what is scientology?

Question

Tom Cruise and many other actors are followers of Scientology. Can anyone please explain to me what is it and how it differs from other religions? How to convert to it?

Answer 1

Scientology is a religion created by L. Ron Hubbard. It is based on the theories in his book Dienetics which is based on stress relief and basic philosophy. The basis of the religion is that they believe that long ago, an alien race was ruled over by an evil overlord. He decided to fight overpopulation problems by killing millions of his people by flying them to Earth and dropping them in volcanoes. To top this off he then activated the volcanoes by dropping nuclear bombs in them as well.

The dead lived on though as things called Thetins, basically spirits or souls. As Human kind grew up and gained intelligence we grew susceptible to interference by these Thetins. They have attached themselves to our bodies and given us false memories of God and all earthly religions. They also cause human suffering including anger, fear and hatred.

I'm not saying this theory is stupid or anything but it sounds pretty lame to me.

Answer 2

Scientology is an applied religious philosophy. When I say "applied" I mean you actually use it in your life to change or improve existing conditions. This is different from a religious practice. All religions if you learn about them have a basic philosphy, but they also have certain dogma, rituals and observances, and a certain faith or belief is required. There is nothing wrong with this, but Scientology is not that kind of religion. It does not intrude on anyones faiths of beliefs particularly in the area of God , the Supreme Being, or the Infinite. This area is left totally up to the indivdual, which is why you can be a practicing Jew,for example and still use and apply the priniciples of Scientology in your life. It does not conflict. If anything it will enhance your understanding of your chosen religious practice.
You can have no specific religious beliefs and still benefit from using it.
And it is only true for you according to your own observation and experience with it.
It is a non denominational religion . The dictionary definition that applies:
Religion: The spiritual or emotional attitude of one who recognises the existence of superhuman power or powers.

The most basic principle of Scientology is that YOU are your own immortal soul, that this is not a "thing" you HAVE but what YOU actually are.
The whole purpose of Scientology is to increase an individual's understanding and awareness of himself. And thereby his native abilities .
When you do this the sphere and zone of his positive influence increases and moves outward into his life, his family ,his friends, his groups and mankind which he is part of.

How this result is achieved is the "technology" of Scientology, which was developed by L.Ron Hubbard after his extensive research and the discoveries he made, about the human spirit. The basic religious philosophy and knowledge of Scientology is very old, going back 10,000 years at least to the Veda or Vedic Hymns from the East. The developement of the technology is new.
He completed his research before his death in 1986 and left all of his results and copyrights
to the Church of Scientology along with most of his considerable estate., when he died.

He published a book in 1951 to communicate the basic principles he discovered called: " Scientology The Fundementals of Thought"
There are currently over 8 million Scientologists in more that 150 countries world wide. However we are a new religion, only 53 years old.
The true story of Scientology as a religion goes like this:
1. A philosopher developes a philosophy about life and death.
2. People find it interesting.
3. People find it works.
4. People pass it along to others.
5. It grows.

You don't need to convert to it.
Suggest you read some basic books and see if you find it interesting and find out if it works for you.
Recommended Basic Books:
"Scientology A New Slant on Life"
" Self Analysis"
" Fundementals of Thought"
There are also several recorded lectures available on DVD
by L.Ron Hubbard that are introductory.
I recommend one called " The Road To Truth"

P.S. Incase you are worried about "money" . These books are available in most local libraries, but if not the paperback editions
cost around $8.00.
As for the DVD you can go into any Scientology Church or Mission and ask for a free "tape play".

Answer 3

I went to a scientology church after doing a personality test on the internet. they contacted me to come and get my results and out of curiosity, i did. They basically tell you that you are a failure in life, have no personality and are simply a horrible person (and this is the result to all personality profiles, not just mine.). then you are like, well how do i change and live a good life... so they pull you in. they tell you they are not a "religion" but a "suppliment to any religion, even christianity". they are called the Church of Scientology in order to get by without paying state and federal taxes without being a non-profit organization. it is founded by a man named Ron L. Hubbard who wrote numerous books, and believe me, they will try to convince u that u need ALL of them to live a healthy life, of course u have to buy them, most of them costing 50-75 $ each. this website will give you much more info about the "religion suppliment" http://www.watchman.org/sci/index.htm please be very cautious about doing something just because someone else does it, such as converting to a religion because of an actor/actress. and do look at this website. there have been many cases of people coming out of the religion physically and psycologically harmed. also i believe that the church has recruited a few celebrities to make them more known and possibly paying them for "advertisment". oh also, they have their own dictionary. words that we all use have a different meaning for them. this is done so that when confronted about certain text they are able to rearrange what they say by saying they never said it. dumb huh?

Answer 4

Another religion based upon the glorification of self:

From their web site "In Scientology no one is asked to accept anything as belief or on faith. That which is true for you is what you have observed to be true."

It is a science fiction religion created by a science fiction writer.

Wnat something real? Go here: http://www.standontherock.org/grace.html

Answer 5

It is a cult that believes you must give everything you own to the church so that you will be humble enough to get abducted when aliens come to earth.
It most defers from other cults as it was started by a science fiction writer.
I am unsure of how to convert to it, but I am sure that those who have converted wish they didn't.
Minus celebrities. They have their own little wing of scientology.

Answer 6

All I can tell you is that "scientology" is officially considered as a dangerous cult by the country I live in (France). Many other countries consider this too.

I suggest you to get informations from official associations that protect people from cults. I am sure they can help you make a decision :-)

Answer 7

I wouldn't follow anything that asked me for money. If someone knocks on my door and wants to talk about God then I would invite them in for coffee....but...the minute they tell me that I will go to hell if i dont believe what they believe or if they ask for money then they lose my trust instantly. Whatever you chose to do be sure its because you have listened to your inner voice and not to what some movie star has said. As for Tom Cruise..there is something that rings untrue about him and when it comes to this scientology he almost comes across as fanatical...but I only know what I see on TV and thats not something I would rely on for the truth about anything.

Answer 8

Just go to a Scientology center and then start paying them lots and lots of cash.

Answer 9

Very strange religion. Its having to do with a certain point in time that aliens are going to come to earth and teach earthlings how to live and teach them new technologies.
It also has to do with sicknesses just being in your head, that all manner of illnesses are just made up and so your body is reacting to this mindset.
Doesn't make much sense to me. They have interesting morals tho.

Answer 10

began via L. Ron Hubbard as 'self help concepts-set' referred to as Dianetics (he began out writing SiFi books and then wrote self help books) ...it right into a became "faith".....a lot of human beings (Christians, atheist, agnostics, former individuals, ect) say this is the proper 'text fabric-e book' occasion of a non-violent Cult (concept some individuals have reported actual and emotional abuse) the uncomplicated thought is: for the period of your and previous lives you have had unfavourable reviews which you will no longer bear in mind, those repressed reviews 'carry you decrease back'.... by way of particular counseling referred to as "Dianetics" (presented via the CoS. for a nominal fee) you may 'technique/take care of' those undesirable reviews....as quickly as there all dealt with, you may go beyond to a "extreme undeniable of existence" ....the top....