Jerry O'Connell is either the bravest or stupidest actor in Hollywood

[Chiasm]

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/3f716ffebe

Its a parody video of the infamous Tom Cruise Scientology video where he goes off the charts of weirdness. Given the way Cruise responded to South Park I imagine he'll be trying to stop O'Connell from working again.

Its a hilarious video though, although probably not so much unless you've seen the Cruise video which I'll put below:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=UFBZ_uAbxS0

[kmeyers]

Wow, that was hilarious. Perfect impersonation of Cruise.

[Jared]

s Wow, that was hilarious. Perfect impersonation of Cruise.

He's way better than the guy from whichever Scary Movie sequel it was.

[StoneGold]

I don't know, he's making movies with Ben Stiller for basically doing the same thing. And he never actually mentions Scientology.

[howyadoin]

Given the way Cruise responded to South Park I imagine he'll be trying to stop O'Connell from working again.Not at Paramount, anyway.

[kalorama]

That was kind of funny. Kudos to the fat kid from Stand by Me.

[Zero Hunter]

That was pretty funny. Jerry just went up a few notches in my book.

[Ronald Bryan]

I like how we was able to tie the Aristocrats joke into it.


For this, O'Connell deserves a series of Sliders movies.

[Sean Walsh]

I don't know, he's making movies with Ben Stiller for basically doing the same thing. And he never actually mentions Scientology.

Yes, but Stiller was just doing an imitation.....not doing an imitation of Cruise and making fun of Scientology at the same time...

[SUPERECWFAN1]

I like how we was able to tie the Aristocrats joke into it.


For this, O'Connell deserves a series of Sliders movies.

That he should never direct or be a writing part of. I like O'Connell but damn if he didn't kill Sliders with some fucked up nonsense.

[Ronald Bryan]

That he should never direct or be a writing part of. I like O'Connell but damn if he didn't kill Sliders with some fucked up nonsense.
Can Charlie direct or write them?

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Can Charlie direct or write them?

I'd convince Tracy Torme to return and let her do the writing. I'd then sign a director who can do sci-fi for it. I'd retcon the entire show from season 4 on.

This way we can skip that confusing bullshit that was laid down.

[DonC]

For this, O'Connell deserves a series of Sliders movies.



Dude, there's no need to punish his fans (fan?) for his bad judgement.

[DubipR]

Very nice....

[J. Robb]

Its a hilarious video though, although probably not so much unless you've seen the Cruise video which I'll put below:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=UFBZ_uAbxS0
I think seeing the original makes O'Connell's less funny, because nothing can top Cruise's own delusional self-parody.

"Being a Scientologist, when you drive past an accident, it's not like anyone else- as you drive past, you know you have to do something about it, because you know you're the only one who can really help."

[SUPERECWFAN1]

I think seeing the original makes O'Connell's less funny, because nothing can top Cruise's own delusional self-parody.

"Being a Scientologist, when you drive past an accident, it's not like anyone else- as you drive past, you know you have to do something about it, because you know you're the only one who can really help."

Didn't Cruise pull someone from a car accident years ago ? The guy was hurt , Cruise thought the car may catch fire and put him on the sidewalk and dailed 911 ?

I remember hearing he did save someone who had been in an accident.

[Nick Soapdish]

I think seeing the original makes O'Connell's less funny, because nothing can top Cruise's own delusional self-parody.

"Being a Scientologist, when you drive past an accident, it's not like anyone else- as you drive past, you know you have to do something about it, because you know you're the only one who can really help."

Yeah, Tom's was funnier. He didn't need to try as hard for the jokes.

[Ronald Bryan]

I know Werner Herzog pulled Joaquin Phoenix from his car when Joaquin flipped his car off the road. Herzog then called 911, waited until the ambulance showed up, and disappeared.

[Dom]

Jerry O'Connell was already in tops in my book for having sex with Rebeca Romijn.

This just moves him higher up.

[Nick Soapdish]

Didn't Cruise pull someone from a car accident years ago ? The guy was hurt , Cruise thought the car may catch fire and put him on the sidewalk and dailed 911 ?

I remember hearing he did save someone who had been in an accident.

Looks like it. (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=7&entry_id=7975)

Not sure about the pulling them from the car or dialing 911, but they stuck around until the police arrived which is more than a lot of people would do.

[Cei-U!]

I'd convince Tracy Torme to return and let her do the writing.

Considering Tracy Torme (son of legendary crooner Mel) is male, you're reference to "her" writing is going to seriously undermine your efforts.

Cei-U!
I summon the gender confusion!

[Jack Zodiac]

Man... Scientology is awesome. And by awesome, I mean crazy. And by crazy, I mean hilarious. And by hilarious, I mean dangerous. And by dangerous, I mean open to unmitigated ridicule.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Considering Tracy Torme (son of legendary crooner Mel) is male, you're reference to "her" writing is going to seriously undermine your efforts.

Cei-U!
I summon the gender confusion!

I have now used "Magic" to retcon Mel's son as a woman. To explain my fuckup.

To be honest I never knew his gender. I always thought he was a female since the most I heard was an old article where they at Sci-Fi tried to get Torme back. But turned them down since the series was being changed to much . Thats the most I had heard about Torme besides seeing the name at the end of the 1st good seasons...

[Howard Allan]

I still like O'Connell in Crossing Jordon, and I always will.

[Kirk G]

I'd convince Tracy Torme to return and let her do the writing. I'd then sign a director who can do sci-fi for it. I'd retcon the entire show from season 4 on.

This way we can skip that confusing bullshit that was laid down.

Maybe it can be retconed away by having the group of actors who are sliding at the end of season 3 arrive and discover that they have passed by the OTHER group of sliders who arrive in season 4, and never have to explain any of that stuff away... except to say "Who were those guys we saw, anyway?":rolleyes:

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Maybe it can be retconed away by having the group of actors who are sliding at the end of season 3 arrive and discover that they have passed by the OTHER group of sliders who arrive in season 4, and never have to explain any of that stuff away... except to say "Who were those guys we saw, anyway?":rolleyes:

I'd explain that the Sliders were under the influence of some alien race and trapped in some kinda VR thing. Where the 2 seasons never happened. They have to find the Prof. since its said he has found a way home (and is sliding to other worlds to find his friends ...and is on the run).

[Paradox]

Chiasm overestimates him:

Given the way Cruise responded to South Park I imagine he'll be trying to stop O'Connell from working again.

Pfft, let him try. No one listens to Cruise anymore but his Scientologist butt buddies. He's made himself a pariah outside his specific circle. More people won't work with Cruise than he could ever make not want to work with O'Connell.

[DaeJi]

Pfft, let him try. No one listens to Cruise anymore but his Scientologist butt buddies. He's made himself a pariah outside his specific circle. More people won't work with Cruise than he could ever make not want to work with O'Connell.

Yeah, but the Scientologist have powerful lawyers and they will go a long way to discredit you or frame you. What should happen, is that all of the actors who aren't Scientologist should ban together and form their own group to counter Scientology's growing influence. They could call themselves the Avenging Justice League of Actmerica!

[glue]

Ok, I finally watched the Cruise clip. There is no way that shit is real. Not possible. It's just a bunch of bored rich people fucking with us. Freedom Medal of Valor? Give me a fucking break.

[kmeyers]

Ok, I finally watched the Cruise clip. There is no way that shit is real. Not possible. It's just a bunch of bored rich people fucking with us. Freedom Medal of Valor? Give me a fucking break.

Boo this man.

[DoctorDoom]

I like how we was able to tie the Aristocrats joke into it.


For this, O'Connell deserves a series of Sliders movies.
I really need to see that movie.

[Dan Apodaca]

I know Werner Herzog pulled Joaquin Phoenix from his car when Joaquin flipped his car off the road. Herzog then called 911, waited until the ambulance showed up, and disappeared.

This is one of the best posts I have ever read on these boards.

[Royal]

Herzog will take a bullet for you just for kix.

[Dan Apodaca]

Herzog will take a bullet for you just for kix.

But will he take it where I ask him to?

[Lord of Denial]

I hope he never gets in an accident.

Cruise- Help! Help!

Man- It's all going to be okay, I'm a trauma surgeon.

Cruise- Are you a Scientologist?

Man- No

Cruise- I'm good, I'll wait.

Man- Your bleeding to death.

Cruise- Only a scientologist can help me! Get this trauma surgeon away from me and get me John Travolta!

[SUPERECWFAN1]

I hope he never gets in an accident.

Cruise- Help! Help!

Man- It's all going to be okay, I'm a trauma surgeon.

Cruise- Are you a Scientologist?

Man- No

Cruise- I'm good, I'll wait.

Man- Your bleeding to death.

Cruise- Only a scientologist can help me! Get this trauma surgeon away from me and get me John Travolta!


Can you blame Cruise ? Travolta has the gift of dancing ! And dance can heal many a person .

[Fenris]

Ok, I finally watched the Cruise clip. There is no way that shit is real. Not possible. It's just a bunch of bored rich people fucking with us. Freedom Medal of Valor? Give me a fucking break.

Slate has another video (http://www.slate.com/id/2182452) in the same vein:

About four minutes into Part 1, when the narrator proclaims Cruise's place in the church's hierarchy, he assumes the tone of a ring announcer listing a boxer's title belts. There is, he says, "Someone advancing Scientology on a fully epic scale … and he is Class 4! OT-7! Platinum Meritorious! And IAS Freedom Medal of Valor winner … Tom Cruise!"


"Platinum Meritorious!" Is it just me, or does that sound like a really workable and pretty-cool supervillain name?

Maybe when Tom Cruise finally comes out as a supervillain, and uses the cult's secret Scientechnology in a bid to conquer America, that's what he'll call himself. I hope so, anyway.

õ
Good names are hard to find!

[Toku King]

I think seeing the original makes O'Connell's less funny, because nothing can top Cruise's own delusional self-parody.

"Being a Scientologist, when you drive past an accident, it's not like anyone else- as you drive past, you know you have to do something about it, because you know you're the only one who can really help."

That is true. On its own, though, it's pretty funny. The laugh was priceless.

[Ray R.]

Slate has another video (http://www.slate.com/id/2182452) in the same vein:

About four minutes into Part 1, when the narrator proclaims Cruise's place in the church's hierarchy, he assumes the tone of a ring announcer listing a boxer's title belts. There is, he says, "Someone advancing Scientology on a fully epic scale … and he is Class 4! OT-7! Platinum Meritorious! And IAS Freedom Medal of Valor winner … Tom Cruise!"


"Platinum Meritorious!" Is it just me, or does that sound like a really workable and pretty-cool supervillain name?

Maybe when Tom Cruise finally comes out as a supervillain, and uses the cult's secret Scientechnology in a bid to conquer America, that's what he'll call himself. I hope so, anyway.

õ
Good names are hard to find!

Way creepy.

Did the Church of Scientology buy the "Mission Impossible Theme" song at some point? They seem to use it as theme music for Tom Cruise.

The whole thing is interesting because of its Machiavellian undertones. The awards ceremony feels like a political rally in North Korea. Cruise is batshit crazy but comes off with charm, charisma and this deadly seriousness that makes him ripe both for parody and extra skin-crawly creepiness.

L. Ron would be ecstatic.....

[SUPERECWFAN1]

And has anyone ever really thought that Tom Cruise may have leaked the videos online. So everyone in the free world would be discussing.... Tom Cruise ? Because his last movie did decent so this maybe a play to get everyone discussing him. Yeah the videos are showing a kooky crazy dude laughing about things.

So I can sense perhaps Cruise leaked them in a attempt to draw attention to himself for next summers film he has.

[Ray R.]

And has anyone ever really thought that Tom Cruise may have leaked the videos online. So everyone in the free world would be discussing.... Tom Cruise ? Because his last movie did decent so this maybe a play to get everyone discussing him. Yeah the videos are showing a kooky crazy dude laughing about things.

So I can sense perhaps Cruise leaked them in a attempt to draw attention to himself for next summers film he has.

I disagree. The last thing privately funded cults want is a bright shining light opening them up for criticism and ridicule.

It seems to me Cruise finds scientology more important than film, and uses the latter to support the former, not the other way around.

[Guapo Méndez]

Or...



Cruise- Help! Help!

Man- It's all going to be okay.

Cruise- Wait...are you a psychologist?

Man- ...eh...yes.

Cruise- I'm good, I'll wait.

Man- Your bleeding to death.

Cruise- No psychologist can or will save me! Away, unclean!

I figure that's the way it would go down.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

I disagree. The last thing privately funded cults want is a bright shining light opening them up for criticism and ridicule.

It seems to me Cruise finds scientology more important than film, and uses the latter to support the former, not the other way around.

Yeah but how much are we really learning from these videos ? That Cruise feels like a superhuman walking the Earth . That he has all these make believe honors and stages of existance ? That he was there on 9/11 ?

The adding of the Mission Impossible music makes me chuckle. Perhaps this video is something Scientology wanted as a "sell video". And by having Cruise discuss it to lure new members in a way. Its been produced for something when you figure they put music behind it.

[Guapo Méndez]

I stopped being a Tom Cruise fan since Mission: Impossible 2. This video is icing in the cake.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

I stopped being a Tom Cruise fan since Mission: Impossible 2. This video is icing in the cake.

I don't really care basically. If a film of his I wanna see is on I will. I pretty much don't care about whatever wacky beliefs he has. Since we all have our own beliefs be it crazy or not as Tom Cruise.

I watched him for years.... don't care if he worships the Daleks as creators of the Universe and that he's the new Dr.Who . Long as he makes a film I wanna see.... good luck.

[Ray R.]

Yeah but how much are we really learning from these videos ? That Cruise feels like a superhuman walking the Earth . That he has all these make believe honors and stages of existance ? That he was there on 9/11 ?

What I know of the Church of Scientology is that it's not a Jehovah's Witness/Mormons type of church. They want people with means and influence, and they'll be as selective as they want to get that way. From what I understand, it's like Skull & Bones with scifi elements. If the Scientologists want you, they'll recruit you. Dianetics is just giveaway knowledge for the great unwashed.

The adding of the Mission Impossible music makes me chuckle. Perhaps this video is something Scientology wanted as a "sell video". And by having Cruise discuss it to lure new members in a way. Its been produced for something when you figure they put music behind it.

I think it's more for the paying faithful, but either way it's high-gloss creepiness.

[Naldo]

I wonder how Lalo Schifrin feels about having his music scoring a Scientologist video.

[sehthan]

They could call themselves the Avenging Justice League of Actmerica!


I look forward to their crossovers with the Avenging Justice Society of Television and Radio Artists.

[J. Robb]

What I know of the Church of Scientology is that it's not a Jehovah's Witness/Mormons type of church. They want people with means and influence, and they'll be as selective as they want to get that way. From what I understand, it's like Skull & Bones with scifi elements. If the Scientologists want you, they'll recruit you. Dianetics is just giveaway knowledge for the great unwashed.
They want the high profile recruits for public relations, but I think they still take in pretty much anyone because they need worker ants.

[Elegance Liberty]

The website (or cesspool, depending on how you look at it) 4Chan has declared "war" on the CoS, by the way.

Considering Scientology's lawyers weren't able to squash YTMND.com back when there was the whole kerfluffle between those two (even though YTMND pretty much killed itself, but that's another story), I doubt they'll have much clout against 4Chan.

It does look morbidly amusing so far, though.

[Dan Apodaca]

I stopped being a Tom Cruise fan since Mission: Impossible 2. This video is icing in the cake.

I stopped being a Tom Cruise fan since puberty.

[Jack Zodiac]

The website (or cesspool, depending on how you look at it) 4Chan has declared "war" on the CoS, by the way.

Considering Scientology's lawyers weren't able to squash YTMND.com back when there was the whole kerfluffle between those two (even though YTMND pretty much killed itself, but that's another story), I doubt they'll have much clout against 4Chan.

It does look morbidly amusing so far, though.

Anonymous doesn't care about Scientology, they're just doin' it for the lulz.

[Elegance Liberty]

Anonymous doesn't care about Scientology, they're just doin' it for the lulz.

Well yeah, but it's so amusing to watch.

[Zero Hunter]

They want the high profile recruits for public relations, but I think they still take in pretty much anyone because they need worker ants.

If you have money to "buy" your enlightentment. They don't want to broke folk in their club.

[Pól Rua]

I've been impressed with Jerry O'Connell for awhile. He seems like a cool dude. Not a great actor, but pretty cool.
That's a dead-on impression. Especially the laugh. Creeeeepy.

[Guapo Méndez]

I've been impressed with Jerry O'Connell for awhile. He seems like a cool dude. Not a great actor, but pretty cool.
That's a dead-on impression. Especially the laugh. Creeeeepy.

Carpoolers is nice.

[Pól Rua]

Carpoolers is nice.

Hrm. Shall have to keep an eye out...

[Dan Apodaca]

Carpoolers is nice.

I'm sorry but that show is absolute bottom of the barrel. I can't even believe it got on television, it's so bad. I saw an episode where they thought one guy was sneaking to a hotel to cheat on his wife, and when they got there, it turned out he was going to a hotel to escape his obnoxious kids. Not only is that not very funny at all, it's a joke that's been made 8 billion times before. That show is the epitome of formula.

And that's it. No spin on the formula, no clever twist. Just cliche after cliche.

[glue]

Slate has another video (http://www.slate.com/id/2182452) in the same vein:

About four minutes into Part 1, when the narrator proclaims Cruise's place in the church's hierarchy, he assumes the tone of a ring announcer listing a boxer's title belts. There is, he says, "Someone advancing Scientology on a fully epic scale … and he is Class 4! OT-7! Platinum Meritorious! And IAS Freedom Medal of Valor winner … Tom Cruise!"


"Platinum Meritorious!" Is it just me, or does that sound like a really workable and pretty-cool supervillain name?

Maybe when Tom Cruise finally comes out as a supervillain, and uses the cult's secret Scientechnology in a bid to conquer America, that's what he'll call himself. I hope so, anyway.

õ
Good names are hard to find!

Thank you for that.

[Guapo Méndez]

I'm sorry but that show is absolute bottom of the barrel. I can't even believe it got on television, it's so bad. I saw an episode where they thought one guy was sneaking to a hotel to cheat on his wife, and when they got there, it turned out he was going to a hotel to escape his obnoxious kids. Not only is that not very funny at all, it's a joke that's been made 8 billion times before. That show is the epitome of formula.

And that's it. No spin on the formula, no clever twist. Just cliche after cliche.

Dan's right. It's not good, but it's either that or some other crappy show on AXN.

[Nightstar1441]

That was just funny. I knew Cruise was a certifiable loon, but never knew how deep off the far end he walked.

O'Connell piece is amusing, made more so by the fact that Cruise is actually trying to be serious....lol

[Khan Zor-El]

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/3f716ffebe

Its a parody video of the infamous Tom Cruise Scientology video where he goes off the charts of weirdness. Given the way Cruise responded to South Park I imagine he'll be trying to stop O'Connell from working again.

Its a hilarious video though, although probably not so much unless you've seen the Cruise video which I'll put below:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=UFBZ_uAbxS0

He straight mocked that nut, Cruise. I'm glad somebody did it, Cruise is a nutjob idiot, don't be surprised if you see one day the whole Cruise family being found dead from some kind of self induced poisoning while they're all dressed up like Mork from Mork & Mindy. Nanu Nanu, Mr. Cruise.

[K'Nort]

Nanu Nanu, Mr. Cruise.

No, no, it's Xenu.

[(A)//(E)]

sensors detecting Win ITT.
Jerry O'Connell for great justice.

[Trey]

Why the hate on a man's religious beliefs? Buncha bigots. You make Jesus weep.

[Zero Hunter]

Why the hate on a man's religious beliefs? Buncha bigots. You make Jesus weep.

Naw I am pretty sure Jesus laughs at them too :D

[Dan Apodaca]

Why the hate on a man's religious beliefs? Buncha bigots. You make Jesus weep.

Jesus doesn't cry, his statues do.

[pariah-1972]

I find it ironic that Scientology is bashed for things that all cults/religions have done in the past.
don't mistake me they are a bunch of dangerous nuts with an air of egotism and self importance and defensiveness that makes it easy to ridicule.

but so far i don't think they have killed anyone.

[Jack Zodiac]

I find it ironic that Scientology is bashed for things that all cults/religions have done in the past.
don't mistake me they are a bunch of dangerous nuts with an air of egotism and self importance and defensiveness that makes it easy to ridicule.

but so far i don't think they have killed anyone.

Maybe not with a gun to the head (or maybe), or via crusade, but there's an awful lot of deaths they can be blamed for.

[pariah-1972]

Maybe not with a gun to the head (or maybe), or via crusade, but there's an awful lot of deaths they can be blamed for.Well its there own damn faults for listening to there shite in the first place right?
i can't honestly blame someone if they have issues with therapists and psychologist since they haven't done shit for me

[Zero Hunter]

I find it ironic that Scientology is bashed for things that all cults/religions have done in the past.
don't mistake me they are a bunch of dangerous nuts with an air of egotism and self importance and defensiveness that makes it easy to ridicule.

but so far i don't think they have killed anyone.

Because most religions were started a long time ago and have been ingrained in society. These flakes started folowing the word of a mediocre Sci Fi writer. I would like to think that we as people are alot smarter than the people were when other religions started, and most of us are. We can see what a weird scam Scientolgy is with it space aliens and having to buy your way to enlightentment.

[pariah-1972]

Because most religions were started a long time ago and have been ingrained in society. These flakes started folowing the word of a mediocre Sci Fi writer. I would like to think that we as people are alot smarter than the people were when other religions started, and most of us are. We can see what a weird scam Scientolgy is with it space aliens and having to buy your way to enlightentment.And also unlike most cults they are not completely hidden away from the media and the general society so it makes it easier to bash them.

[Nick Soapdish]

Well its there own damn faults for listening to there shite in the first place right?
i can't honestly blame someone if they have issues with therapists and psychologist since they haven't done shit for me

True.

But when CoS locks a person in a room as part of your treatment and refuses to allow actual medical treatment resulting in death, I think it's a bit more than just "also their fault".

[pariah-1972]

True.

But when CoS locks a person in a room as part of your treatment and refuses to allow actual medical treatment resulting in death, I think it's a bit more than just "also their fault".Hmmm i have never heard of that happening.. why wasn't anything done about it?

[Paradox]

pariah-1972 needs a new dictionary or a new perspective:

I find it ironic that Scientology is bashed for things that all cults/religions have done in the past.

Considering that they all got bashed for the same stuff, nothing ironic there at all.

[pariah-1972]

Considering that they all got bashed for the same stuff, nothing ironic there at all.No honestly they don't most "Real" religions the media and the internet don't go around mocking constantly.
and most people don't even know about all the cults out there until they start killing all there members.

[howyadoin]

I find it ironic that Scientology is bashed for things that all cults/religions have done in the past.You need to read up on either Scientology, or irony.

[Nick Soapdish]

Hmmm i have never heard of that happening.. why wasn't anything done about it?

The particular case that I was referring to is Lisa McPherson (http://www.lisamcpherson.org/), but she's not the only person to die on Scientology property under suspicious circumstances.

Lots of lawyers and possibly blackmail.

CoS managed to infiltrate the FBI at one point, getting deeper than anyone else. And several of their top execs served jail time for a break-in to try and get dirt on the IRS so that they could gain tax-exempt status (which they did subsequently get).

It's really spooky what we know that their organization has done and yet they're allowed to keep on going - in the US, at least.

[Jack Zodiac]

Well its there own damn faults for listening to there shite in the first place right?
i can't honestly blame someone if they have issues with therapists and psychologist since they haven't done shit for me

I'm thankful for everything psychology and pharmacology has done for my girlfriend, so Scientology can go fuck themselves sideways up their own ass with their wall of fire.

But seriously, do some in-depth research on Scientology sometime. They've got even more "mysterious" deaths revolving around them than the Kennedy family.

[Nick Soapdish]

No honestly they don't most "Real" religions the media and the internet don't go around mocking constantly.
and most people don't even know about all the cults out there until they start killing all there members.

But you said "in the past" and (many of) those religions did get mocked for just that sort of thing for what they were doing then.

And those religions have taken tons of criticism now for what they were doing then also. They've just stopped doing the really stupid stuff.

Or maybe I'm confused about exactly what sort of things we're talking about. Having to buy your way into paradise (that's what started the Protestant movement, hardly a small disagreement)? Or the forced (or strongly suggested) isolation from one's former friends and disavowal of drugs and psychology?

Christian Scientists have gotten plenty of guff on the last bit, but they just don't have the same sort of profile as Scientology. Maybe they should try to recruit more actors and actresses.

[Paradox]

pariah-1972 is sheltered:

No honestly they don't most "Real" religions the media and the internet don't go around mocking constantly.
and most people don't even know about all the cults out there until they start killing all there members.

Merely a minor matter of degree. "Real" religions complain CONSTANTLY about being mocked and misrepresented in today's society. Cults, in general, get the same kind of mocking that Scientology gets. Scientology just gets more because they're deliberately more high-profile.

[PatrickG]

Scientology is pretty much a crime cartel.

Several major governments including Germany have outlawed them as a criminal organization seeking to topple democracies.

Oh... And they aren't limited to recruiting the rich.

They recruit poor and middle class people too. Take them for every cent they have. Put them in labor camps with armed guards. Blackmail them. And proceed to use ties in the legal and banking system to take their homes and get trumped up charges filed against them.

They're also one of the big lobbies in Intellectaul Property law and one of the reasons nothing is entering the public domain until the 2020s. Quoting their publications is copyright infringement, barring them from effective critiques or exposes.

Good ol' Tom once tried to impress Nicole with a new garden planted by scientologist laborers.

[Donald M.]

And also unlike most cults they are not completely hidden away from the media and the general society so it makes it easier to bash them.

You say that as though there's something wrong with bashing Scientology.

[pariah-1972]

You say that as though there's something wrong with bashing Scientology.No but i think its shortsighted to bash Scientology and exclude all the other cults and religions that are just as stupid and dangerous.

[Michael P]

No but i think its shortsighted to bash Scientology and exclude all the other cults and religions that are just as stupid and dangerous.

Such as? .......

[pariah-1972]

Such as? .......Evangelical Christianity, catholism sometimes, just about every cult out there is probably more dangerous cause they keep everything secret.

[Michael P]

Evangelical Christianity, catholism sometimes,

Please refer me to the list of Christians (Catholics included) who have died because their church elders locked them in an empty hotel room instead of taking them to the hospital.

just about every cult out there is probably more dangerous cause they keep everything secret.

So does Scientology. Or at least, they try; they're just piss-poor at it. Is that what you meant?

[Nick Soapdish]

Evangelical Christianity, catholism sometimes, just about every cult out there is probably more dangerous cause they keep everything secret.

I'm pretty sure that I've seen a lot of (well deserved IMO) criticism of Catholicism. I know that evangelical Christians feel like they're being persecuted. And Christian Scientists have gotten bad press over some of their practices, such as refusing to bring their children to doctors.

And Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses are practically the punchline to a joke.

The last three just have a much lower profile than the CoS because (hard as it is to believe for the last two), they are less active in proselytizing. And the CoS specifically goes after high profile recruits (such as Tom Cruise) to keep their name in the headlines. People pay more attention to Scientology because the CoS wants them to pay more attention to them.

But based on what the CoS has failed to keep secret, I have difficulty imagining that any of the others could be worse. They'd be outlawed in most civilized countries for the stuff that they pull.

[Khan Zor-El]

No, no, it's Xenu.

Really? It's been a long time.

[meethraa]

I find it ironic that Scientology is bashed for things that all cults/religions have done in the past.
don't mistake me they are a bunch of dangerous nuts with an air of egotism and self importance and defensiveness that makes it easy to ridicule.

but so far i don't think they have killed anyone.
The problem with scientology is not that they're crazy or dangerous (lets face it, you can't beat christianity on wacky concepts) but the fact that their most vocal representative is a big hollywood star. And celebrity bashing will NEVER go out of style.
There is nothing that people around the (western) world love more than to build someone up and then bash them down as deep as humanly possible, and in Cruise's case, lets be honest, he's not helping himself (assuming he gives a crap what bored internet/magazine dwellers think about him).

[pariah-1972]

The problem with scientology is not that they're crazy or dangerous (lets face it, you can't beat christianity on wacky concepts) but the fact that their most vocal representative is a big hollywood star. And celebrity bashing will NEVER go out of style.
There is nothing that people around the (western) world love more than to build someone up and then bash them down as deep as humanly possible, and in Cruise's case, lets be honest, he's not helping himself (assuming he gives a crap what bored internet/magazine dwellers think about him).The problem is he does care what people say or think about him which is what apparently drove him to Scientology in the first place.
if he didn't care so much people wouldn't take so much joy in bashing him i think.
i would defend the guy but he is only making things worse for himself by brow beating his religion onto everyone who comes into contact with them and not learning to debate like an adult.

[Nick Soapdish]

The problem with scientology is not that they're crazy or dangerous (lets face it, you can't beat christianity on wacky concepts) but the fact that their most vocal representative is a big hollywood star. And celebrity bashing will NEVER go out of style.


Scientology really does have them beat when it comes to dangerous though. And when it comes to an outright disrespect for the law and the willingness to browbeat anybody that disagrees with them.

It's like the return of the Spanish Inquisition, although fortunately they don't have as much authority behind them.

[meethraa]

Scientology really does have them beat when it comes to dangerous though.
I don't know enough about them to know that, but I find it hard to believe that they have as much influence world-wide to do as much harm.

But then, I have some fundamental problems with the catholic church.

[Nick Soapdish]

I don't know enough about them to know that, but I find it hard to believe that they have as much influence world-wide to do as much harm.

But then, I have some fundamental problems with the catholic church.

They don't have the same standing as the Catholic Church (like I said about authority), but they have a bit of a different view when it comes to tactics.

And I'm not much of a fan of the Catholic Church either. IMO, they have some ugliness that they're trying to keep out of the light - a few tarnishes.

OTOH, CoS seems to be nothing but a turd wrapped in aluminum foil. They may have managed to stay all shiny on the outside, but you don't have to poke very hard to find something that stinks.