Inside Scientology (Rolling Stone article)

[HarryKeogh]

for your reading pleasure...

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/9363363/inside_scientology

[Ladewig]

A powerful and insightful piece.

[uruk]

Awesome!!!! Where do I sigh up? And do I get to meet Tom Cruise?

[slingblade]

Awesome!!!! Where do I sigh up? And do I get to meet Tom Cruise?

You can sigh up here, if you can get me to sigh first. (Don't worry; it isn't difficult.) ;)

[Tony]

Here is some scientology info:

http://www.xenu.net/

[Ladewig]

I can't decide which is wackier: the belief that the universe is less than 10,000 years old or the idea that intelligent life has been around for trillions of years.

The brain, Rurik says, has absolutely no bearing on our thoughts or feelings. Nor, he adds, does the mind -- its chief function is to serve as a memory bank of all we've experienced in trillions of years of lifetimes. Indeed, Scientology holds that the entire field of neurological and mental-health research -- from Freud to the study of brain chemistry -- is pseudoscience.

[thaiboxerken]

Wow, it sucks that they pressured censorship of the South Park scientology episode. Good think I have it saved.

[alfaniner]

Wow. Amazing that a bad sci-fi writer can come up with such a religion. Would that Gene Roddenberry had done the same...

[thaiboxerken]

Have you seen a Trekkie convention?

[alfaniner]

Have you seen a Trekkie convention?

Um, yes. Several, in fact. FOGBAGs and the like are mostly harmless though.



(*Fat Older Guy, Beard And Glasses)
You can find my sci-fi con attendee lexicon elsewhere on this Forum.

[Pauliesonne]

Wow. Amazing that a bad sci-fi writer can come up with such a religion. Would that Gene Roddenberry had done the same...

If Gene Roddenberry ever created a religion I'm sure it would be a utopian society like most of the Star Trek universe.

[uruk]

You can sigh up here, if you can get me to sigh first. (Don't worry; it isn't difficult.) ;)

D'OH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!....I mean *sigh*

[uruk]

If Gene Roddenberry ever created a religion I'm sure it would be a utopian society like most of the Star Trek universe.
You gotta be kidding me. Have you been to a Star Trek convention?!?!?!?

[ImaginalDisc]

You gotta be kidding me. Have you been to a Star Trek convention?!?!?!?

Compare Star Trek conventions to Football games.

[uruk]

Compare Star Trek conventions to Football games.
More babes, less getting fleeced.

[Ladewig]

D'OH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!....I mean *sigh*

Oh, you didn't mean "sigh," you meant "sigh."

[Achán hiNidráne]

Compare Star Trek conventions to Football games.
Tell me about. Take a 280 pound man, put him in a Klingon outfit complete with makeup and a prop "bat'leth," along with the ability to quote every ST episode, and you have created a target for ridicule. Someone who, according to the stereotype, probably never kissed, much less slept with, a woman, who lives in their mother's basement and needs to "get a life."


Take that same man, put him in Lambeau Field in the dead of a Green Bay winter wearing nothing above the waist but green and yellow body paint and a foam rubber hat that looks like a block of cheese (or insert the traditions of your home team) plus the ability to quote the stats of every player since the game was invented and you have an American icon. A symbol of machismo, team pride, and occasional sexual prowess.

Of course, this is indicative of a culture that values brute strength and power over intelligence and creativity.

[uruk]

Oh, you didn't mean "sigh," you meant "sigh."
Well, if I knew what I meant I wouldn't be posting here now would I.





Or would I?

[uruk]

Tell me about. Take a 280 pound man, put him in a Klingon outfit complete with makeup and a prop "bat'leth," along give him the ability to quote every ST episode, and you have created a target of ridicule. Someone who, according to the stereotype, probably never kissed, much less slept with a woman, who lives in their mother's basement, and needs to "get a life."

Speaking of "get a life"

http://www.devilducky.com/media/40964/

[fishbait]

Take that same man, put him in Lambeau Field in the dead of a Green Bay winter wearing nothing above the waist but green and yellow body paint and a foam rubber hat that looks like a block of cheese (or insert the traditions of your home team) plus the ability to quote the stats of every player since the game was invented and you have an American icon. A symbol of machismo, team pride, and occasional sexual prowess.Sounds awesome! Where can I get me one of them rubber hats?

[ImaginalDisc]

Tell me about. Take a 280 pound man, put him in a Klingon outfit complete with makeup and a prop "bat'leth," along with the ability to quote every ST episode, and you have created a target for ridicule. Someone who, according to the stereotype, probably never kissed, much less slept with, a woman, who lives in their mother's basement and needs to "get a life."


Take that same man, put him in Lambeau Field in the dead of a Green Bay winter wearing nothing above the waist but green and yellow body paint and a foam rubber hat that looks like a block of cheese (or insert the traditions of your home team) plus the ability to quote the stats of every player since the game was invented and you have an American icon. A symbol of machismo, team pride, and occasional sexual prowess.

Of course, this is indicative of a culture that values brute strength and power over intelligence and creativity.

Dude, I didn't mean for it to be an essay prompt...but...damn. Kudos.

[Achán hiNidráne]

Sounds awesome! Where can I get me one of them rubber hats?

Why, right here (http://www.cheesehead.com/products.asp_Q_catid_E_6), of course.

Sometimes it's really quite embarassing to be from Wisconsin.

[Kopji]

The Arizona Republic has a timely article this morning about a bunch of senators being wined and dined by these guys.

linky (http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/0311scientologists11.html)


Amanda J. Crawford
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 11, 2006

-snip-

A group affiliated with the Church of Scientology has forged close ties with several influential members of the Arizona Legislature...

The Citizens Commission on Human Rights has courted key lawmakers with trips to glitzy Scientologist events in Hollywood. And, observers say, it has been the force behind more than two dozen bills in Arizona in recent years...

One of the measures pushed by the group is likely to be approved by the state Senate on Monday.

The following lawmakers have taken trips to Hollywood paid for by the Citizens Commission on Human Rights since January 2004.

February 2006, CCHR International Human Rights Award Dinner:

• Rep. Tom Prezelski, D-Tucson, cost unavailable.

Dec. 2005, grand opening, Psychiatry: An Industry of Death museum:

• Rep. Pamela Gorman, R-Anthem, $253.40.

August 2005, Celebrity Center anniversary gala:

• Rep. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, $499.
• Sen. Thayer Verschoor, R-Gilbert, $495.
• Sen. Carolyn Allen, R-Scottsdale, $405.
• Sen. Karen Johnson, R-Mesa, $485
• Sen. Marilyn Jarrett, R-Mesa, $485
• Sen. Linda Gray, R-Glendale, $485.

February 2004, CCHR International Human Rights Awards Dinner:

• Sen. Albert Hale, D-Window Rock, $432.
• (former) Rep. Sylvia Laughter, I-Phoenix, $315.
• (former) Rep. Mark Thompson, R-Tempe, and wife, $631.40.
• Rep. Lucy Mason, R-Prescott, $295.70.

Other Connections

CCHR International Advisory Board:

• Sen. Karen Johnson, R-Mesa
• (Former) Rep. Mark Thompson, R-Tempe

National Federation of Women Legislators:

The group's treasurer is Bruce Wiseman, U.S. president of CCHR. The commission and affiliated groups provide funding. The late Sen. Jarrett was the president of the sister organization, National Order of Women Legislators.

Sen. Linda Gray serves as chairwoman of the order's education committee. Other legislators participate in the organization, which held its annual convention in Phoenix in September.

Sources: State lobbyist disclosures; Citizens Commission on Human Rights; staff research

[Achán hiNidráne]

FYI the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (http://www.xenu.net/archive/infopack/12.htm) is a Church front group that directly attacks psychiatry and the use of pshchiatric drugs.

[advancedatheist]

I can't decide which is wackier: the belief that the universe is less than 10,000 years old or the idea that intelligent life has been around for trillions of years.

A number of science fiction writers active in the 1940's and 1950's expressed belief in reincarnation, or at least wrote stories about it, so Hubbard's beliefs don't seem so strange in the context of the kind of science fiction published in that era.

[Ladewig]

A number of science fiction writers active in the 1940's and 1950's expressed belief in reincarnation, or at least wrote stories about it, so Hubbard's beliefs don't seem so strange in the context of the kind of science fiction published in that era.

I wasn't mocking Hubbard's belief in reincarnation. There are other major religions that believe in reincarnation. I was mocking the idea that intelligent life is trillions of years old given that science tells us that the universe is between 14 and 15 billion years old.

[ChristineR]

Hubberd starts with two fairly plausbile and not uncommon beliefs and takes them to their logical limit. One is the immortal soul, the other the idea that you can store memories in your subconscious that you don't have easy access to but that are capable of causing mental problems. Put those two beliefs together and you have people recovering memories of trauma that never happened, and eventually you have people recovering memories of being tortured by Xeno.

If a soul is truly immortal, it stands to reason that there are trillion year old souls out there. They must have lived in different universes--perhaps there are others outside of our space-time, or perhaps they lived in "our" universe during the last big bang/expansion/contraction/collapse/black hole/big bang cycle.

It's signifigant that Scientology starts with the simplest assertions, "proves" them true, then eventually leads adherents to the most insane conclusions. Interestingly, more conventual religions shy away from this sort of logical speculation, e.g. "there are souls out there, you can pray to the saints, but don't ever try to contact them otherwise."

[Ryokan]

Um, yes. Several, in fact. FOGBAGs and the like are mostly harmless though.

FIAWOL, man!

[LostAngeles]

Wow, it sucks that they pressured censorship of the South Park scientology episode. Good think I have it saved.

Comedy Central advertised the episode's reairing today. According to www.southparkstudios.com, it'll be on Wednesday night, 10PM EST.

Set thine Tivos.

[Moochie]

http://www.xenu.net/

Has the South Park ep for download on its site.

M.

[Roboramma]

I was very happy to find that I have it on DVD. Definitely amoung the top 5 south park episodes. Maybe #1. My favourite part was the very end. I was rolling around on my floor. (but I won't spoil that for anyone.)

[ChristineR]

Can anyone clarify the status of this episode? I've heard that Scientology sued to keep it from being re-aired, and also that it has been censored.

I really don't like South Park (not fond of toilet humor) but I'd like to see the episode and at least hear about what was deleted (if anything).

[LostAngeles]

Can anyone clarify the status of this episode? I've heard that Scientology sued to keep it from being re-aired, and also that it has been censored.

I really don't like South Park (not fond of toilet humor) but I'd like to see the episode and at least hear about what was deleted (if anything).

Well, I do believe I did, in fact, clarify that it was being reaired. We'll see on Wednesday if it was censored or not.

[tumnus]

Latest news on the BBC (I dont think I can post a link yet) is that Isaac Hayes is quitting as Chef over it.

Matt Stone said: "In 10 years and over 150 episodes of South Park, Isaac never had a problem with the show making fun of Christians, Muslim, Mormons or Jews.
"He got a sudden case of religious sensitivity when it was his religion featured on the show."

I couldn't believe it when I found out a while back that he'd been "got" :(

[Phil]

Tell me about. Take a 280 pound man, put him in a Klingon outfit complete with makeup and a prop "bat'leth," along with the ability to quote every ST episode, and you have created a target for ridicule. Someone who, according to the stereotype, probably never kissed, much less slept with, a woman, who lives in their mother's basement and needs to "get a life."


Take that same man, put him in Lambeau Field in the dead of a Green Bay winter wearing nothing above the waist but green and yellow body paint and a foam rubber hat that looks like a block of cheese (or insert the traditions of your home team) plus the ability to quote the stats of every player since the game was invented and you have an American icon. A symbol of machismo, team pride, and occasional sexual prowess.

Of course, this is indicative of a culture that values brute strength and power over intelligence and creativity.

I'd say you have an idiot jag off in both cases.

[Rachel1031]

Comedy Central advertised the episode's reairing today. According to www.southparkstudios.com, it'll be on Wednesday night, 10PM EST.

Set thine Tivos.

I saw it the first time around, but I'll be watching again tonight. Seems like South Park is getting quite a lot of mileage out of this controversy!

[RandFan]

I'd say you have an idiot jag off in both cases.:D Yeah, I'm going to agree. I can't see either getting laid.

[LostAngeles]

It... it's not on.

It's the film festival one.

RAGE

[LostAngeles]

Just checking:

I get the East Coast feed since we have a satellite dish. It's in the program guide as "Trapped in the Closet," it's on the South Park website www.southparkstudios.com as "Trapped in the Closet."

Either a mistake was made or someone pussied.

[Rachel1031]

I get west coast cable and it was the film festival one here too.

[lawman]

does anyone know what happened, why did the much waited for replay of the Scientology episode not play when it was supposed to?

[lawman]

Does anybody know why the episode did not air as planned on Wed the 15th? who got to who?

[ChristineR]

I haven't checked the DVR yet, but my guide said there were two episodes last night, the Scientology one at 10:30 EST. That's the one I asked it to record....

[Rachel1031]

I just double checked my Comcast cable listings for yesterday at 10 and it says:

COMEDYP Mar 15 10:00pm Add to My Calendar
Series/Comedy, 30 Mins.

You can record this program to your TiVo. Learn more...

"Trapped in the Closet" Episode #912.
When Stan looks to new religions to cure his depression, church leaders recognize him as the second coming.

Seems like some chicanery to me. Before today I would have told you LDS was the most powerful church on the West Coast.

[JimTheBrit]

Bumped for UK tabloid readers. Note that a condensed version of the Rolling Stone magazine article on Scientology is published in today's (Thur13Apr06) Daily Mail (p.46,51,53).