Friday, August 03, 2007

Reply to Anonymous Comments


I'm going to reply to the comments of a couple of anonymous posters.

But first let me say that the comments on this blog are moderated because I've noticed that on the Internet people tend to lose the normal self restrain and manners that they would practice in a real world, face-to-face situation. For example: can you imagine what would happen in real life if someone came up to you and yelled in your face that you must bow down before the one and only god? A cry of "Call security," would probably go up and the yeller would be thrown out or held until the police arrived. Yet on the Internet people feel they can act this way because they are (apparently) anonymous.

So to the first comment that was from a Christian gentleman who seems to have the mistaken idea that Scientologists think that the religion's founder, L. Ron Hubbard, is a god, I can only say: No we don't. Personally I think he's an awesome dude and I have great respect for him, but nobody thinks he's a god and nowhere in Scientology has it ever been suggested that he is. He never claimed to be any different from the rest of us.

I think that this gentleman was also misinformed about Scientology and God. In Scientology the area of God and what you do or don't believe is left entirely up to you. For more data check here: Scientology and God.

The second anonymous comment was from someone who was (surprise, surprise) also misinformed. They said: "Question authority and think for yourself" a sentiment I heartily agree with. Scientologists are some of the most strong minded people I know. In fact a few years ago in Europe there was a "Think For Yourself" campaign run by the Church of Scientology.

Anyone who wants to become informed about Scientology can buy a book on the subject (Scientology Books), read it and then make up their own mind. Personally I think that's the best way to go about many thing in life - study it at the source and then come to your own conclusions. Don't just take other people's word for it; find out for yourself.

"Never regret yesterday. Life is in you today, and you make your tomorrow." — Scientology founder, L. Ron Hubbard

6 comments:

Ken (Me) said...

Well said! I've always found it odd when someone believes (without questioning it) that Scientologists believe things without questioning them.

Dion Berlowitz said...

Thanks for the great blog! I'm glad that you decided to reply to some interesting anonymous comments.

I've read about 15 or 16 books by L. Ron Hubbard over the last 20 years. His books are inspirational, educational, and entertaining. I think of him as a "sage" (a wise man, philosopher).

Now this is only my opinion, but I don't see how Scientology contradicts Christianity. In fact, Mr. Hubbard suggested that we respect religious beliefs ("The Way to Happiness" p. 69-71). By the way, I strongly recommend this book which presents a moral code based on common sense.

Graham, I would like to know what you think of the above comments.

johnalexwood said...

People who feel they have to be anonymous to be able to say what they really want to say - doesn't say much for them. Their ability to confront life generally must be really low and it conjures up images of the stalker, of a severely shy person or of a person with a secret double life. Maybe they were punished for speaking out about something when they were young - I could understand that.

Well, funily enough, Scientology's communication books and courses could really help someone get over problems like that. I find that being able to comfortably communicate has a lot to do with one's happiness. Or, as LRH put it: "A man is as alive as he can communicate".

Grahame said...

Hey kenfriend7: ROFL! That's a good one!

Grahame said...

Dion:
I've found Ron's books extremely useful in my life.

I think what people don't understand about Scientology versus other religions is that a religion doesn't have to be exclusive. If a religion deals in spiritual matters that you can see for yourself if those things are true or not and if it leave ideas about God up to the individual then it doesn't have to conflict with other religions.

I have friends who are Christian, friends who are Jewish and friends who are Mormons and they are also Scientologists. There is no conflict.

Grahame said...

I just got another comment from someone that makes me suspicious. The poster was a brand-new Blogger member with no blog and no profile and the question he asked is about something that I as a Scientologist personally find annoying, so I rejected his comment.

However, I'll be good and assume he was asking the question out of curiosity and not malice. So "Jon" the answer to your question can be found here: Scientology Myths