And of course it would be just fine to stone your disrespectful, uncooperative child, as is dictated in the Bible.🤨

Another dubious aspect of Scientology that I think could be addressed is FSM commissions – which I suspect may perpetuate the CofS and its abuses more than we realize. Along with providing a public benefit, there shouldn’t be that sort of personal profiteering, at least not on the same sort of basis as a boileroom sales operation.

Of course. Even a cursory glance across Europe finds countries with multiple parties, coalition governments, far greater electoral transparency and an arguably less ideological mainstream media.

The US is an oligarchy. I know of no other Western democracy where corporations and special interest groups have such significant influence. What’s sad is that Americans keep voting for it, seemingly hopeful things will be different each time around. Good luck with that.

Some talk about scientology as if it’s an outlier – as if conditioning, manipulation and ideological possession are things that happen “over there.” Most odd.

Curious if you believe there is a country where this is not the case (other than dictatorships)?

Jere Lull – that’s pretty much where I was going, or at least leaning. The problem with jumping headlong into “controlling Scientology” (and other pernicious cults), is that it’s so easy to write vague laws that leave it up some person to interpret. I realize that judges and juries do that all the time, but if such interpretations are left up to law enforcers (from police on up to attorneys general), we’re going to start ripping up the Bill of Rights – simply because everyone is human, and even in the best case personal biases will enter the picture.

PeaceMaker – I just don’t see traditional religious groups having much say on what goes on in public education. I think it would be easier to make the argument that public education in itself is part of a cult that would oppose critical thinking.

Behind the apparent duopoly is the party of big business and the almighty dollar. It’s not a wasted vote to support third parties. You need a politically competitive “marketplace”, now more than ever.

If you keep propping up this sociopathic system, expecting different results, you’re a chump.

Thanks so much