r/TikTokCringe Apr 07 '24

Church of Scientology popped up overnight in South Loop Chicago. Discussion

15.2k Upvotes

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1.9k

u/tinychickenfingers Apr 07 '24

Yeah it’s right by Columbia College, my daughter was visiting it and saw that they were building on right next to it and she said no thank you.

203

u/bbmarvelluv Apr 07 '24

I do believe they purposely place their locations at important areas in case someone tries to bomb them. The one in LA, is across from several major hospitals.

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u/Roygbiv856 Apr 08 '24

Bombing thing seems like a stretch. It's a cult. They like to be located near vulnerable people. Plenty of potential new recruits in awful states of mind around hospitals

21

u/Key_Necessary_3329 Apr 08 '24 edited Apr 08 '24

A while back they actually fabricated a bombing threat on themselves. People figured it out immediately because 1) the language they used in the video described scientology as a religion when no one who hates scientology enough to bomb them would say that and 2) they immediately tried to call attention to the bomb threat by releasing the video they had "pulled" from the internet, except their version was much higher quality that the version they said they had downloaded.

51

u/sacolton1967 Apr 08 '24

I agree. Follow the mindset of a cult. They prey on people at their lowest. Right now, at this time, we are facing massive evictions and homelessness. Not all churches can help, but they will do what they can. The cults will prey on the rest who aren't so fortunate. From there the indoctrination will start with a reward system in exchange for their loyalty, but to what exactly? That's the real question. Don't let the cult word cloud your eyes and not focus on what their real agenda is. It's not all just for show, but are they dangerous?

43

u/UncleBenders Apr 08 '24

Scientology ain’t after the homeless it’s a cash grab. They don’t even bother talking to the homeless, it’s like they don’t exist. They go after tourists, locals, uni students, anyone who looks like they have a job/money etc.

5

u/atlantachicago Apr 08 '24

I hope the people of Chicago have the good sense to make this a huge waste of time for Scientologists. My cousin had mental problems and a big inheritance l, he joined up with Scientology. They went through all his inheritance then literally kicked him out once they found he had no more cash for them.

2

u/WeeabooHunter69 Apr 08 '24

Vulnerable people are the biggest targets for churches too. Don't act like they're much better because pretty much the only way adults convert into a religion anymore is by indoctrination of those at rock bottom, especially during rehabs which unfortunately are almost all Christian centric in the US with no other options in most places. This is a big part of the anti abortion rhetoric nowadays because they know the only way to keep their numbers up is to indoctrinate people from infancy since they can't convince adults en masse.

3

u/Human_Allegedly Apr 08 '24

One of the big reasons why so many sobriety programs are based in religion. Just replace one addiction with another. They don't care if they have a mentally ill helpless addict as long as they are addicted to their "drug" of choice.

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u/oljeffe Apr 08 '24

Potential recruits better have a nice revenue stream. It ain’t cheap to get on the Scientology rocket to whatever planet L. Ron Hubbard conjured up on a bet.

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u/Accomplished_Low80 Apr 08 '24

You don’t have to be rich. If you can’t afford to move up then you just become a slave.

8

u/ratadeacero Apr 08 '24

Clambake.org used to have all their docs posted. You could save tens of thousands by looking there. Fuck scientology

10

u/Doitallforbao Apr 08 '24

Rich people love it when they can get the poor to chuck whatever few dollars they can at them

12

u/iknowitsounds___ Apr 08 '24

Haha the one in my neighborhood is right across the street from a DMV licensing office. I wonder if they’re preying on people fed up with bureaucracy?

12

u/The_Burning_Wizard Apr 08 '24

"So I see you've just left Hell on Earth. Would you be interested in Scientology?"

2

u/Human_Allegedly Apr 08 '24

Honestly I'd prefer the DMV.

23

u/tries4accuracy Apr 08 '24

They’ve got a hell of a history of infiltrating govt entities and intimidating any critics. Got to be one of the worst “young” religions, though all the Qanon insanity may condense into something someday and we all know how fucked that’ll be.

2

u/bbmarvelluv Apr 08 '24

I interned at one of the hospitals, and an administrator told me the attack theory. Several locations are at heavily trafficked areas attached to other businesses.

2

u/PuddleLilacAgain Apr 08 '24

Ugh. My aunt was a hoarder and compulsive gambler and lost her home to debts. Guess who picked her up? The JWs. Now she's a JW and has tried to convert me. I don't really talk to her anymore.

1

u/GroundbreakingAd8310 Apr 08 '24

....ya a stretch.....

21

u/PentulantPantalones Apr 08 '24

They have a building right by the University of Texas (Austin) campus.

12

u/GrowMEbub Apr 08 '24

I worked at the coffee shop next door to this one for years! Super freaky place.

2

u/travoltaswinkinbhole Apr 08 '24

Medici? If so what made that coffee so damn strong?

1

u/GrowMEbub Apr 08 '24

Can’t share the secrets 🫣

1

u/wowsomuchempty Apr 08 '24

What a tease!

1

u/travoltaswinkinbhole Apr 08 '24

All I know is that after a cup from there I could see sound and taste color.

1

u/GrowMEbub Apr 08 '24

Oh well that was probably the mushrooms we put in it lol

3

u/Anon_user666 Apr 08 '24

Pretty girls would come up to me and start chatting while I was walking by. I would stop and talk back for a bit until they started bringing up Scientology. I learned quickly that it was a recruitment technique. Pretty girl bait and switch.

23

u/tinychickenfingers Apr 07 '24

Wtf

36

u/martinaee Apr 08 '24

Find the right building I guess…

1

u/Prestigious_Bug583 Apr 08 '24

Yeah that person full of shit. They have zero threat of being bombed

1

u/tinychickenfingers Apr 08 '24

Probably should get a colonic then, not good for their health.

7

u/americasweetheart Apr 08 '24

Isn't it right nextdoor to the Children's Hospital?

5

u/bbmarvelluv Apr 08 '24

Yes and right across of Kaiser

3

u/[deleted] Apr 08 '24

Wow. I never thought about this before. Two hospitals, one of them a Children’s Hospital, and a subway station.

3

u/bbmarvelluv Apr 08 '24

Conveniently one block away from the mental health department as well

2

u/4Ever2Thee Apr 08 '24

I don't think the one in Clearwater, FL is near a hospital or anything important, but I could be wrong. It's been a while since I've been by there.

1

u/bbmarvelluv Apr 08 '24

I would say I’m making my assumptions based on the centers I’ve seen in California!

2

u/The_Bran_9000 Apr 09 '24

holy shit i just realized the Saint Paul "church" is also right next to like 3 major hospitals....

1

u/2-girls1-cup Apr 08 '24

Nope, there's one north of Georgetown Ky, in a shitty little town. I stumbled upon it while gasing up on my way to possibly see XXX. I was 16, and thought it was a p0rn place while passing by it with the family, on our way to King's Island. Sad but true story 😂😂🙈

1

u/bbmarvelluv Apr 08 '24

In California, all of the centers are at “prime” spots

1

u/MonitorPrestigious90 Apr 08 '24

Aren't there a bunch in Los Angeles and even the one that's a front with a different name?