Can someone explain briefly what Scientology is?

Question

Can somebody summarise what it is Scientologists believe that is different from other religions?

Answer 1

I'd be happy to. Here is some info on Scientology that I hope you find helpful.

Scientology is not authoritarian. There is no enforced belief. Rather, a maxim in Scientology is that only those things which one finds true for himself are true. In Scientology one learns to think for himself – it is a voyage of self-discovery.

Scientology is about the individual man or woman. Its goal is to bring an individual to a sufficient understanding of himself and his life and free him to improve conditions in the way that he sees fit.

The Scientology religious philosophy contains a precise system of axioms, laws and techniques, exhaustively researched and documented as workable. As such, it provides the individual with the ability to dramatically improve conditions, not only in his own life but in the world around him.

In a word, Scientology works.

And this is why millions of people the world over use its principles in their daily lives, why a growing number of people find such relevance in Scientology for themselves, their families, their organizations, their nations and this entire civilization.

All Scientologists are drug-free, and spearhead effective actions in countries around the world to get others off drugs. Scientologists have helped millions of underprivileged children to dramatically improve their reading level, vocabulary and comprehension, and the record of Scientology’s fight for human rights is unparalleled. Scientology’s commitment to social betterment activities also includes rehabilitating criminals and teaching people right from wrong.

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

The links below are to some good sites to learn about Scientology and its social betterment organizations.

Answer 2

Yes. I can.

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

Even the IRS isn't too sure what Scientology is because they have investigated them any number of times.

Scientology is supposedly a religion, but I had some dealings with them when I live in Clearwater, FL and it was my impression that it's more of a cult because of the way they exploit the members and, especially the children.

Scientology was founded by L. Ron Hubbard and his book is available via the Internet... you can contact the Church of Scientology and they will be more than happy to get information to you.

Answer 4

Scientologists believe that humans arrived on this planet many millenia ago as a race of "thetans" ruled by the god Xenu. All of our unhappiness, cruelty towards others, and self-destructive behavior is a result, in their view, of the residue of thetan "memories," to use a term they don't use. Almost all of the rituals in Scientology are pitched as cleansing or purifying rituals designed to rid the body of these thetans.

It's an extremely destructive, profoundly dangerous cult that destroys peoples lives and engages in all manner of criminal behavior, perhaps even including murder.

Answer 5

scientology is a cult created by L ron hubbard
it was basically a scam to get money
it believed that we have alien souls inside of us and that cause depression and other problems
and the only way is thorugh the scams

tom cruise is a scientologist

Answer 6

Different from other religions?
I guess mostly that the things keeping you from your goals are in you and controllable by you. Not outside demons and fix it by turning yourself over to some deity.

They offer courses in communication, study, shaking peer pressure, getting off drugs, and getting past blocks to your goals. Very self empowering (as you can tell by ever meeting one).

Oh yeah, they also dont believe in tithes or giving charity as a way to improve the world. But they do show up on most distaster teams or search crews. Thats kindof a different attitude for a church.

Answer 7

Don't know a whole lot of details, but the religion was created by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard. They are considered a cult by most. In Washington DC, they have attractive people come up to you and ask if you want a "stress test." Then they try to convert you. They seem to know who is weak and troubled. If you have a confident demeanor, they won't even approach you.

Answer 8

It's hard to explain briefly, but here goes.

Scientologists believe that millions of years ago, Earth's inhabitants were superpowered superbeings, until their planet was destroyed by an evil overlord named Xenu. I'm completely serious.

Xenu took the dead Earthling's ghosts and showed them movies to trick them.

Now, our bodies are inhabited by these ghosts of dead aliens. They are called Body Thetans. They trick us into believing in fake things, like God and Jesus - things they were showed in those movies.

A Scientologist's goal is to learn to communicate with the Body Thetans and convince them to leave his/her body. Then he will realize the amazing superpowers which the Thetans have prevented him from using.

All true.

Answer 9

It is a very modern religion created by a schizophrenic named Ron Hubbard, they are very anti-drugs including theriputical medications like anti depressants. Here's a bit of info on it http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology Tom Cruise is well into it and is very highly ranked amonst his peers.

Answer 10

Watch the South Park episode! Lays it all out!