# The Cult of Scientology: Always Attack, Never Defend **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 22, 2006, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cult-of-scientology-always-attack-never-defend/365579 "2006-07-22T05:22:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2006, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cult-of-scientology-always-attack-never-defend/365579/141 "2006-07-26T02:24:30Z")
[QUOTE=Frylock] CM, this was an excellent post. The correct spirit in which others should take it is as a call spurring them on to better anti-CoS arguments. I hope they don’t take it in… the _other_ way they might take it… if you know what I mean. :dubious: -FrL- [/QUOTE] Not to be rude or anything, but would you mind not quoting a huge long post just to post a few lines that say “I agree” or whatever. Cut some of the above post out. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2006, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cult-of-scientology-always-attack-never-defend/365579/142 "2006-07-26T03:54:55Z")
[QUOTE=Guinastasia] Not to be rude or anything, but would you mind not quoting a huge long post just to post a few lines that say “I agree” or whatever. Cut some of the above post out. Thanks. [/QUOTE] Yeah, sorry about that. Just wasn’t paying attention to what I was doing! 🙂 -FrL- ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2006, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cult-of-scientology-always-attack-never-defend/365579/143 "2006-07-26T03:59:16Z")
[QUOTE=Miller] I disagree. I think he really is quite stupid, with no real ability to understand or employ simple logic. One of the dumber posters I’ve come across recently, actually. [/QUOTE] Did you write this after having read his post 128? That post is pretty damn cogent. -FrL- ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2006, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cult-of-scientology-always-attack-never-defend/365579/144 "2006-07-26T04:05:41Z")
[QUOTE=Frylock] Did you write this after having read his post 128? That post is pretty damn cogent. -FrL- [/QUOTE] No, I’d stopped bothering with his posts after the first page. Looking at it now… eh. Not blatantly dumb, but still no great shakes. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2006, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cult-of-scientology-always-attack-never-defend/365579/145 "2006-07-26T04:16:19Z")
[QUOTE=Miller] No, I’d stopped bothering with his posts after the first page. Looking at it now… eh. Not blatantly dumb, but still no great shakes. [/QUOTE] Heh OK. 😛 -FrL- ---
**Author:** ![cerberus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@cerberus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cerberus)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2006, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cult-of-scientology-always-attack-never-defend/365579/146 "2006-07-26T07:55:38Z")
CM got the standard SDMB reaction to volitional stupidity and indifference to facts and basic knowledge, nothing less. Then he acts all innocent and harmless about it. :rolleyes: If one can’t do the due diligence thing in acquring the base knowledge for a thread/topic, then be prepared for the usual scorn. ---
**Author:** ![cerberus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@cerberus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cerberus)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2006, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cult-of-scientology-always-attack-never-defend/365579/147 "2006-07-26T07:56:54Z")
Make that acqu-i-ring… ---
**Author:** ![The\_Swan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@The\_Swan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Swan)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2006, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cult-of-scientology-always-attack-never-defend/365579/148 "2006-07-26T16:08:03Z")
[QUOTE=Miller] Because I can only stand so much stupidity before I start to get angry. [/QUOTE] Well, I think we’re all quite thankful that you took time out of your busy day to wrestle with a pig. ---
**Author:** ![Waverly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/57b2e6/32.png) [@Waverly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waverly)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2006, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cult-of-scientology-always-attack-never-defend/365579/149 "2006-07-26T16:21:29Z")
Only if by cogent, you mean, “free of Thetanic influences.” My E-Meter shows him to be Theta-Clear. Forgive me if I’m not too excited about lauding posts full of inane babble simply because they are more coherent than prior posts. Not unlike creation scientists, clams have established scripts that nearly any drooling idiot can follow when it comes to ‘rebutting’ common criticisms. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2006, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cult-of-scientology-always-attack-never-defend/365579/150 "2006-07-26T17:08:04Z")
[QUOTE=Waverly] Only if by cogent, you mean, “free of Thetanic influences.” My E-Meter shows him to be Theta-Clear. Forgive me if I’m not too excited about lauding posts full of inane babble simply because they are more coherent than prior posts. Not unlike creation scientists, clams have established scripts that nearly any drooling idiot can follow when it comes to ‘rebutting’ common criticisms. [/QUOTE] Are you responding to my post about CM’s post number 128? CM makes some really good points in that post. As I told him, the proper response from others should be to feel motivated to develop better methods for explaining what is wrong with the CoS. It is certainly not right to respond by saying the post consists of “inane babble.” That is a ridiculous characterization of his post. -FrL- ---
**Author:** ![Waverly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/57b2e6/32.png) [@Waverly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waverly)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2006, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cult-of-scientology-always-attack-never-defend/365579/151 "2006-07-26T18:37:38Z")
[QUOTE=Frylock] Are you responding to my post about CM’s post number 128? CM makes some really good points in that post. As I told him, the proper response from others should be to feel motivated to develop better methods for explaining what is wrong with the CoS. It is certainly not right to respond by saying the post consists of “inane babble.” That is a ridiculous characterization of his post. -FrL- [/QUOTE] Yes, I had intended to quote you. Sorry for the confusion. Trust me, it’s inane babble. Or don’t trust me. I don’t really care what you think. I said much earlier in this thread that the counter-argument would consist of nibbling at the edges, rather than the meat, of the issue in order to distract. That’s what your beloved post 128 does. To wit: > [@](#): > > But is there any documentation that shows that it actually works or doesn’t work? Am I back in the dark ages, or is up to the claimant to PROVE efficacy and not the other way around? Don’t extraordinary claims require extraordinary proofs, not extraordinary obfuscation? > [@](#): > > Why can’t the government (federal, state or local) step in and stop this? So if the government hasn’t stopped it, it follows that it must be legitimate and legal? There must be a long list of activities that seem questionable, that by its inaction, the government must condone. I drank too many martinis yesterday, why hasn’t the government stepped in to stop me? Look, I wish I had time to walk you through it, but I don’t. Time to think for yourself. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2006, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cult-of-scientology-always-attack-never-defend/365579/152 "2006-07-26T19:04:29Z")
[QUOTE=Waverly] Time to think for yourself. [/QUOTE] That’s fuckin’ hilarious, man. Fuckin’ hilarious. -FrL- ---
**Author:** ![Cemetery\_Savior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/439d5e/32.png) [@Cemetery\_Savior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cemetery_Savior)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2006, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cult-of-scientology-always-attack-never-defend/365579/153 "2006-07-26T20:57:59Z")
[QUOTE=Waverly] Look, I wish I had time to walk you through it, but I don’t. Time to think for yourself. [/QUOTE] Wow…nicely spoken. Must have been Grade “A” at Forensics competitions. I think that, if people are willing to pay for these “services” (and to head it off, I’m not a CoS member, I’ve only seen 3 Tom Cruise movies, and think John Travolta is a waste of human skin), then I say let them do so. It’s like a lot of religion (I’ll put quote marks around that if pressured to do so)…people go in thinking that they’ll receive something wonderful (a moral base, wisdom, grace, a lack of a fiery afterlife, expurgation of Thetans, etc.). If they continue to receive a positive result, they’ll continue to worship. Market forces at work. Waverly, dismissal without refutation of an argument = snark. -Cem ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2006, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cult-of-scientology-always-attack-never-defend/365579/154 "2006-07-26T21:19:41Z")
[QUOTE=Cemetery Savior] I think that, if people are willing to pay for these “services” (and to head it off, I’m not a CoS member, I’ve only seen 3 Tom Cruise movies, and think John Travolta is a waste of human skin), then I say let them do so. [/quote] Of course, the concern over CoS involves a lot more than them charging money for their “services.” > [@](#): > > Waverly, dismissal without refutation of an argument = snark. Absolutely right. “I don’t have time” indeed. -FrL- ---
**Author:** ![Waverly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/57b2e6/32.png) [@Waverly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waverly)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2006, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cult-of-scientology-always-attack-never-defend/365579/155 "2006-07-26T21:26:32Z")
[QUOTE=Cemetery Savior] Waverly, dismissal without refutation of an argument = snark. [/QUOTE] I gave two short examples as to why it was a misleading post, and not as bloody ‘cogent’ as his gushing would suggest. I remarked that I’d like to get further into it, but will be unable, and he’d have to figure it out for himself… or not, because I also said I didn’t care. Where is the problem? I can see that both of you are eager to whine that I won’t invest the time in a line by line dissection of that post (and was honest about it), but can’t be arsed to comment on the two examples I _did_ pull out of it. Ironic that I’m being portrayed as the lazy one. ---
**Author:** ![Blanche](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Blanche](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blanche)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2006, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cult-of-scientology-always-attack-never-defend/365579/156 "2006-07-26T21:44:02Z")
[QUOTE=Zebra] I hate incomplete reporting. Did he ‘get into trouble’ for a sex crime? [/QUOTE] Probably the arrest in Hillsborough County on 4/7/1999. Trespass Exposure of Sexual Organs Unnatural and Lascivious Act Possession Possession of Drug Paraphernalia All misdemeanors, the “Unnatural and Lascivicious Act” being a second degree misdemeanor. Sounds like a fun night! ---
**Author:** ![Cemetery\_Savior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/439d5e/32.png) [@Cemetery\_Savior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cemetery_Savior)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2006, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cult-of-scientology-always-attack-never-defend/365579/157 "2006-07-26T21:47:28Z")
[QUOTE=Waverly] I gave two short examples as to why it was a misleading post, and not as bloody ‘cogent’ as his gushing would suggest. I remarked that I’d like to get further into it, but will be unable, and he’d have to figure it out for himself… or not, because I also said I didn’t care. Where is the problem? I can see that both of you are eager to whine that I won’t invest the time in a line by line dissection of that post (and was honest about it), but can’t be arsed to comment on the two examples I _did_ pull out of it. Ironic that I’m being portrayed as the lazy one. [/QUOTE] But you can be troubled to write 8 lines of snarky text. Go back to sleep, Gramps…we’ll fix the rocker and get your meds. ---
**Author:** ![Waverly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/57b2e6/32.png) [@Waverly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waverly)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2006, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cult-of-scientology-always-attack-never-defend/365579/158 "2006-07-26T21:58:50Z")
[QUOTE=Cemetery Savior] But you can be troubled to write 8 lines of snarky text. [/QUOTE] Depends upon the resolution of your monitor and the size of your browser window. I have it at 5 lines. Does that make it less snarky, or a more concentrated snarky? Fuck. You really tore me a new one there. I’ll just retire to the corner, hug my knees to my chest, and rock the hurt away. ---
**Author:** ![look\_ninjas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b2d939/32.png) [@look\_ninjas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/look_ninjas)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2006, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cult-of-scientology-always-attack-never-defend/365579/159 "2006-07-26T21:59:18Z")
[QUOTE=Blanche] Probably the arrest in Hillsborough County on 4/7/1999. Trespass Exposure of Sexual Organs Unnatural and Lascivious Act Possession Possession of Drug Paraphernalia All misdemeanors, the “Unnatural and Lascivicious Act” being a second degree misdemeanor. Sounds like a fun night! [/QUOTE] So the man got his rocks off in public, possibly while a bit high. Lucky bastard. I mean… I guess it is technically illegal, and it does involve sex, but… Seriously, who among us hasn’t at least really really really wanted to try that? This is the brilliant thing about Scientology, though. Any misdemeanor, no matter how small, makes you a lurid blood sex criminal. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2006, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cult-of-scientology-always-attack-never-defend/365579/160 "2006-07-26T23:14:40Z")
[QUOTE=Frylock] Are you responding to my post about CM’s post number 128? CM makes some really good points in that post. [/QUOTE] Um, no he didn’t. He didn’t even HAVE a point. Niacin in large doses IS indeed dangerous. The sauna treatment proposed by Scientology IS dangerous. Tom Cruise doesn’t know JACKSHIT about psychiatry or psychology. Operation Snow White and Operation Freak Out DID happen. CM’s user name is apt, if you get my meaning. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cult-of-scientology-always-attack-never-defend/365579.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cult-of-scientology-always-attack-never-defend/365579.md?page=9)