One to watch
Remember to watch Panorama tonight at 8.30 on Scientology. Well publicised and creepy. Maybe we could have a blog debate on What Makes a Cult soon too?
Labels: BBC, Panorama, religion, Scientology, TV
posted by Helsalata @ 12:31 pm
4 comments
4 Comments:
You might have a bit of problem here Helen because for some Christians looking at cults is a bit like looking into a mirror. The image in that mirror may be an ugly distortion and parody of Christianity, sometimes less so, and sometimes the Christians looking into that mirror are themselves a distorted caricature. The fact is that cults make some Christains uncomfortable because they themselves are not free of cult thinking. They are unable to cut the concept of Christianity adrift from “membership”. Yes it’s true that Christains have ‘membership’ in the eternal sense (the church invisible), and in the sense of having ephemeral church affiliations, but not in the very earthly sense that the cult makes membership a vehicle of salvation. Many Christains still don’t understand this and the whole subject makes them want to runaway and hide. So, unfortunately, it doesn’t look like you’re going to get much of a response. Very much hope I’m wrong, though.
I think in this age of tolerance, we need to ease up on the word cult and let the foolish actions of groups like Scientology condemn themselves. There's a fine line and I'm not too keen to explore that line and point the finger at one group but not another equally reprehensible one.
Yes, the word “Cult” is loaded with negative associations. However, if we can just possibly get past the gut reactions for one tiny moment, whatever term of designation we use (whether good or bad), the question remains: Do we have an identifiable and generic phenomenon here? I believe we do.
Giving ‘cult’ organizations the rope to hang themselves might work for you but for others that “rope” turns out to be the threads of a spiders web – after all ‘cult’ organisations, unless I am very much mistaken, seem to be populated with what appears to me to be fairly bog standard models of humanity. Also, think back to some of the repugnant religious practice of the past that has enveloped whole societies.
I went on a tour of their church near St. Paul's and honestly left feeling pressured and depressed.
They are very welcoming and then they get you to take a series of tests - these then point out all you flaws and so they get you to pay for a life coaching course and if you are adequate after that course and have transformed enough you can become a scientologist.
I was very wary of them before and my opinion hasn't changed much.
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