Scientology Convicted of Fraud

[sunpop]

Oh France this is why I love you these days.

 

[ElephantGuts]

That's one thing I like about France: their cold straight-up logic. Sure Scientology passes off what it does as religious ritual or whatever they call it, but it's pretty clear they're just trying to scam money off people.

 

[asteroth21nox]

all religions are a form of control, duh.

 

[Kross]

I dont have a major problem with scientology, unlike a few of my friends who can get really worked up over the concept, but I do find their whole antics amusing. I always imagine the head to be some old fashioned 50's style villian twirling his moustache and cackling whenever he gets another cheque for some idiot's "treatment".

If it helps, imagine them locking people away in a compound, severing all contact with their family and friends, heaping on loads of emotional and mental abuse, and denying them medical treatment for serious conditions. And then when people get out and talk about it, harassing the person in any way available to them until what life they have left is in shambles.

It's a cult. They do terrible things to people, they regularly lie about the things they do, and take advantage of thousands of people every day both financially and emotionally.

 

[Crimson Cade]

AWESOME! Can we now copy-pasta this and take down organized religion in general?

 

[The_Echo]

Scientology is regarded as a religion by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service but is considered a "sect" - essentially comparable to a cult - in France and thus doesn't enjoy comparable legal protection.

Hooray!

Even so, the prosecution's request to ban the church entirely went unheeded, as the judges presiding over the case said the law did not allow for such measures.

Aw.

 

[The Great JT]

The Dark Lord, Xenu, will come to claim this world under his dominion...and then he will load your bodies into C-130s and crash them into volcanoes and take your souls! And then he'll stick them in front of giant 3-D movie screens and I don't really understand it, but it's really scary!

Scam. Also, the actions they did to those two is worthy of being shot.

 

[scotth266]

Well to be fair, this isn't so much anti-theism as it is anti-loads of crap.

Which is why you have posts like

First step in a long road of taking down Religion perhaps? Fingers crossed eh

Fixed.

And one can dream...

flying around. Sometimes a cigar really is just an anti-theist.

 

[Olikunmissile]

Fucking FINALLY. Take the goddamn retarded mother fuckers down once and for all!

 

[SaintWaldo]

"A Scientology spokeswoman said the church would appeal the verdict, calling it "an Inquisition for modern times."

Because taking people to court and letting them walk out with a suspended fine is EXACTLY the tactic Torquemada used!

 

[Fasckira]

-snip-

Thing is though that pretty much covers every religion to some degree. Obviously in today's world you wouldn't catch Christianity for example doing such things but back when they were a fledgling religion they were just as guilty.
Its one thing to starve someone because you're trying to extort money from them for example but a whole different matter if its because they genuinely believe in their religion and what they're doing. Its why I choose to stay on the fence regarding their morality at the moment, though I am very much of the opinion that all religion is just a massive attempt at social control.

 

[jboking]

snip

It's feeling pretty "anti-theist"y in here today. Also a little ignorant as to why other religions have a problem with Scientology.

For those interested, the caption picture is from "Battlefield-earth" [http://www.cracked.com/funny-117-battlefield-earth/]

Thanks, that was killing me.

OP: What do you do when a church charges you ridiculous sums of money to learn the 'truth' of their religion? Naturally, you should just charge them ridiculous sums of money.

Spoiler: Behold the one true god of our people

It's all about the Benjamin's after all.​

 

[Caliostro]

It's feeling pretty "anti-theist"y in here today.

an anti-theist.

Guilty as charged.

 

[Rathy]

You know what? I knew this was a bad idea as soon as I saw the thread title.

I was not proven wrong. Typical anti-theistic bullshittery and religion flaming, oh joy.

Time to change my avatar again...

Well to be fair, this isn't so much anti-theism as it is anti-loads of crap.

Why does everyone hate scientology? It just seems like another religion...

A religion that the Founder (L Ron Hubbard) admitted was a hoax on his death bed. It's like Jesus telling you that he was just yanking you chain when he was crucified. And you really got to ask, what race of intelligent beings capable would enslave humans for labor?

And Go France! They may not be a military country but they sure as hell have some lawyers with balls of titanium!

Yet people keep going to it... Glad to see someone in Europe starting to do something. May help the other countries there start putting them in check.

And for people trying to defend it in the religion sense, do some research. I won't bash it for being a religion, but knowing what "Fair Game" is and seeing the info from people who recently left Scientology can make a world of difference in PoV if you're unfamiliar with them. Its basically their policy to ruin anyone who tries to speak out against Scientology, going as far as stake outs at peoples houses. With that being the tame response.

 

[mattman106]

So glad to hear this, as much as people may dislike other religions at least they don't charge like $10 000 dollars + per year for 'cleansing'.

 

[MrPuppyDrool]

whoomp, there it is! i hope scientology burns in heaven

 

[jboking]

It's feeling pretty "anti-theist"y in here today.

an anti-theist.

Guilty as charged.

I sometimes wonder who the trolls of the religious community are. Then I remember there are anti-theists to keep the delicate balance in tact.

Really though, I'm not religious anymore, but I'm wondering. What do you think it is that makes other religious people hate the church of Scientology. I've got two big reasons and I want to compare notes.

 

[bkdlsf89990]

Ah yes, Religions are generally known for their rationality and absolute lack of violence. At no point in history do any other religions display violent or murderous behaviors in order to fulfill their own agenda. I mean, things like burning innocent people alive tied to a stake for not agreeing to their insanity, ostracizing innocent people for absolutely no reason but refusing to share their idiocy, trying to make things illegal for everyone just because they don't like them or shooting planes full of innocent people against buildings full of innocent people just because they felt like it... PREPOSTEROUS AND UNHEARD OF!

Also no other churches ever take money from anyone else. The Vatican has their vaults full of candy. Mecas are built on dreams and hopes. True story.

In general religions preach (along-side belief in God [or gods]) proper morals and respect (Racism and sexism aside).

This is an argument I find particularly intolerable because it's much like saying "it's ok to rape a child! So long as it is a homeless child and you give it food...". Teaching people respect and wholesome values has no reason to be connected to religion. Much like feeding homeless people isn't connected to follow-up sexual molestation... Or you better believe the Red Cross would have their hands full of volunteers.

You're a very ignorant person, aren't you? =]

It's feeling pretty "anti-theist"y in here today.

an anti-theist.

Guilty as charged.

That's not something to be proud of. That makes you a bigoted ass.

Oh, the irony!

 

[knight of zendikar]

exactly what im thinking i may actualy gain some respect for the french. now for all i care anyone stupid enough to believe in scientology is a dumb ass tool.

the galactic overlord xenu is probably gona kill me for saying that. lmao!!!