L. Ron Hubbard/Lovecraft/Scientology

[Seth=L]

It's called "Starting a Troll Thread".

Intentionally baiting other users into an emotional response or to generally disrupt normal on-topic discussions.

These types of threads will not be tolerated for very long. This very thread is an example of one that is skirting the very edge. It is so easy for an admin or a mod to find these types of threads. They always revolve around religion, politics, subwoofers, wires or Bose. You won't see many of those thread lasting very long since they always get out of hand. And all of the admin and mods know that. They're so easy to find. Besides the number of reported post e-mails we receive everyday from members along with their comments.

I think some members might need to take a few minutes and review the forum rules that Gene and Clint have developed. They're quite short and easy.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/faq.php

I knew starting this thread would likely result in such responses, I figured I might get some worthy discussion from it before it would happen, and it did to some degree. I would have liked for more civil discussion, but it's really hard to keep control of yourself when someone seems to be wrong on the internet.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

You just seem to be at a rough place in life with the general tone in your posts, many are quite negative.

Like Strat, you are blowing things way out of proportion. I have never respected any religion in my life (using the term "religion" in its broadest sense, so that it includes such things as astrology, tarot, UFOs, and superstitions like fearing the number 13), this has nothing to to with how well or poorly things are going for me.
Also, terms like "hate" and "vitriol" refer to much stronger feelings than I have ever expressed on this subject. "Disrespect" or "ridicule" would be far more accurate.

 

[trnqk7]

Well, then I remove any sympathy I had for you and will just consider basically a bitter old man. You can keep your disrespect and ridicule to your self sir, I care not for it. It's not the point of this place, never has been and never will. People are supposed to try and help each other here as part of a community, something you just flat out admitted you are not into doing with certain subjects. If that's the case, then perhaps you should just keep your mouth shut. End of story.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

It's not the point of this place, never has been and never will. People are supposed to try and help each other here as part of a community, something you just flat out admitted you are not into doing with certain subjects.

You would be 100% correct if you were referring to any section of the forum other than this one. What you have obviously forgotten is that this is the steam vent.

 

[trnqk7]

The Steam Vent is still not a place to disrepect and ridicule other people's beliefs.

 

[bandphan]

that list of eligible dates just dwindeled

 

[Seth=L]

Anyone else feel like adding to the discussion of Scientology?

 

[jliedeka]

Hail, Xenu!

Cthulhu Fthagn!

Fnord!

 

[obscbyclouds]

Anyone else feel like adding to the discussion of Scientology?

I think this thread needs a little humor....

Tom Cruise is in the closet

 

[Audioholics]

Yes I have, and yes I have read the bible (as I said, being fiction, it has never "saved" anyone.) I am, of course, referring to the "charismatic" evangelical baptists. This is not all baptists by any means, but it is what you will find in the scary, stadium-sized churches here that I mentioned in my post.
(I know what I am talking about and you don't, for the simple reason that I live in Oklahoma and you don't.)

Joe, it's OK to not know everything about everything. You have stated some common stereotypes - unfortunately what you "think" you know about Baptists, Christians and the Bible isn't the truth at all.

The first step to any understanding at all - is to admit what you don't know. You don't know much about this topic - and that's PERFECTLY OK. I still like you.

I don't know much about cars. I don't know much about astrophysics. The last thing I want to do is talk to a mechanic or astrophysicist as if I have a clue about what's going on. Instead, I'd ask questions until I was satisfied (or not) with their answers.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

The first step to any understanding at all - is to admit what you don't know. You don't know much about this topic - and that's PERFECTLY OK. I still like you.

Ther is nothing to know. It is an empty subject, with no actual content. (When I see someone avoiding the cracks in the sidewalk or throwing salt over his shoulder, there is really nothing else I need to know about it.)

 

[trnqk7]

Joe, just b/c you don't share the same belief system as others, doesn't give you a right to trash it. I don't like your belief system, but I don't think anywhere have I told you that you must start following it or that you were stupid or ignorant for not choosing it. I haven't ridiculed your beliefs, or whatever verbage you want to insert. It is not an empty subject (belief in some sort of higher power, be it God or Xenu (whatever they call it))to myself or millions of others.

I think that anyone here would openly discuss our beliefs with you and try to explain why we have them. You can then choose to continue to reject them or change your mind and accept them. I don't care. It's your choice.

However, you seem incapable of open discussion. Instead, you incite heated arguments by ridiculing the beliefs of others. You, yourself, have said in other posts that you like heated discussions-which, to a point is fine. But I don't think there is any discussion involved in talking to you when it comes to, at the very least, religion. I'll reserve judgement for now on other topics to form a better opinion.

I'm going a long way about saying it, but you "act" like a troll almost-not that you are. But you make comments designed to upset and inflame people, kinda like a troll. Difference being, to a point, is that you come back and keep commenting, rather unlike the trolls I have noticed.

It's getting annoying, at the least. Especially your absolute refusal to believe that you might not possibly fully understand something-there is always something more to know and understand, about any topic-whether you choose to accept it as your own belief system or not.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Getting back on topic, I have read that new recruits to Scientology have to be in a "nutrition" program. This program is so poorly designed that many people get sick from it (ironically, due to lack of nutrition.)

 

[Joe Schmoe]

It's getting annoying, at the least. Especially your absolute refusal to believe that you might not possibly fully understand something-there is always something more to know and understand, about any topic-whether you choose to accept it as your own belief system or not.

First, if you want me to get off the subject, you need to drop it yourself. I have said what I have to say until you bring up new points for me to rebut.
Second, stop using the word "truth" in reference to religion or the bible.
Finally, the primary thing that I dislike about religious types is their refusal to accept that there are things they cannot know. All that we know for sure, we know from science. Everything else is just speculation. Claiming certainty about things that cannot be proven (such as life after death) is ridiculous. Claiming certainty about things that actively contradict science (such as miracles) is worse than ridiculous.

 

[mikeyj92]

Getting back on topic, I have read that new recruits to Scientology have to be in a "nutrition" program. This program is so poorly designed that many people get sick from it (ironically, due to lack of nutrition.)

Ah yes, the "Purification Rundown"...crazy.

Part of it is high intake of Niacin. IIRC, more than double what is considered toxic to the human body.

The skin rashes that occur to their "followers" who take it are dismissed as "Bad Thetan Radiation" leaving the body, rather than skin conditions caused by toxic overload.

F'n rediculous.

 

[bandphan]

what gets me is the their tax status, didnt they pay the irs to achieve this?

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C06E7D71331F932A05751C1A961958260

 

[obscbyclouds]

. All that we know for sure, we know from science. Everything else is just speculation. Claiming certainty about things that cannot be proven (such as life after death) is ridiculous. Claiming certainty about things that actively contradict science (such as miracles) is worse than ridiculous.

I think of religion as a way for us to explain that which is unexplainable. For example, "what happens after we die?", or "how did the Universe begin", or "how did life form on Earth". It's natural for us to fear those things which we don't comprehend, so we put it into a context that enables some form or organization and understanding.

If you look back in history, people often attributed things they didn't understand to an omnipotent being. For example: lightning and thunder being the gods anger. Of course, we now know that it's the updrafts and downdrafts in cumulonimbus clouds which causes a buildup of static electricity between the air molecules. There was no way for man to know this thousands of years ago.

Religion goes beyond this however. I remember visiting my aunt in a Hospice years ago when she was dying of cancer. She was devoutly religious. I asked her if once she was scared, because she seemed so calm. I remember her response to this day. "I have no need to be afraid, because soon God will take me with him to paradise."

Now, I have no idea if this is true (I'm mostly a skeptic when it comes to the paranormal). If faith can help someone deal with a situation completely beyond their control, in which they are in tremendous pain, who am I to bemuse or challenge it? It certainly helped her deal with her end, and I only hope when the time comes, I can be so calm and accepting of the end.

There are many positive aspects of religion (I know there are negatives also). Most truly religious people I know (regardless of the actual religion or sect) generally have some things in common: they are humble, loving of others, and peaceful. Many of them work everyday to help the weak, sick, and forgotten in our society. I know you may not agree with their views Joe, but you have to admit they make the world a better place.

 

[Seth=L]

what gets me is the their tax status, didnt they pay the irs to achieve this?

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C06E7D71331F932A05751C1A961958260

So Scientologists aren't even pretending to be non-profit organizations?

 

[Joe Schmoe]

There is no question that religion has some positive aspects. The question is whether or not these are sufficient to outweight the negative aspects. To me, they are not.

 

[Seth=L]

Ah yes, the "Purification Rundown"...crazy.

Part of it is high intake of Niacin. IIRC, more than double what is considered toxic to the human body.

The skin rashes that occur to their "followers" who take it are dismissed as "Bad Thetan Radiation" leaving the body, rather than skin conditions caused by toxic overload.

F'n rediculous.

This is the kind of treatment I was talking about. For a cult so against psychotropic drugs they sure do put a lot of mental stress on these people.