Author |
Message |
Kaykay
Member
01-21-2004
| Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 12:27 pm
Love to see you laughing Mocha 
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Ophiliasgrandma
Member
09-04-2001
| Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 12:46 pm
Yeah, Tex, that's like say there is no chemical imbalance in diabetes. What a doofus!
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Twinkie
Member
09-24-2002
| Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 12:50 pm
John Travolta is also a Scientologist. I don't care what religion Tom is, I love him and he can hop in my bed anyday. Move over hubby! LOL
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Escapee
Member
06-15-2004
| Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 1:17 pm
I don't know much about scientology, but I imagine that the American Medical Association is probably more "UP TO DATE" on remedies and cures for certain things more than Mr. Cruise is. The fact that he "thinks" he could have helped her through it with vitamins is a joke. First off, where in the world does good old Dr. Tom get off spouting off medical advice? (was he a doctor in a past film) and what business is it of his what Brooke Shields does anyhow? Prozac and other anti-depressants have done absolute wonders for so many people who have been near suicide. They have come through with flying colors, no repercussions, and gone on to live happy healthy lives. What is wrong with that? I have never really heard much good about scientology, but like I said, I don't know much about it. Stick to pediatrics, Tom, you have no idea what "baby blues" is like.
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Escapee
Member
06-15-2004
| Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 1:22 pm
Scientology is comprised exclusively of the teachings of one man: L. Ron Hubbard. Hubbard's theories, assumptions, and techniques for practical applications that make up the rituals of Scientology, are sometimes called the “Spiritual Technology,” or simply “the Tech.” Hubbard claimed to have discovered certain “natural laws” of the spiritual universe, which he claimed can be used to predict and control behavior and phenomena in a manner similar to the way in which the natural laws codified in the physical sciences can be used to predict and control phenomena in the physical world. Scientology assumes that spirituality and thought (called “theta”) is an energy existing in its own universe, separate and distinct from the physical universe of Matter, Energy, Space and Time (MEST), and that spirit (theta) is senior to, and indeed created, the physical universe (MEST). Each individual person (called a “thetan”) is considered to be a “thought unit” of the spiritual universe which interacts with the physical universe (MEST), usually by inhabiting a human body. The Scientology term “thetan” is what has commonly been known as the “spirit” and it is defined in Scientology as the source of life; in the individual, it is recognized as the core of personality or essence of oneself, quite distinct and separate from the physical body or the brain. Scientology proposes that in its “native state” the spirit/thetan is immortal and god-like and possesses the potentiality of knowing everything, but that in present time its true capabilities have been lost and forgotten. As an immortal entity, the spirit/thetan lives on after body death and is born into a new physical body, again and again, lifetime after lifetime, in an endless cycle of birth and death. As a result of traumatic incidents extending back from the present life through a long series of “past lifetimes” hidden from conscious memory, the spirit/thetan has become trapped in the physical body and the physical/MEST universe. Content of these traumatic incidents may influence a person's current life, causing physical and mental illnesses, irrational thoughts and acting-out behavior, and limiting one's creativity and other abilities. Scientology claims that these traumatic incidents, along with each spirit/thetan's personal history, are recorded in complete detail on the “time track,” sometimes called the “whole track,” which for each person is many trillions of years in length. Scientology proposes that through a process called “auditing” that uses techniques developed by Hubbard (often assisted by a device called the E-Meter), an individual can be guided to find and “discharge” these hidden traumas, thus escaping the suffering and limitations imposed by the past. Further, as one progresses through a series of auditing “levels,” one can eventually be restored to native state and can attain the status of “operating thetan,” wherein one is free of attachments to the body and, even while “exterior” to (outside) the body, one can consciously control matter, energy, space, time, thought, and life. Hubbard's writings and lectures include many tantalizing details of the god-like abilities that may be gained through auditing. For most individual Scientologists, recovering these god-like abilities (and encouraging and assisting others to do so as well) is the primary goal of participation in Scientology. The “levels” through which a participant progresses make up what is called “The Bridge to Total Freedom.” Progress through all the levels of the “Bridge” often takes many years of dedicated study and practice, and the cost in fees for services for the Bridge is currently estimated at approximately $300,000 - $500,000 in US dollars. According to examples given in Scientology, the content of “whole track” incidents can include (but is not limited to) attempted abortions and other fetal traumas, acts of torture and violence experienced both as victim and as perpetrator, encounters with the Marcab Confederacy and various Invader Forces from spacefaring Galactic civilizations, life on earth as a clam, “implants” of ideas and artificial purposes sometimes administered with a pain-drug-hypnosis combination, and other experiences that almost always include pain and/or confusion and/or unconsciousness. While many of the traumatic incidents addressed in auditing are unique to the individual, some key incidents are thought to be common to all humans on planet earth. One very important such incident supposedly occurred some 75 million years ago. Scientology warns that until one has completed a series of preparatory steps, exposure to the details of this particular incident can cause severe illness or even death.* Thus, these details are carefully guarded and kept secret until, at the level called “Operating Thetan III” the member is deemed properly prepared and is granted permission to view and “audit” this information. ____________ * Details of this incident have been available for public view on the internet for several years and to date there have been no reported illnesses or deaths attributed to viewing this information. However, many scientologists still refuse to view these materials until they have completed all the preparatory steps. For the brave and curious, full details can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/2x55d REFERENCES: The teachings of the Church of Scientology are introduced in the following church-published books, which are widely available in bookstores or directly from the church. All are either written by L. Ron Hubbard or are “based on his works” and are published by Bridge Publications. DIANETICS: THE MODERN SCIENCE OF MENTAL HEALTH SCIENCE OF SURVIVAL A HISTORY OF MAN SCIENTOLOGY 0-8 THE SCIENTOLOGY HANDBOOK RECOMMENDED WEBSITES: The official Church of Scientology website: www.scientology.org
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Jimmer
Member
08-30-2000
| Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 1:33 pm
Thanks Escapee. That is very interesting, in that I always wanted to know more what it was all about. I wonder why it seems so attractive to many celebrities?
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Escapee
Member
06-15-2004
| Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 1:38 pm
I am always skeptical about religions that form this way. Whereas someone's novel's and writings have turned into a whole following. Not that I disagree with it. Also, for those who want to dispute that and say that the teachings in the bible are how Christianity developed, that isn't true, Christianity and it beliefs were formed long before the teachings in the bible.
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Escapee
Member
06-15-2004
| Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 1:40 pm
Whooooaaaaaa i am way off on a tangent here. Not baiting..... Let's get back to the cradle robbing holisticly soaked mind set of Mr. Cruise.
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Beachcomber
Member
08-26-2003
| Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 1:42 pm
Scientology proposes that in its “native state” the spirit/thetan is immortal and god-like and possesses the potentiality of knowing everything. My uneducated guess is this statement could be the answer to why some celebrities may be so attracted to Scientology. Feeds their egos quite well.
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Escapee
Member
06-15-2004
| Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 1:49 pm
Probably. The way I see it is that Celebrities want to be so cutting edge, or nonconformists, or conformists to other celebs, that they get into some really non-trad things. They either form their own or jump on a bandwagon: Ten years ago I had never heard of Kabbalah, or Scientology, but since Madonna has become "Esther" and the mother of Kabbalah, and is bringing with her Demi and Brittney (bandwagoneers), and John Travolta has gone from Vinny Barbarino to L Ron Hubbard, and with him he is draggin along Tom.
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Native_texan
Member
08-24-2004
| Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 1:56 pm
I'm sorry but I cannot be a follower of someone who started his career writing science fiction. I was going to read one of his books when I was in high school and just a couple of pages into the book he proclaims that Jesus went to Heaven in a spaceship. I have not touched anything with his name on it since. I think Tom is gorgeous and I love his smile, but let him experience PMS just one time or give birth. Oh, yeah, I almost forgot. He can't have babies even as a man. He has spoken as only someone who hasn't been there can. I know this is just a gossip thread, but mental illness is a matter that is very near and dear to my heart. I get sick of people like Tom and Lisa Marie Presley (like we are going to listen to a woman who married Michael Jackson) who obviously have never dealt with mental illness saying what is best for those who have. I have a hard time believing vitamins could have helped the woman in Houston who drowned all her babies. Okay, I'm going to take deep breaths and relax.
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Maris
Member
03-28-2002
| Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 2:01 pm
I wouldn't hold it against Lisa Marie, she was raised in scientology. Her mother, Priscilla became a scientologist and raised her that way.
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Native_texan
Member
08-24-2004
| Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 2:02 pm
Escapee, you are way ahead of me. I had not heard of Kaballah until about a year ago and I'm still not sure what it is. As to why so many celebrities are into it, how many people from any other walk of life are going to spend $300,000 to $500,000 for the Bridge.
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Escapee
Member
06-15-2004
| Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 2:07 pm
EXACTLY! Now Priscilla raised Lisa Marie that way only after Elvis had died. (god rest his soul) Elvis was a devout Christian as were his parents, right? I am not sure which denomination, coulda been baptist. He was very into Gospel music. I imagine that he was rolling over in his grave (if he really is dead!) when Priscilla introduced scientology to his shining pride, Lisa Marie. Well you'd have to be into some different things to marry MJ. I can't fathom that.
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Native_texan
Member
08-24-2004
| Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 2:24 pm
I could very well be wrong, but I have always been under the impression that there is some form of brainwashing used in Scientology Priscilla admittedly forced Lisa Marie into it to get her off drugs and alcohol. And for those of you don't know. Elvis is alive and well. He has spent the last 20+ years trying to find his way to me. Escapee, I believe the Presleys attended a Pentecostal or Assembly of God church.
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Abby7
Member
07-17-2002
| Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 2:27 pm
I can tell you that Scientology has always encouraged recruiting celebrities back to when Hubbard started Dianetics. Hubbard knew having famous people would attract people. Celebrities don't pay the prices. Their endorsement, alone, covers the cost. (think about it like a paid commercial). Scientology is very powerful and will do whatever it can to promote and protect celebrities who join. It's become a network and can help many people starting out (or trying to revive their career). eta: the celebrities, do however donate large sums. however, many donations are actually required for non-celebrities too.
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Escapee
Member
06-15-2004
| Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 2:28 pm
Oh I See, It's like multi-level marketing, or pyramid schemes, which is illegal.
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Abby7
Member
07-17-2002
| Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 2:35 pm
No, that part of what they are doing is not illegal. I don't know how you got pyramid out of that.
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Escapee
Member
06-15-2004
| Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 2:45 pm
It was a joke. But if you think about it. At the top L. Ron Hubbard His First followers/recruiters Celebrities, and their followers the followers and their recruits. That's a pyramid BTW did anyone watch the move a couple weeks ago about Elvis?
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Abby7
Member
07-17-2002
| Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 2:48 pm
a bit more gossip: Most of you read about the famous Scientology celebrities currently active. I don't have any idea (but my guess is no) if Bette Midler's husband, Martin von Haselberg, is still a Scientologist. He definitely used to be a member as far back as the 70's. eta: just saw your post, escapee. oh, i see what you mean. yep, that looks like a pyramid. however, the pyramid you posted is incorrect lol it would be LRH, celebrities, more celebrities, the wealthy non-celebrities, regular members, staff, sea org staff
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Native_texan
Member
08-24-2004
| Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 2:55 pm
I've been doing some quick research on Scientology and I have discovered it is actually no more than a cult. On several sites, I discovered that members basically believe themselves to be mini-gods (which would explain the attraction by celebrities) and do not believe in Heaven. I was thinking that maybe I was misreading the information on all these sites so I conducted an experiement on Scientology.org. I first did a search on the word "Jesus" and got a whole 7 hits. I then did a search on the word "Heaven" and got nothing. I don't mean to step on any toes here. I just thought I'd share.
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Escapee
Member
06-15-2004
| Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 3:15 pm
Now I don't want to offend anyone who may be a scientologist, and I don't necessarily believe it is a cult, but a lot of it seemed close to mormonism.
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Escapee
Member
06-15-2004
| Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 3:16 pm
And there is nothing wrong with that either. Like I said, i don't want to offend. It seemed similar in some of the beliefs, etc.
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Abby7
Member
07-17-2002
| Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 3:23 pm
since you seem so interested: www.scientology.org/
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Escapee
Member
06-15-2004
| Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 3:28 pm
That is where I got the info for my above post.
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