What Is Scientoloty? Why is it called a church?

Question

I saw one scientology (church?) center in times square with quite a few people and i'm just wondering what they practice and belief in. And why so many people?

thx vegasdude and others. That was very informative.

Theresa i like your comment but does calling their "body" as a church a way to get attention? Has anyone here benefitted by this "cult"?

Answer 1

is a system of beliefs and practices created by American pulp fiction[1][2] and science fiction [3] author L. Ron Hubbard in 1952 as a self-help philosophy. By 1960 Hubbard had redefined it as a "religion by its basic tenets".[4] The name "Scientology" is also sometimes used to refer to the Church of Scientology, which is the largest organization promoting the belief system of Scientology. There are other organizations and individuals who are not affiliated with the Church of Scientology who regard themselves as practitioners of and believers in Scientology, sometimes collectively called the Free Zone. The Church regards such independents, almost without exception, as not practicing the "true" Scientology set out by Hubbard,[5] while many of those independents make the very same criticism about the Church.[6]

The Church of Scientology presents itself as a religious non-profit organization dedicated to the rehabilitation of the human spirit and providing counseling and rehabilitation programs. Church spokespeople claim that Hubbard's teachings (called "Technology" or "tech" in Scientology terminology) have saved them from addictions, arthritis, depression, learning disabilities, mental illness, cancer, homosexuality[7][8] and other perceived problems.

The controversial organization has attracted much criticism and distrust throughout the world because of its closed nature and strong-arm tactics in handling critics and ex-members.[9] Lawmakers, including national governing bodies of several countries, have characterized the Church as an unscrupulous commercial organization, citing harassment of critics and exploitation of its members.[10] Scientology's principles have been characterized as pseudoscientific by scientists, medical doctors and psychotherapeutic practitioners. Although some religious scholars consider Scientology a religion,[11] it has frequently been perceived as a cult and a pseudoreligion.[12][13]

Allegations of Scientology's cult status may be attributed to its unconventional creation by a single authoritative and charismatic leader.[14][15] Within the church, members are arranged in a hierarchically pyramid ranked structure,[16] with higher level members holding authority over lower ranked subordinates, especially as evidenced by the Sea Org. The Church indoctrinates its members providing very little initial knowledge of the inner secrets of the organization. In order to reach this knowledge parishioners are required to advance forward in rank through study and payments to the Church, the incentive of which is the stepped acquisition[17] of promised powerful secrets and gaining of supernatural abilities.

According to a 2001 survey published by the City University of New York 55,000 people in the United States would, if asked what their religion was, have said Scientology.[18] The worldwide number of Scientologists is disputed: the Church of Scientology claims around 10 million members as of 2006, but claimed national membership figures it has released when totalled indicate a figure of around 500,000. Adherents.com suggests there may be 500,000 Scientologists worldwide[19] while critics say Church membership is likely to be less than 100,000.[20]

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 55 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.

So obviously , since it is growing very fast, there must be some benefit involved for those who are looking for improvement in their lives and choose to use it for that purpose, and become members and generally support it's Churches and Missions.
Those people you saw in the Church in Times Square are an example of this.

What you observed is exactly what you observed.
Scientologists are very busy people. There is a lot of improvement needed. If you look around you (i.e. Take your attention off the TV and computer screen for a while) you will observe this too.

Answer 3

Scientology is the study and handling of the spirit in relationship to itself, universes and other life. Scientology means scio, knowing in the fullest sense of the word and logos, study. In itself the word means literally knowing how to know. Scientology is a “route,” a way, rather than a dissertation or an assertive body of knowledge. Through its drills and studies one may find the truth for himself. The technology is therefore not expounded as something to believe in, but something to do. By using Scientology's technology millions of people around the world are improving their lives and achieving spiritual freedom.

The church also sponsors numerous social betterment organizations that work to get people off drugs, rehabilitate criminals, teach kids how to learn, teach people right from wrong and fight for psychiatric reform.

Scientology teaches that people have a thrust toward the eternal, but does not have any specific dogma about the nature of the divine. People of all faiths can and do study and apply Scientology to improve their lives.

The aims of Scientology are noble. As expressed by L. Ron Hubbard the aims of Scientology are a civilization without insanity, without criminals and without war, where the able can prosper and honest beings can have rights and where man is free to rise to greater heights.

Answer 4

there really arent that many scientologists, they just get alot of media coverage because theyre pretty much a mainstream cult with quite a few famous members. For info on it, check out scientology on wikipedia.

the beliefs are completely rediculous, and they tend to be extremely financial based, raking in millions and millions in donations from wealthy members such as tom cruise.

Answer 5

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Answer 6

Now that you knew from other answers what is scientology, I would like to answer the second 2 questions. why there are so many people? most of them are wealthy & they like a place where there is a cater to their need. They like to have servants. They like to worship themselves & their capacities without thinking of the One who gave it to them. They regard to God as the most most powerful energy. It is alsmot pagansim. It is not a church. Be careful. A Christian church is where Jesus christ is the bridegroom & his body ( the people) are the bride.

Answer 7

properly, on your church circles you ought to be called an unbeliever unrepentant or maybe a heretic. in different churches, you're able to correctly be seen a saint for exposing fake doctrines. in case you're an atheist, or an agnostic, you're able to ask in case you are able to check out different churches. i admire human beings of different faiths regardless if we disagree or agree. people who have a faith in christ very just about constantly have a existence path that's purer by using decision. i warn human beings against being facist although. God does no longer tension human beings to believe and repent, yet he does no longer enable human beings to be happy of their sins on the comparable time. there's a God, little doubt, purely believe, believe and forsake your sins.

Answer 8

It's sort of a religion. Depending on what you mean by religion. It has a system of beliefs, and they call themselves a church to help get the tax wright off

Answer 9

If you can wait a bit longer, I would like the opportunity to answer this question, but I don't have the time at the mo... it's late :).

Or if not, just follow this link for important info. on the Church of Scientology.

http://www.clambake.org

Answer 10

You could ask the same about any religions....

It's not really known what they exactly believe in because they keep it well in secret, but it's in connection with aliens.

See Wikipedia for further information.