The end of Scientology?
Fined for fraud in France, embarrassed on 'Nightline', and dumped by a Hollywood director—what’s next for Scientology?
Church under fire: The Scientology building in Los Angeles
(Corbis/Paul Mounce)
The Church of Scientology is having a very bad week: First ABC's “Nightline” hammered spokesman Tommy Davis so hard about the sect’s sci-fi creed that he stormed off the set. (Watch Tommy Davis prematurely end his Nightline interview.) Next, Paul Haggis, writer/director of 2004’s Crash, resigned from the church, slamming it for anti-gay bigotry. Then a French court capped off the week by ordering the church to pay a $900,000 fine for defrauding its members. Can Scientology weather the storms?
This is just a slap on the wrist: Yes, “the Cult of Scientology is having a really, really bad week,” says Ian O’Doherty in Ireland’s The Independent. But it wasn’t barred from France, and the hefty fraud fine shouldn’t be a problem “given how expert they are at bilking money from the gullible morons who buy into their claptrap.”
“All hail Xenu. Or something.”
This could split the church in two: While Haggis was critical of “how the church is run," says David Markland in Metblogs, his letter of resignation does not “recant any of the core teachings or beliefs of scientology.” Could this furor provoke more former members of the Church of Scientology to “create their own church” but without the “cultish tactics” currently synonymous with the religion?
“A seachange brewing among Scientologist”
Scientology just needs a reformation: “Almost any religion can seem ‘weird’” if viewed from the right angle, says David Gibson in Politics Daily. The real test for Scientology will be “its ability to reform or adapt,” like a “‘real’ religion.” That’s why it's important that Haggis didn’t pull down the temple like “a classic apostate,” but instead called out Scientology for failing to “live up to its true calling.” Who knows? Maybe Haggis will be its Martin Luther.
“Is Scientology a Cult? Is Paul Haggis the Next Martin Luther?”
Oh, let’s just go see a movie! Kirstie Alley, church member and frequent defender went into “radio silence,” says Movieline, but, under pressure from her fans, Twittered a statement reinforcing her own support of human rights—adding a few hours later, “Helloooooooooooooo ... I’m in the movies ... We are going to see Paranormal [Activity]...is it really scary?”
"Kirstie Alley Has a Little Something to Say About Paul Haggis"
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211 Comments
Posted by Steve, Wednesday, October 28, 2009, 12:47 pm People continue to confuse the church of Scientology with Scientology itself, and the two aren't even close, anymore. When Hubbard left, a little Napoleon took over the church, and altered and changed the real technology to make it unworkable, and now the whole thing is finally unraveling. But you can get the great truths of Scientology on your own, without the phony church taking all your money. You can buy the books and tapes on ebay for pennies, and work with a partner to get spiritual gains you never even dreamed of.
Posted by Bill, Wednesday, October 28, 2009, 12:54 pm Scientology is a made up phony doctrine concieved by a science fiction writer. It's amazing that people somehow claim it as a religion. I cleaned the carpets while working for a company for this lady who was a supposed high up memeber, who told me that she already had the ethics police in to determine if her renters desrved their cleaning deposit back or not or perhaps should receive some kind of punishment. Unbelieveable crap! The Ethics Police? What is that, some George Orwell nightmare? This cult is dangerous and should be avoided!
Posted by Randall Layton, Wednesday, October 28, 2009, 1:00 pm Its funny we have so much of a problem just believing Jesus rose from the dead......this is the result.
Posted by John Dominick, Wednesday, October 28, 2009, 1:03 pm LMFAO at some phoney balogna religion, and all religion for that matter. It's a business that thrives off suckers and scare tactics. At one point it may have offered people hope for unexplained answers, now it offers nothing.
Posted by Don, Wednesday, October 28, 2009, 1:27 pm Like all religions, Scientology is a cult preying on the weak minds of people. Every church has its own earth god. The Catholics have the Pope, Seventh day Adventists the demented Ellen G. White, etc., etc. It is all a con game pulling money from the pockets of people, many who can not afford it. Hollywood people are of the lowest morals, highest egos and dismal intelligence.
Posted by Brittanee Crunk, Wednesday, October 28, 2009, 1:35 pm This is just ridiculous! God is not a liar or a theif so why don't you just believe Jesus rose from the dead to save us from our sins and your life will be much easier.
Posted by WallFlower, Wednesday, October 28, 2009, 1:38 pm This so called Religion is false, and you can tell, their not doing what Jesus did...He preached about his fathers Kingdom, not to be looking to man for the answers, but they do...so their unveiled as to who they belong to God's enemy saten the devil.
Posted by Kevin, Wednesday, October 28, 2009, 1:38 pm good one crazy religion going down...now if we can only get rid of the other 3 crazy wacko religions PEOPLE GET OUT OF THE BRONZE AGE!!!...and quit letting religious freaks run our governments!!!....the USA was never a Christian founded country so get over it!!!....god fearing people shpuld be locked up in an asylum some where!!!
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