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Now now. No mention of that cult is complete without a link to Operation Clambake.

...eventually I came to the realization that even his worst book (possibly I will fear no evil?) is well above the average; I was just spoiled by the incomparable ones like Starship Troopers, stranger, harsh mistress, have spacesuit: will travel, citizen of the Galaxy, Glory Road...

I'd call that +1 Insightful

"I Will Fear No Evil" was written while he was dog sick, and completed by his wife and agent IIRC.

I also keep thinking of him in comparison to Hubbard;
L. Ron set out to design and build a religion, bent all his imagination and creativity to the purpose, and succeeded.

Well, for a value of "success" amounting to a pretty crappy excuse for a church.

RAH "merely" wrote stories, and accidentaly created at least 1 religion, and improved many peoples lives along the way.

I'd point out the Hubbard likely got the religion idea from one of RAH's offhand remarks.

_Overrated_!?! At +1?
Time to go metamoderate.

Where ever there's a link to the cult, there should be a link to www.xenu.com

"The organization clearly is schizophrenic and paranoid, and this bizarre
combination seems to be a reflection of its founder, L.Ron Hubbard."
--Judge Breckenridge, Los Angeles Superior Court

Now, I'm no fan of the tenets of CoS. But things like this coming from the German government also give me pause. I mentally replace "Scientologist" with "Jew" and I see something that could have happened 50 years ago if we had a software industry ... "We won't use software tools made by the Jews, you can't trust them or their software".

And of course, it's because this is coming from the German government that this is an issue, correct? It's just like them Germans to discriminate!

Seriously, I think your analogy is highly flawed. The difference is that being Jewish is a matter of birth (the Jewishness that the Nazis targeted was racial, not religious) but to be a Scientologist, you make a conscious, willed decision to sign contracts fully turning over your assets and your labor to an international organization whose stated goal is to subvert world governments to itself and has already been caught in criminal acts, ordered at the highest levels, towards that goal -- including forging correspondence from the Minister of Defense of Norway; espionage against the Ontario Attorney-General's Ministry, the Ontario Provincial Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police; and breaking and entering and theft of documents against the U.S. Department of Justice, Department of Defense, and Internal Revenue Service. Were these acts of the individuals involved (which is what the CoS claims) or of Scientology? I think the fact that Mary Sue Hubbard -- wife of L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology's founder -- was among the 11 Scientologists sent to prison for the infiltration of U.S. government agencies really answers that question sufficiently.

I'm sorry, but it really makes no sense to say, "These people are members of a criminal cult which is willing to burglarize the premises of government agencies around the globe in order to get its way -- but you'd have to be paranoid to think that software written by them could be a security problem!" It's even more ludicrous -- and offensive -- to suggest that the government of Germany cannot take any action against the criminal organization of Scientology because Scientology is pretending to be a religion; that taking protective action against a so-called religion whose stated goal is to subvert your nation is too much like persecuting people on the basis of their race.

It's not really the first go. The anti-scientology have been doing this sort of thing for years now. We've had a few successes, and a few failures. Xenu has all the gossip on that.

Some dude and Mattle have been butting heads for a while, and if memory serves me, the people who make barbie were most annoyed at the barbie morph page.

But onwards we all go. This isn't the first time, and is no way gonna be the last.

I would advice you to find out all you can about the CoS. Start at http://www.xenu.com

Protect yourself!!!!

What happens if members of the Scientology group have contributed to Linux, etc.?

Probably nothing. The German government seems to mostly be concerned with Scientologist infiltration into their government for the purposes of grabbing power (much like the Nazi's did). They are probably mainly concerned about hidden 'features' in the Scientology written programs contained in Windows2000 transmitting sensitive information about the user (ala' Real Networks) back to Scientology. For an organization with a history of blackmail and deceit like that of Scientology, this is a real concern.

If the programs were released as open source for linux, this wouldn't be such a concern. Since the German government (and everyone else) would have direct access to the source code, any such compromising 'features' would be detectable and removeable.

I mean it could happen, couldn't it?

I seriously doubt it. For one thing, I don't think any Scientologist would be allowed to release software that isn't directly owned and controlled by Scientology. This is especially true if the programmer has signed one of Scientology's infamous Billion Year Labor Contracts (literally the Intellectual Property Contract from HELL). And given the amount of money (>$300k+ per person) that Scientology charges for their services, any software they own the rights to is hardly going to be free software. For another thing, any organization that keeps it's own core beliefs (strange though they may be) as secret as Scientology does, is hardly going to be open about any source code they create.

In summation: Discordians create Open Source Software. Scientologists do not.

Ah, finally we hear the voice of the Cult of $cientology, as filtered through one of their loyal members. At least it's better than all the 'Natalie Portman' sporgery that's been going on.

Well, duh! The Catholic Church and the German State are, of course, quite innocent of such motives; the Inquisition and the NAZI (most regrettable) excesses didn't really happen.

Well, duh! yourself. Please remember that those happened years (at least 50) ago and aren't really relevant to the issue at hand. Then again, if your policy is "allways attack / never defend", I guess it's more important to you to hit back than to make your arguement relevant. If relevance is an issue, the Cult of $cientology has been busy much more recently with such things as Operation China Shop, Operation Orange Juice, Operation Funny Bone, Operation Freakout, Operation Snow White, the murder of Lisa McPherson (as well as many others), and far too many other acts of pure evil to mention here (but that you can find here). And while were on the subject of $cientology and the Nazi-ism (you brought it up), don't forget to look here.

At least the Scientologists put out a good product

Matter of opinion. I've used both Diskeeper and Norton Utilities. It's my opinion that Norton Utilities is a much better product. I think it's pretty clear where your opinion comes from.

waged their war for the planet by reason and by legal means

Haha. Yeah, right. 'Reason'? From the people who brought you Xenu (Galactic Overlord of Distinction). And 'legal'? It sure doesn't look that way from where I'm sitting. Once again, what about Operation Snow White etc.?

for the real betterment of humanity

I think these people would disagree. Too bad they can't in person because they're dead.

Every organization screws up from time to time.

Thank god the Cult of $cientology screws up from time to time. Think of the evil they could accomplish if they weren't so incompetent.

But Scientology's screw-ups have been strategic rather than morally flawed.

Um. No. Maybe by the Cult of $Scientology's own special definition of ethics, but not in the real world. Once again, look at Operation Snow White etc.

Whatever you may think of proprietary religion, it is certainly no worse than proprietary software

It is when it kills people. And no, we don't like proprietary software around here either. Choose your arguements more carefully in future.

Scientology is not a threat to democracy.

Not while the Cult of $cientology can use the tools of democracy to press it's own totalitarian agenda. Once they do get control, though, watch out! The Germans have special experience with totalitarianism, and they know it when they see it.

Although Scientology admits to a plan for world domination, so does a certain cabal of OS programmers

But when we say it, it's a joke. When the Cult of $cientology says it, they mean it. Personally, I'd much rather have Linus in charge if I had to choose. And judging from how it treats its own members I'd have to say the Cult of $cientology is my last choice.

"Battlefield Earth"? I loved it. So did my 12 yr old son.

Really? I thought it kind of sucked. Well, actually I though it really sucked. I would think the average 12 year old would have better taste. At 12 years old, I was reading (and enjoying) Heinlein.

Oh, and before you start branding me as some anti-religious bigot or pawn of the anti-$cientology movement, don't. I like most religions. Comparative theology is one of my hobbies. $cientology is just one of the many religions I've studied, and not even the most evil one at that. It's just currently on topic.

Ah, finally we hear the voice of the Cult of $cientology, as filtered through one of their loyal members. At least it's better than all the 'Natalie Portman' sporgery that's been going on.

Well, duh! The Catholic Church and the German State are, of course, quite innocent of such motives; the Inquisition and the NAZI (most regrettable) excesses didn't really happen.

Well, duh! yourself. Please remember that those happened years (at least 50) ago and aren't really relevant to the issue at hand. Then again, if your policy is "allways attack / never defend", I guess it's more important to you to hit back than to make your arguement relevant. If relevance is an issue, the Cult of $cientology has been busy much more recently with such things as Operation China Shop, Operation Orange Juice, Operation Funny Bone, Operation Freakout, Operation Snow White, the murder of Lisa McPherson (as well as many others), and far too many other acts of pure evil to mention here (but that you can find here). And while were on the subject of $cientology and the Nazi-ism (you brought it up), don't forget to look here.

At least the Scientologists put out a good product

Matter of opinion. I've used both Diskeeper and Norton Utilities. It's my opinion that Norton Utilities is a much better product. I think it's pretty clear where your opinion comes from.

waged their war for the planet by reason and by legal means

Haha. Yeah, right. 'Reason'? From the people who brought you Xenu (Galactic Overlord of Distinction). And 'legal'? It sure doesn't look that way from where I'm sitting. Once again, what about Operation Snow White etc.?

for the real betterment of humanity

I think these people would disagree. Too bad they can't in person because they're dead.

Every organization screws up from time to time.

Thank god the Cult of $cientology screws up from time to time. Think of the evil they could accomplish if they weren't so incompetent.

But Scientology's screw-ups have been strategic rather than morally flawed.

Um. No. Maybe by the Cult of $Scientology's own special definition of ethics, but not in the real world. Once again, look at Operation Snow White etc.

Whatever you may think of proprietary religion, it is certainly no worse than proprietary software

It is when it kills people. And no, we don't like proprietary software around here either. Choose your arguements more carefully in future.

Scientology is not a threat to democracy.

Not while the Cult of $cientology can use the tools of democracy to press it's own totalitarian agenda. Once they do get control, though, watch out! The Germans have special experience with totalitarianism, and they know it when they see it.

Although Scientology admits to a plan for world domination, so does a certain cabal of OS programmers

But when we say it, it's a joke. When the Cult of $cientology says it, they mean it. Personally, I'd much rather have Linus in charge if I had to choose. And judging from how it treats its own members I'd have to say the Cult of $cientology is my last choice.

"Battlefield Earth"? I loved it. So did my 12 yr old son.

Really? I thought it kind of sucked. Well, actually I though it really sucked. I would think the average 12 year old would have better taste. At 12 years old, I was reading (and enjoying) Heinlein.

Oh, and before you start branding me as some anti-religious bigot or pawn of the anti-$cientology movement, don't. I like most religions. Comparative theology is one of my hobbies. $cientology is just one of the many religions I've studied, and not even the most evil one at that. It's just currently on topic.

Ah, finally we hear the voice of the Cult of $cientology, as filtered through one of their loyal members. At least it's better than all the 'Natalie Portman' sporgery that's been going on.

Well, duh! The Catholic Church and the German State are, of course, quite innocent of such motives; the Inquisition and the NAZI (most regrettable) excesses didn't really happen.

Well, duh! yourself. Please remember that those happened years (at least 50) ago and aren't really relevant to the issue at hand. Then again, if your policy is "allways attack / never defend", I guess it's more important to you to hit back than to make your arguement relevant. If relevance is an issue, the Cult of $cientology has been busy much more recently with such things as Operation China Shop, Operation Orange Juice, Operation Funny Bone, Operation Freakout, Operation Snow White, the murder of Lisa McPherson (as well as many others), and far too many other acts of pure evil to mention here (but that you can find here). And while were on the subject of $cientology and the Nazi-ism (you brought it up), don't forget to look here.

At least the Scientologists put out a good product

Matter of opinion. I've used both Diskeeper and Norton Utilities. It's my opinion that Norton Utilities is a much better product. I think it's pretty clear where your opinion comes from.

waged their war for the planet by reason and by legal means

Haha. Yeah, right. 'Reason'? From the people who brought you Xenu (Galactic Overlord of Distinction). And 'legal'? It sure doesn't look that way from where I'm sitting. Once again, what about Operation Snow White etc.?

for the real betterment of humanity

I think these people would disagree. Too bad they can't in person because they're dead.

Every organization screws up from time to time.

Thank god the Cult of $cientology screws up from time to time. Think of the evil they could accomplish if they weren't so incompetent.

But Scientology's screw-ups have been strategic rather than morally flawed.

Um. No. Maybe by the Cult of $Scientology's own special definition of ethics, but not in the real world. Once again, look at Operation Snow White etc.

Whatever you may think of proprietary religion, it is certainly no worse than proprietary software

It is when it kills people. And no, we don't like proprietary software around here either. Choose your arguements more carefully in future.

Scientology is not a threat to democracy.

Not while the Cult of $cientology can use the tools of democracy to press it's own totalitarian agenda. Once they do get control, though, watch out! The Germans have special experience with totalitarianism, and they know it when they see it.

Although Scientology admits to a plan for world domination, so does a certain cabal of OS programmers

But when we say it, it's a joke. When the Cult of $cientology says it, they mean it. Personally, I'd much rather have Linus in charge if I had to choose. And judging from how it treats its own members I'd have to say the Cult of $cientology is my last choice.

"Battlefield Earth"? I loved it. So did my 12 yr old son.

Really? I thought it kind of sucked. Well, actually I though it really sucked. I would think the average 12 year old would have better taste. At 12 years old, I was reading (and enjoying) Heinlein.

Oh, and before you start branding me as some anti-religious bigot or pawn of the anti-$cientology movement, don't. I like most religions. Comparative theology is one of my hobbies. $cientology is just one of the many religions I've studied, and not even the most evil one at that. It's just currently on topic.

Ah, finally we hear the voice of the Cult of $cientology, as filtered through one of their loyal members. At least it's better than all the 'Natalie Portman' sporgery that's been going on.

Well, duh! The Catholic Church and the German State are, of course, quite innocent of such motives; the Inquisition and the NAZI (most regrettable) excesses didn't really happen.

Well, duh! yourself. Please remember that those happened years (at least 50) ago and aren't really relevant to the issue at hand. Then again, if your policy is "allways attack / never defend", I guess it's more important to you to hit back than to make your arguement relevant. If relevance is an issue, the Cult of $cientology has been busy much more recently with such things as Operation China Shop, Operation Orange Juice, Operation Funny Bone, Operation Freakout, Operation Snow White, the murder of Lisa McPherson (as well as many others), and far too many other acts of pure evil to mention here (but that you can find here). And while were on the subject of $cientology and the Nazi-ism (you brought it up), don't forget to look here.

At least the Scientologists put out a good product

Matter of opinion. I've used both Diskeeper and Norton Utilities. It's my opinion that Norton Utilities is a much better product. I think it's pretty clear where your opinion comes from.

waged their war for the planet by reason and by legal means

Haha. Yeah, right. 'Reason'? From the people who brought you Xenu (Galactic Overlord of Distinction). And 'legal'? It sure doesn't look that way from where I'm sitting. Once again, what about Operation Snow White etc.?

for the real betterment of humanity

I think these people would disagree. Too bad they can't in person because they're dead.

Every organization screws up from time to time.

Thank god the Cult of $cientology screws up from time to time. Think of the evil they could accomplish if they weren't so incompetent.

But Scientology's screw-ups have been strategic rather than morally flawed.

Um. No. Maybe by the Cult of $Scientology's own special definition of ethics, but not in the real world. Once again, look at Operation Snow White etc.

Whatever you may think of proprietary religion, it is certainly no worse than proprietary software

It is when it kills people. And no, we don't like proprietary software around here either. Choose your arguements more carefully in future.

Scientology is not a threat to democracy.

Not while the Cult of $cientology can use the tools of democracy to press it's own totalitarian agenda. Once they do get control, though, watch out! The Germans have special experience with totalitarianism, and they know it when they see it.

Although Scientology admits to a plan for world domination, so does a certain cabal of OS programmers

But when we say it, it's a joke. When the Cult of $cientology says it, they mean it. Personally, I'd much rather have Linus in charge if I had to choose. And judging from how it treats its own members I'd have to say the Cult of $cientology is my last choice.

"Battlefield Earth"? I loved it. So did my 12 yr old son.

Really? I thought it kind of sucked. Well, actually I though it really sucked. I would think the average 12 year old would have better taste. At 12 years old, I was reading (and enjoying) Heinlein.

Oh, and before you start branding me as some anti-religious bigot or pawn of the anti-$cientology movement, don't. I like most religions. Comparative theology is one of my hobbies. $cientology is just one of the many religions I've studied, and not even the most evil one at that. It's just currently on topic.

Ah, finally we hear the voice of the Cult of $cientology, as filtered through one of their loyal members. At least it's better than all the 'Natalie Portman' sporgery that's been going on.

Well, duh! The Catholic Church and the German State are, of course, quite innocent of such motives; the Inquisition and the NAZI (most regrettable) excesses didn't really happen.

Well, duh! yourself. Please remember that those happened years (at least 50) ago and aren't really relevant to the issue at hand. Then again, if your policy is "allways attack / never defend", I guess it's more important to you to hit back than to make your arguement relevant. If relevance is an issue, the Cult of $cientology has been busy much more recently with such things as Operation China Shop, Operation Orange Juice, Operation Funny Bone, Operation Freakout, Operation Snow White, the murder of Lisa McPherson (as well as many others), and far too many other acts of pure evil to mention here (but that you can find here). And while were on the subject of $cientology and the Nazi-ism (you brought it up), don't forget to look here.

At least the Scientologists put out a good product

Matter of opinion. I've used both Diskeeper and Norton Utilities. It's my opinion that Norton Utilities is a much better product. I think it's pretty clear where your opinion comes from.

waged their war for the planet by reason and by legal means

Haha. Yeah, right. 'Reason'? From the people who brought you Xenu (Galactic Overlord of Distinction). And 'legal'? It sure doesn't look that way from where I'm sitting. Once again, what about Operation Snow White etc.?

for the real betterment of humanity

I think these people would disagree. Too bad they can't in person because they're dead.

Every organization screws up from time to time.

Thank god the Cult of $cientology screws up from time to time. Think of the evil they could accomplish if they weren't so incompetent.

But Scientology's screw-ups have been strategic rather than morally flawed.

Um. No. Maybe by the Cult of $Scientology's own special definition of ethics, but not in the real world. Once again, look at Operation Snow White etc.

Whatever you may think of proprietary religion, it is certainly no worse than proprietary software

It is when it kills people. And no, we don't like proprietary software around here either. Choose your arguements more carefully in future.

Scientology is not a threat to democracy.

Not while the Cult of $cientology can use the tools of democracy to press it's own totalitarian agenda. Once they do get control, though, watch out! The Germans have special experience with totalitarianism, and they know it when they see it.

Although Scientology admits to a plan for world domination, so does a certain cabal of OS programmers

But when we say it, it's a joke. When the Cult of $cientology says it, they mean it. Personally, I'd much rather have Linus in charge if I had to choose. And judging from how it treats its own members I'd have to say the Cult of $cientology is my last choice.

"Battlefield Earth"? I loved it. So did my 12 yr old son.

Really? I thought it kind of sucked. Well, actually I though it really sucked. I would think the average 12 year old would have better taste. At 12 years old, I was reading (and enjoying) Heinlein.

Oh, and before you start branding me as some anti-religious bigot or pawn of the anti-$cientology movement, don't. I like most religions. Comparative theology is one of my hobbies. $cientology is just one of the many religions I've studied, and not even the most evil one at that. It's just currently on topic.

Ah, finally we hear the voice of the Cult of $cientology, as filtered through one of their loyal members. At least it's better than all the 'Natalie Portman' sporgery that's been going on.

Well, duh! The Catholic Church and the German State are, of course, quite innocent of such motives; the Inquisition and the NAZI (most regrettable) excesses didn't really happen.

Well, duh! yourself. Please remember that those happened years (at least 50) ago and aren't really relevant to the issue at hand. Then again, if your policy is "allways attack / never defend", I guess it's more important to you to hit back than to make your arguement relevant. If relevance is an issue, the Cult of $cientology has been busy much more recently with such things as Operation China Shop, Operation Orange Juice, Operation Funny Bone, Operation Freakout, Operation Snow White, the murder of Lisa McPherson (as well as many others), and far too many other acts of pure evil to mention here (but that you can find here). And while were on the subject of $cientology and the Nazi-ism (you brought it up), don't forget to look here.

At least the Scientologists put out a good product

Matter of opinion. I've used both Diskeeper and Norton Utilities. It's my opinion that Norton Utilities is a much better product. I think it's pretty clear where your opinion comes from.

waged their war for the planet by reason and by legal means

Haha. Yeah, right. 'Reason'? From the people who brought you Xenu (Galactic Overlord of Distinction). And 'legal'? It sure doesn't look that way from where I'm sitting. Once again, what about Operation Snow White etc.?

for the real betterment of humanity

I think these people would disagree. Too bad they can't in person because they're dead.

Every organization screws up from time to time.

Thank god the Cult of $cientology screws up from time to time. Think of the evil they could accomplish if they weren't so incompetent.

But Scientology's screw-ups have been strategic rather than morally flawed.

Um. No. Maybe by the Cult of $Scientology's own special definition of ethics, but not in the real world. Once again, look at Operation Snow White etc.

Whatever you may think of proprietary religion, it is certainly no worse than proprietary software

It is when it kills people. And no, we don't like proprietary software around here either. Choose your arguements more carefully in future.

Scientology is not a threat to democracy.

Not while the Cult of $cientology can use the tools of democracy to press it's own totalitarian agenda. Once they do get control, though, watch out! The Germans have special experience with totalitarianism, and they know it when they see it.

Although Scientology admits to a plan for world domination, so does a certain cabal of OS programmers

But when we say it, it's a joke. When the Cult of $cientology says it, they mean it. Personally, I'd much rather have Linus in charge if I had to choose. And judging from how it treats its own members I'd have to say the Cult of $cientology is my last choice.

"Battlefield Earth"? I loved it. So did my 12 yr old son.

Really? I thought it kind of sucked. Well, actually I though it really sucked. I would think the average 12 year old would have better taste. At 12 years old, I was reading (and enjoying) Heinlein.

Oh, and before you start branding me as some anti-religious bigot or pawn of the anti-$cientology movement, don't. I like most religions. Comparative theology is one of my hobbies. $cientology is just one of the many religions I've studied, and not even the most evil one at that. It's just currently on topic.

Ah, finally we hear the voice of the Cult of $cientology, as filtered through one of their loyal members. At least it's better than all the 'Natalie Portman' sporgery that's been going on.

Well, duh! The Catholic Church and the German State are, of course, quite innocent of such motives; the Inquisition and the NAZI (most regrettable) excesses didn't really happen.

Well, duh! yourself. Please remember that those happened years (at least 50) ago and aren't really relevant to the issue at hand. Then again, if your policy is "allways attack / never defend", I guess it's more important to you to hit back than to make your arguement relevant. If relevance is an issue, the Cult of $cientology has been busy much more recently with such things as Operation China Shop, Operation Orange Juice, Operation Funny Bone, Operation Freakout, Operation Snow White, the murder of Lisa McPherson (as well as many others), and far too many other acts of pure evil to mention here (but that you can find here). And while were on the subject of $cientology and the Nazi-ism (you brought it up), don't forget to look here.

At least the Scientologists put out a good product

Matter of opinion. I've used both Diskeeper and Norton Utilities. It's my opinion that Norton Utilities is a much better product. I think it's pretty clear where your opinion comes from.

waged their war for the planet by reason and by legal means

Haha. Yeah, right. 'Reason'? From the people who brought you Xenu (Galactic Overlord of Distinction). And 'legal'? It sure doesn't look that way from where I'm sitting. Once again, what about Operation Snow White etc.?

for the real betterment of humanity

I think these people would disagree. Too bad they can't in person because they're dead.

Every organization screws up from time to time.

Thank god the Cult of $cientology screws up from time to time. Think of the evil they could accomplish if they weren't so incompetent.

But Scientology's screw-ups have been strategic rather than morally flawed.

Um. No. Maybe by the Cult of $Scientology's own special definition of ethics, but not in the real world. Once again, look at Operation Snow White etc.

Whatever you may think of proprietary religion, it is certainly no worse than proprietary software

It is when it kills people. And no, we don't like proprietary software around here either. Choose your arguements more carefully in future.

Scientology is not a threat to democracy.

Not while the Cult of $cientology can use the tools of democracy to press it's own totalitarian agenda. Once they do get control, though, watch out! The Germans have special experience with totalitarianism, and they know it when they see it.

Although Scientology admits to a plan for world domination, so does a certain cabal of OS programmers

But when we say it, it's a joke. When the Cult of $cientology says it, they mean it. Personally, I'd much rather have Linus in charge if I had to choose. And judging from how it treats its own members I'd have to say the Cult of $cientology is my last choice.

"Battlefield Earth"? I loved it. So did my 12 yr old son.

Really? I thought it kind of sucked. Well, actually I though it really sucked. I would think the average 12 year old would have better taste. At 12 years old, I was reading (and enjoying) Heinlein.

Oh, and before you start branding me as some anti-religious bigot or pawn of the anti-$cientology movement, don't. I like most religions. Comparative theology is one of my hobbies. $cientology is just one of the many religions I've studied, and not even the most evil one at that. It's just currently on topic.

Ah, finally we hear the voice of the Cult of $cientology, as filtered through one of their loyal members. At least it's better than all the 'Natalie Portman' sporgery that's been going on.

Well, duh! The Catholic Church and the German State are, of course, quite innocent of such motives; the Inquisition and the NAZI (most regrettable) excesses didn't really happen.

Well, duh! yourself. Please remember that those happened years (at least 50) ago and aren't really relevant to the issue at hand. Then again, if your policy is "allways attack / never defend", I guess it's more important to you to hit back than to make your arguement relevant. If relevance is an issue, the Cult of $cientology has been busy much more recently with such things as Operation China Shop, Operation Orange Juice, Operation Funny Bone, Operation Freakout, Operation Snow White, the murder of Lisa McPherson (as well as many others), and far too many other acts of pure evil to mention here (but that you can find here). And while were on the subject of $cientology and the Nazi-ism (you brought it up), don't forget to look here.

At least the Scientologists put out a good product

Matter of opinion. I've used both Diskeeper and Norton Utilities. It's my opinion that Norton Utilities is a much better product. I think it's pretty clear where your opinion comes from.

waged their war for the planet by reason and by legal means

Haha. Yeah, right. 'Reason'? From the people who brought you Xenu (Galactic Overlord of Distinction). And 'legal'? It sure doesn't look that way from where I'm sitting. Once again, what about Operation Snow White etc.?

for the real betterment of humanity

I think these people would disagree. Too bad they can't in person because they're dead.

Every organization screws up from time to time.

Thank god the Cult of $cientology screws up from time to time. Think of the evil they could accomplish if they weren't so incompetent.

But Scientology's screw-ups have been strategic rather than morally flawed.

Um. No. Maybe by the Cult of $Scientology's own special definition of ethics, but not in the real world. Once again, look at Operation Snow White etc.

Whatever you may think of proprietary religion, it is certainly no worse than proprietary software

It is when it kills people. And no, we don't like proprietary software around here either. Choose your arguements more carefully in future.

Scientology is not a threat to democracy.

Not while the Cult of $cientology can use the tools of democracy to press it's own totalitarian agenda. Once they do get control, though, watch out! The Germans have special experience with totalitarianism, and they know it when they see it.

Although Scientology admits to a plan for world domination, so does a certain cabal of OS programmers

But when we say it, it's a joke. When the Cult of $cientology says it, they mean it. Personally, I'd much rather have Linus in charge if I had to choose. And judging from how it treats its own members I'd have to say the Cult of $cientology is my last choice.

"Battlefield Earth"? I loved it. So did my 12 yr old son.

Really? I thought it kind of sucked. Well, actually I though it really sucked. I would think the average 12 year old would have better taste. At 12 years old, I was reading (and enjoying) Heinlein.

Oh, and before you start branding me as some anti-religious bigot or pawn of the anti-$cientology movement, don't. I like most religions. Comparative theology is one of my hobbies. $cientology is just one of the many religions I've studied, and not even the most evil one at that. It's just currently on topic.

Ah, finally we hear the voice of the Cult of $cientology, as filtered through one of their loyal members. At least it's better than all the 'Natalie Portman' sporgery that's been going on.

Well, duh! The Catholic Church and the German State are, of course, quite innocent of such motives; the Inquisition and the NAZI (most regrettable) excesses didn't really happen.

Well, duh! yourself. Please remember that those happened years (at least 50) ago and aren't really relevant to the issue at hand. Then again, if your policy is "allways attack / never defend", I guess it's more important to you to hit back than to make your arguement relevant. If relevance is an issue, the Cult of $cientology has been busy much more recently with such things as Operation China Shop, Operation Orange Juice, Operation Funny Bone, Operation Freakout, Operation Snow White, the murder of Lisa McPherson (as well as many others), and far too many other acts of pure evil to mention here (but that you can find here). And while were on the subject of $cientology and the Nazi-ism (you brought it up), don't forget to look here.

At least the Scientologists put out a good product

Matter of opinion. I've used both Diskeeper and Norton Utilities. It's my opinion that Norton Utilities is a much better product. I think it's pretty clear where your opinion comes from.

waged their war for the planet by reason and by legal means

Haha. Yeah, right. 'Reason'? From the people who brought you Xenu (Galactic Overlord of Distinction). And 'legal'? It sure doesn't look that way from where I'm sitting. Once again, what about Operation Snow White etc.?

for the real betterment of humanity

I think these people would disagree. Too bad they can't in person because they're dead.

Every organization screws up from time to time.

Thank god the Cult of $cientology screws up from time to time. Think of the evil they could accomplish if they weren't so incompetent.

But Scientology's screw-ups have been strategic rather than morally flawed.

Um. No. Maybe by the Cult of $Scientology's own special definition of ethics, but not in the real world. Once again, look at Operation Snow White etc.

Whatever you may think of proprietary religion, it is certainly no worse than proprietary software

It is when it kills people. And no, we don't like proprietary software around here either. Choose your arguements more carefully in future.

Scientology is not a threat to democracy.

Not while the Cult of $cientology can use the tools of democracy to press it's own totalitarian agenda. Once they do get control, though, watch out! The Germans have special experience with totalitarianism, and they know it when they see it.

Although Scientology admits to a plan for world domination, so does a certain cabal of OS programmers

But when we say it, it's a joke. When the Cult of $cientology says it, they mean it. Personally, I'd much rather have Linus in charge if I had to choose. And judging from how it treats its own members I'd have to say the Cult of $cientology is my last choice.

"Battlefield Earth"? I loved it. So did my 12 yr old son.

Really? I thought it kind of sucked. Well, actually I though it really sucked. I would think the average 12 year old would have better taste. At 12 years old, I was reading (and enjoying) Heinlein.

Oh, and before you start branding me as some anti-religious bigot or pawn of the anti-$cientology movement, don't. I like most religions. Comparative theology is one of my hobbies. $cientology is just one of the many religions I've studied, and not even the most evil one at that. It's just currently on topic.

No, I don't think the Co$ would be stupid enough to try that one.

You might be surprised. Their past behavior tends to make one think they are stupid enough to try it. Check out Operation Foot Bullet for more info.