All Religions are Cults

Recent criticism that Scientology is more cult than religion have resurfaced due to the split between the golden boy of Scientology, Tom Cruise, and his wife Katy Holmes.

I refer to Scientology as a religion as it conforms with my source definition and understanding of a religion:

religion |riˈlijən|

nounbelief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, esp. a personal God or gods: • details of belief as taught or discussed: • a particular system of faith and worship: 

• a pursuit or interest to which someone ascribes supreme importance: 

The definition references origins of the word which cite meanings of "obligation" "bond" "reverence" and in addition from the Latin "religare" to bind.

Mac OS X Dictionary widget*

An Australian TV program today presented a segment asking "is Scientology an evil cult?" (channel 7 morning show). It was segueing from the "TomKat" split to questions of the religion. The "evil cult" question and any answers proffered (I didn't hang around watching to find out what the invited guests thought or discussed) though are pretty irrelevant. Why pick on Scientology at all for critical examination when other religions expect equal forms of irrational devotion. And, what measures are critics using to warrant asking is Scientology an "evil cult"?

The popular myth that Scientology's beliefs and behaviours are "evil" and "cult" like, as apposed to conventional religion/s, perpetuates because it relies upon fear and ignorance (easy to exploit). Those asking these questions miss the biggest implication of all by what they ask which is of course the corollary question that are all religions cult like and dangerous (evil is valid, in its true meaning, but as most imbue this word with mystical religious overtone, which I do not intend, I'll stick with dangerous). Inspirational places of worship be they churches, halls of assembly, mosques, synagogues, etc., are religions' theatres for reinforcing their particular/peculiar form of ignorance. Faith, hope, salvation, specialness, company, community, meaning of existence, understanding, support, love, acceptance, material value, are all exploited by religions as we all desire a balance or wealth of such things, because it is human to do so.  

Without going into a full blown argument which requires a degree in comparative religion lets look at some simple facts and compare in order to contrast Scientology against three of the major acceptable religions of our day.

Scientologists believe humans are vessels for a spiritual thinking-life force from the universe, an alien soul in fact (which suffered horribly in the past and need help and authoritative nurturing to safely remember this). That the human form in any time frame could be one of hundreds or thousands of  physical containers of this alien life-force, but the humans are of course unaware of their alien soul and that they the Thetan containers have a significant role and purpose. The aim is to reveal this (at a price) and gain awareness of the past lives already lived by this immortal(?) "spirit/thetan". As you do learn and become aware, you move up in the order as well. There are a set of rules and lessons to be learnt which allows the faithful (who can pay) to rise. The order or levels determine the awareness of the human/Thetan of his/her divinity (perhaps not the best word but it would seem the spirit of the aim). There is a code of conduct concerning ethical behaviour and that the highest of ethical levels to attain is that of the preservation of the Scientology way and any elements of secrecy which outsiders and/or lesser equipped followers must not know for their own protection. The information could kill you without the appropriate preparations. Scientology on the face of it proffers similar end game consequences for doing good or bad works. It recommends being ethical and moral in your life. It has a prophet and various seers to interpret the messages of the prophet and his interconnection with the universal spirit/controller. It appears to be no less or more sincere, no less or more outlandish in its claims than other religions. Scientology is very secretive (protective of its truths) and publishes very little outside of the fold, my sources are included below and I have to defer to them. 

South Park, Alien souls being frozen for transport, still from "What Scientologist actually believe", clip - link below

Christians believe humanity and everything else was created by God in 7 days. That we are all born with "original sin" (Adam and Eve's unseemly expulsion from the heavenly Eden) which by virtue of being baptised protects us from an instant pathway to Hell upon our sudden infant death should that occur.

How The Devil creates Passive Homosexuals and Whores

http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/3453.htm

London-Based Shiite Cleric Yasser Al-Habib: IS, anti-Sunni but pretty much anti-humanity too.

Let's see, in a nutshell: 

Passive Homosexuality is a "well known" anal disease (lots of Sunni Caliphs past and present have it) acquired at birth because the Devil inserts his index finger into the anus of the newborn boy. Similarly newborn girls who have their vagina penetrated, the Devil again, become whores. Al-Habib saves that great bit for last.

The disease is only cured (I think he means satiated) by semen (well of course).

The semen though creates a  "worm" and it needs more semen and the "worm" in turn causes the passive homosexual excitement about the thought of more penetration which he additively seeks as he requires it in order to "calm down".

Something like that... (sigh!)

London-Based Shiite Cleric Yasser Al-Habib in Anti-Sunni Rhetoric: The Caliph Omar Had an Anal Disease that Made Him addicted to Homosexuality

Fadak TV (U.K.) - May 24, 2012 - 5:22

First seen by leeanneart on http://www.jihadwatch.org

28th Oct 2012 - Post Script: Looks like the original clip of Cleric Al-Habib is now taken down.

No Arab Spring for the women of Egypt

Egyptian women protesters under the escort of male family and friends were mobbed and sexually assaulted for daring to attend a protest let alone one protesting their country's endemic public sexual harassment and assault of women.

mob attacks women in egypt anti-sexual assault rally

This is religiously motivated retribution. Retribution upon women who dare to publicly question Islam's teachings. Teachings which require women maintain public invisibility; obey and observe any requirements imposed by their male relatives or betters who according to Islam are their superiors; be content with a life of domestic servility and pro-creation; maintaining complete silence if not obliviousness in matters of public, political and societal interest.

There is no real "Arab Spring" nor any "Arab Awakening"and especially not one advancing women's rights in that region. Not at least whilst Islam gains momentum (The Muslim Brotherhood) in the wake of any resulting power vacuum.

These unchecked and worsening public assaults on women are a gross human rights abuse committed by male followers of Islam. Arguably this is a religion that would have all women content to submit to a life of ignorance, servility and obviously in Egypt at least willing to live in psychological terror awaiting the next random abusive act by any male they encounter.

"Enlightened"males attempting protective escort of the protesting women highlight the issue. It is necessary and in accordance with Islam anyway that women go out in public under the escort of a male relative only. Even if the male is the woman's male child. She should not be in public alone and uncovered or unescorted. The absurd defence of these strict characteristics of the religion as being merely an expression of benign religious observance is at best ignorance at worst deliberate obfuscation of the facts. This is an imposed limitation on the movement and involvement of women in the society and public life of their community and country. This in itself without the addition of threat of sexual abuse is in fact a human rights abuse.

Women escorted or not in Egypt risk their personal dignity by simply going into the street. Who knows what happens in private. Public sexual abuse is what they were protesting about and in protesting they had these claims confirmed in the most sickening and cowardly manner via a mob attack.

Islam through the Koran's teaching, from grand Imam to Mosque, normalises and contextualises female sexual assault in the conduct of daily life and it informs its female followers of their place and behaviour in the face of it.

Australians, the State Knows Best

Art with a message the State disagrees with had better watch out in Australia. Censorship by the government is the way the State puts limits on certain thoughts being expressed publicly and with which the State disagrees or perhaps it considers may cause public unrest? north-korean-artists-banned-from-australia  These North Korean artists were commissioned by the Queensland Art Gallery to supply works for exhibiting but they were not allowed entry to Australia to explain their works. This might upset the thoughts of a free thinking secular democratic Australian public, so they were denied visas. The Australian public is here being told that in certain matters they must not be permitted to think for themselves and they must be protected from the expressions, words, ideas, thoughts of others. 

Is the Government overstepping its role? I am concerned it may not matter to Australians as much as it should. Whatever the message art, literature, speech may deliver, the silencing of it by-way of laws designed to limit free expression is much worse.

Iran to cut off Internet...completely

Iran's theocracy is taking further steps into isolation.

What is this a prelude to?

Something to view with concern...

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57411577-93/iran-expected-to-permanently-cut-off-internet-by-august/

Meanwhile in Iran

...Nasrin Sotoudeh remains in prison sentenced to 11 years (originally) for the equivalent of sedition.

Is David Nicholls of the Atheist Foundation of Australia Inc for real?

Apparently you are only a legitimate and worthy Atheist if you belong to this Atheist club! 

The "Director" of the Atheist Foundation of Australia Inc., David Nicholls, in an email to me dismissed my argument that the AFA might find our case (commented on in other posts here) of interest and worthy for some supportive comment. His response revealed a curious position. It is a position which informed my above statement with regard to legitimacy but it was also put to me in terms that were clearly intended to intellectually dismiss me as a Atheist. 

Indeed, my not belonging to his club in the first place, seemed to irk most. This being the greater wrong is worthy of some examination alone. This by implication suggests that in order to belong to a community of Atheists and expect their support one must first join into a large group, with a defining name, pay some sort of mysterious homage to the directing forces within this larger group, pay some unknown dues to establish ones bonafides to be deserving of support from it, and all whilst adhering to unspoken and mysterious rules as dictated by those with the higher power to do so. 

If this sounds a bit like organised religion then you'd be correct.

The Left have a big problem when it comes to Islam

This includes the Atheist, Humanist, Secular Left…

Maryam Namazie says it best.

Judicial Mediation "is a waste of time and money"

"Snapper" (digital manipulation) 2010

"Judicial mediation is a waste of time and money" I could not agree more. 
(source: http://www.clbemployment.com/blog/2010/04/an-inconvenient-truth-judicial-mediation-is-a-waste-of-time-and-money/)

It is the generally held belief that mediation works really well. So well in fact that it must be used regardless of the apparent ineffectiveness in the face of the facts at hand. It seems only relevant to the lawyers and mediators that mediation happen. Most disputing parties want to get the matter settled properly and at trial where the rulings made are enforceable. Especially the party that can demonstrate truth and provide proof of it. In Mediation, the matters have to be heard in secret, kept secret, the outcomes or discussions are not binding and no one has to follow any recommendation. There are no orders, no findings, though the matter is heard and judged in a manner of speaking by a very important QC (Queen's Counsel) person (someone just shy of becoming or wanting to become I judge?).

It is a "mini trial" which need not happen at all. It is an impediment just getting in the way of the real trial.

International Women's Day - a celebration of equality

Selene - detail

It is hard for me to comprehend I was born into a world where women employed in the public service were, when married, forced to leave their employment, career, in some cases their life's work to tend to their new role as home keeper and bearer of children. It wasn't until 1966 in Australia when this Dickensian form of legislated discrimination against women was removed. 

Somewhat auspiciously by contrast in 1902 Australia became the first country in the world to allow (white) women to vote and to stand for public office. (New Zealand awarded the vote to women in 1893 though not the right to office until much later) In my home state of Victoria women won the right to vote last (1908) in Australia and of all her compatriots was last again to be awarded the right to stand for office (1923).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

Edith Cowan,