Is Scientology a religion, philosophy or a cult?

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IMHO, it appears to be a fantasy cult run by a bunch of occultists who feign religion in order to secure tax-exempt status. In this regard it has much in common with the Mormons. It is actually quite scary to think that our next President could be a member of such a cult. I find it convenient to think of the Scientologists, Mormons and Freemasons as just different varieties of the occult. In these occult secret societies, the lower echelons and degrees know very little about what occurs upstairs, unless they are vetted. The lower levels usually engage in occult acitivites that are popularly termed “white magic” (Hubbard seems to have borrowed many concepts from “Cosmic Christians” like Rudolf Steiner and from notorious occultist Helena Blavatsky) while the upper echelons MUST worship Satan to maintain their power. Think of it as Satan’s Mafia.
 
eightandsand said:
IMHO, it appears to be a fantasy cult run by a bunch of occultists who feign religion in order to secure tax-exempt status. In this regard it has much in common with the Mormons. It is actually quite scary to think that our next President could be a member of such a cult. I find it convenient to think of the Scientologists, Mormons and Freemasons as just different varieties of the occult.
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Play fair the LDS church was around long before stuff like tax excemptions for donations came about. They may be a cult by a theological definition. One thing is for sure Mormons are not feigning.
 
Mgray82 said:
I know my answer…what’s yours?
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It’s a form of philosophy and Mental Health treatment. If you choose to go all the way to the Upper Levels then you could say it has religious aspects to it, but to me it is simply one mans opinion on how to improve your mental health.
 
4Squarebaby said:
Play fair the LDS church was around long before stuff like tax excemptions for donations came about. They may be a cult by a theological definition. One thing is for sure Mormons are not feigning.
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To play fair, the Mormons have only been around less than 200 years. The Eastern Protestants found their heresies so odious that they kicked them out to Utah. The origin story of Mormonism and Islam is very similar: in both cases a demon (they will tell you an “angel”) appeared to the founder; in both cases the “religion” was designed from the bottom up for power politics.
 
eightandsand said:
To play fair, the Mormons have only been around less than 200 years. The Eastern Protestants found their heresies so odious that they kicked them out to Utah. The origin story of Mormonism and Islam is very similar: in both cases a demon (they will tell you an “angel”) appeared to the founder; in both cases the “religion” was designed from the bottom up for power politics.
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You’re expanding the cult theory from Scientology to Mormonism and now Islam. Where does it end? LOL
 
Using the broadest definitions of all the terms you have given us to chose from in your poll, Scientology is all four.
 
4Squarebaby said:
Play fair the LDS church was around long before stuff like tax excemptions for donations came about. They may be a cult by a theological definition. One thing is for sure Mormons are not feigning.
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In general, true.

But I have a suspicion that some of the top leaders and scholars (they have Brigham Young University) in the Mormon Church DO know that the Mormon Church founder Joseph Smith, Jr. was a complete con man, exploiter, liar and forger, much like the band instrument salesman in “The Music Man.” But these leaders and scholars continue to promote the Mormon religion, and continue to defend it with their own apologetics, for various reasons: Its a club they enjoy being a part of; it helps them make money; they seeing it as being good for the overall well-being Mormons.

The Mormons promote education. They have lots of highly educated people. There are overwhelming facts indicating that the Mormon Church founder Joseph Smith, Jr. was a complete con man, exploiter, liar and forger. I have no doubt that many Mormons realize what Joseph Smith, Jr. was NOT an honest or honorable or godly man even a little bit.
 
Mgray82 said:
I believe Scientology to be a dangerous. What are your thoughts?
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Mmmmm nah. Haha. I ain’t scared:) there’s a little…idk…center for it? Right by my house…and every time I read the sign that says “come in for free IQ test!” I burst out laughing! Haha…🙂
 
Scientology is a deadly cult which seeks to enslave people. They believe in reincarnation, and thus create contracts binding the soul over the generations. It’s a sick, sick scam that has killed many, hurt more, and damaged the soul of everyone it touches.
 
Cult because they require money for (so-called) spiritual advancement. And you are prohibited from exercising your constitutional right to free speech by speaking against them if you are a member. Or even if you’re not…:confused:
 
The German’s who attempted to ban Scientology from Germany probably thought of it as a ‘dangerous cult’.
 
meltzerboy said:
Alan Black, Professor of Sociology at the University of New England in Australia, argues that Scientology meets the major criteria of a religion. I don’t know enough about Scientology to offer my own opinion but Black’s study seems reasonable to me.
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Get outta here! L. Ron Hubbard MADE IT UP out of thin air and BS! how can that be a religion??

:rotfl::rotfl::whacky::hypno:
 
TheRealJuliane said:
Get outta here! L. Ron Hubbard MADE IT UP out of thin air and BS! how can that be a religion??

:rotfl::rotfl::whacky::hypno:
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If you’ll allow me to play devil’s advocate here for a minute…

It’s possible that ALL religions are just made up. If you think Scientology is crazy, imagine what a visitor from Mars, who had never heard of Christianity before, would think about Catholic teachings. He’d think it was crazy.

As the old saying goes, “All religions are cults except for yours.”

Taking off my devil’s advocate hat now. :tiphat:
 
No, over 2000 years of Christianity means it’s not a cult. No cult could persist that long.
 
I don’t think it even deserves the “cult” appelation. It’s a cynical money scam, and a sad testament to Chesterton’s saying:

*“It’s the first effect of not believing in God that you lose your common sense and can’t see things as they are. Anything that anybody talks about, and says there’s a good deal in it, extends itself indefinitely like a vista in a nightmare.”
*
 
I believe it is either a cult or a scam. Regardless of what it is, it is 100% false and will do nothing but lead people astray and on to the path to Hell.
 
dixieagle said:
I consider it a complete joke, played on generally not-too-bright, insecure, gullible folks who think it’s cool. Those “celebrities” who are taken in are easily flattered and easily parted from their money.

Anyone who subscribes to this baloney (have you read about their belief in “body thetans”?) needs his head examined, IMHO (and not in an “auditing” session!)
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Speaking in my most polite voice, you are treading on shaky ground when you criticize others ‘baloney’ beliefs. Peace.
 
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