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New York, 9:18 AM
Tue Nov 24
46 posts in the last 24 hours
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10/29/09
10/31/09
Also private schools linked to churchs such as the Catholic Church, Jewish schools, Christian Schools are soliciting money to educate their students in the faith. #scientology
10/31/09
10/29/09
10/28/09
10/28/09
At this point in their careers, I think a revelation of homosexuality would be less damaging than their continued association with the church -- but I doubt they see it that way.
What are the odds on Travolta, Cruise, or someone else with finance and position trying to stage a takeover and oust Miscavige? That might be more palatable than leaving, especially since they've invested so much (financially and otherwise).
10/31/09
11/02/09
10/28/09
I don't get the mystical hate for Scientology. Or at least not entirely. On the one hand, it's a shitty religion that makes a lot of money off of people. On the other hand, most religions are shitty and make a lot of money off of people. Is it because it's modern and these people should "know better?" Or because there are public deaths associated with it, even though that's also true of other religions? Is it because you don't have to worry about offending someone on the street who is maybe crazy about their orthodox Catholicism, Judaism, all other -isms? It's like this mystical tie that binds all of us and unites us as Americans, and I suppose that's all the evidence I need to know that it's pure evil. #scientology
10/28/09
Take some time and investigate, then we'll see how mystical everyone's hate is. #scientology
10/28/09
Thank you for not answering that, introducing a straw man argument, and talking to me condescendingly. #scientology
10/28/09
With the CoS, the leap of faith isn't there, so it's just way more ridiculous-seeming. I mean, scroll through those pictures and try to not feel creeped out. #scientology
10/28/09
L Ron didn't start Scientology as a religion. So when did he decide that it was a religion? What was the catalyst?
And why are they so secretive about their religous practices?
I question any religion that is exclusive - even the Mormons have exclusivity that you can only be part of some things if you were born into Mormonisn, converting to Mormonism isn't good enough. Don't you think that is odd?
10/28/09
@ampersandparade: I'm quite comfortable disliking the Church of Scientology for its hideous temples of worship. On the one hand, this: #scientology
10/28/09
@snugbug: [redacted]
10/28/09
I think it deserves scorn, just not out of balance to other things. But I do greatly appreciate that you, and others, question why someone would require exclusivity to an organization for the worship of a deity that, by origin of the church's teachings, existed before the church's creation. #scientology
10/28/09
@snugbug: On the other hand, this: #scientology
10/28/09
10/28/09
10/29/09
10/31/09
But abuse can occur whenever someone who belongs to a group then leaves that group. And by tacit understanding rather than by specific rule many questioners or apostates are cut off by church members in any sect. #scientology
10/31/09
10/28/09
10/31/09
10/28/09
10/28/09
Here's the relevant excerpt:
Beck’s involvement in Scientology was unconfirmed to the public until 2005, when he acknowledged his affiliation in an interview with The New York Times, lauding the sect for its work with illiterate kids and drug addicts. His father, musician David Campbell, who lives in Los Angeles, is also a Scientologist, as is his wife, Marissa.
According to Duncan, sometime in their two-year acquaintance, Beck expressed to her and Blake a desire to leave the church, and they had offered him encouragement and even assistance. "That’s ridiculous. Totally false," Beck said. "Had we been closer and discussed anything as personal as religion, I would have only had positive things to say about Scientology."
Duncan e-mailed a friend in late 2006: "[Beck] really, really tried to get away … using going to NY to be in Alice Underground.… He told me he wanted to leave the cult desperately, and this is what they do when someone knows that." She was referring here to her perception that the Church of Scientology had been harassing her and Blake. "Never heard of these people. This is completely untrue," Scientology spokeswoman Karin Pouw told the Los Angeles Times.
10/28/09
10/29/09
10/28/09
10/29/09
10/28/09
10/28/09
10/29/09
10/29/09
10/28/09
I'm going to give "He's A Mighty Good Leader" a hard listen tonight. #scientology
10/28/09
10/28/09
10/21/09
10/21/09
10/21/09
Then again, this is the company who treats the "digital age" as a sort of annoying ex-boyfriend who you have to pay attention to every so often, but will at some point move on with his life. #condenast
10/21/09
10/21/09
10/21/09
There isn't any real sophistication to a Depression business plan for an ad-reliant industry: close up shop. The end. When you're running a business, it would seem to me that end-of-world-as-we-know-it scenarios don't deserve much consideration. After all, how instructive or useful are those perspectives? Especially as an executive, you have a responsibility not to be shaken by trying times and provide an example of optimism for your terrified staff. #condenast
10/21/09
He just believes that they will ultimately be able to achieve similiar content monetization going forward, which IS cyclical, but doesn't account for the lower revenue stream that most digital properties have been able to realize. Then there are weaknesses inherent to wholly digital formats that damage earnings potential - GQ.com just can't present ad content in the same way the glossy can. It seems PollyAnnaish to be making those statements, but then most of the senior editorial staff is approaching the apex of their careers; the only real downside for them is that it all falls down when they're cashing out for retirement. Who needs a legacy when you can have an expense account and an army of sycophantic staffers? #condenast