Freedom of religion isn't freedom from criticism. Just thought I'd point that out since it seems to be often missed.

But philosophical criticism of a religion is quite different from giving credence to stupid rumors, such as gunmen from the Scientology Church following Kate or whatever. You should watch some entertainment news programs and see how Tom and the Church are portrayed. Imagine if Tom was Jewish and Katie was separating from him because being a devout Catholic, she and Tom could not agree on how to raise their daughter. Would the media portray the synagogue and Tom in that way?

The way I understand it is that Scientology is seen not as a real religion with real values and ethics but as a fraudulent and lucrative business. In my view, this makes Scientology a real threat to Hollywood, another lucrative business with no ethics.

Because if you think about it, all religions believe in all kinds of strange things, miracles, whatever. And there are thousands of cults in US. But it's Scientology which is feared the most.

As Fulham said earlier, you should research how Scientology deals with critics. It isn't pretty. IMO any disdain/fear of them is justified. Google "Scientology fair game". Most countries do not even recognize it as a legitimate religion, it is a documented scam.

Well, you can believe what you like. I'm just saying I find it hypocritical and stupid that Hollywood and the media in general is acting as if they are occupying the higher moral ground, that they have trouble swallowing Scientology. Maybe once they reach a settlement with the Church behind closed doors, get a good cut of the profits, they'll have no trouble deepthroating Tom and his beliefs if need be.

I wasn't just talking about this thread alone (just using it as a reference), Nearly every thread in this section turns into a bash fest.

Not that most major religions don't have dirty, dirty business under their carpets, but Scientology is relatively new, and their dirty business makes their rug particularly lumpy.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Snow_White

Feral, no question, Scientology definitely has a dark side. And I think I should have been more clear from the start because I'm not defending some relativist position that says every religion is a mix of good and bad so they're all exactly equal. Nor am I saying that Scientology or Tom should be immune from critiques. My beef was mainly with what I consider the hypocrisy of the media, of why they would focus on this case and not, say, what goes on behind the billion dollar porn business. I watch a lot of entertainment news (I got nothing better to do ) and so this was bothering me.

Oh, no problemo man.
It's all entertainment news to me.

I'll bite. What goes on behind the billion dollar porn business? (Please start a New Topic)

Agree with this, entirely.

Frankly, if I was in any way religious, I would be at pains to distance myself completely and comprehensively from Scientology, which - even from the laughable neologism of its name - is even more transparently bullshit than your usual bronze age storybook.

I mean this is a 'religion' where you have to pay to have it revealed to you. Imagine if a priest said to you "Well, I'm glad you enjoyed Genesis, now if you only pay me $2,000 I'll let you read Exodus." Oh please what a crock of shit; if you can't see through that you almost deserve to be conned.