Just curious as to how/why people join.

Same could be said of some sects of Christianity...

People join Scientology because like so many religions it appears to offer answers to the questions we ask about what is the meaning of life and why are we here. Plus it is a way for us to socialize and seek fellowship.

Scientology caters to the Hollywood crowd because so many of them are insecure about their fame and Scientology seems to offer some kind of answer to these people. Scientology enjoys the high profile status of these celebrities and the money they offer. Plus it seems to legitimize their actions even though they are a cult.

Scientology is a scam first and foremost; it takes money from its followers and feeds them a load of nonsense while separating its followers from their normal support structure and replacing them with yes men who spout the benefits of their guru L Ron Hubbard. Members are encouraged to recruit new followers and to enlist their families to join, yet like so many if they refuse they are told to shun them.

Christians are told that Scientology works together with the teachings of Christ yet it is a false front and people who join are often encouraged to turn away from Christ and look to Hubbard as their new messiah.

I, like many skeptics see some of the same in many religions and that is why we tend to be wary of any group that seem to offer the answers to life's questions yet requires you to offer blind obedience to their dogma and that you give them your time, money and soul.

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Just curious as to how/why people join.

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If you seriously want to know, I'd recommend you read some of the writings by Steve Hassan, particularly "Combating Cult Mind Control".

they tell you what you want to hear. if you do this and this you'll get all better and have success in life. then they tell you you were traumatized as a child and that the trauma is affecting your decision making and blocking your big epiphany and they'll help you locate the sources of the blocks, but that'll cost some $$, and if you can't come up with the $$ it is proof that you are a weakling and you really weren't meant to evolve. you're a peon.
so you come up with the dough and start getting "clear," but there's always another level to climb, more $$ to spend, and there's always somebody above you, much clearer than you, manipulating you and pulling your strings, loving you and ridiculing you, whatever it takes to keep your money pouring in. By now you are incredibly invested. you have completely spilled your guts to the "auditors" during your clearing sessions, they may have material to blackmail you, they have rung you out like a wet rag, and you might even owe them money. You have signed all manner of documents claiming never to sue them, never to speak ill of scientology, etc...

you are f'd. the question becomes what else can you do for them

TVM, you sure know a lot about it.

Scientology is nucking futs.

www.wfial.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=arcProfile.scientology

www.firstchurchofxenu.com/

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Scientology is nucking futs.

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So is virgin birth, multiplying loaves and fishes, living unharmed in the belly of a whale for three days, one world language transformed into thousands in an instant at a tower, manna from heaven, parting the Red Sea, etc.

some folks can't fathom the fact that the best things in life are free. the more it costs the more valuable it is. kabala and scientology really go after uneducated, self absorbed people with disposable cash. actors for instance.



[This message has been edited by Texas velvet maestro (edited 10/6/2006 9:05a).]

no, there isn't

Here's some good info from the CRI. It gives a good, documented rundown of the Scientology belief system and their view of God, man, and salvation.

http://www.equip.org/free/DS170.htm

Compared with other religions, Scientology is especially wacky.

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kabala and scientology really go after uneducated, self absorbed people with disposable cash. actors for instance.

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While I would agree with you about Scientology, I don't see where Kaballah fits in here. Sure, it is trendy with celebrities these days, Madonna most notably, but technically speaking Kabbalah is simply a collection of Jewish mystical works and traditions and not an organized cult. Now if there is a Kabbalistic sect that is trying to do the "scientology thing" with celebs, perhaps that is what you are referring to, but I would hardly equate the study of Kabbalah with Scientology.

[This message has been edited by oldyeller (edited 10/6/2006 10:45a).]

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"...[Hubbard] began making statements to the effect that any writer who really wished to make money should stop writing and develop [a] religion, or devise a new psychiatric method. Harlan Ellison's version (Time Out, UK, No 332) is that Hubbard is reputed to have told [John W.] Campbell, "I'm going to invent a religion that's going to make me a fortune. I'm tired of writing for a penny a word."

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//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L._Ron_Hubbard

It is a curiosity of the human condition where so many of us can fall for such a blatant fraud that one wonders if any historical religious claims could ever be considered believable.

I agree with Dual Ag. It has the same credibility (legitimacy) as any other religion. Which ain't saying much.

Scientology has no credibility. Christianity, where God came down to earth in the form of Jesus Christ and suffered for us and then rose from the dead, has a lot of credibility. Just look at what Mother Teresa, St. Francis, and St. Augustine did with their lives. Then, compare that to what John Travolta and Tom Cruise have done with theirs.