Archive for February, 2008
Googling around for all of 10 seconds, I find that the comparison hasn’t been often made between the two “religions”, but I find the similarities to be strikingly obvious
- Both religions were founded by Americans who had failed at prior enterprises (Joseph Smith tried to found a bank, L. Ron Hubbard had a less-than stellar run in the U.S. Navy and a middling career as a science fiction writer)
- Both of the aforementioned founders spent much of their lives wanted by authorities for various crimes (Smith for bank fraud and related charges…Hubbard for tax evasion, fraud, and espionage)
- Both groups conduct secret practices, with church knowledge withheld from the general public
- Both groups use psychological conditioning to exert influence over members
- Both groups have been known to include blatant racism in their teachings
- Both groups are founded on scientifically dubious concepts
There are even more similarities (especially in terms of suspicious deaths attributed to both parties), but really what it boils down to is that both “religions” are in fact fabrications of mildly imaginative conmen who created their respective churches to give glory to their favorite historical figures- themselves.
In case anyone is reading this and is curious what prompted this brainstorm, earlier this week I was called a “bigot” for mocking the fact that Mitt Romney probably wears magic underwear. I’ll copy and paste what I said in response here.
Mormonism is a money-making scheme concocted by a 19th century con man, and in it’s short history has been behind murders, racist and sexist policies, and attempts to subvert the US government. And grouping in Scientology with legitimate (i.e.: not for profit) religions shows that in your eager rush to decry any criticisms as bigotry you managed to actually learn anything about the topic you’re discussing. As hesitant as I am to ever cite it as a source, I am begging you to go read the wikipedia entries on Mormonism, Joseph Smith, Scientology, and L. Ron Hubbard.
Inherent disdain and distrust for confidence schemes and murderous cults isn’t the same thing as bigotry.
And that’s what it all boils down to. Are we so cowed that we’re not even able to point out patently dumb ideas without being shouted down as close minded hatemongers?
“No, Travis, that man who died huffing gold paint wasn’t doing something stupid- he was just experimenting. If you can’t be open minded about what other people do to expand their consciousness, you’re just as bad as Hitler and Mussolini’s secret clone baby. They named him Benidolf Hitlerini.”
William F. Buckley calls Gore Vidal a queer, threatens to knock him out
This was 1968, man. When things were SERIOUS.
(apologies for the crappy page this is hosted on)
HR 888, aka, America is Totes a Christian Nation, You Guys, and Always Has Been. At least 44 state reps think seperation of church and state is something that a) is stupid, and b) can be overcome by an idiot house referendum, because that’s how constitutional law works. Also who wants American Religious History Week cards?
Hillary Clinton. (If you need a link to why this is turrrrrrible, you are welcome and encouraged to enter my awesome contest wherein you mail me your voter registration card in order to maybe win a BRAND! NEW! CAR!)
Justin Raimondo, an old favorite of mine, puts it quite plainly:
Yet elections are all about comparisons, and, compared to his rival, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Obama is the antiwar candidate
How this isn’t obvious to everyone else, I’ll never know.
THIS JUST IN:
But Hillary Clinton is wrong on the war in Iraq and that should matter a lot in this race. Critics of Hillary Clinton who are leaders in the Democratic Party that I have spoken to privately believe that she is too much like McCain to offer voters a meaningful choice. “Voters will choose a real Republican over a fake Republican every time,” one politico said to me, slashing at Clinton for her tilt toward the right on the war.
That’s right, even Alec Baldwin can see the writing on the wall.