not starting this on the religion topic forum thingie, cuz its Scientology

envogue
envogue: saw this documentary bout scientology , and lmao the guy they had on their defending the church (lmfao!) u could tell was one of the biggest con men out there, wasn't even a lawyer! just their spokesman for that show...but ya know besides having to give all ur $ to em, like mormons, u gotta sign this billion year contract to join !! lmfaooooooooooooooo
11 years ago Report
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MichaeI
MichaeI: Anything with Tom Cruise has to be good, right? Right?
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envogue
envogue: puhlease, what i saw didn't surprise me but what did, was that parents pushed their kids into it, and then if they disagree with something bout the church, the church will boot em out, but for eg. their daughter or son, wouldn't be allowed to have anything to do with them , smfh,
11 years ago Report
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halfapintdoll
halfapintdoll: What concerns me is any 'religion' that requires a person to spend a vast amount of money to remain a member of the 'church'. Assuming there is a god or higher being surely one doesn't need to pay money to pay their respects? .... Just a thought ..
11 years ago Report
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MichaeI
MichaeI: Well, in the Bible it says to pay 10%. I don't think we really have to go beyond that unless you just feel really charitable.
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lavendar_star
lavendar_star: Very true but their overload is aliens n maybe they have a high class taste, but the founder of Scientology Ron Hubbard was quoted as saying "You don't get rich writing science fiction. If you want to get rich, you start a religion" and that says it all.
11 years ago Report
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halfapintdoll
halfapintdoll: Tithing is an Old Testament concept. The tithe was a requirement of the law in which all Israelites were to give 10 percent of everything they earned and grew to the Tabernacle/Temple (Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:26; Deuteronomy 14:24; 2 Chronicles 31:5). In fact, the Old Testament Law required multiple tithes which would have pushed the total to around an argued 23.3 percent, not the 10 percent which is generally considered the tithe amount today. Some understand the Old Testament tithe as a method of taxation to provide for the needs of the priests and Levites in the sacrificial system. The New Testament nowhere commands, or even recommends, that Christians submit to a legalistic tithe system. Paul states that believers should set aside a portion of their income in order to support the church (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).

In the New Testament nowhere designates a percentage of income a person should set aside, but only says it is to be “in keeping with income” (1 Corinthians 16:2). Some in the Christian church have taken the 10 percent figure from the Old Testament tithe and applied it as a “recommended minimum” for Christians in their giving. “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

However I have never heard of a Christian (be that Catholic or any other denomination) threatened with exile from the church if they are unwilling/unable to tithe a specific percentage of their income.

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Comrade_
Comrade_: I think the 10% was for a specific reason and was later done away with, I remember going through with someone on this. They stated that it was mandated because the tribes of Israel were divided and a certain group I think the Levites were the ones who were to get 10% from the others seeing that they had the duty of taking care of temple things (I'd have to check that cus I'm not 100% sure on it or if that is the true origin). It can also be debated with the example of the widow who gave an extremely small amount compared to those who were giving large sums.

I get that any form of organisation can't run without finances but prefer that religions don't ask for specific amounts but leave it open for the members to give what they feel comfortable giving, minimize the chances of ripping anyone off..
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Comrade_
Comrade_: ah cool halfapintdoll has the research already haa
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lavendar_star
lavendar_star: Well in Europe Scientology is consider a cult and I think their financial dealing has something to do with it, so I agree to cut someone of from their religion/cult because of their lack of financial contribution is very dodgy.
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Queenie The Poo
Queenie The Poo: To be completely honest, without all the technical info, etc, this ''religion'' scares me. This is some very interesting reading:
http://exscientologykids.com/
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halfapintdoll
halfapintdoll: Ok I just looked at that website .. that is scary!
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Queenie The Poo
Queenie The Poo: And I don't normally follow celeb stories but if I was Katie Holmes, I would be terrified!!
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envogue
envogue: agreed all
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Geoff
Geoff: Personally, I don't see what separates Scientology from mainstream religion except for the length of time it has been going.

"You don't get rich writing science fiction. If you want to get rich, you start a religion." - L. Ron Hubbard, quoted in a 1994 affidavit by Sam Moskowitz.
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envogue
envogue: well scientology isn't a religion according to me
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Geoff
Geoff: It makes people "feel better" by believing in something that can not be rationally or scientifically proven. It provides a social network for its adherents.

Its members get a little shirty if you try to leave.
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envogue
envogue: ya cuz they won't get anymore money
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Geoff
Geoff: The Vatican isn't one of the world's most impressive museums of renaissance art because every member of the clergy took a vow of poverty.

Nor to American preachers ride around in big cars because they don't hit the odd parishioner over the head with the collecting plate (metaphorically).

Scientology is a lot more sinister, and it is a lot more obvious what their motives are, but the greed, indoctrination and controlling attitude are not rare in religious circles.
11 years ago Report
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Aura
Aura: ...
I'm just too ignorant about religion I guess, but here i was under the impression that the money donated to the church was largely used to help others part of that church who were in a bad situation? If it weren't why would they need to throw fund raisers to 'fix the roof' 'fix the whatever' every 2 to 3 years? Now this is based on the small church in the little village in the south of the Netherlands were I grew up, the priest also tended a small fruit farm and made money that way....Not to mention the free meals brought by countless house wives (hey it was a younger good looking priest, what can you do)
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Geoff
Geoff: OK, perhaps I was coming across as a little unfair and tarring them all with the same brush. Yes, there are clerics from many faiths are not money grubbing con artists.

In this case, I do believe that Scientology can be safely excluded.
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envogue
envogue: oh gawd @ caff, that may have been the way 50 yrs ago, but now??!!! c'mon!!! smfh
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John313
(Post deleted by staff 1 month ago)