Sep 14, 2011 -- 6:17PM, solfeggio wrote:

Scientology (in the words of its founder, Ron Hubbard) teaches that homosexuals are a dangerous aberration and a sub-human species...

But then so was Hubbard.

Sep 15, 2011 -- 3:49AM, CharikIeia wrote:

Sep 14, 2011 -- 1:43PM, Erey wrote:

Just curious, how do you know the Scientology words/terms?

Their main technical procedures seem to consist of a lie detector type interrogation in which they ask you questions and you hold onto a device measuring electrical conductance of your skin. When conductance increases (typically because you sweat a bit) this is seen by the interrogator, and s/he interprets it as having hit on an "aberration", the question addresses something important to you that you still need to come to terms with, in their view... i.e., lose any conductance reaction to. Basically you're sane (they call it "clear") only when you don't react to anything any more, conductance-wise...

One of the managers of the bookstore where I used to work was enamored of Scientology although I don't know that he actually was one. Anyway, he set up special events for the store, and every so often would bring in the local Scientologists with their meter to "test" people.

I once heard one of these people giving a customer advice on the customer's mental health based upon what this silly meter indicated. I was appalled.

What's interesting about the founding of Scientology is that reportedly Del Close, a founder of the Second City comedy troupe, stated that he was responsible for Hubbard's starting a religion. Close asserted that Hubbard was bemoaning his lack of money, and Close suggested that the easiest way to get rich was to start a religion so as to enjoy the tax-free benefits accorded to churches in the U.S. Hubbard had already had limited success writing science fiction, so it wasn't much of a leap to make up a religion with many sci-fi characteristics.

I don't know how true that is since Close was fond of inflating his own importance, but it wouldn't surprise me but what there's an element of truth in it. The two men were closely acquainted at one time.

The result is still calculated in millions of dollars.

Sep 15, 2011 -- 3:49AM, CharikIeia wrote:

Sep 14, 2011 -- 1:43PM, Erey wrote:

Just curious, how do you know the Scientology words/terms?

They were aggressively recruiting in the late 1980s in the streets of Berlin, so I informed myself a bit. Also, my literary hero William Burroughs had a short period of being involved with that organisation: CLICK.

Their main technical procedures seem to consist of a lie detector type interrogation in which they ask you questions and you hold onto a device measuring electrical conductance of your skin. When conductance increases (typically because you sweat a bit) this is seen by the interrogator, and s/he interprets it as having hit on an "aberration", the question addresses something important to you that you still need to come to terms with, in their view... i.e., lose any conductance reaction to. Basically you're sane (they call it "clear") only when you don't react to anything any more, conductance-wise...

So what does on have when one is declared "clear"?

That sounds a little like biofeedback.   I've read where patients are taught ways to control their bodily responses using biofeedback.  Is this similar?

Boy, the things one learns....

Irene.

This is very disheartening. First, I wonder why they didn't breast feed the baby, and second, why they fed the baby soy milk, as opposed to soy formula. I fairly sure there is a difference, and that soy milk is probably not appropriate for a baby, where as soy formula would be designed for a baby. I almost think a parenting licence is a good idea, but it might be too complicated. Maybe everyone who gets pregnant, and the father of the baby as well should have to take manditory parenting classes or something so they hopefully will have a help in giving the baby. For families that already have children and things are good I wouldn't necessarly think they need to take the parenting classes.

JFG