Something small and round

[Louis VI the Fat]

Scientology has just been convicted of fraud in the French courts because as it is deemed a cult, it has to prove its claims - and apparently, Xenu didn't turn up at the hearing (poor show). However, the Catholic Church, deemed a religion, doesn't have to do the same.

They'll be next.


But seriously. (Or not... )
There's fraud and there's malfunctioning. Both Scientology and Catholicism are of course complete hogwas...erm, systems of unproven beliefs. But there is the question of intent.

Compare alternative medicine. There is a difference between a fraudster selling a 15.000 Euro cure for cancer on the internet to desperate people, and a person using Tibetan aural therapy in her backroom to heal people.

There is a difference between telling people they'll gain a fortune if they only do as the Tarot card says, and telling people they'll make a fortune if only they invest in a real estate project in the Comores that yields a guaranteed 15% interest.

[Strike For The South]

Am I the only one who thought this was going to be a fetish thread?

Don't worry Irishmen. We still see the Vrigin in tortilla chips, trees, sandwhiches....well anything really.

[Hax]

I think we are all naturally inclined to believe in God, however this sense is repressed as people come to learn scientific/whatever arguments against theism.

Well, y'know perhaps because people like some form of hope, and perhaps a form of non-existent hope. But y'know, if it works for you, I'm not gonna bother you about it.

God told me I'm right.

The same logic could be used for "the fairies told me I'm right". The only difference is the fact that you have more believers on your side than I have on my side.

[Hosakawa Tito]

Am I the only one who thought this was going to be a fetish thread?

Don't worry Irishmen. We still see the Vrigin in tortilla chips, trees, sandwhiches....well anything really.

And he does mean anything. Some Texans even see the Virgin in bird droppings.