Ask A Scientologist!

[Digital_Thetan]

I've been a scientologist for the last 8 years, and let me tell you, those last 8 years have been an amazing journey. The teachings of L. Ron Hubbard have helped me improve myself in so many ways, it's amazing, and there's nothing I'd like more than to share that joy with you.

However, throughout those same last 8 years I have discovered the misconceptions people have about Scientology. Despite my valiant defense of Scientology, people confront me with ridiculous claims about my beliefs to this day. As a new member of this forum, I'd like to address any questions or comments you guys have regarding Scientology and the teachings of L. Ron Hubbard.

-DT-

[Digital_Thetan]

quote:Originally posted by Q777:

May you direct me to your holy book so I may find error in it?

Scientology doesn't have a single "Divine Text" like other religions do. L. Ron Hubbard didn't make absurd claims about talking snakes and virgin births like the authors of other religious texts did. The teachings of Scientology (3,000 taped lectures, 15,000 pages of writing in various books) are simply the culmination of Hubbard's research, and can be obtained at any Scientology center.

I am disappointed in the fact that you have this preconceived notion that Scientology is false. I fully believe that all the teachings of Scientology are true, because I've applied the teachings myself and expereinced the benefits. If you are genuinely interested in exposing yourself to Scientology (and the associtated benefits) I'd recommend picking up a copy of Hubbard's Dianetics.

-DT-

[Clarphimous]

Hahahaha... not only did you just create that Totse account, but you also just created the Yahoo e-mail account displayed in your Totse profile.

http://profiles.yahoo.com/digitalthetan

Not like we would have ever guessed that.

So I'll start off with some simple questions.

Tell us, how do you know that Scientology is true and other religions aren't? Is there some sort of punishment for people who don't believe in your religion? And what the heck has happened to Tom Cruise?

[Jaryohem063]

quote:Originally posted by Digital_Thetan:

Scientology doesn't have a single "Divine Text" like other religions do. L. Ron Hubbard didn't make absurd claims about talking snakes and virgin births like the authors of other religious texts did. The teachings of Scientology (3,000 taped lectures, 15,000 pages of writing in various books) are simply the culmination of Hubbard's research, and can be obtained at any Scientology center.

I am disappointed in the fact that you have this preconceived notion that Scientology is false. I fully believe that all the teachings of Scientology are true, because I've applied the teachings myself and expereinced the benefits. If you are genuinely interested in exposing yourself to Scientology (and the associtated benefits) I'd recommend picking up a copy of Hubbard's Dianetics.

-DT-

There have been so many substantiated claims from former scientologists about incredibly odd beliefs and cult like practices such as ostracizing former members that it is quite surprising to me that there are people out there who don't assume that scientology is false.



Just for the sake of the continuity of the thread, I will post some questions.

What is up with Xenu?

Why is it that there are reports of scientology taking all of people's money?

Why do scientologists recruit celebrities?

Why won't Tom Cruise shut the fuck up?

[cac0]

I have a question. Do you think that scientology is any more believable than a science fiction novel? I sure don't.

[Jaryohem063]

Man, I hope DS replies. Then she'll get owned by a scientologist.

I would pay to see that.

[truckfixr]

Is it just me , or does anyone else think that Digital_Thetan seems awfully similar to Abrahim? Possibly even share the same IP?

[Clarphimous]

There was a real Scientologist who used to post here. His username was something like "I See Hell In My Eyes." He didn't belong to the actual "Church of Scientology," though. He seemed to be involved in an underground movement of Scientologists who didn't find favor with the church.

Edit: it was more like "I see hell in your eyes."

Edit2: okay, so it was "I See Hell In My Eyes"

http://tinyurl.com/epmru



[This message has been edited by Clarphimous (edited 05-29-2006).]

[Digital_Thetan]

quote:Originally posted by Clarphimous:

Hahahaha... not only did you just create that Totse account, but you also just created the Yahoo e-mail account displayed in your Totse profile.

http: //profiles .yahoo.com /digitalth etan

Not like we would have ever guessed that.

I want every single person on this board to know I'm a Scientologist. I'm proud of my religion and feel no reason to hide it, hence my screen name. However, I do feel a need to hide my real identity. Like I said, I've been a Scientologist for over 8 years. I'm well aware of the hostility towards my religion, hence I created the account conceal my real-life identity.

quote:Originally posted by Clarphimous:

Tell us, how do you know that Scientology is true and other religions aren't?

Scientology is different from other religions in the fact that it encourages people to discover Truth through personal experience, rather than dogmatic teachings. I know that the teachings of Scientology are true because I have applied them and have seen how much I've improved, in all aspects of life.

quote:Originally posted by Clarphimous:

Is there some sort of punishment for people who don't believe in your religion?

Unlike typical western religions, Scientologists don't believe in an eternal heaven or hell. The benefits of being a Scientologist can be found here on earth. So if you reject Scientology, you don't have to worry about going to hell.

quote:Originally posted by Clarphimous:

And what the heck has happened to Tom Cruise?

What about him?

-DT-

[Digital_Thetan]

quote:Originally posted by Jaryohem063:

There have been so many substantiated claims from former scientologists about incredibly odd beliefs and cult like practices such as ostracizing former members that it is quite surprising to me that there are people out there who don't assume that scientology is false.

Oh really? As far as I know, there have only been a few isolated cases of this sort of thing, generally by people who had a bad experience with the Church and wish to slander it. If you can find several reputable claims of this sort of thing, please, show me.

quote:Originally posted by Jaryohem063:

What is up with Xenu?

If I told you that Christianity teaches that people should rape babies, would you believe me? I hope not. You'd look at primary sources (in this case, the Bible) and you would then reject the claim. However, if someone makes an obscene claim about Scientology, people are quick to believe it without first contacting the Church.

The Xenu myth was propogated by former church members that just happened to have a bad experience with the Church. I challenge you to find primary sources, from the Church of Scientology, that confirm the Xenu myth. They don't exist. If you can find them, I'll happily renounce my religion.

quote:Originally posted by Jaryohem063:

Why is it that there are reports of scientology taking all of people's money?

Again, I'd love to see credible reports of this sort of thing. Like I said, members who have bad experiences with the Church often like to slander it.

quote:Originally posted by Jaryohem063:

Why do scientologists recruit celebrities?

I, along with all Scientologists, feel that almost everyone can benefit from the teachings of Scientology. And, as I mentioned, there is nothing more than I (or any member of the Church of Scientology) would like to do than share those benefits with everyone. In order to do this, we need to expose ourselves to society. Celebrities are often in the public spotlight, so they are have an especially important role in spreading our message.

I feel obligated to note, however, we don't feel the need to push our beliefs upon you. In fact, The Scientology Creed specifically states "That all men have inalienable rights to their own religious practices." Can anyone here name another religion that preaches religious tolerance? Anyone?

quote:Originally posted by Jaryohem063:

Why won't Tom Cruise shut the fuck up?

There are plenty of celebrities that are open about their faith. I see nothing wrong with this. Do you?