I do NOT see it as a cult as that is a subjective term. Rather I see it as an organization that actively suppress free speech AND does not show transparency. The Vatican may have done that with sexual abuse but the actual Bible and its writers did not condone it. Adultery is a sin, some translations of the Bible contain verses saying homosexuality was a sin i.e the writings of Paul (whether the original Greek was talking about homosexuality is up for debate) and Jesus showed great love for children. Hubbard conceived the concept of Fair Game and disconnection. Also it is ridiculous to say that Scientology has had more negative media coverage then the clergy’s abuse. At least in my home country it was the sexual abuse that was and still it is circulated more widely and discussed more often.
It is the policies of Fair Game and disconnection that outrages me and always will as long they are practiced. I believe people have the right to associate with whom they choose to and can discern for themselves whether or they are being suppressed or negatively affected by another. Just as William has a right to be a Scientologist, I have right not to be. Just as he has the right to publicly discuss his reasons for the religious choices he made, I have the right to express mine. Which is why I am not signing this (hopefully not too long winded) rant with Anon. I will not hide my identity and I will express my opinions as I see fit regardless of how many billions the Church of Scientology accumulates.

P.S. Given that I live outside of the U.S. I have seen the South Park episode about Tom Cruise and boy it made me laugh.

And yes, $cientology/Cruise pressured the network not to re-broadcast the South Park episode, it told the Xenu story, a delightful little tale for which the cult typically charges $360,000.

Silly troll. You are FAIL.

That Sputh Park episode thing was an urban legend. Why would Scientologists care about years-old Tom Cruise gay jokes?

The only reason this movie was made is because $cientology was hoping to win over the German government. With the huge warning sign going up at the Berlin org I think it’s safe to assume the cult failed.

Once alerted to facts about, say… a legal council, who was nailed by the Feds TWICE, for fabricating evidence and is still working for the church, an alarm goes off. Not to mention numerous other cases where the “church” walked where almost no one else (except of other racketeers and special interest groups) would. We non-”church” members, (or wogs) can also used our un-tampered-with, common experiences in hearing detailed accounts by journalist (read Paulette Cooper’s nightmare), lawyers, who were smeared and litigated into bankruptcy– not to mention many, many former members who suffered inside and then trying to escape (Why would anyone need to ESCAPE anyway? That alone should give ANY freethinking person pause.) to the outside to decide what makes sense and what doesn’t.

Do I think governments and large corporations have special interests and agendas and have engaged in underhanded practices to assert them? You betcha. But I would never align myself with a malevolent syndicate like CoS, even if they happened to be on the same side of an issue, to fight them. I have too many other options. If members stepped outside the soundproof booth, they’d find they did too.