Is Scientology A Cult? Is Paul Haggis The Next Martin Luther?

Politics Daily:

It's been a tough stretch for Scientology. The church founded by the late science fiction writer (and great prophet/odd duck/complete kook -- take your pick) L. Ron Hubbard in 1953 was dinged nearly a million bucks by a Paris court on Tuesday after convicting six leaders of the French branch of Scientology of organized fraud in duping recruits out of lots of money.

Read the whole story: Politics Daily

Comments

[timezone]

I studied religion in college and have continued to study religions and philosophies, having decided if I am going to agree or disagree with any religion or philosophy, it's important to know exactly why, that a hunch or heresay wasn't enough. With that in mind, I decided to get a "documentary" about Scientology from the library. It was like watching a pr film. Here's the thing: it's hard to debate against some of their rules because the message sounds so positive. I'm sure it lures many well-meaning people in who don't get if something sounds to good to be true, it just MAY be too good to be true. I urge any one interested in what Scientology says their all about to go check out the doc. Even though it's a pr film basically, perhaps you, like me, wondered more about "auditing", which they just briefly gloss over. I would also suggest looking into the REAL bio of L. Ron Hubbard (although the doc makes him just short of sainthood). Want to know the real scoop on a religion? Look into the background of the founder.

[YourFriend]

Scientology is one of the most insidious and greedy of all cults. The more you dig into it, the worse it is. Think twice before joining this one, friends, then think again.

[JustCallMeMary]

Haggis is hardly the next Martin Luther of Scientology because he has no interest in running the organization or any off shoot of it. He's just a man of integrity. And he sure did a terrific job speaking up for the thousands of families shattered by Scientology Disconnection policy. Thank you. Paul

[YeahDonkey]

RUN PAUL RUN!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!

[Chubbster]

I love the always continuing melodrama about this cult for the brain-dead or those with otherwise functionally impaired cognition. I mean, seriously, what kind of pathetic mentality swallows this garbage whole? Hollywood is big on this stuff naturally because the thesis or set of defining beliefs is just so stupid that it reaches the mental level of totally self-absorbed actors. Of course it's all about the money flowing into the coffers at the top and for the actors, who have too much money and are happy to supply it, a sense of belonging to a spiritual tradition, phony and bizarre cult that it is.

[JBS]

Scientology is a multi-level marketing scam abusing the First Amendment as a tax dodge.

[Joeinloth]

Losing your Haggis? Isn't that something a drunken Scot does?

[deepfreezevideo]

The article concludes that "perhaps Haggis should start his own brand of Scientology".
I sense that this statement is a left handed jab at Haggis who, of course, should stick to filmmaking.
As to whether or not his belief in Scientology principles is a sound one, the proof is, or in this case WAS, in the pudding.
Haggis remains convinced that his fellow parishioners are good people. Good people can also be ignorant and still be good at their core.
Scientology succeeds as it does because it offers something ordinary churches do not at the very beginning, a get rich quick scheme. They don't promise financial gain, of course. They promise something far bigger.
In essence, Scientology tells new recruits that they are basically superhumans, godly beings who can control space and time itself, if only they will just use Scientology to unlock their "core".
This is heady stuff for any impressionable person, and who is more impressionable than a Hollywood celebrity?

[IDIOTA]

Scientology was Dianetics in the 80's. My experience with them tells me that they are charlatans. They told me that I was homosexual and that if I did not join them that I would kill myself one day by driving off the road. As I turned to leave, laughing, the Dianetics rep blocked the door and demanded that I buy a book.

[dben]

Why did Haggis wait 35 years to leave? That is embarrassing.

"The great majority of Scientologists I know are good people who are genuinely interested in improving conditions on this planet and helping others." -Paul Haggis

Where's the proof? If that is true where is Scientonomy's charitable history and reputation?

[Tequilatarian]

Scientology doesn't believe in charity because followers are told that everyone is responsible for their own condition in life and as such Scientology calls people who need or ask for charity to be "downstat." Everything is an "exchange" rather than a freely given gift. And those giving without getting a return are seen as lowering themselves.

You will see the famous Scientologists with charity events for Scientology front groups like Narconon, The Way to Happiness, Volunteer Minsters, Hollywood Literacy Project, etc. Sometimes, the charity is unrelated to Scientology but they are getting back positive PR...so they can justify the giving. Whenever you see a Scientology Celeb promoting a charity...look it up.

[pakaal]

"Regarding the Prop. 8 question, Davis' comment was more vague: he didn't say whether or not the church supported or opposed the measure."

I'm putting that in the "too much of a coward to state openly that Scientology opposes gay marriage" category.

[mesioul]

In the 1980s, the IRS had a special unit devoted full time to harassing Scientologists (guess who paid for that). That was handled. In the 1990s in Germany, the anti-Scientology propaganda was so virulent that it included some of the same slogans that had been used against Jews in the 1930s. That was handled. Lots of other crazy scenes around the world have been handled and they're history. I'm sure the scene in France will be handled too.

As for Haggis, if he left Scientology because a few did something stupid and were corrected, then he just wanted to leave and was looking for an excuse to do it noisily.

Many people leave churches all the time and it doesn't become a big hoo-ha in the media.

[Tequilatarian]

^^^ Scientologist

[Lulubelle1]

Hello there, Mr. or Mrs. Scientologist. You reveal yourself with the repeated use of "handled".

Scientology is a tax avoidance scheme, hence an investigation by the IRS. What's interesting and alarming is the way that a "religion" went after, investigated, and blackmailed prominent employees of the IRS, including the head guy. That's how the CoS got a special tax exemption that goes beyond what is available to other "religions." An agreement so secret that the IRS tried to avoid disclosing it in a court proceeding. Why? Because it's outrageous, and would demand explanation. Embarrassing explanation.

It wasn't a few misbehaving, rogue Scientologists that caused Haggis to leave. It was the official, approved, policy-driven lies of the public spokesman of Scientology, who denied "disconnection" exists as an official practice. Haggis knew better. I knew better. And you know better.

How many churches have an official division devoted to harassing and attacking critics? You know, OSA, the office of special affairs?

Either you ARE OSA, or you need to find out about it. Scientology is dangerous to the public, including its members.

[Lulubelle1]

Your account is a gross mischaracterization of the IRS/Scientology exchange.

For documentation of CoS's criminal acts, see:

http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Cowen/essays/irs.html
http://www.factnet.org/headlines/give-away.htm
http://www.xenu.net/archive/IRS/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Snow_White

[Chubbster]

Another cult apologist pipes up.

[mrsLambert]

"Scientology is a Racket and a Con-Job" by Christopher Hitchens: http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1880504/scientology_is_a_racket_and_a_con_job_by_christopher_hitchens/

[Rog49Thomas]

Quoting Hitchens to demolish Scientology is a bit like quoting Sarah Palin to refute Glen Beck.

[blue planet blues]

What you said makes no sense.Don't track me down you crazy scientologist

[SusanStoHelit]

Yes - when even the nuts see how nutty it is - you've got an all new low.

[ifitwereme]

haggis rocks!

[larry278]

In the matter of giving a name to a system of beliefs, I find Christopher Hitchens's words as an excellent guide to using a possibly pejorative name to id these systems of belief. I prefer to call all systems of belief superstitions & be done with it. Some could declare non-theistic belies such as atheism & agnosticism superstitions. As for theistic beliefs, people split hairs on iding these systems of beliefs as churches, sects, fellowships, cults, etc to avoid calling the lot of all systems of belief superstitions. Scientology calls itself the Church of Scientolog; whatever. I choose to call Scientolgy a cult. I avoid all systems of belief for all of them are superstitions. I avoid speaking of any superstition to avoid disagreements. None of them are to be taken seriously & are not worth my time, study, belief & aren't worth an argument at anytime for any sentient human.
Mr Hitchins's words are the ultamite source of authority, knowledge & wisdom re: all systems of belief. Always 1st use Hitchins's words on these arcane but useless matters. If I ever, even for a second, embraced any system of belief, Hitchens words would lead me to the safety of becoming an apostate. The world of non-belief is a cozy, warm, comfortable, but limitless, safe space for all of humankind.