Scientology
Many people have heard of the revolutionary new religious practice called Scientology. However, the majority of people who have heard of it, have little knowledge of the principles and practices behind the religion. In fact, there is a dark side behind Scientology, and much speculation that the religion is a brainwashing cult. Many people are opposed to the religion because of its secretiveness, its extreme methods of teaching and its alleged use of mind control.
Scientology, founded in 1950 (Hubbard. What is. 3), "is an applied religious philosophy" (Hubbard. What is. 4), which is a branch of psychology (Fundamentals. 7). Developed by Lafayette Ron Hubbard, Scientology was created "from discoveries resulting from
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There are "highly inflated claims" (Mallia. "Judge."1) that Hubbard traveled throughout Asia at age fourteen (Malko 31), and that he left college to lead an expedition into Central America (Malko 32). However it is known that Hubbard was a science-fiction writer and was a familiar name to American science-fiction fans before venturing into religious philosophy (Malko 34). Hubbard was a bright man, and accepted by many who read his work and who knew him. Hubbard died of a brain hemorrhage on the 24th of January, 1986 (Corydon 406). Hubbard's science-fiction writings, described as "bold and highly imaginative"(Malko 34) are particularly interesting because "they offer insights into Hubbard's sense of fantasy and imagination" (Malko 34). His science-fiction writings also expose certain parallels to particular Scientology principles and beliefs (Hubbard. Fundamentals. 35). According to Church of Scientology documents, "humans first came to earth from outer space 75 million years ago, sent into exile here by an evil warlord named Xenu" (Mallia. "Sacred." 1).
Scientology is chiefly employed through the processing of an individual (Hubbard. Fundamentals. 91-92). Scientologists refer to this procedure as auditing, while the person who carries out the processing is called an auditor. (Hubbard. Fundamentals. 92). "The auditor makes people, at their own choice, do various exercises,
Though most organized religions have been traditionally founded on a belief system, Scientology seemingly was founded on a reaction to one. In 1950, L. Ron Hubbard wrote a book titled Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health. The
Scientology was created in 1954 by the science fiction author L. Ron Hubbard. It is considered a body of religious beliefs and practices mainly focusing on the human mind and spirit.
It’s not unknown that The Church of Scientology has been a contentious subject of conversation for decades. The controversial religion was originally discovered by a gentleman named L. Ron Hubbard in 1954 through the establishment of ideas in which he believed would act as an antidote to mental health concerns called Dianetics. After an unsuccessful attempt resulting in bankruptcy, Hubbard branched his ideas into the basis of a new found religion called Scientology ("The Beliefs and Teachings of Scientology”). To Hubbard’s advantage, Scientology expeditiously accelerated in growth, becoming one of the fastest expanding religions in the 20th century. Scientology pledged a “light at the end of the tunnel” to those wandering through dark times, and created a pathway to a faultless understanding of one’s true spiritual fulfillment through a system of self-knowledge in relation to one’s own life, community, and mankind. Due to the Scientology’s controversial beliefs, abnormal practices, and aberrant church-member relationships, the religion poses as a superlative model of church rebelling against society’s social norms.
The Church of Scientology was founded in the 1950s by science-fiction author L. Ron Hubbard. The self-described “religion” emerged from his then newly published book entitled Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health. Dianetics is "a methodology which can help alleviate such elements as unwanted sensations and emotions, irrational fears and psychosomatic illnesses (illnesses caused or aggravated by mental stress)” (Church of Scientology International, 1992).
There are many groups that hide behind religion in order to get these benefits. Scientology is one group that refers to themselves as a “New Religion.” They protect themselves with this right in order to get away with their actions. There have been many reports accusing Scientology of exploiting members physically and financially. They get away with these illegal activities by lying. Lying is something that the founder of Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard, has presented as acceptable in the religion, which isn’t tolerated in many real religions. However, if the Charter was to address groups like Scientology with more severity, they would not be able to hide anymore. No longer would they get away with their crimes, but these groups, and so-called religions, will actually face the consequences. In addition, freedom of religion is misused when these groups go against their religion. This refers to religious movements that state they are preaching a religion. In reality, they are going against the basic principles of that religion to do what they feel is right. For instance, many cults like the KKK are based off Christianity, but they don’t follow Christian principles. They do this so that they can have the benefits of being a non-profit religious group, like tax exemptions, but then take advantage of this label to perform hate crimes and get away with them. For this reason, it is
Unlike Christian Science, “in Scientology there is no belief in the Holy Bible, God, or Jesus Christ.” (“The Differences Between Scientology and Christian Science”). Christian Science and Scientology are not the same in anyway yet people still confuse the two.
What cannot be debated is that there was something in Scientology that a serial killer criminal
The church of Scientology has been the subject of controversy since its inception. Its methods and beliefs have attracted the attention of scholars from around the world. The church has been under government investigation and has endured a countless amount of lawsuits (Reitman 14). It is also a hot topic by the media with several endorsements by some of the most recognized Hollywood celebrities. However, the main topic of debate regarding the Church of Scientology is its status as a religion. Some members claim that the church has helped them overcome their struggles and that they are happier people, while others condemn it as a dangerous cult (Sweeney). The church of Scientology is a religious group whose purpose is to retain their
The Church of Scientology began in the year 1953 and is one of the world's newest religions. In this essay I will address three questions: Who was L Ron Hubbard? What is the doctrine of Scientology? How does Scientology qualify as a religion?
Tom Cruise, John Travolta, Juliette Lewis, Jenna Elfman, and many more have one thing in common, these celebrities are all affiliated with the religion of Scientology. Scientology is a unique and controversial religion that offers a precise path leading to a complete and certain understanding of one's true spiritual nature and one's relationship to self, family, groups, mankind, all life forms, the material universe, the spiritual universe and the Supreme Being. The Church of Scientology is a non denominational religion that was established in 1954. The founder of Scientology Lafayette Ronald Hubbard did not intrude on anyone faiths or beliefs, but based his religion on his thoughts and teachings that all human beings are immortal spiritual
Additionally, these figures shared their beliefs and opinions about Scientology. In this documentary, there are several effective persuasion techniques which all attempt to persuade the audience against Scientology. In my paper, I will be discussing these persuasion techniques and showing the different ways each former scientologist impacts the audience through their stories.
I had watched the South Park episode and thought the idea of the religion was absurd. Through my research I have realized Scientology is even more ridiculous than I thought. Not only does the religion contradict itself multiple times on whether or not it is a religion or not, but it also makes speaking out against it nearly impossible. I had to leave out over half of my research because I did not even want to explain some of the crazy procedures Scientology has used. I focused on the shunning of legitimate science because it made the religion sound a little less weird, still really weird just not so much. While spending hours watching their indoctrination materials I was constantly harassed to take a “free personality test, to discover my real self.” This was very annoying. Not only am I afraid that the Church of Scientology website gave my computer a virus, but I am also mildly concerned that somehow this religion will be spying on me. In conclusion Scientology is even more bizarre than I originally
The Church of Scientology is recognized as a religious institution. However, the church’s status as a religion is often debated due to the fact it fits the requirements to be a cult as well. Religious institutions and cults differ by a few major components. Such as, cults are run by a singular person, while religions are community run, and cults are frequently isolated and coercive, while religions are commonly integrated into modern life. Religion is, “a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices” and “the service and worship of God or the supernatural” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). A cult is more focused on the worship of their establisher and is a “great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work (such as a film or book)” that incorporates, “ a system of religious beliefs and rituals” into the devotion (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). Scientology is structured solely around the worship of L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of the “religion”. Hubbard wrote books and created ideas that are worshiped by scientologists. Through Hubbards ideas and works of literature he created a dystopia like cult. With his six book on “knowing how to know” is the “God” of Scientology. Hubbard wanted his creation to be acknowledged as a religious institution and therefore receive all benefits that religions do. One of these benefits is tax exemption on properties. In order to receive tax exempt status the church of scientology fought for years.
Scientology was founded by the philosopher and writer Lafayette Ronald Hubbard. L. Ron Hubbard was born on March 13, 1911 in Tilden, Nebraska. Growing up in the West, Ron was a child that had a love for nature and a curiosity about other cultures. In 1927 Ron embarked on his first voyage to Asia and befriended a number of people in various religions, and as a result, began to search for the cause of unhappiness.
Scientology was founded in 1954 CE in the United States by Lafayette Ronald Hubbard who was an american science fiction writer. L Ron Hubbard believed he discovered the way out of the human dilemma of great social ills such as war, crime, drug addiction and depression. He wrote books on his ideas and practices regarding the metaphysical relationship between the mind and body which he called Dianetics. There is no sacred book comparable to that of the bible however, the church of scientology considers L Ron Hubbard’s teachings and his books on Dianetics as its influential texts.