Scientology: fraud or enlightenment?

I have developed quite a strong 'anti-Scientology' mindset. This seems to have stemmed from a video i saw, showing quite a few of its scarily bad points. Then again, looking back on it, it sounds very stupid gaining opinions of things from just one source. However, after visiting the official website, i found that their religion was very interesting, refreshing, and fair enough in principle. Yet, it could obviously be a possibility that they are using this as a facade to cover up their main motives. I mean, surely cant every church come up with whatever spin they want to gain members. Also, seeing as members invest in courses, it would also give them a financial gain. There are many beliefs circulating about what they believe and what the principles of the religion are. These include the story (which i have heard myself), about an evil alien prince by the name of xenu, who infested the already inhabitants of the earth called thetans, and killed their original souls with 'h-bombs'. Yet, on wikipedia, the only extra-terrestial related belief is that peoples 'thetans' have lived on other planets other than earth. Ex-members sometimes say that they must invest thousands of dollars into the church before they are given information on 'confidential upper levels' within the church. According to a video, most members are suicidal after leaving the church, and the founder, Ron.Hubbard, describes how he gives the right to 'destroy' the churches critics. Critics have been harassed, and due to the Churches high finances, have been left in severe debt. Every branch of the church includes an 'information centre' to entice people into their belief system.The big question is: 'if they preech words of enlightenment, then why must people pay for their courses? However, form your own opinion from www.scientology.org , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWx7v6L6tvs&feature=related, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCGP-0545EU 

Different state of mind

Ive been spending a lot of time lazing around at the moment, and, along with the unpleasant feelings such as sluggishness which could be gained from it, i also have plenty of time to ponder on things that wouldnt usually cross my mind. These arent always nice 'realisations', and sometimes make me ponder on such things to the extent that it will plague my mind for quite a few days afterwards. This obviously is a big distraction towards such other things in which i could be forwarding my energy. However, as i was biking rather ferociously back from somewhere in the wet yesterday, i found myself having a quite in-depth thought into the basis of the structure of the justice system, belief system e.t.c to which i had grown up. I have recently embarked upon a study of pagansim, and my first book which i have just finished on the subject, gave quite an in depth chapter on the subject on different ethical structures. It shows the common western structure, especially the one used in the U.S.A.Their structure includes a basis of liberty e.t.c, and leads to an ultimate gain. To my knowledge, the structure used in England is very similar, even if the emphasis on elements such as liberty is slightly less powerful. However, looking deeper into this, everything seems to be focused on doing right (the punishment of crimes) and the isolation of criminals and offenders (people locked away in gaol) . Also, people seem very content going to work every day, getting together with a partner, having children, and sub-consciously therefore contributing to the human race as a whole. But, why must the average person be so content with plodding along with the crowd, getting a job, getting married, and having children? If you ask me, everything seems, even if very mildly, geared up towards more enjoyment in another life. This almost translates towards an afterlife. This could in turn translate into heaven. And what religion has hold of most of the western world? Christianity. And one of the fundamentals of christian teaching is to work hard and free of sin in this life, in the promise of a better life after death. Of course, this may not be striking within a modern society, where atheism seems to have taken a strong hold. However, as far as im concerned it definitely suggests that the years of the grasp of Christianity has had a lasting effect. Another striking example of this is the fact that assisted suicide is still illegal in England. Surely one of thereasons for this could be that suicide is against the principles of Christianity? Of course, there is nothing wrong with any of this, especially if your christian. However, for all of us non-Christians, there seems to be no quick escape in sight, for in my opinion, the ethical system at least in England isn't going to change in the near future dramatically. We must all remember that marriage, having children, and getting a job is totally normal and enjoyable, even if it could be the product of Christianity's teachings. I myself hope to get married, have children, and get a job, so i am far from labelling this ethic as bad, and if it has worked so well for so long, maybe it is a good thing. But are you happy living in a society potentially governed by one authority?