In light of the recent war that's being waged in the media nationwide between South Park and Scientology, the Church of Scientology has risen to even a higher bar of weirdness.
A lengthy article about Scientology was published last month in Rolling Stone, the Bible of pop culture. It includes a long list of celebrity members and an even longer list of owned property. While the Church of Scientology claims it has millions of members worldwide, experts in sociology and census studies heavily doubt the claim.
While Scientology is a tax-exempt religious organization in the eyes of the U.S. government, it is much more like a "cult" than a "religion." As far as the government is concerned, the Church of Satan - which also boasts some famous members - is not a tax-exempt religion.
The tax-exempt status for churches is a debatable subject, but the Church of Scientology certainly is wealthier than its numbers would have you know.
Also, while most major churches do not secretly guard their doctrines, Scientology has gone to extreme measures to keep church secrets out of the public domain and even secret from some members of the church. These measures have included gag orders, legal action and even claiming the doctrine is under "trade secret" protection.
According to Wikipedia, "a trade secret is a formula, practice, process, design, instrument, pattern or compilation of information used by a business to obtain an advantage over competitors who do not know or use the trade secret." And if you use that definition, Scientology would be a business.
Should Scientology have tax-exempt status if its wealth is under lock and key, and it keeps its doctrine from the American public?
With the nation's increasing distrust in "secret" organizations and corporate financial schemes, Scientology is starting to look more untrustworthy and undeserving of the tax-exempt status granted to it by the federal government in 1993.
While the doctrine of Scientology can be thoroughly dissected and criticized, people should wonder about the views of the religion. A few weeks ago, Isaac Hayes quit his nine-year stint as Chef on the controversial show "South Park." He cited the show's "intolerance and bigotry" as his reasons for leaving the show.
He lasted through the show's satire of Catholicism, Judaism, Protestantism and about every ethnic and racial group in America. However, once the show mentioned and parodied Scientology, he became offended and left the show, which made him a great deal of money.
This indicates the ideals of Scientology. Tom Cruise and other Scientologists have come under fire for their war against psychiatry and the use of drugs to correct depression and other mental health problems. It is becoming more evident that the church is intolerant of other churches and organizations, as well. In the teachings of Scientology, other religions are false and hold no truth whatsoever.
While people have the great freedom of religion, that right should bring with it the tolerance of other beliefs. Most people have no hatred or distrust of Scientology, yet many people who deeply believe in Scientology are intolerant of others.
If they do not want children to take drugs - for proven medical problems - that is fine, and that is their prerogative. But leave the rest of America alone.
Here is a message from America to Scientology: Let the majority of Americans raise their children their own ways, believe what they want to believe and laugh at what they think is funny. If you do that, we will let you do the same.
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