Tom Cruise = insane megalomaniac

[SeventhSon]

There is absolutely no test that you can perform to distinguish a religion from a cult. They are both the same thing. They both take a leap of faith for the individual to believe the message. So everything you say about Scientology can be applied to Christianity x 1,000,000.

A Christian making fun of Scientology is hypocrisy.

Look at this fucker Creflo Dollar

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/12/07/prosperity.preachers/

he has over 1 billion people listening to him worldwide. He preaches that Jesus was a rich man, and that the quote regarding "it's easier for a camel to pass through an eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to get to heaven" was taken out of context. LOL. What a joke. Televangelists all agree that the Bible is the word of God (which is a joke, but I digress), but they can take any quote from the Bible and say black is white and white is black to serve their needs. It's a bunch of hooey.

[yard dawg]

All religions are cults in my opinion. Everyone wants to brain wash everyone else into believing the same way they do. I guess there's power in numbers eh?
Scientology isn't really any different than any other "cult", just a bit newer. I say, if it makes you feel good about yourself, then so be it....but don't try to brain wash me.

I disagree. Christianity is the only religion where GOD made the sacrifice. He slaughtered his son on a cross so people could be forgiven. Every other religion requires one to earn heaven. Jesus sacrificed his own life so anyone who believes in him gets forgiven.

I wasnt "brainwashed" into believeing anything. I read thru the bible and made the choice on my own. No one forced it on me nor brianwashed me. No one put a gun to my head nor a sword in my side.

No scientologist ever was beaten so bad his own mother couldnt recognize him. No scientologist ever had his beard yanked from his face. No scientologist ever hung on a cross naked and died a slow painful death for me. No buddist,harry krishna,scientologist,muslim,rastafarian or any other religious person did that for me and thats why I believe. I dont believe in forcing my beliefs on anyone because it goes against what Jesus did and said. He said its your choice and anyone who forces christianity on anyone is not doing what the bible says do....

There are many people claiming to be doing Jesus work and what they are doing is totally against biblical teachings but it doesnt cause me to doubt. Like I said Ive been thru too much for too long and have experienced many answered prayers to doubt because of some idiot TV preacher.

[SeventhSon]

I disagree. Christianity is the only religion where GOD made the sacrifice. He slaughtered his son on a cross so people could be forgiven. Every other religion requires one to earn heaven. Jesus sacrificed his own life so anyone who believes in him gets forgiven.

What does that have to do with the price of tea in China? I can say that Scientology is the only religion where the claim X is made. Therefore, it must be true? WTF kind of logic is that?

Like all religions, you have no evidence that supports the existence of your God. All you have is *faith* and *belief*. That is the definition of religion.

I wasnt "brainwashed" into believeing anything. I read thru the bible and made the choice on my own. No one forced it on me nor brianwashed me. No one put a gun to my head nor a sword in my side.

I bet Tom Cruise says the same thing about Scientology.

No scientologist ever was beaten so bad his own mother couldnt recognize him. No scientologist ever had his beard yanked from his face. No scientologist ever hung on a cross naked and died a slow painful death for me. No buddist,harry krishna,scientologist,muslim,rastafarian or any other religious person did that for me and thats why I believe. I dont believe in forcing my beliefs on anyone because it goes against what Jesus did and said. He said its your choice and anyone who forces christianity on anyone is not doing what the bible says do....

It may be true that no one in these non-Christian religions did those things for you. But it is also true that your claims that your Christian God did this for you is solely based on your faith and belief alone. Which is fine. And your right.

For the sake of argument, I believe that the Great Spaghetti Monster begat his only meatball son to be devoured by ravenous humans so that I may one day rejoice in eternal life in heaven with all you can eat pasta. Refute that, sir.

[toejam]

I disagree. Christianity is the only religion where GOD made the sacrifice. He slaughtered his son on a cross so people could be forgiven. Every other religion requires one to earn heaven. Jesus sacrificed his own life so anyone who believes in him gets forgiven.

I wasnt "brainwashed" into believeing anything. I read thru the bible and made the choice on my own. No one forced it on me nor brianwashed me. No one put a gun to my head nor a sword in my side.

The bible has been changed, parts have been omitted. And I was taught not to believe everything I read, so why would I start with the bible?

Anyway, there was also a story about how Jesus didn't die on the cross, was taken down and smuggled across to southern France, where he married Mary Madgelaine and started a new church.

[toejam]

For the sake of argument, I believe that the Great Spaghetti Monster begat his only meatball son to be devoured by ravenous humans so that I may one day rejoice in eternal life in heaven with all you can eat pasta. Refute that, sir.

Dude, it was his sausage son, not meatball!

[fett]

I don't care what anyone does with personal beliefs regarding religion or anything else as long as they keep it to themselves and maybe convince others, nicely, to go their way. But, I will never forgive my brother for what he said to my father. I had a party and my parents weren't home. It was cool with them. My brother was home on leave from the Navy. He found God there. Anyway, when my parents came home, they got into it. My brother said to my father, and I quote:" You are going to Hell" . That is where I draw the line.

[Bert]

SeventhSon, I agree there is no point in trying to distinguish cults and religions in terms of their belief systems. But I think you can distinguish them by their behaviors, such as the tactics used to recruit and retain members. Clearly it's not black and white, but is there ever a simple litmus test for any nontrivial concept?

While there are sects of Christianity that I think one could easily argue fall into the cult category (ever hear of the Boston Church of Christ?), as far as I've seen, the recruitment and disinformation tactics used by Scientology are not endemic within the Christian faith. As it's currently practiced anyway.... historically, it's an entirely different story.

[Endrik]

Buddhism, Shinto, Taoism etc. eastern stuff are concidered as philosophies in Asia NOT religion, that's how it should be everywhere

[SeventhSon]

SeventhSon, I agree there is no point in trying to distinguish cults and religions in terms of their belief systems. But I think you can distinguish them by their behaviors, such as the tactics used to recruit and retain members.

Clearly it's not black and white, but is there ever a simple litmus test for any nontrivial concept?

While there are sects of Christianity that I think one could easily argue fall into the cult category (ever hear of the Boston Church of Christ?), as far as I've seen, the recruitment and disinformation tactics used by Scientology are not endemic within the Christian faith. As it's currently practiced anyway.... historically, it's an entirely different story.

oh really now?

http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Jesus_Camp/70054721?trkid=148573

i strongly encourage you to watch the preview.

[ozzuk1]

Wow this scientology stuff is starting to get more extreme, everytime I see thread's on it they seem to be getting actively worse...

I get equally annoyed/ scared by the idioticness of extremist muslims, and Extremist Christians...

I personally have a mixture of values and Ethics from a whole variety of thing's...

I think this Tom Cruise true colour scientology video could be the very death knell of this overglorified highly ligitous cult...

Thanks to people like Stone, and parker (South park) more people are aware of what this cult is about...

I remember telling friends at college how it actually worked thier reaction when I told them about the whole aliens being attached etc, was that they laughed and chuckled non stop for a few minutes...

While I know that Christianity has done both good and bad things, There are many christians about doing good works helping people, I certainly attempt to do as much as I can for others..

But I don't know what Scientology does to peopel other than to duplicate the scientologists as sue happy neanderthalls that just give to the church with thier auditing...

I was watching COS video's of how some of thier courses helped thier church members, the members spouted off impressive words about how they are more productive etc, but they didnt seem to say anything...

I'd rather see Chaplin do false german on the great dictator...

I think people should be more weary about these extreme religions and offbranches...

I remember reading about a young girl in the 70's who joined the scientology cult, and then dissapeared or died under "mysterious" circumstances.

I feel sorry for those who have been duped into believing the space alien claptrap, Especially those who are pressured to stay or be silient...

It's very sad more than anything...

I mean it's not like Tom Cruise is a really great actor imo anyways the last samurai was good and one of the few where he wasent playing Tom Cruise...

He's still madder than box of frogs...

[Cygnus X1]

There are many people claiming to be doing Jesus work and what they are doing is totally against biblical teachings but it doesnt cause me to doubt. Like I said Ive been thru too much for too long and have experienced many answered prayers to doubt because of some idiot TV preacher.

You will find few that will rush to your defense.
And that is unfortunate, and demonstrated in the most painful way possible, by our Lord. And He predicted such.

So, I stand with you, and don't be afraid, for though we may be silent, we are with you in faith.

[mm2002]

I disagree. Christianity is the only religion where GOD made the sacrifice. He slaughtered his son on a cross so people could be forgiven. Every other religion requires one to earn heaven. Jesus sacrificed his own life so anyone who believes in him gets forgiven.

Sorry man, but Christianity requires you to "earn" heaven too. If you believe the whole Jesus story then good for you. I believe in the Easter Bunny and Santa Clause every bit as much as I believe in Jesus.

[Norton]

I believe in market economy

[mm2002]

And WOW! A religious debate on the JCF without bannings??? Man, this place really has moved into the 21st century. I may just have to pony up for the Platinum membership now! If we can be real here, I may start posting more. This is cool! (of course I know there has to be limits)

[Norton]

Btw,



PRAISE XENU!