New Haven Independent

Posted by: Ned | February 11, 2008 7:39 AM

Is Scientology any less crazy, irrational or just plain stupid than any other religion?

Posted by: on whalley | February 11, 2008 9:18 AM

Scientology uses crazy lies and far-fetched tales to extort money from people and force them to live their lives a certain way.

Oh, wait a minute. Is Scientology a branch of government?

At least a Scientologist can leave Scientology. I've searched and searched and the only way I can get out of the religion of government is to die.

Until then I'll just pretend to believe in their lies and far-fetched tales, live my life they say I should and never forget to tithe lest the IRS come imprison me.

Satanism, Hindu, Catholicism, Scientology, government. What's the difference? 4 of the 5 you can choose not to participate in. In one of them you get shot for not participating. Guess which one.

Posted by: Been Called Worse | February 11, 2008 9:19 AM

After watching the linked Tom Cruise video, am I the only one that feels the acting in it trumps the entire Mission Impossible trilogy?

I am uncertain who I hold more cynicism towards - the Scientologists, or the protesters.

The Scientologists don't quite strike me as a "church" in the traditional sense, but then again if Christianity was established in the last 50 years that would probably be designated as a cult as well. From casual reading about Scientology's basic tenets, the way they deal with critics, and the structure of the organization, it is nothing that I would care to embrace. But far be it from me to piss on the parades of others who may find value in becoming a member. I am a firm believer in letting others make their own mistakes and learn from them. The one gripe I have about the Scientologists is I wish they would take me off of their mailing list. Stopping in their storefront one time 8 years ago to inquire if they had certain volume of L Ron Hubbard's Mission Earth series (a novel) should not warrant years of Scientology direct marketing.

The Anonymous protesters, on the other hand... Well, I just question the agenda of any group who decides to spend their Sunday in guise protesting something as innocuous as Scientology. Besides war, healthcare, education, erroding freedom and basic global human rights, the "Scientologist threat" would be quite a few pages down my list of pressing social issues that require raised awareness. But I guess it gives them a warm feeling like their time was well spent doing something positive. What a poor misguided group of thetans.

In conclusion, I found the whole episode to be highly entertaining while waiting for my chinese food the other day. Although it was somewhat frustrating I couldn't park in the designated handicapped spot as it was occupied by a police cruiser.

Posted by: Nermal the Kitten | February 11, 2008 9:58 AM

I don't think they deserve Tax exempt, Germany is correct in treating them like a business.

As a RELIGION, I don't think they should be allowed to claim copyright infringement on anything... as a Business, I think that would be fine.

This goes for any religion, not just Co$.

Posted by: streever | February 11, 2008 10:43 AM

Anonymous, in New Haven, and I missed him?? Man!

Yes, scientology is worse than other religions. No other religion charges you to "level up" a fixed fee--I agree, they are run as a business, and should not be tax-exempt.

Posted by: ALocalGuy | February 11, 2008 11:27 AM

Anybody who says that Scientology is 'innocuous' obviously hasn't done their research.

I didn't protest, but I have been reading up and if you ask me the CoS is anything but innocuous. Reading up on Operation Snow White(where the church of Scientology infiltrated the US government) might be a good start.

Beyond that, it's basically a giant bait and switch scheme designed to keep you pouring all your money in pretending to be a religion.

Posted by: Catherine | February 11, 2008 12:25 PM

"The Anonymous protesters, on the other hand... Well, I just question the agenda of any group who decides to spend their Sunday in guise protesting something as innocuous as Scientology. Besides war, healthcare, education, erroding freedom and basic global human rights, the "Scientologist threat" would be quite a few pages down my list of pressing social issues that require raised awareness."

The sorry part of "the protest" is most of "Anonymous" college students don't know it but they are only sheep being lead by a few with vested interest. Most have read the lies on the internet and thought this would be "fun".

No real cause, not real reason. I suggest they use their youth to help really help someone.

https://donate.savedarfur.org/08/google_savedarfur
http://www.amnestyusa.org
http://www.youthforhumanrights.org
http://www.habitat.org

Posted by: Local | February 11, 2008 1:09 PM

I just walked by the protest and was listening to what they were saying.

There were two ex-scientologists at the protest. One is the woman they speak about, Patty. (Awesome lady, by the way.) The other was an older man who wouldn't give his name. He was a scientologist for a very long time, and had 3 kids who are scientologists. Ever since he left the "Church," he has been completely cut off from his children. The indoctrination while you are a member is so strong that it took him approximately 20 years just to get his head back on straight.

Scientology isn't just like any other religion because NO other religion charges you ridiculous sums of money for membership or "self-auditing" kits.

Posted by: Anonymous | February 11, 2008 2:14 PM

You may want to read the statement in my URL. It is the "official" press statement. It makes clear that these allegations of "hate crimes" are completely false. We do not protest Scientology's right as a business to charge for its services. We do not protest Scientology's right to religious beliefs. Our only problem is that they are acting as a business under the guise of being a church.

We are actively promoting the "true" Church of Scientology, the so-called "Free Zone" (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_Zone_(Scientology) for details)

These people have their beliefs and we respect their right to them; in fact we are happy that they believe they have found the answers.

I also have no idea where these Scientologists are getting the Mein Kampf and The Communist Manifesto stuff from. First off the two books have a very different message. If the Scientologists weren't so confident that the American public would forget that the books are so incredibly different, they wouldn't be so brazen with their false accusations. Most of us have never read either of these books and I can guarantee you that they are not, by any means, our "guiding books," excluding the possibility of a small minority of crazies. It's interesting to note that they don't cite any references for this part - at all.

The hackings and other acts of cyber-vandalism were carried out by members of Anonymous in the past. What the Corporation of $cientology is having a hard time understanding is that anyone and everyone can declare themselves to be "Anonymous." As such, Anonymous is both guilty and innocent. FOX News, ever the bastion of unbiased and accurate journalism, chose to criticize Anonymous's "mean" side. For all its apparent interest in us, FOX ignored us when we caught a Canadian pedophile by the name of Chris Forcand (see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHohvluf3mc for the news report). I'm sure that Scientology is fine with this though, since they both profit from preying on fear and inadequacy.

Posted by: Adam Nelosi | February 11, 2008 2:27 PM

Scientology is certainly not 'innocuous'. Try googling 'Operation Snow White'.

Posted by: Ned | February 11, 2008 6:50 PM

"pretending to be a religion." Aren't all religions pretend? When is the last time a scientologist flew a plane into a building, performed a suicide bombing, cut off a girl's vulva, burned someone at the stake, stoned someone to death for adultery, imprisoned someone for naming a teddy bear after their prophet, etc. Those Scientologists are so baaad. I suppose the hucksters pushing other "belief systems" are just worried about the competition for suckers.

Posted by: A non e-mouse | February 11, 2008 8:17 PM

"anti-Scientology demonstrations across the country"

Across the planet. Typical American can't tell the difference.

Posted by: THREEFIFTHS | February 11, 2008 9:11 PM

Local
You say that no other religion charges you ridiculous sums of money is not true, How about Rev.Ike And the pray cloth,How About These Jack leg prechers who refuse to open there books,Cashflow dollar T.D Snakes. Kennth Copeland
and Pat Robeson!!! All of it is the same and that is they all precher cheap feel good thrills to a bunch of sucks waiting for the second comming!!!

Posted by: Anon3736459 | February 12, 2008 12:00 AM

We are not against the religion itself. We are against the business that runs it. The 'church' holds copyrights on their scriptures, and charge you a lot of money to progress and read them. Hundreds of thousands of dollars... Any other religion will give you what ever info you want for free, or maybe charge you $25 for their bible. Paper isn't free, you know.

There is a group out there, called the Free Zoners, or the Free Zone, I can't remember which, which offers Scientologists a place to get help and practice their religion, without having to spend their children's college funds or mortgaging their houses to do so.

:) Down with the church, up with the free zone.

Posted by: Been Called Worse | February 12, 2008 1:09 AM

Agreed ThreeFifths.

I believe them innocuous (harmless, insignificant) because I am not seeking to find my identity through their group affiliation, nor have I contributed any money to their cause. In fact I cannot think of one adverse effect having them as neighbors for so many years now has caused me.

Perhaps if I had been a member of their "church" and spent my life savings contributing to attain some higher level of understanding them I'm sure they would be a very negative influence. Be that as it may, I'm a firm believer in giving others the freedom to f*ck their lives up as they see fit. Caveat emptor.

Posted by: Nestor Makhno | February 12, 2008 1:23 AM

The pictured protester with the red bandana is wearing an Iron Maiden shirt, a heavy metal band known for the song, "Number of the Beast" (i.e., 666). It appears the protesters could be both thetans AND satanists. Right on!

Posted by: Mturbulation | February 12, 2008 5:11 AM

Ned said: "burned someone at the stake..."

Not quite burning them at the stake (more like, burning them in their own bathtub), but google "Joseph A Havenith" if you'd like.

Perhaps pay a quick visit whyaretheydead.net to learn about more victims of this "harmless" organization.

If you need first hand proof, perhaps take out a second mortgage to join the organization and work your way up into the higher ranks of the corporation's "OSA". The organization is neither harmless or innocent.

Posted by: Hartford Johnson | February 13, 2008 12:44 PM

Scientologists are scary - just like the Ken Paul fanatics.