Scientology Is No More Special Than Any Other Religion, Except In How It Accepts Criticism
I knew my impassioned speech about Will Smith being drawn into Scientology by his celeb friend Tom Cruise would upset people. I understand this, and while my intention wasn’t to hurt anyone, I freely accept the consequences for my actions. This is what rational and honest people do.
What we are seeing now in this new wave of criticism confronting the Church of Scientology is exactly what separates their organization and mindset from other established religions around the world. In fact, if you look throughout history, ALL religions have had some sort of critical eye placed on them and at various points in history, these religions are forced to confront this criticism in one of three ways: either accept it and address it, ignore it and go the way of the dinosaurs, or do as Scientology has done and go on the defense and attack your critics by using any illegal, subversive or sinister method possible.
Religions, by their very nature, attract criticism. Anytime an organization creates a hierarchy and then dispenses rules on how humans should live and conduct themselves from on high, people are going to have a visceral reaction. They will either accept these rules and model the behavior because it provides effective tools for living a happy and prosperous life, or if the rules offered make them feel constrained, oppressed or violated, they will move on. Healthy religions, like faith, are dependent on free-will. Without free will then it isn’t faith, it’s brainwashing.
Let’s take a look at the world’s best known and followed religions and see how they’ve assimilated into an ever-evolving society throughout human history. This will be a cursory look - so don’t expect an in-depth analysis.
Catholicism, an immensely popular sect of Christianity has a LONG history of critical maelstroms it’s been forced to weather. And with good cause. Not only did it imprison those who dared speak against its doctrines, it has been known to use violence and execution as punishment against those it deemed heretical. Not to mention the ill-fated crusades, persecution of the Jews, an intolerance towards gays, protection of pedophiles in its ranks and an archaic adherence to views on birth control, abortion, and medical matters pertaining to sexually transmitted disease. In some ways, Catholicism at its worst points in history is as bad, if not worse, than many of the abuses being leveled at Scientology.
But fortunately, Catholicism is becoming more transparent with age, more open-minded with time and more accepting of the changing views of society. It still wants the many of the same things it has always wanted, and is certainly a rigid faith in many ways, but its hierarchy understands that they aren’t just accountable to a higher power, but also to its followers. In essence, Catholicism WANTS to be seen as reforming and making remunerations for its failures, not as some kind of monolithic totalitarianistic vacuum of religious doctrine.
Judaism is perhaps the MOST persecuted religious group in all of man’s history. Not only do the Jewish people have the burden of being forced to claim responsibility for ANOTHER powerful religion’s messiah’s death, but as a whole, have been demonized, vilified and ultimately, almost cleansed into extinction due to sheer ignorance and hatred of their entire existence. Scientology’s got NOTHING on the Jews when it comes to religious persecution. Then, if you throw in the whole Israeli/Arab situation in the Middle East, you have an on-going reminder of just how much of the world still hates them and doesn’t want them around. Yet, lo and behold, they keep on thriving and emphasizing their values of education and religious piety, while accepting their fate of being in the cross-hairs of half the world’s population.
That brings us to Islam. There are over 1 billion Muslims in the world, 19 of them flew planes into sacred U.S. landmarks on September 11, 2001, killing over 3000 people. Yet, for the last 6 1/2 years the ENTIRE world has been pointing its finger at ALL Muslims, simply for sharing the beliefs of a small percentage who adhere to a very skewed and violent view of their religion. A religion mind you, which represents “Peace.” Count yourself lucky to not be a peaceful Muslim who wishes to not be judged by the vile actions of a few.
Really, when you look at it this way, Scientology is nothing special. They aren’t any more persecuted, mistreated, maligned, maltreated or criticized than any other religion. The simple matter is, they are being treated like ALL religions are treated, with a healthy dose of skepticism and an expectation of transparency and truthfulness. But unfortunately, unlike all these other religions mentioned, Scientology has an inferiority complex. So instead of welcoming reform, an increase in dialogue and an openness to growing in their faith and numbers, they hide behind a shroud of secrecy.
Why?
Because unlike these other major religions, the current Church of Scientology, like the Wizard of Oz, is a lot of smoke and mirrors. Pull the curtain back and there’s just a little man pushing some buttons, and pulling some strings.
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Nice articles, maybe glosslip should go full-scale in regards to the seriousness of its articles? You have the potential to write about a lot more than just cewebwities!
Comment by Johnonymous — March 19, 2008 @ 2:24 pm
Very well written D. I can only add that the information age of the internet now makes it impossible for any religion to “control” information. Martin Luther’s insistence that the Bible be available for all worshipers to not only have free access to the word of God but to be able to read it in a langusgae other than Latin rather than having the priest be the only source is very similar to the limitations of the Co$ on its worshipers. The Catholic Church had to reform not only itself but many other Christian faiths developed as a result of the struggle. In the middle ages with only the elite and nobility having access to education religions could control “information” and the hierarchy of the priest hood had all the power. Popes were more powerful than Kings and emperors but the same can not be said today. Religions Institutions cannot control exclusive rights to doctrine from the masses anymore. We are no longer the illiterate peasantry. It took longer for main stream religions to get to where they are at today and its an ongoing process. The CoS cannot think that they will have 2000 years to reform. Ain’t going to happen. They need to get their house in order now or they will not see that Bridge to Total Freedom. I am a pacifist by nature but I support 100% the people like Jeanne Marie and other victims of the CoS and will not ignore abuses that hide behind a veil of religion. I did not tolerate it from my own church either.
Comment by Mitsu Too — March 19, 2008 @ 2:25 pm
D, you are an awesome writer. I almost died when I read that last sentence. What kind of freak beats their own father?? I feel so sad for that poor little man.
Comment by DangerMouse — March 19, 2008 @ 2:37 pm
“Healthy religions, like faith, are dependent on free-will. Without free will then it isn’t faith, it’s brainwashing.”
D you are amazing..could not have said it better myself : )
Comment by truthseeker — March 19, 2008 @ 2:38 pm
Scientologist the most calm religion i have ever seen. I am proud to be scientologist. And its not an effort to control people. Just opposite.
Comment by umut — March 19, 2008 @ 2:56 pm
I beg to differ Umut, but unlike Scientology, I will allow you to express your thoughts.
Thanks for the nice comments folks.
As for the celeb stuff on Glosslip, that’s really what the site is all about, and in many ways CoS and celeb stories go hand in hand. Why? Because Scientology uses celebs to promote the religion.
Madonna studies Kabbalah, but she doesn’t go around promoting it, or making it the only aspect of her life. Celeb Scientologists on the other hand seem unable to stop talking about their religion, and instead of this making people interested, it makes them turned off. If not for all the prostheletizing by Tom Cruise, most people would hardly pay attention.
Makes you wonder if it isn’t Tom’s way of getting CoS out of his life. It’s not like they make it easy to quit.
Comment by D — March 19, 2008 @ 3:09 pm
@5. umut
Glad you’re proud to be a Scientologist, umut. That’s fine. However, the rest of the world doesn’t necessarily agree that Scientology is a “calm religion.” If you’ve perceived it as calm, that’s because any dissent has been crushed as harshly as possible. There’s LOTS of turbulence below the surface, though. CoS has attacked a lot of people, and turned on many of its own with great fury and vengeance, simply because they speak of wrongs done them within CoS.
That’s not calm, it’s not peaceful, and it has nothing to do with spirituality — it’s all too worldly, cruel, and insidious.
Scientology is controlling people, with threats of SP declares, disconnections, requirements for loooong sec checks and contracts when people try to get out. People are trapped, with nowhere to go, no resources, and no control over their own lives. Even freeloader debts are post-membership controls. What is a “freeloader debt” if not a deliberate punishment of people who’ve been working for years for minimal pay?
I can’t help but remember my feeling of deep horror watching Miscavige speaking glowingly of “Operation Planetary Calm” — the drive to spread Scientology across the world, and make it completely pervasive. It’s the most aggressive, frightening recruitment drive I’ve ever seen. Other religions have passed through their “forced conversion” stages, but Scientology, alas, has not.
All us wogs have a different idea of “calm” than CoS seems to, and I say no thanks to that brand of calm.
If Scientology succeeds in taking over ever nation on earth, what happens to those of us who prefer not to take part? Will we be disposed of “quietly and without sorrow”? L. Ron Hubbard’s tone was perfectly “calm” when he spoke of genocide.
Again, no thanks.
Comment by Lulubelle — March 19, 2008 @ 3:10 pm
#1: I’m not so sure I like the tone of that statement.
It’s very condescending and rude.
Have you taken time to actually read any of the other stories on here? Or do you just automatically think that any article about a famous person has no merit in the world of “serious” journalism? Do you just skip over the “unimportant” stories just to get to the COS stuff?
Sorry if what I do isn’t “serious” or professional or important enough for you.
Comment by k — March 19, 2008 @ 3:13 pm
umut — Then you probably haven’t seen all the violent things that they’ve been doing outside of the Church, and at its higher levels. So long as you keep on forking over your cash, and that you keep quiet about their “little misdeed” (ie: other members being physically beaten just because), then they’re dandy like candy! But you can’t deny that they have a long history of attacking, slandering, suing and destroying its critics, making it a very confrontational and thus a controlling religion.
Google “Lisa McPherson”, google “Operation Snow White”, google “Operation Freakout”. It’s not all fun and games.
Comment by Anoynymause — March 19, 2008 @ 3:22 pm
Also, I’d like to commend you on your reporting here, D. Very well written, and it’s bound to make a Scientologist or two (who is regular here) stop pulling out the same cards. Way to assess all their critics so properly!
Comment by Anoynymause — March 19, 2008 @ 3:24 pm
Yes, I agree with k, the celeb stories on here are taken as seriously as anything else. Not to mention, well written and well researched. Just because it isn’t your cup of tea, doesn’t mean it isn’t important or well done.
Celeb news sites are the most read sites on the internet. Clearly people are interested. We just happen to do a better job than most sites, if I do say so myself.
Comment by D — March 19, 2008 @ 3:30 pm
I like your website. I like to read the gossip and keep up with how to not keep scientology working!
If anyone wants “calm”, Jesus is the Prince of Peace! yet, he will fight Satan for you!
Comment by tufftyt — March 19, 2008 @ 3:58 pm
Well said, D.
Comment by gargy — March 19, 2008 @ 4:35 pm
I like your work, D, but I have a small comment on a word misuse. “Alas” means “sadly” or “unfortunately”, so you don’t want that word in front of “Catholicism is becoming more transparent …”
Comment by Narcissus — March 19, 2008 @ 5:02 pm
To continue … your point is right on, D,
You may have noticed that I’ve tried to get a couple of $cientologists in these discussion threads to admit their church has done any wrong. Op Freakout, harassment of SPs, Op Snow White … plenty of examples of the church leadership doing bad things. But no Co$ members will admit that the church was, for instance, way out of line in conspiring to drive Paulette Cooper into a nuthouse or prison.
Yet I know many many Catholics, and was raised Catholic. And every Catholic I know (including my mom) will admit the church hasn’t had a flawless record in centuries past or in recent years.
The Catholics, of course, don’t have to worry about having PIs following them, or having to pay thousands of dollars for corrective “services” administered by the church.
Not so with the $cientologists. That’s what’s so wrong with their church. (I wonder if umut is paying attention.)
Comment by Narcissus — March 19, 2008 @ 5:12 pm
I’m betting one of the OSA seeds will prattle on about how:
-Psychiatry is some Nazi science, so Scientology actually protects the Jews(because there was no Freud or Jung, amirite?)
-D and Anonymous are going to target these religions next
-The only difference is that Scientology has never started a “holy war”, and is persecuted just because it’s new and it works
-”D your such a lovly women and u shodent waist you’re tiem on tihs why spred hate”
-WHAT ARE YOUR CRIMES WHAT CRIMES DID YOU HIDE TO DAY HOW MANY HAVE YOU COMMIT TODAY WHAT ARE YOUR CRIMES
…Oooh, if they all happen, can I have some ice cream?
Comment by Dio Brando — March 19, 2008 @ 5:27 pm
Fixed the “alas” thing. I need an editor. Are you available
Really none of us should have to waste our precious time pointing out how flawed the CoS is, they really ought to know better. But ALAS, they are too greedy to reform themselves and therefore, we must keep writing about, talking about, and digging into what the authorities seem unwilling to do.
Also, please take a moment to read the celeb stuff. It’s really quite entertaining and insightful.
Comment by D — March 19, 2008 @ 5:45 pm
Oh, I do read the celeb stuff. I luvs me some celebrity gossip.
Comment by Narcissus — March 19, 2008 @ 6:40 pm
Celebrities, like bacterial growth, are an important culture for us to study (or gawk at if you prefer). Society subsidizes this little experiment, keeping its actors and actresses alive just to see how they behave in the petri dish. We pay our money … they do their thing. Some funny, some ridiculous, some outrageous, and some even rise to become famous … Scientologists:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Scientologists
Out of these 68 Famous Scientologists who are listed on Wikipedia, 47 of them are in the business of pretending to be somebody else (actors, actresses). Statistically, that’s 69% of the folks whose business is parroting a script. That’s not to depreciate actors in general, but then the folks on this list DID NOT make the other list … The 50 Smartest People in Hollywood
http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2007/11/smart-list-intr.html
Celebrity “gossip” is THE journalism of the stars. And when it comes to finding out WHO DID WHAT, TO WHOM, AND WHY, this site is among the best. “D” isn’t a word slinger with an agenda … she’s a Hollywood raconteur on a mission!
Comment by James Hunter — March 19, 2008 @ 9:23 pm
D, your articles are always ace (yours too K. I took the time to read through some of the celeb gossip this morning, very witty and entertaining.) I am a Catholic myself and I can totally admit that the Catholic Church has had a very spotty past but we’re working to move past that. But Scientology isn’t able to move past it because they won’t man up to their crimes. Scientology will see the error of its ways one day. Rest assure of it.
Oh and D, will you be coming out to the next protest in DC?
Comment by Kaden — March 19, 2008 @ 9:26 pm
D, k, excellent article as always. Don’t listen to the haters when it comes to the celebrity stuff- it’s like picking one’s nose- everyone does it, but no one admits it. That why L Ron made recruiting celebrities a priority!
Umut- I’m happy for you that you’ve found something that works for you, but if you’re going to follow this faith, wouldn’t you rather follow it without the fraud and deceit that management fosters and encourages? Wouldn’t it be nice not to have to pay through the nose for your own faith? There is no perfect religion because it is practised by fallible, flawed humans- but don’t you want to make yours better? That’s all the protests are about, not a personal attack on you. “Calm” through fear and intimidation is not really “calm.” It’s just the eye of the storm.
Comment by Nameless (but not anonymous) — March 19, 2008 @ 9:43 pm
Thank you for a thoughtful, reasoned piece of writing.
In this day and age, any Church, including the Church of Scientology, must obey the laws of our country and show compassion towards its own followers and to society. A church is supposed to care about people, not making money. A church is supposed to promote harmony, not perpetual war. If Scientology wants us to look past its appalling record of abuse and criminal convictions, it must demonstrate that it has changed for the better. Stop the abuse, stop the exploitation and stop the dirty tactics. I recommend anyone interested have a look at exscientologykids.com and youfoundthecard.com
Comment by Gregory — March 19, 2008 @ 11:28 pm
Come on, OSA seeds, I want my free ice cream! =/
Comment by Dio Brando — March 20, 2008 @ 12:20 am
I am a Scientologist. The generalized hateful tone of some of these critical posts as well as the recent attacks, are clearly NOT an effort to bring about reform but are born out of an effort to incite further hatred and bigotry. There is no group of people, or organizations any where more inclined to correct itself than the Church of Scientology. I have 28 years of experience as an active Scientolgist. Every negative “fact” I have ever seen thrown around in criticism of the Church was twisted, slanted distorted, exagerated, or fabricated. The Church is highly motivated to do GOOD and when you are dead set on helping people, you offend some who like keeping people down and in the dark.
Steve. Scientologist since 1980.
Comment by Steve — March 20, 2008 @ 12:29 am
I believe psychiatry came about before the Nazis but have been said to have been employed by the Nazis and Osama bin Laden. Its sordid history of lobotomies actually started right after WWII in 1946 and lasted 20 years to be replaced by a more sophisticated “psychosurgery” which is to be less “damaging”. It was ECT (Electro-Convulsive Therapy) which was more widely practiced than lobotomies which initially recieved LRHs attention. In his investigation of the mind where he applyed his therapy to people who had been treated with ECT as described in the Dianetics book where he concluded that ECT was very destructive to the brain. LRH was aware of the less practiced lobotomy and had concluded that his therapies would be of limited help. He had also found that hypnosis and anaethetics hypnotic type drugs were also problematic but were usually addressable. As he developed his therapies into systematic processes new types of drugs were becoming more widely used. This was initially comprised of street drugs including PCP and LSD. In response LRH developed the purification rundown, a detoxification program specifically targeted to removing street drugs including LSD and PCP. I am personally aware of people who were cured of LSD flashbacks with this rundown. While LSD and PCP usage were considered serious enough that people who have used such are disqualified from joining the Sea Org a larger problem emerged in the form of psychotropic drugs, an invention of pharmaceuticals, sometimes referred to as chemical lobotomies because they produced results similar to lobotimies without the need for performing surgery. This similarity was also observed regarding Scientology processes in that it was found that the application of Scientology processes on people who had used these psychotropic drugs, depending on the extent of use, ranged from very difficult to impossible even after extensive use of the purification rundown. Psychotropics are in fact often perceived as the biggest problem for the Church of Scientology and why I am upset when psychotropics are promoted by Anonymous regardless of the whatever the intention may be. It’s not just that they are beyond the reach of Scientology but that they have been seriously damaged. Don’t just take my word, google “psychiatry psychotropics lobotomies”. Note also that psychotropics often have warnings which include death and suicide. Not only is this a real problem but your family cannot sue because there was a warning on the label. Deaths even occur with the use of ritalin as you can learn by googling “psychiatry ritalin death”.
Comment by curiouser — March 20, 2008 @ 2:59 am
@5 comments before the anti-psychiatry nazi card was played. Getting slower. You guys must be really busy promoting your new site. Read the heading of this thread. BTW until you present verifiable independent study and evaluation of your run down purification method as developed by LRH I will continue to view it as another form of torture and fraudulent medical practice. Just because you say LRH said so don’t make it so and LRH will continu to be viewed as an ass so.
Comment by Mitsu Too — March 20, 2008 @ 5:44 am
weirdo alien cult but something must be done about it
Comment by Anonymous — March 20, 2008 @ 7:27 am
@ Steve
I think you’re misunderstanding who the intended recipient of said “hateful tone”. We are angry (and rightfully so) at the potential perpetrators of the laundry list of crimes the CoS has allegedly committed. I believe your anger may be a little misguided. These things that are being said would no doubt make me mad if I were in your shoes. And, to be honest, if it were one or two off the wall rumors about my faith, I’d dismiss it and defend my Church as you are. But, Steve, there’s a laundry list a mile long! At what point do you stop and consider the probability that there may be some truth to all this? If there were some kind of algebraic formula to determine the probablity of truth in this situation, would even a 5% chance warrant you turning a critical eye towards the Church? What percentage would it take, Steve? Consider the lives ruined. Consider that you turned a blind eye to it regardless of people pointing it out to you and screaming, “LOOK!”. All the while, you claimed you were helping people. Imagine that, Steve. Could you handle that realization?
I also would like to encourage Anonymous to split hairs and post carefully. Saying things like “Scientology’s crimes” can be misinterpreted and even used to display “Anon’s religious bigotry” to the masses. Instead, say “CoS’s crimes” or “the Church’s crimes”. I know, semantics, but, afterall it is the Church and it’s crimes we’re after, not Scientology. Every little bit helps to open the lines of communication and clear any doubts.
Comment by Anon, Anon, My Boyfriend's Back! — March 20, 2008 @ 10:44 am
@ 25
Paragraphs are your friend. Scientology also can’t make medical claims that it can cure anything, didn’t you get the memo?
Comment by grammar police — March 20, 2008 @ 2:06 pm
The impression Scientology gives is that the late Ron Hubbard knew everything about the mind & spirit.
The impression given is that Hubbard was the only true source of reference about the spirit & mind.
Any other point of view about the mind & spirit would not be accurate if it was not according to the viewpoint of Hubbard.
This is not unlike how other religions view a God who knows all & how they follow their belief on behalf of a God according to who speaks in scripts on behalf of a God.
It’s all a lunatic asylum converts requiring been committed to whatever their asylum.
Comment by Moneen — March 20, 2008 @ 2:45 pm
@25…..ECT and Psychiatry saved my life. They have worked extremely effectively. Just like all major technologies, major improvements have been made over the years; especially since the 1950’s when L Ron penned his famous writings of psychiatry’s ineffectiveness. The COS has not made any major improvements…just a ponzi scheme based on obsolete data. Do you have any facts to support the effectiveness of the organization’s claims?
Will a reworked website with a few biased videos convince anyone? Why did you take all the stories of L Ron’s amazing life off the site. Please present us with facts….not science fiction.
Comment by jasmine — March 20, 2008 @ 2:56 pm
@ 31
They aren’t off the site. Scientology.org is their new video channel. If you click the link in the upper right hand corner, you’re taken to the same old Scientology website we all know and love.
Comment by Anon, Anon, My Boyfriend's Back! — March 20, 2008 @ 3:38 pm
Steve said:
I have 28 years of experience as an active Scientolgist. “Every negative “fact” I have ever seen thrown around in criticism of the Church was twisted, slanted distorted, exagerated, or fabricated.”
—
Wow, Steve. That’s just, frankly, pretty darn amazing. In 28 years, THERE’S NEVER BEEN EVEN ONE VALID CRITICISM OF SCIENTOLOGY? It’s nice to know your organization is just freakin’ PERFECT and that EVERYONE WHO DARES CRITICIZE IT IS LYING OR DISTORTING THE TRUTH.
Keep on thinking that way, buddy. It’s that sort of brainwashed, “everything is just so perfect!” zealotry that will be the downfall of Scientology.
If Scientologists aren’t willing to step up to the plate and take PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY for the abuses of their church… it is doomed.
28 years without a single valid criticism? Riiiight. Is it hard to breathe with your head so firmly buried in the dirt?
Comment by David — March 20, 2008 @ 3:48 pm
Where’s Lrondo? Go to the new (expensive) video interface. Find me a video about the founder, the spiritual leader, the one and only adventurer and clearer of thetans. The world’s first operating thetan and discoverer of all of Scientologies secrets. Where is he?
DM spent a lot of money on his new video interface, I wonder why they didn’t remaster any of those LRH videos? A photo montage? Anything?
Comment by DangerMouse — March 20, 2008 @ 8:16 pm
“Psychotropics are in fact often perceived as the biggest problem for the Church of Scientology and why I am upset when psychotropics are promoted by Anonymous regardless of the whatever the intention may be.”
You were almost doing well. Maybe you didn’t copy and paste this correctly. Anon doesn’t promote the pills. Most Anons believe that some meds are over-prescribed. It’s all about balance and balance isn’t something the Co$ seems to understand. “You’re with us, or you’re against us” Does that quote ring a bell? If not, that’s from Mr Cruise. That’s not balance. That’s Annakin vs. Obi Wan.
Now back on topic.
More and more light is shed on the beliefs and practices of the true CoS every day. You can throw the “it’s been tampered with” “that’s a highly edited version” whatever… Seems with the new site that you’ve added to the distancing your faith with your founder. But, all in all, I give the videos a score of 3 out of 10 for poor production and lack of content.
Comment by MrChillyAnon — March 20, 2008 @ 10:16 pm
First, how much I appreciate your wonderful coverage of the Scientology crisis. You do good work.
I would like to know just how much the kids in Hollywood (and other locations) are not getting in terms of neighborhood school funding and other services (such as the police and fire protection for which their modest neighbors pick up the tab), and how their bogus schools stay in business. Indeed, just how much in property taxes are they managing to ditch, burning our kids?
Catholicism’s excesses, as well as those of the other “organized” religions aside, why does this so-called church (SCC) have such a bias against education? Why so many HS dropouts? Why distrust of knowledge and critical thinking skills? Books. Real books.
It would be good to know which religions consider Scientology a religion, starting with the big guys, and then moving toward the National and the World Council of Churches.
Scientology is a training and counseling business, pure and simple, paranoid to boot.
Thanks again for your attention to this topic. They SUCK up resources from tax-payers and their victims.
These are sneaky peets not looking for real bright members, IMHO (of course, as always, exceptions).
Comment by . — March 20, 2008 @ 10:42 pm
@ 36
They don’t believe in formal education beyond what is required by law (which I believe is 20 hours a week) because we are all millions of years old and already know everything there is to know from past life experiences. However, backing up to what’s required by law, from the stories I’ve read from ex-members, do they (the kids) even go the required amount? Doesn’t the law state that the school(ing) has to be accredited? All questions that need to be answered.
Comment by Anon, Anon, My Boyfriend's Back! — March 21, 2008 @ 10:18 am
I believe psychiatry came about before the Nazis but have been said to have been employed by the Nazis and Osama bin Laden.
Ahahahaha, NO. The Nazi party conducted experiments for the sake of conducting experiments, as the perfect test subjects(there was no one to oppose human experimentation). Psychiatry is not a “mind game”, but instead a therapeutic system of diagnosis and treatment, just like, say, pediatrics. Psychiatrists are doctors that specialize in the field of the human brain and mind. There’s no control anywhere, despite what LRH(who previously sought psychiatric treatment himself) would have you believe.
Bin Laden? Psychiatry? You best be joking. He uses radical Islam as his banner. Or did you miss the part where al Qaeda is made up of Muslims? He’s every bit the psychiatrist that Jim Jones was. Oh, that’s right, Jim Jones was just a cult leader.
GEE, I GUESS THAT STRIKES BOTH OF THEM OFF THE LIST.
Its sordid history of lobotomies actually started right after WWII in 1946 and lasted 20 years to be replaced by a more sophisticated “psychosurgery” which is to be less “damaging”.
Actually, lobotomies began in the late 1800’s, and were put into use around 1935– World War II didn’t break out until 1937(Asia) and 1939(Europe). Maybe Miscavige should fix the CoS history books.
Psychosurgery died out by the 60’s. It was actually just severing of nerves. Also, it’s been illegal in most places since ‘77. It was less damaging(because it doesn’t involve slicing off a chunk of the brain), but was considered inhumane nonetheless(and few psychiatrists would ever say differently).
In response LRH developed the purification rundown, a detoxification program specifically targeted to removing street drugs including LSD and PCP.
Neither of those drugs are stored in fat tissue. Saunas have no effect– Narcanon only works by the basic act of cutting off cold turkey, as well as promotion of healthier food. However, Niacin is incredibly dangerous in high amounts.
Psychotropics are in fact often perceived as the biggest problem for the Church of Scientology and why I am upset when psychotropics are promoted by Anonymous regardless of the whatever the intention may be
Very few of us promote them. As a psychologist myself, I actually strive to remove the drugs as much as possible. It is no different than using aspirin if you injure yourself. No touch assist can heal, say, third-degree burns. Need proof? Douse yourself in gasoline, and light a match.
Note also that psychotropics often have warnings which include death and suicide.
Key word: WARNINGS. Yes, drugs affect people differently. Oh, remember Niacin? Niacin kills.
Doses above 2 g per day have been associated with liver damage, particularly with slow-release formulations.[18]
High-dose niacin may also elevate blood sugar, thereby worsening diabetes mellitus.[19] Hyperuricemia is another side-effect of taking high-dose niacin; thus niacin may worsen gout[citation needed].
Niacin at doses used in lowering cholesterol has been associated with birth defects in laboratory animals and should not be taken by pregnant women.[20]
Niacin at extremely high doses can have life-threatening acute toxic reactions. One patient suffered vomiting after taking eleven 500-milligram niacin tablets over 36 hours, and another was unresponsive for several minutes after taking five 500-milligram tablets over two days.[21][22] Extremely high doses of niacin can also cause niacin maculopathy, a thickening of the macula and retina which leads to blurred vision and blindness.
Not only is this a real problem but your family cannot sue because there was a warning on the label. Deaths even occur with the use of ritalin as you can learn by googling “psychiatry ritalin death”.
That’s why proper testing needs to be done. Unfortunately, everything(and I do mean EVERYTHING, be it drug or food) has a gamble of messing with the human body. The FDA constantly reprimands drug companies when they hide side-effect data. None of the SciPlants ever seem to respond to my notes about how I strive to focus on analytical psychology, virtually eliminating the drugs.
I mean, I know someone has to approve what you say, but why does the CoS never have a response against that? Why do they only bring up the archaic days of lobotomies and Nazi-era experimentation, all of which the APA(American Psychiatric Association) have condemned?
Even the Catholic Church admitted that Galileo was right(Pope John Paul II actually pardoned him and said that he was indeed correct, apologizing). Psychiatry is more than drug prescription.
Comment by Dio Brando — March 21, 2008 @ 11:41 pm