Any scientologists here? I have a few questions...(real ones)?

Question

I just wanted to see if what I see to be scientology is accurate. I don't really get all of the negative publicity against scientology. As far as I can tell...it's more like a motivational way of life that has been made into a "religion." That it does not govern beliefs in God and does not associate itself with God. It's sort of a way of focusing your life and goals. What's the hype? (Yes I realize that Ron L. Hubbard was borderline crazy thinking he was the anti-christ etc... and having sexual relations with Alistar Crowley), but it doesn't seem to play into what he has discovered through producing Scientology.

Answer 1

Hi, Scientologist here..
Hope this answers your question:

"Why" the negative publicity, well this is no different treatment actually than any religions have had in the past when they first got started and even once well established.
It's just that Scientology is a 20th Century religion and we now have much wider communication lines to spread negativity on and reach a lot more people with . The media is notorious for deliberately creating contraversy and alarm in the public mind.
They don't broadcast facts about anything really.
Scientology is factually a workable route to achieve spiritual freedom, by discovering our true spiritual nature and ability. An understanding of life and an increase in ability to handle life means people start to change and improve the conditions of life.

There is a small percentage who see this as a threat to their particular vested interests. They would prefer a slave society, so the less aware people are the better, they believe.
This small percentage have been waging a campaign against Scientology since 1950, when the book "Dianetics" was first published and the methods developed to help people were made available to anyone.
What you are seeing now in the media etc, is the tail end of this campaign which has infact failed to stop Scientology. It did slow it down in the first 30 years to a small degree but the growth and expansion of Scientology has taken off to such a extent in the last 20 years that the current "stuff" you read about has no effect on it. If anything the reverse of the intended effect, since people like yourself do become curious and don't buy this "stuff".
Here is an accurate description of Scientology that I have posted many times. You may have already seen it, but just incase.... here it is again.

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 personal 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 2

You won't get any real answers from scientologists.

Answer 3

they wont answer you its part of theri religion to not answer questions about it