Scientologists Are Technically Atheists Right?

[Marduk]

Since they aren't theists.

There's no deities. Just some weird alien sci-fi stuff.


I think skeptic is a better title than atheist, since too much garbage can technically be lumped as still being atheist.

They are theists

In Scientology, the concept of God is expressed as the eighth dynamic—the urge toward existence as infinity, as God, or the Supreme Being. As the eighth dynamic, Scientology’s concept of God rests at the very apex of universal survival.

so bit pointless pretending theyre anything else
They do believe in God, its just a different form of God they believe in



Atheists, in case you didn't realise are characterised by a lack of belief in a deity, its not a catchall term for anyone who doesn't believe in an abrahamic big boy

 

[fredcarr]

Interesting point - though I'm not sure why one would come to the conclusion Scientologists aren't theists. (However it seems there is a range of meaning for that word as well as polytheism.)

But the distinction may have some validity for some though I suspect that views may vary widely on this from one Scientologist to another. A "belief" in spirits and things spiritual (which may include god and/or gods) is part and parcel of the religion though.

Reminds me of a thread from way back stating that Scientologists/Scientology didn't believe in calculus. I was struck by the notion of the idea that people would believe in calculus at all. Why bother? Can you learn about it and apply it to problems of life? If so it seemed that belief really wouldn't be needed. (Not to say that calculus and god are similar orders of magnitude.)

Also the idea that one believes or doesn't believe seems a bit limiting as well. Couldn't there be a wide range of belief? A spectrum of faith if you will. I've known Scientologists that have started out fairly skeptical of anything spiritual and have changed in this regard as they studied and learned more and more. I know I did. (I was considered quite skeptical in my youth.)

A study of the basics of the religion would clear this point up though.

 

[Trent Wray]

Cargo cults have more basis in reality than scientologists imo.

 

[Fishstick]

"the aighty ollar. Oh I get it. AHAHAHA"

Kudos to whoever recognizes that quote.

Simpsons, one of the old episodes with a mad-magazine foldin.

I watch too many cartoons.

Also the quote was more like "The all-ighty dollar?!"

 

[Wowbagger]

They do treat L. Ron Hubbard as a god-like-entity. They know he's technically dead, but simultaneously believe that he is still around, somehow, making new discoveries and break-throughs for his "technologies" and such.

Also, many scientologists are simultaneously members of other, more mainstream, religions; and would therefore be theists.

 

[Ron_Tomkins]

Since they aren't theists.

There's no deities. Just some weird alien sci-fi stuff.


I think skeptic is a better title than atheist, since too much garbage can technically be lumped as still being atheist.

Scientology is a Religion and, as all Religions, it is not based on evidence but rather on arguments of authority and beliefs that have their roots in dualism.

Religion certainly has evolved (we no longer burn women just because we think they're witches) and has acquired a more modern look, but it's still Religion and it's still woo.

 

[timhau]

Cargo cults have more basis in reality than scientologists imo.

That's because they're technically morons.

 

[Big Les]

Scientology as descended from earlier new age religions/belief systems (the Ordi Templis, the Thelemites, Golden Dawn etc), pretty much posits the individual as the closest thing to 'god' - i.e. the 'Operating Thetan' levels (basically magical powers, extended life, healing capability, being 'at cause' and able to affect reality etc). As no-one has reached the supposed heights of Hubbard, in practice HE is their 'god'/messiah/prophet rolled into one.