Notice: Fredric Rice may have removed segments of the replies given to
questions if they contained copoyrighted materials. After a very short
while, Scientology "experts" refused to answer questions and
started cut-and-pasting copyrighted cult propaganda. Additionally I
removed URLs in some of the replies, and left them in others. And it's
also important to note that eventually the unfortunate "Greg
Churilov" cultist was ejected from
askme.com for his typical Scientological behavior.
Anonymous asked this question on 2/3/2000:
hello again greg, first, let me thank you for your response. I
totally disagree with just about everything you said, but you say
it well, and I respect your right to believe as you do. But, I
must address a couple of the statements you made. First of all the
bible is not just a book for jewish people. a little investigation
would show anyone who cared to inspect it that the bibles teachings
apply to all human beings, dispite : race, geographtion, or the
time frame in which they live, unless of course, someone thinks they
can legitimitly claim that their are some people on the planet for
whom Jesus surman on the mount would not be beneficial.
Secondly, Jesus christ is obviously the greatest man who ever lived,
his popularity and notarity is still increasing almost 2000 yrs.
after his death.
And in spite of any assertions to the contrary, there is not a single
other notable person in world history, about whom an even remotely
similar claim can be made! Is it really likely he borrowed something
from someone, who is almost completely forgotten, and whos' teachings
are even more obscure?
Greg here is a simple wisdom: you get what you pay for.
If you can afford the best, why settle for anything less.
Christ Jesus is cleary the best spiritual teacher, and best of all,
you don't have pay for his teachings. Why would an intelligent person
such as yourself look anywhere else for spiritual enlightenment.
Before we can have a real discussion on the true religion, we must
be committed to intellectual honesty. Any search for the truth which
excludes Jesus Christ is flawed from the start. To exclude Jesus from
the discussion is like discussing which is the best team in the
National Football League, without considering the St. Louis Rams for
the title.
For my argument to be true though, one has to believe that the bible
is what it claims to be, The Word of God. And appearently, you don't
believe that it is.
Why not?
Thanks and best wishes.
PS. None of my comments are intended to be offensive, but on the off
chance you do get offended, I apologize in advance.
Greg Churilov gave this response on 2/3/2000:
I agree with several parts of your message but not with the whole.
One of the things that made Jesus such a charismatic teacher is that
his teachings are universal. (And I do believe he borrowed from Buddha.
First of all he was an Essene, and they already had eastern teachings
in their sect. Secondly there are eighteen years unaccounted for in
his life, from 12-30, during which he likely traveled to the East in
search for knowledge.) about the rest of the Bible. Ezechiel is not
universally digestible. Neither are the teachings in Leviticus, nor the
story of the flood. Some of the letters of Paul (ne Saul of Tarsus)
are not easily acceptable to non-christian ears. Most of the Old
Testament is unpalatable judeo-centric history, for the non-judeo-
christian viewpoint.
Your letter is completely Christianocentric, taking for granted
premises which are quite inaccurate. "And in spite of any
assertions to he contrary, there is not a single other notable person
in world history, about whom an even remotely similar claim can be
made! Is it really likely he borrowed something from someone, who is
almost completely forgotten, and whos' teachings are even more
obscure?"
Actually, many more people follow the teachings of Lao Tzu than
Jesus. And more people were civilized by Gautama Siddharta Sakyammuni
(The Buddha) and his teachings than through Christianity.
Also, Christianity is ostly founded on the teachings not of Jesus of
Nazareth, nor his original twelve followers, but of Saul of Tarsus, a
former Roman tax collector who never had any personal interaction with
Jesus.
You say that Buddha's teachings are obscure, but they are not any
more obscure than the sermon on the mountain is. In fact they are
clear as water, for any who care to learn.
The only reason Christianity gained prominence as a World Religion was
due to the conversion in 313AD of te Roman Emperor who then made it
the official state religion. This happened at the decline of the
Roman Civilization, and was followed by the Dark Ages, Papal
domination of Europe, the Inquisition, Colonialism with all its
horrendous inhumanities, and the oppression of thinkers like Galileo,
Voltaire and Russeau.
While I can agree with you that Jesus was probably a great man and
probably one of the greatest prophets of this planet, the consequences
of Christianity on this world have been less than ideal. This is a
fact that most Christians are in total denial of.
The Greeks had a MUCH better society than Christianity ever created,
and they had none of the christian credo. China saw ten thousand years
of culture without Jesus ever influencing it.
As far as the Bible being the word of God, I do not believe it - and
fail to see how anyone who is versed with it could believe such a
thing. The obvious changes in style, manner and viewpoint of the various
writers indicate a collective work of many people. Even in the Genesis
one sees the work of at least two authors. And for most of Kings it is
just a collective history of the judeic tribes, with a little fable and
myth thrown in.
As far as Christianity being free, you dismiss tythes, state funding and
other means of acquisition. And the Vatican is one of the wealthiest
estates in the world.
At any rate, it is obvious that you already have your answer to your
original question "is there one true religion". It is also
clear we have different views, and I don't see that you will dissuade
me nor I will change your viewpoint either, so we might as well part
friends. Best,
Further facts
about this criminal empire may be found at
Operation Clambake and FACTNet.
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Subject: There is one true religion !!!!!
[How utterly wrong. But then Scientology teaches that Jesus Christ was
an "implant," the consequence, according to hubbard, of "some
madman discovering a piece of R6." Hubbard claimed -- and I quote --
"the man on the cross? There was no man on the cross!" Hubbard,
in a set of in-house documents that the crooks sell under the title
"OT8" or "Operating Thetan Level 8" say that Jesus
Christ was a lover of young boys.
[The poor cultist has devolved to mere ranting. Amazing - flr]
[I wonder why the cultist forgot to mention Xenu - flr]
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