Scientology A Proper Religion Now Apparently

[mikey4444]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25331754

And here I was, thinking that Scientology was just a cult for daft, credulous Americans with more money than sense. But according to a British Supreme Court ruling, Scientology should now be accorded the same status as Christianity, etc.

You couldn't make it up if you tried !

[sandyRoe]

I thought people could get married almost anywhere now. Why should a Scientology hall be excluded?

[LazyGun]

It is certainly a very liberal interpretation of what constitutes a religion :) I think in their ruling, the judges likened Scientology to Buddhism in that they both seek "enlightenment" :) I wonder how the Buddhists feel about being lumped in with the Scientologists?

More worringly, to me at least is this; Currently I do not believe that Scientology is recognised as a religion in the UK, which means they cannot apply for charitable status. What concerns me is whether this ruling could be used to justify them as a charity, and thus getting favourable tax status.

I really would not like that...

[sandyRoe]

Have the merits of Jediism been tested in any court?

[LazyGun]

Not that I am aware of, Sandy. About the only silver lining I see in this news is that if they are going to allow Scientologists to conduct legal weddings, then Humanist ceremonies should not be far behind.

[Old_Geezer]

I'm unsure what the difference is anyway. Isn't one name used for long established religions and the other used to mock small new ones ?

[mikey4444]

Sorry...I meant to add this to my OP :::

Origins of Scientology....L Ron Howard invented Scientology in 1952. One of its basic beliefs the story of Xenu, introduced as the tyrant ruler of the "Galactic Confederacy". According to this story, 75 million years ago Xenu brought billions of people to Earth in spacecraft resembling Douglas DC-8 airliners, stacked them around volcanoes and detonated hydrogen bombs in the volcanoes. The thetans then clustered together, stuck to the bodies of the living, and continue to do this today. Scientologists at advanced levels place considerable emphasis on isolating body thetans and neutralizing their ill effects.

And this is a religion ?

[Old_Geezer]

Religions ought not get charitable status anyway. They aren't charities. If they do charitable works then they should ring-fence that aspect and apply for charitable status for that part only.

[Old_Geezer]

How is it any less of one than the others ? All hail to our Xenu overlords.

[pixie373]

Makes as much sense as any other religion, Mikey.

[sandyRoe]

Strange, indeed. But no stranger, in its own way, than a belief that the dead can rise again and ascend into heaven.

[jomifl]

Scientology is just a profit making organisation like any other religion. The only difference being it doesn't pretend to do good works like spreading aids or denying blood transfusions to children.

[sandyRoe]

so, as far as it goes as a religion, you think it's not without some merits then?

[mikey4444]

Actually pixie and OG.....I tend to agree with you.

But just how credulous would you need to be, to believe in this nonsense ?At least most of the other main religions have some longevity to them, and perhaps some patina of respect might rub off over time. Hubbard was a science fiction writer for goodness sake....wouldn't that make most people just a teeny, weeny bit suspicious ? Do anybody think Scientology would be where it is today, if it wasn't invented and started in America ? Its HQ is in Hollywood.....doesn't that make people even slightly wary ?

[jomifl]

Sandy, it only seems to prey on the gullible (and rich) rather than the poor and vulnerable so possibly it could be worse.

[chakka35]

What does it matter? All religions are man-made anyway and which are recognised as legitimate is purely matter of tradition.
If the followers of this daft cult want to call it a religion let them have their little dream. I bet it has given ideas to astrologers and palmists though. What larks!

[LazyGun]

It matters, to me at least, because it now seems that recognising Scientology as a religion has opened the door to them gaining charity status for tax purposes in the UK, which I view as a very retrograde step.

[naomi24]

It will be interesting to see how their charitable status benefits society.

[bibblebub]

all religions start out as cults

[LazyGun]

@bibble Ferengi!!!! ( runs off and locks up all valuables) A pox on your rules of acquisition! :)

[bibblebub]

i'm intending to navigate the Great River of the Continuum