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.
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