I just love that that man was a science fiction writer, like doesn’t that......make the whole thing........like.......that.......much.......more...unbelievable?

All religions should lose tax exempt status. If they want tax exempt status they should have to abide by the rules that secular non-profits abide by and prove they’re actually doing something good.

Well, the penguins are free range, but you have to live in a cage, and the way you feed them is... Well, what I’m saying is that you get eaten by the Space Penguins.

The difference is that Scientology was created with its direct purpose in mind. Many of the world’s main religions grew to have their sacred texts over hundreds or even thousands of years. Stories told in one civilization for entertainment purposes could end up being repeated and passed down to other cultures so many…

I mean, I feel like all religions fit your second description as well. The only difference with Scientology is its recency. I think it only feels more exploitative because it’s relatively new in terms of established religions.

We can’t even have a Free Range Shelly, now you want Free Range Ice Birds?!

I don’t understand the “why” of any religion. I mean, if you can explain the “why” of Christianity, I’m all ears, but I can’t figure out that one either. If anything, scientology makes more sense, because it started off as a method of self improvement. Tell people that you can fix that empty feeling in them, make them…

I would like to formally welcome all my fellow commenters. We all now likely share the dubious distinction of being tracked by COS. 

When I first started hearing about Scientology, my first reaction was basically “whatever you want to spend your money on, celebrity weirdos.” But now, after having read Going Clear and Blown For Good and having watched Leah’s show, I think they’re a dangerous cult and should absolutely lose tax exempt status. I’m so…

Also because in the interest of “self help” they’ve gotten you to divulge all of your deepest, most horrible secrets on video/audio and blackmail you with it if you begin to question things.

Are they free range Space Penguins?

Scientology’s “why” is internalized in its members and exploited by its leaders.  Remember, it started as a self-help movement. They were looking for a way to make themselves “better” people, and unfortunately, that sick fuck Hubbard managed to define, for them, what “better” was. Their growth in the 60's and 70's…

My beef with this book is that I still don’t get the “why” of Scientology after reading it. Like there is so much horrible shit...why do these people put up with it? In most cults the leader has brainwashed people into believing he is God, or has a direct and only path to God and salvation.  That doesn’t seem to the…

If you’re interested in learning more about how fucking nuts Scientology is, I cannot recommend Going Clear more. Even if only 1/10th of what is in the story is true, it is still the most batshit thing I have ever read. 10 out of 10- Would hail Xenu again.

An important fact of note is that the Scientologists, being investigated by the IRS for fraudulently claiming to be a tax-exempt church (when they are, in fact, a cult and a Ponzi scheme) filed literally thousands of aggressively adversarial lawsuits against the IRS and beat them into submission.

pretty sure they just heard her through that tinny weak intercom at the front door:

So did the authorities actually see and speak to Shelly Miscavige or did they just get a letter from the Scientology organization saying “she’s fine”? You could literally get away with murder in that organization if the church is taught to never ask questions about other members. Since they are already cut off from…

You know, I never thought of it that way but you’re right. Miscavige is a monster and, upon closer examination, Scientology itself doesn’t bear a lot of scrutiny.

You joke, but if you rearrange the letters of David Miscavige, you’ll spell:

I don’t want to say that the lawyer has a point but if you think about it you’ll notice that if you rearrange the letters in the name Anna Merlan you can spell “Xenu Forever”