Bearhouse, thanks much for your civility and for actually taking the time to read my post and not respond predictably, as the other poster did. I'm always happy to talk about Scientology with someone who, though they may not agree with my religion, will at least respect my right to have it and not stomp all over it. Although I really don't shy away from those who do that, either, it's just somewhat futile. So, on that note...
In response to the other poster, you have no need to be sorry for me, I can assure you. I won't be as presumptuous as you to return the sentiment, despite what my feelings may be on the matter. I find it rather audacious of you to assert that I will one day leave my church, since you don't know me and know barely anything about me. From your post, it's also pretty clear to me that you know very little of what Scientology really is and is about.
I know and of course know of some people who have left Scientology, some after a short time, some after a long time. Big deal. Who ever said that Scientology is for everyone?
Scientology at any and every level has nothing to do with worshiping anyone or anything or having faith. It is not dogmatic. Things purported across the inter-tubes to be 'beliefs' of Scientologists are absurd and honestly have nothing to do with what Scientologists believe. The mischaracterization of content that may or may not be on the OT levels and what these levels are about is rampant. But then, it's too easy to use the misnomer of 'secret teachings' and too appealing some peoples' sense of sophomoric humor to repeat falsehoods and gross mischaracterizations than to listen to the truth.
Onto your statement that your real problem lies with the 'church'... this is a pretty broad statement and I can't know exactly what you are subscribing this to, but I know the ins and outs and all of the gory details to be able to makes some guesses. However, I know also from much personal experience that these things hold about as much weight as so much of the other BS I have read in my time. For one thing, I know that the highest ranking people in the management of the Church work tirelessly for their religion, and they certainly don't make much money doing it.
(In my haste yesterday, I forgot to include the line breaks; sorry for the lack of readability there...)
I'm a Scientologist and a Slashdot reader (who knew there could be such a thing?!). I generally just ignore these sorts of things, but as you say, there have been more of negative posts about my religion on here lately. I have to assume my post will go down in flames, but I figured that I might as well take a break from my usual lurker status here and make a few comments.
The real story isn't sinister enough for a headline, as is usually the case with these things. As a few others have pointed out, the eBay VeRO program (no comment on that program itself) that is being used to take down e-meter auctions is actually an already established eBay program... It wasn't like "Scientology" was specially given 'direct access to eBay Database' (oh noes!!!!) as the headline claims. As for the e-meter, these are supposed to be for use only by Scientology ministers and ministers-in-training. Regardless of what you think of the e-meter or Scientology, what is happening here is a reasonable effort to protect that use legally. Of course there is no physical way to prevent every sale of a used e-meter to a non-minister, but eBay is a rather high-profile site where people sell used goods. It's quite a stretch to say this has anything to do with censorship, either. Time for the usual disclaimer of 'I am not a lawyer' and also another that I'm not involved in any of these actions officially, I just am commenting based on what I know and have observed.
As an aside, I've always found it fascinating how some people will latch on to absolutely anything negative said about Scientology as proven fact and trounce anything positive. I also find it interesting how at least 90% (and I'm being generous here) of the stuff I have read online or in the media about Scientology doesn't even resemble what Scientology really is, and I have been a member for about 17 years now.
Slashdot Mirror
Bearhouse, thanks much for your civility and for actually taking the time to read my post and not respond predictably, as the other poster did. I'm always happy to talk about Scientology with someone who, though they may not agree with my religion, will at least respect my right to have it and not stomp all over it. Although I really don't shy away from those who do that, either, it's just somewhat futile. So, on that note...
In response to the other poster, you have no need to be sorry for me, I can assure you. I won't be as presumptuous as you to return the sentiment, despite what my feelings may be on the matter. I find it rather audacious of you to assert that I will one day leave my church, since you don't know me and know barely anything about me. From your post, it's also pretty clear to me that you know very little of what Scientology really is and is about.
I know and of course know of some people who have left Scientology, some after a short time, some after a long time. Big deal. Who ever said that Scientology is for everyone?
Scientology at any and every level has nothing to do with worshiping anyone or anything or having faith. It is not dogmatic. Things purported across the inter-tubes to be 'beliefs' of Scientologists are absurd and honestly have nothing to do with what Scientologists believe. The mischaracterization of content that may or may not be on the OT levels and what these levels are about is rampant. But then, it's too easy to use the misnomer of 'secret teachings' and too appealing some peoples' sense of sophomoric humor to repeat falsehoods and gross mischaracterizations than to listen to the truth.
Onto your statement that your real problem lies with the 'church'... this is a pretty broad statement and I can't know exactly what you are subscribing this to, but I know the ins and outs and all of the gory details to be able to makes some guesses. However, I know also from much personal experience that these things hold about as much weight as so much of the other BS I have read in my time. For one thing, I know that the highest ranking people in the management of the Church work tirelessly for their religion, and they certainly don't make much money doing it.
(In my haste yesterday, I forgot to include the line breaks; sorry for the lack of readability there...)
I'm a Scientologist and a Slashdot reader (who knew there could be such a thing?!). I generally just ignore these sorts of things, but as you say, there have been more of negative posts about my religion on here lately. I have to assume my post will go down in flames, but I figured that I might as well take a break from my usual lurker status here and make a few comments. The real story isn't sinister enough for a headline, as is usually the case with these things. As a few others have pointed out, the eBay VeRO program (no comment on that program itself) that is being used to take down e-meter auctions is actually an already established eBay program... It wasn't like "Scientology" was specially given 'direct access to eBay Database' (oh noes!!!!) as the headline claims. As for the e-meter, these are supposed to be for use only by Scientology ministers and ministers-in-training. Regardless of what you think of the e-meter or Scientology, what is happening here is a reasonable effort to protect that use legally. Of course there is no physical way to prevent every sale of a used e-meter to a non-minister, but eBay is a rather high-profile site where people sell used goods. It's quite a stretch to say this has anything to do with censorship, either. Time for the usual disclaimer of 'I am not a lawyer' and also another that I'm not involved in any of these actions officially, I just am commenting based on what I know and have observed. As an aside, I've always found it fascinating how some people will latch on to absolutely anything negative said about Scientology as proven fact and trounce anything positive. I also find it interesting how at least 90% (and I'm being generous here) of the stuff I have read online or in the media about Scientology doesn't even resemble what Scientology really is, and I have been a member for about 17 years now.