The St. Petersburg Times is running a series on the Church of Scientology that has some pretty eye-popping allegations, particularly with regard to Church leader David Miscavige. For those who have long argued that the Church is a cult (most recently in Europe) the exposé will likely reinforce their views.
The newspaper reports bizarre and abusive conduct by Miscavige, including hitting high-ranking officials and forcing them to play a game of musical chairs (where the losers allegedly are banned from the Church).
The Los Angeles Times also has a story alleging rampant corruption in the Church.
The series on Scientology is something of a surprise. Many reporters that I have spoken with over the years are privately reluctant to do Scientology stories because of the Church’s aggressive reputation in responding to press. The Church has a history of suing critics and pursuing members who have joined the movement opposing Scientology. This has led to recent lawsuits ( and here) and complaints. Recently, Scientology also was barred from making edits on Wikipedia because of what it viewed as a pattern of misleading or false changes on sites referencing the Church.
For the first part of the three-part series, click here.
For the second part of the three-part series, click here.
IS,
No dice, we use a neutral source for the definition. Your definitions are simplistic, biased in the extreme, not to mention inaccurate. I don’t let the people I’m talking to change the English language to suit their propaganda.
If you want to recite Regan’s Catechisms then I have no interest in continuing this. I’ve talked to enough missionaries in my life.
IS, my disagreement with your position is based upon my opinion, from everything I’ve read or seen about the man, that Hitler did not have a coherent political or social philosophy. He was a megalomaniac with some serious anger issues. He had an ideal of the German state, which he believed he epitomized. All of the rest was simply words tossed out in the consolidation of power. Marx and Engels actually had some valuable insights into human nature and the power of capitalism to destroy human lives. It is for that reason that they are still read by students of political philosophy. No one reads Hitler, including the right-wing militia groups in this country who idolize him.
BIL:
guess the books you have been reading were written by left wing idealogues bent on saving face.
it must suck to not understand a simple concept.
that
was
rhetorical.
(To be read in the voice of William Shatner)
IS,
Float your trollery elsewhere, Factually Incorrect Boy. And send me a post card. I’m interested in alien sky colors, specifically on the world where the political organ that was the very definition of right wing in every poli sci textbook since WWII are all suddenly leftists. Seriously, does your mom let you out of the house with that brain and no supervision?
Mike Appleton:
“It is nonsensical to attempt to compare it to traditional socialism, social democratic theory or other forms of progressivism.”
no it is not, you are correct in that it had other elements but at core Hitler was a socialist.
Gyges,
That is why you are an engaging conversationalist. You appreciate learning for the sake of knowledge. But I don’t think of that as Randian, no. Not all services to the self have solely selfish benefits. Learning is one of those services if you look at the process like one considers any tool. It can be of benefit or bane depending upon application, but the tool in itself is valuable as its’ accretion builds the potential required to move civilization forward. New ideas are rarely novations but rather more often are re-engineering of pre-existing knowledge. Novations and re-engineering not possible without the basics of education, formal or otherwise. I do apologize if I was interfering with your recreational research.
BIL:
NAZI’s were leftists, you really are showing your ignorance. But that’s ok, you do it most of the time you post a comment but the others on this site are probably afraid of you so they leave it alone.
You have got to stop using Wikipedia.
Man but you can bluster and hustle. Must be that law school training if you cant win with facts, obfuscate. Maybe you are John Edwards, he won a couple of big cases with bravo sierra. Is that you John?
Hi, all. I’ve been out of pocket during the past week. It appears that the exchanges on this thread have been, well, wide ranging. I have a couple of comments. First, there was nothing “progressive” or “liberal” about German national socialism. Forget the party platform or other nonsense. Hitler’s political philosophy was as thrown together as his brain. It was an amalgamation of nationalism, anti-semitism and anti-immigrant attitudes held together by a commitment to his master race theory under a form of civil religion that promoted an Aryan Jesus. It is nonsensical to attempt to compare it to traditional socialism, social democratic theory or other forms of progressivism. In fact, it is nonsensical to compare it to anything. It was the unique product of a particular time and particular circumstances. It stands alone.
Second, Benny Hinn had a church in Orlando for a number of years. He made a ton of money, owned expensive houses and was driven by limousine to have his hair cut (you don’t think it’s easy keeping your hair looking like his does, do you?). His church property was gated and guards were on site to prevent the unfaithful (like reporters) from coming on to the grounds. He was eventually “called” to relocate his ministry because he was interested in expanding the reach of his ministry, which is another way of saying he wanted to be in an area with a larger population base amenable to his message, such as it is. He continues to prove that Jonathan Swift’s views of human intelligence were charitable. In the meantime, his old church property is now operated by Clint Brown Ministries as “Faith World.” The Rev. Mr. Brown is also a firm believer in “prosperity theology,” particularly as it relates to him. For the convenience of his parishioners, after one has filled the collection basket, anything left over can be used to purchase Clint Brown music CDs in the lobby on the way out.
Of course, hidflect, you’re supposed to take him at his word that he’s not Troll. You’re being asked to accept an unproven assertion of identity by a guy who says Nazis are leftists. Are you up to the challenge of dancing or are you, like me, just watching for the wrecks now?
Hey.
I think I finally understand the appeal of NASCAR.
hidflect:
“Sorry – I.S. turns every thread into a train wreck. But no matter how much he assumes alternate identities, he’s easy to spot. It’s that mouse-trap mind that gives him away…”
the TROLL was not me. So I guess you have a pea brain? At least I can catch a simple concept once in awhile with a mouse trap mind.
But that was a funny comment, learn that from Buddha or Gyges?
BIL:
I am not whining. I dont care if anyone has any sympathy for me. And I am pretty consistent in what I believe.
Gyges:
progressive – belief in government control of means of production and the welfare state, does not believe in individual rights.
conservative – generally in favor of capitalism and individual liberty.
is that clear enough for you? Why should those even need to be defined? They are pretty much the common understanding of the words. Unless of course your definition of progressive is something else, but then in that case you would be wrong. I think what you are thinking of is an old fashioned liberal of the libertarian bent like Nat Hentoff possibly or maybe Ayn Rand, although Rand would not classify herself as a libertarian if I understand her views correctly (any Objectivists care to correct that?)
So what shall it be Tango or Foxtrot?
Buddha,
I’m probably more of a realist than you realize, but it costs me next nothing to spend thirty seconds during a break to type a reply. It costs my more time to do research to make sure my views are justified, but I gain further knowledge. In a very Randian fashion, I’m in this conversation for my own sake, I don’t seek to convert anyone, but to test the strength of my own ideas and logic.
Not that the conversation’s started yet, I’m still trying to get my dancing partner to agree to tango instead of foxtrot.
rofl
hidflect,
Although you mistake passion for rage, a shower does sound good. It’s miserable hot here today! (Second day of heat advisories BTW, interesting nick. What’s the etymology?
Hey BIL… I think you really enjoyed that rant! hahahaa… Sometimes we need a little cathartic rage, right?
Now hit the showers!
Speaking of Hinn, how does he compare to Robert Tilton? Anyone seen them both in action? I’ve seen articles about Hinn, but never the show, but Tilton is like watching services where the pastor has dropped a heroic dose of mescaline.
IS,
And you don’t have to act so ignorant and thin skinned because it’s all a bunch of fakery to drum up sympathy for “the dumb guy”. Sorry. Your constant recycling of the “progressives bad, conservatives good” is just a re-run from other threads. When taken to task, you whine. Gyges may think you’re an honest actor and bless him for the decent optimist he seems to be, but I’ve seen enough to think you’re a pantload propaganda plant playing stupid for sympathy while hoping your smears (all of which have been historically wrong and unfounded) will trap some of the FOX demographic. Oh! And don’t forget to appeal to God! Yeah . . . that’s logic and legal reasoning! No propaganda value in implying anyone not conservative is Godless. I’m not the only one who thinks you’re a dishonest operator either. Others have said the exact same thing after attempting to engage you. That could be because your arguments reflect that. Yeah, I’m a right bastard alright, I’ll stipulate it. Being nice isn’t a pre-requisite to law school or the practice of law and is in fact usually a hindrance. But there’s no way you are as you present yourself. Bully? Perhaps, but I’m a bully on the side of the Constitution before any party and I’m straight up about it. I dance for no puppeteer than the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. You, on the other hand, appear to have yourself tangled in your strings. Here’s someone who can help: geppedo @ pinnochio.com. He can help with that nose thing too.
Sorry – I.S. turns every thread into a train wreck. But no matter how much he assumes alternate identities, he’s easy to spot. It’s that mouse-trap mind that gives him away…
Now say what you will about the Right Reverend Benny Hinn but his “saving” technique is first rate! It’s like people-bowling where people are the pins. Sync in some Benny Hill music and you got a show.
BIL:
“Do you want anymore proof he’s a troll, Gyges, or do you want to hear him blather endlessly about how progressives and socialists are the cause of the world’s ills?”
Well they certainly havent gotten us to the promised land and I will say that the conservatives havent done much better. One wants tyranny on earth and one wants tyranny on earth for heavens sake. Both seek claim to mans soul/spirit. One has man chained to man the other has man chained to God. Both supposedly for their own good.
They both sap mans spirit of enjoyment for life on this earth.
You are a bully. You dont need to be a bully to not be a door mat