[muerteverde]

Originally Posted by rnaviaux

Nope - not a troll. I'm sure OG members would vouch for that.

I respect the right of anyone to have an opinion and to voice it no matter how uninformed he or she is. Which is of course why the typical Scientologist will tell you to read a book by Mr. Hubbard. If you can't afford to buy a book then you can usually get a book at the library on the subject. (I've been known to give copies to those that really wanted to learn the subject and couldn't pay the purchase price of one.)

My recommendations:

1. The Problems of Work: Scientology Applied to the Workaday World. (Goes over basic Scientology principles and how they apply to everyday life. Good book to start with.)
2. Scientoloy: The Fundamentals of Thought. (Covers all the fundamental beliefs. A good primer n the subject.)
3. Dianetics: The Evolution of a Science. (Explains how he made his original discovries into the mind.)
4. Self Analysis (Provides excersis one can do by himself to help improve various facets of one's life.
5. Scientology: A New Slant on Life (A number of essays on the various areas of life that worry people and what one can do to make life more tolerable.)

I am considering reading the books just to find out how Hubbard was able to con so many people and do it so effectively. As an aspiring writer of fiction myself, and not a rich or powerful person, this would be useful information in case I want to invent a cult that will drain the money out of thousands of people.

[rnaviaux]

Any other religion, a minister or preacher, or whatever the equivalent, would actually answer questions regarding their religion and faith. Scientologists never do.

I love answering questions about my religion. Wish someone would ask a few.

[that one dude]

Originally Posted by rnaviaux

I love answering questions about my religion. Wish someone would ask a few.

Who is Xenu, and how does he relate to Scientology?
What are Thetans?
What are preclear and clear?
A great many religions encourage donations. Why does Scientology REQUIRE donations?

It is apparent that science and religion do not get along in this modern era (evolution vs intelligent design as an example.) Why is Scientology the one religion to defend criticism with lawsuits against individuals from a powerful legal team (as opposed to, say, suing a school district or submitting complaints to a school board.)

Would you please answer these questions? All of them? Thank you.

[Narcosis]

Why if Tom Cruise is one of the world authorities on peace negotiations is he not in Iraq stopping all the killing. Or Zim or a host of other places.

Why are you taught that people who are mentally ill only need Scientology to help them and not medication - when all the data and scientific knowlegde points to the benefits of medication and its importance in the treatment of those with mental illnesses.