From: mauler@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu
Newsgroups: alt.religion.scientology
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Psi and Scientology
Message-ID: <1991Jul24.131318.32248@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu>
Date: 24 Jul 91 13:13:18 CDT
References: <29880@uflorida.cis.ufl.EDU> <1991Jul22.203524.5493@cadence.com> <asbestos.22Jul91.123@midway.uchicago.edu>
Organization: University of Kansas Academic Computing Services
Lines: 58

In article <asbestos.22Jul91.123@midway.uchicago.edu>, asbestos@midway.uchicago.edu writes:
> In article <1991Jul22.203524.5493@cadence.com> deej@cds8613.Cadence.COM (Jim Howard) writes:
> 
>>In article <29880@uflorida.cis.ufl.EDU>, dirkct@pine.circa.ufl.edu
>>(TERRELL) writes:
>>> Sorry, I guess I should have been more clear. By "psi" I meant paranormal
>>> phenomena such as ESP, remote viewing, telekinesis, etc. What does
>>> scientology have to say about these things?
> 
>>  These are all powers of the "theta" - powers that in many of us
>>have been "lost" or at least greatly supressed.  The theta, in its
>>purest form, has great power over the MEST universe (Matter,
>>Energy, Space and Time).
> 
> Howls of derisive laughter.
> 
> How the hell can you believe this stuff?
> 

God damn it, now I have to defend Scientology!  You idiot!

As Shakespeare once put it, "A rose by any other name would still smell as
sweet."  In this case, an ESP person by any other name, such as "increased
theta capabilities", should still be capable of feats and ability beyond
ordinary physical reality.  In short, Scientology may have its bad points, but
at least it does cover paranormal abilities in something other than, "demon
possession," and "powers granted by the Lord of all that is Evil."

And unfortunately, paranormal abilities exist.  They may not be currently
measurable directly, but they can be indirectly measured through what is
commonly known in medical science as the placebo effect--because they, like 
the ancients who called it magic, have no idea how it happens--in patients who
are given "sugar pills" as wonder drugs, and the patient's belief cures him or
her; in the creative visualization clinics, where cancer patients visualize
white knights attacking their tumor cells, and the tumors subside if the
patient focuses enough "whatever-energy" onto the problem; and in the
practitioners of Oriental mind-body martial arts, some who are capable of
knocking down enemies who are some yards away without the use of standard
projectile weapons or lackeys (through an "invisible" personal force, called
"ki", "chi", etc., extended beyond the physical body).

So while I may not agree with the tactics Scientology uses to bring about L.
Ron Hubbard's dream planet, while I may not agree with the idea that people
must pay large amounts of money just to receive salvation, and while I may not
agree with Scientology's apparent exclusion of women from rights and
privileges afforded the men in Scientology, they do have a slight point in
their favor by including the paranormal as something to be supported,
treasured, and encouraged, rather than scorned, suppressed, and criminalized.
 
> --
> asbestos@midway.uchicago.edu
> 
> Not that I see anything wrong with these views! No, sir!
> I don't even *have* a sock drawer!
>         --Dave Barry

Leo