Scientology on SpeedSolving.

[qqwref]

The CoS impresses me in a way; they're very good at what they do (brainwashing, intimidation, getting money from people, and mostly doing it legally) and they manage to do it with relatively few of the victims getting wise to the fact that they've been had, for their money, their mind, and often many years of their time. I think it is accurate to say that the leaders of the group are some of the most powerful and influential con artists in the world. I don't support their actions, but it IS impressive.

I really do believe that most of the members should be classed as victims, because the group itself really preys upon people. Through its brainwashing techniques, many of these victims become fervent, rabid supporters of the church, and don't realize their plight for years on end. Take a serious look at the way they recruit new members, and you can see that they try to get people who are insecure, who want someone to help them out, or who want something to belong to. I've read a bunch of books and articles about the experience of being in the group, and I can definitely see how someone can start out attracted by the fake-psychology and friendliness, and gradually end up giving the church all of their money, spending the entirety of their waking hours helping them, and having no contacts or work experience in the outside world (which, of course, is designed to make it even harder to leave). As much as members like those in the video seem to be diehard supporters, I feel sorry for them, because I know that in reality many of them are either brainwashed or desperate - hoping that, if they put enough time and effort into this organization, it will fix their shattered lives.

 

[ElectricDoodie]

In Miami, when I was in high school (2002-2006), I was friends with this outgoing guy. Here's just an explanation of what he was like, if it matters. Everyone loved him. He was just a nice surfer dude, and didn't ever let things get to him. He was always chilled out, and loved to party. During our senior year, he became a party animal, and was at almost every party, since he was friends with everyone.

A week before our graduation, he drove my friend home and she saw a Dianetics book in his back seat. She asked him about it, and if he was a Scientologist. He said that his dad was, and that it wasn't a religion, but more of a way of living. He wasn't too deep into it, but had started reading more, after his dad gave him the book. At the end of the car ride, she said, "If you become a Scientologist, please don't disappear" as sort of a half joke, half concern. He said "that doesn't actually happen."

Well, after graduating, he and his brother moved to Costa Rica to surf the waves there, for what was supposed to be 1 year. After 2 months, his parents got a divorce, and he left his brother in Costa Rica to go join his dad. He told everyone he had become a full blown Scientologist, and was going to open up a Scientology church with his dad.

He deleted his Myspace and Facebook, and changed his number. Everyone I asked, had no idea how to get in contact with him. I asked the one person who should know, his best friend. They were really close, and were known to be always together. I asked him, and he said that he hadn't spoken to him ever since he went to Costa Rica.

In 2010, I visited my parents, and saw his mother in a store, and stopped to talk to her. I asked her about him, and she said that she hasn't spoken to him, since he left Costa Rica to build a Scientology Church with his dad. She did find out, however, that he was getting married to a girl that he knew for 2 weeks, because the CoS told him to. She found this out through asking her ex-husband. I asked if she was invited, and she said she wasn't, but she got a letter asking for donations for their "wedding and to the CoS."

Till this day, nobody that I know has been able to get in contact with him, or find out what's going on. I actually Google his name every now and then with the word "scientology" to see if I can find anything. The only thing that ever comes up, is an old email that he sent to other Scientologists, talking about his new church and asking for help and more people.

Doubt this is interesting to most, but it angers me that a friend has completely disappeared into the CoS, and I'll probably never speak to him again.

 

[Godmil]

That gets me so mad, thanks for telling the story, it's really interesting hearing first hand experiences.

 

[Bapao]

Thanks for sharing that. I admire the fact that you posted it.

 

[kprox1994]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned John Travolta yet. Also, maybe Mormon ads are coming next, I see them all the time on YouTube.

 

[Bapao]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned John Travolta yet. Also, maybe Mormon ads are coming next, I see them all the time on YouTube.

Who genuinely cares about the id*ot-celebs though sis? It's the hard working every-day-Joe that I sympathize with.

 

[Hershey]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned John Travolta yet. Also, maybe Mormon ads are coming next, I see them all the time on YouTube.

Why is that Christians always put advertisements for their religion, when other religions don't advertise?

 

[qqwref]

Some sects of Christianity contain the beliefs that (a) that religion is the only way to avoid eternal torture, and also (b) as a believer it is your responsibility to prevent people from that fate (by converting them). So together those two beliefs make the believers want to put as much effort into advertising their religion as they can. On topic, Scientology also has this (with a modified form of (a)).

A lot of other religions don't contain either or both of those beliefs - for instance I don't think Judaism has either of them (but I could be wrong on this), and many Christian sects don't contain (b).

 

[kprox1994]

Why is that Christians always put advertisements for their religion, when other religions don't advertise?

Most Christian churches (Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist Methodist...) don't consider COS, LDS, or JW's Christian.

 

[Bryan]

A lot of other religions don't contain either or both of those beliefs - for instance I don't think Judaism has either of them (but I could be wrong on this), and many Christian sects don't contain (b).

If you look at Judaism's origins, they probably don't advertise because their mindset is that they are a chosen people. In the Bible you'll read about Jews who were wondering if their God was the God of other people or not. Japan's Shinto religion is similar.

 

[RyanO]

Most Christian churches (Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist Methodist...) don't consider COS, LDS, or JW's Christian.

Many people don't consider most "Christian" denominations Christian.

 

[JonnyWhoopes]

Many people don't consider most "Christian" denominations Christian.

And many people who consider themselves "Christian" have no clue what they're talking about. This is fun!

 

[Andrew Ricci]

And many people who consider themselves "Christian" have no clue what they're talking about. This is fun!

And most people who have no idea what they're talking about show it on internet forums. This is fun!

 

[Bizarro]

I'm having fun

 

[Zane_C]

Anybody here a member of CoS? If so, how are they with cubing as a hobby?

Lol, it's as if you were like: "Oh crap, better think of something to associate with cubing."

I really doubt that someone here is a member of the CoS.

 

[Bapao]

Lol, it's as if you were like: "Oh crap, better think of something to associate with cubing."

I really doubt that someone here is a member of the CoS.

That thought did cross my mind hahaha! I was going to write more cube related stuff but then I thought; "F-it, it's in the off-topic section so what the hell..."

I'm not sure. May sound shallow and naive, but I didn't expect anybody here to be gay when I first started visiting. But there are at least two gay members that I know of (there are even 2 transgenders in cubing that I know of. Diversity seems to pop up everywhere, which is a good thing). Sure, there are probably more gay people on the planet than there are Scientologists but still...one or two might be lurking in the shadows

I'm having fun

 

[Cubenovice]

I wonder which cubing method is most likely to get a "CoS seal of approval"?

 

[Bapao]

I wonder which cubing method is most likely to get a "CoS seal of approval"?

Petrus.

 

[Cubenovice]

Nah... Petrus is the preferred method for Christians...

 

[MaeLSTRoM]

Nah... Petrus is the preferred method for Christians...

Warning, political incorrectness may follow

Spoiler

I thought Christians would use CFOP because it starts with a cross.