Who could ever forget Tom Cruise jumping around Oprah's couch like the king of the apes, preaching scientology. Or all the South Park episodes devoted to exposing the funny side of a cult (please hold off the hate mail, death threats and Jihads) that's spreading across the globe.
But there is a very serious side to the effects of scientology. In France, there is currently a court case underway to ban scientology. In other parts of the world, there have been several attempts to sue the "church" for fraud. But what is really worth reading is a fascinating 3-part series just published by the St Petersburg Times, exposing the inside of scientology. With four senior defectors, the newspaper's journalists have put together an amazing peek behind the church's walls, media machines and brainwashed followers. Here are the links to the articles (right click them and open in new windows / tabs):
The website also has some really interesting background information, videos, etc on scientology. Definitely worth a read.
Posts
It is so hard to believe that in this modern world of ours, where information is but a few Google searchers away from our finger tips, that people still fall these scams. Are we really that insecure that we need to put our faith in these crackpots and weirdos on the minute chance that they could actually know something we don't?
ReplyDeleteCheck out www.ronthenut.org
I thought Tom Cruise was jumping up and down because he was so in love with Kakie Holmes? But ja, scientology makes him even more weird.
ReplyDelete"Scientology is both immoral and socially obnoxious...It is corrupt, sinister and dangerous. It is corrupt because it is based on lies and deceit"
ReplyDelete— Justice Latey, ruling in the High Court of London
Erm, you do realise that in Justice Latey's comment you could substitute any of the popular "religions" for the word scientology and that comment would still make perfect sense...
ReplyDeleteI think people are fascinated by Scientology because they know so little about it. Another famous Scientologist is John Travolta. Some are blaming the religion -- which doesn't acknowledge the existence of mental illness --for the death of his son Jett. I look forward to checking out the links when I have a mo.
ReplyDeleteYes Alex, Tom was jumping up and down for Katie! Tsk, tsk, tsk...journalists!
ReplyDelete