Darth Wang

So, in other words, you're an ignoramus. Got it.

12/20/2005 10:19:51 PM

David D.G.

Not that I want to be mistaken for supporting Hubbard, you understand, but how exactly is the word \"Bible\" more truthful than whatever word was on the cover of the Hubbard book? \"Bible\" just means \"book.\" I would love to know which book of Hubbard's he was \"weighing\" against the Bible here.

However, I'll go along with the final sentence. I think the guy's finally onto something there.


~David D.G.

12/20/2005 10:30:03 PM

Dan

And let's not forget (since Christians like to remind us) that the Bible is a *collection* of books.

And since the title isn't plural, it's not exactly accurate....

12/20/2005 11:56:38 PM

The Great Chuck Norris

LOL, Christianity might be wrong (more then likely is)

Scientology is wrong, no question, even Hubbard's quotes support it being wrong.

I don't think this is as funny as it is truthful

12/21/2005 1:37:20 AM

Dragon

Well... The truth is often either amusing or painful.

12/21/2005 2:53:00 AM

Jesse Custer

... I'm struggling to come up with the right joke about how you have to show your work, 'cuz you only get partial credit for the right answer, if the steps you took to get there are all fucked up.

But the joke just isn't coming to me.

12/21/2005 3:03:13 AM

TammyFaye

as an active reader of this website, and as a scientologist, i have to say you all are entitled to your own opinions - even if i disagree with them. i entered scientology skeptical...and now, i can't imagine where i'd be without it.

that being said, i have no problems with people thinking that my beliefs aren't for them. i know the atheists/agnostics visitors to this site greatly outnumber those of us with religious beliefs. perhaps what i find so hilarious about the quotes posted to FSTDT is that these people quoted honestly believe that we should persecute homosexuals, teach non-science as science, that other races are somehow inferior to caucasians, that the 80+% of the population that identifies as christian are somehow persecuted, that we should all be \"okay\" with christian symbols, prayers, etc. all over government property, in the classroom, etc. people are free to hold on to any religious beliefs they choose. i may not agree with these beliefs whatsoever, but that will never ever induce me to belittle their beliefs. okay, the misreading of the bible's creation story is one point i take issue with. i was raised catholic, and it was always understood that the bible was a collection of truths within metaphors - that the bible wasn't supposed to be taken literally word-for-word. so i do take issue with those who attempt to read a book that is so plainly (to me, at least) meant to be read with an understanding that it is truth in metaphor form.

where i start belittling, and where i start drawing the line at plausability is when these fundies attempt to take these beliefs and put them into law. to force them on others. to cry \"i'm persecuted!\" when they can't steamroll those of us who happen to be of other religions.

so i guess the whole point of this post is this: while you may not agree with my chosen faith as a scientologist, i think you all should consider that there are rational and intelligent members of scientology. please don't dismiss us all as \"crazy\" or \"stupid,\" as i've been dismissed countless times in the past. i go on about my life just like a \"normal\" person, and i would NEVER dream of attempting to force my beliefs on anyone else. while you may think my beliefs are \"stupid,\" i guess i would just appreciate the acknowledgement that, as scientologists, we never have and would never force it on others. we're often talked about negatively, seen as whackos or whatnot. but remember, we're just like you - something people often forget. as a matter of fact, i bet a lot of you didn't realise there was a scientologist in your midst. =)

12/21/2005 4:45:42 AM

Jesse Custer

Tammy, now please, understand that I'm not condemning, ok? I'm just asking questions, in an honest attempt to learn:

1. Did L. Ron Hubbard teach that Xenu lived on another planet some 75 million odd years ago on another planet?

2. Are we all the reincarnated (and very confused) souls of the other space-creatures that he killed?

3. Will we all die of pneumonia as punishment for not having been properly prepared to learn about the inner secret doctrines?

If the answer to all three of those questions is \"no,\" then I, for one, will be willing to listen.

If the answer to any one of those questions is \"yes,\" though ... well, let's just say that I think I'll stick with Heinlein, for my sci-fi. But meanwhile, I won't go around accusing Scientologists of eating babies or anything, and we'll just call it a truce?

12/21/2005 5:40:20 AM

David D.G.

Jesse, perhaps Tammy Faye isn't an orthodox or \"fundamentalist\" Scientologist, but considers these aspects of her religion's sourcebooks to be fanciful tales with a moral message, like those in Genesis.

If so, however, this still begs the question of how this can constitute the basis for a religion (i.e., a framework for worship of a divine being), as opposed to a philosophy at best or, at worst, an overattachment to a piece of fiction, like that of Trekkies who go to Klingon language camp.


~David D.G.

12/21/2005 3:52:22 PM

Crosis

Tammy, I consider most Scientologists insane because it's pretty obvious Hubbard just wanted to cash in. Hell, he even SAID \"I'd like to start a religion someday; that's where the real money is.\"

That said, based on your comment, you're certainly not as nutty as Tom Cruise. (Faint praise, I know.) I appreciate the fact that you're not trying to enforce your beliefs on anyone else, and if you're content with Scientology, then so be it. I still think you're wrong, but that's not something I need to concern myself with. (And no, I didn't realize you were a Scientologist.)

12/21/2005 4:01:31 PM

Just Rick

I have to agree with Crosis. I simply cannot comprehend that anyone would actually hold out scientology as a serious \"religion\" when its author blatently declared he created it to make a buck and to screw the IRS.

Now, I dont know you Tammy, as much as I do not know all the xians in the world. I'm sure each of them is nice enough on a personal level and can probably be quite chatty and affectionable on topics outside of their religion. The problem is when conversation nears their religion they get a little illogical in their beliefs. So much so as to literally ignore some very obvious stuff and insist on some very illogical stuff even in the face of overwhelming proof.

While scientologists are not going door to door as yet or trying to insert their beliefs into everyone's everyday life, it is virtually no different than any other religion. It is a fundimental flaw in humanity that we are so willing to latch onto some religion of a higher power or plane of reality or flying spaghetti monster rather than just accept that this is it, reality is as it is.

More info on scientology : http://www.rotten.com/library/religion/scientology/

12/21/2005 5:05:46 PM

TammyFaye

well, first of all i have to say i appreciate all of your comments. they were surprisingly respectful, given the (apparent) controversy about scientology among many people.

to address some questions you all had.

Jesse: i have heard rumours of incident II, which you are speaking of. since i have not reached the appropriate stageto learn about incident II, i cannot comment with any veracity on the details.

DavidDG: actually, i'm a guy. TammyFaye is my 'homage' to tammy faye bakker =)

Crosis: thanks for your 'faint praise' haha. no, i'm certainly not attempting to force my beliefs on anyone. and i certainly am okay with others not believing in what i believe. we have a saying in scientolgy: \"what is true is what is true for you.\" scientology has been my truth, it has been my way out. the way out is the way through. and scientology helped me through.

at any rate, like i said, i'm just a normal guy. i'm a senior in college - i go to class, come home, do a little homework, watch some crappy tv, go have a few drinks on the weekend (okay, maybe more than a few,) hang out with my friends, make a little dinner, read some. i'm just like any of you, really. i guess i would just like to break the stereotype of scientologists as fantatics, as 'cultists' (i hate that word), or as so far removed from the mainstream that we're somehow whackos.

at any rate, if any of you would like to know more, i feel comfortable enough giving out my email address for you to contact me. i think you're all good kids, so if you have any questions or anything shoot me an email. i'd be happy to answer any questions that you may have. neonnights@ou.edu

now that that's all over, i'm ready to read some more about fossils being made in a lab, how conservative christian judges who rule against ID in the classroom are really closet atheists, how johncrawford can't be a homo sapien because he's a neanderthal, and how \"good deeds done by a nonbeliever are still sin.\" hehehehehe

12/21/2005 6:57:02 PM

David D.G.

TammyFaye #8796

<< DavidDG: actually, i'm a guy. TammyFaye is my 'homage' to tammy faye bakker =) >>

-------------------

Sorry about that. It was a natural mistake; the eyshadow threw me.
;^D


~David D.G.

12/21/2005 7:04:52 PM

The Last Conformist

My religion is truer because its holy book is thinner!

12/21/2005 9:11:45 PM

Jesse Custer

TammyFaye -

Congratulations, you've now reached the appropriate level to learn about all that stuff.

http://www.xenu.net/archive/secret.html

There's copies there of nearly every holy book y'all have, including all the OT-level handbooks, some even scanned copies of LRH's handwritten material.

This is offered without comment...










































































... except to say that whoever wrote it, if he wasn't taking some pretty powerful brain-fixers, really seriously NEEDED to be. Just out of curiosity, have you ever heard of Vistaril?

12/22/2005 1:20:04 AM

The Great Chuck Norris

I never said all the followers of Scientology were idiots, I know people who think that, and with idiots like Tom Cruise on the news condemning (can't remember her name) for using pills to help her depression after giving birth, and that is all they, america, hear of scientology, it gives you guys a very bad name.

12/22/2005 4:47:14 AM

Brandy Bogard

Not that Hubbard's book was that much truthful either....

2/23/2011 5:16:28 PM

TWoozl

I weep for intellectualism. When 'smaller and easier to read' is the measure of literature, critical thinking is an endangered art, desperately in need of common revival.

2/23/2011 5:50:47 PM

Blarghonius

I know, because a direct interpretation to the Bible is such utter bullshit.

5/28/2011 8:21:12 PM

Big One

Easy reading for simple minds.

11/30/2011 6:39:49 AM

Agahnim

David D.G. is right. "Bible" just means book and the Bible is in fact a book.

12/26/2011 10:22:08 AM

Books

TammyFaye - cool story, bro

Go recruiting for your cult elsewhere. I don't think you will find much success here.

3/26/2013 10:03:40 AM

Swede

You remember a specific book store visit? I couldn't possibly remember just one, as I visit book stores at least once every two months (sometimes once a week), and I have probably done so since I was old enough to be brought out in a stroller, in the autumn of 1969.

I bet On the Origin of Species is even smaller than the Bible (or Biblia, as it's called in plural in Latin).

3/26/2013 12:33:36 PM