I've had a BofH game running for a long time. While on a trip to Michigan, a friend and I started talking about potential ideas and we worked trough this one.
What if what Scientology espouses is true, but it isn't the Anti-Thetans that are the issue, but the Scientologists? The Scientologists are trying to break a hole in the defenses of the Anti-Thetans to allow the Galactic Empire access to Earth (they are trying to do this in the Atlantic, so they have the navy). This would allow you to use John Travolta and Tom Cruise as bad guys.
And just to add a bit of strangeness to this (HA!), a Buddhists sect knows about the plot and has trained Richard Gere to help stop them.
I can't explain Scientology here, but as I have read (I have never been a member, nor do I know a member - and what I have read may be false) they believe in a Galactic Empire that has trapped Anti-Thetans on Earth and these affect our minds (make us believe in God, Psychology, etc.). There are lot of sites out that that talk about Scientology (not all negative, because there is a positive side to the self-help), but don't get lost. I ended up reading (laughing, being astonished) for a few hours one night.
OK. Good or Bad idea?
BobManGM
Frankly, I think that the value of Scientologists as villains is vastly underexploited. Sure, maybe some folks benefit somewhat from their "tech", but...uh...
EDIT: Most of the evidence on them is negative, and I've been on a tour of the L. Ron Hubbard Museum on Hollywood Boulevard so my first-hand impression is less than stellar. Still, I'd say this: be careful. It's still somebody's religion, whether they say they are or not.
Their "tech"? You don't me the electical meter from WeMakeThingsLookCool Inc.?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Scientology_e_meter_blue.jpg
I like how the dials are not labled.
BobManGM
Quote from: bobmangmTheir "tech"? You don't me the electical meter from WeMakeThingsLookCool Inc.?
"Tech" is what they call their, umn, their procedures.
So, if you're depressed or something (which you can't be if you've just given birth, as Tom Cruise has taught us), then Scientology Tech can make it go away.
Scientology was the basis for Shadowrun's Universal Brotherhood.
Quote from: Dr Rotwang!"Tech" is what they call their, umn, their procedures.
So, if you're depressed or something (which you can't be if you've just given birth, as Tom Cruise has taught us), then Scientology Tech can make it go away.
Ahh, missed that from the reading. I get the "tech devices" that are used, but I didn't realize the whole procedure is "tech". Go term to use in the game then...because it should confuse them as well. And I guess now it makes sense with a name like "Scienetology".
And with them all being "friends" now (the Cruises and Brooke Shields), do you suppose that there was a "conversion" to Scientology? Hmmmmm. I could use this...some how....
BobManGM
Quote from: bobmangmAnd with them all being "friends" now (the Cruises and Brooke Shields), do you suppose that there was a "conversion" to Scientology? Hmmmmm. I could use this...some how....
Back in college (1999-2000), I spent a lot of time reading about these guys. I read things that were interesting, I read things that were pathetic, and I read things that were scary.
Every little bit of it screamed "
GURPS Illuminati Campaign".
What is BofH?
Quote from: joewolzWhat is BofH?
Uh...I think it's "Blood of Heroes", unless I guess incorrectly. Mayfair's "DC Heroes" rules, effectively, but licensed to another company.
If you like slams on scientology you need to read a short novel called "Heads" by greg bear, which is absolutely nothing whatsoever asides from an all out assault on L.R.H. and scientology, barely disguised as a short SF novel.
I've thought several times about using them in a Dark Matter campaign, but haven't yet done the research to see if they really are as silly as they seem. Sounds like they'd fit right in after all. Any links to websites that might not be readily apparent on a Google search?
Thomas Disch's "The DREAMS OUR STUFF IS MADE OF: How Science Fiction Conquered the World" contains a section comparing and contrasting Philip K. Dick and L. Ron Hubbard, and presents a damning paper trail regarding Scientology.
Of all people, Forrest J Ackerman, one of the icons of scifi fandom, and the man behind "Famous Monsters of Filmland," discusses Hubbard very briefly in "Forrest J Ackerman's World of Science Fiction." He and Hubbard were friends way, way back, and Forry remembers Hubbard talking about creating a religion as far back as the 30s. The interesting part of this is that Ackerman, who never has an unkind word for anyone, seems to be genuinely troubled by Hubbard's creation, and seems to struggle to remain positive about his deceased friend.
Quote from: ColonelHardissonThomas Disch's "The DREAMS OUR STUFF IS MADE OF: How Science Fiction Conquered the World" contains a section comparing and contrasting Philip K. Dick and L. Ron Hubbard, and presents a damning paper trail regarding Scientology.
Of all people, Forrest J Ackerman, one of the icons of scifi fandom, and the man behind "Famous Monsters of Filmland," discusses Hubbard very briefly in "Forrest J Ackerman's World of Science Fiction." He and Hubbard were friends way, way back, and Forry remembers Hubbard talking about creating a religion as far back as the 30s. The interesting part of this is that Ackerman, who never has an unkind word for anyone, seems to be genuinely troubled by Hubbard's creation, and seems to struggle to remain positive about his deceased friend.
I've met forry and love him. He may be the last person on earth to live by the old addage about not saying anything if you can't say something good.
I guess if he won't say anything good about LRH that says enough.
Scientology - Negative
//www.xenu.net
Scientology - Positive (sorta)
http://www.religioustolerance.org/scientol.htm
I always imagined that Scientology could be the religion dominate on Earth in A Stranger In A Strange Land.
BoH = Blood of Heroes
Sorry about that.
BobManGM