Originally posted by @fmfYes, but excoriating and debasing those you are "debating" [your word] simply because they disagree (sonship, dj2becker, Grampy Bobby), while being your raison d'etre, is certainly not a preferred use of this forum.
It's a debate and discussion forum, Suzianne. People disagreeing - and discussing those disagreements - is par for the course.
Originally posted by @suzianneDo you ever spend any time here excoriating and debasing people you disagree with, Suzianne?
Yes, but excoriating and debasing those you are "debating" [your word] simply because they disagree (sonship, dj2becker, Grampy Bobby), while being your raison d'etre, is certainly not a preferred use of this forum.
Originally posted by @fmfIf no one has clued you in recently, simply narcissistically regurgitating your own posts (while implying that they are somehow too rarified for the hoi polloi to understand) is something you regularly attack others for in this forum.
Yes, Scientology is an example of the propagation of "special knowledge" which cannot be understood by those who are not members of the group, and how this supposedly precludes them from understanding the ideology that unites the group on account of not being on the prerequisite "different plane".
Not to mention that you're just wrong. Please explain this "example" of "special knowledge" that you think the Scientologists have. Go ahead, we're listening.
Originally posted by @fmfYour attempt to link Scientology with Christianity is a huge stretch because what you refer to as “special knowledge” in Scientology is well guarded and only dispensed after a significant financial investment.
Yes, Scientology is an example of the propagation of "special knowledge" which cannot be understood by those who are not members of the group, and how this 'inability to grasp this exclusive knowledge' supposedly precludes them from understanding the ideology that unites the group on account of them not being on the prerequisite "different plane".
What you refer to as “special knowledge” as it pertains to Christianity is available to anyone who is willing to examine the evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, much, if not all, of which is available for free online, and Bibles are available for free online as well.
One can freely acquire what you refer to as “special knowledge” as it relates to Christianity if they are willing to invest some time and effort and approach the undertaking with humility and an open mind. The “special knowledge” can be acquired by anyone who wants it, but God doesn’t force Himself on anyone; if you’re not interested in Him and are not willing to learn about Him, you can hardly complain you don’t have access to “special knowledge.”
Originally posted by @suzianneGoogle it. There's loads of information on the net about it.
Please explain this "example" of "special knowledge" that you think the Scientologists have. Go ahead, we're listening.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology
"The Church of Scientology holds that at the higher levels of initiation ("OT levels"😉, mystical teachings are imparted that may be harmful to unprepared readers. These teachings are kept secret from members who have not reached these levels. The church says that the secrecy is warranted to keep its materials' use in context and to protect its members from being exposed to materials they are not yet prepared for."
Originally posted by @romans1009They both rely on the notion of members residing on "different planes" because of "knowledge" created by "belief" and on the notion that this "knowledge" is 'beyond the grasp' of people without the necessary "belief". The parallel is instructive and not a stretch at all.
Your attempt to link Scientology with Christianity is a huge stretch because what you refer to as “special knowledge” in Scientology is well guarded and only dispensed after a significant financial investment.
Originally posted by @romans1009Thanks for your perspective on this.
One can freely acquire what you refer to as “special knowledge” as it relates to Christianity if they are willing to invest some time and effort and approach the undertaking with humility and an open mind. The “special knowledge” can be acquired by anyone who wants it, but God doesn’t force Himself on anyone; if you’re not interested in Him and are not willing to learn about Him, you can hardly complain you don’t have access to “special knowledge.”
Originally posted by @fmfJust proves my point.
Google it. There's loads of information on the net about it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology
"The Church of Scientology holds that at the higher levels of initiation ("OT levels"😉, mystical teachings are imparted that may be harmful to unprepared readers. These teachings are kept secret from members who have not reached these levels. The church ...[text shortened]... ntext and to protect its members from being exposed to materials they are not yet prepared for."
If you want what you refer to as “special knowledge” in Scientology, you’ve got to pay to get it, and the sum from what I’ve heard is not paltry.
If you want what you refer to as “special knowledge” as it pertains to Christianity, all you need is a Bible and an open mind and open heart. God is available to anyone who’s interested - at no charge.
1 edit
Originally posted by @romans1009This is a red herring. The management or mechanisms of the two religions is not the point. The point is that...
If you want what you refer to as “special knowledge” in Scientology, you’ve got to pay to get it, and the sum from what I’ve heard is not paltry.
'People who do not believe in Christ cannot possibly understand Christian spiritual matters because Christians are on separate planes from others'
...is psychologically/anthropologically [edit!] of a piece with...
'People who do not believe in Scientology cannot possibly understand Scientological spiritual matters because Scientologists are on separate planes from others'.
No one is saying the two religions are the same. But, psychologically speaking, the same dogma-defined groupism is present in both.
Originally posted by @romans1009And if someone like Ghost of a Duke does this - consumes and processes all this knowledge - and finds it unconvincing and implausible, what do you say to him? Oh yes... As a non-believer, you lack the knowledge and discernment to understand spiritual matters. Ha ha. It's like a self-sustaining delusion-feedback loop.
If you want what you refer to as “special knowledge” as it pertains to Christianity, all you need is a Bible and an open mind and open heart. God is available to anyone who’s interested - at no charge.
Originally posted by @fmfFWIW, my auto mechanic has “special knowledge” that I don’t understand, but, if I took a few automotive courses or studied a bunch of books, I could probably acquire it. But that doesn’t mean I would be mechanically inclined or be as good as he is at diagnosing and fixing cars.
This is a red herring. The management or mechanisms of the two religions is not the point. The point is that...
'People who do not believe in Christ cannot possibly understand Christian spiritual matters because Christians are on separate planes from others'
...is psychologically/anthropogenically of a piece with...
[i]'People who do not believe ...[text shortened]... are the same. But, psychologically speaking, the same dogma-defined groupism is present in both.
Take a great pisnist. He has special knowledge too, but even if I acquired all of his knowledge, I still might not be a good pianist because I don’t have the aptitude for it.