What exactly is scientology?

Question

Are there any details anyone would like to give . . because I know that it's crap already, and I know it's about aliens.

Answer 1

Go here for this critics viewpoint then go search the whole site...

"In a Nutshell

The Church of Scientology is a vicious and dangerous cult that masquerades as a religion. Its purpose is to make money. It practices a variety of mind-control techniques on people lured into its midst to gain control over their money and their lives. Its aim is to take from them every penny that they have and can ever borrow and to also enslave them to further its wicked ends.

It was started in the 1950s by a science fiction writer named L. Ron Hubbard in fulfilment to his declared aim to start a religion to make money. It is an offshoot to a method of psychotherapy he concocted from various sources which he named "Dianetics". Dianetics is a form of regression therapy. It was then further expanded to appear more like a religion in order to enjoy tax benefits. He called it "Scientology".

Scientology is a confused concoction of crackpot, dangerously applied psychotherapy, oversimplified, idiotic and inapplicable rules and ideas and science-fiction drivel that is presented to its members (at the "advanced" levels) as profound spiritual truth."
http://www.clambake.org/roland-intro.html

I personally believe scientology is a pseudo-science and a pseudo-religion. I think the Church of Scientology is a cruel dangerous cult that takes your money and your ability to reason enough to see so.

There is too much to post to give you the full answer, and indeed there are many opposing views. You really just have to read and research some stuff for yourself.

See the links to important information on the internet about scientology: The first 3 would probably suffice but in case you want to keep reading...

See here for the whole site, it is very interesting but horrifying reading, there is a wealth of critical information on scientology.
http://www.clambake.org (Same as http://www.xenu.net )

To find out about the beliefs of scientologists from a neutral site go here:
http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/scientology
And more here:
http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/xenu

The CofS has been investigated by governments and taken to court many times. "Some European governments (including notably, Germany, Belgium, France, and Austria) do not consider the Church to be a bona fide religious organization, but instead a commercial enterprise and / or a cult." wikipedia.org/scientology

Here are the court files:
http://www.clambake.org/archive/CourtFiles/

Here is the UK Govt. Investigation, the Foster Report:
http://www.xenu.net/archive/audit/foster01.html

Here are whole books written mainly by ex-members, the authors have posted them for anyone to read:
http://www.clambake.org/archive/books/

Here are some quotes from some judges:
http://www.clambake.org/archive/judge_quotes.html

Check this site out, although warning it isn't pleasant http://www.lisamcpherson.org

If you like videos here is a good site: http://www.xenutv.com

Now i've given you all those links it might only be fair to give you the official link too:
http://www.scientology.org

Answer 2

A second rate novel from a fifth rate Sci Fi writer!

At least that's how the Sci Fi community views it!

It is a re-working of psychology with new and different terms.

It is a cult

It is, now, legally a religion. The IRS lost to them so anyone heavily into Scientology is tax exempt, like a priest.

That makes it a viable commercial commodity. Yu can set up a Scientology center, provided you get the blessings of the head office, and be a non-profit orgnaization and make millions and pay no taxes, so long as what you do is strictly about Scientology.

It is a multi level marketing scheme, much like that Buddist cult (Nom Yo Ho Renge Quou) and you must "buy" into the various levels. Get one of there little meters and purge yourself of cooties. Buy the book (which is why it is a best seller, it's the first marketing tool at $7.95, offered to potential converts at seminars and then if you join you turn it back in and it's recycled). Just like you have to buy the beads with the Buddist cult or get a Gohansen for $100.

Does it work? Look at Tom Cruise, he's a living example of someone who'll swear Scientology made his Mission totally Possible!

It's like any religion you want to become a serious part of, you have to buy into everything they say, live it and believe it.

It's like being a Mason, except I think Mason's are far more respected.

It's not just about going to church on Sunday and listening to a sermon and putting $2 in the plate.

It's a counter culture.

They do nothing violent. They are not immoral. They are not revolutionary. They are a clique. It's like being a Valley Girl. Everyone else is clueless.

Is there power in numbers, definately!

Are these people evil? No one has proven it yet, although they do separte you from some of your money and attempt to control your life to a degree, but what Religoin doesn't do that?

They are not Jonestown. They don't drink arsenic kool aide. They don't tell girls they have to get naked and have sex with all the men. They are not the Branch Dividian Church of Waco, Tx, marrying 12 and 14 year old girls and saying you can have 150 concurrent wives. They don't have stockpiles of AK47s or emasse weapons of mass destruction (that I am aware of, at least).

They just have their own ways of looking at life.

They are like Mormons or Jehova's witnesses or Christian Scientists.

This is not pedestrian Presbyterianism or Methodist preaching.

Answer 3

And apparently, you're not allowed to scream when giving birth, which I did quite a lot of with all three of my kids, and you aren't suppose to speak around the baby for quite a long time. I mean really, like its in any way natural for entire households to suddenly become silent after the birth of a baby. Humans are not silent creatures, there's nothing natural about that. I guess you'd call it "sci-fi" religion, another nutcase cult, which seems to cater to the most wealthy and superficial people in our society.

Answer 4

By definition it is a cult because it is a secretive religion.

From my understanding, they believe that our souls are very old and that we reincarnate. They believe that if you are rich and powerful in this life it is because you are being rewarded for good deeds in previous lives. They don't believe in disciplining children because they are considered old souls that just happen to be in a child's body and that discipline takes away from their being. They do not believe in psychology or that psychoses exist.

You have to have a lot of money to belong to it because you have to take increasingly expensive classes to get into the higher learing. It was started by L. Ron Hubbard, a man who has been quoted saying "if you want to make a lot of money, start your own religion."

Answer 5

Psychology

Answer 6

An invented religion. It's a load of rubbish. Have a look on wikipedia or something. How anyone can believe in it is a joke.

Answer 7

they believe in aliens, some weird ruituals, and once you get in, you have to cut off your family members.

Answer 8

A cult

Answer 9

the biggest bunch of crap that you've ever heard in your life!!!!

Answer 10

you might be able to get the scoop from http://www.bible.ca , just go there and search "scientology" and there you go.