Apparently Not All Religions Are Created Equal, The IRS' Secret Deal With Scientology Under Scrutiny
To most outsiders, the Church of Scientology is a funny little "religion."
Its founder, L. Ron Hubbard, was a science fiction writer with an intensely unique imagination. From the sound bites mentioning aliens, e-meters and OT levels we hear in the news, to the passionate proclamations of its adherents, (such as the now infamous Tom Cruise testimonial leaked a few weeks back) it's hardly a wonder why the average citizen doesn't pay much attention to what's really goes on behind the CoS doors. It's too absurd to be taken seriously, right?
For the last 50 or so years, Scientology has had its share of ups and downs like any new "religion" might. One only need look at the global scrutiny Islam has been under since 9/11 to see even ancient and sacredly held beliefs can come under fire when they clash with contemporary culture.
Another great example of this is the Catholic Church, which has had to weather its own violent storm of criticism for an unacceptable and grotesque abomination within its hallowed halls. When rumors of rampant pedophilia committed by ordained priests were uncovered there was outrage. But when it was discovered the Catholic Church's own hierarchy, all the way up to the Pope himself, knowingly allowed these criminal and vile acts to go unpunished thereby allowing them to continue, people were beyond outraged, they were stricken to their core.
Since then, the fallout has been legendary, with longtime Church officials not only being fired, but many guilty priests tried in criminal courts and sent to jail. Various diocese across the country have had to pay millions in civil claims settlements with victims of sexual abuse. Most importantly, the Catholic Church, under relentless pressure from the public at large, was forced to admit their crimes and culpability in these heinous abuses. This scandal was both embarassing and damaging to the Church's reputation. Yet, in the end, they came out of it a more open and humble organization better capable of serving the needs of its followers.
If we were to look deeply at each of the major religions of the world, be it Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism or Buddhism, the central tenets that drive and help them grow in their numbers is a shared commonality: to serve the spiritual needs of its followers.
It's also essential to note one other common factor within these known and established religions: the fundamental necessity of tending to the poor. While all religions request financial donations for the purposes of funding their charitable efforts in the community and the world at large, none REQUIRE it. Depending on what individual church, temple or mosque you go to, any religion seeking to maintain and grow within its faith wants your money.
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