£24m Scientology Church opens in City of London.

[Blu]

Were you there, Martianbishop and Intergalacticwalrus?

here

Does anyone raise an eyebrow at the fact that the Chief superintendent of Police, the fourth most powerful policeman in London, is a member?

That the dessert took two weeks to prepare?? (shall we ask for the recipe?).

[SherlockLGJ]

The standing ovation, however, was reserved for David Miscavige, chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Centre, the senior ecclesiastical structure which runs the religion. He promised scientology could "improve the grades of schoolchildren across the education system in one term, completely reverse 80-90% recidivist crime rates and cut drug addiction by 10-20% within a generation".

[Blu]

Look out for the first Academy Schools to be sponsored by scientologists.

[sorrell]

Oh no, don't say that...it's going to come true, isn't it. And then there is Madonna forcing that Kaballah shit down the throats of poor Malawian orphans too.
It's very worrying indeed that a senior policeman was there in an official capacity.
It's like living in the middle ages sometimes.

[NoNiceMaidensintheIceMaidens]

I think we should keep our concerns about the dessert in proportion - Christmas cakes and mince pies take months! But I'd be all for finding out an interesting new recipe.

I'm not that worried about what a high-ranking policeman's beliefs are, unless there is evidence that they are affecting the way he does his job (not enforcing the speed limit on vehicles registered in Alpha Centauri, that kind of thing...)

[ScareyCaligulaCorday]

Why are people so credulous?

I can understand them signing up for ancient religions because their origins are lost in the mists of time, but people like Joseph Smith and L Ron Hubbard were so demonstrably and on record as being charlatans, that it is extraordinary that so many people are willing to suspend their disbelief. Incredible.

[Blu]

Not to mention suspend any caution with their credit card in the interests of Scientology.

PMSL NoNiceMaiden.

[ruty]

like to know more about the electropyschometer - me thinks it may not have been subject to any rigorous scientific evaluation perhaps?

[DominiConnor]

Given that many senior poeple in the Police are comitted Chrisitans, I don't see why yet another whacko makes much difference.

As for people being credulous, why do Catholics pretend that their priests don't rape children ?

Why do many evengelicals believe the world is a few thousand years old, and that early man kept dinosaurs as pets ?

Scientology occupies the market niche for people who think new is good, rather than those who genuinely seem to believe that old equals good.

[tissy]

don't mince yer words, DC, say it like it is!

[expatinscotland]

IIRC, didn't L Ron (LOL, just like the Eleven King in the LOTR series ) make the whole thing up on a bet?

[ruty]

because DC you can be a Christian or a Jew [and a Muslim too i think] without separating your beliefs from the scientific understanding of the world as we know it so far. you can't if you are a Creationist or a Scientoligist. And most Catholics are aware of the terrible things done by some RC priests. And most RC priests are not child abusers.

[ScareyCaligulaCorday]

No use arguing with him ruty, he's determined that every catholic priest out there is a mad paedophile and if they haven't got round to raping a child yet they will do soon.

Because he's so rational, you see.

[expatinscotland]

Give him a few minutes, and he'll somehow spin things so that all Americans, Muslims, Irish and women are somehow involved in making the world the sorry place it is today, too.

[ruty]

you forgot Arts Grads [scum] expat.

[Pinotmum]

I he was Irish with a name like Dominiconnor.

[DominiConnor]

I don't see why being a scientologist is any worse than any other superstition. Indeed I find it odd that those who bleat about religious freedom, don't like it being applied to a religion they don't approve of.
Yes, the'yre whacky, but their senior members don't organise the rape of kids like most of the big Christian grouips, they don't murder people in vast numbers like most religions, and as for L. Ron Hubbard being a SciFi writer, most of the major relgious text was just made up as well.

[caroline3]

Domini probably opening a tin of worms here but what is yr evidence that most of the big Christian groups "organise" the rape of kids? Just interested.

Re prescence of senior police officer at event. I think it is a bit alarming when someone in a position of authority makes such a big thing of their religious beliefs. Its very worrying to think that Blair and Bush think they are in direct contact with another higher authority rather than making decisions on rational grounds.

[ruty]

sorry DC but I've tolerated your totally illogical, emotionally damaged and hateful ravings for long enough. Most big Christan groups have organised the rape of children? Go and see a psychiatrist. I'm happy for scientologists to have religious freedom, but I am allowed to criticize them just as I criticize Christianity and other religions. If you have suffered abuse go and get it sorted out because this is not doing you any good.

[Blu]

I do believe in people's right to believe what they will - but I also believe in the absolute right of others to be sceptical, and to question what effect it may have on others - whatever the relligion. And religious people have the same right to be sceptical of athiests.

[turniphead]

"I don't see why being a scientologist is any worse than any other superstition. Indeed I find it odd that those who bleat about religious freedom, don't like it being applied to a religion they don't approve of."

Absolutely spot on!

[Blu]

Who IS doing this 'bleating' though? In this alledgedly inconsistent way?

[ruty]

i'd like to know too.

[ruty]

i love the fact that people who proudly purport to be 'logical' and 'rational'because they are athiests can often have the most intellectually muddled and irrational arguments of all.

[HallgerdaLongcloak]

caroline3, I take your point, but should we be more worried about those in positions of authority who are open about their beliefs than about those who keep quiet about them?

I don't know who's bleating, Blu, but I'm sure it isn't notasheep.