Will Smith and the Curse of Scientology

You really need to select your homies with care, even if you're Hollywood royalty like Will Smith. In Compton, there are bad guys on the streets, looking to draw a young innocent into their world of gangs and drugs. In Hollywood, they dress better and hang out in hot spots rather than street corners.

There's little difference in motive. There are people who want what you've got, and if given a chance, they'll take it. Right down to your life, your sanity, your career, and your last nickel.

I always thought Will Smith was smarter than this. His rap was funny and witty. His tv show, Fresh Prince of Bel Air was pretty hip, and I always at least stuck around long enough to hear the intro music.

He's been in quite a few excellent, popular films. And he hangs out with Tom Cruise.

Apparently, he's been listening to Tom Cruise as well. He's donated money $20,000 to a Scientology front group called HELP, the Hollywood Education and Literacy Project.

You can't hang out with clams and not get up with space cooties, however. The taint of Scientology has oozed out to create a bit of controversy in Smith's life. His recent asinine comments about Hitler, and the root assertion that "all men are basically good," is straight out of Scientology's public relations propaganda. And don't forget, "The bible is no different from Scientology."

It won't be long before the media start assembling this stuff and linking his name with that of Scientology. People who start listening to this crap are bound to throw out a few idiotic sound bites sooner or later. He's been hanging with Cruise long enough for some of TC's insanity to rub off.

We have now seen Stupid Scientology Related Comment Numbers One and two. Neither statement received a whole lot of positive response. If he doesn't inform himself about the true nature of Scientology, it's going to be one of a long string of mindless inanities regurgitated from the pages of L. Ron Hubbard.

We know how much Hollywood and the press loves the cult. The Curse of Scientology has touched Smith's career and not for the better. Blogs are jangling as commenters express their disappointment in Will's lack of discernment. Nearly everyone is surprised. They thought Will was smarter than this. It's a long slide down a muddy hill to get to where Tom Cruise is, his stellar popularity at an all time low.

According to Smith, Hitler was basically an okay guy who was just a bit confused over what "good" is. Because people are basically good. Which is one of the sound bites representatives usually toss out when explaining what Scientology believes.

Taken to the absurd limit, if Will Smith continues down this benighted path to a Bridge to Nowhere, his popularity will plummet like that of Tom Cruise. He will share his newfound "knowledge" with the public as he gets in deeper and deeper, and the public won't like it. There are, after all, a host of other nonthreatening young African American actors who can fill Will's shoes if he gets too mired down in the clam bed to produce.

Tom Cruise has managed to alienate (heh) many powerful Hollywood players such as Sumner Redstone and Stephen Spielberg. He and his "applied religious philosophy" are going to drag others down in his vortex. It looks like Will Smith might be the next victim of Scientology's stank, and that's too bad.

I don't even want to watch Tom Cruise. I cannot forget that he's a blithering idiot, mindlessly jabbering Hubbard's "wisdom."

I like John Travolta, but now I can't see him without thinking of his poor autistic kid Jett, who can't even talk and is receiving no help for his condition.

People won't forget Jenna Elfman's ignorant comment about AIDS. Nor will they forget Tom Cruise's insufferably arrogant comments about PPD, a condition he will never experience nor understand.

Will Smith turn into another deluded actor known for blibbering out Scientology beliefs at inopportune times?

Will he wind up hopelessly entwined with Tom Cruise in a pathetic relationship linked with Scientology?

Or will he show us that he really is the bright bulb in the box and reject Scientology's enticement, and tell Cruise to take a long walk off a short Bridge?

Time will tell. It appears that Will wasn't very happy with the fallout from his Hitler statement. It probably shocked and surprised him. Well, guess what, Will. You'd better get used to negative publicity if you're going to kick it on L. Ron Hubbard Way.

•  Why do you give a shit?

  by brooklynbadboy on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 01:50:26 PM PDT

  •  Because Scieno is not a religion

    
    ...it's a business, and a real scam of one, at that.  Every prominent Hollyweird celebrity who proclaims and extols the "benefits" and "healing effects" of the whole silly scam helps the Scienos hook in more of the gullible and unsuspecting.

    I often wonder if Tom Cruise, by now (he must be through with his "auditing") really knows the "ultimate truth" that Scienotology (deliberately misspelled) is based on?  The "final revelation" that will be revealed when you've paid at least $100,000 for years of "auditing" and are considered "cleared" of your "thetans" (space cooties)?

    The final revelation about Lord Xenu and his hydrogen bomb explosions in the volcanoes of Teekeegeac (Earth) which caused many millions of space beings from other galaxies to be incinerated and reduced to the "dust motes" that one sees floating in the air in a shaft of sunlight.  The now reduced disembodied entities are allegedly "angry" at their plight, and so they want to glom onto each of us humans to live our lives through us as the many cacophonous voices we allegedly hear in our heads that cause us so many destructive impulses and difficulties in our lives.   Scientology proclaims to be able to "audit" these voices within us, and then to "clear us" of these space cooties.

    I am not kidding about this.   If this reads like some half-baked,  grade B sci fi novel, well, it iz.  Totally fabricated out of the delusional, drugged out and besotted mind of the El Ron Hubbard.  Then he had the gall to start charging people to sign on for this snake-oil crap.

    Every "celebrity" who touts this insanity as some kind of healing, helpful, rock-solid "religious doctrine" is guilty, imo, of complicity in The Scam.

    This is why those who are anti-cultists so bravely give a sh*t about this latest disappointing (at the very least) development out of Hollyweird re the Scienos.

    by sockpuppet on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 02:15:13 PM PDT

    •  How is that more "fantastic" than say...

      Christianity?

      To an impartial observer, who had never heard of either one, would probably laugh at both equally.

      by Niniane on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 02:17:42 PM PDT

      •  You gotta find out the difference

        It's true that some forms of Christianity are practiced in a cult-like manner and environment.  But the basic teachings of Christianity are love and generosity and caring for others.

        The El Ron has made up this whole whack-job story, and is now charging people to work their way up to knowing the final culmination of his delusion.  (At least the .org is, L Ron is dead.)

        Just as we need to keep an wary eye on all forms of fascism as it appears and arises, ignoring the growing menace of Scieontology may mean that at some point we will realize too late we should've listened to the Germans loudly proclaimed caution about this.  The Germans appear to be still vigilant against fascist groups in their country.

        by sockpuppet on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 02:34:55 PM PDT

        •  Scientology

          will never be more than a little cult for a few shallow non-thinkers. They will never take over the world... not even a little piece of it.

          I wish people would stop wasting time decrying Scientology and worry about much bigger problems, like Christian Dominionism...

          by Niniane on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 02:39:16 PM PDT

          •  That is only your opinion

            
            and not a very informed one, at that, I speculate.   Most people think Scientology is a little backwater nutty cult.  That's why it's so able to just slither around in the background, steadily gaining power, even within the Beltway.   Perhaps if you made some effort to research the facts about the history if this cult, and see where it is today, you might revise your dismissive opinion a bit.  

            Scientology and its methods and its goals are similar to Christian Dominionism.    In my view, both are very important to keep in  watchful forefront.

            I could give you many informative links, but it's all easily found via Google.   Just try "Lord Xenu" and see all the anti-cult sites that come up.   There is a very vigilant cadre attempting to stymie this cult at every turn.   Good for them.  We need 'em.

            by sockpuppet on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 02:47:37 PM PDT

            •  I'm not terribly anonymous on this site

              so I don't think I'll say much, except to say that everything you've said here is absolutely correct, and I wish people wouldn't be so flippantly dismissive about it. I guess they just ... they don't know, don't care, can't relate, have no experience with cults. I sincerely, sincerely hope no kossack ever hears of a family member or friend getting caught up in the isolating, brainwashing clutches of this so-called church.  If there was ever a virtually invisible, profoundly fascistic, insidious threat to humankind, this is it. I know that sounds absurd, but it's true.

              On the other hand, I suppose it's understandable that people wouldn't want to hear about yet another highly organized, bottomlessly wealthy, pseudo-religious evil running loose in the world. It's been years since I made a study of it. It's so god awful--so much the stuff of nightmares (and you're so completely helpless to do anything about it), now that the personal, family issue that brought the whole thing to my attention in the first place is over--honestly, I try never to think about it. I warn people when and where I can. Good posts, sock.

              by aitchdee on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 03:40:38 PM PDT

              •  You said it all, my friend.

                
                Most of those who are anti-Scieno, anti-cultists are those who either were duped by the cult (and likely barely escaped, and certainly not without significant emotional, mental and economic consequences) or their loved ones who cared.   I happen to be one who was involved in some of their SLAPP suits in the 90's, as a legal eagle, so I got to see some pretty harrowing inner-sanctum memoranda, smuggled out by the fleeing recovered cultists.  I know enough to steer very clear of this bunch.

                But when an opportunity comes up to speak out, I do.  As you have done.  Thank you for telling it like it is.

                by sockpuppet on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 04:29:25 PM PDT

            •  I used to work in downtown

              Clearwater Florida.
              I'm familiar with the Hubbardites, thanks.
              I've read the book.
              I've known some of their "victims".

              Like any "philosophy", there is some good in the message, and some value to the methods.
              And... much bullshit.

              I like the reliance on the self, and the sense of personal responsibility inherent in the methods, which is so very absent from the western religions.
              And I hate the dogma. And the silliness. And the "cult" nature of it all.

              But being a witch and all. I'm just a little cynical about groups which preach against the "little" religions... according to them, I worship the devil and such.

              by Niniane on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 06:02:08 PM PDT

          •  come on that Xenu stuff?

            Go to Operation Clambake and it will tell all...

            by MadAsHellMaddie on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 02:55:28 PM PDT

          •  Here's a clue why

            In Albuquerque, NM, tax dollars are being wasted on a Scientology detox program. This program's educational doctrine was allowed into public schools in California.

            Happily, California's educational system rejected it after serious scrutiny. This garbage was being taught to public school kids before a board reviewed it.

            Yet, Utah is wasting public money on it.

            Now you tell me, is it a Good Thing to let Scientologists have access to your kids? I am not wasting my time trying to enlighten people about this destructive cult.

            The fact that you think I should be doing something else suggests you don't know enough about Scientology to be criticizing me for bringing it up.

            They are out there in many communities, trying to deny people mental health care, teaching your kids bullshit from a drug addled science fiction writer, and you think I should do something better with my time?

            http://www.xenu.net

            Look at that and come back and talk to me.

            by xenubarb on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 05:02:22 PM PDT

    •  Further, what makes this relevant to politics

      is that the extremist religious right has been known to fraternize with the El Rons in the RR's private inner-chamber lair in Washington.  Evidently, they mistakenly believe that they can use the Scienos' vast .org to help further their own proselytizing.  They missed the fine print where Scientology states that one of it's goals is to "eradicate the name of Jesus Christ from the face of the earth".  

      Scientology is a creeping menace, which Germany certainly recognizes, which is why the German government is persistently passing laws against Scientology within its borders.  

      What we don't know or pay attention to about this cult can and will cause us harm.  

       And frankly, just about everyone who has said this out loud has come to some harm, personally, because the cult has a "police force" division, called "The Sea Org", whose only function is to keep the faithful from leaving (with their $$$'s), to squelch any and all opposition or criticism of the cult, and to make sure the faithful don't read an "entheta" (which is usually found on the anti-cultist websites revealing the TRUTH about the Scieno scam, especially about Lord Xenu and his minions.)

      I wonder if Tom Cruise and Kirsty Ally and Travolta even know about what else goes on outside the glitzy "speshul" Scieno complex built just for them to attend.  I wonder.
      

      by sockpuppet on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 02:25:56 PM PDT

      •  thanks

        If you think Scientology is irrelevant to politics, simply google 'Scientology, National Foundation of Women Legislators.'

        It is so not irrelevant!
        Thanks, sockpuppet. You got it down.

        by xenubarb on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 05:05:11 PM PDT

    •  Riiight... And Christianity is no different...

      Scieno is not a religion ...it's a business, and a real scam of one, at that.

      The church is only the biggest and most expensive building on my block because God wants it that way.

      by JeremyA on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 02:28:07 PM PDT

      •  hey nobody forces me to give my money at

        my church.  If I can afford to and feel like it I throw in a dollar bill or two in the basket.  Scientology tricks you into getting cleared at different levels and it costs ya.

        It didn't cost me a dime to get "cleared" at Confession last week.  

        by MadAsHellMaddie on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 02:58:31 PM PDT

    •  Er, ain't every religion a bizness, charging

      people to sign onto snake-oil crap? I'm not saying it's wrong (out loud) for peeps to buy in unawares, just, ah, can't we just call it what it is?
      Bleated as a happy, thoroughly satisfied, customer of the officially recognized, tax-exempt, Church of Reality.  

      by bottsimons on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 03:02:26 PM PDT

  •   He's A Role Model. Also It's Too Late. He's...

    a Scientologist already, I'm sure. You're either In or you're Out. There's no half-way. He's just trying not to break the news all at once due to controversy.

    He's a role model worldwide, especially for young people, and is basically one of only 2 Af-Am leading men who command 20-25mil per picture and blockbuster international appeal.

    This may not seem all that important now, but the 'Church's' belief system is very dangerous.
    Imagine if Will Smith had made the PPD argument instead of Cruise. Smith is far more charismatic. That kind of impact adds up.

    We're talking about an organization that actually BROKE INTO THE IRS, and pretty much GOT AWAY with it.

    by DoctorWho on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 02:19:40 PM PDT

    •  I think there are 3

      Unless either Snipes or Washington doesn't make the cut.  Your point is valid, though.  And Will Smith is very charismatic.

      by Capn Guts on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 03:23:39 PM PDT

      •  And then I forget Freeman

        Morgan Freeman might not be in the 20 million range, but then again he might be.

        There aren't that many actors of these gentleman's quality in any color.  (My personal opinion of most versatile actor ever is Johnny Depp.)

        by Capn Guts on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 03:30:27 PM PDT

•  Who Cares?

  by terryhutchinson on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 01:52:33 PM PDT

•  Ahem

  According to Smith, Hitler was basically an okay guy who was just a bit confused over what "good" is.

  Please post the exact quote.

  by Right Wing Zombie on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 01:53:50 PM PDT

  •  The quote itself is pointless

    since it was taken out of context by tabloid journalists. The ADL has since supported Will Smith is this ridiculous smear that xeunbarb is bent on perpetuating.

    by dannyinla on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 01:58:59 PM PDT

    •  The lamest defense

      Is "it was taken out of context."

      It wasn't. Will wishes it had been, but he said it, and his meaning was quite, pardon the expression, Clear.

      by xenubarb on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 05:12:14 PM PDT

      •  Not at all a lame defense

        Context is everything. It's foolish to say otherwise.

        by dannyinla on Fri Dec 28, 2007 at 08:42:32 AM PDT

  •  here

    News services

    The Anti-Defamation League said Wednesday that it accepts Will Smith 's explanation that he never praised Adolf Hitler in remarks the star says were misinterpreted. A Scottish newspaper recently quoted Mr. Smith as saying: "Even Hitler didn't wake up going, 'let me do the most evil thing I can do today.' I think he woke up in the morning and using a twisted, backwards logic, he set out to do what he thought was 'good.' " The quote was preceded by the writer's observation: "Remarkably, Will believes everyone is basically good." After Web sites posted articles alleging that Mr. Smith believed Hitler was a good person, the actor issued a statement Monday saying that was an "awful and disgusting lie" and calling Hitler "a vile, heinous vicious killer."

    by Mike S on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 02:02:56 PM PDT

    •  yeah, that's humanism

      I thought it was wonderful when Ann Frank said it.

      by Stroszek on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 03:13:30 PM PDT

•  Got to hope not

  but plenty of other smart folks have gone down that path.

  BTW, a couple of weeks ago I drove by the house where L. Ron wrote most of his pre-Dianetics stuff, in Bremerton, WA. There are still a few older folks there who remember him.

  by IsraelHand on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 01:54:03 PM PDT

•  I've heard (but can't confirm)

  that early in his career Will Smith played a gay man in a play, and insisted that the single kiss between himself and another man be written out of the play because it icked him out.

  Having heard this, I no longer see his movies.

  But yeah, Scientology is an astonishingly successful scam.  But I find the Moonies slightly creepier.

  by Bob Love on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 01:54:20 PM PDT

  •  Six Degree of Sep had a gay scene NT

    by Fecund Stench on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 01:57:39 PM PDT

  •  Film version of "Six Degrees of Separation"

    and Smith insisted on the kiss between himself and another actor (I think it was Anthony Michael Hall, but I'm not sure) be a "stage kiss" instead of a real one.  If memory serves, Smith has since said he regrets this.

    I'm no fan of $cientology, but if Will Smith as a young actor got duped by a bogus charity run by the Church of Scientology, so what?  This is pretty minor in the grand scheme of things.  Can we move on to more pressing stuff, please?

    by Theodoric of York Medieval Liberal on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 02:10:49 PM PDT

  •  Great question

    If you had to send your kid to the Moonies or the Scientologists, which would be less bad than the other?

    Ah, just shoot me.

    by The Raven on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 02:16:36 PM PDT

    •  They've teamed up

      in War on Drugs projects.

      by ben masel on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 03:27:38 PM PDT

  •  Aren't you the stern taskmaster

    /

    by SFOrange on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 03:16:34 PM PDT

•  And Yet...

  Parade Magazine's piece in Sunday's paper.

  by Fecund Stench on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 01:56:48 PM PDT

•  So Will Smith, as a young actor,

  didn't feel comfortable kissing another man in bed for Six Degrees of Separation... and you opt to throw out his entire career.

  What strange litmus tests we create for ourselves.

  by dannyinla on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 01:57:08 PM PDT

  •  I support Gay rights...

    And I am not in the least bothered to see gay men showing affection and kissing each other. But I personally would be "icked" about kissing a man on the mouth myself. Just because he didn't want to do that doesn't make him a terrible person.

    by Sagebrush Bob on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 02:03:20 PM PDT

•  Can't understand how Travolta gets such a pass

  when Cruise gets reamed.  Sure, Cruise can put a couple of sentences together and he pissed of the Mighty Pharma and Pysch Industry, while Travolta is dumb as rocks, but still....

  Looks like Smith will get a pass on his comments, especially since his kissed ass with the ADL right-quick.

  by KLinVA on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 01:58:41 PM PDT

  •  Or Beck. n/t

    by AmericanFactotum on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 02:00:45 PM PDT

    •  I, for one,...

      ...was quite bummed out when I learned that Beck's a Scientologist.

      by vacantlook on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 03:19:41 PM PDT

      •  boy, no kidding

        I love him. I find it difficult, however, to ... I dunno. See him in quite the same light. Bizarro. He's so not stupid.

        by aitchdee on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 03:44:44 PM PDT

•  No

  According to Smith, Hitler was basically an okay guy who was just a bit confused over what "good" is.

  This is what Will Smith said:

  "Even Hitler didn't wake up going, 'let me do the most evil thing I can do today.' I think he woke up in the morning and using a twisted, backwards logic, he set out to do what he thought was 'good.' "

  The writer of the article said that Will Smith basically thinks that all people are good as a tag on and that was quoted out of context as referring to Hitler.

  I am no fan of Scientology, not at all, but this is a distortion of what Will Smith actually said to attack something else. The worst thing a critic of something can do to their own credibility is to tarnish it by being in such a hurry to tie one thing into the criticism they are trying to make at all cost.

  Will Smith's mistake was referencing Hitler at all. It's never a good idea.

  by LeftHandedMan on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 01:59:28 PM PDT

  •  Your comment makes the best possible

    case for this diarist to delete this diary.

    Very nice job.

    by Niniane on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 02:06:21 PM PDT

    •  That ain't gonna happen

      I'm sure Scientologists would love it if I deleted this diary. Dunno what your problem is. But the fact is, there are many, many interviews where Scientologist spokespeople are asked, "What does Scientology believe?" The response is, "Man is basically good."

      If you refuse to see the link between Smith/Cruise/dogma, you can talk to the hand.

      I stand by my assertion that Will Smith has come under the influence through Cruise.

      He gave $20,000 to the Scientology front group, 'Hollywood Education and Literacy Project.'

      The defense rests.
      ps: google it.

      by xenubarb on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 05:16:51 PM PDT

•  Will Smith what?

  Who is Smith, and what will he do?

  by socialist butterfly on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 01:59:53 PM PDT

•  I couldn't care less about this

  And believe me, I've tried.

  by DH from MD on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 02:01:02 PM PDT

•  Can we have a candidate hit diary now?

  Or something that's at least somewhat relevant...?

  by grannyhelen on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 02:05:23 PM PDT

  •  LOL

    Good point. When did DKOS turn into TMZ?

    by Sagebrush Bob on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 02:09:10 PM PDT

    •  TMZ with intrigue

      This isn't just a story about a celebrity. It's about how a destructive cult influences people, local government, state and federal government. It's about how a guy like Will Smith, Tom Cruise and John Travolta can get access to the highest levels of government because of their celebrity. John Travolta visited the White House. Did you know that he had a chat with President Clinton about his concerns over German suppression of his "religion?"

      Look, the fact is, Scientology is not your every day religion. It wasn't a religion at all in the beginning.
      It became one for tax purposes. The way Scientology achieved tax-exempt status is a story in itself.
      Hundreds of nuisance lawsuits were filed by individual Scientologists, all acting on their own accord. Also, background investigations were conducted on high level IRS officials. A deal was cut. Scientology had to pay a fraction of the income tax it owed, and acquired tax exemption in exchange for that amount and the withdrawal of all the law suits. It wasn't a concerted effort, of course. All those Scientologists just spontaneously dropped their suits. Coincidence?

      And you compare this to TMZ?

      Scientology has always gone after celebrities. L. Ron Hubbard wrote out instructions on it. Every celebrity will draw a number of people into the maelstrom of madness that is non-celebrity Scientology.

      But that's not the important thing here. Scientology is not just some benevolent new religion. Every time they manage to slurp up a new wealthy patron, the beast lurches forward a bit more.

      Scientology was the perpetrator of the biggest domestic espionage operation in the United States.
      Called 'Operation Snow White,' this project placed Scientologists in government offices as clerks and secretaries; their mission, to bug offices and remove files relating to Scientology. Believe it or nuts!

      It's a huge, boisterous, disturbing adventure, looking at Scientology on the web. But when you start to see evidence of Scientology influence at state and federal levels, you best believe this isn't just TMZ.

      It's a little U.N.C.L.E. as well.

      by xenubarb on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 06:03:50 PM PDT

  •  I'll give you something to work with

    ONLY John Edwards can effectively deal with Will Smith!

    Discuss.

    by GoldnI on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 02:10:42 PM PDT

    •  I disagree

      John Edwards is a parent.  Will Smith has already eloquently pointed out that parents just don't understand.  Ergo, John Edwards cannot solve this crisis.  Additionaly, girls ain't nothin but trouble, which rules Hillary out.

      I am thinking Uncle Phil. being an authority figure in Will's life, is the only one who can lead us out of this national crisis.  Or DJ Jazzy Ron Paul.

      by mcfly on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 02:23:20 PM PDT

•  Are you serious? He's mixed-up with Scientology?

  F*CK. I like and respect Will Smith a ton, and this is disappointing.

  Will is WAY too smart for this. Will was accepted at MIT, if I remember correctly.

  This is very disappointing, if it is valid.

  Really sad about this, and I'm not feigning outrage. I have always admired Smith and his talents, and this really sucks. Scientologists are messed-up.

  :(

  by Universal on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 02:16:03 PM PDT

  •  Will on 60 Minutes

    Parts 1 and 2.

    by Fecund Stench on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 02:25:38 PM PDT

    •  Thanks, Fecund...

      ...do you mind summarizing for me (I have a bunch of things to get done right now), at least on the Scientology parts?

      :)

      by Universal on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 02:39:11 PM PDT

      •  No mention of Scientology that I saw.

        I don't care if he believes in belly-button lint.  He's one more squared away young man and a credit to any industry with which he may choose to associate.

        And you are welcome.

        by Fecund Stench on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 02:52:13 PM PDT

•  I agree with most of the above...

  This diary seems to hold little relevance to DK.  But I'm confused at what exactly the issue even is with "believing that all men are essentially good".  Isn't this basically a central tenet of progressivism?  
  I've always been of the school that conflict comes from the pursuit of separate perceptions of just what is "good".     So maybe the whole argument is moot.  

  by CeciNestPasLeBlog on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 02:16:42 PM PDT

  •  Optimism, pessimism, and progressivism

    "believing that all men are essentially good".  Isn't this basically a central tenet of progressivism?

    I think that's actually optimism. Some seriously pessimistic, cynical, sarcastic, people are fantastic progressives as a result, ime.

    by bottsimons on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 03:18:59 PM PDT

  •  I don't agree with the claim, but

    "Despite everything, I believe that people are really good at heart." - Anne Frank

    by Stroszek on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 03:25:26 PM PDT

•  scentology is so evil

  it makes Christianity look good

  by VelvetElvis on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 02:20:30 PM PDT

  •  Are you sure it's not the other way around?....

    Christianity is so evil that it makes Scientology look good?

    (Rhetorically asked) Who did Bush turn to for advice to invade Iraq?

    by gooderservice on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 03:52:40 PM PDT

•  If I'm reading this diary correctly...

  ...Will Smith is not actually a scientologist. So what's the problem? He hangs out with Tom Cruise and he put forward the notion that man is not inherently evil.

  And as for "The bible is no different from Scientology"--well, I don't know if I can really disagree with that. 2000+ years from now, dianetics might look just as plausible as the bible. And I'm not a scientologist. It's all mumbo-jumbo to me.

  by Arlingtonian on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 03:05:59 PM PDT

•  Are there any poor or homely Scientologists

  The Travoltas, the Beckhams, the Smiths, do they indoctrinate for looks or money or both?

  by ohcanada on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 03:44:12 PM PDT

•  Not bad for a 'religion' started as a bar bet

  At least with this religion, someone 'won'.

  Everyone else lost, of course.

  by shpilk on Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 04:25:27 PM PDT