what do you think of the cult of "Scientology" ?

Answer 1

It is deceptive, it is dangerous, it is delusional, and sometimes it is deadly.

This is what Scientologists ACTUALLY believe:

Xenu was an alien ruler of the "Galactic Confederacy" who, 75 million years ago, brought billions of people to Earth in spacecrafts resembling Douglas DC-8 airliners, stacked them around volcanoes and blew them up with hydrogen bombs. Their souls then clustered together and stuck to the bodies of the living. The alien souls continue to do this today, causing a variety of physical ill-effects in modern-day humans. L. Ron Hubbard (a science-fiction writer and the creator of Scientology) called these clustered spirits "Body Thetans," and the advanced levels in Scientology place considerable emphasis on isolating them and neutralizing their ill effects.

To rid ourselves of "Body Thetans" and also “engrams” (past negative experiences stored in our unconscious mind) so that we can become “clear”, we have to go through "auditing" with a member of the “church” who uses an "e-meter" to measure our “reactive mind”...... and we have to pay lots and lots and lots of money for “auditing” (purchased in 12.5-hour blocks, costing anywhere from $750 for introductory sessions to between $8,000 and $9,000 for advanced sessions) and to take courses on Scientology to advance to higher “levels” in the “church”. The “church” has also taken a very hostile stance towards psychiatry and psychiatric drugs irrespective of the fact that some people require medication to remain adequately functional in everyday life. They deny the reality of chemical imbalance and profound mental disturbance and accordingly do NOTHING to effectively stabilize the dangerously unstable. The “church” has been known to withhold prescription pharmaceuticals from member (with deadly results).

Scientology is undeniably a cult. Every cult can be defined as a group having all of the following five characteristics:

(1) It uses psychological coercion to recruit, indoctrinate and retain its members [convincing potential members that they are unhappy and Scientology is the only means of helping themselves]. (2) It forms an elitist totalitarian society. [they label everyone who disagrees or questions as a “Suppressive Person” and requires members to “disconnect” from them] (3) Its founder leader is self-appointed, dogmatic, messianic, not accountable and has charisma. [Yes, that would be Hubbard] (4) It believes 'the end justifies the means' in order to solicit funds & recruit people. (5) Its wealth does not benefit its members or society. [self evident proof for 4 & 5 as it does milk members for virtually everything they have and it’s wealth doesn’t find it’s way back to it’s members or society at all]

Cults are extremely harmful. To remain within the strict mental and social confines of a cult for even a short time can have the following disastrous effects:

Loss of choice and free will. Diminished intellectual ability, vocabulary and sense of humor. Reduced use of irony, abstractions and metaphors. Reduced capacity to form flexible and intimate relationships. Poor judgment. Physical deterioration. Malnutrition. Hallucinations, panic, dissociation, guilt, identity diffusion and paranoia. Neurotic, psychotic or suicidal tendencies.

Answer 2

It's not a cult, however the religion of Scientology is very workable and currently expanding faster than at any other time
in it's short history.
This is not only my opinion it is also a fact.
Here's why :

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 10 million Scientologists in more than 163 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.

What do you think,now that you know some facts about it ?

Answer 3

It is more of a way of life than a religion or a cult. It's hard to consider it anything else, but they have some pretty good ideas and philosophies. To the Tom Cruise bashers...Would you judge Christianity on Hitler?

Answer 4

Scientology is no more of a cult than Maslow"s theory of self-actualization, taught in many high school and college psychology classes.

Through self-actualization, a person is capable of recognizing their strengths, addressing their weaknesses, and developing a strategy to achieve basic needs: safety, love of oneself and others, and finally, the need to be "all that you can be". This "need" is not necessarily "egotistic". A person's "need" to contribute time and money to a cause they deem worthy may be truly heartfelt; not just something that is going to get their name in the media.

Scientologists do not prosilatize, they do not advertize, nor do they prophesize.

Answer 5

i will in basic terms answer from a Christian attitude and those factors do not characterize a definition: - a million. they're an abrupt harm from Christian, or parent, custom 2. They emphasise as truths teachings which different communities regard as minor 3. there is an inclination to perfectionism 4. they have one greater scriptural source of authority 5. They complicate the approach with the help of which we are saved. 6. they have a tendency to devalue the classic place of Christ 7. They declare exclusivity for his or her group 8. they have a good place while thinking on the subject of the top of time particular solutions to what you asked: - Mormonism is a cult Scientology - do not understand Islam is a faith not a cult Paganism is a selection of innovations which i can not classify Atheism isn't a cult Christianity is a faith now yet all started as a cult in Judaism As a Christian I study and rejoice our Jewish roots.

Answer 6

It makes for interesting celebrity gossip. Tom Cruise phone home, you know to the mother ship...

Answer 7

Very expensive and very out there! Look at their most outspoken member Tom Cruise, what an idiot! That says it all.

Answer 8

I do not know the ins and outs of it, but I do know that it does not teach Jesus or the bible and I want no part of it.

Answer 9

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology#Scientology_as_a_cult

Answer 10

a cult is a cult.