I believe it was L. Ron Hubbard himself who said the easiest way to make money is to invent a religion.....just something to think about...

I think that's a misquote actually. According to the only documented account I've been able to find, he said

"Writing for a penny a word is ridiculous. If a man really wants to make a million dollars, the best way would be to start his own religion"

However, all cases of this quote that I can find are third-hand reports written decades after the fact.

And the counter-argument from supporters is that it was nothing more than a humorously sarcastic, off-hand remark aimed at pulp magazine publishers and said to a group of authors and writers for pulp magazines.

I think that's a misquote actually. According to the only documented account I've been able to find, he said

"Writing for a penny a word is ridiculous. If a man really wants to make a million dollars, the best way would be to start his own religion"

However, all cases of this quote that I can find are third-hand reports written decades after the fact.

And the counter-argument from supporters is that it was nothing more than a humorously sarcastic, off-hand remark aimed at pulp magazine publishers and said to a group of authors and writers for pulp magazines.

Still paying money to advance in ones "faith" a "faith" that is supposedly "non-profit"

I find such comments by any "faiths" founder to draw the entire institution into question.

Last i checked i didn't have to chip out thousands of dollars to advance as a christian, jew, islamic, hindu, buddhist, or pagan of any kind for that matter.

Everything should be questioned, faith, reasoning, practices, motives and intentions.

Especially when it comes to making a decision on what one believes..imo, just saying is all..

“Faith” is a personal choice to believe something in the absence of proof. How can that be either for-profit or non-profit? How could one possible charge someone for believing something? Are you actually saying that people are paying to be allowed to believe things?

I understand the logic of that. On the other hand, how much weight should one assign to two sentences said informally and in jest when comparing them to 10million words written and spoken decades later on an entirely different subject?

Last I checked you don’t have to pay thousands of dollars to advance as a Scientologist either. There are dozens of books and tapes available that are priced in the same range as any other books or tapes.
I totally agree 100%. I have done so and have reached my own conclusions. Unfortunately, I see very little of that being done by others. In my experience, the critics are usually almost totally ignorant of the actual philosophy itself and dismiss any positive contributions of, or benefits claimed by, its members. But they are hugely fond of the sensational reports in the mass media and the vitriolic rhetoric of ex-members.

So yes, by all means question the “faith, reasoning, practices, motives and intentions” of the accused. But I would question the wisdom of not performing the exact same due diligence regarding the accuser as well.
.

If you wish to investigate it for yourself, I think you’ll find that there is very little “belief” or “faith” involved. One of the fundamental concepts that I’ve observed is that things should not be taken on faith. That one should observe and evaluate for oneself. The very idea of accepting things on faith, without examination, seems to be anathema to the whole philosophy.

For example, point #14 in their Code of Honour states: "Be your own advisor, keep your own counsel and select your own decisions."

For example, point #14 in their Code of Honour states: "Be your own advisor, keep your own counsel and select your own decision.

That is something I believe. I am my final authority.

Many Christians find that down right blasphemous as they insist that "God" should be and is the final authority. (Which in actuality means their holy book or their minister or church.)

But if I advised you to be your own adviser and you took that advice, then from that day forward you would be self empowered and free of the need of an adviser.

Not that we don't still listen to advice and consider it, but that in the end, we will always select our own decision, and hopefully it is always and informed one and made not on the basis of fear or ignorance.

As George Bush said: "I am the decider."

We should all take that attitude in my opinion.

So many people hesitate to trust their own decisions or make decisions based on what other people might think about them.

I would have to say Bush is a case of the decider who acts without analyzing and questioning things. If he thinks he did i wonder if now having to look at the consquences our country has indured becuase of such decisions that maybe he doesn't think he should thought things through more. just a thought...

Scientology is a body of beliefs and related practices created by American science fiction author L. Ron Hubbard.[1] Hubbard developed Scientology teachings in 1952 as a successor to his earlier self-help system, Dianetics.[2] Hubbard later characterized Scientology as an "applied religious philosophy" and the basis for a new religion with the first Scientology church being established in New Jersey, December 1953.[3][4][5] A commonly held belief among Scientologists is that psychiatry and psychology are destructive and abusive fields, which must be abolished.[6][7]

Scientology advocates that people are immortal spiritual beings (or thetans) which have lived many lifetimes. Scientologists believe that the primary purpose of existence is survival.[8] One controversial aspect of Scientology beliefs is the idea that thetans lived among extraterrestrial cultures before becoming trapped in bodies on Earth.[9] It is believed that thetans were brainwashed by these extraterrestrial cultures as a means of population control. The belief of extraterrestrial origins is not taught to new members, but is only presented after members have advanced through the ranks of Scientology.

There are a large number of organizations overseeing the application of Scientology, many of which are separate legal entities.[10] These organizations have remained highly controversial since their inception. Most notable of these organizations is the Church of Scientology, whose primary concern is to uphold the belief system of Scientology. Former members, journalists, courts, and authorities in multiple countries have described Scientology as a cult [11][12][13][14][15][16] and an unscrupulous commercial enterprise. Critics claim that the organization has a history of harassing its critics and abusing the trust of its members.[14][16][17][18][15][19] Time Magazine describes Scientology as "a hugely profitable global racket that survives by intimidating members and critics in a Mafia-like manner." [14] Scientology has consistently litigated most actions which it has perceived to be threatening. One major litigation point is that of copyright infringement.[20][21]

The Church of Scientology upholds the notion that individuals can discover for themselves whether Scientology works through personal observation and experience rather than blind faith.[citation needed] The Church promotes a type of counseling called "auditing" as a means of spiritual rehabilitation.[3] Scientology runs several promotion campaigns through closely related organizations[10][22] in the form of a set of moral standards, an anti-drug program, an education methodology, a volunteer organization and a business management method.



Do you believe in this crap?

Your right "religion" would have been a better word then "faith" by definition that is. As for profiting from one's religion. I am a big believer that all knowledge belongs to every human being not just those with fat pockets, that is simply eliteism. If someone goes to a remote region and sells a religious text to a person or persons. Those people are paying to learn something they may eventually believe. Those selling are profiting from those individuals lack of knowledge. So yes they are paying to be allowed to believe things.

… All words are to be held in account. … Should we not be as responsible for our words as we are for our actions?

You do have to chip out cash in order to advance in rank and position in the church. It is even said that certain "special" knowledge is with held to only those who attain such ranks.

Don't get me wrong i am no way accusing Scientology of anything. I am merely posing the same questions i pose to any religion or belief system. I am constantly questioning and re-evaluating what i think,choose to believe and do, bringing the same questions to the table. I am sorry if some of my statements have upset you. I am simply just trying question everything as i believe i should

… it is not the individual that is in question here. Rather it is the body of the organization,its actions and views that will test the quality of the religion.

If someone goes to a remote region and sells a religious text to a person or persons. Those people are paying to learn something they may eventually believe. Those selling are profiting from those individuals lack of knowledge. So yes they are paying to be allowed to believe things.

I believe it was L. Ron Hubbard himself who said the easiest way to make money is to invent a religion.....just something to think about...

Nope, it's like any other church, if all they talk about is more money, then you know where there heart is.

In my experience, the only people who are obsessed with money issues are the critics. The actual members I've met don't talk about money any more than anyone else does. But that's just my own personal experience.

In my experience, the only people who are obsessed with money issues are the critics. The actual members I've met don't talk about money any more than anyone else does. But that's just my own personal experience.

Its not just some religion like any other. It is dangerous ...

Lisa McPherson (36)
Room 174?
On December 5, 1995, Lisa McPherson died. Scientology had held her against her will for 17 days. During that time, she tried to leave, became violent, and refused to eat. At the time of her death, she had bruises and abrasions on her body, and she had lost over 30 pounds in just 17 days.

I would sure like to know her weight loss plan. I have fasted, no food at all, and the most I could loose was a pound a day.

The only time I ever saw anyone loose weight that fast is someone that had diabetes. My X-husband lost 98 pounds in 30 days.

He almost died. If I had not gotten him to the hospital the day I did, he would have been dead the next day.