Is Scientology A Religion Now ?

[mikey4444]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26311316

Does this ruling mean that Scientology is a real religion now, rather than a ludicrous cult, made up by a science fiction writer ?

[mushroom25]

whoa careful mikey - "ludicrous cult"? you risk being branded a squirrel for that....

[mikey4444]

Squirrel ? Sorry, don't understand.

[pixie373]

I thought the difference between a cult and a religion was purely the number of followers.

[bibblebub]

So you don't think that the established religions started out as ludicrous cults? The only difference is that they are now called religions (but are still ludicrous).

[mushroom25]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1379274/Scientologist-Squirrel-busters-stalk-church-defector.html

[boxtops]

Not yet - on the BBC news tonight, the concern was being expressed that Scientology could therefore now be recognised as a religious organisation, and claim all the benefits of being able to claim charitable status and other similar benefits.

[EDDIE51]

It is a load of rubbish but I think it is classed as a religion. In fact I think it has been classed as such for years. ( in the USA at least)

[LazyGun]

It does, unfortunately, mikey. They will I am sure be reviewing their application for favourable tax relief, rate rebates and charitable status now.

http://www.civilsociety.co.uk/governance/news/content/16585/speculation_mounts_on_scientology_gaining_charitable_status

[atalanta]

It is the only "religion" I have ever heard of which refuses to tell you what you are going to have to believe, if you adopt it. And when you do find out ( after you have spent vast sums of money) , it turns out that the tenets are utter Science Fiction.
I wonder why ?

[mikey4444]

Just a small reminder of the central belief in Scientology ::::

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenu

The first paragraph reads :::

"Xenu (/ˈziːnuː/ zee-noo), also spelled Xemu, was, according to Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, the dictator of the "Galactic Confederacy" who 75 million years ago brought billions[4][5] of his people to Earth (then known as "Teegeeack") in a DC-8-like spacecraft, stacked them around volcanoes and killed them using hydrogen bombs. Official Scientology scriptures hold that the essences of these many people remained, and that they form around people in modern times, causing them spiritual harm."

[mikey4444]

Bibs.....that is indeed what I think about established religions.

But most of them were invented a very long time ago, when almost everybody was uneducated and illiterate. That wasn't the case in the 1950's when Hubbard first invented Scientology, so I find it odd that so many people were taken in by such errant drivel. I am even more puzzled why its growing so fast in the the 21st century, even taking into account that it is based in America, a curiously credulous nation.

[mikey4444]

Now I see mushroom ! Sorry but as it was in the DM, I missed it...funny that.

[mikey4444]

eddie...not in Germany apparently :::

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology_in_Germany

[EDDIE51]

The people who dismiss Christianity and the other 'conventional' religions as 'fairy-tales' will have a field day if Scientology ever becomes a religion.

[mikey4444]

As Scientology has every appearance of being a con and a fraudulent money-making exercise, the real reason that they wish to pursue this line is to be able to achieve charitable status. Its all about money !

[pixie373]

I'm not sure it's any more or less likely than any of the others.

[EDDIE51]

Watch this , this REALLY IS what Scientology believes
http://www.southparkstudios.com/clips/104274/what-scientologist-actually-believe. The Church of Scientology tried very hard to get this banned they thought it would put people off!

[mikey4444]

Thanks eddie...only marginally stupider than the official Scientology website !

[Gromit]

It's made up, unlike the estabished churches which are the word of go....

Er?

[Old_Jim]

It means that their buildings can be registered as places for marriage. Bearing in mind that hotels, stately homes and football stadiums can be registered, that's not much of a concession.