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

[QUOTE=MaveDustaine;30804618]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] Plenty of harm can come from being a communist, as evidenced by the many bloody communist dictatorships to have existed over the years. Which is surely the kind of communism that would arise from someone who took inspiration from the works of Mao.

Protestantism wasn't a religion when it began if that's your argument, and neither was Christianity as a whole.

[QUOTE=Novistador;30804740]Plenty of harm can come from being a communist, as evidenced by the many bloody communist dictatorships to have existed over the years. Which is surely the kind of communism that would arise from someone who took inspiration from the works of Mao.[/QUOTE] I am of the opinion that there has never been a true communist nation. Eventually human influence leaks in and corrupts everything. That can happen with literally any economic/social philosophy in play if there's an asshole in charge of it all, which there typically is.

[QUOTE=cyclocius;30804707]The fact that it's not accepted as a religion in many countries, primarily because it functions more like a business than anything.[/QUOTE] Scientology is exactly like every other religion to have ever existed, with the exception that it is in its early stages, and its mythology is unique among religions. Scientology prescribes rules for living by, has buildings where followers congregate, and most of its teachings rely on the followers having faith in a higher power (in this case aliens and their spirits) Scientology is a religion, its just a very silly one,

Though I think Scientology is absolutely ridiculous, I do not support censorship in any way, even of the ideas I oppose. Any of you that praise censorship as long as it's something you're against, you are ignorant and hypocritical.

Scientology is harmful, but it only harms people stupid enough to willingly sign up for it and harm themselves by following. Scientology is an appalling scam which deserves no legal recognition as a religion, but I can't support anything that censors expression in order to protect people only from doing damage to themselves.

[QUOTE=MaveDustaine;30804817]I am of the opinion that there has never been a true communist nation. Eventually human influence leaks in and corrupts everything. That can happen with literally any economic/social philosophy in play if there's an asshole in charge of it all, which there typically is.[/QUOTE] Irelevant, you said no harm can come from being a communist, and there have been plenty of people who identified themselves as communists and caused boatloads of harm. The specific communist being mentioned was Mao, who I think very few people would try to defend.

[QUOTE=Novistador;30804871]Irelevant, you said no harm can come from being a communist, and there have been plenty of people who identified themselves as communists and caused boatloads of harm. The specific communist being mentioned was Mao, who I think very few people would try to defend.[/QUOTE] My point was that harm would have happened with those same people regardless of whether they were Communist or Socialist or Capitalist. Whenever communism has been put into play throughout the ages, it's always more or less been capitalism on steroids. But I see your point, harm can come from it yes, the same way harm can come from any other economic philosophy. And yes, Mao was an asshole and China is going to be that way for a very long time because of him.

Lets ban that golabally now.

ITT: Fascists.

I would never argue that this is good because I don't believe any government should be able to ban certain works. Government censorship is always bad. It's easy to be in support of it when it comes to Scientology, but it is important to realize that this gives for further censorship. A good question to ask is "would you allow Iran to censor the media"?

[QUOTE=MaveDustaine;30804817]I am of the opinion that there has never been a true communist nation. Eventually human influence leaks in and corrupts everything. That can happen with literally any economic/social philosophy in play if there's an asshole in charge of it all, which there typically is.[/QUOTE] God quit it. I mentioned the little red book, which would fall under your definition of "not being a true communist nation" Also a little off topic, real skinheads aren't racists.

[QUOTE=Keyblockor;30802272]Good, since this "religon" is just a hoax for cash.[/QUOTE] and other religions arent? :v:

[QUOTE=sp00ks;30804975]ITT: Fascists.[/QUOTE] are you one of those idiots that classify anything they dont like as fascists

banning things you disagree with isnt right kids instead mentally crush those who disagree with you to the point where they see the folly of their ways and come over to the side of sanity. or something like that. banning things just because is bad tho [editline]30th June 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Melnek;30805365]are you one of those idiots that classify anything they dont like as fascists[/QUOTE] are you one of those idiots who has never opened a dictionary

[QUOTE=MaveDustaine;30804945]My point was that harm would have happened with those same people regardless of whether they were Communist or Socialist or Capitalist. [B]Whenever communism has been put into play throughout the ages, it's always more or less been capitalism on steroids.[/B]But I see your point, harm can come from it yes, the same way harm can come from any other economic philosophy.[/QUOTE] Please explain the bold.

[QUOTE=Pepin;30805560]Please explain the bold.[/QUOTE] I can explain it for you Teenage communist phase.

As much as I dislike Scientology, the idea of simply banning literature doesn't seem right. Even if we disagree with someone, that doesn't mean we should take away their right to talk. Its an outright violation of freedom of expression. But if Russia decided ban something this forum liked, the facepunchers would go all "hurd durr freedom of expression".

too much freedom to do whatever the fuck IS the problem. [editline]30th June 2011[/editline] I think :raise:

[QUOTE=Nerts;30802524]Banning it is a bit far, but it sure as hell shouldn't get tax breaks or anything like it does in the US.[/QUOTE] But then again, neither should any religion. [editline]30th June 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Pepin;30805560]Please explain the bold.[/QUOTE] I wouldn't expect a reasonable one because he seems to be spouting the standard HUMAN NATURE RUINS IT teenager drivel that's repeated 7 billion times every time there's a thread on socialism or communism.

[QUOTE=JohnnyMo1;30806159]But then again, neither should any religion.[/QUOTE] I thought about adding that, but that's a shitstorm all on it's own.

[QUOTE=JohnnyMo1;30806159]But then again, neither should any religion. [editline]30th June 2011[/editline] I wouldn't expect a reasonable one because he seems to be spouting the standard HUMAN NATURE RUINS IT teenager drivel that's repeated 7 billion times every time there's a thread on socialism or communism.[/QUOTE] Religions get tax breaks because they aren't (or at least shouldn't) making profit from their donations, since the money is supposed to go entirely into running the religion, same goes for charities.

[QUOTE=Rofl my Waff;30805100]God quit it. I mentioned the little red book, which would fall under your definition of "not being a true communist nation" Also a little off topic, real skinheads aren't racists.[/QUOTE] Don't fucking tell me to shut up, this is a forum where everyone can express their opinion. And I'm the one being called a fascist by ghost raters, jesus christ.

Cool down bro no one told you to shut up.

most of russia isnt religious so who gives a shit. Im sending terrorist threats to the church of scienshitity now.

[QUOTE=Keyblockor;30802272]Good, since this "religon" is just a hoax for cash.[/QUOTE] And here I was thinking all of them were :v:

[QUOTE=Destroyertf;30805726]As much as I dislike Scientology, the idea of simply banning literature doesn't seem right. Even if we disagree with someone, that doesn't mean we should take away their right to talk. Its an outright violation of freedom of expression. But if Russia decided ban something this forum liked, the facepunchers would go all "hurd durr freedom of expression".[/QUOTE] Given the CoS' previous actions, this has nothing to do with stifling freedom of speech, but as a source to cut off their income. This has no impact on religion or expression.

Scientologists are a threat to Putin's and Medvevev's power v:v:v Edit: Seriously, Russia has been ruled by dictators it's whole history, From Feudal to Czardom to Leninist and Stalinist to Despotism under Putin and his competitor Medvevev. Edit2: Most Russians don't really care or realise because it has always been like that, like americans never care or realise that they have been in a constant state of war or hostility towards some or other threat for the last 200 years.

[QUOTE=Falchion;30806798]Scientologists are a threat to Putin's and Medvevev's power v:v:v Edit: Seriously, Russia has been ruled by dictators it's whole history, From Feudal to Czardom to Leninist and Stalinist to Despotism under Putin and his competitor Medvevev. Edit2: Most Russians don't really care or realise because it has always been like that, like americans never care or realise that they have been in a constant state of war or hostility towards some or other threat for the last 200 years.[/QUOTE] are you actually saying that putin or medvedev are 'dictators' well by that logic any president that is currently in power in any country is a dictator.

[QUOTE=Melnek;30808477]are you actually saying that putin or medvedev are 'dictators' well by that logic any president that is currently in power in any country is a dictator.[/QUOTE] Putin is pretty clearly a dictator, he was the president for like ever, and then when he "stepped down" he appointed himself prime minister, and gave the prime minister more powers than the president. Sounds pretty dictatorial to me.