Posted on 07/26/2005 1:43:16 PM PDT by CHARLITE
We have commented on actor Tom Cruise using the media to preach the virtues of Scientology and the evils of psychiatry. He gave interviews about his new film, "War of the Worlds," as long as he was permitted to talk about his religion.
But Scientology not only has a base in Hollywood, it has enjoyed powerful friends in Washington. For years, Scientology fought a battle with the IRS because the government would not recognize its claim to be a religion. The IRS finally granted Scientology its desired status under President Bill Clinton, the recipient of massive donations from Hollywood.
Now it gets more interesting: Clinton helped the Church of Scientology in return for John Travolta, a member of Scientology, softening up his portrayal of the Clinton character in Primary Colors! Clinton and Travolta cut a deal. Travolta agreed to go easy on Clinton in the movie Primary Colors and Clinton reportedly agreed to use his influence to get the German government to leave Scientology alone.
Now why does Scientology get such a good press? One ex-Scientologist told me, "The reason the press treats them better than Christians is because Scientology will sue at the drop of a pejorative and they don't care if they lose the suit. They do it to punish detractors with the hassle of going through a lawsuit. The media knows this. Christians don't sue, so they are fair game."
Another religion that enjoys cordial relations with Hollywood is Islam.
In the movie version of Tom Clancy's book, The Sum of All Fears, the Islamic terrorists were transformed into European neo-Nazis.
(Excerpt) Read more at aim.org ...
Nuts like nutty things, so, it stands to reason.
No argument there, but doing that is *WAY* down on my list of things to do. Eliminating people and religions that believe that killing or enslaving everyone else is part of their holy duty and obligation is paramount, I think.
I read L. Ron Hubbard and it actually made me think and gave me more faith in God. I'm not saying that it was L. Ron Hubbard's intention but it makes you think. That's why I believe it could lead some (who may have never done it on their own) to Chritianity.
"Scientology is definitely more popular than Christianity, and there are several reasons why."
I don't know if "popular" is the right word. There are thousands of times more Christians than Scientologists. Perhaps "appealing" is what you mean.
Islam and Scientology have much in common. Most significantly, the fact that both religions were made up in somebody's mind. L Ron Hubbard is the modern-day Mohammed.
I think most of us feel the same way. May Xenu the martian have pity on us. Money and fame sure dont increase the IQ.
There is hope for Jennifer Aniston, she is dating Vince Vaughn who is a Republican.
Oh God. I hate to say this but I agree with Cruise on a lot of what he said about drugs. I take daily vitimins (not those ultra powerful ones) so that I may avoid having to take blood pressure pills for 30 years at some point in my life. I think long term they can be toxic. However, if they found cancer in me and I knew I would die without chemo then ofcourse I would do whatever to save myself short term
Buddhism is probably the most popular religion in Hollywood. Buddhism is all about "me, me, me." That's why it's so popular with them.
Huh? I think you need to do some reading up on Scientology. It is an international organized crime ring, which demands huge amounts of money from its followers, and uses blackmail and extortion (and sometimes worse) to get it, if the followers don't fork over willingly -- and to keep them from leaving the fold after they figure out what's going on. Try www.xenu.net for a thorough overview.
Scientology bears no resemblance whatsoever to Christian Science. You may be confusing Scientology's anti-psychiatry rants (which are strictly part of a money-making scheme, as they run all sorts of front groups which provide expensive alternative "treatment" for psychological and psychiatric problems) with the traditional prayer-not-medicine teaching of Christian Science. However, Christian Science's teachings re medicine were never part of a fraud and extortion racket, and there's no evidence that the overwhelming majority of Christian Scientists, past and present, haven't been completely sincere in their beliefs. Contemporary Christian Scientists have a wide range of views on availing themselves of medical technology, and though I'm not sure what the Church's official teaching is these days, it does not take any punitive action against members who use modern medical services, nor does it encourage members to go around ranting against other people using medicine.
An example of the contemporary views of Christian Scientists is gymnast Shannon Miller. She credits Christian Science in part for her success, and consulted with Christian Science practitioners about some of the physical ailments and psychological stresses she encountered during her gymnastics career. But she also took antihistamines when she had a bad cold during a big competition, and had surgery to remove a bone chip from her elbow, after a Christian Science practitioner advised her that having the surgery would in no way interfere with the effectiveness of prayer.
And no, I'm not a Christian Scientist, but they do not deserve to be compared to the criminals at Scientology.
"Islam and Scientology have much in common. Most significantly, the fact that both religions were made up in somebody's mind. L Ron Hubbard is the modern-day Mohammed."
I understand what you mean about it being man-made but other than that... I think we should not try to diminish the level of evil there seems to be coming out of sectors of Islam. No comparisian
I suggest you do a little research before you post on this subject again.
I'm talking about the beliefs not the actual 'church'. Personally I'm a Christian and I belong to no church for the same reasons.
Oh I think Scientology is every bit as evil as Islam. It's just that they don't have the numbers and influence, yet. But if they had the same influence as Islam, I believe they would be every bit as evil. For now, they just have to keep it concealed in order to attract more followers.
Do not confuse what I said. I'm referring to the beliefs and NOT the people who run the two organizations. I do not follow people. I follow God.
The flack Gibson has caught isn't for being Christian, but for subscribing to a loony extremist form of "Catholicism" which involves worshipping at a private (i.e. not open to the public chapel) under the auspices of a Roman Catholic priest who has been ordered by his ecclesiastical authorities not to participate in this group. While violating the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church in this way, he also has told a reporter that his wife is going to hell because she's an Episcopalian, and only faithful Roman Catholics can go to heaven. He also credits his nutcase Holocaust-denying father with leading him into these beliefs. Gibson is as loony as Cruise, and his looniness has nothing to do with Christianity.
Read up on Scientology at www.xenu.net It scares me how many people think Scientology is just kooky-but-harmless. There's a reason their leaders live on a ship that stays in international waters, out of reach of legal authorities of any nation. And like Islam, Scientologists are not free to leave the religion.
I think Cruise was criticizing the use of psycho-tropic drugs for so called "mental illnesses," not the drugs for the genuine and proven medical conditions you mention. On that count, he was 100 percent right.
However, you at least should understand that former Scientologists are threatened by Scientology. It is a very dangerous cult and if members attempt to leave or to tell the truth about Scientology, they can kiss their careers good-bye. Not only will Scientologists sue at the drop of a hat, they will do everything in their power to destroy the lives of those who try to leave.
Yes he was. But I kind of go a step further on long term usage of drugs such as those that lower blood pressure that my mom has taken for over 20 years now. I'm not saying they should be banned or that she should stop taking them ofcourse...I just don't think they are safe. Perhaps vitamins and garlic could help such problems and people could avoid having to be on them.
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