Slashdot Mirror
Internet Group Declares War on Scientology
Darkman, Walkin Dude writes "An internet group calling itself Anonymous has declared war on the Church of Scientology, in the form of an ominous posting to the YouTube site. 'In the statement, the group explained their goal as safeguarding the right to freedom of speech. "A spokesperson said that the group's goals include bringing an end to the financial exploitation of Church members and protecting the right to free speech, a right which they claim was consistently violated by the Church of Scientology in pursuit of its opponents." The press release also claimed that the Church of Scientology misused copyright and trademark law in order to remove criticism from websites including Digg and YouTube. The statement goes on to assert that the attacks from the group "will continue until the Church of Scientology reacts, at which point they will change strategy".' It should be noted that Slashdot users have had interactions with Scientology in the past as well."
The war on Scientology, led by the same people who said "Google Ron Paul"
Sweet! Where can I sign up?
Hopefully the RIAA will be next. Sure they seem to be shooting themselves in the foot a lot lately, but they still need to be wiped out.
Why, yes, I AM a Pagan Libertarian.
Cowards.
I had dealings with them about 10 years ago. I ended up paying GBP30 for a course just to get out of the hard sell and even though I never did the course the often phoned and wrote letters of about 5 years after.
See the Operation Clambake pages for more details to their activities. http://www.xenu.net/
Scientology and all its offshoot cults like The Landmark Forum are brainwashing users of people. Money money money.
There's no point in posting this story on Slashdot; Slashdot just caved last time Scientology told them to censor themselves, and there's no reason to believe that has changed.
And I tell them to shut the fuck up and get the fuck out of my face.
What if in like 50 years there weren't any more SPs? How cool would that be? Kids would be learning about them from textbooks as history.
Goddamned stupid petitioners.
4chan isn't mentioned in the Wikinews article at all. Wikinews, and every other outlet reporting this story, is a fucking joke.
Anonymous?? Moar liek 7chan...amirite?
It's a leather thing
duh. anonymous does not bother with such things; this is just a couple of guys who thought they could "stir up a hornets nest".
YHBT
YHL
HAND
Is this /b/tards attacking scientology? And on 1/24/2008 the powers of stupid collided. I hear they are legion. And mostly 13 years old.
Is this the same Anonymous that Joe Blow knows about thanks to Fox News? When asked to choose between a church and terrorists who want to blow up your van, which one do you think the public is going to go for?
I read the internet for the articles.
Tom Cruise declares war on the internet.
-
He's gotta do something until the mothership arrives...
From Wikinews: The "Message to Scientology" video was highlighted as the "YouTube Video of the Week" by The Michigan Daily. Commenting on the video, the piece states "if this video is any indication, it seems like the assailants mean business". Hehe. If that were a credible metric of "business", we'd have an emo President by now.
Taking on a group of international fraudsters and con artists with powerful friends could be considered brave or stupid. In this case I'm not sure which label applies.
Posted AC for obvious reasons.
The fact that a really rich person is "Number 2" in their association isn't very surprising. They invented a religion that doesn't make any sense whatsoever, called it a name that pisses me off when I just hear it, WTF is "scientology" supposed to mean, at least firefox' dictionary agrees that it isn't a word. There should be a fund that either buys scientology's bibles or whatever they call them and publish them anonymously on the internets (if they aren't floating around yet somewhere anyway). Or alternatively a fund that hires cannibals to eat their members for us, that would be great too.
At least we didn't break rules 1 and 2, oh wait...
i think they're going to become an heroes
Once again the hackers at eBaumsworld are causing problems on the Internet! I wish they'd stop trying to pretend to belong to other websites. Damn liars.
LRH's scam shows how easy it is to start a new religion that survives and gains passionate adherents after the death of its founders. Most people couldn't do it, but a few individuals have the kind of personality that can pull it off in the right social environment. In fact, we have enough recent historical data on cults that turn into competitive new religions (for example Mormonism and Baha'i, both founded in the 19th Century) that I don't think it's even all that mysterious how older religions like Christianity & Islam could have originated through normal social processes. (We don't have to postulate "supernatural" causes to explain their existence, in other words.)
...a group composed of members of several -chan sites (4chan, 7chan, 711chan), as well as several other related communities like YTMND and Ebaum's.
Really, this is a joke. Channers will raid/invade just about anything, and Scientology is just their latest target. This is the exact same group behind the 'hackers on steroids' thing that Fox News reported on. Any claims they have about righteousness are just a way to justify their 'lulz'.
Suck in the losers, invtroverts, and weak and tell them they can do better with their consulting methods and give the weak a free "audit". Shuck and jive the loser and convince him to continue, but of course then he has to pay big time.
You do realize that the people who are leading this war are the same people who consider trolling Slashdot a professional sport?
FTM's!! That sounds like something out of The Princess Bride.
Please forget i'm easily distracted and now and that scientology has been around forever and people are just starting to form "groups"
give me a break.
Why single out one specific 'religion'? I saw the Tom Cruise interview video last week - it really didn't seem all that fundamentally different from listening to an evangelical Christian. Different terms were used, but the mindset was mostly the same. Watch Jesus Camp if you haven't already. Not much difference between the main camp director's mindset and Tom Cruise's.
creation science book
IS case you want to know more about this group here is a report FOX did.
http://www.myfoxla.com/myfox/pages/ContentDetail?contentId=3894628
If only He knew, L. Ron Hubbard would be ashamed with what people are doing with his idea...
Especially when you consider its offshoot, the Landmark Forum (formerly "EST"). They are scary, for-profit cults that employ techniques like fatigue, hunger, group compulsion, and newspeak. You would be surprised how many people from all walks of life have gotten pulled into them.
I wish Anonymous well, but Scientologists and their cousins in the Landmark Forum are beyond reason. And fighting cults rarely works unless they're small and focused around a single charismatic leader. Both Scientology and Landmark are too big and widespread for that, and fighting them will probably only make them stronger.
Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.
misused copyright law in any way. They are using it in its true prearranged fashion. This is what copyright is for. This is the supreme, ne, the only reason for its existence. This is not an unintended effect. Please, try to see and think beyond the spin.
What?
To arms! Man your battlestations! We must fight! We must WIN!
Send luke to the dagobah system to retrieve Master Yoda.
:(){
Is it wrong that the story's title alone gave me wood? I mean really now, who doesn't want this 'church' to fall into darkness and die a miserable death? I pray for the souls of the poor people that have been hornswaggled by the 'church'. And not in anyway overly Judeo-Christian, just, you know - 'Dear Space Pope, help these lost morons come to their senses...seriously... Lord Xenu? What kind of evil overlord is that. Morgoth, Palpatine, and Voldemorte: those names have staying power, a little Tabasco in their shorts . Xenu sounds like a new brand of toilet scrubbers. Amen.'
Prediction: Slashdot will be sued by Scientology within 24 hours.
Funny that the Slashdot comment page (at time of writing, at +3) doesn't even mention 4chan. (Reminds me of Jay and Silent Bob. I am the Clit Commander!)
So, for whoever who has been living under a rock for the last N years:
http://www.encyclopediadramatica.com/B/
http://www.encyclopediadramatica.com/Anonymous
we discovered a new way to think.
LRH left this MEST world and went away for a while. Is he back yet?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L._Ron_Hubbard
Going on means going far
Going far means returning
Ned:"Heya Ed, watcha doin?"
Ed: "See that cave full of bears? I am pokin' em with a stick!"
Ned:"OMG Ed, that's crazy!"
Ed: "No worries! See I build a remote poking robot device that I am controlling via wires attached to this here laptop computer."
Ned:"Uh Ed?"
Ed: "Yeah?"
Ned:"Can't they just follow the wire to where you are hiding?"
Seven Days with Ubuntu Unity
"All Religions are Bad!"
now that Scientology knows they're going to go get dog curtains. DESU.
An organization wants to destroy a religion (i.e. preventing them from spreading their "faith") in the name of protecting free speech. Am I the only one seeing a problem with this logic?
I'm a fiscal conservative, it's a pity we don't have a political party anymore
Ron Hubbard - the founder of Scientology - has been quoted as saying that if you want to get rich, you start a religion. ( http://www.faqs.org/faqs/scientology/skeptic/start-a-religion-faq/ ) Well, that's what he did. You have to pay just to learn about it and the deeper you go, the more you spend. It's designed to dupe people into giving the Church of Scientology gobs of money. I truly feel sorry for anyone that's been sucked in by it. It's like believing that Star Wars is real (the movie, not the missile defense system...).
You are using English. Please learn the difference between loose and lose; they're, there, and their; your and you're.
Where, after all, is the media trail of his development? From the newspaper's perspective, Ron Paul is one big discontinuity.
Wikileaks, no DNS
If they're going to go an declare ware on scientology the might as well declare war on those stupid parody movies of other movies, and people famous for being famous.
EZReady
[This comment is no longer available due to a copyright claim by Church of Scientology International.]
Don't lead me into temptation... I can find it myself.
Ebaums World has been doing this since 1-18-08. Surprised that slashdot just now picked it up. I figured /. was scared after Scientolgy crammed the hot hard one up them the last time...
Sorry, but the Salvation Army is a Church.
It is a fundamental sect of Christianity, with an accesible set of teachings that are in line with many other fundamentalist Christians.
Just because most people don't know its a church, thinking it a charity organization, does not change that.
Note fundamentalist does not mean conservative, reactionary, or secretive (although those do apply to many fundamentalists)
Fundamentalists believe the Bible is the Revealed Word of God, thats it. Different fundamentalists pick different parts of the Bible to emphasise, which is why many of them are a little loopy.
The Salvation Army is NOT a uniformed army. The church hierarchy has modeled itself after a military organization, but they do NOT train for physical confrontation.
I am not a Salvation Army member (nor even actually a Christian), but I did marry one.
Granted, this e-hissy from Anonymous is unlikely to take down the cult or even deal it serious damage, but it does serve to highlight how the traditional big media outlets have been legally hogtied.
Our usual media sources can't report on allegations of abuse because they've been very effectively muzzled by CSI hyper-litigation. They try to keep this fact close to the vest, but Anonymous' efforts are making it plain for all to see. This is a valuable service.
Also, any organization that exploits copyright law in order to silence critics should get a kick in the shins, even if that's all it amounts to. It's still a potent message: "We don't condone gag orders, and we'll fight back however we can, even if it is a David versus Goliath situation."
Glib as it may sound, raising awareness is key here. And an end unto itself.
Yours,
Cheeseburger Brown
Suppressive and Proud
These stories are free but worth money.
Nihil curo de ista tua stulta superstitione
They asked me to take the "test" and I said "No thank you Meat Puppet! I'm not interested in a cult started by a sci-fi writer..." and kept walking.
Ask not what you can do for your country. Ask what your country did to you
for the Evangelicals! It's so obvious. They needed to make an extremely offensive and stupid religion to draw headlines away from Evangelical growth and power. What better name to offend science-minded intelligent people than Scientology? The use of most of the word "science" in the name is bound to offend everyone who knows Scientology is far from scientific.
Vital papers will demonstrate their vitality by moving to where you can't find them.
"In the statement, the group explained their goal as safeguarding the right to freedom of speech."
And they plan to accomplish this by suppressing the free speech that the Church of Scientology is entitled to?? How enlightened they are and what an embarrassment to people who REALLY fight for freedom.
Just because you don't agree with something, you don't have a right to suppress it. I hear sound bites all the time of Democrat politicians spouting this , but their actions are consistently in conflict with this message. Both parties are equally guilty of groupthink.
Suppressing Scientology is no different the the Chinese government suppressing and killing Christians. My guess is that this is a dry run and that Christianity is next on the list. Being an independent agnostic, I personally think there is no general difference between Scientology, Christianity, or Islam. I think it amusing how unabashedly anxious they are to suppress and/or conquer each other.
Funny an article about scientology on the anniversary of L Ron Hubbard's death.
"In its place we are putting non-copyrighted text: Links to websites about the church of Scientology, as well as links to how you can contact your congressman about the DMCA. Thanks a lot to Jamie for putting this together."
Sadly this little piece of Slashdot history appears not to be there any more...If to get about a million people to join all at once and then when the muckey mucks are not around you really mess up the place. I could see at a Scientology meeting you have 300 people 2/3 who are plants, when the rest want to do somethign evil like harass someone, you would then have 2/3rds stand up and say, HELL NO WE AINT GONNA BE ASSHOLES! You can join without paying just tell them that the other churches don't require you paty and demand that they let you into their churches because if you are dressed nicely I have yet to see a church kick you out if you go in, sit down and behave civily. Plus regular churches don't charge you for services, yes they pass around the collections plate but you don't have to put anything on it.
Basically, just kill their silly little cult with a nationwide flash mob of epic proportions.
Tsukasa: All I really want, is to be left alone...
The definition of a cult is quite simple. A cult hides it's core beliefs from it's members a religion does not.
---------
This space for rent. Call 1-800-SIGADVT to place your ad.
Let people practice whatever they want. But the public has the right to inform people of the pros and cons of any organization. I am not a fan of censoring views on stuff.
... lolcats around the world are rising against their Camera Wielding Overlords, demanding higher grade catnip at reasonable prices.
How can anyone take a bunch of young Interweb addicts who spend hours mashing their F5 key seriously? Not that I'm speaking from experience here, I'm just guessing that about that. Honestly.
I'd rather lose the van than be submitted to their recruiting practices.
War's all well and good, but if they destroy Applientology, who takes care of "Bob"?
I, for one, welcome our Anonymous overlords.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. By definition, a private institution, whether a church or business, cannot violate freedom of speech. A private institution can put any restrictions they want on an individual, but they do not have the ability to enforce it with law or force. They can make you sign a contract that limits or restricts what someone can say, but the person has to agree and sign. And the contract can only have civil penalties (being fired, fines, etc.) and not criminal ones. And an easy way to avoid this is to not sign the contract. But people really seem to think that they are entitled to have their cake and eat it, too.
So please, lets stop with the claims of someone's freedom of speech being violated. Sheesh.
I, for one, welcome our new Galatic 4chan overlords. /b/ is not his personal army.
I just hope Xenu remembers
The Co$ gives me one more compelling reason to use "$" in a mocking fashion!
I also like to think of $cientology as a good example that illustrates the origins of religions. Whether you're talking about Christianity or Star Trek, it's just another example of a charismatic individual using his fantastic imagination to come up with an utterly baseless and bizarre explanation for the way things are. And then convincing the masses that he somehow knows what he's talking about, and deserves their money and allegiance for sharing the knowledge with them. All it takes is to follow the money to see what the real game is.
I don't care how hard their sell was.
Either you can simply ignore them, or they're actually doing something illegal, and you can stop them.
I don't see why you felt the need to fund them.
Don't thank God, thank a doctor!
I remember Stone and Parker to declare war on Scientology a while back. And this groups name could be one used in South Park... Might they be behind this?
might as well declare war on ... and people famous for being famous
Well, we are Anonymous. That's pretty anti-famous there.
We are Anonymous, and we do not forgive.
We are void of human restraints, such as pity and mercy.
All those who break this pact will be eliminated without hesitation.
Those who perform reckless actions or wish to harm the Anonymous will be eliminated without hesitation.
Failure is not tolerated.
Enemies of the Anonymous include anyone who is not an Anonymous.
Our enemies are to be eliminated swiftly and without incident.
Anonymous must work as one. No Anonymous knows everything.
Betrayal of Anonymous is both impossible and unaccepted.
Manipulation of the weak and innocent is an Anonymous specialty. Once a victim is no longer commodious, they are to be eliminated.
REPRODUCE. REPRODUCE. REPRODUCE.
No man-made or natural occurrence can harm the Anonymous.
Under no circumstances are Anonymous human. We are above humans and mortality.
Anonymous are not to partake in meaningless tasks. Those who do are to be either reformed or eliminated.
We are legion, for we are many.
Anonymous is everywhere at all times.
All have the potential to be Anonymous until they choose not to.
Anonymous has no weakness or flaw.
Laws of Nature and Man cannot restrain the Anonymous.
Anonymous is one. Feuding and argument amongst the Anonymous is both impossible and unaccepted.
Anonymous is in control at all times.
Anonymous has no identity.
Anonymous cannot be contained by mere restraints.
Anonymous are all equal. No one is more or less important than Anonymous.
Anonymous must obey the Code. Those who do not are to be reformed or eliminated.
Anonymous worships nothing.
Anonymous cares for nothing but Anonymous. (Note: although part of the Code, Anonymous has occasionally disregarded this rule)
Humanity is the virus; Anonymous is the cure.
We are Anonymous, and we do not forgive.
Who ya gunna call?
The head of the Galactic Federation (76 planets around larger stars visible from here) (founded 95,000,000 years ago, very space opera) solved overpopulation (250 billion or so per planet, 178 billion on average) by mass implanting. He caused people to be brought to Teegeeack (Earth) and put an H-Bomb on the principal volcanos (Incident II) and then the Pacific area ones were taken in boxes to Hawaii and the Atlantic area ones to Las Palmas and there "packaged".
His name was Xenu. He used renegades. Various misleading data by means of circuits etc. was placed in the implants.
When through with his crime loyal officers (to the people) captured him after six years of battle and put him in an electronic mountain trap where he still is. "They" are gone. The place (Confederation) has since been a desert. The length and brutality of it all was such that this Confederation never recovered. The implant is calculated to kill (by pneumonia etc) anyone who attempts to solve it. This liability has been dispensed with by my tech development.
One can freewheel through the implant and die unless it is approached as precisely outlined. The "freewheel" (auto-running on and on) lasts too long, denies sleep etc and one dies. So be careful to do only Incidents I and II as given and not plow around and fail to complete one thetan at a time.
In December 1967 I knew someone had to take the plunge. I did and emerged very knocked out, but alive. Probably the only one ever to do so in 75,000,000 years. I have all the data now, but only that given here is needful.
One's body is a mass of individual thetans stuck to oneself or to the body.
One has to clean them off by running incident II and Incident I. It is a long job, requiring care, patience and good auditing. You are running beings. They respond like any preclear. Some large, some small.
Thetans believed they were one. This is the primary error. Good luck.
... now what? Is the next obvious step to make a facebook group about this? I think it would be about as effective.
for plants and idiots like this guy. Anything related to scientology here will bring them out in droves.
They are not trying to suppress Scientology.
They are trying to keep Scientology from suppressing critics.
BIG difference.
Can't we wage war on bigger, longer-lasting threats? You know, like Christianity. As far as I can see, Scientologists just want to blatantly make money off of stupid celebrities. There's nothing wrong with that. Hell, I've been thinking of starting a cult myself. It'd be great supplemental income. As far as "destroying" free speech goes, I think the government is the one to fight on that front, not the group taking advantage of it.
"He who can destroy a thing, controls a thing." --Paul Atreides, Dune
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/scientology/spam-team-faq/
Don't forget what the Religion of New Age Peace did to USENET.
First, Landmark doesn't sue people for exposing their "beliefs", if you must call them that. The courses act more like a BSD license -- the one thing you're not allowed to do is pretend you came up with it yourself, and start selling a course on the same stuff.
Second, "brainwashing"? Really? The Landmark Forum, in particular, is a weekend seminar. Yes, a seminar -- you go sit in a room with lots of people, and you learn. There's no sleep deprivation, no starvation, no torture, none of the other techniques that you'd need for it to qualify as "brainwashing".
Third, there actually aren't any beliefs. It's a set of tools, take 'em or leave 'em. And by "tools", I don't mean anything weird, like meditation techniques. I mean things like actually gaining an understanding that you don't know everything. (Pie chart. Tiny sliver: what you know that you know. Slightly larger sliver: what you know that you don't know. Rest of the pie (easily more than 75%): what you don't know that you don't know.)
The money part, I do have to disagree -- it's not all about money, or they'd be asking a hell of a lot more than they are. At the same time, they do a pretty hard sell at the end to get you to call everyone you know, and get them to sign up.
Don't thank God, thank a doctor!
Anonymous is not amused.
Just waiting to hear that someone has announced it is time to drink the Kool-aid.
On the (perhaps slightly off) topic of Scientology, why the hell does "Heath Ledger" translate to "Tom Cruise" for English->Spanish?
The question of whether a computer can think is no more interesting than the question of whether a submarine can swim.
For real. I was just talking about this with a friend the other day. For one example, check out the cover of Time magazine's issue of May 6, 1991.
Can you imagine a major national newsmagazine running this cover today?
Read my blog.
http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/460/1201116421097ig4.jpg
How do you stuff a rattlesnake in an email box?
The Salvation Army is actually a pretty mainstream protestant denomination with doctrine very similar to the Methodists. It was formed in the late 19th century when military-styled organizations and uniforms were not uncommon. There are also the Boy Scouts and LOTS of marching bands who wear uniforms. They even have salutes, stand at attention, march in step and fly flags. And the Salvation Army feeds people, rehabilitates drug addicts,and helps the battered and homeless. I may not "fall in step" (heh, couldn't resist) with their religious doctrine anymore, but I have a LOT of respect for they work they do.
I came across a set of 5 scientology(I won't give them the dignity of a capitalization) books which somebody left in a laundry room. I flipped the first one open and became horrified at how poorly the books were written. They were so insulting to my intelligence that I became stupid as I read them. I've seen 3 a.m. infomercials with better sales pitches. I ended up giving them to an ex as a joke while wondering why the hell the "secret teachings" were left for dead in a dorm laundry room.
FUCK SCIENTOLOGY.
Knowing the evil that is Scientology, I have only one question: What can I do to help?
Without further ado, I bring you Jonathan Coulton, playing "Tom Cruise Crazy" accompanied by Kristen Shirts on ukulele.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbNtYdxB64A
Here's the "studio" version:
http://www.jonathancoulton.com/2006/05/19/thing-a-week-33-tom-cruise-crazy/
I think this whole "Anonymous" thing is just some Marketing Bull Shit, developed and produced by the church of Shitentology, err I mean scientology. Until they bring us T. Cruz's head on a platter, I am not convinced. scientology can blow me!!!!!
Does anyone have a FAQ for removing the Hubbard rootkit trojan and botnet?
One line blog. I hear that they're called Twitters now.
make sure not to leave the other religions out!
He's dead, Jim.
mcgrew's razor: Never attribute to stupidity that which can be explained by greedy self-interest
You don't get rich writing science fiction. If you want to get rich, you start a religion. (1948)
THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN CONTROL PEOPLE IS TO LIE TO THEM. (1952)
Thanks to file sharing, I purchase more CDs
Thanks to the RIAA, I buy them used...
This is not to prevent distribution though. It is to protect the integrity of the work.
The scholars who do these translations don't want someone taking their hard work, changing a few words here or there, and putting it out under a new label.
Imagine "The New International CowboyNeal Bible" where Exodus 20 started out 1 And CowboyNeal spoke all these words:
2 "I am the LORD your God CowboyNeal, who brought you out of the pre-computer age, out of the land of slavery.
3 "You shall have no other gods before me. [based on the NIV - I claim fair use]
Knowledge is how to play a game, intelligence is how to win, wisdom is knowing what game to play.
Rules 1 and 2
EBAUM'S DID IT
Ironic, yet oxymoronic at the same time... Free speech gave the fiction writer the ok to go ahead and make the church... now the church wants to kill free speech.
Why hasn't Tom Cruise responded a-la Chris Crocker with a video called "Leave Xenu ALONE!"
The version of Scientology celebrities receive is way different (and far easier) than the version the "raw meat" (non-celebs) get. And even though the Scn. celebs are the biggest Public Relations tools Scientology has to bring the "raw meat" through the doors and get their butts in the seats for the "free personality tests," they keep the celebs far, far away from them.
Knowledge is power. Knowledge shared is power multiplied.
I don't know that hatred of a pyramid scheme is bigotry...
~S
I don't see how this is bad, they aren't attacking a religion, they are attacking a business. A business with a very bad reputation. Yes, it's harassment, and it won't amount to the Church of Scientology closing its doors. but it can stir up more public interest against the CoS, with all their secret documents exposed and such.
I can't see many better matchups than 4-chan vs. Scientology. If we could somehow throw the mafiaa into the mix, we might get lucky and have none of them emerge victorious...
Why pick on Scientologists, yet allow Mormonism or Wicca? This is either an all or nothing proposition to me. Ban all religions, or allow any religion. In America, I side with "allow any religion", even though I have none myself, because this makes our society great.
side note: I wonder if this could be considered a hate crime?
Yes! Defend our freedom of free-speech by attacking their freedom of enterprise! Let them exploit the stupid/weak/miserable/bored. Just don't give them tax-exempt status.
...if they're not a church then howcum they got tax-exempt status?
Wait, that's a very good question -why DO they have that?
The Bible itself and many of the older translations were written way before copyright was even invented. It is only certain modern translations that are copyrighted. And even then it's not like the people who own those copyrights sue anyone for daring to quote their translation on the internet.
When I read about the supposed upcoming downfall of beheamoths like the RIAA, MS or Scientology I can't help but feel like those poorly developed boss fights in some games in the 90s where it'd take what felt like hours to take it down. Don't expect any of those to go down any time soon especially when you consider these bosses have regenerative power (i.e. continues and diversified income streams to maintain their initiatives.) The contributions from the numerous Hollywood Scientologists alone would keep them going...
That's just my POV... no more, no less.
Has tendency to lock people up, either through social pressure or actual locked doors.
I understand and respect the perspective of people who don't find religion credible, but I find it very difficult to respect people who can't readily identify significant differences between social pressure and locked doors, or the Branch Davidians and the Baptists.
You might choose to believe all of it's coercive, but to miss the distinction between social pressure and force is to miss the distinction between a political party/idealogy and organized crime. And make no mistake, Scientology's machinations are much more like the later than the former.
This view is pithy and cute, and captures some degree of the truth that people are all too willing to apply pejoratives to unpopular things or groups they identify as external/other. But it's also functionally incorrect. The word cult is not merely a pejorative. There are real distinctions that can be made between "cult" and "religion", there are credible social scientists who make these distinctions not out of any desire to defend a particular faith but because the distinctions are useful to anyone genuinely studying the field.
Tweet, tweet.
The RIAA vs. the CoS! Titan vs. titan! Best matchup since Medusa looked at the Kracken!
SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
It's not even "Anonymous", they're trying to scare people into thinking that's a group. /b/ who are getting banned left and right.
/b/.
It's idiots in 4chan's
They're trying to blame it on other sites (like they always do, but the source is 4chan's
Ignore the lies, it's 4chan, and a few boards that spun off from 4chan when their entire userbase was banned for breaking the rules (BY DOING SHIT JUST LIKE THIS).
I respond to your sigs
He blows himself up, ascends to heaven, and there are 72 slashdot users having a celestial lan party, playing netcraft and flaming Microsoft.
FairTax baby!
There are still new religions/cults forging ahead, even in the 21st century. How about the deviation from Christianity called "The Purpose Driven Life"? Rick Warren, the lead pastor, has presented his philosophy to companies, professional sports teams, and over 20 million copies of his book have been sold worldwide. There are even reports of it being distributed with aid packages to third-world countries instead of the Bible. Would Christianity be let in the front door of many of these places? Doubtful.
--Chag
peruse, learn, and accept.
Yes. Scientology is a highly lulzy target, and Anonymous will not rest until their pool is closed.
Real Daleks don't climb stairs - they level the building.
This isn't ominous... It's Steven Hawkings taking his revenge. Just don't ask what the cult did to piss him off.
Where's the Kaboom?
There's supposed to be an Earth-shattering Kaboom.
I feel I should point out that ED is largely NSFW. I think the Anonymous article is OK, but fair warning.
It's better to vote for what you want and not get it than to vote for what you don't want and get it.
- E. Debs
Yes, absolutely Scientology leaders have been convicted in court. L. Ron's wife, among many other cult leaders, spent years in prison. Here's some more info:
Operation Snow White
Operation Freakout
- None can love freedom heartily, but good men; the rest love not freedom, but license. -- John Milton
Scientology and all its offshoot cults like The Landmark Forum are brainwashing users of people. Money money money.
How exactly does this warrant an Insightful moderation? What keen insights are we supposed to obtain from reading this sentence? How has this stimulated our thinking in new ways? The fact that this is given an Insightful mod and is currently at a score of 4 shows how horribly broken the moderation system here on slashdot really is.
I could see giving this an Informative moderation since there is a link to criticism of Landmark Education, although the sentence doesn't seem to really emphasize that this was the purpose. The "money money money" is a personal judgment made by the AC; personal judgments do not warrant Insightful moderations. If someone tells me "I like peanut butter", that's informative (assuming I gave a shit) but certainly not insightful.
But since the AC raised the topic of "money money money", let's think about this. Landmark Education has a program called the Self-Expression and Leadership Program (SELP). It costs $200 and runs for three months. They also feature the Introduction Leaders Program (ILP), a seven-month program that goes for $400. These cost about as much as a membership to a high-end gym. You would think that if Landmark was truly brainwashing people who take their courses, they ought to be able to get away with charging a hell of a lot more than that.
The problem with all the criticisms and exposes of Landmark that I see is that no honest attempt has been made to evaluate their programs in an unbiased format. The Skepdic's Dictionary entry on Landmark is pretty typical. The last paragraph lists the prices for the expensive courses but oddly seems to have forgotten to mention SELP and ILP. The write-up starts with "I have never attended a session of either est or Landmark but..." and then the author proceeds to write authoritatively about a topic he openly confesses he knows nothing about. It's not exactly hard to find a way to attend a Landmark session; these things are all over the friggin' place. The author cites a "Christian cult-watch group" as evidence that Landmark is bad, but neglects to mention a Harvard Business School study that had positive things to say about Landmark's management consulting arm.
If you don't like The Landmark Forum, that's fine. But a statement claiming that Landmark brainwashes people (BTW, the wikipedia entry on Brainwashing indicates that term and the theory are not supported by The American Psychological Association) to make money is just plain not deserving of an Insightful moderation.
GMD
watch this
I used to have a high level of respect for John Travolta and Tom Cruise. Then they joined the Cult of Scientology and became wack jobs. Worse is that they use their "Star Power" to sway more members to the cult movement.
Scientology could have a point. I mean it has just as much evidence and scientific backing as other wildly absurd, outdated theories. Like say, I don't know... Darwinism?
Darwin vs. Hubbard, hmmmmm.
At least Hubbard wrote science fiction. Oh wait, I forgot Darwin wrote The Origin of Man.
The R2-45 audit is an enormously effective procedure for externalizing someone's thetan.
- None can love freedom heartily, but good men; the rest love not freedom, but license. -- John Milton
2) be broken down to the point of exhaustion. Only take bathroom breaks when allowed. Be berated.
3) once you're remade in their image call all your friends and family up inviting them to your "graduation" (read: "sales pitch")
4) be told that this expensive weekend was only the beginning of your Enlightenment.
5) be sold on countless other expensive "courses" led by salespeople and marketers, not educators.
6) keep going or you're "not getting it" and "living stories"
1) Go to gym and hire personal trainer for a month
2) Be broken down to the point of exhaustion. Only eat foods that your trainer allows. Be berated by trainer when you don't give the workout your all.
3) Once you see some results and start to look a little like your fit trainer, show off your new body to friends and family and tell them about how much you've gotten out of your trainer.
4) Be told that this month was only the beginning of your odyssey to physical fitness.
5) Be sold on countless other fitness accessories by trainer (e.g., elastic bands, heart-rate monitor), who does not possess a Ph.D. in physiology.
6) Keep going to gym or you slip back to your old self.
GMD
P.S.: By the way, the "only take bathroom breaks when allowed" is not true; it's an urban myth. If you don't like Landmark, that's fine. But don't be spreading misinformation. You're depriving people of the opportunity to make a choice for themselves.
watch this
Microsoft Sam seems to be pretty pissed of by Scientology.
Why not just apply copyright as originally intended and only allow living, breathing individuals to hold copyrights? And start protecting the public interest again by putting works into the public domain where they belong when the author dies? Where do the immortal legal fictions of corporations get off thinking they are entitled to the rights of individuals (and more besides)?
This would take care of Scientology AND the RIAA and MPAA.
The City ought to revive the idea of charging fast-food restaurants for their garbage strewn all over the streets and apply it to those passing out the pink-paper "Are you bi-curious..." umm, I mean "Are you curious about yourself" tri-fold flyers. On any given day in Powell area, one can find locals and tourists just dropping the damned things once they realized what they've been proffered.
It's one thing to find chewing gum wrappers and fast-food containers and such on the streets, but ideas peddled and then rejected are a CLEAR sign that some one or some organization is going beyond free-speech guarantees. With TV, one can change channels or turn off the TV, and there is no immediate or sighted pollution. Even the ad sponsors can't (without digital connections) determine who is switching off their ads or just ignoring them and instead multi-tasking during commercial breaks or going to the bathroom between programs.
What that coarse-throat preacher and his megaphone gets up on his Powell Street pulpit condemning gays, heretics, non-Christians and so on, he's blabbing and making noise (apparently, he's within ordinance as SFPD never takes him down, since his Mr. Megaphone is not amplified via a generator or exceeding some decibel level, I guess...), he is making noise pollution, but at least one can walk away.
Flyers dropped or abandoned mean the message contained is simply not wanted. The content doesn't matter, unless it's pron, I guess, in which case we generally DON'T want the stuff face-up for kids and sensitive/easily-offended types to see. I guess I'm just sick and tired of seeing religious/belief paraphernalia on the street because its CONTENT is utterly rejected by 90% of those into whose hands it was stuck or taken out of sympathy for the pushers of it.
Previously: "Linux... Toward the Sunrise..." Now: "Linux... Toward the-- No, now, part of Every Sunrise"
From the video:
We are cognizant of the many who may decry our methods as parallel to the Church of Scientology. Those who espouse the obvious truth that your organization will use the actions of Anonymous as an example of the persecution of which you have for so long forewarned your followers. This is acceptable to Anonymous. In fact,it is encouraged.
Damn. Kind of wraps the Borg's "Resistance is Futile" and Bush Jr.'s "Bring It On" in an ominious, yet tidy little anti-scientology message doesn't it?
I've had a couple of friends who "converted" to scientology and they completely shun anyone and everyone they were ever associated with including their parents now. It's very sad to see how isolated and fearful they've become.
I for one hope that this isn't a hoax. I'd never participate in something like this, but when I think of what my friends used to be and what they are now - and how Scientology seems to be this insidious organization that has used and abused so many - I can't help but hope that Anonymous, if serious, will succeed.
Agreed, but have you have noticed that Mormons tend to be really nice people? I'm serious. It's like Romney -- no one can really find fault with him except to say his hair is too perfect, that he's just a successful businessman, or that he's Mormon.
:) But see, that's the thing. As a Mormon, I know lots of good Mormons who really, really shouldn't be president.
I'm a Mormon, and while I appreciate the kind generalization, I definitely find him lacking on a number of fronts, including his ability to say anything inspiring during faith-related discussion or respond coherently to attacks on that front. There's also the fact that his about-face on several issues seem so conveniently timed it seems likely he's being phony... plus there's his endorsement of (and being endorsed in return by) Ann Coulter, plus the "double guantanamo" statement he made that, and in general a willingness to engage in a kind of republican political rhetoric that was never really high to begin with but is really, really starting to show its wear. Then there's the point that we've already elected a single-term governor from a family dynasty with political connections who has experience in business and managing a sports franchise, and that didn't really didn't work out so well, now, did it? All in all, I'd have to be pretty desperate to vote for him.
He does seem like he's probably a good Mormon, though.
Mormons, at least in my experience, tend to be shiny happy people that don't really bother anyone. Even the ex-Mormons I've met seem to have few bad things to say and if they do, you can't help but notice there's a certain lingering nostalgia in their eyes. That's not to say their beliefs aren't loony, but if members of cults were as benign as the typical Mormon, I wonder if anyone would notice, or care.
There's two things that I think make Mormons like this. One is that the religion itself is seen very much by its members as a serious spiritual practice as much as anything else -- its cosmological aspects are tied up in that, and it has sociopolitical implications, but it's not a cosmology or sociopolitical blueprint first (there are times in its history when that has been less true, especially the first 60 years, but that's another point). My experience suggests to me that people who have a faith that they take seriously as a spiritual practice tend to also be as you describe -- nice, happy shiny people. This isn't to say I don't think Mormonism has anything particular to distinguish itself, but I think this is the most important element. Having a serious spiritual practice of some kind is grounding and can inspire a real tranquility knowing you have a strong idea about your place in the world and working to play that part as well as you can. Combine it with basic rules of common decency and you get good people.
The other thing -- Mormons have long been different enough (and indeed, for some portion of their history, genuinely persecuted and hated) that they really, really want to be accepted and legitimized by mainstream society. There's also a religious desire to be a "light of the world", "city on a hill" (Matthew 5:14-16) in their communities. It adds up to a desire to excel and succeed that's probably a tad beyond the protestant work ethic, and I think when that combines with the basic decency and spiritual grounding, it does produce people that are respected in their communities.
This is, however, a generalization, and as an insider, I see this community of mine as far from perfect. In particular, I've seen a lot of that desire to be legitimized and excel turn to elitism, materialism, and a misplaced sense of destiny that can border on a naive entitlement (interesting considering there are specific and serious warnings about this hazard in Mormon canon). And the collapsed quasi-Mormon cosmology that passes for political philosophy in staunch Republican Utah can be really, seriously crazy. I say all this partly to acknowledge it's not all shiny happy people
Tweet, tweet.
Oh... my... god...
You sound exactly like every single other Landmark cultist I've met. Someone voices their opinion about Landmark and you people rant on for (paragraphs/hours on the phone or in person) about how Landmark is not a cult and how great it really is.
You are the one running the racket. You can't think clearly enough to see that you've been brainwashed by a cult. I pity you.
Enjoy your Kool-Aid.
Warren's philosophy seems to buck the Buddhism trend in the West.
Slashdot was my last refuge from The Game! Now I'm gonna lose all the damn time because of you jokers!! Thanks.
Here are some great Cult clues:
> Do they want to separate you from your friends and family?
Islam says don't be friends with unbelievers!
>Do they harass?
That is an UNDERSTATEMENT. Look at the attacks of September 11, 2001!
> Do they use 'deprivation' techniques ion recruits and/or memebers?
Deprivation of anything "un-Islamic"
> Is it personality based?
Yeah, it is all based on the warped thinkings of that child molesting (*) terrorist Mohammed!
A cult of personality indeed.
(*) Aisha was NINE YEARS OLD! PERVERT!
> Do they punish people for questioning doctrine?
If by punishing you mean beheading, then yes.
> Do they dictate diet or eating schedule?
No pork, no food during the day for a whole month.
> Do they believe they are above the law?
Worse, they seek to BE THE LAW and have BECOME THE LAW in many countries. Try saying something un-Islamic in Saudi Arabia. (a "moderate", "friendly", Islamic country).
> Do they believe they are a cure all?
Allah will make everything right, at worst, you'll get 72 virgins for eternity.
> Do they cost money or goods?
Give your money to Allah!
> Do the 'sequester' people?
Not befriending others, having to spend lots of time in temples, the madrassas in pre-war Afghanistan, etc.
Yup, a CULT indeed!
The money-making portion of every religion seems almost the same.. except for the distribution methods each uses. It seems a bit like selling drugs.. Scientology brings a stash, shows you the goodies and asks for a ridiculous sum of money to get your hands on it.. Christianity on the other hand will distribute free books, dvd's etc. a.k.a 'A free hit' initially then surreptitiously slip in the message .. 'You like what you had, did you? well here's how you can get more.. Jesus camps, creation museums, church donations..'
Tell that to the people building the Jedi Church.
I have but one thing to say about Scientology
.Off the Time Track,. lecture of June 1952, excerpted in JOURNAL OF SCIENTOLOGY, issue 18-G, reprinted in TECHNICAL VOLUMES OF DIANETICS & SCIENTOLOGY, vol. 1, p. 418.
"The only way you can control people is to lie to them."
-L. Ron Hubbard,
"Teach a man to build a fire, and he's warm for a day. Set a man on fire and he's warm for the rest of his life."
That these threads would make a brilliant XKCD?
Seven Days with Ubuntu Unity
...epic LuLz involved?
Besides, a lot of existing memes are getting past their freshness date.
That's a check.
Be relentless!
http://www.mediafire.com/?fzdznvbnlwu
Read and laugh away. You can't seriously get any bat-shit loonier than this, folks, unless you're a member of the Phelps clan.
Still waiting on Serviscope_minor to wake up to fucking reality and realize that Jessica Price isn't going to fuck him.
You don't have to respect the CoS - or any other religion. But going out of your way to attack it is just wrong.
I meant Nethack... In Family Guy they are playing WOW and I guess the "-craft" superimposed itself on my thoughts. Funny stuff though.
FairTax baby!
yes, a large group of organized intellectually and emotionally subpar humans can outcompete, hunt down and destroy clear thinking mentally strong independent people
this is the history of all religion
dismissing something intellectually does not make it vanish in real life
it is a potent threat to your freedom. all organized religion is
the group is stronger than the individual. no matter how strong the individual and his ideas, no matter how feeble and dysfunctional and idiotic the ideas and the members of the group
learn and understand this unfortunate aspect of reality
intellectual property law is philosophically incoherent. it is your moral duty to ignore it or sabotage it
To them, perhaps.
But I act according to me, not according to them.
Moral differences can and should lead to conflicts - you should fight for your morals, not others'.
IMMA CHARGIN MAH LAZER!
I kiiinda like Obama and realize the "he's a muslim" chain emails are very dishonest, but I don't really think there's anything wrong with being a Muslim so long as you don't think Jihad=kill those you disagree with. I do not appreciate my truthful comments being lumped in with that sort of obvious smear, and you kinda owe me an apology for suggesting my claims are on that level.
But let's permit Ron Paul to explain his views on Obama, who we all can see is clearly a BLACK PERSON.
"[O]ur country is being destroyed by a group of actual and potential terrorists--and they can be identified by the color of their skin."
"I think we can safely assume that 95% of the black males in that city [Washington, D.C.] are semi-criminal or entirely criminal."
"We are constantly told that it is evil to be afraid of black men, but it is hardly irrational."
Chief, I understand your skepticism. After all, I accused a man of accepting donations from neo-nazis. That's so horrible it's tough to believe. Anyone who would accept support from nazis is totally unfit for anything good. I can't believe I almost forgot a link, since apparently this is first you've heard of it: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/12/19/paul-to-keep-donation-from-white-supremacist/
And I also accuse Ron of writing racist hate-speech, and lying about it. That's pretty damn extreme, as far as accusations go. Anyone who wrote the things I refer to is a monster, and any of Ron's supporters who would actually attempt to hide the truth, as this fucker does: http://revolusion2008.blogspot.com/2008/01/conscience-of-ron-paul-supporter.html, is also a monster. Worse than most Scientologists, possibly. And anyone who knows about Lisa McPhereson knows that Scientologists are monsters too.
I'm a bit surprised that a slashdot reader is unaware of these well-worn, practically old facts. I don't watch TV news often or listen to talk radio, so maybe this stuff isn't as well known out there as it should be. I feel as though a demand to prove what is as obvious about Ron is akin to demanding proof of the moon landing or 9/11 being caused by terrorists. I don't think every assertion that slams a monster like Ron Paul must have citations. I'm just having a conversation, not building an indictment.
http://pajamasmedia.com/2008/01/ron_paul.php this is one expose that was pretty well written. The author was actually a fairly outspoken Ron Paul supporter. Gave him money, helped organize efforts, etc. But unlike some, this supporter stopped supporting Ron Paul when it became obvious Ron Paul is a monster. This is not someone who is biased against Ron Paul, this is someone who was biased in FAVOR of Ron Paul's presidential promises.
Some actually say Ron didn't write that stuff. But Ron's bank account paid for the publishing, and Ron signed the checks. Could a normal sane person pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to print racist stuff signed in the sane person's name? Also, why don't you actually read the newsletter: http://www.littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/pdf/RonPaul-december1990.pdf
The author of the hate literature seems to believe he is married to Ron Paul's wife and grandparent to Ron Paul's grandkids and represents Texas's 14th congressional district (Paul's district). That's not hard to explain, because Ron Paul is the author of this newsletter and all the others that say:
"The riots, burning, looting, and murders are only a continuation of 30 years of racial politics."
"The criminals who terrorize our cities--in riots and on every non-riot day--are not exclusively young black males, but they largely are. As children, they are trained
ebaumsworld strikes again!
it's your friend. Actually, you could have gone straight to Wiki... (tsk, tsk, I'm thinking some people actually consider you "internet savvy")
HAHA... and then I remember a few years back when the Salvation Army was staying at the same hotel which DragonCon was being held at in Atlanta.
Any group which can pretty much peacefully co-exist with the geekdom and counter-culture that is a huge mega convention is alright in my book.
(And I've heard numerous stories post-con of the Salvo people showing up in the hotel bars after-hours.... or even a few at room-parties)
No free press, no free speech, no street trash. However, discarded tracts seem like a small price to pay.
damaged by dogma
This is the greatest slashdot comment ever. As one law student sitting in class talking to another, allow me to say, "Good job."
IAALS.
Unless they put a smiley face at the end... regardless how crazy things are they are indistinguishable from real beliefs.
I have actually overheard Scientologists talking about some specific thetans bothering them. I think they are on the level... which means I suppose that they are off their rockers.
It is no longer uncommon to be uncommon.
but ideas peddled and then rejected are a CLEAR sign that some one or some organization is going beyond free-speech guarantees.
No such thing. Free speech is free speech. Saying that going 'beyond' is placing a limit on it somewhere. Once a limit is in place, it's trivial to adjust it. I'd rather have someone yelling at me with a microphone and be annoyed then someone whispering quietly to me and remaining ignorant.
-- MrMud
Ahh, yes. I remember a convention with the American Association of the Blind. The con-goers had no adventure as embarassing and talked about as the blind fellow in the hotel dining room, berating his dog for dumping an exquisitely large, sticky and odorous bundle of Republican fiscal policy on the carpet.
I guess what I'm getting at is that peddlers of pamphlets and flyers (ESPECIALLY of dogma, religion, etc.) should be required to have a "permit to distribute" or a "peddler's permit". Most cities require them, and many WILL enforce. But, SF sometimes is too damned liberal. I see the SAME people peddling these things, and I politely wave "no" to them, but I am sick of seeing their refuse lying on the ground.
The City should utilize some of those Powell-beat cops to tag these guy and fine them on the spot. And, any stuff of theirs collected should be sent to the Mayor's office until they become so sick of it they begin to enforce the law. I suppose that means the Downtown and Tendergroin street cleaning teams will have less to clean up, but if SF makes a big ol deal about people using street refuse bins to toss home-originated garbage, then the City can also crack down on these recruiters and anyone else peddling garbage-generating papers. It's not like they're offering "Street Sheet" in exchange for a buck (a program for homeless). These are religious types looking to recruit, convert or otherwise dupe people with movie-ticket-like cards. These, too, are another affront I see, littering the streets.
I do find fault with the litterbugs, but often they accept this paraphernalia out of politeness and then dump it in indignation that some Hubbard or Cruise or other outfit is handing these things out on a daily, factory-like basis. These are not just tourists, but locals.
SF had some plan (which seems to have died quietly) to go after DJs and promotional companies and clubs and bars because they would attach to cars all manner of and multiples of flyers, cards, strips and such and the vehicle owners either on the first or on subsequent visits to the area (or, they live there and were presumed to be a club-goer) get sick of it and just DUMP it to the ground.
To me, affixing ANY paper other than citations or kind "please don't block my driveway or you'll be towed next time" signs is a form of littering. SF WAS going to crack down, but there was a HUGE uproar by local businesses and things seemed to quiet down. Flyers still go onto cars, but maybe now SF just resorts to extra cleanup via use of the jobless in work programs.
Hell, it's not as if cracking down on Scientology or the like is the same as blaspheming the Pope. (The HS (Holy See) has at his command a private police force and I wouldn't be surprised if a few assassins or Popejas (ninjas....) work there too. Anyone know if there are "enforcers" for Scientology/et al?)
Previously: "Linux... Toward the Sunrise..." Now: "Linux... Toward the-- No, now, part of Every Sunrise"
The quick, easy and dirty guide to cults:
---
They actually brainwash people you know! Not just intimidate them and the likes! - Basically it comes down to asking lots of questions one by one too fast for the opponent to answer! The person on the reiceiving end can only reply to some of the questions, after a while, the brain's buffer of 'unanswered questions' overflows and the bit that conducts proper reasoning shuts down, (a bit like hypnotizing people but without their consent) hence many unsuspecting people can be 'sucked in' without even being concious of it! The best thing you can do if you are approached by a dangerous cult is not to panic, since their method of forced preaching only works when the brain becomes overly-stressed beyond its limits, thus their use of 'scare-tactics'! Second best thing is not to try and bother converting them or arguing. Third thing is, ask them lots of questions back - maybe even practise your monologue if you get the chance - to beat them at their own game! Bear in mind they come back!
If you're forced to answer for some reason, quote something they can't argue with, such as the bible, as there's no way they're ever gonna get rid of that by law enforcement!
PS: They actually prey on the argumentative types, as they're more likely to succomb to their arguments! Also, these sorts of people are more useful later when involved in 'converting people' themselves! Therefore it is an endless cycle!
When you get totally stuck, it might be time to get out that electrocuting doorbell! (the one with the note and 'legalizing' danger sign clearly printed on it that says not to press it at risk of death!) Hehehehe...
Out of interest:
---
My older brother was approached by some Scientologists, he eventually won the argument, but complained of feeling 'completely washed out' at the end!
Anything that conflicts with my religion is flawed in my view, unless more convincing, which is certainly not the case with Scientologists!
Legal:
---
I'm not intending the information contained in this text to be used for any other purpose than for the interest of the readers of slashdot, I accept no responsibilty for any other usage of this text, or procedures contained herein. Any information provided is my own opinion and original research. I have no previous experience as a pshycologist, hypnotist, or any other form of mental therapist or analyst, and as such, any information provided herein is subject to interpretation and the reader's own personal judgement, and may not necessarilly be correct.
Way back what seems like many years ago now I contacted the webmaster and designer of Urban 75 to inform him that the Scientologists had ripped off his design. I actually first thought that he must be working for them but had to ask him just in case.
Check out these stories from that debacle...
http://www.urban75.com/rip_off.html
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2001/01/22/scientologist_web_site_rips_off/
I hope that this case can be used to one day prove the ridiculous double standard the cult seems to promote.
First scary Tom Cruise revealing how damaged he has become from his involvement in the cult of Scientology.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2l6a8rvn1Ig&feature=related
Then funny Jerry O'Connell spoofing Tom:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6s9OzSSeeo
Oh, yeah then there is Darth Vader, Sithentologist. Ultra funny.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GanPoPcyjLI
This was the last time Tom is on Oprah. Really funny. Gut splitting really.
http://www.lulu.tv/?p=52
Finally there is the making of war by the spooky Anonymous who has declared war against the cult of
Scientology. A video manifesto of sorts. Oh, this was already linked. Well, it's here just for completeness.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCbKv9yiLiQ
... but have you have noticed that Mormons tend to be really nice people? ... unless you try to leave, then they treat you like you are the greatest evil on earth. Another hallmark of the *commonly* defined "cult".Hail Xenu!
Please don't sue.
It is no longer uncommon to be uncommon.
Within the Church of Scientology, you are taught that Scientology is the one and only solution to all mankind's problems, and during this narrow window of opportunity in mankind's history it is possible to "clear the planet" (ie give everybody auditing) and save humanity from itself. Most other goals pale in comparison and anything that detracts from Scientology, or its expansion is in essence a mortal sin against humanity. This belief is strong enough to get people sign up the Sea Organization (LRH's private navy) on a billion year contract (ie you are in for the long haul... and not just this lifetime)
Anyone who attacks the church is either a suppressive person (2.5% of the population who are evil - think Hitler), PTS due to a connection to an SP (Potential Trouble Source - 20% of the population), or has committed various other overts and withholds (ie sins and secrets) and it trying to justify their own actions by making the Scientology seem less (because if you admitted to yourself that Scientology was the "one and only solution" then your otherwise small crime would have to weigh fairly heavily on your conscience). Anyone who commits various sins and suppressive acts, will be subconsciously aware of this, and slowly do themselves in (ie get sick, have an accident) to prevent themselves from committing more crimes.
It is also taught that if someone encounters the OT3 materials before being ready for them, then as part of the psychological conditioning to create "prison-planet" earth, the person may get sick and die and this is the reason it is considered "confidential" and heavily protected, and only available to members of the church past a certain level. In the south park episode "trapped in the closet", they did a cartoon version of the OT3 materials labeled "This Is what Scientologists Actually Believe", if Matt and Trey has been members of the church, they would have been ex-communicated very quickly. The church would have almost definitely told Issac Hayes to "dissconnect" from them or otherwise become ineligible for any future Scientology services or auditing.
This "truth" or "reality tunnel" is slowly conditioned into you until you internalise it. There is a huge taboo against reading or discussing anything potentially negative or "entheta" against Scientology or the church, often the taboo will extend down to the point that you feel it is wrong to "think" about potentially negative things regarding Scientology. To do so would potentially detract from Scientology and is thus a mortal sin against humanity, or you might wind up making yourself sick. I know this, because I was brought up within the church, and through the process of leaving the church and the Scientology "reality tunnel", it took me around two years to fully confront this internal taboo to the point I could openly think and speak on the subject.
Part of the process for getting people into this state of mind, is that during Scientology auditing, if you have any undisclosed overts or withholds, or you have your attention stuck on something, the e-meter will pick up on this (that you have your attention stuck on something after you where asked a question - its the same principal behind the polygraph), Thus the auditor will be trained to uncover these issues, by continually asking questions on the subject, with the help of the e-meter, which may include turning part of the auditing session into a confessional. Auditing is essentially about being completely open and honest with yourself and your mind, and fully confronting (with the help of the auditor) any issues that where previously painful or unconscious about (this is actually the good bit about Scientology). Having out-ethics or keeping secrets is considered to be a barrier to your own spiritual growth.
SouthPark spoofs on Jews, Catholics, LDS, Islam, atheists, Scientologists, and everybody else. Guess which one group gets all pissy about it?
What other religion, or even cult, has led a massive, organized, campaign against a website that is critical to them?
Not only does Scientology try to sell their teachings, Scientoloy gets all pissy about outside who reveal their teachings.
CoS teachings may not be any crazier than the teachings of any other religion, but CoS is sure touchy about discussion of their beliefs.
cult (n): A small, unpopular religion.
religion (n): a large, popular cult.
Not true. A cult has many other characteristics.
Here is a checklist:
http://www.csj.org/infoserv_cult101/checklis.htm
A few examples of characteristics associated with cultic groups:
* Subservience to the leader or group requires members to cut ties with family and friends, and radically alter the personal goals and activities they had before joining the group.
* The group is preoccupied with bringing in new members.
* Members are expected to devote inordinate amounts of time to the group and group-related activities.
* Members are encouraged or required to live and/or socialize only with other group members.
* The most loyal members (the "true believers") feel there can be no life outside the context of the group. They believe there is no other way to be, and often fear reprisals to themselves or others if they leave (or even consider leaving) the group.
Can you honestly tell me that every large, established, religion require all that?
Smilentology is funny.
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/041c85aa17
True. My undergrad studies at a leading broadcasting college included a documentary research class. The professor was very specific that we could and should write about anything and not be afraid to tell the truth...with one exception:
Do not write about Scientology. It is dangerous to do so. Journalists have disappeared, etc.
It scared me a little and I had no idea at the time what Scientology was, but I knew it should be avoided. Both in everyday life and as a subject of criticism.
1. The e-meter thing on eBay (which I'm assuming was on the US server through the .com): why not list them on the .co.uk servers in a location within the UK? That would get around the DMCA (as that does NOT APPLY HERE!)
2. I agree with a post I saw as I was skimming. The CoS is EITHER a CHURCH, or it is a BUSINESS. If it is a church, then the content of its writings should be held in the PUBLIC DOMAIN as those of other recognised religions such as Catholicism, Christianity, Islam, etc., and therefore is NOT protected by copright, copyright extensions or the DMCA as other literature such as the works of Rowling. If it is a business, then its writings are protected by copyright and it may openly sell them for cashprofit and charge whatever exhorbitant fees it chooses for membership. IT MAY NOT, however, PRETEND TO BE A CHURCH. ALSO, it loses NPO status and becomes liable for corporate level taxation with due taxes backdated to the commencement of business operations (ie whenever Hubbard had the bright idea and set the wheels in motion).
Operation Guillotine is in effect.
It would have been more effective had the voice been GladOS.
this has been going on for some weeks now if i'm not mistaken. the irony is 4chan kinda knows they can get really fucked over this - pretty much no matter how much damage they do to the scientologists, their website has a reputation for being a haven for kiddy porn fanatics (even though there are rules against it). 4chan could get taken down if they're not careful, they even pretty much suspected that scientologists were already on there pasting CP to get them busted
"Especially when you consider its offshoot, the Landmark Forum"
:-)
I know this is slashdot, but I have to counter this misinformation
Landmark Education is completely distinct from $ci£ntology (yes, CoS is not just American unfortunately).
Landmark is an offshot of EST, which was created by Werner Erhard http://www.wernererhard.com/ - some aspects of EST were weird, but then that was back in the early 70's when everything was weird! LF is just a bunch of people in a room talking. It takes the form of a 3 or 4-day intensive "bootcamp" type experience so can be tiring and very direct - but then direct, no-nonsense communication is part of the training. The history and detail of Landmark Education are freely available - e.g. http://www.landmarkeducation.com/display_content.jsp?top=26&mid=654&bottom=665 - and no-one from Landmark will harass me for making this post. Neither of those can be said of COS.
Yes I've done the Landmark Forum, and trained to be a coach. It's a very cathartic experience and, for the first few months at least, you come out very evangelical (which is why some people think it's "weird") but after a while you calm down and realise it's just training in communication and how to deal with the "Slings and Arrows" of life. I'd recommend it for anyone who wonders why the same old problems keep cropping up in their life.
On the other hand, the key marker of CoS is that it's *anti* communication! Everything is secret, and you get severely harassed for talking about it. *That's* the key difference and description of a (paranoid) cult. Also the higher levels of CoS belief are *out* of this world rather than in it. E.g. the Thetan machine (or whatever it's caused) is just a glorified stress detector (based on skin resistance etc.) but you try saying that around a CoS high-priest!
And so on and so on. CoS is a self-exploitation evil that needs to be blown wide open.
That us Anonymous Cowards banded together against Scientology.
Interesting post--I don't know why it only has +3. Ah well.
Free speech is free speech when it is a spoken 'opinion', however, free speech ain't free with it is the false statement of facts used to obtain money. That is generally considered as fraud and has some rather substantial costs associated with it, so not always free ;).
Chaos - everything, everywhere, everywhen
You seem to be forgetting the Inquisition. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inquisition Not that I'm defending CoS.
A forum I am a member of organised a plane to fly past the premiere of Mission Impossible 3 towing a sign saying "Hail Xenu". The plane never came... "Due to bad conditions" and it has long been believed that the Church had pressured the company into not participating. Scary.
Religions in general are causing problems in this world. Most new movements are a concern to me. Scientology and Mormons seem to have constantly shifting and contradictory views (i.e. anti-black one year to accepting blacks the next year), which is crooked. From what I know about Bahai philosophy, Bahais seem to be the only new movement that has integrity and their people all seem rational and trying to do some genuine good.
How does a group call itself "Anonymous" ?
Any religion which demonstrates a lack of respect for the ideas of those who do not believe deserve to be treated with the same lack of respect ad infinitum until war breaks loose and everyone dies.
And it's no different from any religion of this culture. There is one way to salvation. Belief, knowledge, or auditing or wevertf; it's all the same.
I'm tired.
That's an excellent, accurate description of the CoS and a good example of why they should be considered a cult - it should go much further than just appear as a slashdot comment.
While I'm pretty much agnostic or even an atheist myself, and consider all religions silly, scientology is quite a bit more evil than most. While there are many cults based on other religions (which control the lives of their members pretty much exactly like scientology does), they're generally fairly small compared to the mainstream counterpart to their religion. In the case of scientology, the mainstream organization is the really nasty cult, and the ones practicing without the cult presence are the minority (but they do exist, IIRC they're called the free zoners or something like that).
The Freezone http://www.freezone.de/ is "decentralized" organization of people practising LRH auditing techniques outside of the Church of Scientology. Some use "100% standard tech" and others using modified/extended versions of it.
The CoS considers anyone using the LRH tech outside the Church to be "squirrels" (you have to be nuts) and generally to be criminals (think of how the Catholic church considered the protestants during the reformation). Getting auditing within the Freezone will likely make you ineligible for any future services in the CoS.
I am not a member of the Freezone, but from reading their site it seems much closer to how Scientology should be. Their page on philosophy is good: http://www.freezone.de/english/e_philo.htm
They uploaded a video to YouTube in the same style as the Anonymous video. Threating Anon. of course. Oh, they are calling themselves "Century" http://www.fohdeesha.com/cos/
http://www.xenu.net/
Earn a % of cash back from Newegg, Tiger Direct, Walmart.com, and more: http://www.mrrebates.com?refid=458505
It was a poor analogy anyway. The equivalent would be Linus Torvolds deciding to release an "updated" version of the GPL v2.0 after RMS's death, citing the fact that Bill Gates had influenced Eben Moglen to insert subversive clauses into the original behind RMS's back.
It is extremely hard for me to believe as a European that you have TV reports like that in the States.. only after I read about that report on wikipedia did I start accepting the possibility that this was NOT a joke. By no means do we have perfect journalism on this side of the Atlantic Ocean, but this.. this can not even be called "journalism". Amazing, simply amazing. I am in awe at the methods used in this "informational" program.
No wit here.
Umm... the bible is a collection of ancient literature, and the writings of hubbard are science fiction. The GPL is a legal license - it doesn't even have a plot line. How much more apples to oranges can you get?
Besides, search though I might, I could not find instructions for the holy hand grenade of antioch anywhere in the GPL. It clearly needs to be updated. And blessed some more by his holiness RMS.
"We are all geniuses when we dream"
- E.M. Cioran
Thanks for that personal comment on the cult. If you haven't already done so, you might consider visiting and contributing to the website 'Through the Door'
http://alley.ethercat.com/door/index.html
which explores the thoughts of people who have participated in the Church of Scientology in a structured interview format. There is also a message board for ex-members, but you may have already found that:
http://www.forum.exscn.net/index.php
Your post reminds me a lot of my experience as a Jehovah's Witness. I was raised in the church, and a lot of these elements of scientology are present in the JW religion as well.
"Within the Church of Scientology, you are taught that Scientology is the one and only solution to all mankind's problems, and during this narrow window of opportunity in mankind's history it is possible to "clear the planet" (ie give everybody auditing) and save humanity from itself. Most other goals pale in comparison and anything that detracts from Scientology, or its expansion is in essence a mortal sin against humanity. This belief is strong enough to get people sign up the Sea Organization (LRH's private navy) on a billion year contract (ie you are in for the long haul... and not just this lifetime)"
It's the same thing with Jehovah's Witnesses. As a witness, you are taught that the Watchtower society is the "faithful and discreet slave" (otherwise known as the "faithful and wise servant" in most Bibles), meaning that they are the sole channel to God. Any kind of salvation and favor with God are impossible without following the doctrinal interpretations of the society. They also teach that the only goal a Witness of Jehovah should have is to preach the message to others as much as possible. All other ambitions in life come secondary. This is why there are no Jehovah's Witness charities, scholarships, or homeless shelters. They believe the earth will all be destroyed and that the only thing that needs to be done is get people into the Watchtower fold so they can survive Armageddon.
"Anyone who attacks the church is either a suppressive person..."
Anyone who disagrees, even if only privately, to the most specific tenets of the Jehovah's Witness faith (including the weird bits like the 1914 eschatology) is labeled an apostate and under direct control of Satan and the demons. People who publicly attack the church are often viewed as sinning against the holy spirit, the Bible's only unforgivable sin.
"There is a huge taboo against reading or discussing anything potentially negative or "entheta" against Scientology or the church, often the taboo will extend down to the point that you feel it is wrong to "think" about potentially negative things regarding Scientology.
Right in line with Watchtower teachings. Books and authors that disagree with the society's conclusions are labeled as "worldly," meaning that they are a product of a world ruled by Satan. Essentially, anything that doesn't agree with doctrine is wholly Satanic, automatically, no questions asked. Witnesses are constantly told to stay away from the internet and from "apostate" reading material, because reading such things will corrupt the mind of even the most faithful Jehovah's Witness.
"it drills into you the fact that Scientology "works" and "gets results" and that the only reason it doesn't work is due to incorrect understood, applied or "squirreled"
Everything that is taught by the society is "the truth." If wonderful things don't happen to you as a result of being "in the truth," then it is always your fault. You might not be praying enough, or you might need to be going out door-knocking more often. If you're not happy, you're not doing enough, period. Until recently and even currently on some occasions, those with depression were/are told that the reason for their depression is that something is keeping them from God. The solutions are to pray and read the Bible more.
"he did a purge of anyone within the church who he considered was not 100% loyal to him by declaring them suppressive and excommunicating them (members of the church are required to "dis-connect" and never again speak to someone who has been excommunicated)."
The same thing happened with Joseph F. Rutherford took over the presidency of the Watchtower society from its founder, Charles T. Russel, in 1917. He instituted the doctrine of "disfellowshipping." Those who are disfellowshipped are shunned by everyo
the secret documents the cult doesn't want you to see! download here and pass on! http://www.sendspace.com/file/o7p8y0 yours, anonymous.
Even after leaving Scientology, you still believe that the e-meter actually does something??
Did you ever notice that *nix doesn't even cover Linux?
All examples are documents describing rules. Whether it be regarding human behavior, legal rules, or the rules to Parchesee, his point is still valid. And whether you consider the Bible and Scientology fictional or not, when they become religion, the documents become the 'rules' that people live by.
I can't imagine how you read the author's statement and completely missed the point just because of the origins of the documents in question.
- Do not try to extort money from members by charging exorbitant amounts of money for religious services
- Do not blackmail members when they attempt to leave the organization
- Do not claim to have supernatural effects on reality
- Do not believe that all members of Other Religion X are doomed to damnation
To quote South Park:"Is it really any more retarded than Jesus rising from the dead? Or Buddha sitting under a tree for 2 years?"
"Yeah, dude, it's way, way more retarded."
Did you ever notice that *nix doesn't even cover Linux?
I will focus on Christianity since I know most about it.
Opinions differ on tithing, but we also have examples of monetary payment for sins.
People often pray for people to be healed and they will be healed. That is clearly belief in supernatural influence on reality.
Are you kidding? It is even worse than believing they are doomed, but that you must go and punish (kill) them yourself. See Deuteronomy 8-19, 13-6, 13-12, Jeremiah 1-16, and 16-10. And this nearly pales in comparison to Islam.
I am afraid many more religions offer this bunk than you seem to believe.
Why bother.
To me your story sounded a lot like this one. He even introduces a new vocabulary with words like double think.
----
Go canucks, habs, and sens!
Either you're trolling or you're greatly misled if you feel this represents Christianity. Old-school Judaism, maybe (oh...right, mentioning that this is really from Judaism is likely anti-Semitism...my bad) but outside the world of Baptists people actually pay attention to the ministry of Christ. Example: Christ's example wrt adultery.
Stating on Slashdot that I like cheese since 1997.
Saying you know about Christianity and then providing links to the SAB is like saying "hey - I know quantum physics!" and then using a 10-year old's essay as source material.
--- Hot Shot City is particularly good.
good post, thanks.
i have a family member who is BEYOND involved in scientology. it nearly destroyed our relationship as this family member was more than just blood, but my sibling and my best friend. in support of her beliefs i went with her to learn more about the "religion" they prayed on my insecurities and promised me a better life, but in doing so i would need to rid myself of those who bring me down (ie non scientologists including my significant other). i must admit, their arguments are/were convincing. so much, in fact, i ended up signing up for my first course and officially became a member of scientology. now before you call me weak and say it would never happen to you, these people are programmed to understand the flaws and insecurities in a person. they were showing me around the church/building explaining to me auditing even had me test out the process. during this "introduction" they tapped into my vulnerabilities and exploited them. 9 hours later i caved. then i was forced to sit through the "orientation" video which stated "if you leave this room after seeing this film and never mention scientology again you are free to do so, it would be stupid but you can do it. you can also dive off a bridge or blow your brains out ... that is your choice". i started to feel unclean and confused as to what i was doing and why i was still there. they convince me to attend my first course lesson, since i had to wait for my sister to get done with her "purif" and she drove me there, i didnt have much of a choice so i watched videos read books and had a man quiz me on my "knowledge". i soon started to see clearly as i had 12 hours prior. the man started attacking my personal relationships and life. this man who was supposed to "teach" me was beginning to insult me. i wanted out. i finished as many exercises as i could then kept leaving to use the "restroom" because you aren't allowed to use cellphones. my sister was ecstatic i had joined the "church", but as soon as she was up i quickly brought her down and told her i never plan on attending another course/class nor do i plan on returning to the church. needless to say she was less than pleased. the man who taught the class was sending me letters every week stating i was an addict who was going to destroy her own life if i didnt return to the church (im an addict for drinking wine and using prescription meds). i informed my sister and showed her the letters, but she thought i was over reacting. our relationship was thrown into turmoil again. i have worked over the past year to win my sister back and have attempted to come to terms with her beliefs and tell myself "if it makes her happy that is all that matters". it was working and my blinders were in full effect till one day a piece of mail hadn't been forwarded to her new address. the letter was a hand written letter and it was from a local address, nothing suspicious, but my sister often received checks from work in the same manner. i noticed the envelope had been tampered with so i opened it to make sure that if it were a check it was still intact. upon opening the envelope i see a receipt for her latest auditing session. a payment of $15,000 was made toward her $30,000 balance for ONE SESSION. This is on top of what she has already paid to them for the purification, dozens and dozens of books/dvds, multiple courses, prior auditing sessions... etc. so you now might be thinking "its her money and her life no big deal". wrong, my sister is a college student making under $40,000 a year. she is putting herself in mounds of debt to be "clear". also, before i end this novel ... they prayed on her after she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. later they tell her the cancer is a product of the negative people in her life (non scientologists), there is no such thing as illness.
now tell me this is comparable to every other religion. if think you belong with them.
I think you are grossly uninformed if you think Christianity, among most other religions, DOESN'T prescribe every point on your list. But, a difference between a 'religion' and a 'cult' like Scientology, is that a religion doesn't keep essential secrets away from the public or even their members. Then again, a religion is just a cult, but with more members. Get ready for the religion of Scientology to be accepted near you, soon.
You clearly aren't from the south; you probably imagine that all Christians are similar to Unitarians or something.
--
WHO ATE MY BREAKFAST PANTS?
Any "Church" that charges for its teachings and also has them copyrighted to prevent free distribution is not a church it's a scam at best and a dangerous cult at worst.
The New International Version Bible is one of the most popular religious texts of the last century.
The New International Version Bible is copyrighted and they charge for the text.
BTW, someone I used to work with made a "bible reader" program and checked with the NIV folks and sure enough they would not let him release the source without forcing him to charge for his formerly free Bible reader program, so that they could get their cut.
The NIV is waaaaaay copyrighted:
http://www.studylight.org/info/copyright/bible/niv.html
The e-meter works by sending a small electrical current through the body and detecting small amount of change in the electrical resistance of the body. Your mental thought processes, or your bodies reaction to these thought processes, can subtly affect this electrical resistance.
In essence the e-meter is an over-engineered ohmmeter. The e-meter does not detect "lies" or "thetan levels", it is simply a bio-feedback device. It has been noted that various patterns of change in a bodies electrical resistance, happen to correlate with the presence of some fairly basic thought patterns, such as having your attention on something, or stress associated with being slightly uncomfortable about a thought (which may be unrelated to the question asked, or even the fact that question itself was asked at all).
The so called "lie detector" polygraph test, has several different sensors, but works on a similar principal, of detecting physiological factors that are correlated with stress or anxiety, which may be in part caused by a persons fear of getting caught in a lie.
I have heard descriptions of a couple of methods of psychotherapy, which sound similar to the basic principals of Scientology auditing, the purpose of the e-meter is simply to guide the auditor to focus his questions on areas where you still have attention on, and not to stop addressing an area until the e-meter indicated that you no longer have any attention on the area,
So yes, I believe that the e-meter actually does "something", but on the other hand its does not simply confer magical powers to the person behind the dial. Somebody who is fairly experienced with giving psychotherapy, would probably be able to get similar indications through observing a persons body language, facial expressions and various other sub-conscious signals a person gives off. Its a simple tool, and if used by somebody competent it can potentially assist in psychotherapy.
I have already read the book, in fact I read it whilst still within the church (iirc it was actually the guthenburg ebook version). It didn't set of any alarm bells though, at the time.
The Church's reality tunnel is a fairly nice one to be in, you are rarely exposed to the contradictions that exist within it. But it is a fairly fragile one, as soon as you start questioning things and seeing the contradictions and trying to resolve them yourself, it all breaks down fairly quickly. That's one of the reasons the church tries very hard to cocoon its members from anything critical of the church. From its point of view, people who get exposed to critical meterial against the church, and if it doesn't get "handled" quickly, those people tend to end up leaving the church - its a matter of viewpoint if their leaving is due to their minds being corrupted with entheta, or them simply seeing the truth.
The two films that correlate with my emotional experiences, would be Equilibrium and in terms of having to rebuild your whole reality again from scratch: Fight Club.
It seems that similar patterns tend to repeat themselves in various places. Fundamentalism is not intrinsic to any religion or political ideology, but if left unchecked could potentually grow anywhere.
I guess the most important question is how do you personally react when put in a situation like that, do you take the path of least resistance and simply toe the line and don't raise any inconvenient questions, or do you have the certainty in yourself to question those contradictions, and follow your own path, and keep your own council, regardless of what everyone else tells you is the right thing to do.
The real story isn't RPs amazing 10%, but that RP is so far outside the mainstream media's sense of reality that you get what looks like inept censorship.
The cute little "FAQ" contained in your first link would make perfect sense if RP had 1% of the vote, but media coverage as if he had 1% of the vote is not "The Voting Public".
I'm not saying that he'd be likely to win, even given proper coverage, nor am I saying that there's a conspiracy. I simply think that journalists don't take well to having their sense of reality jolted, indeed, to think of reality as a matter of consensus, rather than something physical, is part of the thinking of the typical individual who becomes a journalist.
Wikileaks, no DNS
you used the phrase "reality tunnel" a number of times. Have the works of Robert Anton Wilson contributed to your development as well? His writings have initiated many the cognitive jailbreak, it seems.
I'm not defending Scientology, but I think if you are going to make such strong claims, a few credible links are in order. Otherwise, you're doing the same thing they are, publicly smearing them as being evil. I could have made the same claim against the Tongan Government and few people would have known without serious research whether I was just making it up.
"Just Google It" won't suffice; hardly anyone will seriously research the allegations of every unsubstantiated, inflammatory piece of writing they come across.
I encountered Robert Anton Wilson only a couple of years after leaving the church. I am a fan of his works. Having had my reality tunnel collapse around me, and more than once since leaving the church, I would almost describe myself as a universal agnostic (I believe in what I believe now [my map], but know that at some point in the future I will see in a completely different way) - everything is permitted, nothing is true.
And all of them are certain sects of Christianity. The one I belong to (Orthodox) offers none of them.
Did you ever notice that *nix doesn't even cover Linux?
I think you are grossly uninformed if you think that there aren't dozens of kinds of Christianity, and for every bullet on the list, you could pick one that prescribes it and one that doesn't.
Did you ever notice that *nix doesn't even cover Linux?