A Response to a Scientologist: The Truth Shall Make You Free

11/30/2009

(Page 2 of 2)

Scientology wasn�t a church during an interview.

In a second public statement, the Cardinal stated that those who are crusading against the group should have the right to exercise their freedom of speech. He refused to either disapprove or support the actions of these opponents.

Some of the former members of Scientology are not anonymous at all. Authors such as Monica Pignotti, Nancy Many and Marc Hedley are just a few of the voices being heard. Their books and essays, along with many others, have publicly called into question a number of Scientology beliefs, claims and practices over many years. Other ex-scientologists have written numerous stories about the inner workings of Scientology in addition to being interviewed for news articles, radio, TV shows.

In the letter to Catholic Online, Klagenberg addresses the idea that forced abortions could ever take place by citing L. Ron Hubbard, �A cursory look in the book �Dianetics� utterly recognizes the sentience of an unborn child�

�In addition there is very specific policy written by Mr Hubbard (in 1967) to staff�s of every organization in regards to the subject of one�s decisions on personal relationships, marriage and/or the rearing of children. It has always been steadfast and clear cut policy that the Church does not and will not regulate or attempt to regulate those affairs for anyone.�

The original article noted that some statements from Scientology took a pro-life position. The problem was never one of belief but practice in an apparent contradiction with belief.

The letter�s declaration concerning relationships stands in direct contradiction to the accounts of those who participated in Sea Org and recounted ways in which their lives were constantly controlled. They described disconnection with family members, severe punishments, improper control of relationships, forced abortions and other restrictions.

Rather than continue to discount every witness as false, perhaps Scientology should allow a full examination of its practices in order to set the record straight.

If any organization is based upon truth, it will be able to withstand serious scrutiny � in doctrine or practice. If it is not, it will not be able to stand any way.

Throughout history, the Catholic Church has certainly had its share of problems to navigate. Upon examination, some of the issues have been proven true, others were not.

In the recent clergy abuse scandal, Pope Benedict sent a strong message about facing concerns when he met with victims of abuse during his visit to the United States.

Mr. Klagenberg�s letter seems to hint that he was raised in the Catholic Christian faith. In addition to the problems recorded by a growing number of witnesses around the world, Scientology practices and claims raise serious concerns in terms of its place within religion from a doctrinal perspective.

My deepest and most sincere prayer is that he will re-think Scientology, revisit his Catholic roots, and then come home to a faith that is true and durable. I hope he will turn to the One whose words truly resound throughout the ages, Jesus Christ and hear His promise: "You will know the Truth and the truth will set you free.'(St. John 8:32)

(Ed. Note: The letter which is responded to above is set forth as the first related story below this article)

Click here to read - Letter to the Editor from Scientology Representative

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Randy Sly is the Associate Editor of Catholic Online. He is a former Archbishop of the Charismatic Episcopal Church who laid aside that ministry to enter into the full communion of the Catholic Church.

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Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

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1 - 10 of 30 Comments

Bulbajer
3 years ago
Pat Broeker, athough I agree that bringing up the Inquisition doesn't prove anything, I think that commentor had a point, even though this point discredits that comment: that you can not judge a religion simply by its history or by its abuses. We Catholics would do well to reflect on that, I think.
Concerned Advocate
3 years ago
To read more about the latest lawsuit against the Church of Scientology regarding the coerced abortions and other human rights abuses inflicted on their Sea Org members, please see http://www.scribd.com/doc/26348351/SAC-Revised
Pat Broeker
3 years ago
"Also you should have been more understanding and aware that many who no longer associate themselves with the Church are part of a growing Protestant movement something you Church has experienced itself many centuries ago. At a time when you were burning witches and torturing heretics during the Inquisition.

Yet for some reason you fail to note the Historical parallel.

Why is that?"

Why do you defend murder, human trafficking, family disconnection and torture?

1. Your evasive stance based upon actions occurring over 400 years ago, does not strengthen your argument, it only supports your glib viewpoint. Author this is a typical Scientology mindset resulting in logical and academic errors. Attack never defend, right?

2.You also know very little about the Spanish Inquisition, and sound like a typical OSA bug. Don't preach to Catholics about their own history, we unlike Scientology, keep our sacred documents in most hotel bureaus.

3. I don't even need this third point, that's how much you fail, at being an L Ron Hubbard Troll. Fail.
Pok
3 years ago
"Also you should have been more understanding and aware that many who no longer associate themselves with the Church are part of a growing Protestant movement"

Wow, what an unbelievable pile of bs
MJ
3 years ago
Jens Jensen and Kim Cod are two (or possibly one) obvious scientologists. Kims comment is especially ironic as CoS members are notorious for abusing flagging systems to get critical comments deleted. Some very good points have been made in this article, but scientology has always been a two faced operation and they will say anything to get people off their backs. The more ex-scientologists that come forward with their stories the less convincing those who are still in sound. Quoting policies contrary to what former members are claiming is no longer enough Scientology! You must prove that what you quote is actually being followed through, none of this will go away until you do.
Bulbajer
3 years ago
RJ, I agree.
Kim Cod
3 years ago
Why do you publish an abusive comment on Scientology ("the ronbot hunter"?) Is it only abusive comments on Catholic Church that you are not accepting?
Jens Jensen
3 years ago
Ok, finally some kind of admission of rightness of Scientology from Mr. Sly. However I am still drawn to the singular fact that Randy's focus is on the detractors' spin but he seems to utterly disregard the millions of lives bettered by Scientology.
Have you interviewed any winning Scientologist Randy? And by the way, why focus on attacks on another religion; what about the Godless era and materialistic ingression that is pervading our western culture? Wouldn't this be the first priority of the Catholic Online and hence yours?
THE RONBOT HUNTER
3 years ago
Ex-scientologists out number active scientologists about 5 to 1,from that you can tell that when we say that it is a Godless cult of greed, we have the numbers to prove our claims.

$cientology kills, even its own members.

It destroys families and causes many to kill themselves. Because some don't have the strength to fight Ronbots that won't let you leave the Godless cult of greed.

You have been warned.

THE RONBOT HUNTER
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
RJ
3 years ago
You must be careful when attacking another religion that you don't create a situation where you have the pot calling the kettle black.

It is not "Scientology" that supports forced abortions, just like it isn't Christianity or more specifically Roman Catholicism that supports pedophilia, yet you fail to make this distinction.

In fact if you had bothered to read Dianetics the Modern Science of Health instead of merely flipped through it. This would have become evident.

Also you should have been more understanding and aware that many who no longer associate themselves with the Church are part of a growing Protestant movement something you Church has experienced itself many centuries ago. At a time when you were burning witches and torturing heretics during the Inquisition.

Yet for some reason you fail to note the Historical parallel.

Why is that?

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