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[Soadreqm]

A mystery cult just means that no one tells you anything until you join and prove your worth and so on and so forth. Keeping secrets from the unworthy. I think Wicca is like that, and I'd say there's a pretty good case for Scientology too.

[lordcooper]

I think Wicca is like that

It isn't.

[ChairmanPoo]

yeah, on those grounds it might qualify.

Then again, scientologists don't exactly try to keep a low profile, or to be selective as to whom they recruit. They are militant proselytizers. They accept anyone willing to cough up their fees.

[Sinned]

I think Wicca is like that

It isn't.

Because karma is b!tch (and that's only one reason) But indeed, such actions would be frowned upon.

Scientology on the other hand... but then again, most cults, sects & religions have no trouble doing so.

The most interesting stuff happens the moment people start interpreting (holy) books and then making money off it (and/or power, which equals back to more money I guess). Key moment to look for.... when they are done interpreting and start pointing out things that allow breaking their own rules. Then stuff usually gets exciting...

They seem pretty aggressive about "leaks" though... in their case it directly costs them money if people aren't paying for their books. I'm guessing these guys are big fans of the RIAA/MPAA 

[ChairmanPoo]

The most interesting stuff happens the moment people start interpreting (holy) books and then making money off it (and/or power, which equals back to more money I guess). Key moment to look for.... when they are done interpreting and start pointing out things that allow breaking their own rules. Then stuff usually gets exciting...

Spoiler: You say that as if people who stick STRICTLY to the holy book's rules are actually better (click to show/hide)

[fqllve]

Bah, there's no such thing as a strict interpretation of a book. It's more like they strictly pick and choose their favorite passages and strictly use their own views on the matter.

[ChairmanPoo]

Yes. Everyone does that. But I find the notion of "X has deviated from the true roots of religion Y!" (or viceversa: "X has returned religion Y to it's true roots") amusing, as what happens  is that X is pulling his own, brand new interpretation of the religion.

And, as I said, sticking more strictly to the written text is not usually a good thing.

[Sinned]

The most interesting stuff happens the moment people start interpreting (holy) books and then making money off it (and/or power, which equals back to more money I guess). Key moment to look for.... when they are done interpreting and start pointing out things that allow breaking their own rules. Then stuff usually gets exciting...

Spoiler: You say that as if people who stick STRICTLY to the holy book's rules are actually better (click to show/hide)

Oh my, didn't make myself clear I guess... I wasn't trying to convey that message.

As in, that's a good pic of people reading a book (or being read to them) - that's been reinterpreted for the past ~2000year and edited for the masses.  They actually had a few meetings around ~300 AD to discuss the lose ends and edit in/out a few things.  (Councils of Nicaea)

To each their own of course, but in short, mostly (holy) books tend to rack up a impressive resumé over the years. YMMV and take em with a grain of salt

[Nikov]

I don't think you understand what the Council of Nicaea was. Also Sarah Palin, a scientologist? I can't take a word in the OP seriously now.

[fqllve]

Also Sarah Palin, a scientologist? I can't take a word in the OP seriously now.

Hahahaha! I didn't catch that part.

Just because Palin is batshit and a celebrity doesn't mean she's a scientologist.

[fqllve]

She has been, and still continues to be, deeply involved with the ultra-right-wing "Dominionist" church movement. READ THIS:

http://markcrispinmiller.blogspot.com/2008/09/sarah-palin-and-cnp.html

The main nexus for the Dominionists is the "Committee on National Policy", which strangely includes non-Christian organizations such as, yes, The Church of Scientology.

Wasn't that movement founded by the Left Behind guy? Is he a Scientologist too?

The leading "Dominionist" church is MorningStar ministries, which despite being a Christian church, leans heavily on "supernatural" themes and blatantly uses the Scientology Cross in their logo:

http://www.morningstarministries.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology_cross

It's a six pointed star turned into a cross. It doesn't seem far-fetched that two places would come up with the thing. I'd be more concerned that they're either A) worshipping Venus or B) worshipping Lucifer.

Scientology has a secular component and a religious component, and though Palin may or may not be telling the truth when she says it's not her religion, she IS a de-facto Scientologist on a secular level and a business level, whether she strictly follows the religious part of it or not.

She's also a theocrat, which is a hell of a lot more scary.

P.S. Fuck you Nikov.

That's completely unnecessary and you should probably edit it out.

[Criptfeind]

I'd be more concerned that they're worshipping Venus

Venus is cool, she has lots of sex and ain't afraid of no one.

[The Transcendent Tyrant]

That's completely unnecessary and you should probably edit it out.

Probably, but I think I'm saying what we're all thinking.

Also, here's an article by Cracked on it (the Palins are #1), and if you can't trust Cracked - who can you trust?

[Sinned]

I don't think you understand what the Council of Nicaea was.

Well and I think you don't understand what the Council of Nicaea was.

*shrugs* Why do you think so? or maybe we can agree to disagree. Moving way far off topic also hehe.

[Criptfeind]

Probably, but I think I'm saying what we're all thinking.

Hey. I like him. You need to learn to chill and appreciate people for their differences, even if the difference is they are republican.

if you can't trust Cracked - who can you trust?

Any one else.