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Protesters take on Scientology

THE CANADIAN PRESS

Latest comment posted at 12:54 AM EST 13/04/08

Demonstrations held in Winnipeg, Toronto and Halifax ...Read the full article

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  1. John Deriso from Edmonton, Canada writes: I'd be curious to see what Scientology will do in the face of the open information sharing and organization of The Internet.

    And for the record, this isn't at all about religious freedom. Religious freedom means that you or I or anyone can just walk into a church, synagogue, mosque, temple, whatever and not be harassed or asked for anything. Try walking into a CoS centre and just sitting and worshipping the space aliens or whatever it is without being hassled by some sales pitch. Can't be done. That's because they are not a religion.
  2. Michael Sharp from Victoria, Canada writes:

    Aliens from space, looking for all the world like God.

    Who knew?
  3. Jamie Wilson from Englishtown, Canada writes: L. Ron Hubbard was a lousy science fiction writer and an even worse prophet. Goes to show P.T. Barnum's observation on the birth rate of suckers was a conservative estimate.
  4. Michael Sharp from Victoria, Canada writes:

    Isn't the Mormon belief centred on an alien God?

    Just to stimulate the conversation.
  5. John Deriso from Edmonton, Canada writes: Michael Sharp -

    I thought Mormonism was about that guy Joeseph Smith who was visited by an angel?
  6. Brenton E. from Canada writes: religion, to begin with, is a sales pitch, a marketing ploy. Scientology is just the latest in a long line. The basis for it's existence is that the earlier religions just don't cut it, this at least is understandable. If I had no experience with Earth's religions and was asked which version of Genesis had the most crediability, the Jew/Christian/Muslim or the ET I would have to say, 'Beam Me Up Ron, you old prophet you'. These aggressive people pushing Scientology are nothing more than missionaries.
  7. Ruth Walker from Edmonton, Canada writes: What sets Scientology apart from more familiar religions is their tendency to sue everybody in sight, at the slightest offence.

    This seems like an improvement over e.g. Islamic groups who pronounce death sentences on writers and cartoonists, or for that matter, Catholics who were cindering Unitarians not so long ago.

    As for the veracity of their particular beliefs, no religious group need feel smug on that score. What could be whackier than belief in virgin birth giving rise to a male offspring?

    That said, Scientologists would be wise to ease up on the threats and attacks. The horse left the barn when Wikileaks arrived!
  8. Larfing Outloud from Virgin Islands (British) writes: mike sty = partisan shill
  9. Nassar Ben Houdja from Canada writes: A Profit registration must be established immediately. All long in the tooth profits, UFO saviors etc. Accessible to anyone who has taken a basic safe handling of salvation course. Doomsday profits should be restricted and only allowed to preach to persons with advanced BkyotoS training. Prohibited profits must be licensed to persons inheriting them as descendants of the enlightened..
  10. james cyr from Balmertown Ontario, Canada writes: If people wish to embrace Scientology as a religion, then so be it, as long as they do not force or coercion as a means of convincing others. Scientology may be controlling, but so are all other organized forms of religion. People have a right to join Scientology, and people have a right to protest against it; that is the foundation of free speech. What must be eliminated is the use of force on both sides. I am not a follower of Scientology; I have examined its theories and ideas and found most of them to be bogus. But, of course, that is just my opinion, and I can not speak for everyone.
  11. Cecilia Belcastro from toronto, Canada writes: Comparing Scientology to the world religions (Jewish, Muslim, Catholics) is like comparing Liberal policy to Conservatives' respectively. There is no debate on which groups are getting things done!
  12. Sir Loin from Montreal, Canada writes: james cyr from Balmertown Ontario, Canada writes: If people wish to embrace Scientology as a religion, then so be it, as long as they do not force or coercion as a means of convincing others. Scientology may be controlling, but so are all other organized forms of religion. People have a right to join Scientology, and people have a right to protest against it; that is the foundation of free speech. What must be eliminated is the use of force on both sides. I am not a follower of Scientology; I have examined its theories and ideas and found most of them to be bogus. But, of course, that is just my opinion, and I can not speak for everyone.
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    well said
  13. Steve Cummings from Toronto, Canada writes: The protesters have no real basis for protest! The Church of Scientology has done, and continues to do, great things for many people. Countless cities around the world have awarded them honours for the work they do.
    The real reason that Anonymous is protesting was that the Scientologist stopped the play of copyrighted video (chopped up to make fun of Tom Cruise). It was their legal right! For the most part, they are silly, misguided young men with nothing better to do, who do not know what they are talking about, quoting garbage they read on the internet. Learn things for yourself, people! Don't rely on the twisted opinions of a few silly people.
  14. Cecilia Belcastro from toronto, Canada writes: Steve Cummings from Toronto, Canada writes: The Church of Scientology has done, and continues to do, great things for many people. Countless cities around the world have awarded them honours for the work they do.

    But what are their reasons for doing what they do? Because they market themselves it becomes a business which means part, if not all of their agenda is to get a more prominent role in the world. Looking back at the other world religions, their acts (speaking about those truly committed to their religion) are fundamentally altruistic. What honors have these other religions have; a better word is severe persecution. This is a major role in religion, therefore I believe Scientology should not be categorized as a religion, but a marketing cult. Their honors are null and void.
  15. Sarah Bee from Canada writes: Michael Sharpe - you're right. Joseph Smith was the prophet for the Mormons, and in Mormon literature there is lore about a bunch of gods up there in the cosmos who each were sent to people a different planet. Way out there.

    What I can't stand about Scientology (and some other things advertised under the heading "religion") is the exploitation of peoples' needs and fears. Try reading Dianetics to get a real sense of what feeds Scientology. When you target people who are weak, hurting, and often in need of psychotherapy, you're sure to get them coming to you in droves. Then it's time for the mass lobotomy... and to pass the collection plate and hire the lawyers.
  16. Richard EDSON from Virginia, United States writes: Scientology is really a scarry organization. It's NOT science, NOR is it a religion, if anything it is a dangerous Cult. I recall when they moved across from the University of Texas in Austin just to seduce young students into their lair. I spoke with the President of the University and he affirmed that Scientology was being closely watched. I also remember when they purchased and expensive building in Dupont CircleWashington,D.C.. They always locate themselves near wealthy and young areas for obvious reasons. I am proud to see that Canada is giving then hell. Now just get rid of the National Rifle Association (NRA) and you'll be perfect.
    Good Luck
  17. Bryan London Ontario from Canada writes: Sarah Bee from Canada writes, "What I can't stand about Scientology (and some other things advertised under the heading "religion") is the exploitation of peoples' needs and fears."

    Just food for thought Sarah but if you examine the history of the Catholic church or the Isalm faith or Christianity in general you will find the exact same thing. Fear is what organized religion is all about! I am no fan of scientology, but their organization has the right to do whatever they like and as long as they can trick suckers into joining or donating money that is their choice.
  18. Jake Richardson from Kingston, Canada writes: Is it any crazier than burning bushes, raining toads, pillars of salt, and other stuff in the bible? I mean, Scientology is a crazy cult and money grabbing scam, but it's no different than any other religion. Tithe for salvation! Tithe for salvation!
  19. aging oldtool from Canada writes: John Deriso, you are correct that Joseph Smith was the founder of the Mormons, but the angel angle, well that's a bit rich.

    Smith was virtually run out of town after being found in a rather compromised position with a rather young lady (angel??) in the crawl space under a house in Springfield Illinois.

    Despite the rather embarrassing start, his subsequent march out west to Utah proved to be the best move he could have made, given the circumstances.

    It was then he launched the new Mormon church.

    As for the Scientologist, it has always puzzled me why an organization that wants to offer a mainstream appearance to the world, despite it's wacky beginnings, would continue to operate like a pack of paranoid weirdos.

    I tend to see Scientology as simply another 20th century effort to gain power through yet another religion, this time attempting to ride the great swift steeds of science, the occult and gullability rather than the standard fear of Satan and the ever popular doomsday survival tips.

    Gullibility, of course, is pretty much a universal need to keep the tithings coming in.

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