Have you seen this thread...

[and-justice-for-all]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=3568912&mesg_id=3568912

No one over there can see just how similar mainstream religious nuttery and Scientology is, it is hysterical.

I really do see any difference between them, at all. Can you?

[muriel_volestrangler]

1. Scientology demands you give it money before they 'help' you

Most religions just ask for money, but will still tell you their principles for free. This is the distinction which means that Scientology is not recognised as a charity in Britain, while religions are - they are 'for the public benefit', while Scientology is only for paying members.

[laconicsax]

4. So they sell indulgences...big deal.

[TZ]

2. Actually I think there is a big difference

Most of mainstream American relgions are pretty open about their practices and allow people who aren't members to visit churches/synogoges and don't have their own corps of lawyers ready to sue or bully anybody at a drop of the hat for defamation. Sorry, but I do beleive their is a difference between a relgion and a cult..and scientology IS a cult.
I realize this is probably not a popular view here, but thats my view of it..and to tell the truth, even though I'm an atheist, it irritates me to hear scientology compared to my secular traditional jewish upbringing..They are NOTHING alike.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

3. I have something of a variation on that opinion. Which I posted there.

"Religion" vs. "cult" is a rather arbitrary line, like "thin" vs. "fat." But I'd say the Catholic Church, for instance, weighs 160 lbs, while Scientology weighs 400.