Can anyone explain what are the principles/beliefs of scientology?

Question

Where did it originate? and how does one become a scientologist?

Answer 1

Scientology 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.”
http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/scientologly

See here for a critic’s view:
http://www.clambake.org/roland-intro.html

See here for scientology’s own view:
www.scientology.org

Scientology is considered a religion in some countries, a profitable organisation in others, and in some it is considered a cult whose practises have been banned. For example, the US gives Scientology tax exempt status, whereas Germany and Belgium have called it a “totalitarian cult” and a “commercial enterprise”. France in 1995 classified it as a dangerous cult. The UK refused charitable status in 1999. Russia has a pending court trial over their refusal to register scientology as a religion.

I personally believe scientology to be a dangerous cult that lies to and tricks adherents into believing they are improving themselves and the world around them, while they are for the most part doing the exact opposite. It is made up of good people with good intentions that have been unfortunately deceived just because they do want to help others and themselves live better lives. It appeals to a person’s good intentions, and therein lies the trap.

Scientologists’ beliefs differ depending on how long they have been in the church, as the higher levels are considered secret and even dangerous to the initiated or unprepared. This is part of why I believe it to be a cult, it hides its true teachings from new members in order to gain & keep adherents.

Scientologists believe that L Ron Hubbard came up with the only workable technology/practises/teachings to help and unlock mankind’s potential. It is believed that by taking part in scientology auditing and learning all the various ‘tech’ a person will become more capable, becoming firstly a ‘Clear’ and then an ‘OT’. Various spurious claims have been made about the state of a ‘clear’ and ‘OT’ amongst which are immunity to illness, removal of physical ailments, perfect memory, increased IQ, increased health & fitness (and thus longevity), and then moving on to the more strange such as being able to exteriorse at will (out of body experiences) and control of MEST (ability to change matter, energy, space and time at will). Needless to say scientology has never successfully demonstrated any of the claims they make about their ‘tech’.

Hubbard was conman as his biography clearly shows:
http://www.clambake.org/archive/books/bfm/bfmconte.htm


Scientologists believe:
- Man has an immortal soul called a thetan.
- You have a primitive reactive mind which is the source of much of man's problems, which collects "engrams" from traumatic times or when you are unconscious.
- A lot of physical illnesses/problems are psychosomatic caused by "Engrams".
- You can 'audit' engrams out and this will solve your issues and clear up your health. They also believe it makes you a more intelligent, aware and reasoned individual.
- Reincarnation and the ability to know these past lives and get to more engrams this way.
- Paying lots of money to scientology for there tech, courses, and auditing.
- Getting more people into scientology so they too can become ‘clear’ and thus save the world…

If they have got to OTIII, then the belief changes slightly. Most scientologists are not at this level but for the majority this is thier goal and what they will pay an awful lot of money to achieve, the bridge to total freedom...
- The universe is quadrillions years old.
- Xenu the Intergalactic Space Lord ruled a confederation of overpopulated planets.
- Xenu took a load of these aliens from each planet and brought them to earth.
- They were then exploded in volcanoes 75 million yrs ago.
- Their souls were then caught on ribbons and taken to implant stations, where Xenu brainwashed & confused them so they wouldn't leave the planet. This includes implanting all the world religions.
- These Alien souls called Body Thetans have attached to humans, and are infact the real cause of your problems and why you get and retain engrams...
- You audit these body thetans out by auditing there engrams and taking them back to the Xenu incidents I & II.
- People have jaw aches from when they were a clam in human evolution....hence the name of the main critical site Operation Clambake.
http://www.clambake.org
http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/xenu

This is a court trial where the church's own lawyers confirmed the story of Xenu and Body Thetans is what the Church really teaches at this level.
http://www.xs4all.nl/~kspaink/fishman/index2.html

John, Tom & Kirsty all believe about Xenu, they are above OTIII.

The church often claims it is unjustly persecuted, and to show such files normally countless of libels every year and other such court cases to silence criticism; no other religion hounds and harasses its critics. I believe that scientology is different from other religions, the main one being that potential members are lied to when they start. See below, under ‘Why it is often described as a cult’ for all the reasons.

Why are they often described as a cult?

They lie to members to gain and keep them.
Try to find the story of Xenu at the scientology site for example.

They say it has been thoroughly researched using the scientific method when it hasn’t.
http://www.clambake.org/archive/techniques/index.html
http://www.clambake.org/archive/lrhbare/

They hound and harass critics:
http://www.suppressiveperson.org/

I believe that their practices are just a form of mind control & so do many others, including cult experts world wide.
http://www.freedomofmind.com/resourcecenter/groups/documents/scientology/pignotti

They limit outside information via censoring, condemning it the work of criminals, as well as via disconnection with family.
http://www.clambake.org/archive/events/censorship/
http://www.xenu.net/archive/infopack/15.htm

It has caused, or contributed to the actual deaths in some rare cases.
http://www.whyaretheydead.net

Some policy from Hubbard
http://www.clambake.org/archive/co_pls.html

For some in-depth research (critical) I recommend reading some books written by ex-members.
http://www.clambake.org/archive/books

"Scientology is both immoral and socially obnoxious...It is corrupt sinister and dangerous. It is corrupt because it is based on lies and deceit and has its real objective money and power for Mr. Hubbard... It is sinister because it indulges in infamous practices both to its adherents who do not toe the line unquestionably and to those who criticize it or oppose it. It is dangerous because it is out to capture people and to indoctrinate and brainwash them so they become the unquestioning captives and tools of the cult, withdrawn from ordinary thought, living, and relationships with others."
Justice Latey, ruling in the High Court of London:
http://www.clambake.org/archive/judge_quotes.html

Here you can see scientologists in action:
http://www.xenutv.com

An active critic and ex-member Arnie Lerma's site:
http://www.lermanet.com

A lot of ex-member testimonials, affidavit's, etc..
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/
http://www.whyaretheydead.net/krasel/

My advice, please for your sake, do something else.

Answer 2

Its a bunch of self-help and alternative-healing that was researched by a writer back in the 1950s. Back then to calim curing you had to be a doctor or a church.

It has classes in communications, studying, self confidence, getting off drugs, shaking peer pressure, and getting past blocks in your life. Most of it can be found in courses at colleges and other organizations but Scientology has it under one roof. According to the anti-scientology sites 60% of the people just take the first couple (cheapest) classes then move on. Im one of those :) But it was very useful stuff.

Anyway it gets asked ALOT here so do a search and you will see many longer answers on both sides of it that have been accepted
as best answers.

Answer 3

Start with Wikipedia. From there are many good links. I actually just researched it myself yesterday.

Briefly, they start out sounding rather reasonable, but the farther in you get, the wackier they are and the more expensive it gets.

Although they do not all necessarily believe in the alien Xenu, he is a big part of their religion. They don't approve of psychiatry, psychology or any medications to cure/treat mental illness.

Oh - AND they are trying to take over the internet apparently. They've apparently threatened Google, etc., to prevent any hits coming up on scientology searches that would be critical of them.

Answer 4

A science fiction writer decided he could make more money in Religion.

So he wrote a science fiction novel and pushed it out like a religion to make money.

They believe that humans were sent to earth on airplanes from other planets and stacked around volcanoes that were made to erupt by nuclear bombs.

Not everyone died we are the decedents, the evil Xenu, controls us.

For about $100,000 Scientology will release the demons.

It is a Cult, not a Religion.

Google "operation clam bake"

And when you see them, RUN!

Peace!

Answer 5

If you're even considering becoming a Scientologist, see a psychiatrist right now.

Ironic, since Scientologists hate psychiatry.

Answer 6

It originated from the mind of science FICTION writer and Schizophrenic diagnosed man L. Ron Hubbard. It is a Cult. You pay money to join. Check out http://www.xenu.net for info on it. If you want to get to a high level of it you need money. They have a celebrity center if you are a celebrity so you do not have to participate or get married with the "regualar" people.

Answer 7

Scientology is a belief system created by American author L. Ron Hubbard in 1952 as a self-help philosophy, an outgrowth of his earlier self-help system, Dianetics. Now described as an "applied religious philosophy," Scientology was at first secular; Hubbard began to characterize Scientology's beliefs and practices as a religion in 1953, and by 1960 he had redefined it as a "religion by its basic tenets". Scientology claims to offer an exact methodology to help humans achieve awareness of their spiritual existence across many lifetimes and to, simultaneously, become more effective in the physical world. According to the Church of Scientology, Scientology's ultimate goal is to "rehabilitate" the thetan (roughly equivalent to the soul) to regain its native state of "total freedom."
The name "Scientology" is also used to refer to the Church of Scientology, the largest organization promoting Scientology, which is it part of a group of affiliated corporations that claim ownership and sole authority to disseminate Dianetics and Scientology. The Church is organized as a religious non-profit organization which provides spiritual counseling and community-betterment programs. Church spokesmen attest that Hubbard's teachings (called "Technology" or "Tech" in Scientology terminology) have saved them from a plethora of problems and complaints.
Outside observers have often come to conclusions about Scientology that are sharply at odds with the Church's self-representations. 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. Scientology's therapeutic principles have been characterized as pseudoscience by scientists and medical doctors. Although some religious scholars do consider Scientology a religion, it has also frequently been described as a cult or a pseudo religion.

Answer 8

Scientology was developed beginning in the 1950's by L. Ron Hubbard, a multitalented individual who was a humanitarian, philosopher, writer, artist, lyricist, music maker, yachtsman and adventurer. L Ron Hubbard was a talented author who wrote books spanning a range of topics including science fiction, cowboys, and even romance. Scientology is based on L. Ron Hubbard's research into the human mind and spirit. Becoming a Scientologist isn't hard, just go into your local org and get some books and sign up for a course.

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.

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.

And, if you're considering studying Scientology, I want to urge you to see for yourself if Scientology works -- this is the only way you can know the truth about the religion. When you ask a question such as this in this forum, you will get some answers based on a small group of anti-Scientology hate websites. Ignore the bigots, Scientology is about doing good and millions around the world are using it to better their lives.

The true story of Scientology is simple, concise and direct. It is quickly told:
1. A philosopher develops 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 9

Like the Jehovah Witness's, A few College boys decided a private Club would be nice and realized if they called it a religion, they would be exempt from taxes, and be able to keep their affairs from the Government. it works, they sell books pamphlets tax free & has nothing to do with Religion, as most think of it but another "Theory"

Answer 10

I dont understand most of the concepts of scientology. What I have read I feel it is a cult. However here is there website so you can make your own desicion about the religion.

http://www.scientology.org/

Have fun!!

Answer 11

basically,

their was a war an an alien planet....the evil ruler could not kill the souls of his enimies and they kept comming back....
so he loaded them (the souls)onto a space ship and deposited them on a small planet (earth,) these souls inhabited early mankind and have shaped our civilization ever since...

that is it in a nutshell...

if you ask me this religion has about as much cerdability as a religion as the lord of the rings does as a history book.