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Whatever Makes You Happy
I’ve gotten that response several times over the past year when I tell people I’m a Scientologist after they’ve spewed their ignorance all over the subject of my religion.
Situation one was on a plane. Two women next to me were gossiping about a magazine article that covered Scientology. You know, because we have “secret meetings” and “do everything behind closed doors”. (Sorry to disappoint, but we are an open book.) I shot down the rumors and shared my experience and success. To which one finally replied: “whatever makes you happy.”
While on the surface that seems like a way to take the high road, it’s actually just plain irresponsible.
More recently, I was listening to a podcast on which Leah Remini’s show had bought ad time, so I got to hear the host’s dorky segue: “great story from our guest… speaking of more great stories, check out on A&E…”
I emailed the host to say that I was disappointed in his promotion of a show advocating religious bigotry and that I was a happy Scientologist of 12 years. In his response, he justified the ad by saying the show had bought the air time and added that he was a happy Christian, and, you guessed it: “whatever makes you happy.”
While on the surface that seems like a way to take the high road, it’s actually just plain irresponsible.
Does the truth matter at all, for example? Or the First Amendment?
Both the plane pals and the radio host should have paused to think, “I could talk about anything else. I know about my religion. I don’t know much about Scientology. And I’m actually just taking someone’s word for it.”
If you are going to take in articles or listen to advertisements, know where they’re coming from, know that the “facts” are secondhand, and at least wonder what the goal is of whoever’s behind it.
Or, be ignorant.
Whatever makes you happy.
