce. Scientology, which he considers his religion, is at the center of the issue. Katie has apparently become uncomfortable with Scientology, especially with the idea of sending their daughter, Suri, to Sea Org(anization) for a year's training in the higher levels of the . . . church. The whole Sea Org thing smacks of "cult" to me, which is why I raised the question.

 

I had no intention of bashing Christianity or insulting anyone. However, as I see it, when you ask a question like this you are, in essence, asking for a personal opinion.

So is it a religion or a cult?

Again, I think Stu made a good point.
I would say it is cultish and, believe it or not, part of my view was influenced by the music of Frank Zappa in the late 70's.

Joe's Garage Acts II and III to be specific and the fictional character L. Ron Hoover.

Maybe this should have been a poll?

 

I had forgotten about that link LOL

 

Certainly most religions have a business aspect to them. A difference is, I think, that most don't charge for the knowledge and my understanding of Scientology is that they do. Another difference is probably that most religions don't have franchises. lol

 

While not all countries recognize it as a religious entity, the U.S. did in 1993 when the IRS agreed to to settle a long-running lawsuit against the group:

They consider themselves to be in a religion. The government (the IRS) has apparently been quite reluctant to grant them legal status, but has relented (if recognizing the church "as a tax-exempt nonprofit organization" translates to legally recognizing them as a religion...I really don't know or care if that's the case lol) They are therefore a religion. Whether other religious groups, or individuals, agree or disagree that this newly recognized religion is a religion is irrelevant to it's existance.

full article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Church_of_Scientology

 

The Humane Society of the United States is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization. So are the American Red Cross and the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation. None of them are religions and not all of them have positive effects. If you're going to make an argument, you should know and care about the facts behind it.

 

I don't believe I made any argument. Are you looking for one?

 

I used the term "make an argument," not "have an argument." To make an argument is to present a statement of reason or fact in support of a position or in a debate. To have an argument is to have a disagreement or an altercation about a point of contention.

 

...and then what happened?

The point I made was that, after decades of legal actions, the IRS officially considers the CofS as a "tax-exempt nonprofit organization", to which you accused me of not knowing or caring about the facts. That suggested to me that you are less interested in opinions and more interested in arguing against, or discrediting, my comment.

While it's true I said I don't really care either way, that was meant more for religion itself, as in I don't really care if it exists or not...as long as it doesn't attempt to affect my living my life as my own beliefs dictate.

You did ask for opinions:

...but apparently you were not referring to opinions (or comments) made by me. I want to point out that, as you requested, I had no issue refraining from "christian-bashing" and focused purely on the legal aspect.

If you hadn't immediately sought to discredit my post in such a manner (see red highlights above, or in the original comment), you may have realized that other churches, such as the Christian church, are also "tax-exempt nonprofit organizations" under the law.

Using the criteria that an organization must be recognized as a religion by our federal government in order to be considered a legitimate religion... I'd say the CofS is a religion. That is my opinion based on what I am aware of.

 

I'm not taking your bait, IQ. You are the one who wants an argument, not me.

 

I expected nothing less from you. As you wish, I will ignore your insanity.

 

OK Kiddies enough ok back to discussions please

 

I will respect your wishes, De Orc, but I do not like being called a "kiddy." I have actively been trying to avoid being embroiled in an argument. Why not just deal with the actual problem by editing/deleting the offender's post as you have in the past?

 

HM if you are going to take offence at something as inane as that then I am sorry but we are in for a rough time LOL
As for editing or deleting, I did not see any need to do either. You asked a question and IQ responded with his view on the subject.
He was not trying to make a case for or against anything, he even stated

"I really don't know or care if that's the case lol" You decided that you thought he was trying to present a case and that is when it went wrong​

 

All I ask is that you moderate my threads the same way you moderate anyone else's. I'm sorry--that has not been the case in the past and it is obviously not the case now. I am not a "kiddy." I am 51 years old and feel I deserve to be treated like an adult. Your response was as flippant and as rude as being told that I present a particular brand of "insanity." I tried to prevent and argument--I tried to avoid an argument--and here I am forced into an argument with the moderator whose job it is to keep arguments from appearing on the forums. Funny thing is, no one else has seen fit to insult me--except for IQ and the mod--even if we didn't see eye to eye in other threads, since I started posting again a week ago.

You're right--he did say that he didn't know or care if it was the case. Is that any reason to let incorrect information pass? If he's not interested in making an accurate statement, then why make a statement at all? If he can't receive correct information, then why is he here at all? He got all rude and nasty because I presented correct information. Give me a break . . .

 

Oh boy here we go again, he has as much right as you do to make a statement if you dont like it then that is up to you, stop trying to pick faults all the time and if you think been classed as a kiddie is insulting then tough it was a light hearted remark but you have seen fit to turn it into something else. I will tell you again you dont like the way I do things then complain to Peter.
No one forced you into any argument you have taken it upon yourself to take my comments the wrong way now that is your fault and your fault alone.