www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Scientology

A couple of days ago, I processed a French couple, who was coming to the U.S. for a religious retreat. I asked them if it was a Catholic retreat and they said no it was for Scientology. I work at Miami airport in Passport Control and occasionally get people like that couple, who come to Florida for Scientology retreats, or reincarnation seminars. I was a little troubled by their reply and said a prayer for them that night.
Does anyone have a clue why a couple from France, with a two-thousand year history of Catholicism, would be interested in a whack-job religion like Scientology?

Scientology is a religion that appeals to the wealthy, simply because it doesn't challenge their consciences in any way and besides--anything that costs that much money must be worth it!

I happened to read an interview given by L. Ron Hubbard Jr. during the period in his life when he was still trying to expose his father as a fraud--about 25 years ago. He had grown up in Scientology, and simply assumed it was true. Then, when he learned better, he was horrified and felt an obligation to rectify this wrong. At some point after that, however, he must have realized there was a lot more money to be made by championing the multi-million dollar Scientology organization than by opposing it.

May God in His mercy yet show him the light!


Peace,
Deacon Richard

If I'm not mistaken, Scientology is banned in some European countries (e.g. Germany, Spain, and Greece) that claim it is subversive to government interests.

However, make sure to not to confuse Scientology with Christian Science, which is a somewhat respectable Protestant sect founded in the 19th century that runs an amazing daily newspaper:

[b]The Christian Science Monitor[/b] [csmonitor.com]

I believe Scientology is considered to be a cult which is why it's banned in those countries; it's also banned in France. Based on Tom Cruise's criticism of Brooke Shields use of Paxil to deal with post-partum depression, it seems that Scientologists believe they're experts in medicine as well.

I would hesitate to describe a group that withholds medical treatment from children as "somewhat respectable" no matter your opinion of their periodicals. While adults are free to make the decision for themselves not to seek medical care, they have an affirmative duty to do so for their children. Christian Scientists do not.

From what little I have heard of Scientology it seems to be
total lunacy, but that is no justification for any government
to ban its practice in their country. Unless a "religion" advocates some
practice (like human sacrifice) opposed
to natural law, no govenment has any business interfering with it.
Error may have no rights, but erroneous people do have rights
including the right to be wrong.

Edmac, separation of church and state is not a given throughout the world, nor, unfortunately are human rights. One of the reasons countries ban Scientology is the commercial transaction involved; one pays for instruction.

As regards the Christian Scientists (not the Scientologists) I think that the incident that you are refering to actually happened in 1911 and was a case of diphtheria for which at the time there was no known treatment and for which we only developed a vaccine in the 1980s. The recent case in Oregon did not deal with Christian Scientists, but rather "Followers of Christ" and the case in Wisconsin with non-denominational Christians.

Please do not presume that I refer to a specific case. There have been many documented instances of Christian Scientists withholding medical treatment from their children, resulting in said children's deaths when medical treatment was available.

I am well aware that Christian Scientists are not the only ones who refuse medical treatment for their children.

Are you a Christian Scientist?

No (my religious affiliation is in my profile). Nor do I hold their views on modern medicine. But they are a group for which I have great respect. Can you cite some sources for your claims?

Nan is correct. While Christian Scientists as a whole have somewhat modified their antipathy toward medicine, hard-line traditionalists among them continue to be vehemently opposed and there have been instances of children dying or being seriously endangered by their beliefs.

As they are a significantly more up-scale (economically and educationally) religious body of faithful and the Christian Science Monitor is a highly-respected journal, the Church of Christ, Scientist gets considerably less bad press about the matter than do the JWs. (The CS' long-time aversion to vaccination has, of course, been somewhat bolstered by a growing negativity to same among some in the general populace in recent years.) Nevertheless, the matter is of concern.

For FAQs prepared for media inquiries, see here [churchofchristscientist.org]

See also this article [theatlantic.com] from a 1995 issue of Atlantic Monthly. It was written by a former member of the Church and discusses in detail the "child" cases, as well as Christian Science "healing" generally.


Many years,

Neil

Is Tom Cruise still a Scientologist?
What did Christ say about those given much responsibility?


That explains a lot! You must have lived on Miami Beach at one time Epiphanius .

I thought Tom Cruise was fairly high up in their hierarchy. He has purchased the influence, at least.

I knew some Scientologists once, their son was into wicca and would experiment with spells and curses. I stopped contacting them after I read the Ron Hubbard Mission Earth series. Fortunately I don't remember much, unfortunately what I remember is what sickened me at the time. I was in 9th-10th grade.

Scientology is easy on the conscience and heavy on the wallet. What I find odd is that an invented religion could have such draw in so short a time. The mover can not be the First Mover, perhaps their influence has a spiritual element. It would not surprise me at all if there were demonic influences at play.

Terry

Thank you that was very informative. I suppose that the Christian Scientists I know are of the more liberal(?) sort. From what I have been told, though, most Christian Scientists, will take their children to the doctor if it is warranted, but leave it up to them when they turn 18. I suppose this is the more liberal attitude, however.

LOL!

No, but I watch TV, and it amazes me sometimes to see people who seem to have so much money they have to go looking for things to do with it!


Peace,
Deacon Richard

L Ron Hubbard was a disciple of Alestar Crowley.

According to L Ron Hubbard Jr. $cientology is nothing but Black Magic strung out over decades to extort money from the masses who take their "courses."