Home - News - What's New - Quick Map - Site Map - Search - Contact

The 2 Most Common Questions

Onlookers reading critical web sites sometimes wonder why, if Scientology is really what is depicted by these sites, nothing is done about it and why people keep believing in it. I make the proposition that the answer to these two apparently un-resolvable questions is very simple - the premise on which they are based is simply false.

The two most common questions people have reading about Scientology from critical web sites are:

1. "how can people fall for such crap?" and

2. "how can Scientology get away with all of this stuff?"

The simple answer is that

• The "crap" (mostly referring to Scientology belief system) is for the most part the distorted presentation of Scientology made by critics, and not what Scientologists actually believe.

• This "stuff" (mostly referring to Scientology actions from a legal perspective) is often hardly more than critics' spin, with no leg to stand on under more serious legal or academic examinations.

This does NOT mean that valid criticism of Scientology is not possible, or that unethical actions of the group should not be opposed.

It only means that critics bring their case so far that the distance between their presentation and reality creates a "cognitive dissonance" among outside observers:

• The simple fact that hundreds of thousands or maybe even millions, among which certain notorious celebrities, abide by the tenets of Scientology and keep abiding by them despite strong opposition, creates a cognitive dissonance for those who think that Scientology is what critics depict it to be.

• Likewise, the fact that Scientology can continue to operate, and has even won several key court cases, creates a cognitive dissonance for those who uncritically buy into critics' endless stream of accusations against the movement.

One can resolve this cognitive dissonance either by trying to cut through the smoke-screen put forth by both sides and look at what really happens, or by uncritically buying into even more far-fetched rationalizations to explain away this dissonance.

• The fact that anyone would believe or continue to believe in this "crap" is explained away by theories of "mind-control". This theory basically amounts to little else than superstitious beliefs akin to that of Middle-Age superstitions about demonic possession. Anti-cultists, however, continue to believe in it even though it has been debunked back in the 1980's.

• The fact that Scientology can get away with this "stuff" and continue to exist is explained away by conspiracy theories of corruptions of the justice system - conspiracy theories that make critics who promote them look pretty much like your average kook.

In such a fundamental and controversial issue as that of cults and Scientology, it is very important that one looks beyond the spin of both sides and into what actually happens. This is what this web site invites you to do.

Bernie
Bernie@bernie.cncfamily.com

Random Quote :

Disclaimer :

Quick Map :