I agree that the core concepts are beautiful but that doesn't excuse the wrong doings of the the organized religion that has over taken these concepts. good luck on your search for untainted god. The great thing about that is that they seem to be the only group where people think it is ok to stereotype and marginalize them. I work for a conference (essentially like a diocese) which is part of the Mennonite denomination. You lose all your ammunition when you make a huge simplification like "they always seem to..." Like I said, I'm a Mennonite. God forbid you are poor and in need of spiritual help! Around 8.55 the program introduces the present leader of Scientology, David Miscavige. I don't mean to embarrass you but you have really impressed me, as well as made me realize that alot of my criticism of people of faith needs to be examined and at the least rephrased. Those that leave do put up with a lot of crap, but they are allowed to walk away if they wish. Scientology is a life destroying organizational cult and needs to be put out of business for good, and its leaders locked up in prison for the rest of their thieving harmful self serving fraudulent lives. The technology is there to be used and can be done without ever setting foot in a Church. Louis Theroux heads to Los Angeles for his feature documentary, in collaboration with director John Dower and double Academy Award winning producer Simon Chinn, exploring the Church of Scientology. Louis Theroux, the highly respected BBC documentary maker who … What this cult does bring to light in a positive perspective is how society can easily manipulate the gullible. One thing I don't understand about Scientology. Thanks Adolf,... now I'll never join your weird self-centered egocentric freak filled circus CULT ! If you watch both documentaries, you can clearly see just how crazy and fanatical Tommy Davis is, the fact that so many people buy into the bs is definitely scary and the fact that they have so much money, is very scary! It's a free compilation of all documentaries posted each week, straight to your inbox. That would be silly. as dumb as many see this to be it is no no more odd and unusual than our popular religions today (of course this group do reach new levels of the downright bizarre that even outdoes creationist and twisted world they beleive they live in ) Furthermore,..... Tom Cruise and John Travolta are two extremely shitty actors. His name was Xenu. Thanks for joining the conversation Canadian, always love to get the opinions of my friends to the north. The twisted genius of L Ron Hubbard is that he figured out a way to define and exploit contemporary soul sickness. Scientology is an excellent case study because its excesses are glaringly obvious, but these exact same flaws are present in all religion; the A-list rackets with 100+ million members have simply learned to be more subtle. In general Mennonite Church USA and its agencies are far more concerned with the actions based on Christ's teaching than with raking in converts. As for defining 'cult' I assumed he was using it in the derogatory sense that most people are familiar with. You once again discredit yourself by making an argument that is only backed up with your experience - how can your (or mine for that matter) experience be definitive? Yes! Either it is or isn't. Religions are superstitious fantasy cults mostly founded on bronze-age myths and followers of them are mentally ill, like schizophrenics. From "highly improbable and unverifiable" to "unintelligible" to "verifiable, observable hogwash." Just wanted to say thank you for your kind words. The impulse to purge yourself of doubt and neurosis, the desire to seek out a leader who can save us – these are things that just about anyone can relate to. I did NOT claim that most historians agree on the miracles. But lets not get ahead of ourselves here, if you have a good reason to believe in scientology here's your chance: why do you think its okay to believe in scientology, what makes you come to the conclusion that the information scientology provides is accurate and true, what critical filters did you apply to the information and so forth. I remember feeling completely numb and making sure to arrange my expression so that the course supervisor would not realize how stunned I was. I also wanted to understand why man created the concept of gods or God, sin, repentance, etc., etc. And... what kind of entity claiming to be making a "better and good" world for everyone charges something as base as money to be join them? Is there is anything you can think of which we do not exploit for profit? And I will say as many times as i have to that it just isn't that simple. Preach good things about ALIEN-TOLOGY Then, and only then, will we "(...) move in to the rightfully modern world we deserve". Don't confuse highly complex religious beliefs with the very simple and practical (and life changing) wisdom which were once their core. "How dare you!" Heal-a this guys Alzheimer s-aahh!" @ Sebastian Veldman: sorry for the delay. makes me feel scared, anyways great doc , loves john sweeneys reactions throughout This doc was creepy. Why can't people get it? Religion is centered on a fear of life and adult responsibilities. The programme gained particular controversy before and during filming due to unresolved differences on content and approach between Sweeney's production team and Scientology members. I'm also curious as to what exactly the benefits of scientology are, feel free to list them all in as much detail as you can manage, for I seem to be coming up short in figuring out how scientology benefits humanity in any way and before you go there, mass hysteria and self delusion is not beneficial in any way. It belittles the most beautiful part of the religion, faith without proof." 3/4 (10:47). clearly the scientology corporation is completely paranoid. Most people unfortunately do not look for themselves to get a balanced picture of what really is. I personally hate the politically correct agenda so feel free to call me a drunk cause I'm Irish, A faciest cause I'm German, An elitist because I'm American, whatever I have thick skin. However wether by choice or not you have been influenced by the religious guidelines. 3) Brigham Young wanted to take a number of young wives but his wife resisted the notion until she was informed by BY's avenging angles that the prophet had a divine revelation that he should have many wives and that her resistance to the divine message would require that she should suffer blood atonement (killed). you can spot a scientologist from a mile away, once you know what to look for, and they're everywhere. It seems that it is a nice cult actually. It has been a long time since I heard this type of deep thought and willingness to examine objections from others without getting angry when dealing with religion. This website deserve's a Nobel prize for all the knowledge it delivers to the internet age! I am LOrd ZINU AKA LORD WACKEYNUTZOO and I have lossed the bond of my prison and want all the $$$ you Scientologist have collected for me I need so new cloths and stuff Oh and a hooker to. He also taught very simple truths about human relationships and wisdom that is profound to enough to have common threads in many major religions - as opposed to an infinitely complex cosmology and methodoly. My only points were A) as a skeptic of supernaturalism in general, I see eerie parallels between the practices of the CoS and similar mechanisms in contemporary "normal" religious institutions and communities, and B) the "normal" religious people who have the urge to throw stones at these wacky Scientologists should bite their tongue; Scientologists are exercising the same right to believe improbable things and participate in secretive, manipulative organizations that you are. His movie captures an ongoing cycle of seduction and bullying, fearmongering and profiteering, that appears to have turned Scientology into a hamster-wheel of greed. Quite the trip, this cult called scientology. It's a poor way to make a point. has since been a desert. I am so sorry to hear about your friend. humans. now that I've gotten that off my chest.... thanks for your thoughts. Scientology is a cult, a scam, a parasite, predatory, unethical, deceptive, the vibration of the organization is greed and bullying. Just no. The Scientologist practice of "disconnection" was one of the most heartbreaking things they discussed in this video, but you as a Mennonite certainly can't deny that shunning was commonplace within your own religious sect in the past. How do you know Scientology's OT III was actually written by L. Ron Hubbard? I mean the top religions didn't get so many members with ONLY use of love. Going Clear makes you empathise with Scientology’s rank and file, who come off as victims of Church leaders’ eager advertising. Granted, both are horrible, but at its worst, Scientology can only be "charged" with fraud, brainwashing, and trespassing/stalking. Still they can't look at themselves and realize they are doing the same thing. I am a Scientologist, who is part of the Church. Shame too, because some of them are actually good. The Narconon or Criminon thing - if you want to draw an analogy, Mennonites have a worldwide relief and development arm called Mennonite Central Committee. that's something you would do if had an old school camera without the LCD screen. Scientology is funny to me because it is a cheap, C-list parody of the "old" "respectable" and "legitimate" religions of the world. for one, my priest never sent people to spy on me cause i said that god doesn't seem like a very likable person... i m not a catholic anymore, and guess what, no one cares. He was right about the disease. CRAZY.........You haven't seen nothing yet. No one tried to convience my brother, still a christian, to seperate from the family. Why is it when you walk into an establishment of scientology, ( I have done this) They try to sell you help. @jtea45; I reject your notion that it is pointless to dispute one over these matters (religion. This was Reality! John , fair play to you for keeping your cool for so long I would have lost it with that prick long before you did. I said they agree that he existed "if not" performed miracles. I imagine a lot of these people go to Scientology when they are in some kind of emotional crisis (NOT financial, mind you ;) ) and in that state people are incredibly malleable. image caption The Church of Scientology has denounced the film as being informed by "misfits" Sky Atlantic is to show a controversial documentary on Scientology… Oh, and I would add that while there are plenty of bad examples of Christian churches who excel at profiteering at their members expense, this is by no means the standard or the norm. Now that was fine! It's written by a Science Fiction writer, how can anyone believe it? All that matters is what it is, and that falls well short of this benevolent practice you speak of. After we take down scientology we should rally to destroy religion and move in to the rightfully modern world we deserve. All cults operate on the basis of claiming to offer the exclusive secret to rescue you from having been born, and if you buy that you're completely faithless. There were no histrionics from John Sweeney this time but a second look at Scientology underlined the insidious aspects of the controversial organization. But then in 1950 he published Dianetics, the perpetual bestseller in which he helped invent the principles of the therapeutic ‘self-help’ books that grew hugely popular by the 1970s. Life is such a short, bumpy journey. i came away from this film knowing as much about scientology as i had known before i saw it. Thus they have zero power over me. My feeling is more of a generality where quite simply the teeth are removed from the beast by pointing and laughing. Damn I'd love to punch those annoying camera men paid off by that cult of m@#$%&. Why is Scientology's load of supernatural gibberish any more silly than the claims of any other religions? Viva la Top Documentary Films! and then the Pacific area ones It's not a "religion" it's a MOB using "spirituality" as a ruse to recruit & create intellectual / spiritual slaves. Sandy Smith, the editor of Panorama, the documentary strand behind "Scientology and Me," appeared on "BBC Breakfast" and called the Church of Scientology an "extraordinary organization" that has "no way of dealing with any kind of criticism at all." That said, there is no proof what so ever that Jesus ever performed a miracle. A lack of evidence is just that, something that isn't proven, what you're doing by believing in scientology is the same as convicting someone in a court of law just because you "believe" they're guilty, something pretty much all of humanity understands is wrong. Besides a few tidbits about the cult, the guy spends the whole time gossiping & arguing instead of asking pertinent questions about Scientology. I left the christian religion at a very young age and so did my parents, of course they were older. Atheists who are arseholes, and atheists who are murderers. God is not verifiable but can be experienced. If you want to argue why you think that is silliness, argue with someone who disagrees. I would definitely join you in refusing to declare certainty about anything not observable. Religion is what people use to justify their actions and to make themselves feel better and superior to others. Anyway, the fact is there are good atheists and bad atheists. @Coyote; Sure what they do as regards to family is terrible and yes they are some shady people. The program that BBC Panorama did on Scientology in 2007 was amazing, I highly recommend it to everyone. Could they be construed as slimy ways to lure vulnerable individuals into their organization? Wonderful video, explains much of why there is not as much "pro-Scientology" seen like there was years ago. I really appreciate what you have to say. That said, this is not just another religion, it is a cult pure and simple. Seems like to me they just fleece and intimidate their members. It is symptomatic of delusional thought disorder - a serious mental illness. But having already installed L. Ron Hubbard in my mind as the unerring dispenser of Truth, there was no way for me to reject the information. *Slap on the forehead*. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. i suppose evolution has nothing to do with the origin of life. You said, "But the negative things that Scientology does reflect more subtle elements that are present in many “normal” religious communities as well. The dictionary definition can be applied to any religious veneration in reality. But for you to want people, no matter who, to be a part of something like this, tells me you don't understand the potential for disaster a cult this big harbors. these stunted waifs went to expensive schools, were raised on white stuff and kept well clear of dusting. I do Scientology not only to improve my life but also because as I have a more positive influence around me and that helps everyone. To use the nuttiness of Scientology to impugn other world religions, for all their faults, is weak logic folks. The extraordinary thing about Alex Gibney’s new documentary, Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief, is that it does more than address these questions; it offers substantive answers. The film premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. They will probalby use them and their techinques for their own ends. I love that Animal Collective is the sound track to this thing. And they always seem to conveniently use the majority of the donated money to expand their real estate and marketing portfolios or to hire more staff, not change the world for the better or help the extremely destitute. Documentary films presented by Louis Theroux. It in itself will dominate a simple persons mind, until they will believe in anything, including space extra-terrestials before they would believe in a God, or intelligent design. This is in no way a endorsement for christianity, I think it is one of the greatest wrongs ever visited upon mankind. Yes, Tom Cruise is super crazy. People should remember that its early intention was to eliminate the falsity of "big R" Religions and in particular...... psychiatry. Christians over the years certainly have created a complex cosmology and rules and strategies for salvation, etc. I find it fitting how this "me centered" cult promotes gain on financial contribution. Just trying to articulate what I believe, or how I look at belief, because there seems to be such a strong need on forums such as this to shepherd people into camps or corrals of belief. I would have called the cops or pulled into a police station if they were following me. If you'll recall, I have an idea of where you're coming from and if you are able to listen and have any posture other than angry and reactionary, you might remember where I'm coming from. I believe the top dude makes considerably less than 100 grand a year. Yes we do agree on alot, cool. It might be some type of half-a**ed, self proclaimed "self help" group. The ANONYMOUS group will fix them good! I mean that. plain wrong, what ever happened to the single persuit of knowledge Bloody Brilliant! I don't see these attributes or ideas as only belonging to religion, but most religion definetly promotes them. I said: The origins of life is not discussed, what i meant was that biological diversity is never discussed. The crazy part was "Yes we still believe in Scientology even after what happened to us" The whole "museum" is a well done "attraction" that speaks out against mental illness and claims that psychiatry is murder & that mental illness is not real, etc. Certainly they have a right to believe what they want. I hope that makes sense. You can only push someone so far before they lose their cool. Scientology is a criminal organisation! John Sweeney investigates the Church of Scientology and allegations made by former members and relatives of current members. You just don't hear about the rest of us. this was, after all, a documentary ... wasn't it? I miss him soooo much. I hope with all my heart, no one I know gets or has gotten caught up in this life stealing scam that wants to be a religion. Scientology what a joke. I only wish they would play the whole songs. @ Canadian l .r hubard. If a kid asks about it he/she is told to talk to their parents about it or their preacher that they are not allowed to teach the truth so they teach nothing at all on the subject. Presented by John Sweeney, it is a follow-up of his 2007 investigation into the Church of Scientology and features interviews with former high-ranking members of the organisation. Okay EZ, relax. and on top of all this wow these guys are creepy, "i was very shocked to find that it is real who would be so dumb as to belive in this.". I WILL LET YOU IN ON THE SECRET OF OT III LEVEL STUFF, Now how did I obtain it... it's called the Internets - a series of tubes! notice all the defectors said they believe in the precepts, but not the organization. I'm sure L. Ron Hubbard would be truely ashamed. So if your watching this and thinking to your self "i'm glad i believe in some bloke who made wine magically appear and rose from the dead" or "the bloke with a fat belly and a nice demeanor who sat under a tree is the one for me" you are a hypocrite. solved overpopulation (250 billion @Coyote; Agreed, money and masses can equal power in this world. In Scientology, he wrapped these ideas around a theological core of interplanetary gibberish that could have come straight out of one his pulp novels. You don't need to be won over by their nonsense to be affected, that's my point; gays certainly aren't won over by the Mormon churches nonsense, but they are most certainly affected. Anyway this along with our conversation over the last couple of days has really started making me question myself which is always a good thing. As well as friends there are enemies, and Scientology’s foes are sometimes vast, like the US Internal Revenue Service. In the past I have been far to quick to criticise without examining the persons actual beliefs. Wow, this cult is sure more messed up then I thought it was many years ago when I first heard about it. Read about our approach to external linking. But a sincere religion or philosophy out to better humans and the world? Scientology, the word means study of light, study of knowledge, and that's what it is, it takes up all areas of light itself, things that are integral and maxims that are related to life in very existence. The program could have been better though. etc. BBC reporter John Sweeney's last investigation into the Church of Scientology resulted in an explosive confrontation with church officials. Eye-opening stuff. What's the difference? I know that is wild isn't it, a church that doesn't claim the Bible to be the absolute unadulterated word of God. The last time I was in Los Angeles I visited a "Museum of Death" on Sunset Strip which turned out to be run by the CoS - using, however, an alias akin to some kind of human rights organization (so they never *say* it's a Scientologist run "attraction".) Requiring that your members pay fees to is not a religion. Those money grubbing evangelizing poor people scorning Quakers. I don't sit here worrying everyday, but we can't let things like that get out of control. Are you in any position to see the information of the damages vs the benefits of scientology? Oh btw, not only Christianity. *shrug* Generalization: Religious belief is certainly not a prerequisite for kindness or generosity or the general desire to improve the world. Knowledge and religion don't mix. My friend said "Scientology is stupid" and when I took up a video about Christian people being healed and saying "oh lord! As to this question - "Why do christians that value faith, which I find beautiful in and of itself, continually try and claim some historical proof or accuracy that simply doesn’t exist? It is methods to improve your life and others you would like to assist. In addition, it is strange that you must be at a certain level to obtain all the information, that does not seem right. No one ever tried to intimidate us or expose secrets about us. The sect or the cult becomes larger and covers more ground and becomes religion. Ask any scientologist about their planet "Xeno" that should shut them up. Not me I am not one to be won over by their silly nonsense. Tommy Davis, the international spokesperson for Scientology, did not w… Organized religions around the world do charitable work and help millions of people free of charge. The fact is, they are all guilty of the same glaring errors, greed, and hypocracy; it is merely a question of degree and the skill of their PR team. In presenting a case study like this one, Gibney proves a master of documentary narrative – he conjures fast-paced drama out of thorough reporting. The side of Scientology you saw there is the arm that deals with legal, attacks, critics and so on. Still, isn't there a law permitting the use of spy equipment or using evidence for extortion? He alleges that Miscavige, in actions worthy of the Khmer Rouge, subjected his loyal officials to rituals of abuse, making them ‘confess’ to imagined crimes and assaulting them if they didn’t comply. The precepts, but that you 'll be taken to Saturn after your death, lurking... My point is that one can not look for, and its not a prerequisite for kindness or or... I believe that Scientology does more good than bad, by reporter John Sweeney this time but sincere... 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