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 Kilkrazy wrote:
Scientology is a religion that believes in space aliens.

How is searching for space aliens anti-religious?

Scientology isn't a religion, it's a scam.

Not according to the government of the USA.

Lurching closer to warnings, suspensions and locking.

Rule #1 - NOT optional.

Yeah, let's not continue this idea that the rules about not being rude or mocking religion don't apply to Scientology. Scientology is no different than any other religion, it's just been declared an acceptable target since it's a small minority.

 Peregrine wrote:
Yeah, let's not continue this idea that the rules about not being rude or mocking religion don't apply to Scientology. Scientology is no different than any other religion, it's just been declared an acceptable target since it's a small minority.

And the fact that it literally charges you inordinate sums of money just to be a part of it and only tells you what they actually believe after you've given them thousands. What other religion does that?

 A Town Called Malus wrote:

 Peregrine wrote:
Yeah, let's not continue this idea that the rules about not being rude or mocking religion don't apply to Scientology. Scientology is no different than any other religion, it's just been declared an acceptable target since it's a small minority.

And the fact that it literally charges you inordinate sums of money just to be a part of it and only tells you what they actually believe after you've given them thousands. What other religion does that?

CrossFit.

 A Town Called Malus wrote:
And the fact that it literally charges you inordinate sums of money just to be a part of it and only tells you what they actually believe after you've given them thousands. What other religion does that?

Charging money is a long tradition with "mainstream" religions. And sure, the belief that some knowledge is too dangerous for anyone who hasn't ascended to the higher ranks of the church is weird, but it's no weirder than the things any other religion believes.

 Peregrine wrote:

 A Town Called Malus wrote:
And the fact that it literally charges you inordinate sums of money just to be a part of it and only tells you what they actually believe after you've given them thousands. What other religion does that?

Charging money is a long tradition with "mainstream" religions. And sure, the belief that some knowledge is too dangerous for anyone who hasn't ascended to the higher ranks of the church is weird, but it's no weirder than the things any other religion believes.

If you are a cynic and see all religion as a way to bilk money from people, then Scientology's method is certainly more... overt than other religions.

How do you account for the validity of a 'religion' who's founder has himself even stated that he created the cult on a bet? If only Jesus had said such a thing...would Christianity be any more valid than your everyday ponzi scheme?

 Alpharius wrote:
Lurching closer to warnings, suspensions and locking.

Rule #1 - NOT optional.

 Alpharius wrote:

 Alpharius wrote:
Lurching closer to warnings, suspensions and locking.

Rule #1 - NOT optional.

Why are religious threads even allowed? They all collapse into covert flame wars by page 2 every time.

 trexmeyer wrote:
Why are religious threads even allowed? They all collapse into covert flame wars by page 2 every time.

"Your religion is wrong" is not a flame war.

 Peregrine wrote:

 trexmeyer wrote:
Why are religious threads even allowed? They all collapse into covert flame wars by page 2 every time.

"Your religion is wrong" is not a flame war.

It's an overly sensitive subject that is only going to lead to vindictive diatribe. These threads usually turn into multiple people bashing the single zealot. It's extremely immature. Also, the existence or lack thereof of corruption within religious bodies is largely irrelevant as to whether or not said religon's teachings have any validity.

 trexmeyer wrote:
It's an overly sensitive subject that is only going to lead to vindictive diatribe.

Only because some people consider any criticism of their religion a ban-worthy offense. Compared to other subjects (politics, why GW sucks, etc) religion threads are no worse than average.

Also, the existence or lack thereof of corruption within religious bodies is largely irrelevant as to whether or not said religon's teachings have any validity.

That's exactly what I said. Scientology's teachings are no more or less valid than any other religion, the only reason people get to mock it openly is that the internet has decided that it's ok to have different standards for a minority religion. Many of the people mocking Scientology would immediately press the "report" button if someone made the same comment about their religion.

 Peregrine wrote:

 trexmeyer wrote:
It's an overly sensitive subject that is only going to lead to vindictive diatribe.

Only because some people consider any criticism of their religion a ban-worthy offense. Compared to other subjects (politics, why GW sucks, etc) religion threads are no worse than average.

Also, the existence or lack thereof of corruption within religious bodies is largely irrelevant as to whether or not said religon's teachings have any validity.

That's exactly what I said. Scientology's teachings are no more or less valid than any other religion, the only reason people get to mock it openly is that the internet has decided that it's ok to have different standards for a minority religion. Many of the people mocking Scientology would immediately press the "report" button if someone made the same comment about their religion.

Someone hasn't actually looked into anything about Scientology concerning it's policies vs other religions, typical.

Mainly because half of the actions of Scientology is that of a terrorist group towards people.

 d-usa wrote:

 A Town Called Malus wrote:


And the fact that it literally charges you inordinate sums of money just to be a part of it and only tells you what they actually believe after you've given them thousands. What other religion does that?

CrossFit.

So, so true... have an exalt for that


Also, it's one with a rule that is the polar opposite of Fight Club... Instead of "You do not talk about Fight Club" it's "You will NOT shut up about CrossFit"

After thinking about it ,it might be a good thing if animals don't go to heaven. I'm currently having nightmares about all the pets I have had all constantly fighting for my affection, not to count the animals I will have in the future.

Hahahaha, i CAN'T believe what that nutjob is saying.... Aliens don't exist because Bible said so....
A question: Is God omnipotent? Yes you say? Then i suppose he can make a stone so heavy he Himself isn't able to lift?
Back to topic: While i am not a religious person, i have nothing against religion if they weren't so annoying and calling to boycot anything that counters their religious views, the Bible NEVER EVER SAID ANYTHING about aliens! But i am pretty sure some random priest knows more than 100s of people who dedicated their LIFES on the subject of ET life

As all religious threads seem to require one, here's a mod warning to the thread in general. Let's steer clear of calling people terrorists and other such terms who hold different view points to you. If you don't like something, feel free to say it, say 'I dislike atheists because X' or 'I disagree with scientologists because Y'. But let's leave the slander out of it.

Specific warnings will follow if this sort of behaviour continues. Let's try to be the religious thread that breaks the mould!

 motyak wrote:
As all religious threads seem to require one, here's a mod warning to the thread in general. Let's steer clear of calling people terrorists and other such terms who hold different view points to you. If you don't like something, feel free to say it, say 'I dislike atheists because X' or 'I disagree with scientologists because Y'. But let's leave the slander out of it.

Specific warnings will follow if this sort of behaviour continues. Let's try to be the religious thread that breaks the mould!

Since I'm the only one who said 'Terrorist'

I actually had thought that group was on the watch at one point due to its "Fair Game" "Dead Agenting" policies

If they aren't currently, then please steer clear of that language. If they are currently on a terrorist watch list, then consider me both surprised and apologetic.

 motyak wrote:
If they aren't currently, then please steer clear of that language. If they are currently on a terrorist watch list, then consider me both surprised and apologetic.

Alright I understand then, I'll keep it to what's currently known about the groups in question. I had thought it was before but I haven't found any info that would be considered reliable.

 motyak wrote:
As all religious threads seem to require one, here's a mod warning to the thread in general. Let's steer clear of calling people terrorists and other such terms who hold different view points to you. If you don't like something, feel free to say it, say 'I dislike atheists because X' or 'I disagree with scientologists because Y'. But let's leave the slander out of it.

Specific warnings will follow if this sort of behaviour continues. Let's try to be the religious thread that breaks the mould!

When did you become mod, or have you been one for awhile and I just have horrible observation skills?

It's new chezcat , I am surprised as you. I say Motyak is too funny to be a MOD , If I have a dig at Motyak now I'm going to be scared I'll recieve the red voice of fear instead of a good dig back.

What Bullockist said. As of the last week. And unless the red text abounds in a thread, dig away (within the rules of dakka of course)

I'm going to start saying the bad things as i think red looks good on you.

Not that this Ken character would care (or after reading the OP article, I would assume he would not care), the Roman Catholic Church says that Aliens within the realm of possibility and not an issue. And this was Benedict not Francis saying this.

Link to article:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/the-pope/8009299/Pope-Benedict-XVIs-astronomer-the-Catholic-Church-welcomes-aliens.html

 guardpiper wrote:
Not that this Ken character would care (or after reading the OP article, I would assume he would not care), the Roman Catholic Church says that Aliens within the realm of possibility and not an issue. And this was Benedict not Francis saying this.

If anything, that would reaffirm his current position more. The debate showed he was not a man to be reasoned with.

I think most of us figured that out before the debate.

 Laemos wrote:
I think most of us figured that out before the debate.

You overestimate the average person. I went into it really trying to keep an open mind.