A friend of mine found this and posted it on a message board. I thought I would post it here for you all to see and comment on.
Cruise 'is Christ' of Scientology
By EMILY SMITH
US Editor
January 23, 2007
TOM Cruise is the new “Christ” of Scientology, according to leaders of the cult-like religion.
The Mission: Impossible star has been told he has been “chosen” to spread the word of his faith throughout the world.
And leader David Miscavige believes that in future, Cruise, 44, will be worshipped like Jesus for his work to raise awareness of the religion.
A source close to the actor, who has risen to one of the church’s top levels, said: “Tom has been told he is Scientology’s Christ-like figure.
“Like Christ, he’s been criticised for his views. But future generations will realise he was right.”
Cruise joined the Church of Scientology in the ’80s. Leader L Ron Hubbard claimed humans bear traces of an ancient alien civilisation.
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A different friend of mine, in reply to the above posting, found this information and posted it on the message board for us to be able to see what the belief's are and such.
What Scientologists Believe
Central tenets of this faith
Belief in Deity
Scientology considers the belief in a God or gods as something personal and therefore offers no specific dogma. The nature of the Supreme Being is revealed personally through each individual as s/he becomes more conscious and spiritually aware. There exists a life energy or force (Theta) beyond and within all.
Incarnations
There are no particular human incarnations of God, as the universal life force (Theta) is inherent in all. All humans are immortal spiritual beings (thetans) capable of realizing a nearly godlike state through Scientology practices.
Origin of Universe and Life
All is manifestation of the universal spirit, which is all that actually exists.
After Death
Rebirths continue until one consciously confronts all pre-birth, current-life, and previous-life traumas and realizes one's true nature as a "thetan," immortal spirit--transcending matter, energy, space, and time. Achieving this state enables the spirit to escape the cycle of birth and death--to operate independently of the physical universe and become one with God.
Why Evil?
Painful experiences and harmful acts in one's prebirth, current, and past lives become imprinted in the reactive mind and lead to irrational behavior. Departures from rational thought and untrue ideas ("aberrations") can result in wrongdoing.
Salvation
Salvation is achieved through the practices and techniques of Scientology, the ultimate goal of which is to realize one's true nature as an immortal spirit, a thetan. The path to salvation, or enlightenment, includes achieving states of increasingly greater mental awareness--Pre-Clear, Clear, and ultimately Operating Thetan. An Operating Thetan is a spirit who can control matter, energy, space, time, thought, and life. Practitioners ("Auditors") are regarded as ministers and counselors who assist others to achieve self-enlightenment. Auditors help others to identify their prebirth, current, and past-life disturbances, which are obstacles to happiness and spiritual enlightenment.
Undeserved Suffering
Suffering occurs as part of the spirit's entrapment here in the physical universe. Only when the individual is aware of his spiritual nature can he identify his barriers within the universe and overcome them, rising out of a lower state and into a higher state of happiness and freedom.
Contemporary Issues
Based on the belief that you cannot free yourself spiritually without working to free others, Scientology has founded and supports many organizations for social betterment, particularly in the areas of drug abuse, crime, psychiatric abuse, government abuse of law, human rights, religious freedom, education, and morality. Scientology strongly favors the use of their methodology for spiritual/mental healing over the use of conventional treatment.
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Of course, many of you know what message board I'm referring to (www.davidphelps.com). We have some very interesting discussions about EVERYTHING. I have really enjoyed some of the comments on what this particular issue has brought about. Here are a few of them....
"What an odd article! Is that how Tom feels about himself? If so, I wonder if he'd be willing to hang on a cross? I mean, really now, is he willing to die so that his worshipers will be cleansed of their sins? If not, then they need to find another name to call who they worship because the Christ I know and love died for my sins. "----Lynne
"My husband reads about Scientology a lot, and basically what he has told me, the only reason that Mr. Cruise is a big deal in this so called "religion" is by spending money. You have to spend a lot of money to take the classes to become higher in this religeon. Obviously Mr. Cruise is crazy enough to spend money on this absurd crap. Scientology is the dumbest thing I have ever heard of. There is really no point. It is a huge huge source of frustration for me."----Christina
"I think I just might hurl"----Bethany
There are alot more comments, but I wanted to just touch on a few of my favorites. ;)
What are your comments?
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Scientology
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6 comments:
I have had an interest in Scientology ever since doing a project on cults in college. Scientology is the quinessential cult.
L. Ron Hubbard was a B-rate science fiction author. The Scientology worldview is a depiction of such. However, Hubbard had a genius for pschological manipulation. The Church of Scientology is brilliant at indoctrination. People are attracted to Scientology not because of their outward beliefs, but rather for more basic needs- friendship, fellowship, and acceptance. One involved the indoctrination process is masterful. Very quickly, the new convert is alienated from anything that might possibly challenge them to think poorly of the Church.
Fortunately, living a rural area as we do, we do not have much personal contact with this cult.
Oh-I almost forgot.
Mark Gampp and I did have a personal run-in with Scientology. This happened about 5-6 years ago.
Scientologist have branched out in a number of differing ventures. One such venture is business consulting seminars. These seminars provide opportunities to develop new converts.
Mark and I, unknowingly, attended a seminar (in Cincinnati) for auto-repair shop owners. Everything seemed typical until the main speaker referenced Hubbard for some point he was making. This hit me like a brick. During the next break, I explained to Mark the connection between Hubbard and Scientology. We both agreed that something was up. Toward the end of the seminar, we had a sit-down meeting with a personal consultant. I asked him point-blank if this firm was associated with the Church of Scientology. He was visible shocked by the question. He first wanted to know why I had made such an odd association. I explained that no one quotes Hubbard except Scientologists. He begrudgingly admitted a connection. Needless to say--they were no longer interested in Mark's business, nor he theirs.
I have long thought of the Church of Scientology as a pchychological mafia. I wish I would have made some type of public announcement by way of warning to the others present. That for me will always be one of those days I wish I could live again.
I didn't know that David Phelps is a scientologist. I guess I'm not such a big fan anymore.
Well, Scott, I didn't know you were a fan in the first place considering how you're always putting him down.
Obviously, a man who is constantly living, talking and singing about Jesus, isn't a Scientologist.
Currently, on his website (along with a dozen other subjects) we are talking about the 80's as well as what we watched on tv when we were growing up. It's fun and very addicting to be a member of that website. It's a great way to touch the world for Christ. There are people on there from all over the world that I get to influence everyday.
By the way, anyone who is interested, God has encouraged me to start a daily bible study on the website along with a friend of mine named Tiffany. I do Monday through Friday and she does the weekends. It's truly amazing to think about how big of a deal this really is. I'm studying the bible with people all over the world! So exciting to me and very rewarding!!
Come and join us, everyone, if you want.
Jennifer
Jen, I was just joking about David being a scientologist. I really love the things he speaks to people across this country and throughout the world.
Thanks for making things clear, Scott. I've really been confused lately about whether or not you liked him. I kinda' hoped you were just trying to irritate me by saying a bunch of junk. You can be pretty convincing you know! Hahaha! I'm glad you don't have any real issues with the guy.
I really don't mean to be so much of a David Phelps person. I really wish people saw me as a Jesus Christ person. I just find so much Jesus through David's music and such ....and definately in his tons of fans....that it's hard for me to not talk about him, his website and all of my "phamily" all over the world that I spend so much time with everyday. These people are amazing! I really can't imagine going through a day without talking to all of them. It has nothing to do with David, and it has everything to do with God bringing His children together from all walks of life and different denominations, etc. This is what makes the bible study so incredible. People I've never talked to before are sending me private messages on there telling me that they may not always comment on the bible studies, but they read them everyday and it's making a difference. God is using me and using me in a powerful way! I just have to talk about it! :) ;)
Sorry, I've talked and talked and talked about it all again. Oh well. Hahahaha!
Jennifer
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