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It’s bad enough I keep finding out that celebrities I consider myself a fan of – Jason Lee, Beck, Leah Remini – have ties to what I can only describe as a “religion” for whack jobs – don’t really care if I offended anyone with that statement – but now the Church of Scientology is entering NASCAR.
At the risk of once again being attacked by those readers out there who like to use the word “liberal” to insult me I’m going to say I don’t want any religion, even one that isn’t mocked for something about believing in aliens, in any sport in an official role.
I, like the Diecast Dude, would never mock someone or put them down for their spiritual or religious beliefs. At least not to their face. (Kidding…sort of.)
Do I care if athletes point to the skies after they score a touchdown or hit a home run?
No, but I do think it’s a little ridiculous and self-aggrandizing that they think whatever god might be up there doesn’t have bigger things to concern himself/herself – yeah, I said herself – with than Albert Pujols’ latest home run.
Should sports teams be allowed to gather together before or after games and say a little prayer? Of course.
Do I want to listen to some preacher before every NASCAR race? No, I don’t. Religion isn’t a part of my life and I don’t like it being forced on me. Considering the fan base of NASCAR, and the large percentage of Americans that want Jesus everywhere, I’m not going to hold my breath waiting for the praying to stop.
So what do I do? I just change the channel. Wow, that’s a concept that all those censorship-happy folks should hear about.
I really do actually change the channel. Prayer makes me uncomfortable. Just blame all those years of Catholic school education.
A lot of people need it or want it in their lives. I have no problem with that.
I have no problem with religion as a whole, just the people that refuse to believe facts or rational information because of their religious beliefs.
Like the T-shirt says: I have no problem with God. It’s his fan club I can’t stand.
Now, back to Scientology.
The only things I know about it are what I read on celebrity gossip blogs about Tom Cruise:
Women aren’t supposed to make any noise during childbirth because it can be traumatic to a baby. Maybe Tommy Boy’s mom was extra loud when he was born. Hmmm, that could explain a lot.
Psychiatrists are workers of the devil and psychiatric drugs are for weak people. As someone who has been told numerous times that I need therapy – by my own mother, no less – I give all psychiatrists and psychologists a big thumbs up.
Tom Cruise can cure heroin addiction in three days. Note to self, if I ever become a heroin addict, have my people call Tom’s people.
Homosexuality can be cured. Because, really, it’s just an evil disease for men with great style, fantastic hair and better dance moves than I could ever dream of having.
Scientologists like to jump on couches. But, come on, who doesn’t?
I cringed at the site of Bobby Labonte’s “The Passion of the Christ” car a couple years ago and I cringe at the thought of seeing the “Dianetics” car, named for Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard’s best-selling book.
I take comfort in the fact that no one has ever heard of Kenton Gray and the probability of this team ever reaching the highest level of NASCAR or having real success on the track is about the same as me showing up to work tomorrow in a T-shirt that says “Kabbalists do it better” a la Madonna or with a copy of “Battlefield Earth” under my arm – or the Bible, for that matter.
All right, I defended psychiatrists, their drugs, “the gays” and I just might have insulted Bible thumpers, prayer, Bobby Labonte, Mel Gibson, preachers and Albert Pujols.
Oh Jaynelle. You’ve really done it now. I’ll be sure to pray for your soul tonight. ;-)
— John 06/07/2006 07:37 PM #
Just as religion and government are kept seperate, at least in theory, religion and sports should be kept seperate. Everyone is entitled to their own religious beliefs, but those beliefs need to be kept in check when it comes to a spectator sport such as NASCAR, which is full of different religious beliefs within the racing community itself and the fans that go to the races. It would be to any sport’s disadvantage to support one religion over another because that would alienate all those who do not accept those particular values and beliefs, which could have economic ramifications when those who have been alienated choose not to support that sport anymore. Go Dixie Chicks!
— Pleading the 5th while using the 1st 06/07/2006 09:10 PM #
There was a “Dianetics” race car 20 years ago. This controversy is much ado about nothing. If any group wants to promote an idea with a race car, that would seem to me to be just a free speech issue.
— Gelliard 06/08/2006 05:36 PM #
Yeah, this team is going nowhere and everyone will forget about it by next week.
It’s not like DEI or Roush is plastering their cars with L. Ron Hubbard’s face.
— Jaynelle 06/08/2006 05:43 PM #
Jaynelle, you need Jesus!
— Robert 06/08/2006 07:54 PM #
SHUT IT! You need Jesus.
And I'm telling Mom you're being mean to me.
— Jaynelle 06/08/2006 07:57 PM #
I thought churches were into feeding the poor, housing widows and providing medical supplies to third world countries.
— Caroline Brown 06/09/2006 03:13 PM #
Scientology, Inc. is about the ruthless marketing of the feeling of belonging and purpose.
(Xenu’s back, and boy is she pissed!)
— maggie 06/09/2006 04:22 PM #
...The Dianetics car is, after all, a Ford Taurus
— maggie 06/09/2006 04:22 PM #
Oh Jaynelle… I like you!! Keep talking. Not all NASCAR fans think the same, nor should we!
— kkfrn 06/09/2006 06:48 PM #
Very glad to know that, Zippy Dog.
— Jaynelle 06/10/2006 08:10 PM #
Hi Jaynelle;
I hope you don’t misinterpret this as “hate-mail”. It isn’t. I sure don’t hate you. But I think this article is wrong.
You yourself say that all you know about Scientology is from gossip columns. Would it hurt to call your local Scientology chaplain and ask two or three pointed questions before writing an article meant to humiliate us?
Some items worth pointing out:
1) Most Scientologists believe in God. I do. Scientology is not theocentric, but does not preclude (and actually fosters) a belief in God.
2) Silent Birth is not about the woman not making noise – it’s about the hospital staff not making noise. It is also recommended for the mother to try and avoid cursing uncontrollably, for the sake of the child’s psyche. But obviously mothers make noise during delivery. And epidurals and drugs are not “forbidden”, we just try to go for natural childbirth if possible. (My 5ft. wife, delivering an 8lb. baby, sure opted for an epidural!)
3) We don’t generalize all shrinks as evil. In fact, there are many psychiatrists who work with the Scientology-sponsored CCHR (Citizen’s Commission on Human Rights) (www.cchr.org) – we just don’t like the pill-pushing, pill-popping frenzy in today’s society. And we’re not big on electric shock or lobotomies, those nasty habits still practiced today in many mental hospitals. It’s a patient’s rights issue.
4) And we don’t oppose therapy. Dianetics is, in fact, one alternative therapy. Visit www.dianetics.org and check it out.
5) I’m not sure what Cruise said about heroin addiction. I do know that Narconon (drug-rehab programs based on the works of L.Ron Hubbard) are very successful. I met some ex-junkies who swear by it.
6) Scientology does not “cure” homosexuality. It does not meddle with people’s sexual orientation. A good friend of mine is a Scientologist ANd a gay activist.
See http://www.affinity-international.org/intheknow.html
7) The jumping on couch thing is all Cruise. I can assure you that after 22 years as a Scientologist I have yet to jump on my couch once. (Maybe I’m missing out!)
Sincerely,
Greg Churilov
http://www.liveandgrow.org
— Greg 06/11/2006 07:29 AM #
Oh, and I think the Dixie Chicks rock (and I loved their ballsy stance against the Iraq War.)
(Sorry for the off-topic quip.)
— Greg 06/11/2006 07:33 AM #
Wow…that…was…awwwweeSOME!
Jaynelle, yo got sirvvvved….
— Kevin 06/11/2006 01:17 PM #
Would it hurt to call your local Scientology chaplain and ask two or three pointed questions before writing an article meant to humiliate us?
Yes. Yes, it would.
— Jaynelle 06/11/2006 04:21 PM #
Kevin, don’t be jealous because “Track Talk” is going to take down “Rock ‘n Roller” with such force you’ll get knocked out of your little roller skates.
— Jaynelle 06/11/2006 04:23 PM #
I get ridiculously uncomfortable during the prayer at every local race I go to. Especially those that are over-the-top Jesusy. Assume much? Makes me really anxious to take my non-Christian friends to the track with me. Here’s a little dirt track racing, with a side of Jesus of course.
I love you more every single time I stop by here, by the way.
I must say I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the responses this post has gotten. I read comments on some other NASCAR blogs and am repeatedly shocked and disgusted at the Jesus-crazy, racist, bigoted, insensitive, sometimes downright psycho comments that are left by some fans.
It makes me very happy to know those people, who I think give NASCAR fans a bad reputation, don’t frequent my blog.
— Jaynelle 06/11/2006 06:17 PM #
Next time I get a Jesusfreak comment to one of my NASCAR posts, I’ll be sure to send them your way. I’m good at sharing!
— Jane 06/12/2006 02:37 PM #
The only thing I could disagree with you on is where you said you didn’t like prayer “forced” on you. Like you said, just turn the channel if you don’t want to see it. I don’t like the fact secularism is being forced on me. I can’t make you believe in God. Nobody will ever make me stop believing in God. But we all can enjoy all the great things about NASCAR without disagreeing over 30 seconds of somebody speaking before a race. Be glad we live in a country where we can assemble freely to watch a race or pray or drink beer or whatever you want to do. We should cherish OUR freedom and the freedom of OTHERS.
— jay 06/14/2006 10:13 AM #
I read comments on some other NASCAR blogs and am repeatedly shocked and disgusted at the Jesus-crazy, racist, bigoted, insensitive, sometimes downright psycho comments that are left by some fans.
Yes, Jeanelle, I too am shocked by the crazy, bigoted, insensitive (sometimes downright psycho) comments on some blogs.
— John 06/07/2006 07:37 PM #
— Pleading the 5th while using the 1st 06/07/2006 09:10 PM #
— Gelliard 06/08/2006 05:36 PM #
It’s not like DEI or Roush is plastering their cars with L. Ron Hubbard’s face.
— Jaynelle 06/08/2006 05:43 PM #
— Robert 06/08/2006 07:54 PM #
And I'm telling Mom you're being mean to me.
— Jaynelle 06/08/2006 07:57 PM #
— Caroline Brown 06/09/2006 03:13 PM #
(Xenu’s back, and boy is she pissed!)
— maggie 06/09/2006 04:22 PM #
— maggie 06/09/2006 04:22 PM #
— kkfrn 06/09/2006 06:48 PM #
— Jaynelle 06/10/2006 08:10 PM #
I hope you don’t misinterpret this as “hate-mail”. It isn’t. I sure don’t hate you. But I think this article is wrong.
You yourself say that all you know about Scientology is from gossip columns. Would it hurt to call your local Scientology chaplain and ask two or three pointed questions before writing an article meant to humiliate us?
Some items worth pointing out:
1) Most Scientologists believe in God. I do. Scientology is not theocentric, but does not preclude (and actually fosters) a belief in God.
2) Silent Birth is not about the woman not making noise – it’s about the hospital staff not making noise. It is also recommended for the mother to try and avoid cursing uncontrollably, for the sake of the child’s psyche. But obviously mothers make noise during delivery. And epidurals and drugs are not “forbidden”, we just try to go for natural childbirth if possible. (My 5ft. wife, delivering an 8lb. baby, sure opted for an epidural!)
3) We don’t generalize all shrinks as evil. In fact, there are many psychiatrists who work with the Scientology-sponsored CCHR (Citizen’s Commission on Human Rights) (www.cchr.org) – we just don’t like the pill-pushing, pill-popping frenzy in today’s society. And we’re not big on electric shock or lobotomies, those nasty habits still practiced today in many mental hospitals. It’s a patient’s rights issue.
4) And we don’t oppose therapy. Dianetics is, in fact, one alternative therapy. Visit www.dianetics.org and check it out.
5) I’m not sure what Cruise said about heroin addiction. I do know that Narconon (drug-rehab programs based on the works of L.Ron Hubbard) are very successful. I met some ex-junkies who swear by it.
6) Scientology does not “cure” homosexuality. It does not meddle with people’s sexual orientation. A good friend of mine is a Scientologist ANd a gay activist.
See http://www.affinity-international.org/intheknow.html
7) The jumping on couch thing is all Cruise. I can assure you that after 22 years as a Scientologist I have yet to jump on my couch once. (Maybe I’m missing out!)
Sincerely,
Greg Churilov
http://www.liveandgrow.org
— Greg 06/11/2006 07:29 AM #
(Sorry for the off-topic quip.)
— Greg 06/11/2006 07:33 AM #
Jaynelle, yo got sirvvvved….
— Kevin 06/11/2006 01:17 PM #
Yes. Yes, it would.
— Jaynelle 06/11/2006 04:21 PM #
— Jaynelle 06/11/2006 04:23 PM #
I love you more every single time I stop by here, by the way.
:-)
— Jane 06/11/2006 05:30 PM #
I must say I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the responses this post has gotten. I read comments on some other NASCAR blogs and am repeatedly shocked and disgusted at the Jesus-crazy, racist, bigoted, insensitive, sometimes downright psycho comments that are left by some fans.
It makes me very happy to know those people, who I think give NASCAR fans a bad reputation, don’t frequent my blog.
— Jaynelle 06/11/2006 06:17 PM #
— Jane 06/12/2006 02:37 PM #
— jay 06/14/2006 10:13 AM #
Yes, Jeanelle, I too am shocked by the crazy, bigoted, insensitive (sometimes downright psycho) comments on some blogs.
Yesserree. Shocked. (shakes head.)
Greg Churilov
http://www.liveandgrow.org
— Greg Churilov 06/30/2006 08:46 PM #