Anonymous wrote:NO! I'm readng a book on it right now. I'll post the name of the book tomorrow. Easy reading but by an award-winning journalist. He lays out everything about scientology and L. Ron Hubbell.

It's L. Ron HUBBARD

Anonymous wrote:I'm finding myself lured by Scientology but hesitant due to negative media coverage. What to do?

Your use of the word "lured" says it all...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about it appeals to you?

I'm a very logical thinking person. Which makes it hard for me to make the leap of faith required for traditional Religions.

Sorry, that may be a reason to stay away from Christianity, but it certainly seems Scientology is asking for an enormous, if not silly leap. Aliens, truth revealed by a science fiction writer? Crazy celebrity emembers? Secrecy?

For my money, I find "son of god says turn the other cheek" much easier to swallow.

Its not a religion, its a way to relieve you of your money. When you have no more money they will put you on a work ship.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You consider yourself a "logically thinking person" and you're considering this nonsense? Please.

They concentrate more on applying their religion rather than requiring conversion to it. And the way they apply their religion is like science rather than theology. As an example, they will come up with a hypothesis for self improvement, an action plan for the hypothesis, carry out the action, measure the result, and then adjust the actions accordingly. So they are not set on one solution for all.

They do have their unprovable beliefs like other Religions, but these beliefs are not the driving force of what each individual does.

If you want to spend a lot of money learning how to apply the scientific method on self improvement, sign up for a degree program at a local university. At least, when you are done, you'll have something of value (the degree).

does it attract you because it claims it can help you improve yourself and obtain your goals? (because I agree with other posters that its theology is one of the wackiest and hardest to believe... aliens? really!) If what you want is to improve yourself and your life, no sensible religion will offer you that. Most religions aim to help you accept the world and your life as it is, to accept the things you can not control. Unfortunately, I can not really think of a religion (other than "prosperity christianity" and scientology) that promise to help you get rich and improve your staning among other people.

Maybe just go ahead and study sociology or psychology?

Read Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood and the Prison of Belief by Lawrence Wright. Find a religion that purports to have an answer to happiness w/o charging for it

There are probably worse things than Scientology, I just can't think of them. My ex-husband had 2 family members involved in the church.
I think you should check out the Washington Ethical Society or Unitarians.

Anonymous wrote:You consider yourself a "logically thinking person" and you're considering this nonsense? Please.

They concentrate more on applying their religion rather than requiring conversion to it. And the way they apply their religion is like science rather than theology. As an example, they will come up with a hypothesis for self improvement, an action plan for the hypothesis, carry out the action, measure the result, and then adjust the actions accordingly. So they are not set on one solution for all.

They do have their unprovable beliefs like other Religions, but these beliefs are not the driving force of what each individual does.

1:13 back. Yes, as a PP noted the book is "Going Clear". Please read before you venture forth. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/20/books/review/going-clear-lawrence-wrights-book-on-scientology.html?pagewanted=all

You consider yourself a "logically thinking person" and you're considering this nonsense? Please.

Anonymous wrote:L. Ron Hubbard was a violent, crazy shit.

His eldest son reported that his father attempted two abortions on his mother, one being his premature birth. While he was writing Dianetics, kicked his wife's stomach several times to attempt to cause a miscarriage.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/01/16/15-scientology-revelations-from-lawrence-wright-s-going-clear.html

Try Quakerism or Unitarianism if you're interested in philosophy.

Or the Washington Ethical Society

But if you're even thinking about scientology, these options might be way too simple and logical for you.

L. Ron Hubbard was a violent, crazy shit.

His eldest son reported that his father attempted two abortions on his mother, one being his premature birth. While he was writing Dianetics, kicked his wife's stomach several times to attempt to cause a miscarriage.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/01/16/15-scientology-revelations-from-lawrence-wright-s-going-clear.html

Try Quakerism or Unitarianism if you're interested in philosophy.

Read Going Clear before you commit.

Seriously? No way.