What is the deal with this "Scientology"?

Question

I'm looking at my life now, and traditional religion isnt working for me. My life is a wreck, and it seems that all of these general suggestions of "Trust in God....", "Everything is in his hands.....", "Everything happens for a reason....." doesnt hold a lot of weight for the answers that I need in life.

Scientology seems to have a philosophical viewpoint on building up your self esteem and seems to actually focus on "Manufacturing" individuals who live better lives.

I'm uncertain about steering away from God and his ways, but it seems that this organization has the answers that I need to pull me out of this depression and dire outlook that I have on life.

I believe that God created us to do 100 times the ammount that we even think is capable of doing and I think that taking a step towards this organization that will help me.

I guess what I'm asking is, "When it comes to building up your self esteem, and helping you feel better about yourself, others, and your outlook in life, CAN YOU REALLY ARGUE WITH THEM?

Answer 1

yeah but following scientology pretty much makes you a non-believer. if you dont care about that by all means go about and follow it.

Answer 2

This is an accurate description of what Scientology is and you will see from this that your belief in God is not in anyway invalidated by it :

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.

Hope this helps to answer your question.
I recommend you read the book "A New Slant on Life" by L.Ron Hubbard. This book will help you a great deal (whether you pursue Scientology or not ) , it was written for that purpose, to help.

Answer 3

I once worked at a bank and encountered a customer who was very worried about the $250 or so Scientology was taking from her account on a monthly basis.

Be wary.

Learn how to handle things without freaking out and to trust in yourself in the hard times. You'll be able to handle anything; hard times come and go--they're a fact of life. It will get better, especially if your attitude does.

Answer 4

Scientology's doctrines were established by Hubbard over a period of about 34 years, beginning in 1952 and continuing until his death in January 1986. Most of the basic principles of the Church were set out during the 1950s and 1960s. Scientology followed on the heels of Dianetics, an earlier system of self-improvement techniques laid out by Hubbard in his 1950 book, Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health. The Church says that Scientology is concerned with "the study and handling of the spirit in relationship to itself, others and all of life," [14] but they say that Dianetics is only concerned about getting rid of the reactive mind.[15] Scientology also covers topics such as ethics and morality (The Way to Happiness), drug and chemical residues as they relate to spiritual wellbeing (the Purification Rundown), communication, marriage, raising children, dealing with work-related problems, educational matters (study technology), and the very nature of life (The Dynamics).

Answer 5

its been a hollywood "religion" if you will for years and years, travolta made it popular but not in your face. I know tom Cruise is rich and famous but aside from that he is an egomaniacal jackass that force feeds his opinions in your face, its NOT ok for people to think for themselves, he is definately given that "following" a bad name, its kind of culty, look at the change in katie holmes, she acts like a brainwashed zombie, and he has her new best friend just happens to be a scientologist teacher, mentor if you will. its great to have self confidence, but you can get that without scientology, but to each his own, i just feel they cry because they get a bad rap as not taken seriously as a legit "religion" but yet they are the most closeminded individuals i have ever met, ive known non movie stars that went that route, u just cant win a debate with them, they have an answer for everything even if its out there, and if you back them in a corner they flip the subject so fast, they got good game, but so do white aryan recruiters!!

Answer 6

No it won't help you, at least not in the long run. Scientology is the belief that science can provide every single answer, but since science changes so much and has theories that are so unstable it really is not that much of a help. Basically, scientology is trying to say that through all of these constantly changing theories, we can give you all the answers to the mysteries of life, it's a bunch of bull if you ask me.

Answer 7

I dont really have the actual facts on it. And Tom Cruise has spoiled any curiosity on my part to investigate it. If it's done that to him, I dont want any part of it.
I didnt think negatively about it when knowing that John Travolta practiced it. But than he wasnt a fanatic about it. I suppose that's what makes the difference.
In my opinion, religion is a way of life. Not a Sunday event. And if you feel that Scientology will make you a better person, then by all means, apply it to your life. However, please dont try to convince others that IT is all there is. (I'm NOT saying that you're doing that)
But simply that it works for you, and leave it at that.

Answer 8

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Answer 9

There are much safer ways to use your abilities and build your self esteem. Scientology has cost countless people thousands of dollars and in some cases people have died because of their stance against medicine. It's good that you're seeking but please don't walk into the first shiny door that's opened for you.

Answer 10

Scientology 'seems' to be a lot of things, but I'm afraid to say it isn't any of those - this is a clever PR and marketing scam.

As other posters have already said, it's a dangerous cult.

A lot of information can be found at these websites:
http://www.clambake.org
http://www.xenutv.com
http://www.lermanet.com
http://www.whyaretheydead.net

Or for a more neutral source, wikipedia:
http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/scientology
http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/xenu

Read here for the techniques used in Scientology:
http://www.clambake.org/archive/techniques/

They use mind control techniques:
http://www.freedomofmind.com/resourcecenter/groups/documents/scientology/pignotti

Here are some ex-member accounts:
http://www.clambake.org/archive/personal_story/tory/
http://www.clambake.org/archive/personal_story/kathryn.html
http://www.clambake.org/archive/personal_story/cheryl_s/

Here are some books on it too:
http://www.clambake.org/archive/books/

Please do the research on the internet first before investing and time or money into scientology, it could literally save your life.

Answer 11

Yes. Scientology Kills. All religons do. They are dangerous to beleive in. Luckily you are allready doubting the status quo. Now delve deeper. Learn the true nature of Scientology.

http://www.xenu.net