Neil DeGrasse Tyson: Christians have no right to call Scientologists crazy

Business Insider ^ | 04/01/2015 | PAMELA ENGEL AND MICHAEL B KELLEY

[SeekAndFind]

Astrophysicist and cosmologist Neil DeGrasse Tyson is defending Scientology in light of HBO's highly critical documentary on the church.

HBO's documentary "Going Clear" did not show the church in an entirely positive light — Scientology has a built a reputation for tormenting members who leave it either by surveillance or harassment.

The film highlights the celebrities who made the religion intriguing to the world as well as the horrific stories of abuse from former members.

But Tyson, in an interview with The Daily Beast, declined to bash the controversial church, saying people are free to believe whatever they want.

"So, you have people who are certain that a man in a robe transforms a cracker into the literal body of Jesus saying that what goes on in Scientology is crazy? Let’s realize this. What matters is not who says who’s crazy, what matters is we live in a free country," Tyson, known for his skeptical views of Christianity, said. "You can believe whatever you want, otherwise it’s not a free country—it’s something else. If we start controlling what people think and why they think it, we have case studies where that became the norm. I don’t care what the tenets are of Scientology. They don’t distract me. I don’t judge them, and I don’t criticize them."

There is dispute, however, about whether or not Scientology is a legitimate religion.

[Arm_Bears]

Hate speech from the Affirmative Action astrophysicist.

[PATRIOT1876]

*Oh yes we do. We also have a right to judge people as being Christians or enemies of Christ.*

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. “
~Luke

[RightGeek]

[GeronL]

Yes. Telling people not to judge is the most hypocritical thing this fool ever probably

[MeshugeMikey]

[originalbuckeye]

I turned on his first ‘Cosmos’ episode. Didn’t watch for long. Not even a passing connection to Carl Sagan.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

[Army Air Corps]

Ping.

[a fool in paradise]

I see dating profiles from atheist/agnostic liberals (and some who profess to have a faith) who express they are oh so tolerant. Then when it gets to the questions ‘are some religions more right than others’ and ‘could you be in a relationship with a partner who focuses their faith in their life” they say “NO”. Disagreement in political beliefs is another litmus test for them.

[stephenjohnbanker]

We DO have the right to call them thieves....

[sauropod]

Yep.

[Cyman]

He needs to go back to cutting hair and doing pedicures.

[newfreep]

IIRC, Travolta and R.Kelly joined Cruise in the closet.

[null and void]

As a former member of that organization, I have that right.

The Church of Scientology is crazy.

So you have questions about Scientology...

[DungeonMaster]

It’s a cult. but a rich cult. If you are ever here in the Hollywood area, they have the biggest block of buildings non-studio and I’m sure you can;t miss these clowns as they have full uniforms asking if you are depressed and willing to take their stress test. One of the most successful scams ever orchestrated.

Scientology buildings and stress tests?

[Buckeye McFrog]

He’s sort of fixated on the word “cracker”, isn’t he?

[Sally]

Dear Null & Void, I am so very happy for you that you got out. Praise the Lord!

Curious, what did you think of the movie? We watched last night and I am giving it my highest rating, plus another 10 stars. Having read the brilliant book I was highly skeptical that it could be turned into an effective movie. But by Jove, they did it!

[baltiless]

Just because you’re tolerant of somebody doesn’t mean you want to spend your life, or even any significant amount of time, with them. I couldn’t be in a relationship with a highly religious person, but I don’t mind that they exist.

[a fool in paradise]

I could see “faith focused” as meaning that some principles would not be violated on religious grounds.

NO to supporting abortion.
NO to supporting same sex marriage.
NO to “swinging”/open marriage.

etc.

[Cincinatus]

"You can believe whatever you want, otherwise it’s not a free country—it’s something else. If we start controlling what people think and why they think it, we have case studies where that became the norm."

I guess that means us human-caused global warming skeptics are now "permitted" our heretical opinions.