L. Ron Hubbard died, I think, in the 80s. A long time ago. My question is whether Scientology has, as a result, relaxed into a more mainstream “religion” or is Scientology still the “for profit” business it used to be during the reign of L. Ron Hubbard. Anyone here have an informed opinion?
It’s still very much a “for profit” business which uses the law to harass its critics.
Scientology is still persecuting anyone who gets in the way, and is still run as a for-profit entity that hides illegal actions behind a religious facade.
http://xenu.net/ – Operation Clambake, the main anti-Scientology site. It includes the sad (but ultimately just) case of Larry “86-million-dimes” Wollersheim, who filed suit against the CoS in 1980 and fought for twenty-two years before the Cult finally paid what they owed him for severe mental abuse.
An interesting quote from the site, demonstrating perfectly the dogma of `Always attack, never defend’:
As you can see, Scientology is unable to let things go. It is unable to concede a point or give up a fight. It won’t change.
As far as i am concerned - i am glad groups like scienentology, Mormons, JW, Heaven gate exist … i think Darwin would also - maybe we can get them all on a island somewhere ?
But its the children i feel sorriest for - be it Mormon, Christian, Scientologist - Whatever, to give a child no choice but be forced to “believe” is just evil and child abuse charges should be laid.
Too far you say ? You choice. I say not far enough.
Well, Scientology has become just that bit more “mainstream” in New Zealand, with the granting of tax-exempt status. Oy. :rolleyes:
I wouldn’t quite put Jehovah’s Witness and the LDS ‘Church’ quite in the same league as Scientology or Heaven’s Gate. I don’t agree with either, I think both of their claims are flat out wrong, but they aren’t doomsday or alien cults.
True, LDS is not an “alien cult”. They don’t believe that aliens colonized the universe. They believe that dead people do. They don’t like to talk about it publicly - but official LDS theology says that when you die, you get to be a mini-god in charge of a whole planet out in space. Seriously. Adam (yeah, that one) got the planet named Earth. Seriously.
Scientologist “theology” and LDS theology are pretty comparable in terms of the, um, “unusual” factor. If you think that Scientologists are cultish because they believe aliens colonized our planet five quintillion years ago, then you would have to consider the LDS beliefs in the same light.
-mok
And the beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses seem equally strange to non-believers. But neither LDS nor the Witnesses possess the vengeful, litigious, money-sucking and hateful traits that exemplify the CoS.
Scholarly cite?
Where’s Monty when you need him?
Well, reprise. I’m right here and I echo the question from I am Sparticus: where’s proof of your assertion, mok?
Well, I suppose I’d also accept a real live LDS saying it was true. I’ve heard this story for years, and it just doesn’t fit with any of the LDS people I know, and it sounds so goofy that I wouldn’t ask.
I’m a real live LDS person and what mok posted is not true. Either mok is posting something he heard from someone without actual knowledge, in which case he should issue an apology for spreading a silly rumor, or he’s just posting something false intentionally, in which case he should issue an apology for telling a malicious lie.
If anyone’s interested in what the LDS church’s actual theology is: www.lds.org.
Thanks Monty. Much as I suspected.
No problem, Sparticus.
mok: So what’s your beef?
Frank Zappa’s album Joe’s Garage had a delightfully savage lampoon of “L. Ron Hoover” and the “Church of Appliantology.” Ooh, I bet they wanted to rake him over the coals for that. How did Zappa escape unscathed?
Monty or ** Any Mormon **see dude a close mate of mine is a LDS / Mormon… whatever
Anyway, she told me that it is true - but only Men can become god, women however become goddesses if they marry a man that is a god. Is she lying or are you ?
Also … what is the deal with the “holy underwear” … i have probably not given its proper term, but underwear that is never to be removed.
I have spoken to different Mormons about this some no nothing, other know a lot. Is it possible there are different “classes” within the Mormon ranks ? Some that follow a stricter faith ?
You might want to run a search on the terms “Mormon” and “garments” trader.
You might also want to search Monty’s posts - he’s participated in very many threads in which LDS beliefs and practises (as opposed to those of Scientology) were the topic. 
I don’t understand why everyone is so quick to jump to the defense of religions every bit as bizarre as Scientology (for example Christianity) but then ridicule the CoS left and right.
I think the CoS is full of deluded souls. I think the same of the Christian faith. At least I’m consistent.
Does anyone really think that just because:
A-- your parents told you that their religion was the way-- or,
B–millions of others say it’s the way
That it justifies your faith any more than any OTHER crackpot cult??
Monty is disagreeing to * but official LDS theology says that when you die, you get to be a mini-god in charge of a whole planet out in space. Seriously. * ???
If Monty is saying this is not true, why is this urban myth so strong ? I can only find 2 instances of the bible that come close to this.
Isaiah 14:12-14 How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, “I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit on the mount of assembly on the heights of Zaphon; I will ascend to the tops of the clouds, I will make myself like the Most High.”
Genesis 2:4-6 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not die; for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
So – Are Mormons taught that if they live a good life they will become a god (and married in the temple) or is my Mormon friend lying to me ?