I think that if anyone was seriously contemplating the topic of this thread they might read up on a few things. I included links about tax exempt status & 3 other religions. I hope this helps.


The basic tenets of Scientology
http://www.lronhubbard.org.au/the_le...f_Scientology/ (Church website)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zF5ZGaGrZnk (CBS-TV You Tube page)
http://www.youtube.com/user/churchof...y?blend=1&ob=4 (Church website)

Scientology Theology & Practice
http://www.bonafidescientology.org/ (Church website)

Scientology tax-exempt status & religious recognition
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sciento...nized_religion (Wikipedia website)
http://tvnews.vanderbilt.edu/program.pl?ID=347376 (Vanderbilt University website)
http://www.sptimes.com/News/32899/Ta...__We_like.html (St Pete Times website)
http://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/09/us...l?pagewanted=1 (NY Times website)


Mormons

http://www.youtube.com/mormonmessage...FQ0aawodBQRcNQ (Mormon website)

Basic Catholic beliefs
http://www.ancient-future.net/basics.html (Independent Catholic website)

Basic Buddhist beliefs
http://www.dragonflower.org/commonties.html (Independent Buddhist website)

Rustyshackleford said

No other actual religion on earth demands payments for moving up the ladder, and learning more of 'church' doctrine. Christians don't demand payment to read the Bible, Jews don't demand payment to read the Torah, Muslims don't demand payment to read the Koran, etc. However, in your cult one cannot have all of the 'sacred' (I can't believe I am using this term in response to this nonsense even for the sake of mocking you) text unless they continue to give thousands upon thousands of dollars. This is common knowledge, and a fact you haven't yet even attempted to deny. That is what makes scientology a money grabbing scam. You know damn well what the difference is, but prefer to change the subject instead of addressing it. Thanks again for giving me another chance to point it out in case some people missed it the dozen times.

No your own transgressions against money make you blind to see that it is okay to ask people for donations in return for pastoral counseling & education.

The education is with regard to becoming a Counselor. Many different types of counselors had to pay for their education & in return charged fees for their services. You try to make it sound like there is something wrong with trying to survive as a group or earn a living in a chosen career. That's pretty ludicrous.

No one demands payment from parishsioners. If they want to study & learn then they pay for the service just like you would at a university, (to earn a higher degree like a MBA or Phd) except that this is solely to do with the spirit.

If you dug a little deeper into some of the anti-scienotolgy websites you would find that often they know the technology is true & correct & that it works, they just don't want to pay for it & try to make it seem like there is something wrong to ask people for money for a service.

At the same time they forget that there is plenty of free services & that if they want they can go to the library & check books out for free on the subject.

Another thing missed here is the fact that the church has a college of administration that is a tax paying entity & where you can earn AA degrees in business.

Well, I must say, you guys do it all.

Do you guys paint houses, by chance?

Originally Posted by Black-n-Red

Well, I must say, you guys do it all.

Do you guys paint houses, by chance?

Yea any color but black & red....

Oooohhhh, ouch!

If they want to study & learn then they pay for the service just like you would at a university

That's where it differs from other religions. If I want to join a theology study group headed by my priest or another theological scholar at my church, I am welcome to do so free of charge. I can even book regular appointments with my priest for one on one bible/theology education. Again, it's free. At no point am I required to pay anything for more knowlege of my religion.

L. Ron Hubbard once wrote, “The first principle of my own philosophy is that wisdom is meant for anyone who wishes to reach for it. It is the servant of commoner and king alike and should never be regarded with awe.”

And yet, the religion that he himself founded is charging it's believers for the very wisdom he said is meant for anyone who wishes to "reach for it." Not, he who has the ability to pay for it, but he who simply wishes to have it.

As a Catholic, I am welcome to all of the church's wisdom at no charge at all. If I choose to give a tithe, then I am welcome, but at no point would I ever be denied access to knowledge and wisdom based on my ability to pay a fee.

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And yet, the religion that he himself founded is charging it's believers for the very wisdom he said is meant for anyone who wishes to "reach for it." Not, he who has the ability to pay for it, but he who simply wishes to have it.

As a Catholic, I am welcome to all of the churches wisdom at no charge at all. If I choose to give a tithe, then I am welcome, but at no point would I ever be denied access to knowlege and wisdom based on my ability to pay a fee.

I believe many would call that a "RED FLAG".

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