DM has to stand on his toes just to reach the bottom…….

Now to why I comment. I lived in Pinellas County in the 90s. Happened to go to the beach Monday and decided to drive down Ft. Harrison on the way home. It struck me that nearly every street-level window and door on Scientology property had some sort of Christmas wreath or decoration on it! For God’s sake … seriously? Do they really believe we are that naive? Interestingly enough, didn’t see many LRH groupies out and about in uniform and not one in reindeer ears or Santa hat. At any rate, I thought of you and giggled out loud, repeatedly, all the way home. Thanks for your relentless work, enlightenment, and humor. Keep the faith Sir. Merry Christmas to you and your precious family!!!

It is so sad that you truly believe that the church does chartible work. There is more than enough evidence showing exactly what a scam this church is. Open your eyes. It is sad to see that even still ins are giving up their families, friends and money for a church whose main focus is to get as muuch money out of their followers as possible.

Mike, I am interested to know whether or not the City of Clearwater and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Department also sponsor Christian Nativity scenes and Jewish Hanukkah Festival of Lights? If they do not, claiming ‘separation of church and state’, wouldn’t that be religious discrimination?

If I were a citizen in Clearwater, I’d be asking some questions of the City Council.

Keep up the good fight.
OB

I’ll add a few extra cents here… Look up the “Rose Cross” (aka “Rose Croix” aka “Rosy Cross”) and you’ll find a very similar cross to Scientology’s cross in the occult world. Used by the Rosicricians, later OTO and the Golden Dawn, perhaps others. LRH’s days living with Jack Parsons and his hedonists is surely where he picked up this symbol.

As we know, LRH was a “curator” of various beliefs and teachings which he put into the “mystery sandwich” that is Scientology. He obliterated the source of these ideas, attributing them only to his enormous intellect (ego) and stripped out the parts the didn’t keep the leash tight. Bits of truth, mixed with self blame if things don’t go right, and “the _next_ level with really fix things, would you like to buy that to have it revealed?” mystery and you’ve got yourself a nice business, especially if you go for the “religion angle” as LRH said.

I am glad to see that the members are ashamed of their own institution. The reputation of this “church” is likely ruined forever by their own actions.

I don’t think you have to celebrate the commercial side of Christmas to be a Christian – so just because they don’t celebrate Christmas doesn’t make them non-Christian.

“They view God as the Father, an invisible spirit “person” separate from the Son, Jesus Christ.”

That makes them different than Protestants/Catholics. No belief in triune God. Therefore, not a follower of Jesus Christ (of the Protestant/Catholic bible), therefore not a Christian.

From JW.ORG: “Yes. We believe in Jesus, who said: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) We have faith that Jesus came to earth from heaven and gave his perfect human life as a ransom sacrifice. (Matthew 20:28) His death and resurrection make it possible for those exercising faith in him to gain everlasting life. (John 3:16) We also believe that Jesus is now ruling as King of God’s heavenly Kingdom, which will soon bring peace to the entire earth. (Revelation 11:15) However, we take Jesus at his word when he said: “The Father is greater than I am.” (John 14:28) So we do not worship Jesus, as we do not believe that he is Almighty God.”

Hubbard was very clear on the subject of “charity” and exchange. For example:

“When you let a person give nothing for something you are factually encouraging crime.” — HCO PL 4 April 1972, ETHICS.

“Consider a group which takes in money but does not deliver anything in exchange. This is called rip-off. It is the ‘exchange’ condition of robbers, tax men, governments and other criminal elements.” — HCO PL 10 Sep 1982, EXCHANGE, ORG INCOME & STAFF PAY.

“It will be found that those who will pay were the most able to begin with and have the greatest value to others. Their worth as persons is greater.” — HCO PL 9 May 1965, AUDITING FEES PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT OF PRECLEARS SCALE OF PREFERENCE.

“You can only help a strong man, really. It’s very dangerous to help a weak one.” — PDC10, 3 Dec 1952, SPECIFIC PARTS OF SELF-DETERMINISM.

So it’s a tad confusing to see scientologists engaging in charity, especially those with the full support and approval of the church, when this is clearly at odds with Hubbard’s teaching. Something is amiss, no?