Saturday, June 18, 2011

Writing Neutral and Fair

I haven't touched this site but I think it is a wonderful example of neutral writing.  It shows how you can be clear and still get your skeptical point across.

In 2005, the Church of Scientology stated its worldwide membership to be eight million, although that number included people who took only the introductory course and did not continue on.[82] In 2007 a Church official claimed 3.5 million members in the United States,[83] but according to a 2001 survey published by the City University of New York, 55,000 people in the United States would, if asked to identify their religion, have stated Scientology.[84] In 2008, the same survey team estimated that only 25,000 Americans identify as Scientologists.[85]


Scientologists tend to disparage general religious surveys on the grounds that many members maintaining cultural and social ties to other religious groups will, when asked their religion, answer with their traditional and more socially acceptable affiliation. On the other hand, religious scholar J. Gordon Melton has said that the church's estimates of its membership numbers are significantly exaggerated.[86]

Every point is well sited and nothing exaggerated.  The $cientologists argument is also well written.  The point is clear to any reader with some critical thinking skills left.  I love the part about "more socially acceptable affiliation."  LOL

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