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.