Freethought & Rationalism Archive

tk · 12-16-2002, 06:56 AM

I am new here, and I apologize if this topic has been discussed before (UBB's "search" facility is dog-slow).

Lately there seems to be a rise of various cults based on "science" and "reason", such as <a href="http://legalminds.lp.findlaw.com/list/fedtax-l/msg02694.html" target="_blank">Neo-Tech</a>, <a href="http://www.xenu.net/" target="_blank">Scientology</a>, and <a href="http://anw.com/halebopp/heaven.htm" target="_blank">Heaven's Gate</a>. In my opinion, the presence of these cults poses as much danger to the sanity of the world as religious fundamentalism does.

Does the infidel community have any suggestions to offer on stemming the rise of these bogus philosophies? Thanks in advance.

Butters · 12-16-2002, 12:52 PM

These cults are not based on "science" or "Reason". They are dressed up to look that way.
The only thing anyone can do here is expose them for the frauds they are, and hope they only sucker in the most foolish of people out there.

Philosoft · 12-16-2002, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Butters:
<strong>These cults are not based on "science" or "Reason". They are dressed up to look that way.
The only thing anyone can do here is expose them for the frauds they are, and hope they only sucker in the most foolish of people out there.</strong>

Heh. That about covers it.

Wyz_sub10 · 12-16-2002, 01:35 PM

I would also add that both Scientology and Heaven's Gate are 30+ years old.

Fortunately, neither of these are really growing.

It's like listening to an Amway distributor tell you that the MLM concept is spreading like wildfire. It isn't, but it makes you think twice about the allure.

(BTW, don't even get me fucking started on Amway)

Butters · 12-16-2002, 02:17 PM

Amway! Six years ago I'm living in Germany, working with this Russian guy. He invites me to his house to discuss a business deal. I get there thinking he's got some Import/export idea for Russia, and he's trying to sell me AMWAY! I fell out! The world is getting to small.

Per · 12-16-2002, 04:48 PM

What is this amway thing anyway? It sounds like a railroad corporation. Is it some sort of pyramid scheme?

Celsus · 12-16-2002, 04:55 PM

Hi tk,

Welcome to the boards!

Good to see another Singaporean here. You can make an introduction <a href="http://iidb.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum&f=43" target="_blank">here</a>.

Joel

Living Dead Chipmunk · 12-16-2002, 06:33 PM

Per: In short, yup.

Pugilist Atheist · 12-17-2002, 12:53 AM

I can't believe that anyone actually takes Neo-Tech seriously.

In the late 80s I worked at a hotel in San Francisco. There were a few people who were permanent residents and one of them was apparently on the mailing list from hell, and every night he would check his mail, and stop at my desk and chat while he sorted through all the crap...

One day he got a huge envelope from Neo-Tech. We must have spent a good hour laughing at their literature. The stuff reads like it's geared toward people whose sole aspiration in life is to become villians in James Bond movies.

Amen-Moses · 12-17-2002, 02:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Butters:
Amway! Six years ago I'm living in Germany, working with this Russian guy. He invites me to his house to discuss a business deal. I get there thinking he's got some Import/export idea for Russia, and he's trying to sell me AMWAY! I fell out! The world is getting to small.

ROTFLMAO, a Russian selling the "AMerican Way", fucking brilliant.

Now why are all my workmates looking at me like that? I'll get up when I'm ready OK.

Amen-Moses

12-16-2002, 06:56 AM	#1
tk Regular Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Singapore Posts: 158	Rise of bogus "rational" philosophies I am new here, and I apologize if this topic has been discussed before (UBB's "search" facility is dog-slow). Lately there seems to be a rise of various cults based on "science" and "reason", such as <a href="http://legalminds.lp.findlaw.com/list/fedtax-l/msg02694.html" target="_blank">Neo-Tech</a>, <a href="http://www.xenu.net/" target="_blank">Scientology</a>, and <a href="http://anw.com/halebopp/heaven.htm" target="_blank">Heaven's Gate</a>. In my opinion, the presence of these cults poses as much danger to the sanity of the world as religious fundamentalism does. Does the infidel community have any suggestions to offer on stemming the rise of these bogus philosophies? Thanks in advance.

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12-16-2002, 12:52 PM	#2
Butters Regular Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Houston Texas Posts: 444	These cults are not based on "science" or "Reason". They are dressed up to look that way. The only thing anyone can do here is expose them for the frauds they are, and hope they only sucker in the most foolish of people out there.

12-16-2002, 01:35 PM	#4
Wyz_sub10 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: In the land of two boys and no sleep. Posts: 9,890	I would also add that both Scientology and Heaven's Gate are 30+ years old. Fortunately, neither of these are really growing. It's like listening to an Amway distributor tell you that the MLM concept is spreading like wildfire. It isn't, but it makes you think twice about the allure. (BTW, don't even get me fucking started on Amway)

12-16-2002, 02:17 PM	#5
Butters Regular Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Houston Texas Posts: 444	Amway! Six years ago I'm living in Germany, working with this Russian guy. He invites me to his house to discuss a business deal. I get there thinking he's got some Import/export idea for Russia, and he's trying to sell me AMWAY! I fell out! The world is getting to small.

12-16-2002, 04:48 PM	#6
Per Regular Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Denmark Posts: 386	What is this amway thing anyway? It sounds like a railroad corporation. Is it some sort of pyramid scheme?

12-16-2002, 04:55 PM	#7
Celsus Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Singapore Posts: 2,875	Hi tk, Welcome to the boards! Good to see another Singaporean here. You can make an introduction <a href="http://iidb.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum&f=43" target="_blank">here</a>. Joel

12-16-2002, 06:33 PM	#8
Living Dead Chipmunk Regular Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: South Carolina Posts: 312	Per: In short, yup.

12-17-2002, 12:53 AM	#9
Pugilist Atheist Regular Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Corpus Christi, TX, USA Posts: 135	I can't believe that anyone actually takes Neo-Tech seriously. In the late 80s I worked at a hotel in San Francisco. There were a few people who were permanent residents and one of them was apparently on the mailing list from hell, and every night he would check his mail, and stop at my desk and chat while he sorted through all the crap... One day he got a huge envelope from Neo-Tech. We must have spent a good hour laughing at their literature. The stuff reads like it's geared toward people whose sole aspiration in life is to become villians in James Bond movies.

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