Via CNN:

Glenn Beck like L. Ron Hubbard – Bill Maher’s appearance on Sunday’s “Fareed Zakaria GPS” is getting a lot of attention online today. The host of “Real Time with Bill Maher” was asked how much he thinks the Tea Party is about religion. Maher focused on FOX News’ Glenn Beck, saying, “I think he’s doing what some people before him have done, like L. Ron Hubbard, who is a novelist, and decided, ‘You know what? It’s a much easier gig to be a religious leader.’ ”

I can see it now. Beck, making millions off of gullible people, wearing gold coins and crosses shining directly into your pupils! Glenn Beck will:

• Blind you with his awesomeness (it’s actually the glint from the cheap gold).
• Set you free (you are “free” to follow him into the gates of a metaphorical hell).
• Lead you (to an early death? More anger and stress? More bigotry?).
• Watch over you (to make sure you’re still sending money to the right people).

Is Glenn Beck like L. Ron Hubbard? I can see where Bill Maher would get that from. There are striking similarities, mainly stemming from their mental health struggles. The paranoia, distrust of doctors. The aversion to positive change, dwelling on what could have or should have been, in a world that’s just an offshoot of reality. These are signs of mentally instable individuals who choose to stay unhealthy. This behavior is not only damaging to others, but themselves. Beck’s rants and made-up tangents may remain the non-sequitur of the abstract world or may become something greater, a larger force to reckon with.

I just hope Bill Maher didn’t give Glenn Beck an idea.

However, there is a new series of articles exposing the violence behind Scientology, at the St. Petersburg Times:

Scientology leader David Miscavige is the focus of this special report from the St. Petersburg Times. Former executives of the Church of Scientology, including two of the former top lieutenants to Miscavige, have come forward to describe a culture of intimidation and violence under David Miscavige. These former Scientology leaders served for years with Miscavige.

[Read more]

The series of articles include:

Chapter 1

• Scientology:
  The Truth Rundown
• Scientology’s response: “Total lies”
• David Miscavige’s letter to the Times
• Scientology: Origins, celebrities, holdings and glossary
• David Miscavige bio

Chapter 2

• Scientology: Death in slow motion
• The Lisa McPherson case: Key dates and events

Chapter 3

• Scientology: Ecclesiastical justice
• Leaving the Church of Scientology: a huge step

As well as links to previously written articles on Scientology.

Exclusive In an unprecedented effort to crack down on self-serving edits, the Wikipedia supreme court has banned contributions from all IP addresses owned or operated by the Church of Scientology and its associates.

Closing out the longest-running court case in Wikiland history, the site’s Arbitration Committee voted 10 to 0 (with one abstention) in favor of the move, which takes effect immediately.

…

The Church of Scientology has not responded to our request for comment.

Officially, Wikipedia frowns on those who edit “in order to promote their own interests.” The site sees itself as an encyclopedia with a “neutral point of view” – whatever that is. “Use of the encyclopedia to advance personal agendas – such as advocacy or propaganda and philosophical, ideological or religious dispute – or to publish or promote original research is prohibited,” say the Wikipowersthatbe.

Admins may ban a Wikifiddler who betrays an extreme conflict of interest, and since fiddlers often hide their identity behind open proxies, such IPs may be banned as a preventative measure. After today’s ruling from the Arbitration Committee – known in Orwellian fashion as the ArbCom – Scientology IPs are “to be blocked as if they were open proxies” (though individual editors can request an exemption).

According to evidence turned up by admins in this long-running Wikiland court case, multiple editors have been “openly editing [Scientology-related articles] from Church of Scientology equipment and apparently coordinating their activities.” Leaning on the famed WikiScanner, countless news stories have discussed the editing of Scientology articles from Scientology IPs, and some site admins are concerned this is “damaging Wikipedia’s reputation for neutrality.”

One admin tells The Reg that policing edits from Scientology machines has been particularly difficult because myriad editors sit behind a small number of IPs and, for some reason, the address of each editor is constantly changing. This prevents admins from determining whether a single editor is using multiple Wikipedia accounts to game the system. In Wikiland, such sockpuppeting is not allowed.

[Read more]

Well, it’s about time! Shall I reiterate on why?

Via

From the Church of Scientology and it’s front group the CCHR (Citizens Commission on Human Rights) here is a series of videos that attempt to destroy the good work done by mental health professionals.

Scientology has been changing their focus though their numerous front groups such as the CCHR. They are setting up a massive campaign against psychiatrists and drug companies.

It’s high time that psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors and scientists involved in the betterment of mental health get involved in opposing Scientology. The group Anonymous and many long term critics has been hard at work fighting the abuses of Scientology and it’s front groups, but we have yet to see any people involved in mental health join our ranks. (maybe there were I didn’t see any)

This video series is horrible, but the general public may believe it. It’s total manipulation with many short out of context quotes.

http://psychdrugs.wordpress.com/2008/11/12/a-documentary-making-a-killing-the-untold-story-of-psychotropic-drugging/
Video 1 of 10:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sYhTdeLRM8

It is a fact that psych drugs have done tremendous good for people with mental problems. The evidence during the last 40 years is overwhelming, yet the scientologists are trying to destroy that, and all it takes is doubt in the mind of most people. Most of you know how horrible the situation was BEFORE psych drugs, but the video ignores that and makes all these horrible unsubstantiated claims. For example, suicides do happen but generally happen when people STOP taking their meds. They also don’t mention how many suicides happened to members of the scientology.

We must stop this nonsense. Don’t let the same thing happen to what the creationists did with evolution. It’s time to nip that one in the bud. Please pass this along to any mental health professionals you know.

Some resources:
http://www.xenu.net/
http://www.whyweprotest.net/en/
http://www.whyaretheydead.net/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizens_Commission_on_Human_Rights

I studied a little psychology and I find it quite intriguing. In the 90′s, there was a boom in the commonality of psychotropic drugs. Maybe too many people were prescribed medications when some simple cognitive behavior therapy (or CBT) could have done the trick. What’s that? They don’t believe in therapy either? Oh, yeah, they call it auditing. Also, they intentionally conceal the fact that they don’t like any drugs, whether for headaches, seizures, AIDS. Anything.

A friend of mine who used to be in this “church” for many years had to carry around a card that said she was prone to seizures, so call these people — and don’t let anyone else help. All this because the church would not let her take the medication prescribed by her doctor.

It’s not only an insult to psychological professionals, but science in general. Here’s a vid on CCHR:

And all this because L Ron Hubbard was a nutjob. Even his wife said so.

EDIT: The videos are no longer available — at least from that user. Surprise, surprise!

As you may or may not be aware, I do have some issues with actual religions but I do have respect for them at the same time. That is to say, I respect that no one’s reputation is ruined for dissenting from other churches, except for (at most) being ostracized from that particular community. Even the Catholic church doesn’t have lawyers and people watching you. Sure they’ll do there own version of “brain washing”, or whatever you’d like to call it, but not the sort of preying on the emotionally weak as these Scientologists like to do. Sure, many of them are trying to help and just can’t see from outside the box.

So, taking a walk in Hollywood the other day, I came across one of the protests and got some shaky shots on my small handheld camera:

One of my biggest issues with this “church” is that you have to pay for the knowledge. Imagine a Christian going through his/her life not knowing about Jesus. At least true believers of religions, know what and why they believe. There’s a sort of logic within the suspension of disbelief. I figure with this post on Scientology, I’ll give actual religions a break. Sure, they’ll look at you funny if you don’t donate, but it’s generally acceptable to be a Christian/Jew (or any believer) and never attend religious services, and therefore, never spending a dime. At least you can get a Bible for free. But don’t get me started on how awfully Scientologists portray psychology and psychiatry. If it were to remain as a government taxed private group, then fine. They have that right (as long as nobody gets hurt….anymore – See Lisa McPherson).

I’ll leave you with the tease for Jason Beghe’s big interview. Go here for the full interview.

Knowledge is free!