February 1, 2015

Scientology, clearly you know nothing about science or religion.

Of all the Superbowl ads I saw today, one just keeps coming back to me and making me shake my head in wonder.


At about 13 seconds in, the narrator says, "Imagine an age in which the predictability of science and the wisdom of religion combine."

This is like saying, "Imagine an energy source in which the efficiency of gerbils on treadmills, and the cleanliness of burning coal, combine." W. T. F. Seriously.

Scientology, you just proved in one sentence that you actually know nothing about either science or religion.

The best scientists know that science is not predictable. If it were predictable, it would be called engineering because you'd already know the outcome of the calculations. Science is the work of trying things to see what will happen. We make guesses at what might happen, but we actually try it to see if we're right. And at the most interesting of times, we aren't.

As to religion: Religion is faith. Faith is the absolute conviction that something is true, without needing evidence to prove it. This is not wisdom; wisdom relies on knowledge and discernment, based on experience and thoughtful analysis. Faith relies only on conviction, frequently discarding both knowledge and discernment.

If you are paying attention, you will notice that science is the source of wisdom while religion enjoys complete predictability.

I don't know anything about Scientology, and I don't intend to find out. But seriously. If you are trying to attract smart people into your cult, you should at least try not to destroy your own arguments in your own ads with one single sentence.

4 comments:

Whirlochre said...

Here's proof that Glitz can Blitz the Shitz.

So what's the problem?

1)Glitz

There's a TV ad circulating in the UK featuring Audrey Hepburn.

It's CLEARLY CGI, so I'm thinking: Hep clips cut n pasted creatively.

But, no: all Hepburnability has beeen built with nouveau "from scratch" ability.

2) Blitz

Money is firepower. When you have it, you can spend it on what you like.

3) Shitz

I'm aware that we must all "measure" and "be measured" — in a world of shifting shifts its a necessary mechanism for manintaining any hope of moment-to-moment stability.

BUT

yardsticks are not wands, and Scientology, as far as I can see, does not recognise this. Seems to me, it turns yardsticks into batons.

Smack between the teeth of your halftime scoreline Maybe Us Maybe Them beef:

Religion = Science = Religion = Science = Your Future

I see it, you see it:

But what if you don't?

I guess you just get on with the anti-don't-ness...

fairyhedgehog said...

It's very pretty though and seems deep if you're only half paying attention.

I don't think advertisers go much on logic. Or reality.

PJD said...

Whirl... I think I follow you. But as always, I'm never quite sure.

Hedgie: Good point on advertisers. And... any chance you can translate Whirlio into English for me?

fairyhedgehog said...

Not a chance! I generally just pick out the bits I get and go with those.

So, "Oh, there's an Audrey Hepburn ad around is there? I haven't seen that one."