Does Scientology deserve more scrutiny than other religions?

[Casca]

On one hand, Scientology beliefs are not any more absurd than the beliefs that other religions present.

On the other hand, it was started by a science fiction writer, has copyrights/trademarks in place that "limit outsiders from distorting their intent", and is wildly secretive. It was started in the last century, so a lot of the facts about the origins of the religion are fairly well known.

So while I am an Atheist, and believe that religious mythology are works of fiction; I actually do have a little more bias towards Scientology. To the point where I have to believe that most of it's members join for status reasons, and not because they actually believe it.

What's your take?

[Alex K]

It's really not about their silly beliefs, those are indeed not much more or less idiotic than the mainstream religions. The only real concern is that they tend to exploit and abuse their members (and staff!) more than other mainstream religions.

[Thumpalumpacus]

It deserves scrutiny for its racketeering, never mind its idiotic doctrines. Legal scrutiny.

[Whateverist]

It deserves derision more than most.

[Jesster]

The belief itself isn't any more insane than other religions. The problem lies in the actions of Scientologists.

[brewer]

Government/IRS should have never given it religious status. The IRS caved to legal bullying.

[Cato]

Religious implications be damned, it's a cult. The LDS gang at least gives a veneer of traditional religious sensibilities, but runs a close second in the cult arena next to the Scientology shitstains.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Religious implications be damned, it's a cult. The LDS gang at least gives a veneer of traditional religious sensibilities, but runs a close second in the cult arena next to the Scientology shitstains.

Not to mention that both have weighed in financially in electoral politics.

[PETE_ROSE]

No. Scientlogy can be dismissed with merely a cursory examination.

[abaris]

The only real concern is that they tend to exploit and abuse their members (and staff!) more than other mainstream religions.

I couldn't care less over the idiots emptying their wallets for Scientology, but by all accounts they manage to park their followers in positions of power. The classic example of a fifth column and a danger for the economy as well as politics.