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I dropped by the "Grand Opening" of Scientology's latest "Ideal Org" in Portland, Oregon. It was nothing much. I guess that's typical of these events. Only a couple of hundred Scientologists showed up.
As much as it was nothing much, a few things struck me about the event and how Scientology "welcomed itself" into the community.
The overwhelming image and attitude of Scientology in that neighborhood and in that community was, "We don't like you, we don't trust you.
As an atheist, it’s nothing personal, but if you believe in a religion, I don’t believe in some of the same things as you.
That seems pretty self-evident, I think. It just sort of comes with the atheism territory. Again, it’s nothing personal. Hell, I try hard not to take it personal that some believers think I’m going to Hell. Trust me, it wouldn’t be much of a stretch to let that something like that bother me.
The other day I had a conversation with a God-fearing member of a church that is gaining in popularity. I won’t say which church, but they do have a front-running presidential candidate right now.
“So, you don’t believe in God,” he said.
“That’s right.”
“Are you’re sure there isn’t a God?”
(more…)
