by Scientology_net on September 25th, 2003

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Why do some people oppose Scientology?

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by Alatea on October 29th, 2005
They oppose it because it is a complete fraud!
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by TheVastConspiracyAgainstYou on January 27th, 2009
Because it is a dangerous criminal organization that cynically drains it's parishoners of their wealth and breaks up families. And sometimes even kills them.

A former Scientologist tells his story:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Piece_of_Blue_Sky
The Story:
http://www.clambake.org/archive/books/apobs/contents.htm
Another former Scientologist with links to her site:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tory_Christman
Kids who grew up in Scientology and now speak out:
http://www.exscientologykids.com/index.html
Arnie Lerma, Early Scientologist:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arnaldo_Lerma
Gerry Armstrong, Former Scientologist
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerry_Armstrong_(activist)
Co$ vs. Gerry Armstrong
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Scientology_v._Gerald_Armstrong
Gerry Armstrong Site
http://www.gerryarmstrong.org/50grand/introduction.html
More unethical and illegal Scientology activities:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Freakout
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Scientology#Illegal_activities
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology_controversies
http://www.youtube.com/user/xenutv1
http://www.hollywoodinterrupted.com/.../...scientology.phtml
More Scientology Shit Deep Sixed Long Ago:
http://www.xenu.net/archive/go/legal/legal.htm
Scientology Agents, including LR Hubbard's wife, break into Federal offices in Wahsington, DC., get caught and do time, afterwhich the "church" gets tax exemption:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Snow_White
http://www.lermanet.com/scientologynews/washingtonpost/raids-070977.htm
http://www.xenu-directory.net/news/clearwatersun19820509.html
http://www.skepticfiles.org/mys2/fear.htm
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Cowen/essays/nytimes.html
Scientology Murders:
http://www.whyaretheydead.net/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_McPherson

Footnotes
1Suppressive Person Order, aka SP Declare (Co$ Internal Documents):
http://www.xenu-directory.net/practices/sp.html
An Actual SP Declare:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPLbKky8hko
2Co$ Fair Game Policy (Co$ Internal Documents)
http://www.xenu-directory.net/practices/fairgame.html
http://www.fairgamed.org/fairgame.htm
Fair Game Related: The Purpose of a Lawsuit (Co$ Internal Documents)
http://www.fairgamed.org/lawsuit.htm
Co$ Fair Game in Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_Game_(Scientology)
Fair Gamed: Wollersheim, Anderson and Armstrong:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_Game_(Scientology)#Lawrence_Wollersheim.2C_1980
Michael Flynn gets Fair Gamed
http://www.gerryarmstrong.org/50grand/cult/scientology-fair-games-flynn.html
Paulette Cooper gets Fair Gamed
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Freakout
Lawrence Wollersheim gets Fair Gamed
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Wollersheim
3Sea Organization (Sea Org)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_Org
4Flag Land Base, Clearwater
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Scientology#Flag_Land_Base.2C_Clearwater.2C_Florida
5PAC (Pacific Area Command) Base, Los Angeles
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Scientology#PAC_Base.2C_Hollywood.2C_California
6Gold Base
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Scientology#Gold_Base.2C_Gilman_Hot_Springs.2C_California
7Rehabilitation Project Force (RPF)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rehabilitation_Project_Force
http://www.xenu-directory.net/practices/rpf.html
http://www.lermanet.com/cos/enggulag.html
http://www.solitarytrees.net/pubs/skent/brain.htm
http://www.lermanet.com/scientologyscandals/sobobaescape.htm
http://www.lermanet.com/exit/gold-base-captives.htm
Children’s RPF
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW8ZqGSkXjI
An Ex-Scientologist Message Board: Anonymous can’t think all this shit up, folks!
http://www.forum.exscn.net/showthread.php?t=622
Office of Special Affairs (OSA):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Office_of_Special_Affairs

Film Footage:
1. The Un-funny Truth about Scientology
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCGP-0545EU
2. Co$ Core Beliefs (This is NOT a Joke):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bzcGK9xqEU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOdF_3RIXJ4
Short Version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cm9UKw1TkuU
Why Scientologists Can’t Talk About It: Former Scientologist Steven Fishman Talks About Scientology.
Part I:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6812164614976718979&hl=en
Part II:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtXDYH0PSK0
Part III:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4563367674902062954&hl=en
Part IV:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1839870989487824169&hl=en
Part V:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-777802371238427975&hl=en
Part VI:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1123139866401185152&hl=en
Part VII:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6634315750150016620&hl=en
From A Mainstream News Source (The good stuff starts around marker 3:30):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fB87IJT78M8
A Third Generation Scientologist Speaks Out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuSEC8g03vY
3. Co$ Commandeers the Cult Awareness Network (CAN):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mehdjwaS48
4. Anonymous Global Protests (Soundtrack is 404 due to copyright violation):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOyA787_7cI
5. Investigative Reporter Gets Inside the Co$ (25 min.):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rD9bCdHqU3s
One Result of the Co$ Recruiting Technique (The Co$ “Personality Test“):
http://glosslip.com/2008/04/15/breaking-daughter-of-norwegian-parliment-took-life-after-taking-scientology-personality-tests/
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation News Clip On Scientology, 1968:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjwD7UbZhso
6. Son of Co$ Founder Accuses Father of Fraud:
Part I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyp37GuFDyk&feature=related
Part II
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jy4SxZJu8nE&feature=related

The Global Fight Against the Church of Scientology:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Chanology
http://project-chanology.blogspot.com/

SUPPORT ANONYMOUS WHEREVER AND WHENEVER YOU CAN!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anonymous_(group )
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- Well researched.
  
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  by John McCain on March 8th, 2011
- Wow. Impressive.
  
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  by Quiet_Listener on July 2nd, 2011
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by Esteban-- Smart ass Pumpkin on March 8th, 2009
common sense and an IQ above 50
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- PERFECT!!!
  
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  by therapist on March 8th, 2009
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by angelwarrior on April 22nd, 2006
Some think some practices in Scientology encourages brainwashing. The idea of going "Clear," to some, is seen as a way to brainwash someone, not rid their mind of negativity, but ready it for future manipulation. Although getting rid of negative thought patterns can be a useful psychological tool, some think that Scientology does it in a way to hook a person in and prepare them for future mind-control.

Others think that the idea that one can control one's environment as opposed to be controlled by it seems an encouragement to take on more God-like powers. The new age idea of being a person who makes things happen instead of a person in which things happen to can be foreign to a passive submissive who allows the world to bash and pummel one's ship out at sea, needing God to save him/her. Both extremes can be unhealthy. To think that we have control over nothing makes us victims; to think we have control over everything gives us a false sense of security and arrogance. To my knowledge, Scientology sits at one extreme of this continuum and doesn't acknowledge the idea that there are some things in life beyond one's control.

Others are turned off by Scientology for the simple fact that, in order to advance or benefit, one must pay money. This doesn't seem like a religion, but more of a form of service or psychology that one would pay to better oneself. I know of no other religion in the world who asks their congregation to pay money to advance spiritually, or self-improve. Donations or tithing can be encouraged, yes, but I have heard of no other religion in which it was a requirement to pay to advance to the next level mentally, spiritually or emotionally. The fact that they require money to advance to the next levels of their program seems to an indication that the group is more of a self-improvement or psychology-based institution than a religion. The fact that Scientology uses their religion status to help people improve themselves but then require money to advance is a cause of great concern and alarm, and should be a red flag to most people. Religion is an institution that is there, ideally, to help people advance spiritually, irregardless of how much money they have to contribute to their religion.

L. Ron Hubbard, the author of Dianetics of which Scientology is based on, has also called homosexuality an aberration. Being I have met others in my life who were very unhappy trying to live a life incongruent with who they are (by for instance, trying to be heterosexual), and didn't feel happy until they honored their homosexuality, I find this position of Dianetics grossly inaccurate. Notice that it is usually heterosexuals who make such broad, inaccurate generalizations about homosexuals.

Scientology would be a more effective organization if they called a heart a heart and a spade a spade. They would gain more validity and trust, specifically, if they labeled themselves as a self-help or self-improvement group who provides a service as opposed to a religion - but then again, they would not get as many tax breaks. They either need to choose to call themselves a religion and provide a mental, emotional, and/or spiritual service and don't charge money to advance, or they need to lose the religion and call themselves what they are - a self-betterment/improvement group.
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by RosieGHM Jetpacker on March 7th, 2011
L Ron Hubbard was a sci fi writer. Now that background might be great for some things but creating a serious religion? It loses something in translation dontcha know. Those who belong find comfort in it and swear by it. Outsiders find it very weird since it is an extremely atypical "religion". I neither embrace it nor vilify it. If it works for some and makes their lives better and it doesn't harm anyone I see no problem with it. We all use crutches to get through life...some use food, some use drugs, some use alcohol, some use sex...some even use religion. Religion is the least destructive if it is confined to those who believe in it and is not inflicted upon others. Happy Monday JMcC! :)
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by Old School on March 7th, 2011
See for yourself...;-D...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBOS481nvKM

(Sorry, embedding was disabled)
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by RefreshPerspective on March 7th, 2011
I just think their beliefs are batshit is all.
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by dewshaft on March 7th, 2011
Largely because it is a fraud, perpetrated by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard. Scientology presents itself as a sort of science of the mind, aimed at resolving inner mental conflicts though a process called "auditing". Out of curiosity I read 'Dianetics' many years ago and found that it presented many interesting ideas but there was one major glaring issue which caused me to doubt the entire concept. In the book 'Dianetics' the phrase "studies have shown" is used many times but there is no further documentation. Having a scientific background I know that science is based on provable fact and central to that is extensive documentation. In Scientology there is none.

A few years later, in 1991 I believe, Time magazine ran an expose of Scientology which reveled many details of the beliefs and practices of the so called "Church of Scientology". I've paid attention to other reports over the years and there has been nothing to indicate that Scientology is anything other than a fraud posing as a religion. It is a corporate entity devoted to extorting money from it's members, and to that end is only interested in the highest paying members.

The beliefs taught in the higher levels of Scientology are straight out of 1950's "B" movie. The stories of a galactic dictator named Xenu and beings called thetans spring directly from the fertile imagination of L. Ron Hubbard. These beliefs strain the credulity of even high level members of Scientology and there are many ex-scientologists who have verified these stories.

Scientology is one of the most litigious 'religions' and are very vigilant in protecting themselves from any perceived criticisms. Scientology is not recognized as a religion in numerous countries such as the UK, Germany, and France.

Scientology is largely viewed as a cult with dangerous medical beliefs. It has been implicated in the deaths of a number of members who were discouraged from taking legitimately prescribed medicines.

All of this and more has lead me to conclude that Scientology is a worrisome and potentially dangerous organization dedicated to it's own enrichment and the protection of itself.

Crazy? Well, I'm not a psychologist so I can't judge their sanity, but then again Scientology doesn't believe in psychologists.
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- tl;dr
  
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  by Shurie.Smile on March 7th, 2011
- Obviously a Scientology candidate if you're not willing to read and learn, let alone actually type out your comments.
  
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  by dewshaft on March 7th, 2011
- What the hell does 'tl,dr' mean? Great answer. I read the same Time magazine article and since then every time I've heard the word scientology my ears have perked up. A bad bad organization, and you listed it's flaws very nicely. Great answer.
  
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  by kagemusha on March 7th, 2011
- Apparently it means "too long; didn't read". I didn't know either, so I googled it, lol.
  
  Thanks freeek70! Several years ago I worked with a former Scientology member, a fairly high up member too if I recall correctly. I can't remember what all he said, but it was scary, and he was completely disillusioned. Normally I would never speak against deeply held religious beliefs, but I've never seen any evidence that Scientology is a real religion, just a fraud to separate members from their money.
  
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  by dewshaft on March 7th, 2011
- too long, didnt read. obviously im a scientology candidate if i dont care about scientology.
  
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  by Shurie.Smile on March 7th, 2011
- Shurie.Smile: If you don't care enough to even read the answer why comment? Your profile says you believe in science; if that's true you should care enough to learn whether or not something that passes itself off as scientifically based is real or not.
  
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  by dewshaft on March 7th, 2011
- i refuse to take part in any religon. and so they know next time they should leave a book. keep it short and sweet and more people will read all of it.
  
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  by Shurie.Smile on March 7th, 2011
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by Capital J on March 7th, 2011
because they are the same people who BELIEVE what they call "god" (i would say a magical sky wizard) built the earth in 6 days, created man, and controls your soul after death even though science PROVES different.
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by moonkicker on March 7th, 2011
Yet another religion with no evidence to back up it's claims, but it wants all your money...
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by Shunyata on March 7th, 2011
John, people find all kinds of stuff CRAZY without having a clue as to what it is really about.
I used to have all kinds of prejudice about this and that group, religion, idea, until I explored them.
you might be asking people who have no clue and just add to prejudice.
explore it without becoming a member.
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by Moongrim on December 12th, 2009
If Scientology is really about bettering of humans, why charge through the nose? Instead of trying to rid individuals of Thetans, they could instead be working on a way of ridding the world of Thetans.
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by Ball of Fluff on April 26th, 2009
Most of the people who oppose Scientology do so as a result of the practices of the cult (Church of Scientology). Some of them are not aware that there are Scientologists who aren't affiliated in any way with the cult and that is due to the fact that the cult is pretty high profile in the news, etc, and also because the Scn offshoots are pretty small potatoes. There are some people who oppose the Scn philosophy, per se, and oppose the pursuing of Scn practices away from the cult as well for various reasons- none of which I consider particularly constructive or valid.
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by pedal junky on March 8th, 2009
i don't discredit scientology anymore than i discredit the church of the flyiing speghetti monster.
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by The Mess on March 5th, 2009
By some do you mean most? I think it's great comedy.
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by Scientology_net on September 25th, 2003
There are certain characteristics and mental attitudes that cause a percentage of the population to oppose violently any betterment activity or group. This small percentage of society (roughly 2 percent) cannot tolerate that Scientology is successful at improving conditions around the world. This same 2 percent is opposed to any effective self-betterment activity. The reason they so rabidly oppose Scientology is because it is doing more to help society than any other group. Those who are upset by seeing man get better are small in number compared to the millions who have embraced Scientology and its efforts to create a sane civilization and more freedom for the individual.
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- This answer is rhetoric and spin rather than an explantion for the reason individuals (and whole nations) distrust the Church
  
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  by GuruOfAllKnowledge on December 8th, 2003
- absolutely not true. I am in total support of self-betterment; I am opposed to one arrogant organizations insecure assumptio
  
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  by Anonymous on June 25th, 2005
- Agree with �Anonymous�.� If I thought Scientology was helpful, rather than harmful, I would support it.
  
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  by Anonymous on August 17th, 2005
- Horsefeathers. Scientology isn't about improving humans, it's about improving the bottom line.
  
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  by Moongrim on December 12th, 2009
- Making society better? Hahahaha thats laughable. ......oh wait youre serious, let me laugh harder AAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA
  
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  by sega256 on March 9th, 2011
- Some of the ways in which Scientology makes the world a better place is by encouraging its followers to donate large sums of money, and by isolating followers from their families. Other ways include obtaining "volunteer" work, here's what one satisfied volunteer had to say:
  
  "'They imprisoned me on a cruise ship for 12 years': Harrowing claims of a former member of the Church of Scientology"
  
  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2068284/Valeska-Paris-claims-Church-Scientology-imprisoned-cruise-ship-12-years.html
  
  Another informative site is this one:
  
  Scientology Lies
  
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  by Unicorn Man on December 4th, 2011
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by J and B on March 7th, 2011
Are you kidding? The questions should be: Why do otherwise intelligent people believe that crap?
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by Baba on March 7th, 2011
Best is to check it out for yourself, and don't listen to others attitudes and opinions.
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by lenalove on December 14th, 2009
its wrong on so many levels I am related to some and I get a lot of slack for being a Latter Day Saint so I dont like to judge or discriminate but the amount of money that goes into this organisation is above and beyond my comprehension.
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by JakobA I^_^I the alooney on March 7th, 2011
I do not think very many people find Scientology crazy. Afterall 'getting filthy rich' is an accepted and venerated goal in most western nations.

But a lot of people find Scientology dishonest and immoral (plus of course ineffective). Their marketing methods and internal treatment of volunteer staff are less than admirable.
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by qumo on March 12th, 2011
Probable because it´s money-oriented brainwashing machine-built on ideology of the science fiction author Ron L. Hubbard.
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by Blizzle on July 10th, 2011
It was founded by a science fiction writer, who said that we were all put here by some supreme alien and we were then brainwashed and shown fake videos to believe the story of God and the Bible and religions etc. It sounds like a science fiction story, and that's exactly what it is. I really feel bad for people who truly beleive in this and aren't in it for taking people's money.
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by Born In Disguise_x on March 5th, 2009
People hate lots of things for their own reasons, not just Scientology. Everyone has different beliefs about what's right & wrong and if you have to ask why, it's just like asking why the sky is blue...it's just the way things work.
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