Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

PANTHEON

Home
Pagan
13 Things I Like About Scientologists

13 Things I Like About Scientologists

Last updated on: May 9, 2011 at 10:08 am by Star Foster

13 Things I Like About Scientologists 2011-05-09T10:08:14-04:00 Star Foster

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

As today is Dianetics Day I figure it’s time to pick up this series again. Along with the Buddhists and Hindus, Scientology is one religion I still need to tick off my list for the series. This is going to be incredibly difficult because I honestly have very little love for Scientology or L. Ron Hubbard. Bear with me and please forgive if the occasional snark slips out.

13. Reincarnation

Ok, so my personal belief in reincarnation doesn’t involve distant planets but I have to give props to folks who also believe this ain’t our first rodeo.

12. Nerve

The Fair Game Doctrine, extensive use of litigation and sheer aggressiveness in protecting itself, I gotta give Scientology credit. They’re wily and scrappy, and while I don’t always agree with how that manifests I do have to admire the cojones.

11. The Cross

It’s pretty.

10. Dianetics

Reading about Dianetics reminds me of some of the Reclaiming and more healing/therapy oriented forms of Witchcraft I read about when I was younger. Whether you’re trying to erase engrams or confront the Guardian on the Threshold, this use of religion as psychotherapy seems familiar. I would imagine there are some Pagan groups engaged in “clearing” activities similar to Dianetics without even realizing it.

9. They Have Worse Movies Than We Do

Sure, apparently Nicholas Cage is the bane of our existence, but at least we didn’t fund and star in a horrible film associated with us. Before you start dumping on Thor or The Wicker Tree, take a deep breath and give thanks it wasn’t Battlefield Earth.

8. They Make Us Look Normal

Reaching out for suggestions, a lot of Pagans told me this was the thing they like best about Scientology. Any day men in suits seem odder than men in tie-dye skirts is a good day in my book.

7. Service Organizations

Narconon, Volunteer Ministers and other service organization seem to be a key part of their organization. Service to humanity is an aim I can support.

6. Man is Basically Good

As someone who believes passionately that humanity is good, born good and dies good, I can support this. I also like the part of their creed that says no one may destroy or enslave another soul.

5. The Prayer for Total Freedom

May the author of the universe enable all men to reach an understanding of their spiritual nature.

May awareness and understanding of life expand, so that all may come to know the author of the universe.

And may others also reach this understanding which brings Total Freedom.

At this time, we think of those whose liberty is threatened; of those who have suffered imprisonment for their beliefs; of those who are enslaved or martyred, and for all those who are brutalized, trapped or attacked.

We pray that human rights will be preserved so that all people may believe and worship freely, so that freedom will once again be seen in our land.

Freedom from war, and poverty, and want; freedom to be; freedom to do and freedom to have.

Freedom to use and understand Man’s potential—a potential that is God-given and Godlike.

And freedom to achieve that understanding and awareness that is Total Freedom.

May God let it be so.

4. Freedom of Religion

Scientology has freedom of religion as part of it’s code: “12. To support the freedom of religion.”

3. Keeps Anonymous Busy

Because seriously, a day when Anonymous doesn’t notice you is a good day. HBGary and Bank of America can vouch for this.

2. Self-Determination

This concept is very similar to the concept of Will in Witchcraft and Ceremonial Magick. Although reports of their practices seem to differ with this concept, if they truly are about strengthening individual Will, then I have to say I’m all for that.

1. John Travolta

How can you not absolutely love John Travolta? He’s a great actor, a fabulous dancer, good looking, funny and from all accounts a really kind and loving human being. He even makes archangels look smoking hot.

If you enjoyed this check out the posts on Protestant Christianity, Catholicism, Mormonism, Judaism, Islam and Paganism in this series!

Church of Scientology

Previous Post

May 8, 2011

Happy Mother's Day

Next Post

May 10, 2011 The Power of Love

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category alexandrian asatru astrology ATW Audio books btw ceremonial magick chaos classics community conversion cosmology dianic discordian druid dvd eclectic equinox ethics family feri festivals film Fully Inclusive Events gardnerian gender issues glbt heathen hellenismos history humor initiation interfaith magick meditation Military movies music mysticism myth networking news Open Thread Pagan Pagan 101 Paganism passings polytheism Polytheistic Religion polytheology praxis Reading List religio romana review ritual sabbats santeria service solstice symbols tools values wicca witchcraft

Select a Month July 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

True or False: King Saul was anointed by the prophet Nathan.

Select your answer to see how you score.

TRUE FALSE