of all things you could rally support for....you're gonna choose this?

oh I don't know...how about things that affect all Americans like the fact income taxes are theft, lowering the national debt, etc.

Personally, I have a deficit of fucks to give about some Hollywood stars and starlets and their kooky ass religion made up by some science fiction writer. Their choices have no affect on me.

yeah I did read your post. Look, I can't defend scientology. Don't even want to actually. I just think there's more important shit to focus on.

However, if you want to take on that cause, go for it. May as well add the Mormon church to your list as well. Some pretty messed up shit happens to kids there as well.

you are naive to think it only has a negative effect hollywood types. if you'd like an insightful look into the damage it can do, check out leah remini: scientology and the aftermath

They are already on to you.

how about we get rid of all organized religion... they are all cults and all they do is breed hate within people and hold us back a s a species

This sounds very bigoted. I disagree whole heartedly. I am religious and have no hate in my heart for anyone. I may hate some people's action and how they may effect others but I'm not holding anyone back.

I'm talking about the majority of religious people, are very hateful and use their region to justify their hatred towards others

also, how in anyway is that statement bigoted? i said ORGANIZED religion, individuals can believe whatever they want, but all religious establishments should be abolished

also, only retards are religious... how can you not see it's simply a form of indoctrination and brainwashing, you have nothing to gain by being religious, it's a dangerous addiction

Did you ever take comfort in the fact that someone you dislike is going to spend eternity in hell? If you answered yes, you're a hateful person.

No it makes me very sad. I have been angry and I'm far from perfect but hell is not something I wish on anyone.

Good, because it doesn't fucking exist.

If you say so.

Where exactly does it state that in the Bible? Sorry, you are talking out your woo-hah. And, you also stated that someone going to spend eternity in hell is a FACT, which at the very least would be unknowable, so I don't see how a truly religious person would "take comfort" in that idea. I also don't see why you would bring up an entirely different issue (relishing others damnation) which is irrelevant to whether organized religions should exist. How would you even know the commenter's religion HAS a concept of hell?

I don't know the Bible, I'm talking logically here. If you wish eternal damnation on another person, you're a shitty person regardless of faith. Religious people (christians in particular) seem to revel in the belief that other people are going to "burn in hell".

I don't disagree. Once, I was talking to two girls at a bar I KNEW were extremely liberal, which I had no problem with. For one reason or another, we got into the topic of abortion, and I said, VERY jokingly, "well..lI'm not the one that's going to burn in hell". To me, the notion of never-ending suffering seems silly. I also found it humorous that they were aghast at me, because neither was religious or believed in hell anyway.

I agree you shouldn't harbor negative resentment, but that alone doesn't make you a "hateful" person. That's a VERY strong word, and makes it sound like someone is dripping with venom. You can't expect every person to feel all sunshine and roses about every other person on the inside.

Only because that person chooses to go to hell - give them what they want, and that is comforting. They are usually God-haters, and from who I've spoken with, would rather spend an eternity in hell than to be near God, therefore, it is comforting that they receive their wish.

It has nothing to do with hating someone, in this case (maybe in your example, but not in this case). It is actually the opposite, loving them to see their wish fulfilled.

I'm with you man. Exterminate all religious people. Implement a manditory 666 for everyone worldwide while you're at it. Hasten the apocalypse. Sincerely, an impatient Christian

"God has given us a touchstone to distinguish between true and false religions–our reason."

-Swami Vivekananda

i deliver food in downtown denver and i am outside their office/church a couple times a week and over the course of 1 year i haven't seen anyone going inside, coming out, no events, nothing.

You joke, but have you ever heard of "The Hole"?

Go on.....?

It's a prison that members who rebel are thrown into. They are kept in miserable conditions.

Netflix has an interesting documentary on Scientology called, "My Scientology Movie". An ex-Scientologist talks about the hole, "Squirrel Busters" harassing people and ruining their lives, etc.

Just watched that one recently! It's great. There is also an HBO documentary called "Going Clear" that is highly recommended as well.

Nobody ever goes in... and nobody ever comes out.

What proof is there, besides non-scientologists alleging crimes? And, if they are alleging crimes, why are they not suing for restitution?

At the end of the day, until an actual court case or a suit is brought up, nothing is going to happen besides their name being tarnished. For example, look at Bill Cosby who most recently had to go through the public tarnishment of his name, and has suits against him. That makes sense for government to escalate the investigation, or to start taking things seriously. Until a case is brought up though, what really do you think the government is going to do?

Scientology in particular, has never had a good relationship with the IRS/FDA and other agencies so if they go based upon public opinion only, it's going to stink pretty badly since Scientology has already been raided before. Granted, they may be something wrong, if so, I'd much rather there be a big manhunt once there's blood in the water.

My bad, I meant ex-scientologists. However, I don't watch TV so I'm not familiar with that program. Do you have any links to actual court cases?

Calling Congress and demanding an inquest into a religion is not going to move any needless. Even if there were theoretically an avenue forward, no politician wants to run the risk of a First Amendment scandal--especially when there's not much public outcry. At least, not yet.

A much more effective approach would be to lobby specifically against Scientology's beneficial tax treatment. Their deal with the IRS is potentially much more vulnerable than anything Congress could easily touch, and given that Scientology seems to care more about its revenues than its members, potentially a much more effective target.

Exactly, how many mob bosses and other criminals evaded all charges except tax problems, which were their final demise?

It's almost like they use it to satisfy the public. I wonder if they ever really get the top guys....

Merchants of snake oil.

I would never suggest that we should ban Scientology (or any other theology/ideology), but Scientology is certainly a sinister, secretive cult, and I think that warrants a thorough investigation by objective law enforcement.

Scientology really is on its knees right now, with only a small number of followers at this point. What are the estimates? Less than 40k is what I think I've heard, world wide.

They really need to have their tax-free status revoked, as the cult that it is.

You're right, it's on the way out. No need to waste effort on it.

Please don't think that that is what I'm saying here, instead, slay that beast. $cientology has ruined many lives, it would be best to fight it now, and destroy it.

Oh fair enough, I didn't mean to put words into your mouth. Myself, I don't think it's worth worrying about with everything else that's going on.

4chan tried destroying Scientology once.

The best way to destroy it is by informing people, and at this point I'd argue most people are informed of how bad Scientology is.

Replace "Scientology" with "Fa lun gong". Are you cool with the Chinese Government locking up cult members and taking their organs?

It's weird... no one ever wants to talk Falun Gong on this sub... I think it's fascinating stuff.

I would consider myself pretty far down some rabbit holes, but I've never heard of Fa Lun Gong. Can you give me a crash course intro?

Awesome mindset seemingly. Has a lot of potential to destabilize a government though so I can see why I'm communist China they react extremely. It's sad that they can't even think about what they want.

I'm not cool with it. It's barbaric.

Scientology is already imploding.. the CEO's own dad threw him under the bus for being a shitbag https://www.amazon.com/Ruthless-Scientology-Son-David-Miscavige/dp/1250131537/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1503207117&sr=8-1&keywords=ruthless

We can never truly have religious freedom so long as the Powers That Be continue to fog and cloud our skies and thus our view of the great cosmos. We do not have religious freedom on this planet. So many truths are being withheld from us.

6/10

You see, it isn't in the government's interest to crack down on cults. Why? Any system of intense control is useful to them. Any system of control is exploitable by them.

Uuuuuuuh this is fascist as fuck. Freedom of religion. Wtf are you even doing rn.

Kind of ironic around here, isn't it? Nazis are fine, but apparently Scientology is evil in this sub.

I don't think anyone thinks nazis are fine. I think that's ridiculous. Very, very few.

This is so silly...if you're on this page, undoubtedly you know about numerous things going on right now in the world, grand Injustices being perpetrated against humanity as a whole...

Yet somehow you want to infringe on the important tenant of religious freedom to stop such a relatively small, dare I say stupid, Injustice. Yes their practices are horrible, but even for a religion, look at the Vatican and pedophilia or how the Saudis and a few others are using 'Islamic law' to allow the rest of the world to condemn the entire religion.

Like what you're suggesting is almost like saying we need to correct flat Earthers more than we need, say, 9/11 truth...it's just silly.

Can we please agree that religions having words for "us" and "everyone else" (gentiles, kuffar etc) is tribal as fuck, and a clear sign that these various religious leaders understood some psychology and abused that knowledge to manipulate?

It's no different to any other made up religion. Why bother with just them?

Why not end Christianity at the same time? Same sort of cult, more followers.

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My bad, I meant ex-scientologists. However, I don't watch TV so I'm not familiar with that program. Do you have any links to actual court cases?