Ok, just my opionion. If Scientology brings you peace, happiness, purpose, and harms no one, all the best to you. It's like any other belief or religion. It's supposed to be a good thing, individually and privately. Scientology is a mystery to me, but so are all the rest of the myriad religions. I know just enough about all of them to be confused, not enough to actually join in and be a part.
To bring up George Carlin once again, I heard him say a long time ago. He doesn't pray to God anymore. He prays to John Belushi, and gets about the same results. About half the time he gets what he wants, and about half the time he doesn't. He was making fun, but it's kind of true.
My apologies to the faithful. I support your right and freedom to believe in whatever, or whomever, brings you personal peace. That is the purpose of religion, and I respect it. Personally, what brings me peace is being a good person, a loving mother, a responsible member of society, and keeping myself honest. That is my faith.
Thumbs up Freetobe1962!! These people know nothing about tolerance. Notice I didn't say amen. Thats because people should remain neutral. Of course unless they feel threatened??? Obviously the people in this video are threatened and have no belief in themselves. Otherwise they would'nt feel the need to waste there time trying to change another's religous beliefs.
No matter what god anyone has or doesn', why make fun of it. They should have a sign stating "honk if you're an asshole."
God have left the planet, if he was here at all.
gymyg, if someone has a religion fine, if that someone bothers me with his religion, not fine. That would be a violation of the eleventh commandment: Thou shalt not be obnoxious.
FTB - as always, sensitive and honest notations. Thanks. I posted (just now (a little late to the party here) a sarcasm aimed at Tom Cruise. Here's my irritation with him: I have absolutely no issue with any person holding true beliefs...in fact, I envy many of them, having lost some of my own over the years. What does grate on what little patience I still try to maintain is when some egocentric numbskull proclaims: "I have the answer, AND YOU DON'T". It's the latter part, implied if not actually stated, that just gags me...and that's what Cruise has perpetrated, using his film-fame as a soap box.
Your posting was much sweeter than mine, so I felt I needed to explain...I'll try to be nicer in the future.
If you notice around 4 mins and 45 secs these people speak about maybe going away if someone would come out and explain somethings "they" know to be true (their truth). Somehow I don't think these people have truth's (solid personal beliefs). They feel others should prove them wrong as if other people's truth's should be theirs. This type of person is what's wrong in the world.
Yes they are wrong. oops, there goes my opinion. Although it is not hate filled. The "thing" we as a species need to do is perpetuate goodwill. Now who would oppose spreading goodwill?? Those people aren't interested in freedom of speech. Right in front of the churches place of worship seems more like harassment. I'd like to see them go out into the woods and speak there freedom of speech to the trees. Trees are nuetral.
Freedom of speech is one of those grey areas. Some people "misuse" it because it "allows" them the freedom to sit on the fence of right and wrong, positive and negative, good and bad, justice and injustice. I like to believe human beings are born with innate goodness. Let me know when you see a bad intentioned new born.
I've been viewing this site for a long time and never bothered to sign up because I'm usually entertained enough by watching the videos and reading the comments, but this video really chapped my ass. I in no way agree with scientology, in fact I think it's ridiculous, but I'm certainly not going to waste my time to go out and give scientologists a hard time for being scientologists. You may not like it but it's their choice and their freedom to believe whatever they want. Why are these guys protesting unprovoked with signs that are spreading hate. These guys probably think that they are soooo smart for making fun of someone’s faith but they really just come across as ignorant hate mongers.
bobert, my take on this video.... a few guys, late teens, early twenties, wanted to get "noticed" and make a video, the giggly laughter, the dialect... these guys probably care nothing about what they are doing, nothing about Scientology other than to get their "15 minutes of fame", next week it'll be something else...I have sons this age....I know their game. (gaining wisdom and knowledge, which they so lack)
canuck, not exactly right. They applied for the status of a religion which would have given them tax exemption. That was declined on the grounds that they are operating like a business.
They recently opened a new office in Berlin (our capitol city) and some of their internal stuff slipped into the news. According to their internal strategies they want to get better access to the government to prusue their goals.
Together with the earlier earned status as being an organization that is anti-democratic and may be a threat to the constitution they are now under constant observation of the Verfassungsschutz, which is a special police branch that deals with people and organizations who want to remove the German constitution (Verfassung = constitution, schutz = protection, defense).
The same honors are usually only given to islamistic groups or neo-nazis and such ilk...
Chuck, the Verfassungsschutz is not bad, it is actually an institution that really helps protecting the civil rights. Here in Germany we had some negative experience with the constitution being suspended...
canuck, Aachen is a nice historic city. And make sure to visit the factory outlet of Lambertz, about the best cookies you can get on this planet. If you have a chance to get anywhere close to Berlin let me know so we can have a beer or two.
You could've sat by and just watched this video, read the comments and gone back to looking for boobies on flickr but no, you had to give them a hard time for being sign-carrying comedians. You may not like it but it's their choice and their freedom to believe whatever they want. Why are you protesting a funny video with a post that is spreading hate. You probably think that you are soooo smart for making fun of someone’s streetside prank but you really just come across as an ignorant hate monger.
I have to admit, I plagiarized most of this post. >=)
please don't confuse scientology with a religion.....it is NOT.....it is a business pure and simple.....it brutalizes their customer after it takes every last cent they have......that is not a religion
That's the problem with "church". It's become perverted into a business. The original meaning of "church" in the Christian bible is people. People would gather to discuss what they considered to be the word of God.
In that context it's absolutely preposterous for someone to ask you to pay them for hearing their interpretation of the word of God.
i agree weiner it seems most religious organizations main goal is to control people through fear and of course to make money the fundamentalist /evangelical /baptist are probably the most successful at this hell, they made a fortune in the faith based initiative payoff (quid pro quo) from bush..our tax dollars at work
WDog...point of correction. The Christian church, being a relative of Judaism, does not ask for money. The belief, specifically, is that God asks for a portion of your yield...nee, demands it in Judaism. The Jewish tradition is 1/10th (tithe) and it was given at the synagogue or as aburnt offering, if money was not available.
The Christian church has kept the tradition of tithing but there is some dispute about it now. (Actually, there always was.)
Personally, I know that everything I have is gifted to me while I am alive, so I am very cautious about giving money to any church in the form of a tithe or in the form of a donation. Most churches i have associated with have been very clear in their money dealings and have not required nor pressured tithing. Sadly, not all churches and pators behave this way.
chuck- I can say that the control through fear bit rings true at least in my life. I've struggled with the ideas and fears of eternal damnation but have come to the conclusion that modern mans interpretation of the bible (and its notions of heaven and hell) are probably corrupt. For instance, the modern idea of hell is really contrived from Dante's inferno which is not a religious tome at all. Too often throughout history religion has been twisted to suit to needs of the powers that be in an effort to control the masses. I tend to view religion as that of personal thing and make my own decisions for the most part. It's when other "so called experts" try to tell me what it means that I become suspicious. Too often I've sat in a church and had no idea how the pastor/priest etc tied his sermon to the scripture listed. it just made no sense. Anyway, I'm rambling and risking blasphemy along with the eternal damnation listed above..................
Stream- I know what you are saying. Legitimate places of worship (aka churches) don't put the hard press on you for $$$. Lot's more do though and it's these that I place on my personal "do not trust" list.
It's gotten worse since the advent of the Prosperity Based Ministries, notably the quack out in Fort Worth TX Kenneth Copeland. I've been through that area and past his estate. Wow, that guy is filty rich!!!!!!!!!!!! Types like him make a bad name for the legitimate others.
The Olsen twins are the only one who can stop Tom Cruise from building his giant Scientology Death Ray on Planet Xenu and destroying the Earth. All Christians must worship the Olsen Twins immediately!!!
It's funny because way back when I thought the Olsen twins would grow up to be incredibly hot. Now that they've "arrived" they look kind of weird and not at all as hot as I'd expected.
But they ARE female so most men would gladly provide DNA if given the chance. (Me too.)
okay now it's over unbelievable..hillary jumped up and tried to grab the mike , then kucinich tried to take it from her. they ended up biting and slapping each other till dennis climbed on her back and she lost her footing. the capitol police came in tasered the both and dragged them out. the news commentator said they had been drinking heavily. wow best state of the union ever. but just watch they'll cover it up fukin liberal media
Never EVER go to Aachen.
I got off a train there two years ago and was punched on the head by a sausage seller because I didnt have the right change. Its a numero uno shithole with nothing to do and the ugliest women this side of the planet Thorg. The people are unfriendly, violent and smelly, the buildings are dull and the weather is shit. I have seen more culture in a dead cat's scrotum.
Aachen should be removed from Europe surgically and transplanted in the middle of Baghdad so that the Iraqis see how well off they are. I stayed in a backpackers hostel there which cost me 20 euros for a night and there wasnt even hot water or towels. I tried to get myself arrested deliberately the second night so I could get a night in the cells. But the police just beat me up and stole my money.
Aachen? Hell on earth.
dandierdorf, you are confusing Scientology with Synanon. It was Synanon, another sham~"religion" that did the rattlesnake in the maiilbox trick. I have lived near Synanon for many years and know them well. And I was in Scientology nearly 40 years ago (1969) for a year (I still get mail from them 3~4 times a week trying to win me back!!), and it was a business then~it's even more of a business now. Those people are not worshippers going to church, they're brainwashed zombies who know only what they are told, and parrot the same phrases over and over and over, and if they don't, if they vary one little bit from the party line, or interpret, or think for themselves, they're busted and corrected. Any religion needs operating expenses, but they are so far over that line, it's ludicrous. Not a religion, no f
Ahhh. my bad. Thanks for the correction Dave. So many came out of the late 60's- early 70's that I make the mistake of lumping them together a bit sometimes. They share so many of the important cult traits the details merge together a bit. ;-)
I have always held a deep belief not only in religious tolerance, but religious acceptance as well. When I took a deep look into Scientology however, and the actions they have taken in espionage against the U.S. Government, combined with their stalking of outspoken critics, I determined that they are no doubt a cult. I was never willing to label them as anything other than a separate religious view, but when you take a look into their teachings, actions, and history, it begins to look like Jim Jones and Jonestown revived.
I still wonder about the likes of John Travolta, and other sane celebrities who seem to have taken to Scientology (sane, meaning NOT Tom Cruise). What is it that would attract them to this group? From what I have determined, many of these celebrity members know very little of the inner workings, and are prone to the Christian side of the religion, as opposed to its truly nefarious activities. The reason why Scientology attracts these well known, powerful individuals, is that without them, it would have been destroyed a long time ago by the government, as its status of being a cult would have given them no quarters in regards to public support of anykind. They infiltrated U.S. Federal Agencies and Ops, and would have succumbed to Indictments, Injunctions, and Raids if it were not for their newfound celebrity status.
Comments (64)
To post a comment, you need to login or signup.