What is Digg?439 Comments
- sweetdeals, on 10/11/2007, -18/+190If I were a British citizen, I would definitely sign. Good Luck!
- Fragmatic, on 10/11/2007, -19/+155Signed to stop the crazies.
- littlebylittle, on 10/11/2007, -14/+145Very simple question from any person:
Is there a God in "the religion" of Scientology?
If so, who is he?
Why do I have to pay to find out?
If I'm wrong tell me who he is. - Shootfast, on 10/11/2007, -16/+141I live in Australia, but thanks to my parents, i have dual british/australian citizenship. +1 signature
- brstilson, on 10/11/2007, -14/+126'As much as I hate Scientology, I could not sign this petition. Scientology is a religion for all intense and purposes."
Scientology is not a religion, it is a supernatural-themed business. They were founded purely to make L. Ron Hubbard rich. It is no more a religion than Yoga or Feng Shui. - DyDx, on 10/11/2007, -15/+123You fools don't know what you're talking about it seems. This petition wouldn't ban the Church of Scientology, it would just ask the government to not RECOGNIZE the 'Church' as a religion, barring it from the benefits that religious organizations receive (in the US at least, religious organizations are tax exempt). This does not in any way violate freedom of religion.
Seeing as how Scientology is a complete crock of ***** and ruins lives, I see no problem with barring them from these benefits -- they can steal people's money all they want as long as it's not MY money, or the money of any person smart enough to realize it's a scam.
The US needs to do this badly, like Germany did. - lavchan, on 10/11/2007, -25/+127As much fun as it would be to see Scientology fail, governments should not be in the business of 'accepting' religions at all.
- SundayTrain, on 10/11/2007, -5/+81Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side.
- SgtAl, on 10/11/2007, -19/+83Tax exempt status should not be granted to cults that are little more than thinly veiled organized crime groups. The words "religion" and "church" should never be applied to scientology due to the fact that there is no worship involved and no theocracy in the teachings.
- EndangeredMassa, on 10/11/2007, -6/+68Agreed.
There should be no federal recognition of or benefits for religions at all. - mikesbaker, on 10/11/2007, -5/+66ok Brits, I think is awesome that your government has its own online petitions. In the US its just B.S. online petitions (which I thought this one was until I saw the web site hosting it).
- spudnic, on 10/11/2007, -15/+73"Even if the religion is abhorrent, it is still their right, and the more of these things you let the government take away, the more they will take away in the future."
That's the thing, it's not a religion over here. - Quactaur, on 10/11/2007, -2/+42Don't forge addresses. This petition tool is a powerful way of talking to the government, it even gets news covereage. If you start putting fake signatures, you give the government a great excuse to ignore these kind of petitions.
- FearMEiDEA, on 10/11/2007, -5/+41ALL HAIL XENU!
You non-beleivers will perish!
Im off now to go electroshock the Etards out of my system.
;) - inactive, on 10/11/2007, -17/+53"Tax exempt status should not be granted to cults that are little more than thinly veiled organized crime groups. The words "religion" and "church" should never be applied to scientology due to the fact that there is no worship involved and no theocracy in the teachings."
Organized religions are all (more accepted) cults, and started off with small followings before word got out of their existence. Some are heavily veiled organized crime groups. Tax exempt status should not be granted to any of them. If you're going to restrict one, restrict them all. - HenvY, on 10/11/2007, -9/+40I am threatened by scientology because they use brainwashing to make people believe crazy ***** and spread that ***** around. I don't know about you, but I don't want scientology's ***** stains all over my city(London). Not only that, they also prey on the vulnerable with their 'drug rehab' centres. That's not ***** on. I don't want scientology to have tax-exempt status because part of their brainwashing is to make people hand over all their money. It's a for-profit organisation and they can ***** off. I'm an athiest.
- Shao00, on 10/11/2007, -8/+34What do they gain by being recognized as a religion in the UK?
- Canaduh, on 10/11/2007, -11/+36Whether you or not you agree whether religion should have tax exempt status or not, or whether you think an equivalence argument can be made to equate scientology to other religions, this is a first step.
Instead of the usual wrangling about other religions, let's focus on this one specific one in this one specific situation. Scientology's "fair game" doctrine (advocates murdering/ruining opponents), depriving people forcibly of their ability to seek proper medical treatment (again, leading to deaths or tragedy), the overblown pyramid scheme that scientology is, the use of confidential information gained under the guise of counseling to use as weapons against people who escape their church (see Nova's special), or the programming that would do Heaven's gate proud are reasons enough to not allow it the cloak of religion.
The only viable reason to not sign this is if you don't see scientology as harmful (whether or not any other religion is has nothing to do with this), or if you're a member of the church. Again, instead of using this as a platform for ranting, look at it as a single opportunity to do something against this horrible organization. - Waterrat, on 10/11/2007, -8/+32
Good luck there Brits. I'm rooting for ya! Don't let that cult get a toe-hold there. - CannedMango, on 10/11/2007, -7/+31@consoneo
I appreciate that you believe strongly in the freedom of all people.
This also means that you must give credence to all cults and fringe groups out their with similar beliefs (in fact using the word cult is probably derogatory unto itself). - mannymix03, on 10/11/2007, -2/+25Tom Cruise is not amused....
- DesuKN, on 10/11/2007, -2/+24@littlebylittle
The person closest to god in the 'religion' is L. Ron Hubbard himself. Scientology has never officially acknowledged that he died, and it seems some of them believe he has merely departed for "futher research".
It does however really piss them off if you say they worship Xenu. - jesterace, on 10/11/2007, -6/+28Flying Spaghetti Monster FTW!!
- alexforcefive, on 10/11/2007, -7/+28@brstilson
buried for implying jedi isn't a religion! - oesj, on 10/11/2007, -2/+20annoying yoda impressions are
- prisoner24601, on 10/11/2007, -12/+30@ rolandde
Scientology is a religion for all intense and purposes.
Even the most hardcore atheist shouldn't lump all religions into one "they are all equally worthless" category and just move on. The major religions of the world will "put their cards on the table" and provide an end-to-end explanation of their view of reality FOR FREE and WITHOUT any expectation of your ability to give anything back to them. Whether you believe Christianity or Islam or Buddhism to be true or not, you cannot fail to recognize that they are open about their agenda. Scientology, on the other hand, will (quite literally) sue you if you reveal the so-called "sacred texts" of their belief! How anyone cannot recognize there is a fundamental difference between sincere religions and the scam that is Scientology is truly inexplicable.
Whenever Atheists jump in with their "Scientology isn't any more stupid than anything else because believing in any deity is the act of a moron" comments, you only obscure the issue. Sure, these people should have the unquestioned absolute freedom to believe that Xenu brought them to earth if they are so irrational to accept that. But just because you somehow actually believe that the Stay Puft Marshmallow man is god doesn’t' mean you get TAX EXEMPT STATUS for your organization. That's what this is about, not freedom of religion.
We who constantly rise up with criticism of Scientology do so because they claim to be a legitimate religion, but not only refuse to reveal their "scriptures" but also actively prosecute and persecute those who do attempt to expose their belief system. - Keain, on 10/11/2007, -4/+22@alexforcefive
brstilson said yoga, not yoda. - RickySan65, on 10/11/2007, -2/+19"What do they gain by being recognized as a religion in the UK?"
All kinds of tax benefits i'd assume, but that's just a guess - san1ty, on 10/11/2007, -3/+20You are going to get tied into knots if you try to separate Scientology from other religions. The real question is not whether Scientology is a religion, but why religions get tax exempt status in the first place.
- rebotfc, on 10/11/2007, -4/+20Its not about free speech scientologists are free to say whatever crap they want, it IS about protecting the vunerable from being exploited by this scam business who only play the religion card to obtain tax benifits/charitable status.
- cheesegrater22, on 10/11/2007, -0/+16 @paladius "I do not know much about England's constitution" That's because we don't have one :D
- moiremusic, on 10/11/2007, -4/+19I should probably add that I don't think any religions should get preferential treatment from the government.
- drWhoopass, on 10/11/2007, -4/+19Food gets taxed but not religion? The government should never assign tax exempt status for any religion. If it's a not-for-profit organization that is one thing, but last time I checked, the pope rolls pretty fat.
- masamunecyrus, on 10/11/2007, -9/+24Who cares? The Force is a religion, and some people worship tree goddesses. As long as nobody is telling me who to worship, who am I to tell them?
- Wootery, on 10/11/2007, -1/+15Perhaps, but if the government officially recognises it as such, it gets tax-exemptions.
- Septimus, on 10/11/2007, -3/+16Hmm yes they are. Plus they persecute anyone who contradicts them... they are ***** nuts.
- Bamborzled, on 10/11/2007, -1/+14@laplacian
As somebody said above, this petition is not to ban Scientology itself, but to stop the CHURCH of Scientology from getting "religious organization" status in the UK, which means the Church would be tax-exempt, if UK laws about religious organizations work the same as the US laws. You are still allowed to believe in Scientology, spaceships that look like Douglas DC8s, and evil alien overlords; however, the organization in which you pay to receive these beliefs will have to pay taxes. - BlackKnight6, on 10/11/2007, -2/+15Man, I was almost done filling it out until the part I read about having to be a resident. I don't want the UK to have to deal with them being a religion like we do here in the US.
- saintdesy, on 10/11/2007, -1/+14The difference is that Scientology is a for profit business that requires mandatory payment for specific services. In addition to that, they employ disgusting practices like forcing people to 'disconnect' from their families and performing illegal and/or unethical acts of retribution against anyone that disagrees with their practices.
- melondemon, on 10/11/2007, -3/+15If there's a chance you can stop any religion from getting officially recognised leap at the chance. How anyone can support or believe in such poppycock as scientology or any other god/supernatural based religion is beyond me. I cry for all children of Religious parents. The scourge of our planet.
- bjornski, on 10/11/2007, -1/+13Aren't forcing people to stay? Why are there organizations like http://www.escapeint.org/ to help people escape them?
You really don't know much about them, do you?
http://www.whyaretheydead.net/
http://www.suppressiveperson.org/
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Library/Shelf/pignotti/
http://www.lisamcpherson.org/
http://www.clambake.org/archive/books/tsos/sos.html
http://www.xenu.net/archive/personal_story/cheryl_s/
http://www.xenu.net/archive/personal_story/kathryn.html
http://www.xenu.net/archive/enemy_names/
Nah, they don't try to keep you in the cult. And if you DO leave, they ***** you up. - thecosmicpope, on 10/11/2007, -4/+16Xenu is my homeboy!
- inactive, on 10/11/2007, -4/+16Jesus guys! This petition ***ISN'T*** about banning scientology in the UK.
As much as I despise everything these nutcases believe I don't believe they should be forced not to believe.
This petition is only about NOT granting them all the perks and benefits that a 'real' crazy-ass nutcase religion like Catholicism or Mormonism gets!
Its not about denying people their beliefs or forcing them to deconvert, its about stopping batcrazy L.Ron worshipers from gaining and then abusing the technicalities and benefits of being classified as a tax exempt organization!! - SteveCUBE, on 10/11/2007, -3/+15At least some actions is being taken, this terrorist organization should be stopped.
- inactive, on 10/11/2007, -1/+13why should a criminal organization that harms and swindles people out of money be allowed tax-exemption and other protections and benefits??
oh, and that goes for scientology too! - glomgold, on 10/11/2007, -24/+35rolandde wrote:
"Scientology is a religion for all intense and purposes."
intense? really? - HalFTW, on 10/11/2007, -5/+16Signed.
- redwards, on 10/11/2007, -1/+12In other news, I'm declaring my condo a place of worship. Screw property taxes. The flying spaghetti monster protects us from taxes.
- grubwort, on 10/11/2007, -1/+12Fat lot of good indeed. Have you seen some of the other petitions on that site?
"Stop the enormous obsession with unnecessary and ugly extra road signs and coloured tarmac."
"Keep Britain British"
"Move Parliament to Bradford"
"Allow the sale of elephants in pet shops in the UK"
At the moment there are more signatures to "enter Ultimate Frisbee in to the 2012 olympics" than there are to ban Scientology.
This is democracy at work, people!
/smacks forehead with palm - Misaiato, on 10/11/2007, -1/+12It is horribly disturbing how many people posting comments here lack basic reading skills. Way too many people are saying the govt can't tell people what to believe blah blah blah.
The petition is to prevent Scientology from getting the same financial benefits from the UK PEOPLE (because you're the tax payers) that other religions get. It's nice to see that others have posted this same information - but it seems to be continually overlooked/ignored. I'm horrified that many of you must have gotten through school without the basic reading skills necessary to extract proper meaning from text. -
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