Scientology doesn't seem like a very bad belief system, why does it have such a horrible reputation?

Question

Any religion that doesn't acknowlege God or the messiah is what I consider a bad/false religion. From what I am gathering scientolgy combines religious beliefs with philosophy, why then the bad rep? I have heard everything from they hypnotize you to get your money to they are an evil cult who cuts the members off from all of their friends and family. Does anyone know if there in any truths to the accusations?

Answer 1

Here's why it's a BAD "religion"... It is a CULT. Despite what a few fanatical members may say, it IS a cult. The church harasses and bullies anyone who they deem an "enemy" (basically anyone who has anything negative to say about the "church"). They will RUIN YOUR LIFE if you speak out against them long enough.

The founder is L. Ron Hubbard, the science FICTION writer who once told a friend that the best way to make lots of money is to start your own religion. Though being a very outspoken critic of psychiatric drugs, it was discovered upon Hubbards death that the anti-anxiety drug hydroxyzine (Vistaril) was present in his body, which several of his assistants would later attest was only one of many psychiatric and pain medications Hubbard ingested over the years.

Scientologists believe the evil alien ruler Xenu killed a lot of aliens (Thetans) from around the universe by bringing them to earth and blowing them up inside volcanoes. They believe the souls of these aliens (these souls are "Body Thetans") have attached themselves to us and cause many of our mental and physical ills. Even members of the Church of Scientology who know of Xenu will publicly deny the existence of Xenu and Body Thetans, or attempt to minimize their importance. Scientology has many graduated levels through which one can progress. Many who remain at lower levels in the church are unaware of much of the these doctrines, which mostly begin at Operating Thetan level three, or "OT III". Because the information imparted to members is to be kept secret from others who have not attained that level, the member must publicly deny its existence when asked. OT III recipients must sign a waiver promising never to reveal its secrets before they are given the manila envelope containing the Xenu knowledge.

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 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. For more information on what a cult is and what their damaging effects are, please visit the link provided at the bottom of the sources. Just know that Scientology does qualify by meeting these 5 criteria:

(1) It uses psychological coercion to recruit, indoctrinate and retain its members. (2) It forms an elitist totalitarian society. (3) Its founder leader is self-appointed, dogmatic, messianic, not accountable and has charisma. (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.

Answer 2

Scietology seeks to part people with money - nothing more. Try reading up on it... Wikipedia has a great article. Or just type "Xenu" into Gooogle and you'll see just how ridiculopus the "religion" is.

L Ron Hubbard, three years prior to inventing Scientology, was quoted as saying "Writing for a penny a word is ridiculous. If im going to make it rich, I need to invent a new religion." And so he did. And its not even good science fiction - its like he was stuck in the 60's mode of thinking - the spaceships that Xenu traveled in were described just like a DC8 plane from the 60s, clothing was 60s style... The guy was a moron, totally unimaginative...

Answer 3

maybe the problem is that they believe we are all descended from space travelers. Maybe that the religion is really only for the rich and famous. Maybe that there have been frequent allegations of children and spouses of members being intimidated into remaining in this religion. Maybe that there have also been frequent stories of retaliation by this "church" against anyone who says anything negative about them. They seem more like a cult than a religion to me - I HAVE heard that they cut people off from everyone who isnt a scientologist, and I've also heard that the more money you have they higher you rise. Look at all the stories about Katie Holmes. Supposedly she isn't allowed out without an escort from the church. My opinion is that they pretty much "bought" her for Tom Cruise, with financing for a movie she was in. That's what I've heard, anyway.

Answer 4

Personally, I think it's some kind of celebrity cult. Tom Cruise, John Travolat, Kelly Preston, and now Katie Holmes. If it's true that they hypnotize you and are against any kinds of medications that might help you, then I would say it's a cult. The Bible doesn't say anything like that. And look what it's done to Cruise!! What a nut job!!! It's a false religion and they'll go to hell.

Answer 5

Scientology is new. Less than 55 years old . If you look into the history of new religions you will find very similar attacks or "bad reps". For example, when Christianity first started the Romans circulated all kinds of rumours and attacks against them, which allowed them to throw quite a few to the lions, literally. This was done to entertain the masses and with no protest from anyone.
(except I'm sure the christians who were eaten!)
Actually Hitler used this method of "black"propaganda against the Jews. Rumours, lies and accusations about them (like "they eat babies" !) were circulated in print broadly to the general public before the actual holocast took place, and in fact paved the way for the Nazis to carry it out with very little to no protest from the German people.

Today we have much broader methods of communication like multi media and the internet. So while it is easier to spread fear
and rumour about something if that is your intention (the media is owned and controlled by vested interests in most cases anyway) it's a lot harded to get away with overt lies, so they rely on rumour and people's fear of something unknown.

Bottom line when people actually find out for themselves this kind of thing just evaporates.

Scientology has definitely had it's battles in the past, mostly in the 1960's and 70's when it started to really expand. But the rumours around today are really just a few remaining echos from past failed attacks.

There are currently more than 10 million Scientologists in over 163 countries around the world and the expansion of this religion is now unprecedented and way past the point where anything like this could effect it in any way.

I myself have been a Scientologist for more than 34 years so have been in through some pretty interesting times through the years to protect religious rights and freedoms.
Scientology is here to stay and it will achieve and is achieving it's aims and goals.

Hope this helps to answer your question.

Answer 6

I think most people have a distaste for it because it teaches it's followers that they don't need any type of medications to cure any of there physical problems. This is dangerous, people could get hurt in this kind of belief system. As far as I know, Scientology is not the Church of doctors and physicians.

Answer 7

My problem comes in with anything like this when people try to force or push their beliefs onto others. Or when they begin to judge others because they don’t share their beliefs. Tom and Brooke, I think it was wrong that he tried to put her on blast because he didn’t like the way she handled her situation with post traumatic stress. It was only right that he apologize, I think it’s his intensity that makes people take a step back. I think that things I’ve heard about Scientology have positive outcome for those who share those views. I see nothing wrong with it, just the way some of it’s followers or believers promote this system of beliefs.

Answer 8

I think it has a bad rep as a religion because it's the flavor of the week for celebritites. Before that, Kabbalah and Wicca went down the same doomed path, and now they are regarded with much intolerance because of celebrities publicly going on about how they practice it and it's cool.

Answer 9

Bad news.I would steer clear if I were you.Some of us take brain washing out of context a lot,but for Scientology,that's true blue brain washing.The bad stuff they make movies about.The threat is real,the memory loss is real,and the cobwebs in your bank account will also be real.

If all I had to choose from as far as religion.I would jump the fence.

Answer 10

My mom is deeply religious, but she believes only in her religion. everyone else everywhere is wrong and her church is right. I think some people just bash different sects. It's not fair really, if I am Methodist and you are Jewish are you wrong? I do not think so. Scientology is very high profile, because it has so many celebrates, but I think if you believe in something-anything- it's OK, who are we to judge. I wish I knew more about it.