UK Supreme Court rules that Scientology is a religion

[Mr Angry]

Originally Posted by Damien

It's not 'hearsay'. There is plenty of evidence and testimony from former members about the organisation.

OK, fair point, but you I'm assuming have no practical real world personal experience of any such behaviours on the part of scientology. As such I'm intrigued as to your objection to their being recognised as a religion.

Originally Posted by Damien

I can't keep answering the same question and having you pretend I haven't. Russ cannot do either. I have said why time and time again including the post you've quoted.

Thanks for answering for Russ again. He's lucky to have you as such a friend. So your position is based not on their right and recognition as a religion and the fact that they might be recognised as a legitimate faith but on the tax inducements and legal protections they, like many other religions, will be afforded?

Originally Posted by Mr Angry

OK, fair point, but you I'm assuming have no practical real world personal experience of any such behaviours on the part of scientology. As such I'm intrigued as to your objection to their being recognised as a religion.

I don't have a practical real world personal experience of a lot of things I deem to be unfair or wrong. I don't know what it's like to be hunted for ivory or for my rainforest to be cut down. I don't know what it's like to be assaulted or racially abused. I still object to those things. Nonsense argument.

I have given my reasons already.

I want to know why the couple didn't just have a "religious ceremony"in the Scientology chapel of their choice and simply have a registrar present or a civil ceremony after ,or is the point of getting scientology recognised as a religion so that weddings can be legally registered by scientology ministers

[Mr Angry]

Originally Posted by Damien

I don't have a practical real world personal experience of a lot of things I deem to be unfair or wrong. I don't know what it's like to be hunted for ivory or for my rainforest to be cut down. I don't know what it's like to be assaulted or racially abused. I still object to those things. Nonsense argument.

I have given my reasons already.

Thanks again Damien.

On the subject of nonsense arguments why do you object to scientology getting tax breaks but not christianity given that they are both religions?

What, aside from your zero practical real world experience of them, makes them so different as to not qualify in your estimation?

Originally Posted by Mr Angry

Thanks again Damien.

On the subject of nonsense arguments why do you object to scientology getting tax breaks but not christianity given that they are both religions?

What, aside from your zero practical real world experience of them, makes them so different as to not qualify in your estimation?

Your cheap little shots are really annoying me now. Most people don't have experience of most things but since we read, listen and learn we form opinions on matters we don't have direct experience of. So what? Are you really trying to shut down all opinion and comments with that?

I have already given my answer. Multiple times. You keep asking the question again and again presumably hoping that people will think I am avoiding it.

Here are the times I answered that question. Three times.

Originally Posted by Damien

You can be poor and attend church. You're not charged for attending a service and the collection plate is voluntary and it's donations wouldn't come near to paying the upkeep of the church you're in. The Catholic Church is pretty wealthy, I am actually not too sure when their wealth comes from, but I do know that it doesn't come from charging people for the basic purpose it provides. Which is why the Catholic Church is followed by some of the poorest people in the world and why Scientology appeals to rich Hollywood celebrities.

Originally Posted by Damien

As Chris has said, Parliament should decide. Certainly the followers of a organisation they consider a religion shouldn't decide. I think a organisation which charges for it's basic purpose should not be considered a religion worthy of tax exemptions.

Originally Posted by Damien

Scientology is one of the few 'faiths' that charges it's members for it's basic function. The fact that a more traditional church doesn't is part of the reason why they have such tax breaks. When you're paying the vicar and the upkeep of the church whilst relying largely on charitable donations then tax breaks make a lot of sense.

[Mr Angry]

Originally Posted by Damien

Your cheap little shots are really annoying me now. Most people don't have experience of most things but since we read, listen and learn we form opinions on matters we don't have direct experience of. So what? Are you really trying to shut down all opinion and comments with that?

I have already given my answer. Multiple times. You keep asking the question again and again presumably hoping that people will think I am avoiding it.

Here are the times I answered that question. Three times.

Sorry if you find them annoying Damien, I certainly didn't intend annoying you nor was I trying to have "cheap little shots".

I'm in no way trying to "shut down all opinion and comments". On the contrary, I'm proactively encouraging the debate of opinions and comments and I can't help but notice that you don't appear too intent or prepared to engage certain questions raised, which is your right.

I've acknowledged your replies. I'm asking what in your opinion makes the scientology recoginition to entitlement different from any other religions?

Essentially I'm interested in establishing if you are equally aghast at any other religion being afforded tax breaks or legal protections or is this a particular affrontage you reserve for scientology?

If so, and affording consideration to your self confessed lack of real world experience of scientology and their practices (alleged or otherwise), why?

It's a straightforward question. Do you think other religions are more deserving of tax breaks etc than scientology?

Do religions get tax breaks?
I thought it was charities that got tax breaks.

Religious organisations can apply for charitable status purely on the basis of being a religious organisation. They can then claim gift aid tax back on donations as other charities do. There is also some kind of business rates relief on their premises.

[Matth]

Scientology should be investigated as a cult and for fake psychology, not recognized as a religion.
Their only purpose is to sell their sci-fi mumbo jumbo, in instalments so the crazier elements are not seen until sufficiently programmed!

[alferret]

Originally Posted by Matth

Scientology should be investigated as a cult and for fake psychology, not recognized as a religion.
Their only purpose is to sell their sci-fi mumbo jumbo, in instalments so the crazier elements are not seen until sufficiently programmed!

Personally I find Christianity to be fake and/or a cult. The only purpose I see for Christianity and their non factual beliefs in a 2000 year old story that purports to be true is to make money off of the backs of the gullible. People are programmed from a young age to adhere to the thoughts and beliefs of those that say they they have the ear of the man upstairs.

[TheDaddy]

Originally Posted by Chris

Religious organisations can apply for charitable status purely on the basis of being a religious organisation. They can then claim gift aid tax back on donations as other charities do. There is also some kind of business rates relief on their premises.

About time that was clamped down on, organisations want charitable status let them prove what charity acts they do regardless of religion.

---------- Post added at 20:32 ---------- Previous post was at 20:31 ----------

Originally Posted by alferret

Personally I find Christianity to be fake and/or a cult. The only purpose I see for Christianity and their non factual beliefs in a 2000 year old story that purports to be true is to make money off of the backs of the gullible. People are programmed from a young age to adhere to the thoughts and beliefs of those that say they they have the ear of the man upstairs.

Yep, turn the other cheek and love your neighbour are clearly for the gullible and have no place in the modern world.

Originally Posted by TheDaddy

About time that was clamped down on, organisations want charitable status let them prove what charity acts they do regardless of religion.

"The promotion of religion" is a charitable act, under British law. It would be a pretty radical change to do away with that.

[dilli-theclaw]

I'd love to see blueprints for their Electropsychometer.