Can someone explain Scientology to me? What's the belief and why it's enough to be called a faith/religion?

Answer 1

Church of Scientology: What Is It?
The Church of Scientology International was founded by L. Ron Hubbard in 1954. Based principally on his book, Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health (1950), Hubbard created a “religious” institution to promote his unique psychological theories. Organizations associated with Scientology include Applied Scholastics, Association for Better Living and Education (ABLE), Citizens Commission on Human Rights, Concerned Businessmen of America, Hubbard Dianetics Centers, Narconon/Criminon, Religious Technology Center, Sterling Management Systems, and The Way to Happiness Foundation. Publishing ventures include New Era Publications, Bridge Publications, Inc., and Freedom magazine.

The Church of Scientology sprouted from the creative genius of Lafayette Ronald Hubbard. Born in 1911, he spent much of his childhood on his grandfather’s Montana ranch while his parents served abroad in the U.S. Navy. During the 1920’s, Hubbard started to visit his parents in Asia, where he was introduced to Taoism, Buddhism, and other eastern philosophies.

Hubbard later developed a career as a science fiction writer and claimed to have explored the world. He allegedly received near fatal wounds in World War II, and developed his unique theories of science and philosophy while healing. These “discoveries” were later revealed to the public in his book, Dianetics.

In 1954, Hubbard formed the Church of Scientology to promote his ideas and techniques as a religious movement. His books and “church” spread worldwide, while Hubbard became a secretive recluse. He died in 1986, after spending most of his last years traveling around quietly on his yacht.

Church of Scientology: What Does It Teach?
The Church of Scientology teaches that mankind is immortal and divine. Man is composed of three dimensions: soul (“thetan”), mind (an accumulation of all experiences in multiple lives), and body (the temporary and physical dimension).

God is a vague concept. Scientology defines the Supreme Being with terms such as “infinity” and the "allness of all."

“Engrams” are the unconscious mental images that we record in our “reactive mind” that have negative effects on our present and future lives. They are learned from our past lives, prenatal experience, and early childhood, and prevent us from realizing our divine nature and experiencing a happy and fulfilled life. Engrams can only be removed from our mind through dianetic counseling. This process of counseling is called "auditing," and involves an "E-meter" (Electropsychometer), a device invented by Hubbard that helps a client discover and remove engrams from the unconscious mind. The goal of auditing is to travel from “preclear” to "clear," where a person is expunged of all engrams and their negative effects on the mind and body.

Since people experience many thetan reincarnations over thousands of years, auditing usually requires the clearing of engrams from past lives. The ultimate goal of auditing is to completely liberate the thetan from “MEST” and attain total spiritual awareness and oneness with infinity. MEST is an acronym derived from matter, energy, space, and time, which composes the physical universe and hold the thetan captive. The “doctrine” of Scientology has been compiled by the Church of Scientology International in the book, What is Scientology? (1978). Dianetic auditing sessions may cost as much as $1,000 per hour.

Church of Scientology: Who Cares?
The Church of Scientology has been called a "thriving cult of greed and power. . .a ruthless global scam. . ." (Time magazine, May 1991). It has also been declared a "dangerous cult. . .a racket disguised as a religion. . ." (Reader's Digest, October 1991).

Scientology always seems find its way into the popular media. If it’s not a multi-million-dollar lawsuit, it’s a famous personality making a controversial statement. All we know is that Hubbard was an absolute genius. He was a fantastic speaker and prolific writer who sold millions of books and made millions of dollars by creating and marketing his own religion. In 1949, L. Ron Hubbard was quoted as saying, "If a man wants to make a million dollars, the best way would be to start his own religion." Well, it seems that Mr. Hubbard proved himself right.

Church of Scientology-how does it compare to Christianity?


Scientology believes that man is an immortal, spiritual being with unlimited capabilities whose experience extends beyond a single lifetime. Through Scientology he is able to not only solve his own problems, accomplish his goals and gain lasting happiness, but also achieve new, higher states of awareness and ability.

Christianity believes that only God is immortal, and only He is the key to salvation. Christianity is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Bible, the authoritative Word of God. Jesus was God in the flesh, and He died for the sins of all mankind. He is the only way to salvation.


Scientologists do not ask anyone to accept anything on faith or belief. Each person reaches their own “truth” according to what is true for them, and every person’s truth is different.

John 14:6 says “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus is the truth, and eternal life only comes through Him.

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.

Answer 3

It is a mixture of science and faith. It is not actually a religion. It is a way of thinking, acting and living. You practice Scientology.

Answer 4

See Tom Cruise's personal explanation for scientology!

Answer 5

It is a cult created by L. Ron Hubbard, a science fiction writer. A lot of movie stars are attracted to it. Stay away! Stay far away or you may find yourself jumping on couches.

Answer 6

It's a scary cult.

http://theunfunnytruth.ytmnd.com/

Answer 7

the rubbish (science) which has no answer (BELIEF and many other things), now called a religion... ha.. ha.. ha..

Answer 8

you get a tax break if you're a religion (and not a for-profit corporation)

Answer 9

MONEY