Do Scientologists really believe this stuff?

[roid]

What does Scientology believe?

I heard all of the XENU stuff. Wow that's a blast

But i know that not everyone believes in everything in a religion. There are Christians (perhaps most) whom are functionally Agnostic - they don't really know if they believe in Creation etcetc \"a lot of the Bible is just metaphorical\" etc.

So maybe most Scientologists have heard all that XENU stuff - but don't really believe it. What do you think?


i saw this video, and was kinda surprised to hear within it that L. Ron Hubbard HIMSELF was supposed to be able to do amazing things, teleport around, moving things with his mind. And and there are living witnesses and all that.

So do all Scientologists believe that?
I mean, i know you can get die-hard fundamentalist Christians who believe everything in the Bible, but they co-exist with functional agnostics who call themselves Christian.

I wonder if Scientology is the same, XENU-IS-REAL fundamentalists side by side with functional agnostics that call themselves Scientologists.

[Nightshade]

Roid is probably a scientologist.

[woodchip]

They all believe up until they leave.

[Foil]

Interesting question.

The thing about Scientology is that it's very 'pop-culture', and apparently a somewhat 'hip' religion to be associated with in Hollywood. So, yes, you're probably right that many who call themselves Scientologists don't really believe all the Xenu/aliens stuff, and are just associating themselves with Scientology for social and/or business reasons.

On the other hand, I don't think it's a good comparison with Christian beliefs about the literal and metaphoric truth of scripture. Nearly every Christian sees some level of non-literal meaning within the Bible (for example, Christ's parables). Even when we disagree about whether things like the creation account should be interpreted literally or not, there is still a fundamental belief in God as real.

A better comparison might be the phenomenon of marrying into a religious (e.g. Catholic, Judaic, etc.) family, where one can have the label/association without necessarily believing the faith is real.

[roid]

ThunderBunny, try to make a funny joke

[dissent]

The thing about Scientology is that it's very 'pop-culture', and apparently a somewhat 'hip' religion to be associated with in Hollywood.

Reason enough to be suspicious ...........

So, yes, you're probably right that many who call themselves Scientologists don't really believe all the Xenu/aliens stuff, and are just associating themselves with Scientology for social and/or business reasons.

Ah, so there are fundamentalist Scientologists and 'cafeteria' Scientologists.

[Will Robinson]

....
Ah, so there are fundamentalist Scientologists and 'cafeteria' Scientologists.

Just like there are Star Trek fans and then there are the hard core Trekkies....in fact it is exactly like that only the Scientology followers get to live the fantasy all day everyday instead of only at the conventions, that and they don't wear costumes and the movie hasn't come out yet

[Tunnelcat]

Ah Roid, why do you think the Germans are trying to ban Scientology? Maybe because it's a little TOO far out of reality for most people's comfort!

[Spidey]

Leave it to the Germans to try and ban a religion…

[Tunnelcat]

They are calling Scientology a cult as the justification for the ban.

[Ford Prefect]

Haven't we done this one??

[Duper]

Yeah, I think so Ford. .. now that you mention it; but it may have been back in like, last November?

[roid]

read the OP you guys. No - we havn't done this before.

You might be totally ignoring the OP and just saying the same old arguments however. That's your own problem

[Duper]

The bit about Germany and Scientology has been discussed about is all.

[TIGERassault]

OP: Some do, some don't, and I don't care either way. I don't see why I should either:

Germany's banning: Last time I checked, Scientology also occasionally breached basic Human Rights standards too.

[Spidey]

Germany's banning: Last time I checked, Scientology also occasionally breached basic Human Rights standards too.

I guess that’s based on the assumption that religious worship is non voluntary?