Reality vs. Scientology
posted by CS | 12:15 PM 
from the Onion:
Does Scientology help some? Sure, in the same way that becoming a part of any movement or association can. This is alluded to in the episode. Humans are social creatures - made for relationship. We are also largely goal and / or purpose oriented. When our relationships are unfulfilling in important ways, and our lives seem without goals or purpose, it will be made manifest.
It has occurred to me many times that my friends who know me as a follower of Christ - and know that this decision occurred late in my 20s - might think of Christianity this way, as just one of those movements or associations that give people a sense of belonging and purpose - that Christianity is my Scientology.
All large-scale associations of humans have essential elements of truth to them; this has been my experience. But not all asociations are completely embracing of reality (that is, truth). In fact, few are, insofar as my reasonable experience. When making truth claims, and when these claims run counter to one another among associations, one must judge how such claims align with observable and inferable reality. There is only one best answer - not simply for me, but for all. That is, all such associations can be wrong in their interpretation of truth, but only one can be right. Reason tells the Reasonable Nut as much.
That doesn't mean Christianity is right. But it does mean it is "most right", given again, observable and inferable reality. This is a start. For me, whittling down the possible explanations for all of this to two: following Christ or following nothing (hence, me) allowed me to choose Christ.
South Park vs. ScientologySee the (hilarious) controversial episode for yourself. As one who's done some research into Scientology, I aver that all salient assertions made in the episode are reasonable (for whatever miniscule weight that adds to your viewing pleasure).
Following the departure of Isaac Hayes last week, Comedy Central pulled an episode of South Park that lampooned Tom Cruise and Scientology. What do you think?
"Leave the Scientologists alone, already. Don't they have enough to worry about, what with the tyranny of the galactic God Xenu and his evil body thetans?" -- Stephen Grossman, Epidemiologist
"Comedy Central has already insulted Scientology with its glib representations of battling robots." -- Brianna Hodges, Industrial Engineer
"I'm with Isaac Hayes. Shows about testicles, talking feces, and starving Africans are one thing, but discussing Scientology is offensive." -- Jeremy Marshka, Mathematician
Does Scientology help some? Sure, in the same way that becoming a part of any movement or association can. This is alluded to in the episode. Humans are social creatures - made for relationship. We are also largely goal and / or purpose oriented. When our relationships are unfulfilling in important ways, and our lives seem without goals or purpose, it will be made manifest.
It has occurred to me many times that my friends who know me as a follower of Christ - and know that this decision occurred late in my 20s - might think of Christianity this way, as just one of those movements or associations that give people a sense of belonging and purpose - that Christianity is my Scientology.
All large-scale associations of humans have essential elements of truth to them; this has been my experience. But not all asociations are completely embracing of reality (that is, truth). In fact, few are, insofar as my reasonable experience. When making truth claims, and when these claims run counter to one another among associations, one must judge how such claims align with observable and inferable reality. There is only one best answer - not simply for me, but for all. That is, all such associations can be wrong in their interpretation of truth, but only one can be right. Reason tells the Reasonable Nut as much.
That doesn't mean Christianity is right. But it does mean it is "most right", given again, observable and inferable reality. This is a start. For me, whittling down the possible explanations for all of this to two: following Christ or following nothing (hence, me) allowed me to choose Christ.
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