Susan:

I intentionally inverted the subjects of Christianity and Scientology in your quote to make a point. You use the word research a bit loosely, I think, but I think you and I would both agree that the difference between subject and systematized organization of subject is very wide. You have often protested this difference in respect to Christianity (the original subject) and Christianity (the systematized practice and organization).

You may stand by anything you choose to, but that will not make it more accurate or fair.

My comments as regards Christianity are also reflections on the system and the damage it does -- which is extensive -- not the people bamboozled by it and programmed by it to perpetuate the bamboozle.

The fact is that organizing religion is a perversion of that which it pretends to be. The truest religion is the most individual, by its nature, and seeking group agreement about it is a sorry substitute, IMHO. I don't much care whether it is the Church of Bob, Ron, Bigfoot or Yaweh, I think this holds true.

Except of course for the Temple of the Golden Curve, where group participation simply amplifies the delights of the learning curve and puts people more in touch.

A