Is Scientology a religion?

Beto · Post by **Beto** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 6:18 pm

I was reading up on the current status of Scientology as a recognized religion in Portugal, and I began wondering what I would resent more. The most obvious scam possible being recognized as a religion (not saying Scientology is), or the application of a double standard when applying the criteria previously agreed upon, to ascertain whether or not a religion should be recognized. I think the latter is worst, and I'm glad Portugal didn't incur in it.

All religions are more or less subjective, and I fail to see how Scientology is an exception. Is there a limit as to how objective it can be to be a religion? Some may have already gathered that, in my opinion, all religions are intellectual (at least) scams, and that varies only in their intricacies and magnitude. So why isn't Scientology considered a religion by so many educated people? Is it a matter of not really addressing "God" much (if at all)? All religions can be considered self-help movements in one way or another.

What I'm interested to read in this thread are arguments on how Scientology is such an obvious scam (as many claim) and other religions, like Buddhism (for those that consider Buddhism a religion), aren't.

Catharsis · Post by **Catharsis** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 8:31 pm

Scientology is mixture of psychology, black magic, occultism and science fictions that are multiplied by unquestionable faith in the infallibility and genius of its father-originator Hubbard, and its organization.

Scientology proclaims itself as a religious organization and calls itself a "church," however, there are plenty of examples in their instructions, written by Hubbard himself, that prove otherwise; that in the foundation of his organization lay not religious convictions, but a direct business interest.

Beto · Post by **Beto** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 9:08 pm

Catharsis wrote:Scientology is mixture of psychology, black magic, occultism and science fictions that are multiplied by unquestionable faith in the infallibility and genius of its father-originator Hubbard, and its organization.

Analogous claims can be made about Christianity.

Catharsis wrote:Scientology proclaims itself as a religious organization and calls itself a "church," however, there are plenty of examples in their instructions, written by Hubbard himself, that prove otherwise; that in the foundation of his organization lay not religious convictions but a direct business interest.

Same as above. None of this indicates why Scientology shouldn't be given "religion" status.

McCulloch · Post by **McCulloch** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 10:27 pm

Catharsis wrote:Scientology is mixture of psychology, black magic, occultism and science fictions that are multiplied by unquestionable faith in the infallibility and genius of its father-originator Hubbard, and its organization.

Christianity is mixture of philosophy, magic, occultism and mythology that are multiplied by unquestionable faith in the infallibility and genius of its originators the apostles, and its organization.

Who gets to decide what is a legitimate religion and what is a cult? From the outside they all look a bit crazy.

OpenedUp · Post by **OpenedUp** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 1:26 am

Catharsis

I was going to make the EXACT, like almost to a tee comment that McCulloch made, until I scrolled down and saw that he had already made it

Its funny, because Christianity pretty much started out as a cult in Rome. Now look at it!

Who knows where scientology will be in 1000 years, after everyone who was around to know its exact origins are gone. Then people are speculating and interpreting and altering the original ideas how they deam fit. This is how most of the major religions have survived. In fact Christianity gained real popularity when St. Paul came along and spread the Christian idea, and that was many, many years after Jesus's death.

So who's to say scientology will fair any different?

Catharsis · Post by **Catharsis** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 8:37 pm

>>>Its funny, because Christianity pretty much started out as a cult in Rome.<<<

I don't mind you considering Christianity a 'cult', but please learn some geography and history first, and inform yourself where Christianity actually started.

Goat · Post by **Goat** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 9:35 pm

Catharsis wrote:>>>Its funny, because Christianity pretty much started out as a cult in Rome.<<<

I don't mind you considering Christianity a 'cult', but please learn some geography and history first, and inform yourself where Christianity actually started.

Christianity.. indeed started in Rome.

The precursor started in Judah, but it wasn't until Rome adopted it, and deified Jesus, like all good pagans, that it became 'Christianity'

Catharsis · Post by **Catharsis** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 10:05 pm

>>>Christianity.. indeed started in Rome.

The precursor started in Judah, but it wasn't until Rome adopted it, and deified Jesus, like all good pagans, that it became 'Christianity'<<<

Do you mean Rome, or the Roman Empire?

Still, nothing could be farther from the truth.

Christianity is an eastern religion, and a mixture of Middle Eastern, Greek, and Slavonic cultures.

What are the original languages of the Scriptures?

Where did ALL the Ecumenical Synods take place? In the East or the West?

All the early heresies originated in the East.

The Roman Patriarchate, in the first couple of centuries, was essentially an ethnic Greek religious 'institution'.
http://www.orthodoxengland.org.uk/ortpopes.htm

McCulloch · Post by **McCulloch** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 10:58 pm

goat wrote:The precursor started in Judah, but it wasn't until Rome adopted it, and deified Jesus, like all good pagans, that it became 'Christianity'

Acts 11:26 wrote:... the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

Beto · Post by **Beto** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 1:49 am

Acts 11:26 wrote:... the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

Too bad this is as reliable as all the other biblical "facts".