rwbeagles-Tom Cruise can save you!

houndlove

"Christianity" is a mighty big category. There are Christian cults, today and in the past. Some Christian sects have gone from more cult-like behavior to more mainstream behavior. Some have gone the other direction. The fact that Jim Jones was a Christian does not mean that "Christianity" is a cult.

And if everyone who was Catholic followed the Pope's ideas to the letter, yes that'd make sense...but there is no where near the cohesive uni mind present there as in this church we're discussing. That control is simply not present. Not anymore. Not here.

I thought the tape was hilarious!  3 words -- B _ _  S _ _ _  C _ _ _ _!  I even bought the Morton book, for brain candy potty reading.  I can't stand him but I don't know if it's him or Scientology.  He didn't seem this looney before though, and I can't say it's helped Kirstie Alley seem more stable either.  According to the book, he was introduced to S-ology by his 1st wife Mimi Rogers, maybe his looniness became more apparent when S got him off his meds! 

inne

The Pope warning that ending legal discrimination against gay people will harm families is a really scary statement, for example, and I think that does absolutely advocate persecution by denying gay people civil rights.

And what legal discrimination is that???

I think the structure of the Catholic church is such that every member doesn't have to follow church teachings to the letter in order to produce hugely harmful effects and exert control over people and policy.   If we look at, for example, how incredibly powerful the church has been in preventing condom distribution and use and comprehensive sex education in African countries, for example, that is an enormous amount of control and leads to indescribable damage. 

timsdat

And what legal discrimination is that???

Denying civil rights based on sexual orientation is discrimination.   It includes things like being fired from a job because you're gay.

BCM did you watch those vids at the link I posted? the guy on there is SCARY!

not mod request...but "person who started the thread" request...can we break out new threads for off topic discussions like civil rights? please? pretty please?

I can't remember where I saw it, but it was the one where he's being interviewed and using lots of acronyms like KSW (Keep Scientology Working), LRH (L. Ron Hubbard) and SPs (Suppressive Person) and also speaks about being the only one who can help when passing an accident.

 I really wanted to see the one where he got the Medal but it keeps being yanked under threat of the COS.   I like the bad press he's gotten because I've really despised him since he dumped Kidman.  The stories back then about what she had to resort to to defend herself from certain accusations he made was what really made me think he's crazy scum.  If she's friendly with him these days it's probably just to retain access to her kids or out of fear.  I'm glad she's found love again.

I feel for Katie's parents.  I'd be going bonkers if my kid was hooked up w/someone like him!

Hey Gina!  Maybe he's responsible for those UFO sightings in Texas!  It did come out right after that, didn't it??? 

houndlove

No, that was serious. It's a humor site, but the humor is all making fun of stuff that really for real happened. Charles Manson took Scientology classes but in the end decided it was too crazy! 

years ago when I was around 19 or 20 one of these people came knocking at my door with one of those free personality tests which I took and that of course led to an invitation to the local scientology "church" and I went and signed up for their beginner class, I did not last long as freaked me out. There was a lot of talk about engrams and being able to view things in the past and they would try and get you to remember but remembering was not enough you had to view it and I just could not get what they were trying to say.

 I recall something else about if something bad happens to you and while it is happening the sink is dripping water then the sound of dripping water will mess you up for the rest of your life unless you go back and view the incident and fix it. Sorry I cannot recall much and am probably not recalling what I do rememeber well but they did freak me out, it was very wierd and I ran out of there and never looked back.

 Funny thing is that they still send me their magazines although I have called and written to be removed from their list.  I have not received any since moving to NM so perhaps they have lost sight of me.

 Please do not tell them where I live now.

It sounds like you're remembering it right.  It sounds like a description Kirstie Alley gave once in an interview about how she overcame things from her past using Scientology.  I remember at the time I thought it was very strange that actors would want to use this technique because the way she described it, you basically got rid of all of the emotions connected to the traumatic event and then could view it like watching the news or something.  But don't actors *want* to be emotional?  Don't they want to be able to use emotions in their performances?  I really don't like Tom Cruise, but I have to admit that the performance he gave in Magnolia was pretty good.  But seeing him now, I realize, maybe he wasn't acting.

Spooky. 

BCMixs

you basically got rid of all of the emotions connected to the traumatic event and then could view it like watching the news or something. 

yeh that was it!!!

rwbeagles

same thing no? LOL...

I saw Will Smith is now one...that was depressing.

No no not Will Smith!!!!!! Please, if there is a God.....bring Will back to us!!!!!

I used to really like Tom Cruise back in his "Risky Business" days, but now I  think he's beyond creepy.  And Gina, yes - a discussion on civil rights would be super.  Wanna get one started?

Joyce