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If we hold that what we believe is the one path to salvation, or as in the case of Scientology, enlightenment and self-actualization, then we naturally want to share it with others.

That becomes problematic, though, when instead of presenting it as a gift we wish to share we force it on others whether they want it or not, and take retribution against those who reject our perspective--and particularly when retribution is sanctioned from the top by leaders of the "religion", as is the case with both Scientology and Islam.

Agreed. Believing in your own view strongly and trying to destroy people who speak out against it are 2 different things. As a matter of fact, IMO, the MORE strongly you believe in your own personal views, the more tolerant you are of people speaking out against them, because you have confidence you are right, and people who have deep down doubts inside about their beliefes are the ones who tend to get all sensetives when their beliefs are questions. (see also: liberals)

The exceptions to this are people like radical islamists who are sensetive about it and crush opposition just because of absolute uber-fanaticism.

The same way I see liberals get their knickers in a twist when they start to get exposed, is the way I see Scientology start rending their garments when someone dares to veer from the view that they are not a cultist, criminal brain-washing orginization founded and run by sadistic lunatics. (By the way, did I mention I'm not a fan?)

In fact.. I think this article in Rolling Stone was a huge softball pitched at Scientology. Way soft on them.. way soft. The again, I'm sure there were alot of backroom threats, etc.. (Tom Cruise calling their office? then his Sister actually GOING there?.. sounds like damage control to me)

The reason why you don't see much about CoS in the media is because they come down with a vengeance on descenting opinion with a ferocity and tenacity that liberals could only have wet dreams about.

questions = questionED

grrr...

hey admins... how 'bout that edit feature? ;-) Some of us have all thumbs.

Actually I found this article to be quite to the point about the negatives of COS. It did print the present the viewpoints of COS, but also very strongly, especially at the end of the article show how scared those who left the cult or criticized the cult are.

Did you notice how emotional the Scientologists seemed over every little thing about their religion? Very defensive. The writer could be distorting things, but her point of view is very subtle. The writer is very clever, although the article seems even handed -- and it does allow Scientologists a very wide latitude and does not directly mock them -- it is directed so that we can feel the weirdness therein.