Scientology: redeeming values?

[TheMiddleWay]

I don't disagree. Psychoactive drugs should be treated with caution, but massive gains from these medications has been shown. There are undoubtedly more people thankful for effective psychiatric medication then people who show apathy sure to initiating treatment.

 

[MyFinalRest]

As to "massive gains" you mention, I would only say that they mask the problem at best. They don't truly correct or cure. But, it is a way to "deal with" the worst cases. Neuroscience still lacks a true understanding of mental illness, and at best provides vague theories. Our ability to produce such fine-tuned drugs to interact with a complex neurosystem is even worse. Although I've known many who say this drug or that really helps for them - i didn't seem to share their viewpoint. Other more powerful drugs like lithium can effectively suppress people through shutting down brain functions and allow them to go out in public without going bonkers, but this is far from being considered a great treatment approach. Most that go on a psych drug are constantly checking themselves in and out of crisis centers because they aren't able to rely on their meds for long. It seems once otherwise fairly normal healthy kids go on, they become part of the system for good.
A serious problem is that people experiencing depression or anxiety, very common and very normal, are often given the drug option before being encouraged to try therapy or lifestyle changes. Psychiatrists, like most other doctors are simply middlemen for the drug companies. Psychology could easily fall under the less demanding and more financially rewarding psychiatry.
Do I have any better ideas for the serious cases? no, not really, but I just want to say that what we've got now ain't great.

I'll add this about the original topic of "redeeming values." Any religion can have its redeeming values and there often arises different interpretations and practices of it as indicated by a "ronbot hunter" post above.

It is certainly a heavily picked-on religion (up there with Mormonism), but I tend to think that most of that stuff is hype. Really why pick on Mormons and Scientologists in the mainstream media so damn much? What threat do they pose? and to who?

 

[beagleboy]

Im a practicing Scientologist. I quit a ten year crack addiction and stopped doing crimes too because COS unlocked something in me. Its hard to determine if I could have done this on my own.
I am just in a better situation with higher quality people than I was before when i was using.

RonBot is fucking wack. He has a whopping 1 post.

 

[hiphophippy]

You should see a psychologist and/or a motivational speaker.

 

[beagleboy]

^you should teach a electrical engineering class in a makeshift bar
I can see pharcyde in the registers office.
"Single yo'"

 

[Pharcyde]

explain that noise you talkin b rye

 

[rickolasnice]

Scientology needs to be destroyed. It's all kinds of fucked up.

 

[MyDoorsAreOpen]

Unless you're a person who has hit rock bottom and has absolutely no one or nothing in this world to live for, I'd be hard pressed to say your life will improve and your inner light will shine brighter than before by joining Scientology. Everything I've heard and read suggests that Scientology is a predatory institution that does no net good for either the vast majority of followers, or for the greater society.

This is the same rubric, mind you, that I use to judge any and all human institutions and groups:
A. How likely is an individual to have an improved quality of life by being a member? and
B. How much good is done for the greater world, both for members and non-members, by the presence and actions of this group?

 

[rickolasnice]

Freedom of choice, my friend..

Children born into it have no say in the matter. They are not free to choose.

Once you are in it you are barely free to choose. They threaten to rip you away from your children, etc.. They prey on people, they lie to them and then they brainwash them. Seriously.. They are all kinds of fucked up.

When the first person went up to the podium to speak about the abuses he experienced while working for the Sea Organization, described as the church’s militaristic workforce, he claimed that he would work 100 hours a week for less than 50 cents an hour.
He said he had a dramatic escape.
He said when he finally escaped on his motorcycle out of the church’s gates, Scientology officials tried to run him over to the edge of the street.

They state they were threatened with torture and physical harm for disloyalty, were subject to long interrogations, were involuntarily and forceably separated from each other for many months with no communication permitted, were forced to divorce, were physically abused with poor nutrition and sleep deprivation, were housed in "animal quarters," were imprisoned against their will, and for resisting control were threatened with being "fair gamed"

"People just get so brainwashed and it's made so difficult for people to leave, they just don't. Staff members don't get paid so they can't accumulate money to leave.

"There's a belief system that if you find something wrong with Scientology, then there's something wrong with you. That's instilled in you so deeply that it's very hard to shake."

Also, read this:

http://exscientologykids.com/extra-quiets-interview/

And other stories from that site.