Comments on: Scientology: Cult of Conditioning http://bryanhelmig.com/scientology-cult-of-conditioning/ ...and a digital brain freeze. Sat, 28 Aug 2010 15:29:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Bo http://bryanhelmig.com/scientology-cult-of-conditioning/comment-page-1/#comment-14 Bo Thu, 06 Nov 2008 08:54:00 +0000 http://bryanhelmig.com/?p=41#comment-14 While I appreciate your criticisms, I have to speak up against the psuedo-scientific use of the words like 'brainwashing'. That word and words that serve the same purpose are not rational terms, but tools that are used to attack new, or different, religions. I would suggest focusing on actual injustices engaged by the relgions you criticize. Maybe they resort to manipulation, coercion, or other unnaceptable methods of group reinforcement. But using psuedo-scientific words like 'brainwashing' or 'cult' end up not being effective in the end. While I appreciate your criticisms, I have to speak up against the psuedo-scientific use of the words like ‘brainwashing’. That word and words that serve the same purpose are not rational terms, but tools that are used to attack new, or different, religions. I would suggest focusing on actual injustices engaged by the relgions you criticize. Maybe they resort to manipulation, coercion, or other unnaceptable methods of group reinforcement. But using psuedo-scientific words like ‘brainwashing’ or ‘cult’ end up not being effective in the end.

]]> By: bryan http://bryanhelmig.com/scientology-cult-of-conditioning/comment-page-1/#comment-13 bryan Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:29:48 +0000 http://bryanhelmig.com/?p=41#comment-13 @ Robert, great comment, I appreciate the time you took to post that. I had a few papers in mind as I wrote it but I couldn't find them online. Maybe an inline citation would be appropriate. I just thought it would be rather interesting to be one of the hundreds of enemies of such a silly cult but maybe the whole SP thing is a little silly regardless, it's unlikely they have time for random small time critics. Consider it revised on account of nativity (I get excited sometimes). Also, SP means suppressive person, and is probably reserved for ex-Scientologists as it is more of an ex-communications device. Again, thanks for the comment. @ Robert, great comment, I appreciate the time you took to post that. I had a few papers in mind as I wrote it but I couldn’t find them online. Maybe an inline citation would be appropriate.

I just thought it would be rather interesting to be one of the hundreds of enemies of such a silly cult but maybe the whole SP thing is a little silly regardless, it’s unlikely they have time for random small time critics. Consider it revised on account of nativity (I get excited sometimes).

Also, SP means suppressive person, and is probably reserved for ex-Scientologists as it is more of an ex-communications device.

Again, thanks for the comment.

]]> By: Robert http://bryanhelmig.com/scientology-cult-of-conditioning/comment-page-1/#comment-12 Robert Thu, 30 Oct 2008 23:38:03 +0000 http://bryanhelmig.com/?p=41#comment-12 You never mention what "SP" is supposed to be an acronym for. I'm guessing it means to become an enemy of Scientology. Which overall, is a poor idea. The group is infamous for it's use of legal persecution as well as stalking and slander of its critics. The article itself is decent but could use citation and real world examples to prove it points rather then just making assertions. A lot of the material you cover is done better by other writers so it mostly only vindicates people who share your position with weak arguments. It might be better to simply read more about this, and post links and quotes to what you find rather then what you think. Mark Bunker might be a good start for your studies. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Bunker Just my thoughts. You never mention what “SP” is supposed to be an acronym for. I’m guessing it means to become an enemy of Scientology. Which overall, is a poor idea. The group is infamous for it’s use of legal persecution as well as stalking and slander of its critics.

The article itself is decent but could use citation and real world examples to prove it points rather then just making assertions. A lot of the material you cover is done better by other writers so it mostly only vindicates people who share your position with weak arguments. It might be better to simply read more about this, and post links and quotes to what you find rather then what you think.

Mark Bunker might be a good start for your studies.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Bunker

Just my thoughts.

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