10-22-2011, 05:56 AM
I know little of the religion or it's precepts. I do know a fair amount of it's violent history. Religions seem to need a crucible to go through to to validate themselves. Check out Judaism, Catholicism, Protestantism, Buddhism, Taoism or most other "established" religious sects.
Wife and I once visited the Los Angeles Tabernacle, a seriously impressive edifice. We were welcomed in what I can only think of as the way crowds are welcomed at Disneyland. Everything was highly structured - no wandering freely about the grounds like at a Hindu temple.
"Greeters" were unfailingly polite and single minded, the purpose of the invitation to visit was to expose, acquaint and ultimately prosthelytize the visitor. Absent the free gifts, it reminded me of a well organized effort to sell time shares. Wife and I left when the "closers" entered the room.
Scientology is noted for it's disciplined, high pressure approach to recruitment, our Mormon evening was similar, just much more low key.
Wife and I once visited the Los Angeles Tabernacle, a seriously impressive edifice. We were welcomed in what I can only think of as the way crowds are welcomed at Disneyland. Everything was highly structured - no wandering freely about the grounds like at a Hindu temple.
"Greeters" were unfailingly polite and single minded, the purpose of the invitation to visit was to expose, acquaint and ultimately prosthelytize the visitor. Absent the free gifts, it reminded me of a well organized effort to sell time shares. Wife and I left when the "closers" entered the room.
Scientology is noted for it's disciplined, high pressure approach to recruitment, our Mormon evening was similar, just much more low key.