46 replies to this topic

[paddyb67]

Daron Malakian asked me to post this coz he's having trouble with his account(personaly im gonna give it a go):

Hey just wanted to start a thread of my own on this forum about something which I feel strongly about.

There was recently a Panorama programme on BBC about Scientology. Like all Scientology coverage in the media they focused on criticising the religion. I just wanted to say that, as a Scientologist, I feel this is tantamount to sectarianism. I am one of The Church of Scientology's first members in Glasgow and the techniques for meditation which they taught me transformed me from a 5 F student to a 5 Band 1 A's candidate. I think everyone on this forum would benefit immensely from exposure to Scientology, with an open mind untainted by the media's bias.

Happy to answer any questions btw.

Edited by bred, 23 May 2007 - 09:43 PM.

[xClairex]

ive never herd of scientology before (i know i sound silly but hey) what is it all about?

[Pete]

You can read up on it on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology

I am one of The Church of Scientology's first members in Glasgow and the techniques for meditation which they taught me transformed me from a 5 F student to a 5 Band 1 A's candidate. I think everyone on this forum would benefit immensely from exposure to Scientology, with an open mind untainted by the media's bias.

While that's an interesting turn of events, what may have worked for you will not work for everyone else.

[Lesley]

I remember when Katie Holmes was pregnant the papers were going on about how scientology-minded ladies in labour weren't allowed make a sound. Is this actually true? Is that even possible? Fortunately enough i've never been in labour, so can't describe the pain but apparently it is absolutely AWFUL. (can't wait!)

I have very limited knowledge about the area, which actually has all come from hype about the wee man Tom Cruise and his scientology links. Alas, to me, it all seems extremely strange. A bit like kabbulah, really. Only "cool" cause Celebrity X is following it this week.

[Pete]

I remember when Katie Holmes was pregnant the papers were going on about how scientology-minded ladies in labour weren't allowed make a sound. Is this actually true? Is that even possible? Fortunately enough i've never been in labour, so can't describe the pain but apparently it is absolutely AWFUL. (can't wait!)

It's true. Apparently if the first thing a child hears is his mother in pain, then it "damages" the child.

[skint_student]

I'm not going to go around slagging off Scientology in the way the media does, but I really think anyone on here should find out a bit more about it before attending the meeting.
The first "stress test" will be free but anything after that you have to pay a lot of money for.
While meditation and relaxation can help your studies, stuff like this is available for free through the NHS. I can email you links if anyone on here is worried about stuff like that.

There are a lot of crazy stories about Scientology, it's hard to know what is true but I'm not going to get into it as I'm no expert(and because I don't want them hunting me down and keeping a file on me )

[skint_student]

There was recently a Panorama programme on BBC about Scientology. Like all Scientology coverage in the media they focused on criticising the religion.

I saw this program as I was genuinely interested to hear what the Scientologists had to say for themselves but I was very dissapointed. The main guy, sorry I can't remember his name - lets call him Mr S - really did Scientology no favours. While I feel the guy from the BBC was very critical from the start, Mr S should have taken the opportunity to focus on the strengths of Scientology and tell everyone good things. Instead he just got very angry and acted like a real creep following the BBC crew about all the time, how could he expect the documentary to be anything but critical when he acts like that. Bit of an extreme example here - but can you imagine the Pope doing the same if he had a chat with Richard Dawkins???

I'd also like to point out that Scientology isn't officially recognised as a religion in the UK.

[dondon]

However, Jedi(ism) is

[Terrence]

I'd also like to point out that Scientology isn't officially recognised as a religion in the UK.

Because it's a cult. Innit.

[bred]

I saw this program as I was genuinely interested to hear what the Scientologists had to say for themselves but I was very dissapointed. The main guy, sorry I can't remember his name - lets call him Mr S - really did Scientology no favours. While I feel the guy from the BBC was very critical from the start, Mr S should have taken the opportunity to focus on the strengths of Scientology and tell everyone good things. Instead he just got very angry and acted like a real creep following the BBC crew about all the time, how could he expect the documentary to be anything but critical when he acts like that. Bit of an extreme example here - but can you imagine the Pope doing the same if he had a chat with Richard Dawkins???

That would be John Swinney, former leader of the SNP.

[Dave]

name is right but the person you are thinkin of is wrong as much as i want to slag of the SNP john.

I would like to point out that the leader of the cult known as Scientology once said in a speech that the best and quickest way to make money is to start your own religion, and that concludes the case for the prosecution you honor

[bred]

It wasn't SNP John Swinney? Aha! Shame!

...it seems this guy was called John Sweeney as opposed to John Swinney...they don't look that dissimilar either!

[linds]

You want to relax? Do yoga!

Or do what I do. Do the sun salutation, decide that's far to much like hard work, skip to the end of the DVD where you get to just lie there with the nice tinkly music and the man saying, "Breathe!"

Apparently if you do it properly you end up all toned and sexy. So you're chilled out and you're hot. What more could you want?

I always preferred Kabbalah as a celebrity religion thang. You got a bracelet with that.

[sparky]

I missed the original Panorama broadcast because I was at work, but it looked quite interesting ( ) and I watched the repeat on Thursday late at night.

I agree that the program did sway towards the side of criticising the 'religion' but then again it didn't look the easiest thing in the world to report.

I'm still not really sure of my opinion on it - the only bit that really freaked me out was when the guy said he was being followed by people etc.

He harangued me for talking to the heretics. I told him that Scientology had been spying on the BBC and that was creepy.

In LA, the moment our hire car left the airport we realised we were being followed by two cars.

In our hotel a weird stranger spent every breakfast listening to us. In all, we count 13 strangers - private investigators? - who were following us. Scientology denied sending PIs after the BBC.

As reported on Panorama's Website

[Sammie]

the techniques for meditation which they taught me transformed me from a 5 F student to a 5 Band 1 A's candidate.

You think that might just be because you studied a bit more?

ladies in labour weren't allowed make a sound.

...I would like you to point me out anyone in the world who can remember their mother crying as they came in to the world. I doubt there are many if there are any at all. I don't see how it can 'damange' a child.

I'd also like to point out that Scientology isn't officially recognised as a religion in the UK.

Anything you have to pay money for I wouldn't call a religon.

Then again.
I'm not meaning to offend anyone.
But it seems like its a club for the rich.

[Pete]

However, Jedi(ism) is

Yeah, but something like 10,000 people put it down on the census form I doubt that'll happen with scientology for a long time, but being a Jedi myself I'm a bit biased on that front

Because it's a cult. Innit.

I've heard loads of people describe it as a cult. Not sure if I agree with it or not. Tom Cruise may just be an alien anyway.

You want to relax? Do yoga!

When I want to relax, I go outside and get some fresh air. I live in the middle of nowhere, so it's pretty peaceful when you want to go out for a walk or whatever. Good for clearing your head; I'm not much of a "meditation" person.

Anything you have to pay money for I wouldn't call a religon.

It does make you wonder where all the dosh goes, though.

[Sammie]

It does make you wonder where all the dosh goes, though.

You got me wondering that now as well. I mena I don't hear much about them doing anything for charitys or anythign to better other people. Whats the deal with that. I mean if I was paying all that money I would expect it to go somewhere and help people. I mean you have to pay all this money for what. to call yourself a Scientologist. Its like a membership fee.

[Terrence]

...it seems like its a club for the rich stupid.

Fixed.

[xClairex]

just watched the panaroma clip not convinced by scientology (where was the need for constantly following them)

if you want to relax then there is other options such as yoga(like lindsay said) i dont see the benefits of becoming a scientologist people hear about celebrities becoming scientologists and so they think it is the 'in thing'

[Sammie]

...it seems like its a club for the rich stupid.

Fixed.

I'm sorry for getting it wrong.
I agree with your correction.
xD
Well lets say we dont know why Tom Cruse is being best buddies with Beckham.
We have to say we don't know for legal reasons.