Never said they did, nor do I think they do. I find Scientology abhorrent, I just think we ought to have some perspective on how it relates to “religions”

Well, I wasn’t going to say anything about confession until you mentioned it, but it’s worth pointing out that the ability to record something in that way is also pretty recent. We have no idea what priests may or may not have done with information received and transmitted orally or in writing from the confessions of…

I’m talking about past practices to bring into focus the fact that Scientology has only existed for like 50 years. I mean to justify nothing about Scientology. I find it abhorrent. But I want people to realize that almost everything they’re accused of doing is something that the major religions have done at some…

I don’t dismiss it at all. In fact it’s the basis of my argument that they aren’t that different. Scientology has only existed since the 60s. if we could go back to 50 years after the foundation of Judaism, Christianity, or Islam, we might see similar practices, is what I’m suggesting. I don’t want to cherry pick…

Scientology has only existed since the 1960s. Judaism: >3000 years. Christianity: >2000 years (more if you count the preceding history of Judaism). Islam: >1400 years. If I sound like I’m excusing what Scientology does, I assure you I don’t mean to do that. I just want people to have a little perspective on what…

Well that’s all I’m saying. We’re comparing this cult that’s only existed since the 60s with “religions” that have been evolving for 1000s of years. I’m trying to look back at the history a little more and show that look, not so different if you go back far enough.

I’m not saying they have one. I think they’re dangerous, frankly. I’m just saying that they’re not doing anything different than what any other religion has done throughout its history.

Again, based on modern conceptions of religion. Look back at the history of, for example, Christianity. Indulgences, Cluniac monasteries where the rich could pay to have their souls get extra prayers, heretics burned at the stake. Come on now. And most, if not all, of that can be found in the early histories of…

How? It isn’t when you consider the histories of what we consider to be the “major religions” which all bear all the warning signs of a cult if you go back far enough. I’m willing to hear an argument contrary to mine, but so far everyone has been cherry picking based on aspects of the “major religions” as they exist…

Those are all fine points and Scientology does, absolutely, do those things. It is a cult, no question about it. But what I’m suggesting is that if you look back at the histories of the “major religions” you’ll find that they ALL did those things at one point or another. It’s just a matter of time and grafting onto…

Never heard of indulgences then? Or medieval monasteries where wealthy people could pay to have their souls prayed for more? That was the entire basis of the Cluniac system that came to dominate medieval France.

Do you have any notion of how recently it is that books became an affordable thing for the average person to own? Like relative to the length of time these religions have existed? For the vast majority of their existences the texts would have been out of reach of all but the wealthiest people.

Well, okay, quick thought experiment: what’s the difference apart from the length of time that they’ve been around? Like what really distinguishes any of the major religions from scientology?

But they aren’t professors or cafeteria workers. They would probably have to be classed in the same way that a student worker is at the library. It would mean things like strict limits on the hours they could be “working” i.e. practicing. Personally I’m in favor not only of paying athletes but making public…

Well, that would be my ideal version of this scenario too. I.E. if you get paid for working in the library you should probably get paid for working on the field. I just think that you’d run into complications almost immediately, especially when it comes to recruiting and ethics.

Are there not some slightly thorny issues here though? The reality is that only some sports actually bring in any revenue for the average school, so I think there’s a question of where the line would be as far as paying athletes. If we’re paying the football team do we also have to pay the diving team? And what…

Okay, this is pretty extreme, but it is kind of obscene when the highest paid state employee in practically every state in the union is a basketball or football coach.

Fischer didn’t go really bonkers until after ‘72 though. Not publicly at any rate.

On the one hand, as a person living in Wisconsin (I’m a Cubs fan but grew up here) I’m happy to see the Brewers doing well and I love seeing stories of unexpected guys like this having a big year. On the other, I grew up in the 90s so I can’t help but be cynical.

Toilet hooch is still legal (for now)