Concluding Comparison

Overall, after having looked into Scientology as a religion, I find that it only vaguely resembles my experiences with the religion I grew up with, Roman Catholicism.
In practice, both technically have God as part of the religion with people on Earth who are meant to guide the interpretations of his teachings. However, within Scientology, it is more the purchases of Ron L. Hubbard that are important and central to the religion than the word of God. In a Catholic Church, members are expected to listen to what the Pope says, but no one is required to go out and but his biography in order to worship every Sunday.
In the way that Catholics have confession in order to absolve one’s sins, Scientologists have auditing. This process, however, is also costly. Auditing leads one to become “Clear,” which could be compared, in Catholic terms, to “free from sin.” In both processes, a member converses with another and divulges concerns and past problems. The only difference is that confession is free of charge.
Though both institutions have had their times of bad press around the world, no one challenges the fact that Roman Catholicism is a true, legitimate religion. Through a scandal with terrible-behaving clergy, no one argued that Catholicism should be rid from the country or deemed a cult. Scientology, on the other hand, was persecuted with these consequences in mind.
After gleaning the facts and interpreting them on my own, I have come to the conclusion that Scientology appears to be more of a hobby or a business than a religious enterprise. One should not have to buy his or her way into Heaven or happiness.

Alien Life

I do not believe that “aliens” exist. However, I have heard that Scientologists might. Jokingly or otherwise, the fact that some people suggest that Scientology is connected with extraterrestrials was a cause enough for me for look into this phenomenon.
Publicly, Scientologists do not acknowledge the story they believe in that involves extraterrestrials. Nevertheless, over the years, a consistent story has leaked to the public that is now widely known by those who go looking for it. This is the story of an alien dictator of a Galactic Confederacy, Xenu, who brought humans to Earth millions of years ago. As the narrative goes, Xenu was about to be taken from his throne. So, he wanted to get rid of a mass part of the population. To do so, he “paralyzed them and froze them in a mixture of alcohol and glycol to capture their souls” and then disposed of them on Earth at the bottom of volcanoes. Next, hydrogen bombs were placed into the volcanoes. Few citizens were to have survived this explosion. Apparently, it is a tale meant only for “members who have already contributed large amounts of money;” it is a part of their “Advanced Technology” doctrines. You can hear the full story here.
To be frank, I find this idea and story to be insane. The whole theory is ridiculous. I can fully understand why Scientologists do not want this leaked to the public—they will come off as a crazy cult, their biggest fear. When I searched the terms alien, Xenu, and Wall of Fire, which is the title of the story within Scientology, all on the Scientology home page, I either received “no results found” or was referred back to the homepage.
To an extent, I can understand how the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on the cross and his resurrection could also seem unbelievable and ridiculous and some and how the Xenu story is no different. On the other hand, Hubbard had yet to count me as one of his followers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenu

http://gawker.com/5037013/the-history-of-xenu-as-explained-by-l-ron-hubbard-himself-in-8-minutes

Medicine

Yet another reason that Scientology has been in the news is for its beliefs regarding medicines and drugs. In general, news stations tend to paint the picture that Scientology does not allow for any of its members to take any medicines at all. At least, this is the impression that I have received over the years. Part of the reason I took on this topic for my blog was to discover more about this aspect of Scientology.
I found that within the “Handbook of Scientology,” there is quite a strict policy involving medicines and drugs. To the public, Scientologists like to reveal that there is “no problem with Scientologists taking drugs prescribed by a physician.” However, this view of medicines can be altered, as the site claims that no one truly knows how certain drugs work or may alter the mind. Other drugs, especially, “the use of street drugs or psychiatric mind-altering drugs, is forbidden." I understand this part. First of all, in most places, mind-altering drugs are illegal, and second of all, to be high while discovering one’s spirituality and higher state of being is an awareness that can mistaken if done while on drugs.
The part of Scientology’s medicine policy that I cannot agree with, however, is the section that forbids pain-killing drugs and anti-depressants. The site claims that painkillers are “derived by accidental discoveries that ‘such and so depresses pain’…the effects of existing compounds are not uniform in result and often have very bad side effects.” They completely disregard all science. Instead, the leaders claim that pain is nothing more than “mental image pictures created by the thetan which press against and affect the body.” They use the following graphics of a figure with squiggly lines to prove their point:


http://www.scientologyhandbook.org/img/p259_1.jpg



http://www.scientologyhandbook.org/img/p259_2.jpg


Therefore, Scientology, concludes, members should not allowed aspirin or other painkillers. They will all ultimately become aspirin addicts.

If the Catholic Church can come to terms with the discoveries of Darwin, I would hope that Scientologists can someday realize the positive effects of Advil.


http://www.scientologyhandbook.org/img/p259_2.jpg

http://www.scientologyhandbook.org/img/p259_1.jpg

http://www.scientologyhandbook.org/SH7_2A.HTM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_claims_in_Scientology_doctrine#Scientology_and_mainstream_medicine

Celebrities

Basically, the only reason that I have ever even heard of Scientology is because of the celebrities associated with it. Among the many who partake in this religion, Tom Cruise and John Travolta are the most notable. Now, obviously, celebrities are people, too, and they must have some religious beliefs or spirituality. Nevertheless, the fact that So-and-So Actress is Jewish never makes the evening news as Travolta’s ties with Scientology do. So, my question is, how did this happen? Is this a coincidence that famous people are always showing up as Scientologists?
After researching articles on the Internet, it appears that this is no coincidence at all. In fact, it appears that L. Ron Hubbard tried to get the influential and famous to join his religion. He started doing this in 1955, when “he launched something he called Project Celebrity, listing 63 famous people he wanted to interest in his 'science of the mind'. It was a catholic selection that included Ernest Hemingway, Danny Kaye, Orson Welles, Liberace, Bing Crosby, Pablo Picasso and Walt Disney” (Shaw). In theory, this plan is a good idea. Use those with power to promote your cause. However, Hubbard’s cause is not a charity or political party. It is supposedly classified as a religion. I see a religion as a tool of self-discovery. One should need to be persuaded by Tom Cruise to choose a life-path.
Though the Pope holds much power in the world arena, he does not recruit celebrities for the specific purpose of converting them to Roman Catholicism. John F. Kennedy was a world-famous Catholic, but he was so from birth. He never went on Oprah to tell anyone about it.

Shaw, William. "What do Tom Cruise and John Travolta know about Scientology that we don't?"
Telegraph.co.uk. Telegraph, 14 Feb. 2008. Web. 9 Dec. 2009.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/3671262/What-do-Tom-Cruise-and-John-Travolta-know-about-Scientology-that-we-dont.html. Online.

Scientology, Open for Business, Part 2

To be a Scientologist, one must follow the word and teachings of L. Ron Hubbard. In order to gain access to these, it appears that a follower has to purchase all his lectures and books. I never before seen so many specific products associated with a “religion.”
If you go to the scientology home page, http://www.scientology.org/home.html, at the bottom left, there is a section where a person can click in order to find out more about “Materials and Services.” Then, the follower is redirected to a site where you can add items to your cart, as if discovering your spirituality was as simple as buying Christmas gifts on Amazon.com.
Most books and lectures are fifteen American dollars, while DVDs and audiobooks are mostly twenty. Honestly, if I was a Scientologist and wanted a certain lecture, this seems reasonable. However, if I had to buy the tens and tens of pieces of propaganda that seems necessary to be a fully educated member of this religion, I could simply not afford it. For example, in order to listen to all of these materials, one has the option of purchasing the “Clearsound Listening Stystem,” at the shocking price of four hundred dollars. Though not necessary to hear the information about Scientology, the system is described as the best way to do so: “Here, then, is a powerful system to relay to you the most powerful data in the universe: The Clearsound Listening System. The clear, bright wisdom of eternity awaits you.”

http://www.bridgepub.com/images/holiday/2008/products/listening-kit.jpg?locale=en_US


The fact that the website that is supposed to provide information on Scientology instead directs a potential follower to a buy this information changes my view on Scientology from a religion to more of a business.
Though, growing up Catholic, I know that there were many donations made every Mass on Sunday, no exchange of money was necessary in order to hear the word of God. Monetary gifts were appreciated but not required to be a member of the Church.

http://www.bridgepub.com/materials/listening-kit.html?locale=en_US
http://www.scientology.org/home.html
http://www.bridgepub.com/images/holiday/2008/products/listening-kit.jpg?locale=en_US

Behavioral Issues

What Scientologists Say About Scientology

In the media today, there is much speculation about whether or not Scientology is a cult or a religion. As seen from the opinions of the people in the video, it appears that Scientologists are fully functioning, helpful members of society. Scientology leaders assert that they are not leading a cult; they insist that “the church is a religion, if an unconventional one” (BBC). However, that video was also put out on the Internet by the Church of Scientology. Many critics have come out saying that this “new” religion is not really a religion at all. Rather, they argue along similar terms that it is “is an unscrupulous commercial enterprise that harasses its critics and brutally exploits its members” (Wikipedia). Currently, Scientology is still trying to legitimize itself as a religion throughout the world. Nevertheless, it is becoming harder to accept as more entities reject it: “the church…banned from British prisons - whilst in Germany, [Scientology] members are not allowed to stand for parliament” (BBC). Most recently, in October, 2009, the Church of Scientology was convicted of fraud in France. Members sued the Church for continuously wanting more money in order to practice Scientology, calling this a fraudulent practice. In the end, “a three-judge panel at the Correctional Court in Paris convicted the church and six of its members of organized fraud, but stopped short of banning the church” from France (CNN). The Church claimed that this was an “inquisition” on the part of France and that freedom of religion is in jeopardy.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology#Controversies
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/10/27/france.scientology.fraud/index.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/special_report/1999/02/99/e-cyclopedia/392396.stm

Dianetics

Scientology Video on Dianetics

L. Ron Hubbard’s Dianetics is the system from which Scientology is based. According to the site, Dianetics “could be said to be what the soul is doing to the body” (http://www.scientology.org). In other words, Dianetics is the complicated emotional being that inhibits and affects every individual. In order to assuage the problems of daily life caused by emotional turmoil, one must get rid of undesired “spiritual conditions.” The way to do this is through a therapy called auditing, a part of Dianetics, which is now a major component of Scientology. Through auditing, a Scientologist is said to be: “(1) helping the individual rid himself of any disabilities and (2) increasing individual abilities” (http://www.auditing.org). During auditing, an auditor, the counselor or “listener,” listens to the “preclear,” a follower who seeks the therapy who has not yet reached the state of Clear. Being in the state of Clear means having “erased one’s reactive mind” (http://www.auditing.org/13-clear.htm). With a reactive mind, a person can still feel the effects of the traumatic experiences from the past. The auditor is trained by the Church of Scientology. The auditor, during the session, asks the preclear many questions that are supposed to help lead to clarity and awareness. Of the infinite questions, however, it is stated that “L. Ron Hubbard isolated the exact questions and directions to invariably bring about improvement” (http://www.auditing.org). During an auditing session, an Electropsychometer, or E-Meter, is used. This device measures the mental state of a person and its changes throughout the session. The instrument does not actually do anything to the user—it simply reacts to “mental activity” (http://www.scientology.org).


Picture of E-meter. (Credit to: http://img2.scientology.org/pics/en_US/religion/presentation/auditing2.jpg)

In my experience in the Catholic faith, we too have a similar practice: Confession. It involves a one on one meeting with a priest that results in the absolving of sins for the time being. Afterwards, one could be considered “clear” or pure. However, no devices are used of any kind. In this way, this one element of Scientology does seem to vaguely resemble at least one branch of Christianity.

http://www.auditing.org/wis5_2.htm
http://www.auditing.org/13-clear.htm
http://www.scientology.org/religion/presentation/pg012.html

Scientology, Open for Business

When thinking of religion, money is usually not an aspect one focuses on. However, on the Scientology website, there is an opportunity to buy a book or pamphlet written by its founder, L. Ron Hubbard, on almost every page. This makes Scientology appear more like a product that a spiritual doctrine to an unknowing guest viewer. After looking more into the matter, I discovered that the money issue delves deeper than I had originally thought. For example, scientology.org does not tell patrons that “charges for auditing and other Church-related courses run to tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars” (Wikipedia). These two practices are main elements in the religion—Dianetics is based upon them both, and Dianetics is the basis for Scientology. According to Scientology, one cannot hope to achieve happiness without auditing, the counseling sessions that cleanse individuals of their scarring memories Additionally, without studying Hubbard’s texts, one cannot truly hope to be a Scientologist. To be such a participant would mean to pay upwards of $27,000 for certain training courses within Scientology (Wikipedia). To top it off, a study shows that “Hubbard had personally received over $108,000 from the Church and affiliates over a four-year period, over and above the percentage of gross income (usually 10%) he received from Church-affiliated organizations” (Wikipedia).

While in theory it appears that Hubbard created a religion in order to better the lives of others, it appears that he may have simply been after wealth. In fact, after many Scientologists had been sued, one court “accused Scientologists of exploiting beliefs for commercial gain. ‘Amassing money is one of the essential concerns, if not the only concern, of the Church of Scientology’” (Kent). While other religious organizations, most notably the Roman Catholic Church, also have amassed great wealth, it is not in the same way that one man, Hubbard, has benefited from Scientology.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology_as_a_business

Kent, Stephen A., The Globalization of Scientology: Influence, Control and Opposition in Transnational Markets. Religion (1999) 29, p. 147–169 Article No. reli.1998.0154, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com

The Eight Dynamics

In order to increase the ability to survive, according to Scientology, a follower must go through the Eight Dynamics. The first dynamic is Self. This is the realization that one wants to try to survive for as long as possible. This principle includes a person’s material possessions but excludes all others. Secondly comes Creativity. Creativity is “making things for the future.” This encompasses an individual’s family and especially children, as they are literally for the future. In addition, this can mean sex, because this leads to “future survival.” Group survival is the third dynamic. In this dynamic, one person moves on from single survival to thinking of survival within a group. This group can be any size or type of organization, including a country. The fourth dynamic is mankind. The next step up from groups is in species, and as the name of this dynamic suggests, this principle deals with the survival of all members of the human species. Life forms are the fifth dynamic. Within this dynamic, the urge for forms to survive extends beyond the human species to all species—to all living things, including plants and other animals. The sixth dynamic is called physical universe. This has four parts to it: “matter, energy, space and time.” Now outside of the realm of living organisms, an individual is to encourage the survival of the entire universe, including these four components. Spiritual is the seventh dynamic. This calls for a person to have the urge for all spiritual life to survive. Finally, the last and eighth dynamic is infinity. This is to mean an all-creator, or God. Within this dynamic, it “embraces the allness of all.” When a person is completely comfortable on each one of these levels, he or she can then move on to the next dynamic. Ultimately, the goal is achieve the eighth dynamic.

This idea of following a certain set of principles is similar to some of the major religions of the world. For example, the Ten Commandments of Christianity and the Seven Pillars of Islam both dictate how people should live. They help to uphold social standards and ways of life that followers should stick to. In this way, Scientologists are similar to Christians and Muslims.

http://learn.scientology.org/wis4_12.htm

Main Points of Scientology

Before I went searching for critiques in the media or biased views on Scientology, I decided to go straight to what I consider to be the main source of information today: Scientology's own website on the Internet. The following paragraph is a culmination of what I discovered about Scientology using the official Scientology website and Wikipedia, the other source that most people use in order to glean information.

Scientology is a religion did not come about until the 20th century. It was created by L. Ron Hubbard, starting in 1950 with his theory of Dianetics. Dianetics was a method of counseling that helped individuals by having them delve into their memories to sort out conflicts. According to a Scientology website, the three main focuses of this religion are:

• "Man is an immortal spiritual being.
• His experience extends well beyond a single lifetime.
• His capabilities are unlimited, even if not presently realized." (http://www.scientologytoday.org/corp/des.htm)
  

The religion is based on the idea that each person is a thetan, a life force. Another one of the main ideas of Scientology is that it can be used as a tool to better one’s self in the world so that one may simply survive. In order to do so, one can follow the Eight Dynamics, which include Self, Creativity, Groups, Mankind, Life Forms, Physical Universe, Spiritual, and Infinity. It is emblemized in the practice through the eight-corner Scientology cross. Another one of the main symbols of Scientology is of the ARC and KRC triangles. The ARC signifies Affinity, Reality, and Communication. While the KRC stands for Knowledge, Responsibility, and Control. Also, to better succeed in life, one can use the Tone Scale, a ranking system of verbal communications that help when interacting with others. In order to fully understand all Scientology concepts, members must study the theories and texts proposed by Hubbard. The religion is said to be an applied philosophical process.

http://www.scientology.org/#/videos
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology
http://www.scientologytoday.org/corp/des.htm

Reason for Blog

Throughout my public school education, I have been taught about some of the major religions of the world: Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. However, recently in the news, there has been more and more talk of Scientology, which I really know nothing about. Having been raised Roman Catholic in a predominantly Christian suburb of Boston, I have never knowingly met anyone who practices Scientology.

As more and more celebrities become participants of this religion, such as Tom Cruise and John Travolta, the media seems to focus more on Scientology than ever before. This has sparked my interest. How is it like other religions? What are the differences? What are the true guidelines on taking certain medicines while one is a follower? What are all the jokes about aliens referring to?

I hope to read academic journals and books to learn more about this religion this is currently a mystery to me. Hopefully, I will find someone who practices Scientology to interview.