No no, i agree. In fact, I find Scientology to be pretty scary and sickening. Yes, i agree that things like Scientology, New Age religions, things up those alleys are completely people just desperately grasping for something. I mean, I'll admit that i find a lot of supernatural things (and i include religious "miracles" in this category... not to undermine anyone's beliefs, just sayin') incredibly interesting, the stories that are told and are obviously bullshit, there's always that yearning in the back of my mind of "if only that were true..." That said, I don't believe in it just in hopes to make it true.
Do I believe in other forms of life on other planets? I do, only because to me, in a universe as large as ours with as many galaxies, solar systems, planets, etc, it would be illogical to go against the odds that at least ONE other planet must have something at some point. Maybe not now, but in the history of the universe or the future of the universe, I think there has/is/will be other intelligent life. That doesn't mean i believe they're scooping up our rednecks and checking out their cornholes just for giggles. I mean, poo is funny to everyone, probably even aliens, but i just don't buy it. But i also don't buy that we're "alone", because that makes us special in the entire universe that we were given life, and to me that just makes absolutely no sense.
New Age stuff, to me, is the worst. People literally praying on other folks who may be disillusioned by religion and are looking for something to hold on to, or are incredibly sick and are looking for anything that will help them. i don't know if it's necessarily as malicious in the intent that I believe Scientology is, but it's still a nasty thing. I mean, keep a crystal as a good luck charm, fuckin' awesome, but don't mistake any upturns in health as a byproduct of carrying your crystal that was bathed in a stone bath under the third full moon of the summer solstace or some bullshit.
All of this is completely illogical and frankly, i find it scary and sad that so many people buy into it. Again, everyone needs something to believe in, and I honestly feel sorry for the folks who have to resort in this to feel fulfilled. Believe in your own fuckin' self and you don't need this stuff. The problem with that is that it takes a lot of confidence and energy, plus it means you have to be solely responsible for your actions. Not many people are willing to do that.
. I've heard some nasty stories about Chick from people who have worked with him or his band members. I think Scott's the only one with the balls to speak publicy about it, but even he (as noted in the end of that second quote) has come to some sort of terms with Chick and the situation in general. I can't say Chick really bothers me...he does well keeping his outspokeness out of the public eye and has never come on too strong in his music (I haven't played his stuff backwards to check for subliminal messages)...so despite the things I've heard, I can overlook it all in lieu of the music he's made regardless of how adamantly opposed I am to scientology.
