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Post by The_L on Feb 19, 2011 7:56:11 GMT -5
Read this article. Take a shot every time it says, "The Church [of Scientology] denies this" or "[prominent Scientologist] denies this." On second thought, don't. You'll die of alcohol poisoning. But it's totally not a cult. Oh no.
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Post by Caitshidhe on Feb 19, 2011 8:41:41 GMT -5
Things that are apparently Not Cults (TM): Mormonism Scientology Jehovah's Witnesses
But that claim is at best dicey and at worst actually dangerous. Isn't their god supposed to smite them for lying? GET TO SMITIN', JEHOVAH, YOU'VE GOT A LOT TO CATCH UP ON SINCE YOU TOOK THAT SUPER-LONG LUNCH BREAK!
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Post by dakotabob on Feb 19, 2011 10:45:49 GMT -5
XENU PHONE HOME.
Seriously, the government should seriously be doing some looking into this space cult, and putting people behind bars.
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Post by Caitshidhe on Feb 19, 2011 11:26:47 GMT -5
And in padded cells.
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Post by starseeker on Feb 19, 2011 12:27:24 GMT -5
I remember the Project Chanology protests, I think I still have my mask and flag somewhere.
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Post by Dragon Zachski on Feb 19, 2011 14:12:31 GMT -5
Heck, even YTMND is exposing them. theunfunnytruth.ytmnd.com/Old but still relevant. But, yeah. I rather value having a liver, so I'm not even going to click that link
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Post by Vene on Feb 19, 2011 14:14:19 GMT -5
Things that are apparently Not Cults (TM): Mormonism Scientology Jehovah's Witnesses But that claim is at best dicey and at worst actually dangerous. Isn't their god supposed to smite them for lying? GET TO SMITIN', JEHOVAH, YOU'VE GOT A LOT TO CATCH UP ON SINCE YOU TOOK THAT SUPER-LONG LUNCH BREAK! Personally, I like calling all religions "cults."
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Post by Dragon Zachski on Feb 19, 2011 14:38:32 GMT -5
*clears throat for trivia time*
Technically, the word "cult" can also be defined as a stage in the development of a religion. Cults are a small group of people led by a charismatic leader. It is possible for a cult to develop into a full-blown religion in the future.
So, I guess you could say that all religions were once cults.
That aside, this doesn't match the modern use of the word and so serves as little more than trivia.
And I forget where I learned this. Probably one of my classes.
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Post by Caitshidhe on Feb 19, 2011 15:13:08 GMT -5
I also like referring to all religions as cults but I don't want to get my ass kicked so I just pick on the kids that no one likes.
And, yes, 'cult' by the dictionary means something else, but the vernacular usage of 'cult' is different. (DURN LANGUAGE, CHANGIN' THE RULES LIKE THAT!) The way most people us it, it means a fringe group of any size with extremely unusual beliefs and frightening, hyper-controlling 'leaders'. And usually also requires that this group totally ostracize the people who leave. Which pretty much describes Mormonism, JWs, and Scientology. And any fanatical fringe of any of the Abrahamic religions.
(Do really hardcore Catholics snub you once you leave the club? I know Hasidic Jews will, as will some mainstream Christian communities. Really fanatical Muslim groups/communities will, too. But I'm not sure about Catholicism--it seems like something they would do...)
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Post by Shane for Wax on Feb 19, 2011 15:28:57 GMT -5
afkjblaglasdglbakbgabgf
^drunk talk
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Post by Dragon Zachski on Feb 19, 2011 15:31:03 GMT -5
Another aspect of a cult is that they force you to become 100% reliant on them to the point where you can't survive if you DO leave.
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Post by Vene on Feb 19, 2011 15:53:23 GMT -5
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Post by The_L on Feb 19, 2011 16:09:09 GMT -5
I just want to ask a Scientologist how well the Thetans got along with T. rex, since they were allegedly here during the Cretaceous period.
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Post by shadowpanther on Feb 19, 2011 16:25:33 GMT -5
The difference between a religion and a cult? About 500 years or so.
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Post by anti-nonsense on Feb 20, 2011 14:12:58 GMT -5
The difference between a religion and a cult? About 500 years or so. 500 years and a population increase of a few orders of magnitude.
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