Haven't started a thread for a while, so thought I'd find out more about this.
I would describe myself as an atheist (in fact, I'm more of a deist-antitheist for anyone who cares enough to use wiki).
I was brought up Catholic, but 'lost my way' as my Dad tells me!
I'm fascinated by religion and the effect it has on people from individuals through to entire nations.
I don't buy it for a second, and find it amazing to believe that so many intelligent people in the world subscribe to it!
So why do people take the piss out of scientology so much?
To me, it's just as valid a faith as christianity or islam.
They're all just as crazy as each other!
Want to see something funny?
Check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7v_V8qSIIo
Unbelievable!

Unbelieveable and shocking

Totally!
That bit where the bad people turn into negro's (can I say that word? I am half caribbean so it must be alright!) is insane!

Yeah that was the part that got me..WTF lol..and the narrator's voice was enough to scare the living daylight out of me lol

Light reading of Scientology will tell you why people think its a joke. It's not a religion, its a cult created by a sci-fi writer. That should be all the explanation you need. While we can trace evidence of Christianity, Judism and Islam and the existance of its main characters back through time (with sources and evidence beyond the Bible before anyone throws that one at me), scientology just poped up with no explanation other than "here it is according to one bloke".

It is however quite possibly the greatest money making scheme ever. It also goes to show what lenghts people will go to for attention, ala Tom Cruise.

It is not a religion, it is a criminal organization...

If you want to become rich, just make up a sect and tell everyone they should give you all their money as they don't need it in their after life

Stealing the money is not the biggest crime...but killing people or driving them to commit suicide if they want to leave the sect is.

It is weird that the USA try to ban pornography (or alleged pornography) but not propaghanda films.

Well come on, …if anyone should have the piss taken out of them it’s scientologists.

The fact that so many Hollywood actors are members says it all really lol

Leg's right- just as Kabbalah was mocked when every Hollywood star started to wear their red string bracelets, Scientology is the new celeb faith craze. Just the fact that Tom Cruise is so fanatical about it makes it worthy of a few laughs.

I still remember that episode of SouthPark, ...the scientology one that Tom Cruise tried to sue them over lmao

thats still one of my favourites

I'm atheist, but I see no reason to mock anyone for their beliefs. As for the youtube clip, it sure as hell wasn't put together by Mormons, rather a mock up of a non-mormons views.

Why can't people be left to live in a way that suits them, that includes me?! According to one of the religious places down the road from me, i don't exist because I'm an atheist!!

Leave me to my beliefs and I'll leave you to yours. If more lived by that one simple statement, we'd all get on so much better.

For a start L. Ron Hubbard's book 'Battlefield Earth' was shite.

Secondly apart from Tom Cruise, i've heard that John travolta claimed that it cured his homosexuality. (im open to being corrected on that)

Personal beliefs fine... i mean if scientology gets your life in order for you then fair dues, but everything is open to scrutiny in this world. No sense in getting precious over it.

I'd have to agree with red on that one except to say I'm more an agnostic. If "god" appears to me, be it in a puff of smoke, a blinding light or descends from a flying saucer then yep i'd believe but as it stands i will wait for proof before committing.
The main issue with religions/sects is they tend to prey on whats missing in peoples lives. Offer a solution for all the problems. People go to them for different reasons and I suspose if they get what they seek then it's worth it for them.
As for taking the piss out of Scientology, well with the hugh payout the catholic church has made in USA to cover its child abusing priests and the many conflicts over religion in the world, you have to wonder if any religion is what it says.Have they all been infiltrated by extemists? Perhaps just a few bad apples? Who knows?

Someone said "many people are leaving the church and turning to God”. Suits me.
_________________

Two words:

Tom Cruise.

End of.