Scientology-Is it really that far-fetched? Read on...?

Question

Just looked at the official Church of Scientology website. Aside from some wacky beliefs and practices (ie-silent birth & wierd e machine), are the theories (beliefs and practices) of Scientology really that unbelieveable? Many people belive really out-there things, so why do we find the ideas of scientology so wierd?

Check this out first:
www.scientology.org

I'm asking if there is anything in the philosophy of scientology that seems reasonable to you? Yes, it isn't flawless, but some of it's tenets seem to make sense. Purification of the body, spiritual growth & evolution, etc... And, why, with a universe that goes on for infinity, with billions of planets that could theoretically support life, is it so crazy to believe in aliens?

Answer 1

Ok let's make a distinction before i continue...

The Church of Scientology is a Destructive Cult about which I have no nice words to say... http://www.xenu.net

Your question however is about their believes which is a little bit different.

You are correct to observe that much of it sounds ok, it has some pretty basic stuff in there, you know improve oneself, help mankind, stop wars, etc, etc, etc...

It also has some stuff which is pretty central to most religions, a believe in an afterlife, souls, etc, etc, etc...

However it also does most definitely have some strange wacky beliefs, the type you will not find on scientology.org because it costs thousands of dollars to find this stuff out. Thankfully though you can read about them all over the internet.
http://www.clambake.org/archive/secret.html

The strangest belief is in the higher teachings of the church which focus around Xenu, the intergalactic space lord.
http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/xenu

Here they believe little alien souls callled body thetans inhabit our bodies and cause us a lot of problems and confusion, and removal of these restores us to our full Thetan abilities, where basically we can do whatever we want - having full control over MEST, matter, energy, space, time...

This stuff was proved undeniably to be from the church when the Church itself confirmed it was true in court. Here are the documents:
http://www.clambake.org/archive/secret.html

So already you can see they have lied to you... They didn't tell you that ultimately the religion is about removing body thetans that Xenu blew up and brainwashed 75 million yrs ago.

The reason it is 'really that far-fetched' is because Hubbard was a) a science fiction writer, b) an egomaniac, c) a fraud, a conman...

He did it because he wanted money, power, control and followers to do venerate him.
http://www.clambake.org/archive/books/bfm/bfmconte.htm

The small parts that sound credible do so because Hubbard stole them from other sources:
http://www.clambake.org/archive/lrhbare/

Scientology is dangerous
http://www.whyaretheydead.net

Answer 2

For many, I think that Scientology is VERY believable, which is unfortunate. I suggest that you go to the source and read what L. Ron Hubbard really said and wrote before you believe the modern propaganda. I suggest a web site below. If it says anything which unfairly depicts anything about Scientology, please email me. I know Scientology doesn't like it being there.

Scientology preys on the lonely and unfulfilled. There are lots of people looking for spiritual answers in this world. Unfortunately, Scientology is perhaps the worst of them. They should have been shut down after they killed Lisa McPherson.
Talk to ex-scientologists who knew Hubbard and they will tell you the real story. Scientology believes that anything is viable if it defends their beliefs, even treachery, torture and murder.
I have an acquaintance who was tortured for several weeks underneath the Fort Harrison hotel. When you hear these things the first time, they are difficult to believe. Scientologists themselves are excellent at misinformation. It is very difficult to believe how evil these people really are, but if you look, I believe that you can discover the truth.

Answer 3

As a Scientologist who has studied and applied it for the past 35 years... I would have to agree with you.
The misconception that bugs me the most and causes the majority of negative "wierd" reaction to Scientology seems to be this "belief in aliens" thing that keeps coming up on this forum.
Scientology isn't a system of "beliefs", it's not about believing in something or faith in something or worshipping anything for that matter.
This is actually what it is about:
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.


Oh well........ I'm not complaining, other religions get just as much abuse or "reactions" on this forum.
We should be working towards mutual understanding since we actually all have very similar purposes, to improve conditions for mankind in general.(self respect, peace of mind etc) Religions have always been a target throughout history, it's time they started defending and supporting each other against external hostile forces with other "agendas" than those of religion.

Answer 4

Look at this way (I do) if Scientology is a religion - how come you have to pay cash money to progress though its teaching? Other religions hold out a hand to genuine truth-seekers, the hand Scientology holds out wants your money.

Also, try sites other than the Scientologists - see how little good anyone can expect to receive from all that pratting around with e-meters. Find out what the doctrines are you don't find out until you've laid out mega-bucks.

Also, see how little truth L Ron Hubbard told the world about his own life and see if you want to entrust your life (and your life-savings) to the cult.

Answer 5

Not at all. It is no different than beleif in a sky pixie...only it is beleif in an alien that apparently dressed in clothes that resembled 1960s fashion and had a space ship that looked remarkably like a DC-10 jet (from the 60's also)...Hubbard OBVIOUSLY wasnt very creative when writing up his religion... Like the Story of Noah's Ark, the story of Xenu is mathematically impossible, that he took all people to a planet and surrounded them around a volcanoe and blew them up? Come on......

three years prior to the "invention" of Scientology, Hubbard was quoted as saying "Working for a penny a word is ridiculous. If I am going to be rich, I need to invent my own religion." The rest, as they say, is history....

Answer 6

Silent birth isnt a "wierd scientology thing". In fact scientology isnt. Thats why people keep bringing up other stuff.

Keeping a birth from being "warmth quiet floating moms-heartbeat breathing-fluid" to suddenly being "bright sharp noisy cold pain (slap on the *** and possibly circumcision) and torn from momma" is becoming a common thing. Other ways of making the transition easier include sound-proof steam-bath births, water births, natural childbirth (meaning no drugs), etc etc.

The e-meter is also not new tech nor is it some scientology theory. Just the name e-meter is as far as I know.

Most of the rest of what they do.. courses in communication, studying, getting off drugs, shaking peer pressure, getting past blocks to your goals... is also all based on research from many sources.

Answer 7

In some ways Scientology is no weirder than any other religion, it's just that being 'on the outside looking in' makes it much easier to realize the ridiculous elements. At least they don't go around claiming that 'everyone alive today helped Xenu kill the Thetans.'

Answer 8

i would say its more the fact that they use strong arm tactics to lure these poor simple minded people and make them pay huge amounts of money and tell them all sorts of false things,its really pathetic religion,it does not take a idiot to figure out these people are just after morons,and there cash.anyone who believe in their doctrine about aliens and reading peoples mind....wow.i have to admit....what a scam gone right.......they think we came from i believe an exhaled king and queen who were put on earth with other aliens in new Mexico and Hawaii in volcanoes i think anyways they where then blown up be an evil emperor or some one like that,they became something known as theologians,and that all people of earth have inside them these alien spirits,and their are levels you go through and pay upwards of like 30,000 dollars to hear this crap,they also have a ship that travels around it like their own navy...and their founder was a drug addict when he died,prescript's,and booze..

Answer 9

Well really with that perspective....aside from the wacky beliefs and in-humane tactics...were the theories of Nazi Germany really so wierd??
C'mon we think Scientology is weird for the exact reasons you put aside....
Pricenss what-her-name attached earth??..Theatons???..silly..silly...silly

Answer 10

Scientology is more b lievable than religion. Just cuz were not REALLY advanced doesn't mean extraordinary things can b done.