Russian court bans Scientology literature, classifying it as ‘extremist’ - Polidicks

[QUOTE=Elecbullet;30803423]Banning the literature of a system of beliefs. You're being foolish here. Can we discuss the banning of scientologist books? Can we compare that to banning of Christian books? Muslim? Hindu? Buddhist? Atheist? [b][i]NO![/i][/b] That's not a religion. It's all in the same general category. You're just being stupid to criticize him just because it's not a religion.[/QUOTE] But atheism doesn't have a set of beliefs and practices as it's not a religion. Books about "atheism" are actually counter arguments to religion, not about atheism as a whole.

[QUOTE=Elecbullet;30803493]Russian court bans Richard Dawkin's [i]The God Delusion[/i], classifying it as 'extremist' Wouldn't that piss you off just a bit[/QUOTE] Yes but did Dawkins ever say that it's okay to kill a Christian man just because his beliefs don't click with yours? Russia actually did their research here before banning this one.

[QUOTE=MaveDustaine;30803649]Yes but did Dawkins ever say that it's okay to kill a Christian man just because his beliefs don't click with yours? Russia actually did their research here before banning this one.[/QUOTE] Best couter to what I said posted as of yet, however it's generally [i]not good[/i] for a state to ban a book, period I might add that the Bible has a lot of shit like that in it, and if some place banned the Bible, it'd be pretty uhh sinister sounding wouldn't it

[QUOTE=Keyblockor;30802272]Good, since this "religon" is just a hoax for cash.[/QUOTE] what religion isn't a way of business these days anyway? or the church organizations.

[QUOTE=Gekkosan;30803797]what religion isn't a way of business these days anyway? or the church organizations.[/QUOTE] Personally I think that a lot of Christians are actually Christians, hard to believe isn't it

[QUOTE=Elecbullet;30803850]Personally I think that a lot of Christians are actually Christians, hard to believe isn't it[/QUOTE] Most Christians don't seem to be very bothered about their religion. They might have read the bible or go to church once or twice a year, if that.

[QUOTE=Elecbullet;30803769]Best couter to what I said posted as of yet, however it's generally [i]not good[/i] for a state to ban a book, period I might add that the Bible has a lot of shit like that in it, and if some place banned the Bible, it'd be pretty uhh sinister sounding wouldn't it[/QUOTE] Just a little disclaimer: I'm not an Atheist, I'm a buddhist and even I can see the large majority of Christians hide in ignorance and hatred. I come from a small southern bible-town so excuse me if it feels like I'm apply a blanket stereotype. :v: And yes, it would sound pretty sinister but there's a difference between let's say, Scientology and Christianity. Christianity is a legit religion but Scientology is just a very elaborate pyramid scheme designed to fleece people of their common sense and money in return for a prize that doesn't actually ever come. It's like a game, only you don't win, you just win L. Ron Hubbard's cock up your ass and inside your wallet.

christians, catholics, muslims, jewish.. it's all the same if you strip all the unnecessary bullshit out. Personally I think that a lot of Christians/whatever don't even know why they are Christians/whatever, they just are. And they are "proud" of it.

[QUOTE=MaveDustaine;30803914]Just a little disclaimer: I'm not an Atheist, I'm a buddhist and even I can see the large majority of Christians hide in ignorance and hatred. I come from a small southern bible-town so excuse me if it feels like I'm apply a blanket stereotype. :v: And yes, it would sound pretty sinister but there's a difference between let's say, Scientology and Christianity. Christianity is a legit religion but Scientology is just a very elaborate pyramid scheme designed to fleece people of their common sense and money in return for a prize that doesn't actually ever come. It's like a game, only you don't win, you just win L. Ron Hubbard's cock up your ass and inside your wallet.[/QUOTE] In the end it's not good for a government to tell us which religions are [i]more[/i] full of shit but whatever

I guess that they get shit done in Russia.

Once again, censorship is acceptable to ITN when it's not porn or videogames.

I thought Russians were supposed to be the bad guys? There's something more sinister afoot!

I can't believe how many of you are actually cheering in support of government censorship of literature. for every argument against Scientology as a dangerous "extremist" ideology, I'm sure you could make an equally good argument saying the same about Islam. Though I'm sure if Russia banned the Koran or other Islamic literature you would be all up in arms about racism and censorship. (also note that they didn't ban specific "extreme" scientology texts, but all texts regarding the ideology, so the Islamic comparison stands.)

[QUOTE=Billiam;30804166]Once again, censorship is acceptable to ITN when it's not porn or videogames.[/QUOTE] Because pornography and graphic video games don't actually harm anyone. People have spent their life savings in what amounts to a pyramid scheme or a cult. I honestly get the feeling most of the people in here playing devil's advocate are only doing it to separate themselves from the 4chan crowd. I don't even visit 4chan and I can see how scientology can be harmful, and why it can be classified as extremist.

[QUOTE=Novistador;30804219]I can't believe how many of you are actually cheering in support of government censorship of literature. for every argument against Scientology as a dangerous "extremist" ideology, I'm sure you could make an equally good argument saying the same about Islam. Though I'm sure if Russia banned the Koran or other Islamic literature you would be all up in arms about racism and censorship. (also note that they didn't ban specific "extreme" scientology texts, but all texts regarding the ideology, so the Islamic comparison stands.)[/QUOTE] I was just about to say... I hope they censor Islam too.

The only thing about scientology that really distinguishes it from other religions is that is it genuinely designed as a scam, for no purpose other than to make money. I don't agree with banning all of its literature.

[QUOTE=Novistador;30804219]I can't believe how many of you are actually cheering in support of government censorship of literature. for every argument against Scientology as a dangerous "extremist" ideology, I'm sure you could make an equally good argument saying the same about Islam. Though I'm sure if Russia banned the Koran or other Islamic literature you would be all up in arms about racism and censorship. (also note that they didn't ban specific "extreme" scientology texts, but all texts regarding the ideology, so the Islamic comparison stands.)[/QUOTE] One thing is censoring the Qu'ran and another thing is prohibiting Islamic extremisms.

[QUOTE=Turnips5;30804297]The only thing about scientology that really distinguishes it from other religions is that is it genuinely designed as a scam, for no purpose other than to make money. I don't agree with banning all of its literature.[/QUOTE] Plenty of other religious organizations use their religious status to influence politicians, embezzle donations, push their agendas, etc.

[QUOTE=MaveDustaine;30804241]Because pornography and graphic video games don't actually harm anyone. People have spent their life savings in what amounts to a pyramid scheme or a cult. I honestly get the feeling most of the people in here playing devil's advocate are only doing it to separate themselves from the 4chan crowd. I don't even visit 4chan and I can see how scientology can be harmful, and why it can be classified as extremist.[/QUOTE] The exact same arguments which try and say pornography causes rape, and violent video games cause violent crimes apply to books containing certain ideas, forcing people to act on those ideas. You and several other people in this thread are just unwilling to admit that because you have an attachment to one medium(games, porn) and a grudge against the other.

[QUOTE=Elecbullet;30803493]Russian court bans Richard Dawkin's [i]The God Delusion[/i], classifying it as 'extremist' Wouldn't that piss you off just a bit[/QUOTE] Richard Dawkins isn't an extremist, so yes it would piss me off. The God Delusion isn't about attacking religious people, it's about how atheists shouldn't be ashamed of their beliefs, and to debunk the common idea that atheists must have no morals because we have no God. It also goes into the scientific aspect of debunking relgion, and Dawkins even says that he's okay with his idea of the intended purpose of Religion, to fill a gap in people's lives, provide consolation in death, and a few other things. There's a very fine line between that and a cult that passes itself off as a legitimate religion, that uses false promises to literally bankrupt its members.

Russia beign intolerant towards religion again? Certainly didn't expect that :downs:

[QUOTE=carcarcargo;30804449]Russia beign intolerant towards religion again? Certainly didn't expect that :downs:[/QUOTE] I'd agree if Scientology was a religion, but it isn't. Even L. Ron Hubbard said that if you want to get rich, start a religion. It's nothing but a very successful marketing franchise.

[QUOTE=Novistador;30804381]The exact same arguments which try and say pornography causes rape, and violent video games cause violent crimes apply to books containing certain ideas, forcing people to act on those ideas. You and several other people in this thread are just unwilling to admit that because you have an attachment to one medium(games, porn) and a grudge against the other.[/QUOTE] For the most part I don't even play video games and rarely look at pornography. But there are no video games and porno flicks that tell viewers to invest their life savings in them, or say it's okay to kill another human being so long as he didn't play this particular game or watch this particular porno flick.

[QUOTE=MaveDustaine;30804241]Because pornography and graphic video games don't actually harm anyone. People have spent their life savings in what amounts to a pyramid scheme or a cult. I honestly get the feeling most of the people in here playing devil's advocate are only doing it to separate themselves from the 4chan crowd. I don't even visit 4chan and I can see how scientology can be harmful, and why it can be classified as extremist.[/QUOTE] Are you suggesting that books are brainwashing machines? Should I not be allowed to buy a copy of mein kampf for fear of me becoming a nazi or a little red book for fear of me becoming a communist?

[QUOTE=MaveDustaine;30804241]Because pornography and graphic video games don't actually harm anyone. People have spent their life savings in what amounts to a pyramid scheme or a cult. I honestly get the feeling most of the people in here playing devil's advocate are only doing it to separate themselves from the 4chan crowd. I don't even visit 4chan and I can see how scientology can be harmful, and why it can be classified as extremist.[/QUOTE] If some dumbass wants to put forward their life saving into something they genuinely believe in, it's none of my business no matter how retarded the belief.

[QUOTE=Omali;30804485]I'd agree if Scientology was a religion, but it isn't. Even L. Ron Hubbard said that if you want to get rich, start a religion. It's nothing but a very successful marketing franchise.[/QUOTE] Mormonism could technically come under that as well since they force their members to pay a "tithe". If people want to give their money to a scam of a religion then let them, and if you feel really strongly about it, try and convince them otherwise, banning them from practising their religion however, no matter how retarded it is (unless it involves killing people of course) is an infringement on those peoples rights

[QUOTE=MaveDustaine;30804506]For the most part I don't even play video games and rarely look at pornography. But there are no video games and porno flicks that tell viewers to invest their life savings in them, or say it's okay to kill another human being so long as he didn't play this particular game or watch this particular porno flick.[/QUOTE] That accusation might have held ground if not for the fact that there are plenty of Scientologist who don't go around killing people as evidenced by all of the Scientologists who aren't in jail.

[QUOTE=Rofl my Waff;30804545]Are you suggesting that books are brainwashing machines? Should I not be allowed to buy a copy of mein kampf for fear of me becoming a nazi or a little red book for fear of me becoming a communist?[/QUOTE] I wasn't saying that all, because Nazism is for the most part dead, except for certain punk subcultures (skinheads and other such people) and no harm can come from being a communist. I can see how nazism was a terrible, terrible thing but Nazi Germany has been dead for well over 50 years by now. Okay, maybe I should really re-consider my stance here. Let's just say... Banning scientology... seems a bit overboard yes but there is nothing healthy about being a follower of scientology, it's L. Ron Hubbard's attempt at grabbing wealth and nothing more but... Hey, maybe it shouldn't be banned and this is kind of a scary thing. :ohdear:

[QUOTE=Omali;30804485]I'd agree if Scientology was a religion, but it isn't. Even L. Ron Hubbard said that if you want to get rich, start a religion. It's nothing but a very successful marketing franchise.[/QUOTE] What constitutes what is and isn't a religion???

The fact that it's not accepted as a religion in many countries, primarily because it functions more like a business than anything.