Al Klein wrote:
On Sun, 20 Aug 2006 06:55:24 GMT, "Mordechai Housman"
wrote:

I saw that website, and I STILL think it's a hoax or something. I don't
consider their beliefs real, whatever their beliefs may be, but I find
it hard to believe that people really believe something like that.

People believed that the Sun God carried the sun across the sky in his
chariot. Really, really believed it.

People believed that the fire and smoke coming out of the mountain was
actually the rumblings of a god. Really, really believed it.

People believe that, even though no one can know what's in the mind of
their god, when one of his disciples tells you what he wants, it's
correct. Really, really believe it.

And Scientologists really, really believe the stuff you saw.

Religion is man's attempt to explain what he doesn't understand, in
terms he does. Scientology is no more religion, though, than any
Ponzi scheme. It's just a whole lot more elaborate, but even an
elaborate scam is just a scam.

I always thought that part of its success was due to appeal to those who
could be defined as agnostics or anyone who had trouble with the myth
aspects of religion. What better name for a belief system for those
folks than one with a reference to science in its name. It should also
be pointed out (IMO) that this is not just *any* "Ponzi scheme," this is
a tax free Ponzi scheme.