Time for an important discussion; tired of presidential politics

Where'd all the good discussions go? I told myself I wouldn't bring this topic up, because the public treats it like a fringe issue, but D&D has gone to hell.

Personally, I'm tired of reading the same 3 or 4 topics rehashed day after day. I can only take so much of Mccain/Clinton/Obama before my head explodes.

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THEREFORE...
Many of you may be aware of the online campaign against the Cult/MLM scheme known as Scientology. Many of you may also be aware of the insidious nature of this organization, the depths of its ambitions, and its tendency to operate very much like the mafia.

Lately, with the buzz surrounding the FLDS cult raid, and along with Tom Cruise's incredibly strange antics, as well as Katie Holmes' degeneration (seriously, take a look at photos of her now and compare them to 3 years ago...the difference is shocking), the public has started to educate themselves and become interested in this faux religion. In the past few months, due to the leaked Tom Cruise video where Cruise acts like a maniac, Scientology has once again become a punching bag for late-night comedy circuits. I figure now is a good time to bring it up.

My questions to you, in D&D, are threefold:

Firstly, are you aware of the nature of the cult? (i.e., were you aware of Fair game policy, Operation Snow White, and Operation Freakout?) Do you consider yourself knowledgeable about these cults ,including moonies, etc. Watching the Xenu southpark episode doesn't really qualify, although I suppose it means you're not completely ignorant.

Secondly, how concerned are you about the activities of this cult? Are you concerned that a purported religion is trying to put its curriculum into public schools? (see article on Applied Scholastics)
For example, it is considered an acceptable alternative for vouchers in at least 13 states (source).
This is despite having a phenominally low rate of graduation and at least some accounts of active proselytizing to students and pressuring them to take Scientology courses.

Thirdly, what is your view of the first amendment right to free practice of religion? At which point does this right overstep its bounds and become unlawful? Keep in mind that the U.S. government does not recognize Scientology as a religion; rather it is given tax-exempt status as a non-charitable organization (which is pretty sketchy considering the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the cult's practices did not qualify as religious practice in Hernandez vs Commissioner of IRS).
Furthermore, Scientology has now been banned or is in the process of being banned in several countries including Greece; Germany is actively investigating the cult with intent to ban. Is this a proper response to cults that actively seek to interfere with political power?

 

What about people who are born into it/have no outside reference point?

 

Not until i put my hand in a fire, or my parents yelled at me for kicking a puppy. You're obviously trivializing the effect brainwashing can have on people.

You're saying that you are born being some sort of super-skeptical truth ranger that can automatically spot any bull**** within 90 feet of you?

Why do you think Scientology/Moonies/Mormons have so much money? Because they've tricked many gullible people into giving them money, why do you think children would be different?