• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!
  • Welcome to our archives. No new posts are allowed here.

Scientology is a cult

Skeptic Bob

Skeptic Bob

DP Veteran
Joined
Oct 6, 2014
Messages
16,626
Reaction score
19,489
Location
Texas
Gender
Male
Political Leaning
Libertarian - Left
I am sure this revelation doesn't come as a surprise to many others, but my knowledge of Scientology had been very limited.

I am an atheist who does differentiate between religions and cults. To me the primary difference was that a cult forces its members to disassociate from non-members or from people who are critical of the organization. Lots of religions have what I think are wacky beliefs, but its members are free to maintain friendships and family relationships with those outside the organization.

So while I always thought Scientology had wacky beliefs, I didn't realize it met my definition of a cult until I watched "Going Clear" and the tv series with Leah Remini. Listening to the accounts of former members was heart breaking. Scientology is as much a cult as the Branch Davidians were, only with more money and power.

If a member of the church leaves the church or is critical of the church, the church can declare them a "suppressive person" which means all other church members must shun that person, even if they are close family, like a child, sibling or parent. And if you refuse to shun that person then YOU can be declared a suppressive person. And if you grew up in the church, as is often the case, then that is akin to cutting you off from everyone you know.

That is a cult. I highly recommend watching "Going Clear" or Remini's show.
 
They're also borderline criminal and not recognized as a religion in many countries.

The shunning practice looks pretty much like they picked it up from the JWs (also a cult).
 
Skeptic Bob said:
I am sure this revelation doesn't come as a surprise to many others, but my knowledge of Scientology had been very limited.

I am an atheist who does differentiate between religions and cults. To me the primary difference was that a cult forces its members to disassociate from non-members or from people who are critical of the organization. Lots of religions have what I think are wacky beliefs, but its members are free to maintain friendships and family relationships with those outside the organization.

So while I always thought Scientology had wacky beliefs, I didn't realize it met my definition of a cult until I watched "Going Clear" and the tv series with Leah Remini. Listening to the accounts of former members was heart breaking. Scientology is as much a cult as the Branch Davidians were, only with more money and power.

If a member of the church leaves the church or is critical of the church, the church can declare them a "suppressive person" which means all other church members must shun that person, even if they are close family, like a child, sibling or parent. And if you refuse to shun that person then YOU can be declared a suppressive person. And if you grew up in the church, as is often the case, then that is akin to cutting you off from everyone you know.

That is a cult. I highly recommend watching "Going Clear" or Remini's show.
Click to expand...

Link to which countries do not consider Scientology a Religion
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology_status_by_country
 
Skeptic Bob said:
I am sure this revelation doesn't come as a surprise to many others, but my knowledge of Scientology had been very limited.

I am an atheist who does differentiate between religions and cults. To me the primary difference was that a cult forces its members to disassociate from non-members or from people who are critical of the organization. Lots of religions have what I think are wacky beliefs, but its members are free to maintain friendships and family relationships with those outside the organization.

So while I always thought Scientology had wacky beliefs, I didn't realize it met my definition of a cult until I watched "Going Clear" and the tv series with Leah Remini. Listening to the accounts of former members was heart breaking. Scientology is as much a cult as the Branch Davidians were, only with more money and power.

If a member of the church leaves the church or is critical of the church, the church can declare them a "suppressive person" which means all other church members must shun that person, even if they are close family, like a child, sibling or parent. And if you refuse to shun that person then YOU can be declared a suppressive person. And if you grew up in the church, as is often the case, then that is akin to cutting you off from everyone you know.

That is a cult. I highly recommend watching "Going Clear" or Remini's show.
Click to expand...

Scientology is a nutjob cult that does little other then enrich the cult's leaders off of fools in Hollywood like Tom Cruise.
 
Chagos said:
They're also borderline criminal and not recognized as a religion in many countries.

The shunning practice looks pretty much like they picked it up from the JWs (also a cult).
Click to expand...

I'll have to take a closer look at JWs then as well. I wasn't aware they did that.
 
 
Skeptic Bob said:
I'll have to take a closer look at JWs then as well. I wasn't aware they did that.
Click to expand...
Some of the things JWs do defy belief (no pun intended).

I see zyzygy as already having supplied ample references.
 
Moderator's Warning:
Moved to Religion and Politics.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom