Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief

[Aractus]

I don't have to.......what reason is there to challenge scientology's right to practice as a religion?

Well, as I mentioned (and backed up with evidence) religion brings benefit. If it brings net benefit why would you want to stop it?

Why don't I put this another way. Scientology has been directly responsible for the deaths of some people. The most famous case is that of Lisa McPherson. Cars also directly cause death and injury. But they bring benefits also and they include mobility and convenience. A few years back, Australia began reducing the speed limit for general suburban roads from 60 km/hr to 50 km/hr. As this was done, cost-benefit analysis's were done. And if you're the kind of person who argues that human life cannot be quantified in a cost-benefit analysis, then you'd be the kind of person wanting to ban all cars outright.

In any case, reducing the speed limit reduced the average speed travelled on those roads by about 3 or 4 km/hr (I can't remember the exact amount). But it also significantly reduced road traffic accidents. Therefore the speed limit was rolled-out nation-wide.

Now I would argue that Scientology's dogmatic opposition to psychiatry makes it dangerous and harmful. But if the health benefits they bring outweigh the cost - for example by reducing the burden on the public health system - if that's the case - then fine leave them be. Why on earth would you want to police something that is bringing benefit for the community? You wouldn't. But if it's bringing undue harm then you'd be able to make a case for intervention. Now I can only see two reasons that would give you a legitimate reason for intervention: either for the general health of the population; or for economic benefit of the population. If you could show that Scientology somehow caused people to contribute less to the workplace then you'd have a valid reason for intervention, and one that would make politicians sit up and listen because they're always looking for ways that the economy can grow.