Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community (https://thetfp.com/tfp/)
-   General Discussion (https://thetfp.com/tfp/general-discussion/)
-   -   Katie Holmes to keep silent during birth o_O (https://thetfp.com/tfp/general-discussion/102767-katie-holmes-keep-silent-during-birth-o_o.html)

itch vaccine 03-30-2006 09:36 AM

Katie Holmes to keep silent during birth o_O
 
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2006140204,00.html


Quote:

Cruise in birth control

By JULIE MOULT

TOM Cruise’s pregnant fiancée Katie Holmes will be reminded to keep her vow of silence during birth — by signs plastered around their home.

The couple — following the Scientology tradition of a silent birth — had the posters delivered to their Beverly Hills mansion.

The 6ft placards will be placed so Katie can see them in labour.

One reads: “Be silent and make all physical movements slow and understandable.”

Dawson’s Creek actress Katie, 26, must “keep mum” and will not even be allowed painkillers when she has the couple’s first child due any day.

Friends — believed to be Scientology elders — were pictured carrying the huge white boards through the gates.

The “birthing boards” will also tell staff and visitors to stay silent.

Followers believe it is traumatic for babies to hear their mother scream or groan when giving birth. They think it can cause “psychic” damage, which takes years of therapy to overcome.

The cult’s creator, sci-fi writer L. Ron Hubbard, once said: “Maintain silence in the presence of birth to save both the sanity of the mother and child.”

The doctrine stresses newborns cannot be poked or prodded for medical tests or spoken to for seven days.

Katie began dating Tom, 43, last year. She was well-known for her Catholic beliefs but quickly fell pregnant and is yet to wed.
I feel this to be ridiculous. What about you?

Jinn 03-30-2006 09:42 AM

Although your post didn't really say much, I guess I think it's just fine;

Not so much for the wacky religion, but becuase it's a symbol of strength. I'm all about natural things, including natural birth. If someone wanted to not take painkillers and remain silent during their child birth for any other reason, I'd be quite impressed. But doing it because Scientology says so.. well.. yea.

Cynthetiq 03-30-2006 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itch vaccine
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2006140204,00.html




I feel this to be ridiculous. What about you?

No more ridiculous than a Christian Scientists belief to not have normal medicine treatment, nor a Muslim who does not shake hands with the left hand.

Tolerance of others is tantamount even if we find their customs not in line with our own.

Brewmaniac 03-30-2006 09:48 AM

Stupidest fucking thing I ever heard!

itch vaccine 03-30-2006 09:50 AM

:) interesting to say otherwise.

I don't shake with my left hand either, would you? I've been taught not to as a child. And I'm no Muslim.

Likewise I find it inappropriate not to receive normal medicine treatment

but maybe that all comes down to the fact that I hold very little religious beliefs.

Ustwo 03-30-2006 09:53 AM

Crazy and stupid people amuse me.

Then I remember they can vote.

*Sigh*

Zeraph 03-30-2006 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cynthetiq
No more ridiculous than a Christian Scientists belief to not have normal medicine treatment, nor a Muslim who does not shake hands with the left hand.

Tolerance of others is tantamount even if we find their customs not in line with our own.

At least the muslim thing made sense at one time (and probably still does today in some places).

itch vaccine 03-30-2006 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeraph
At least the muslim thing made sense at one time (and probably still does today in some places).

my primary school teacher was so pissed when I took things with my left hand.
apparently it was rude to do so because you wipe your arse with your left hand. :P

of course, she didn't tell me what it really meant. I guess I found out today. :lol:

Meditrina 03-30-2006 10:01 AM

Everyone has a right to their own beliefs, in my opinion, as long as they don't force them on me. I just don't see how a woman can have no pain killers AND expect to remain silent while giving birth. I did not have any pain killers with my second child and you probably could hear me across the state! If she really can remain silent during this, more power to her!

Ace_O_Spades 03-30-2006 10:15 AM

I have a problem with the "don't touch or speak to the child for seven days"

there is a lot of research which shows the mental bond between mother and child happens immediately after birth. The baby's eye focal length at birth is ~1 foot... which just so happens to be the distance between the breast and the face of the mother. Which is why babies are bonded to whoever holds them the most in the immediate months prior to birth.

Wow, I find myself agreeing with Ustwo...
Quote:

Originally Posted by Ustwo
Then I remember they can vote.

*Sigh*

I fear for that child... being raised in such a coercive and brainwashing environment.

Jinn 03-30-2006 10:22 AM

Quote:

I have a problem with the "don't touch or speak to the child for seven days"
Didn't see that part. Agreed. Contemporary Medicine and Psychology ALL agree on this one.. strong maternal bond happens FAST.

I think it's just damn impressive to remain silent during birth. To me, its a lesser extent of monks who can remain celibate their entire life or not speak for most of their life. It's a show of great mental strength, something I believe most people lack. Most importantly, it's a show of determination and mental strength that does NOT harm others.

Just imagine how DIFFICULT it would be to remain silent, especially without medicine. That takes mental control that most people do not posess, so I can respect her for that, if nothing else.

zkara 03-30-2006 10:46 AM

I wouldn't be as concerned if Katie Holmes herself had volunteered to follow the tradition, but if that's forced on her... that would be awful.

I, myself, would opt for a 'quiet' birth, just because I have this thing about people who raise their voices.. yellers.. shouters.. etc.. they bother me to no end. (if I think more about it, I would say their believe in how babies are traumatized by the screaming makes sense) But no medication? And no speaking or holding the baby is not something that I would find acceptable.

maleficent 03-30-2006 10:51 AM

Quote:

The doctrine stresses newborns cannot be poked or prodded for medical tests or spoken to for seven days.
I think you can hold the baby.. just not have it checked out ot make sure that it's OK... the not speaking to it seems like it would cause more damage than the mother gettinga bit vocal with the pain...

stevo 03-30-2006 10:54 AM

according to scientology the baby isn't hers its theirs. And stop calling it a religion. Its a cult.

itch vaccine 03-30-2006 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevo
according to scientology the baby isn't hers its theirs. And stop calling it a religion. Its a cult.

yeap, it's a cult. I have to agree on that.

Scorps 03-30-2006 11:04 AM

I think that is insane...If had to make my GF do that when we had are daughter 6 years ago she would have told me off:D

Supple Cow 03-30-2006 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the article
The doctrine stresses newborns cannot be poked or prodded for medical tests or spoken to for seven days.

It doesn't say mama can't hold baby. It just says baby can't have medical tests performed on it and that nobody (including mama) should speak to it. I can imagine various ways in which this might be beneficial, but I don't actually have any reason to believe that this way is any better or worse for baby (or Katie) than the way most people give birth in American hospitals, with or without pain medication.

Of course...
Quote:

Originally Posted by itch vaccine
I feel this to be ridiculous. What about you?

I find this ridiculous, too, but only because of the reasons they are doing it. It makes me wonder about what all the other Scientology dogma entails.

trickyy 03-30-2006 11:35 AM

i guess everyone has the right to their own beliefs, or something
my own beliefs being that scientologists are incredibly weird

here's some scientologist audio if you're interested
http://rapidshare.de/files/16683032/scientology.rar

Blackthorn 03-30-2006 11:42 AM

I'm reminded of the Bill Cosby bit where he describes child birth as something akin to having your bottom lip pulled over the back of your head. Yeah....I'm staying silent during something like that. To each his own. If it's one thing they've earned in this world it's the right to their privacy.

Hey Katie -- I'm 41 ... do you have a sister? :D

maleficent 03-30-2006 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackthorn
If it's one thing they've earned in this world it's the right to their privacy.

Their press agents might be out of work if they actually did have a right to privacy... :lol:

Blackthorn 03-30-2006 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maleficent
Their press agents might be out of work if they actually did have a right to privacy... :lol:

They have more of a press entourage don't they? You watch though ... some hack looking to win a Pulitzer will have birthing photos posted on the web and the Cruise-Holmes's will make a huge stink about it. His interview with Matt Lauer confirmed that he's a nut job so none of this will surprise me. :D

Key Katie... about that sister... be a doll and PM me!!! :icare:

*Nikki* 03-30-2006 12:25 PM

Tom Cruise needs to have a watermelon shoved up his ass and see if he can stay silent during that.

Carno 03-30-2006 12:32 PM

Every time I hear something about Scientology, the more I wonder why people actually believe in it. Too bad it's not a cult where everyone drinks poison and dies.

abaya 03-30-2006 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Nikki*
Tom Cruise needs to have a watermelon shoved up his ass and see if he can stay silent during that.

:lol: :lol: :lol: Awesome. I can just see it on the next episode of South Park... :D

feelgood 03-30-2006 12:49 PM

Holy Jebus christ! That is seriously the stupidiest thing I ever heard in my entire life

Willravel 03-30-2006 12:51 PM

I think that Tom Cruise should keep silent for the rest of his life, and I will sign a petition that say such. I also think Katie Holms should win a Darwin award for continuing on Tom Cruises genes.

Blackthorn 03-30-2006 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Nikki*
Tom Cruise needs to have a watermelon shoved up his ass and see if he can stay silent during that.


Now this made me laugh out loud...that's hilarious.

Ace_O_Spades 03-30-2006 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carno
Every time I hear something about Scientology, the more I wonder why people actually believe in it. Too bad it's not a cult where everyone drinks poison and dies.

There's no money in those kinds of cults

You have to keep them alive so they can keep buying your books and sending you money.... Oh, and devoting their lives to your "religion"

How can something get classified as a religion when the founder essentailly stated "the best way to make money is to start your own religion"

it boggles the mind.

TotalMILF 03-30-2006 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Nikki*
Tom Cruise needs to have a watermelon shoved up his ass and see if he can stay silent during that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carno
Too bad it's not a cult where everyone drinks poison and dies.

:lol: :thumbsup: :D :p :crazy:

Very valid points, I think! I could understand not making noise if you had an epidural - I hardly made any noise at all - but asking her to remain silent while pushing something that huge through such a small hole with NO drugs is just fucking STUPID. I feel so sorry for her. Ever since she hooked up with that psychopath she's become his mute little puppet. You never hear her voice any more... it's just Tom speaking for "both" of them. I hope someday she tells him to shove it.

And not talking to your infant for the first week of their life, and denying the child medical testing that could detect possible health problems... it's just so STUPID STUPID STUPID! I really don't know why any sane person would believe in any of that rot, especially when there's overwhelming scientific evidence proving the importance of establishing the mother-child bond immediately following birth. I just want to kick Tom Cruise in the balls. And bitchslap Katie for being dumb enough to stay with him.

fresnelly 03-30-2006 01:16 PM

Interesting fact: The womb is actually a very noisy place. The fetus hears the rushing of mother's blood and pounding heart beat all the time. The relative silence outside actually comes as a bit of a shock. This is why the "Shhh." sound can be so calming for a newborn.

The baby can't hear much of anything in there, so what's the big deal. On the way out, the baby is working just as hard as the mother (getting turned, squeezed and pushed), so I doubt it's traumatized by the wails of its mother.

feelgood 03-30-2006 01:19 PM

On a serious note, are there any actual documented case of this happening including the effects on the child afterward?

maleficent 03-30-2006 01:28 PM

doing a fairly quick google on scientology and childbirth returned a snippet from an interview with John Travolta - who is a Scientologist...


http://www.xenu.net/archive/WIR/wir5-2.html
Quote:

Kelly Preston/John Travolta

Mrshowbiz reported on April 4th that Kelly Preston and John Travolta have
completed the Scientology childbirth of their second child.

"The baby girl, named Ella Bleu, weighed 9 pounds at birth. The delivery
was planned to be what Scientologists call a 'quiet birth.' The star of
Look Who's Talking Now explains the non-talking concept to Entertainment
Tonight. 'We do the traditional French Lamaze, but in Dianetics, you try
and keep the delivery room quiet so there's nothing recorded in the
child's mind that shouldn't be there while there's pain going on,'
Travolta says. Kelly is free to moan, because 'the sounds are not as
detrimental. Any people saying any kind of negative verbiage may adversely
affect the baby later on.'"
That I can buy - -sounds OK - moaning OK - screaming at the husband that it's all his fault she's in all kinds of pain is bad...

But -- doesn't the state require some sort of blood test when the baby is born - and don't they have to check the RH factor of the child? I know home births are pretty common -- during a regular home birth - -what happens?

maleficent 03-30-2006 01:36 PM

I read somewhere - that Tom bought Katie an Ipod to help keep her quiet..

Sometimes, just having something else to do, helps lessen the pain... like having something else to concentrate on... perhaps is she were to have a death grip on tom's testicles.. .and with each contraction - she could squeeze really really hard... she might not mind the pain so much...

docbungle 03-30-2006 01:51 PM

I think Tom Cruise is a great actor sometimes, and Katie Holmes is an ok actress. Other than that, I really don't give a crap. What I read in gossip papers and see on gossip television shows doesn't influence my thoughts regarding these people in the least. I'm probably just as wacky as they are, in my own way, but the press isn't all up in my shit.

I don't understand how these opinions regarding celebrities get formed.

Elphaba 03-30-2006 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maleficent
I read somewhere - that Tom bought Katie an Ipod to help keep her quiet..

Sometimes, just having something else to do, helps lessen the pain... like having something else to concentrate on... perhaps is she were to have a death grip on tom's testicles.. .and with each contraction - she could squeeze really really hard... she might not mind the pain so much...

And Tom must remain quiet.... ooh, I'm all for that idea.

Giant Hamburger 03-30-2006 02:37 PM

I'm surprised Scientologists haven't developed a "Cone of Silence."
http://hereticscorner.typepad.com/ph...zed/cone_1.jpg

trickyy 03-30-2006 02:51 PM

stories like this always remind me of DIVERTOR from the SNL cartoon

Toaster126 03-30-2006 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fresnelly
Interesting fact: The womb is actually a very noisy place. The fetus hears the rushing of mother's blood and pounding heart beat all the time. The relative silence outside actually comes as a bit of a shock. This is why the "Shhh." sound can be so calming for a newborn.

I had no idea; interesting nugget of information there. :)

When does a cult become a religion?

*Nikki* 03-30-2006 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maleficent
I read somewhere - that Tom bought Katie an Ipod to help keep her quiet..

WTF!! It's an ipod NOT an epidural! He can shove that up his ass along with the watermelon.

Grasshopper Green 03-30-2006 04:39 PM

I agree with whoever stated that maternal bonding takes place after birth...denying the child certain types of bonding after birth is what confuses me. I gave birth pretty quietly...if she wants to be quiet and not have pain meds, great...it's possible to do it. It's what's taking place AFTER the birth that bothers me. I just honestly don't understand how anyone can think that is beneficial to a child.

Nikki, that was hilarious. I nearly choked on my toast when I read it.

raeanna74 03-30-2006 05:00 PM

If she is the one CHOOSING to be quiet then so be it.

Even if their idea that the expression of pain by the mother would be detrimental to the child - Haven't we seen in many cases that people who bottle up their emotions or pain tend to have MORE psychological problems than those to voice them in a non-aggresive way.

It seems to me that groaning, moaning, and even screaming during pushing could be more beneficial to the mother AND child than silence would be. A child needs to know how to properly express emotions without being a bully or hurting others.

If they are worried about things said that would affect the child then I wonder how much they've cared what was said and done DURING pregnancy because when I was pregnant I heard and read from many sources that music and the mother's voice during pregnancy seem to have at least a small effect on a fetus's development.

I have done a little reading on scientology and it's a lot about restraint and retraining yourself to think like (like they think) differently. It's brainwashing and I'm disappointed to see Cruise following like a blind little sheep. It sortof makes me wonder if he's not getting paid to do it in order to influence the few so far flockless sheep out there who admire him. But that's my own little bit of paranoia I guess.

ASU2003 03-30-2006 08:18 PM

I'm pretty sure there where no screams during my birth. I was delivered by c-section, so there were probably drugs involved.

Maybe that is why I am quiet now...

The only weird part is the 6 foot high signs.

KungFuGuy 03-30-2006 10:38 PM

Quote:

The cult’s creator, sci-fi writer L. Ron Hubbard, once said: “Maintain silence in the presence of birth to save both the sanity of the mother and child.”
Exactly. Bold added by me. After having read L.Ron's little scrap of paper detailing Scientology, I've come to the conclusion that it reads like the start of a bad sci-fi novel. What's even worse is that despite being called Scientology, I've yet to see any clinical or scientific research or proof or anything at all that details what they believe in is true.

If they're gonna call themselve's scientologists then they better be bringing out the clinical studies, research, and Ph.D's saying that silent births are good for the child. Whenever they mention research, it's something along the lines of, "oh..they've done research," or..."there have been numerous studies," but actually finding the research or the studies is nigh impossible.

Scientology isn't so much an insult to religion as it is an insult to science. as far as religion goes its merely farcical.

SERPENT7 03-30-2006 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ace_O_Spades
I have a problem with the "don't touch or speak to the child for seven days"

there is a lot of research which shows the mental bond between mother and child happens immediately after birth. The baby's eye focal length at birth is ~1 foot... which just so happens to be the distance between the breast and the face of the mother. Which is why babies are bonded to whoever holds them the most in the immediate months prior to birth.

Wow, I find myself agreeing with Ustwo...

I fear for that child... being raised in such a coercive and brainwashing environment.

This is the real issue I have with this sort of thing. I used to think the promise keepers were misogynisitc fascists, but using social pressure to convince a woman not to use painkillers, groan, speak to, or touch her child is a little...too much.

It should also be noted here that when hubbard was still alive, his cult was being investigasted by the FBI, who veiwed them as a crime-syndicate, as well as being suspected of multiple break-ins. (They broke into the FBIs offices to see how much they knew, and destroyed thier records!)

Ace_O_Spades 03-30-2006 11:14 PM

The problem now is that Scientology is such a massive cash-cow that they can afford to bog down anyone who opposes them with frivilous lawsuits

They don't even need to win the lawsuits, their aim is to financially crush anyone who tries to speak out against scientology.

I fully encourage any and all to read up on Scientology at:
http://www.xenu.net/

Oh, and while you're there... everyone should read this:

http://www.xenu.net/archive/baloney_detection.html

by my good pal Carl Sagan

SERPENT7 03-30-2006 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Medusa
I agree with whoever stated that maternal bonding takes place after birth...denying the child certain types of bonding after birth is what confuses me. I gave birth pretty quietly...if she wants to be quiet and not have pain meds, great...it's possible to do it. It's what's taking place AFTER the birth that bothers me. I just honestly don't understand how anyone can think that is beneficial to a child.

Nikki, that was hilarious. I nearly choked on my toast when I read it.

Medusa,
This is not about denying bonding to the child, so much as preventing the mother from bonding with the baby. There are lots of 'I survived' first person testimonial books out there, where people talk about having thier wives taken away from them by senior members for several days. No explaination given, none asked. Cars being 'borrowed', or simply not returned. Keeping these practices in mind, what could be the possible benifit of this cult having regular access to a child that does not have a caring gaurdian? (Especially if it turns out to be a girl?)
Most 'serious' members sign over all of thier assets, including thier house and cars. This is justified as a way to protect them from taxation. In truth it is used as away to prevent criticism or defection. Also keep in mind that most of these things are true only for the people that are NOT famous hollywood spokesmodels. (Tom for instance has not signed over anything to them. Most likely it will happen in his will.) They even maintain seperate 'churches' for people, depending on how they are to be treated, and what level with in the heirarchy they are.
The process they use known as auditing is a form of participant enabled hypnosis. (A low level form of mind control.) The best part about it is that the participant tells all of thier dirty little secrets, allowing them to be blackmailed, or otherwise manipulated according to the information they gave.

ChistledStone 03-31-2006 02:50 AM

Disgusting, absolutely disgusting. Yet another case of religion messing with science. Another example of extremists exercising fanaticism.

Tom Cruise is and always was a nut.

itch vaccine 03-31-2006 04:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ace_O_Spades
The problem now is that Scientology is such a massive cash-cow that they can afford to bog down anyone who opposes them with frivilous lawsuits

They don't even need to win the lawsuits, their aim is to financially crush anyone who tries to speak out against scientology.

I fully encourage any and all to read up on Scientology at:
http://www.xenu.net/

Oh, and while you're there... everyone should read this:

http://www.xenu.net/archive/baloney_detection.html

by my good pal Carl Sagan

Good links, I will read it up soon.
And to find out that Scientology is so big, it's scary. They're outta control. Someone's gotta stop them.

little_tippler 03-31-2006 04:14 AM

that's just awful...I feel sorry for Katie Holmes. She's probably all for it now, when you're in love it's easy to get carried away...you just want everyone to be pleased and happy. If a birth is to be natural, then a mother should make whatever sounds would be natural to her. As for the not touching...it's just sad. What sad people with way too much money and free time. You'd think they'd find better things to devote themselves to.

connyosis 03-31-2006 04:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChistledStone
Disgusting, absolutely disgusting. Yet another case of religion messing with science. Another example of extremists exercising fanaticism.

Tom Cruise is and always was a nut.

Oh I don't know if I'd call scientology a religion. A crazy ass cult yes, religion no.
And yes, Tom Cruise has always been a crazy bastard. He is still a good actor though...

highthief 03-31-2006 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevo
And stop calling it a religion. Its a cult.

Technically, all the majors religions started off as cults. Some would argue they still are.

shakran 03-31-2006 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by highthief
Technically, all the majors religions started off as cults. Some would argue they still are.


But few of them were invented by a science fiction writer who had said the best way to become a millionaire is to make up a religion.

I'm not even sure I'd be willing to elevate scientology to cult status.

jwoody 03-31-2006 06:12 AM

I'm having a hard time fitting scientology-hating into my already hectic schedule.

Maybe next Tuesday - but I can't promise anything.

f6twister 03-31-2006 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maleficent
But -- doesn't the state require some sort of blood test when the baby is born - and don't they have to check the RH factor of the child?

Where I live, the tests are only done upon authorization from the parents. With both of my kids, my wife and I were specifically asked if we wanted the post birth blood test done. Since there were no cult members nearby, we said yes.

I personally would love to hear the audio of that birth to see how well she did (no, I don't want to see the cult kid arriving.) My wife had an epidural and plenty of noise besides. After witnessing birth, I can't see how anyone could stay quiet unless they were unconsious.

itch vaccine 03-31-2006 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakran
But few of them were invented by a science fiction writer who had said the best way to become a millionaire is to make up a religion.

I'm not even sure I'd be willing to elevate scientology to cult status.

Ha yes!

Exactly what I was thinking there shakran

It's so much more a cult when it's *fiction* isn't it? :)

ScottKuma 03-31-2006 07:51 AM

One can argue the fiction/non-fiction status of any of the holy books.

I think that the Cult status should denote the overall benefit/harm the organization gives to society. Organized religions have done their harm (see the Crusades, the current Jihads, etc), but also do a lot of charity work. Does Scientology do the same? Or is their sole benefit the charting of the e-thetans?

Jinn 03-31-2006 07:58 AM

Frankly, I'm shocked by the complete intolerance for religion in this post, considering that TFP is full of so many compassionate and intelligent people.

What surprised me the most is the insistance that Scientology is somehow different than your religions, and therefore must be a cult.

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevo
And stop calling it a religion. Its a cult.

Quote:

yeap, it's a cult. I have to agree on that.
Quote:

Every time I hear something about Scientology, the more I wonder why people actually believe in it. Too bad it's not a cult where everyone drinks poison and dies.
Quote:

It's so much more a cult when it's *fiction* isn't it?
I totally agree, they must be a cult. I mean just yesterday, I heard this story about this CRAZY cult that .. get this.. eats crackers and wine that symbolize eating the BODY AND BLOOD of their savior! How crazy is that? Oh.. oh.. and get this.. I heard about this other one, where at a young age, they chop parts of the man's penis right off? How SICK is that?! Oh and did you hear about the one that dips all their babies in "holy water?" They say it "cleanses" the baby -- ever heard of a shower?! It's so barbaric.

Throw not the first stones if ye live in a glass house. :| :|

If you want to debase a religion on it's customs and call it a cult you'd probably be better served to look at the silly traditions your own has (if you're religious, that is). Truly, they're all "cults" -- its just a twist on religion that allows people to segregate and say we're a religion and everyone else is some twisted cult. It's really inappropriate to draw that line, if you ask me. You all worship something with some strange traditions based on faith. You aren't so different as you claim.

Quote:

Stupidest fucking thing I ever heard!
Quote:

Crazy and stupid people amuse me.

Then I remember they can vote.

*Sigh*
Quote:

Holy Jebus christ! That is seriously the stupidiest thing I ever heard in my entire life
Quote:

I think that Tom Cruise should keep silent for the rest of his life, and I will sign a petition that say such. I also think Katie Holms should win a Darwin award for continuing on Tom Cruises genes.
Wow. :(

I guess I think Cynthetic and doc said it best:


Quote:

Originally Posted by docbungle
I'm probably just as wacky as they are, in my own way, but the press isn't all up in my shit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cynthetiq
Tolerance of others is tantamount even if we find their customs not in line with our own.


sbscout 03-31-2006 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Nikki*
Tom Cruise needs to have a watermelon shoved up his ass and see if he can stay silent during that.

Amen!

Looks to me like a know-it-all male pushing what's "correct" onto his young and naive partner..

I've told my wife many, many times... if the human race depended on me to populate the world, we'd die out quickly...

I cannot begin to imagine the pain involved in childbirth - and neither can Mr. Cruise..... :crazy:

Ustwo 03-31-2006 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JinnKai
Frankly, I'm shocked by the complete intolerance for religion in this post, considering that TFP is full of so many compassionate and intelligent people.

What surprised me the most is the insistance that Scientology is somehow different than your religions, and therefore must be a cult.

You just trolling for fun here or are you really 'shocked'. We have been making fun of Scientology on TFP for as long as I remember, and hope we continue this.

Being an Athetist I think all religions wrong, but Scientology goes beyond wrong, into 'utterly fucking stupid'. Its a global con and easily traced as such. As such I will, in the spirit of free speech and tolerance say what I like about these shysters and their weak minded followers.

Tolerance means to tolerate, I am not going to go hunting down Scientologists, but that doesn't mean I"m not allowed to state how I feel about the whole scam.

Jinn 03-31-2006 09:25 AM

Being an Atheist I think all religions wrong, but Christianity goes beyond wrong, into 'utterly fucking stupid'. Its a global con and easily traced as such. As such I will, in the spirit of free speech and tolerance say what I like about these shysters and their weak minded followers.

Tolerance means to tolerate, I am not going to go hunting down Christians, but that doesn't mean I"m not allowed to state how I feel about the whole scam.


And I'm sure that wouldn't cause any problems. Why the double standard here? As a proud atheist you should just be as adamant about telling Christians they were fucking stupid and that their religion was a global con.

Carno 03-31-2006 09:32 AM

Maybe he doesn't think Christianity is quite as stupid as Scientology?

Since when has making fun of one thing meant that you have to equally make fun of everything else related to it?

stevo 03-31-2006 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChistledStone
Yet another case of religion messing with science. Another example of extremists exercising fanaticism.

Tom Cruise is and always was a nut.

Not even close. This is an example of a cult taking a mother's child away.

Ustwo 03-31-2006 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JinnKai
And I'm sure that wouldn't cause any problems. Why the double standard here? As a proud atheist you should just be as adamant about telling Christians they were fucking stupid and that their religion was a global con.

Christianities roots are well founded. There WAS a guy named Jesus, and he was in fact put to death by order of Pilot. I trust the Roman records, I trust the evidence. These were real men and a real event. I do not think he was the son of god. I also do not think this was started as a global scam to make money. Early Christians were poor, shunned, persecuted, and executed for their faith. These are not what people out to scam are willing to put up with in the name of a scam. You can honestly wrong or dishonestly wrong. I think Christians are wrong, I know some have abused the religion for their own gain, but the message is a good message, the motives are pure. Scientology is a scam, pure and simple, a scam created by a B author, easily traced, preying upon those who are vulnerable.

I'd never question a persons strength of will or intelligence for being Christian because I am humble enough to know I may well be wrong. I will question a persons strength of will or intelligence without fail if its a scientologist. Either they are part of the scam, or they are a weak willed victim who didn't spend the 30 minutes of critical research it would take to show it to be a scam.

stevo 03-31-2006 09:43 AM

Quote:

Definition by secular cult opposition
Secular cult opponents define a "cult" as a religious or non-religious group that tends to manipulate, exploit, and control its members. Here two definitions by Michael Langone and Louis Jolyon West, scholars who are widely recognized among the secular cult opposition:

Cults are groups that often exploit members psychologically and/or financially, typically by making members comply with leadership's demands through certain types of psychological manipulation, popularly called mind control, and through the inculcation of deep-seated anxious dependency on the group and its leaders.1
"A cult is a group or movement exhibiting a great or excessive devotion or dedication to some person, idea or thing and employing unethically manipulative techniques of persuasion and control (e.g. isolation from former friends and family, debilitation, use of special methods to heighten suggestibility and subservience, powerful group pressures, information management, suspension of individuality or critical judgement, promotion of total dependency on the group and fear of [consequences of] leaving it, etc) designed to advance the goals of the group's leaders to the actual or possible detriment of members, their families, or the community."
The difference, mr. troll, between a cult (scientology) and mainstream religion is about control. Scientologists are basically owned by their "curch." Me, on the other hand, may or may not donate to the collection plate as I choose. You are either being intentionally dense or have no idea what you are talking about.

Jinn 03-31-2006 09:59 AM

Quote:

Cults are groups that often exploit members psychologically and/or financially, typically by making members comply with leadership's demands through certain types of psychological manipulation, popularly called mind control, and through the inculcation of deep-seated anxious dependency on the group and its leaders.
Pray to me or you'll burn in the fiery pits of hell? Go to Church or you'll be damned forever? Sounds like a deep-seated anxious dependency on the group and it's leaders. Check.

Quote:

"A cult is a group or movement exhibiting a great or excessive devotion or dedication to some person, idea or thing
Jesus, anyone?

Quote:

and employing unethically manipulative techniques of persuasion and control (e.g. isolation from former friends and family, debilitation, use of special methods to heighten suggestibility and subservience, powerful group pressures, information management, suspension of individuality or critical judgement, promotion of total dependency on the group and fear of [consequences of] leaving it, etc) designed to advance the goals of the group's leaders to the actual or possible detriment of members, their families, or the community."
I don't even need to address this one.

The only reason for using "cult" is so that you can label religions that don't agree with yours. It's a way of dividing "us" from "them," kinda like your usage of "troll".

And I'm not the only one who thinks it.

Quote:

Should we even use the term "cult?" There is a great deal of disagreement on this question. On the one hand, it's a common term which everyone recognizes and to which everyone can attach some meaning. On the other hand, most of those meanings are largely negative in nature, thus "cult" has become almost pejorative. Commonly, religious defenders - usually Christian apologists - use the term "cult" as cudgel to attack small religious groups or, even worse, minority Christian faiths which do not adhere to all the traditional Christian doctrines. Thus, even the Mormons are regarded by many as a "cult." (When the Southern Baptists held their convention in Salt Lake City, they engaged in extensive efforts to evangelize and convert Mormons).
http://atheism.about.com/library/FAQ...on_cultdef.htm

EDIT: By the way...why did you take the excerpt above out of a wiki article and conveniently omit the beginning of the article?

Quote:

In religion and sociology, a cult is a cohesive group of people (often a relatively small and recently founded religious movement) devoted to beliefs or practices that the surrounding culture or society considers to be far outside the mainstream. Its separate status may come about either due to its novel belief system, because of its idiosyncratic practices or because it opposes the interests of the mainstream culture. Other non-religious groups may also display cult-like characteristics.

In common usage, "cult" has a negative connotation, and is generally applied to a group by its opponents, for a variety of possible reasons.
(emphasis mine)

Or even this?

Quote:

Some groups use the word to label other groups that they consider to be at variance with their own doctrine, or that they consider to be competition. Some groups called "cults" by some critics may consider themselves not to be "cults", but may also consider some other groups to be "cults".

Understandably, most, if not all, groups that are called "cults" deny this label. It has been argued that no one yet has been able to define “cult” in a way that enables the term to identify only groups that have been claimed as problematic.

stevo 03-31-2006 10:48 AM

I didn't paste the whole wiki article because there are varying definitions and some irrelevant information. I posted the secular definition. I also didn't call scientology a cult based on the christian definition of a cult and I compared cults to mainstream religion in general, not any specific religion like christianity. But go on and continue to take one sentence here and one sentence there to try and prove your point. I don't think anyone is buying it. If you don't think there's a difference between a cult and mainstream religion I really don't know what to tell you.

Ace_O_Spades 03-31-2006 01:44 PM

There is a clear distinction between Christians believing others will go to hell if they don't go to church... and the Christian church actively seeking to silence, persecute, and destroy Christians who discover the utter scam behind it. This may have been true of Christianity circa 1000 CE... but not today.

People are free to come and go from the church as they please... The church of scientology actually had a policy about dealing with excommunicated members, it's called "Fair Play". I suggest you read up a little about scientology... Before you are so quick to compare it to contemporary religions.

water_boy1999 03-31-2006 03:12 PM

Well, if it was an actual religion and not a cult I would think it pretty odd. think people should have a right to think and practice whatever religion they want to, regardl;ess of the "different" practices. However......L. Ron Hubbard will admit he created this cult specifically for the purposes of making money. He is a science fiction writer, not a prophet of the aliens. Therefore, I think Tom and Katie are out of their fucking minds. I hate to say it but this is some of the most retarted horseshit I have ever heard.

trickyy 03-31-2006 03:17 PM

i don't think you can put scientology in the same category as major religions unless you use extremely broad standards. maybe the definition of word "cult" is not always technically negative, but that's doesn't make scientology any less of a fraud.

furthermore, i've known people involved people involved in high-pressure groups/cults/"religions" similar to scientology. the people in these groups are on the phone constantly with their personal leader and they don't associate with others unless it's for recruiting purposes. they are in service to their organization every single day in continuous gatherings and activities. they don't go anywhere or do anything without fellow members knowing about it. they give very generously of their time and money. this is just anecdotal, more is going on behind the scenes.

the psychological manipulation/pressure in the above example is simply not present in a typical synagoge or church. a survey of ex-members would reinforce this point.

anyway, yeah, katie holmes is in deep.

Jinn 03-31-2006 03:22 PM

going to go jumprope in my backyard

highthief 03-31-2006 03:44 PM

Wasn't Jesus a delusional Jewish carpenter and Mohammed a jumped up Arab bandit?

Why not follow a science fiction writer? As long as they aren't planning any suicide bombings in the name of Hubbard or claiming Florida as their Holy Land, they can play their silly games.

Elphaba 03-31-2006 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toaster126
When does a cult become a religion?

When I saw this post, I knew the fecal matter was about to hit the rapidly revolving air mover. (This doesn't change the fact that I want to be Toaster's love toy).

I present as evidence a cartoon characterization of Scientology for our mutual edification. (Yes, I will burn in hell).

Tom Cruise is a Moron

oberon 03-31-2006 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toaster126
When does a cult become a religion?

What's the difference?

maximusveritas 03-31-2006 07:33 PM

I also find it strange when people of "mainstream" religious faiths laugh at things like Scientology. For some reason, ignoring the bounds of reality and simply relying on faith is perfectly rational when they do it, but not when those people do it.

Willravel 03-31-2006 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maximusveritas
I also find it strange when people of "mainstream" religious faiths laugh at things like Scientology. For some reason, ignoring the bounds of reality and simply relying on faith is perfectly rational when they do it, but not when those people do it.

There is a serious difference between asking for a donation and requiring a fee.

Psycho Dad 03-31-2006 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maleficent
That I can buy - -sounds OK - moaning OK - screaming at the husband that it's all his fault she's in all kinds of pain is bad...

Not as bad as the day the child is about 5 or so and sees and hears Tommy Boy going apeshit at mom when they are having a knockdown dragout over some skirt he is after on a movie set. I can't even reall the topic of conversation in the delivery room the day I was born let alone if mom was pissed at dad for where she was.

And the signs? Sounds like Tom has some control issues. Perhaps that's why he went for the young thing.

maximusveritas 03-31-2006 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willravel
There is a serious difference between asking for a donation and requiring a fee.

I'm not talking about fees, I'm talking about their belief systems. I don't think people laugh at Scientology because they require fees. Most of the time, they are laughed at because of their beliefs.

Willravel 03-31-2006 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maximusveritas
I'm not talking about fees, I'm talking about their belief systems. I don't think people laugh at Scientology because they require fees. Most of the time, they are laughed at because of their beliefs.

No, they are laughed at beause the man who wrote the book upon which the religion is based admitted that it was fake. Jesus, Moses, Muhommed, etc. are yet to make such an admission. L. Ron Hubbard and his son both admitted that Scientology was fake, and his son said that it was a money making scam.

percy 03-31-2006 11:55 PM

Who cares what she does? Really, who really cares?

itch vaccine 04-01-2006 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willravel
No, they are laughed at beause the man who wrote the book upon which the religion is based admitted that it was fake. Jesus, Moses, Muhommed, etc. are yet to make such an admission. L. Ron Hubbard and his son both admitted that Scientology was fake, and his son said that it was a money making scam.

Oh my, I didn't know that L Ron Hubbard and his son, both admitted that it is fake. Thanks willravel for pointing that out to me :)

Now this cult is getting weirder by the moment. If their "prophet" himself claims it is fake, why do the followers keep on going about this cult?

Is it because they believe that he has discovered something he doesn't know?
I don't get it.

snowy 04-01-2006 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by percy
Who cares what she does? Really, who really cares?

That's what I was thinking. There are plenty of Scientologists out there who aren't celebrities who participate in this wacky practice. Do I care what they do? No. It's odd, to be sure, but to each their own.

shortynickel 04-01-2006 12:41 PM

I dont see her being able to keep silent the whole time during birth! I also feel sorry for the kid, especially if there is something wrong with him/her that could be caught and possibly help him/her within the first seven days.

itch vaccine 04-02-2006 12:00 AM

Jinnkai : The biggest reason why I am calling Scientology a cult now is because the person whom they believe to have founded religion has claimed that it is fake.

Quote:

Originally Posted by willravel
L. Ron Hubbard and his son both admitted that Scientology was fake, and his son said that it was a money making scam.


tecoyah 04-02-2006 05:21 AM

Having been thru four births...two at home with me as the midwife, I can tell you it is a painful process, and the vocalization during it seemed a natural way to relieve/express the pain. If this woman thinks she can remain silent during the birth....I sure as hell hope she has some good drugs in her system.

Cynthetiq 04-02-2006 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itch vaccine
Jinnkai : The biggest reason why I am calling Scientology a cult now is because the person whom they believe to have founded religion has claimed that it is fake.

I cannot corroborate any quote of L. Ron Hubbard *ON* record as saying it was fake. Apparently you take it on faith because someone said it in this thread as being true so it must be.

itch vaccine 04-02-2006 07:03 AM

"Scientology...is not a religion."
- L. Ron Hubbard, CREATION OF HUMAN ABILITY, 1954, p. 251

http://www.xenu.net/archive/infopack/5.htm

Cynthetiq : LoL, I'm somewhat intimidated by you. :(

Either, I look up to willravel that I take his words for truth, or I'm just somewhat shallow. :hmm:

Cynthetiq 04-02-2006 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itch vaccine
"Scientology...is not a religion."
- L. Ron Hubbard, CREATION OF HUMAN ABILITY, 1954, p. 251

http://www.xenu.net/archive/infopack/5.htm

Cynthetiq : LoL, I'm somewhat intimidated by you. :(

Either, I look up to willravel that I take his words for truth, or I'm just somewhat shallow. :hmm:

no reason to be, I'm just a critical thinker and don't take something at face value. Neither does willravel.

But this quote stating that it is not a religion, doesn't mean the same thing that it's fake. Saying L. Ron Hubbard says it's fake and backing it up with this quote isn't the same meaning. He states that it's not a religion.

Ustwo 04-02-2006 09:20 AM

Cynthetiq - Do YOU think its fake?

Thats all that really matters I think here. When I put on my critical thinking cap Scientology falls very flat. Its one thing to respect someone elses beliefs but that doesn't mean you can't think they are dumbasses for it.

maleficent 04-17-2006 08:24 AM

The Tom Cruise birthing seminar
Quote:

NEW YORK (AP) -- Tom Cruise has taken the impending birth of his first child with fiancee Katie Holmes to another level.

"We've been doing seminars with the family just to educate them," the 43-year-old star of the upcoming "Mission: Impossible III" film tells GQ magazine in its May issue, on newsstands April 25.

"Running seminars so we can understand what Kate's going through, and for Kate to understand it. Things like how to take care of a pregnant woman and get ready for the birth.

"It's just kind of becoming a fun game of learning. We've also been studying what happens after the birth and how to take care of the baby."

Cruise says his children, 11-year-old Connor and 13-year-old Isabella -- from his marriage to Nicole Kidman -- will help take care of the baby.

"The kids will have different responsibilities and run in shifts. They're going to help on every level," he tells the magazine.

Cruise and Holmes, 27, have been engaged since June. Her pregnancy was announced in October.

The couple haven't decided whether Holmes will give birth in a hospital. "At home, maybe," Cruise says. "We're really going back and forth on that one. But it's gonna be a blast."

And they are remaining silent about the sex of the baby.

"We haven't told anybody," says Cruise. "It's either gonna be a boy or a girl."

He joked that a sonogram machine he bought when Holmes got pregnant is "strapped to her 24 hours a day. Absolutely, anywhere she goes, we have it attached." (They plan to donate the machine to a hospital.)

Cruise declined to comment on whether he called Kidman to tell her about the pregnancy.

"It's not like anything I had to or didn't have to do," he says. "I wish her well, and it's cool. There's just no issue with any of it."

As for a wedding date, "We're kind of looking at late summer, early fall. I always thought it was going to be like three days and have it be a party. But now I don't know, because all our attention is on the baby and the movie."
I seriously wonder what the guy is smoking...

Cynthetiq 04-17-2006 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maleficent
The Tom Cruise birthing seminar


I seriously wonder what the guy is smoking...

whatever it is he better share...

Ustwo 04-17-2006 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maleficent
I seriously wonder what the guy is smoking...

Wierd wierd little man.

highthief 04-17-2006 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maleficent
The Tom Cruise birthing seminar


I seriously wonder what the guy is smoking...

Um, so what part of this is strange? They are trying to educate themselves and their family on the birthing process - sounds pretty darn normal and recommended by most local health authorities.

Getting his older children involved with helping out - what's wrong with that?

I'm not understanding what you don't like here.

Ustwo 04-17-2006 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by highthief
Um, so what part of this is strange? They are trying to educate themselves and their family on the birthing process - sounds pretty darn normal and recommended by most local health authorities.

Getting his older children involved with helping out - what's wrong with that?

I'm not understanding what you don't like here.

Up front it doesn't seem bad at all. Then you remember what an odd guy he is, with his closeted homosexuality and his 'religion' and that creepy look he gave when he was talking about how all pychiatrists are liars or whatever it was, and it changes your perspective.

highthief 04-18-2006 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ustwo
Up front it doesn't seem bad at all. Then you remember what an odd guy he is, with his closeted homosexuality and his 'religion' and that creepy look he gave when he was talking about how all pychiatrists are liars or whatever it was, and it changes your perspective.

Well, not really, no.

"closeted homosexuality"?

Even if he were to be (after bagging Kidman and Holmes), that makes a person bad? Wow.

cyrnel 04-18-2006 04:10 AM

The world needed another Michael Jackson.

"I'm gonna eat the placenta. I thought that would be good. Very nutritious. I'm gonna eat the cord and the placenta right there." -The Tom, in a GQ interview.

stevo 04-18-2006 06:40 AM

Just when you thought he was weird enough he announces his plans to eat the placenta. Weird little man in deed.

http://www.itv.com/news/entertainment_1776713.html

itch vaccine 04-18-2006 06:44 AM

Argh, that is ... sick ass weird wrong.

Would you be freaked out if you were Katie? O_o

Ustwo 04-18-2006 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by highthief
Well, not really, no.

"closeted homosexuality"?

Even if he were to be (after bagging Kidman and Holmes), that makes a person bad? Wow.

Knowing a Holywood insider it is true, and when ever you closet who you are it leads to odd behavior.

BTW who you 'bag' means very little when you are in the closet. Close friend of my family, is a drop dead gorgeous women, three beautiful kids, married to a very wealthy psychiatrist. Turned out he had an apartment downtown with a boyfriend as well.

Wow.

(btw is saying 'wow' in disbelief a new thing on the net. I've seen it in a couple of chats online lately and it never seemed common before.)

Oh and he is a little freak, see the above posts.

Ustwo 04-18-2006 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itch vaccine
Argh, that is ... sick ass weird wrong.

Would you be freaked out if you were Katie? O_o

Its called 'career move'.

Never again will anyone say 'Katie who?'

Sultana 04-18-2006 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyrnel
The world needed another Michael Jackson.

"I'm gonna eat the placenta. I thought that would be good. Very nutritious. I'm gonna eat the cord and the placenta right there." -The Tom, in a GQ interview.

Please, please let him be joking. Sometimes, people joke. I pray this is one of those times.

Where is the barfing smiley?


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 03:33 PM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2
© 2002-2012 Tilted Forum Project


1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 272 273 274 275 276 277 278 279 280 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 288 289 290 291 292 293 294 295 296 297 298 299 300 301 302 303 304 305 306 307 308 309 310 311 312 313 314 315 316 317 318 319 320 321 322 323 324 325 326 327 328 329 330 331 332 333 334 335 336 337 338 339 340 341 342 343 344 345 346 347 348 349 350 351 352 353 354 355 356 357 358 359 360