...Scientology The second half of the 20th century was the time when new, alternative religious movements sprang to life and started their triumphant parade across the world, attracting millions of people to their allegedly innovative concepts of faith and salvation. This religious expansion, unpredicted and unexpected in the middle of the century, the diversity of schools and teachings, as well as their significant impact on the lives of many people are a phenomenon that demonstrates a high potential of such theories and practices. Their evolution was facilitated by spiritual requirements of people who were seekers of new ideas and formats of faith. These people distrusted traditional religions and were often disillusioned and disappointed by orthodox tenets and concepts; they wanted to find more updated and socially adapted religious teachings. Scientology is a dramatic example of a new religion of this kind, and its analysis provides an insight in the complex, controversial, and sometimes perplexing domain of today’s religious and spiritual practices. Officially recognized as religion in the USA, Scientology was denied this status in European countries, for example, the UK, Germany, France, and others. Investigating an impact of this popular religious practice on individuals, groups, and communities is significant for understanding the effects, possible implications, and hazards it has in store for society. The Origin of Scientology and its Founder Scientology, a religious...
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...Scientology: A Look at its History, Theology, Cosmology, and Current Status Religion, a remnant of the ancient world, before science, before concrete evidence, was used to explain the unexplainable. A constant in human culture, religion has concretely been about the relationship between either a supernatural deity or supernatural deities and nature. It sets up the morality of the people, explains the transitoriness of life, but most importantly, it gives people a sense of meaning and purpose. Now, with all those things in mind, replace religion, in the most general and abstract sense, with Scientology. Scientology, since its birth, has been the subject of criticism not only by outsiders, such as the media, but by former members, as well. As...
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...The United States of America is a melting pot of many different people, religions and beliefs. Though many people have strong beliefs about certain religions, unlike many countries, the US allows people to practice any religion that they please. Throughout the years, many faiths have been the center of controversy. However, one particular belief system known as Scientology is the most controversial religion of the 20th century. Scientology was founded in 1952 in the United States of America by a man named L. Ron Hubbard. Although it is an actual religion, many people view Scientology as a trend. However, just like any other religion, Scientology has its own churches, beliefs, practices, and scripture. The word Scientology was created by Hubbard that derived from the Latin word Scio which meant “Knowing in the fullest meaning of the word” (Melton). The actual definition of Scientology is "the study and handling of the spirit in relationship to itself, universes, and other life" (Melton). Hubbard began his journey while studying the human mind which led him to write many of his publications. Slowly, he began to further his studies by teaching classes which taught people how to become “auditors” which would allow them to teach these beliefs to others. His teachings used an array of methods that focused on the study of the mind and the problems that many people faced. Hubbard then researched other elements to the brain which he then called “thetan”. Thetan was the observer...
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...What Is Scientology? Evelyn Kalman/ June 17, 2013 Scientology was developed by L. Ron Hubbard in the early 1950s as a religion which claims to offer a precise path which will reveal one’s true spiritual nature and provide complete understanding of self, Mankind, and all life forms in general as well as the material and spiritual universe, and the Supreme Being. Scientology claims to be spiritual, not of the flesh. It addresses one’s spirit rather than body or mind and believes that Man has a purpose in life. The religion of Scientology is based upon fundamental truths which include theses such as: man is an immortal spiritual being; his experience extends well beyond a single lifetime; and his capabilities are unlimited, even if not presently realized. Scientology declares man to be good and proposes that his spiritual salvation is based upon himself, his fellowship with others, and his brotherhood with the universe. In Scientology, one is not asked to accept any concept on faith alone; the ultimate goal of the belief is true spiritual enlightenment and freedom for all and to enable man to improve his lot through comprehension (Official Church). Scientology is founded upon a long tradition of religious practice. It is said to draw on the wisdom of some 50 000 years from various religions; however it is considered to be a new belief. It bridges Easter philosophy with Western thought, constituting man’s first real application of scientific methodology to spiritual questions...
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...What is Scientology? Scientology is a body of religious beliefs and practises, initially a program of ideas called Dianetics developed by L. Ron Hubbard in 1954. On the Scientology website, they claim it is a religion that offers a precise path leading to a complete and certain understanding of one’s true spiritual nature, one’s relationship to self, family, groups, Mankind, all life forms, the material universe, the spiritual universe, and the Supreme Being (What is Scientology [APA] n.d.) Scientology is about control and greed as shown through an examination of the criminal history, the bizarre religious practices, and the negative perspective on medicine. There has been a history of criminal activity since 1954, in the time it has...
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...What does “Scientology and the prison of belief” mean to you? Before watching the film “Going Clear” in class, I had not heard exactly what Scientology actually was. I knew the basics; Ron Hubbard had pretty much made up an elaborate story and it was working wonderfully in having people willingly give their money to him. So I was very interested in knowing more, just never had the chance to look into it further. Therefore I was very glad to hear that we would be watching a documentary over Scientology, but I had not realized it would, for lack of a better phrase, blow my mind. I was not prepared to see the intense, yet deceitful truth of what Scientology actually was or is. “Scientology and the prison of belief”, I find this phrase to be very ironic, mainly because it was the individual’s own beliefs in Scientology that kept them there, or made them do the things they did. It was indeed like a prison. Scientology seemed to lure you in by offering you great things, like a better life and happiness. We all want these things in life, so when someone...
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...Scientology Scientology started as a religion in the early 1950s called Dianetics, invented by the founder of Scientology, self-proclaimed Doctor L. Ron Hubbard; the Doctor in front of his name is short for “Doctor of Scientology.” Hubbard at the time was a science fiction writer, famous for publishing under multiple pen names because his work was so entertaining (Phelan). As Hubbard’s life fell into turmoil he made the jump from a Science Fiction Writer; to religious leader. Dianetics focused on, “offering an alternative path to overcoming physical and mental stress,” as opposed to the normal way, of psychology or psychiatry (Church of Scientology). Dianetics also was referred to by Hubbard as, “an organized science of thought built on definite...
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...many people who are desperate enough to trust anything resembling salvation will follow Scientology. Janet Reitman, a New York TImes Reporter, shows the promise Scientologists offer after the personality tests. “ They suggested Life Repair, a $2,000 package of one-on-one private auditing sessions, which she said would help me handle my everyday problems” (Reitman 1). Some people get into Scientology without even knowing it. Scientology has many sister-companies, such as Narconon, a company supposedly dedicated to helping former drug users get rid of their addiction. Many people...
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...Scientology is a new religious movement that has only now began to grow in numbers and spread across the world. It was developed by L. Ron Hubbard, a scientologist who for years studied the human spirituality and the Supreme Being. This website is appealing and stands out for other religious website because the layout of the website and the understanding of the religion are much more intriguing to research about which has developed my knowledge of this religion. The “What is Scientology?” video draws you straight into wanting to know about the religion and wanting to know more about it. This website has everything you need to know about Scientology, from the Founder, to their beliefs, and even to today’s scientology. The imagery used makes...
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...The modern day equivalent of a heretic, would of course be the iconic Tom Cruise, who has become the celebrity face of The Church of Scientology. Cruise, born in 1963, joined a divinity school at the young age of fourteen, with the hope of becoming a priest, however left after only a year and found his passion for performing. In the following years, his acting career may have been on the rise, but his religious choices were on the decline. At the age of twenty-five, Cruise married a woman by the name of Mimi Rogers. “It was through Rogers that the actor became a student of Scientology, the religion founded by writer L. Ron Hubbard. Cruise credited the church with curing his dyslexia, and he soon became one of its leading proponents” ("Tom Cruise.)....
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...Why are people so attracted to Scientology? Why are many public figures involved in a religious cult that gets bad press? Well, The Church of Scientology is publicized in social media, shedding a negative light on this religion. In another reality, what many people do not see is that Scientology contains very workable techniques for improving self-confidence, tuning up memory, mental alertness and increasing one’s sense of self-worth and well-being (Rinder, 2013). Scientology can give you strong emotional highs, which increases your confidence and enthusiasm. From a spiritual point of view, and despite its negative aspects, Scientology can act as one of the many channels that can help one to awaken his or her spiritual potential. Scientology and Buddhism share a fundamental belief that you must look for yourself. Buddhism identifies as a state of enlightenment obtained by worldly desires. Buddhism religion practices...
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...’The perspective for the Church of Scientology being awarded a charitable status’’ Charity is a humanitarian act, a voluntary help given with the essence of not take something in exchange back. Furthermore religion and charity are interrelated and this can be observed not only from acts of church to support impoverished people, it can be seen also through the history and basic principles of religion. For example, many religions have the concept to help the weak person next to us as the ideal. Generally the charity commission approves charities for the advancement of religion (under statute) but this will be under conditions. However not all religions are available for charitable purpose under the modern law. Problems arise when religions such...
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...Analyse Religious expression in New Zealand I am an experienced sociologist who has many years of teaching within the country. Being New Zealand born I have watched the steady changes in religious make up within Aotearoa/New Zealand and seeing how the society and government responds to the changes. I am preparing an analytic report outlining the changes in the past basing my main focus on Scientology (cult), Quakers or Society of Friends (sect) and the Catholic Church. The reports have been specifically based upon the changes within New Zealand. Quakerism “Quakers”, also knows as Society of Friends, is a sect which is Christian in its origin and inspiration but is open to ideas from other religious groups. Quakers cover the three components which exists in a Christian group, conservative, mainline and liberal. Quakerism was found by George Fox in the mid 17th century. He believed that there is “that of God in everyone”. He believed that each human being has the potential to succeed and accomplish their most outright goals in life by following the example of God. The sect had an early involvement with New Zealand and began with regular meetings and Worship in Nelson in 1842 but stopped after 20 years then continued in Auckland in 1885. Quaker congregations are almost completely autonomous. There exist no main assemblies or medial authority within the sect, although there is a committee in London. In New Zealand they follow a non-hierarchical organisation having no...
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...Scientology Research Paper Some people love, and some people hate L. Ron Hubbard. Before doing any kind of research into the religion of Scientology I had never heard of the religion, let alone heard of a man so loved and so despised by many. The science-fiction writer, later turned leader made his way on I the scene in 1950 when a book called “Dianetics” hit America's west coast like a wild fire. Some claim it was his plan saying he was only out for money. My opinion of this was that L. Ron Hubbard was a genius when it came to believable scams and money making. Scientology is an organization or movement that is right on the edge between psychology and religion. The idea is that if you correctly apply the knowledge that is there for the taking, which will fully release the individual’s full potential. The proper application of the ideas is supposed to lead to the freeing of the individuals superhuman powerful human nature. Scientology believes that in the climb to a desirable state, there are current human limitations, including lack of confidence, psychological and physical disabilities, and psychosomatic illness. These limitations, if they are eliminated (the idea of scientology), this will enable man to handle his environment more successfully Scientology also looks at the human beings will to exist, which is summed up in 8 dynamics or drives as they are called. L. Ron Hubbard composed these 8 dynamics or drives, and they are as follows: 1) The urge to survive as a self-aware...
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