TobiasTheViking
29th June 2005, 07:34 AM
Last year i got, in snail mail, an advertisement from CoS. It so pissed me off that i had to make a reply.
Now, i never dared to actually send the reply back, but i thought someone might enjoy to read it. So here it is.
Original message part
My personal opinon of the quote
A general statement about the quote.
CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY
Have the satisfaction of knowing you are doing something worthwile with your life.
I can do this fine on my own.
Some people find it easy to do something worthwhile with their life, and some people need an external influence to feel they do something important. This can be from a spouse, a friend, or the community. What matters here is input from the people around you. Satisfaction comes from being aknowledged in your endeavours, and being locked in to a cult (the christian church is a cult as well, or rather, many cults) can give gratification that some people need. But you need to do something to earn that gratification and satisfaction, and not just get it by default. If you just get it by default, the meaning (and thus satisfaction) dwindles.
Besides, I'm not sure if the Church of Scientology will give me any gratification for joining them.
As the world edges towards the 21st century, there is a growing concern for the welfare of its people and its environment..
Indeed there is, and I do what I can to help.
Every civilization have its pitfalls, and every generation have people looking back on what was before. There are texts on this from the Romans, and the Greeks, which are still as accurate now as they were back then, about the state of society. These texts tell of the impending doom of the civilization in question. How it is rotting from within, and how the old days were better. Nothing have changed much since then. The world is still about to go into the abyss, just as it was back then. This is the perception we all see. Even young people, like me at 21, think this. We have all seen our language get mutilated. We have all seen the world take a turn for the worse. But it still stands, and it will stand, for a long time. We all feel the end is coming, that things are bad. That the world was better under Clinton (or any other former president) than it is today. But it doesn't matter, the world will stay, we will stand, and we will survive this.
Look around your city or neighborhood and you will notice that all is notwell with society. drugs, crime, illiteracy and more. we don't have to detail for you -- you see it every day.
It is not relevant to me.
A society will always have classes. It is unavoidable. And the upper classes will always look at the lower classes with distaste. Sometimes its just how a person acts. Sometimes it's how a person dress. And sometimes it's what drugs a person uses. Some neighborhoods are worse than others, some are better. It have always been like that, and it always will. Of course it would be better to make the world more managable for the lowest class. But even then, the perception won't be changed. People do drugs and crimes out of desperation, people in higher classes are seldom as desperates as people in lower classes. Thus we see a cleaner high class. It doesn't mean the high class is better. That it has better people. It simply means that the lowest class have a harder time dealing with life. Either through mental instability, through lack of opportunities. Or just misfortune. Some people can manage to be defeated. Some people see no other choice than escaping from the world. This does not make the people from the slums worse than the people from the golden coast.
But there is something that YOU can do about it. there is a very worthwhile and very fulfilling activity that is making a difference in the world.
I feel that I am doing something.
To each his own. Some people feel they can donate money to a good cause, and be fulfilled like that. Some people feel you have to get your hands dirty, and be fulfilled like that. It is very different from person to person what they think is worthwhile, and what they think is a fulfilling activity. Everyone should do what they think is best. In the end, we all do everything for ourselves. Sure, we may send money to Red Cross, or Unicef, or something else. But we all do it to make us feel better about ourselves. Different people need to do different things to make them feel better about themselves. I feel I am doing enough. And I haven't seen the Church of Scientology out there doing stuff. That is not to say that the Church of Scientology aren't helping making the world a better place. I just haven't percieved it. And perception is all if someone's position is to be changed. If they know they will do more with another group, or without a group, that is their perception of what will be acomplished. And thus everyone will take the road they percieve as being the best. But the Church of Scientology is not known for this, at least not enough for me to know.
Holding a job in a workaday world is, for most people, a burdensome necessity. few who work for a living are fortunate enough to be doing something they can enjoy, much less something they feel strongly enough about to dedicate their lives to endeavour. In contrast, staff members of Scientology organizations recognize the importance of helping to achieve a civilization without insanity, without criminals and without war, where the able can prosper and honest beings can have rights, and where man is free to rise to greater heights.
I don't feel burdened, I feel satisfied.
Some people (maybe most, I wouldn't know) feel work as a necessity. Some people are given a position in life which makes it hard, or impossible, to do the job they want.
Some people go to work, do their work, and go home without enjoying what they have done. Sure. But work isn't everything. Work is a necessity for almost all people. It is something we have to make the most of. If you can't enjoy your work, you have to enjoy your family all the more. Work isn't all. Some people, and this number is increasing day by day, can select to join a wok force they like, can be dedicated to their work. And that's good for them. Back 2-300 years ago almost no one had a choice. Now many people have choices. And ever more are created. This is not done by any one group, be it a country, an organization or a village. It is done by the progress of the world. As science and civilization have matured, more choices have opened up.
Scientology staff member probably recognize the importance of a healthy societey. We all do. That is nothing unexpected, earth shattering or new. Everyone wants a peaceful world, and we all want it on our terms. Some groups want a different world order, some like it as it is today. This was the most common cause of war (with very few exceptions, like stealing a princess and the like). Another reason (that still exist today), is to gain resources and most of these wars and world views have been started by religion. Now, religion is good, religion have its purpose, and religion isn't evil in and of itself. But some people take it onto themselves to conform other societies to their own belief. This is the pitfall of all religions, even if it isn't in the religion itself. And even if the religion prohibits it. Therefore religions shouldn't be given too much power over the world. The organizations that should help make the world a better place should be impartial to religion. Of course a church can help, but it shouldn't be by themselves. It should be through independent channels that make sure the help is spread evenly, or to the most needed.
Now I see a big problem with this quote. Mostly the fact that only honest people should have rights. Every person should have rights. From the old mother who have never harmed a fly, to the childmolesters and killers. Everyone should have rights. And all should follow the rules of society. But even a person who is dishonest, should be able to rise to greater heights. This can be done by becoming a honest member of society. The quote states that such rights shouldn't be given to people who don't deserve it (are honest). Then how will any person who have ever done anything wrong be able to rise above himself, and become a better person.
Another problem with the quote is that it says the "abled" should be allowed to prosper. Why shouldn't disabled people be allowed to prosper? everyone should be allowed to prosper. Else society will stagnate. Of course we could just exclude everyone with disabilities from being in society, but where do we draw the line, with brain damage, with people who havne't got hands, or with people who need glasses? Everyone needs the opportunity to be able to prosper, everyone. Else society will become too uniform, and thus stagnate.
If this quote were supposed to be something like "everyone who is able to prosper, should be allowed to prosper", then we all agree on that. But that is, yet again, not novel. That is common sence.
Regardless of the task at hand, staff members seize responsibility and learn how to do the job -- and do it well. there are few people anywhere who have duties more challenging -- or fulfilling. For this reason, public scientologists regard staff with more than a little respect and a great deal of admiration.
I seize responsibility for what I believe in.
Everyone have something they believe in, everyone have a job, and everyone have challenges. For any individual to be able to prosper in this world, they will have to learn, and they have to learn responsiblity. You can't prosper without it. There is nothing novel in this fact. Nothing new. And anyone who take it upon themselves to take more responsibility for the world around them, deserves respect and admiration. But this is rarely given to the ones that deserve it.
The person taking responsibliity and doing his job, but not surpasing it, deserves respect and admiration for being a decent human being. This is sometimes present in organizations, and sometimes it is not. If the Church of Scientology holds respect and admiration for everyone of its members, then this is good for the Church of Scientology, and for all the members. But this is not something that makes the Church of Scientology good. This is something all groups should aspire to do. Organizations that don't do this are bad, and this will be seen in their productivity. But doing something which is expected (and should be required) does not make any organization good. It is only when one goes beyond what is expected that any titles can be prescribed to the group, or person.
Help make a difference on this planet. Join the staff of a Scientology organization.
I feel I make a difference, maybe not enough, but as much as I can handle.
Everyone should make a difference in the world (well, a positive difference). And everyone should try to make a bigger difference in the world. But joining the staff of the Church of Scientology is, in my opinion, not the best way to reach the goal.
Everyone should choose what they want to do, and with how much devotion, and then do the cause with others who agree. And then take on a new cause. Sometimes people agree, and sometimes they agree so much that they form a group. This is, usually, a good thing. But the Church of Scientology was not created for this cause, and thus there are better organizations out there for the purpose of making the world a better place.
Contact the church of scientology for information on job opportunities.
I don't feel the need, nor urge.
This is a flaw. A church isn't a job, a church is a place where you believe. It's a place to gather and believe in the same thing. Very few people work in churches. And besides the few that are required to make a church function for its member, no job should ever be joined with any church. Combining politics with religion is wrong. Combining jobs with religion is wrong. Sometimes religion look like its a good thing when combined with other aspects of life. But more times than not, it is something that will hold people back.
Religion should be alone. A church should be alone. If it gets combined, it clouds the purpose of both endeavours.
©1999 CSI. All Rights Reserved. The Scientology Symbol, OT, SAINT HILL, THE BRIDE and SCIENTOLOGY are trademarks and service marks owned by Religious Technology Center and are used with its permission. Printed in U.S.A.
No message here.
-----
I have tried to keep this free of opinions(except for the bold parts), and stear clear of the pittfall that is flaming.
Any opinion or correction will bring me satisfaction, even if you disagree.
Sincerely
Tobias
Edit: formating was frelled.. fixed now.
Now, i never dared to actually send the reply back, but i thought someone might enjoy to read it. So here it is.
Original message part
My personal opinon of the quote
A general statement about the quote.
CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY
Have the satisfaction of knowing you are doing something worthwile with your life.
I can do this fine on my own.
Some people find it easy to do something worthwhile with their life, and some people need an external influence to feel they do something important. This can be from a spouse, a friend, or the community. What matters here is input from the people around you. Satisfaction comes from being aknowledged in your endeavours, and being locked in to a cult (the christian church is a cult as well, or rather, many cults) can give gratification that some people need. But you need to do something to earn that gratification and satisfaction, and not just get it by default. If you just get it by default, the meaning (and thus satisfaction) dwindles.
Besides, I'm not sure if the Church of Scientology will give me any gratification for joining them.
As the world edges towards the 21st century, there is a growing concern for the welfare of its people and its environment..
Indeed there is, and I do what I can to help.
Every civilization have its pitfalls, and every generation have people looking back on what was before. There are texts on this from the Romans, and the Greeks, which are still as accurate now as they were back then, about the state of society. These texts tell of the impending doom of the civilization in question. How it is rotting from within, and how the old days were better. Nothing have changed much since then. The world is still about to go into the abyss, just as it was back then. This is the perception we all see. Even young people, like me at 21, think this. We have all seen our language get mutilated. We have all seen the world take a turn for the worse. But it still stands, and it will stand, for a long time. We all feel the end is coming, that things are bad. That the world was better under Clinton (or any other former president) than it is today. But it doesn't matter, the world will stay, we will stand, and we will survive this.
Look around your city or neighborhood and you will notice that all is notwell with society. drugs, crime, illiteracy and more. we don't have to detail for you -- you see it every day.
It is not relevant to me.
A society will always have classes. It is unavoidable. And the upper classes will always look at the lower classes with distaste. Sometimes its just how a person acts. Sometimes it's how a person dress. And sometimes it's what drugs a person uses. Some neighborhoods are worse than others, some are better. It have always been like that, and it always will. Of course it would be better to make the world more managable for the lowest class. But even then, the perception won't be changed. People do drugs and crimes out of desperation, people in higher classes are seldom as desperates as people in lower classes. Thus we see a cleaner high class. It doesn't mean the high class is better. That it has better people. It simply means that the lowest class have a harder time dealing with life. Either through mental instability, through lack of opportunities. Or just misfortune. Some people can manage to be defeated. Some people see no other choice than escaping from the world. This does not make the people from the slums worse than the people from the golden coast.
But there is something that YOU can do about it. there is a very worthwhile and very fulfilling activity that is making a difference in the world.
I feel that I am doing something.
To each his own. Some people feel they can donate money to a good cause, and be fulfilled like that. Some people feel you have to get your hands dirty, and be fulfilled like that. It is very different from person to person what they think is worthwhile, and what they think is a fulfilling activity. Everyone should do what they think is best. In the end, we all do everything for ourselves. Sure, we may send money to Red Cross, or Unicef, or something else. But we all do it to make us feel better about ourselves. Different people need to do different things to make them feel better about themselves. I feel I am doing enough. And I haven't seen the Church of Scientology out there doing stuff. That is not to say that the Church of Scientology aren't helping making the world a better place. I just haven't percieved it. And perception is all if someone's position is to be changed. If they know they will do more with another group, or without a group, that is their perception of what will be acomplished. And thus everyone will take the road they percieve as being the best. But the Church of Scientology is not known for this, at least not enough for me to know.
Holding a job in a workaday world is, for most people, a burdensome necessity. few who work for a living are fortunate enough to be doing something they can enjoy, much less something they feel strongly enough about to dedicate their lives to endeavour. In contrast, staff members of Scientology organizations recognize the importance of helping to achieve a civilization without insanity, without criminals and without war, where the able can prosper and honest beings can have rights, and where man is free to rise to greater heights.
I don't feel burdened, I feel satisfied.
Some people (maybe most, I wouldn't know) feel work as a necessity. Some people are given a position in life which makes it hard, or impossible, to do the job they want.
Some people go to work, do their work, and go home without enjoying what they have done. Sure. But work isn't everything. Work is a necessity for almost all people. It is something we have to make the most of. If you can't enjoy your work, you have to enjoy your family all the more. Work isn't all. Some people, and this number is increasing day by day, can select to join a wok force they like, can be dedicated to their work. And that's good for them. Back 2-300 years ago almost no one had a choice. Now many people have choices. And ever more are created. This is not done by any one group, be it a country, an organization or a village. It is done by the progress of the world. As science and civilization have matured, more choices have opened up.
Scientology staff member probably recognize the importance of a healthy societey. We all do. That is nothing unexpected, earth shattering or new. Everyone wants a peaceful world, and we all want it on our terms. Some groups want a different world order, some like it as it is today. This was the most common cause of war (with very few exceptions, like stealing a princess and the like). Another reason (that still exist today), is to gain resources and most of these wars and world views have been started by religion. Now, religion is good, religion have its purpose, and religion isn't evil in and of itself. But some people take it onto themselves to conform other societies to their own belief. This is the pitfall of all religions, even if it isn't in the religion itself. And even if the religion prohibits it. Therefore religions shouldn't be given too much power over the world. The organizations that should help make the world a better place should be impartial to religion. Of course a church can help, but it shouldn't be by themselves. It should be through independent channels that make sure the help is spread evenly, or to the most needed.
Now I see a big problem with this quote. Mostly the fact that only honest people should have rights. Every person should have rights. From the old mother who have never harmed a fly, to the childmolesters and killers. Everyone should have rights. And all should follow the rules of society. But even a person who is dishonest, should be able to rise to greater heights. This can be done by becoming a honest member of society. The quote states that such rights shouldn't be given to people who don't deserve it (are honest). Then how will any person who have ever done anything wrong be able to rise above himself, and become a better person.
Another problem with the quote is that it says the "abled" should be allowed to prosper. Why shouldn't disabled people be allowed to prosper? everyone should be allowed to prosper. Else society will stagnate. Of course we could just exclude everyone with disabilities from being in society, but where do we draw the line, with brain damage, with people who havne't got hands, or with people who need glasses? Everyone needs the opportunity to be able to prosper, everyone. Else society will become too uniform, and thus stagnate.
If this quote were supposed to be something like "everyone who is able to prosper, should be allowed to prosper", then we all agree on that. But that is, yet again, not novel. That is common sence.
Regardless of the task at hand, staff members seize responsibility and learn how to do the job -- and do it well. there are few people anywhere who have duties more challenging -- or fulfilling. For this reason, public scientologists regard staff with more than a little respect and a great deal of admiration.
I seize responsibility for what I believe in.
Everyone have something they believe in, everyone have a job, and everyone have challenges. For any individual to be able to prosper in this world, they will have to learn, and they have to learn responsiblity. You can't prosper without it. There is nothing novel in this fact. Nothing new. And anyone who take it upon themselves to take more responsibility for the world around them, deserves respect and admiration. But this is rarely given to the ones that deserve it.
The person taking responsibliity and doing his job, but not surpasing it, deserves respect and admiration for being a decent human being. This is sometimes present in organizations, and sometimes it is not. If the Church of Scientology holds respect and admiration for everyone of its members, then this is good for the Church of Scientology, and for all the members. But this is not something that makes the Church of Scientology good. This is something all groups should aspire to do. Organizations that don't do this are bad, and this will be seen in their productivity. But doing something which is expected (and should be required) does not make any organization good. It is only when one goes beyond what is expected that any titles can be prescribed to the group, or person.
Help make a difference on this planet. Join the staff of a Scientology organization.
I feel I make a difference, maybe not enough, but as much as I can handle.
Everyone should make a difference in the world (well, a positive difference). And everyone should try to make a bigger difference in the world. But joining the staff of the Church of Scientology is, in my opinion, not the best way to reach the goal.
Everyone should choose what they want to do, and with how much devotion, and then do the cause with others who agree. And then take on a new cause. Sometimes people agree, and sometimes they agree so much that they form a group. This is, usually, a good thing. But the Church of Scientology was not created for this cause, and thus there are better organizations out there for the purpose of making the world a better place.
Contact the church of scientology for information on job opportunities.
I don't feel the need, nor urge.
This is a flaw. A church isn't a job, a church is a place where you believe. It's a place to gather and believe in the same thing. Very few people work in churches. And besides the few that are required to make a church function for its member, no job should ever be joined with any church. Combining politics with religion is wrong. Combining jobs with religion is wrong. Sometimes religion look like its a good thing when combined with other aspects of life. But more times than not, it is something that will hold people back.
Religion should be alone. A church should be alone. If it gets combined, it clouds the purpose of both endeavours.
©1999 CSI. All Rights Reserved. The Scientology Symbol, OT, SAINT HILL, THE BRIDE and SCIENTOLOGY are trademarks and service marks owned by Religious Technology Center and are used with its permission. Printed in U.S.A.
No message here.
-----
I have tried to keep this free of opinions(except for the bold parts), and stear clear of the pittfall that is flaming.
Any opinion or correction will bring me satisfaction, even if you disagree.
Sincerely
Tobias
Edit: formating was frelled.. fixed now.