Two questions/ Defending Scientology

Question answered by honorarykid in Scientology

Anonymous asked this question on 8/25/2000:

Would crusading on behalf of scientology, against its critics, be considered a "just cause?"

honorarykid gave this response on 8/25/2000:

It depends upon your definition of the word "just."

Scientology redefines (wrongly) the words 'crime,' 'ethics,' and 'justice.' It claims (wrongly) that any criticism of Scientology is tantamount to criminal behavior. It considers ethics and justice to be Scientology processes for handling problems, disputes and disagreements, without any concern for the way non-Scientologists handle such things.

So when Scientologists defend Scientology from criticism, even if they do things that non-Scientologists consider unethical or illegal in the process, from their frame of reference, they truly believe they are working for a just cause.

The important thing to realize is that they are seeking justice only for Scientologists, and then only as Scientology defines the word. They are not seeking justice for non-Scientologists, nor do they consider the historical definition of the word.

Obviously, it follows that if one defines justice in more traditional ways, balancing traditions, utilitarianism and respect for individual rights, the more fervent and irrational forms of Scientologists defenses (i.e. lying and intimidating and harassing people to stop them from criticizing Scientology) would not be ethical or just.

Return to The Skeptic Tank's main Index page.