The Internet vs Scientology - Forum Meetup. Edinburgh. Sunday 10th February

[LesMTS]

Originally Posted by Bunnylingus

Why the hate for scientologists?

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

www.whyaretheydead.net

[Potatojunkie]

Originally Posted by Tacky

See, its not exactly going to be fun

Tenner bet?

[endless psych]

Originally Posted by Bunnylingus

Why the hate for scientologists?

From the letters page of the BPS psychologist magazine

Beware of false prophets

I AM sure we are all delighted that Craig Newnes has received a human rights award from the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) for his opposition to psychiatric medication and the over-labelling of children (News, July 2005). Readers should know that the CCHR is a front organisation of the Church of Scientology and has its own therapies and philosophies to promote. The Wikipedia entry on Scientology is perhaps better balanced than many other views of this controversial belief system (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology), and provides links to their own view of the scandals that have accompanied their history, as well as those of critics and sceptics of the movement.
Attempting to accurately and fairly summarise their model of mental aberration could be said to bias argument against them – at least for more Earth-based and unimaginative thinkers – as the theory involves a galactic tyrant (Xenu) who stacked hundreds of billions of frozen souls (thetans) around Earth’s volcanoes 75 million years ago before blowing them up with hydrogen bombs and brainwashing the survivors with virtual reality films for 36 days. The traumatised thetans subsequently entered human bodies where they manifest residual PTSD from the cataclysm, which we now observe as psychopathology. Removal of thetans requires specialist techniques known only to specialist Scientologist counsellors.
Given the foregoing, it seems at least possible that their leader, L.R. Hubbard, was a better pulp science-fiction writer than he was messiah, scientist, or psychotherapist. We are right to be cautious about the over-prescribing of medication for psychological and behavioural problems, and the gratuitous over-diagnosis of arbitrary (rather than empirically observed and replicable) conditions. We should also be cautious that any humane and legitimate critique of psychiatric (and occasionally psychological) hegemony is not hijacked by more irrational political, religious and social movements (let alone proselytising celebrities) discrediting what would otherwise be a legitimate argument.
Vincent Egan
Glasgow Caledonian University

[Tacky]

Oh yeh, Xphoria looked into them and i think he was in the London centre at one point, need to see if he's up for this actually.

I mean, i know it may seem a silly notion, but will it be something safe in which to get involved? And no, i dont think it will be that much fun Stewart. If enough folk turn up, like more than enough for them to stalk and play 'fair game' with, then i suppose it would be ok.

Very wary of this though....

[LesMTS]

Originally Posted by endless psych

From the letters page of the BPS psychologist magazine

They fucking loathe psychologists and psychiatrists.
"Scientology is the authority on the mind."

[endless psych]

Originally Posted by LesMTS

They fucking loathe psychologists and psychiatrists.
"Scientology is the authority on the mind."

We're all evvvvvviiiiiil thetans apparently. Although I think they mistake psychologists for psychiatrists for the most part.

http://psychassualt.org/

http://www.mentalhealthmattersnow.com/

[Tacky]

I wonder if Hubbard wrote the book before or after he was de-thetan'ed?

[katinacooker]

this is a weird one. i want to go, but i prolly wont. and i know i'll regret it. even if it is just a chance to see les in a mask..

[Girshkin]

Originally Posted by Bunnylingus

This is really thick, but what started all this? Why the hate for scientologists? Ive read the wiki article and Im still a bit lost.

Personally I despised them because they believe the being gay, lesbian or bisexual is a sexual perversion to be 'cured' and their belief that psychiatry is a quack science and discouraging people from seeking appropriate psychiatric treatment (Lisa McPherson being the horrific example that Les gave)

What are the chances of trouble at this event? They're likely to have requested regular patrols from L & B police so I'm expecting we might get asked to leave, but don't really imagine anything too serious.

[LesMTS]

Originally Posted by Girshkin

Personally I despised them because they believe the being gay, lesbian or bisexual is a sexual perversion to be 'cured' and their belief that psychiatry is a quack science and discouraging people from seeking appropriate psychiatric treatment (Lisa McPherson being the horrific example that Les gave)

What are the chances of trouble at this event? They're likely to have requested regular patrols from L & B police so I'm expecting we might get asked to leave, but don't really imagine anything too serious.

It's strictly peaceful. The Scientologists might act like a bunch of freaky weirdos to the protesters (which will be a laugh), apparently in other cities they've got in protesters' faces and asked "what are your crimes?" over and over, but the chances of actual trouble are next to none.
The police won't ask anyone to leave if they're not causing any trouble.

[Tacky]

Originally Posted by LesMTS

"what are your crimes?" over and over, but the chances of actual trouble are next to none.

All you do then Les is say 'This' and piss on their feet!

[LesMTS]

Originally Posted by Tacky

All you do then Les is say 'This' and piss on their feet!

The recommended response if faced with the "what are your crimes?" tactic is: "in a previous life I was L Ron Hubbard I made up a load of BULLSHIT, and conned people into bankrupting themselves to pay for it"

[Posh]

I'll respond to that question with a pic of Addy's head on a foetus.

[endless psych]

Originally Posted by LesMTS

The recommended response if faced with the "what are your crimes?" tactic is: "in a previous life I was L Ron Hubbard I made up a load of BULLSHIT, and conned people into bankrupting themselves to pay for it"

I may produce a leaflet detailing my crimes and dispense it if prompted.

That or claim to have shot a man in Reno just to see him die.

[kimzor]

Insurgent Radio

Cannot wait.