Why do people believe that Scientology is a religion?

Question

I mean, those people are total lunatics that think aliens control our minds and that pain doesn't exist. Just check out the look on Tom Cruises face, is that guy deranged or what?. Are we going to have a mass suicide like at Jonestown or Heavens gate?

Answer 1

Scientology is a great way to shield your vast fortune from taxation. Scientology is all about money, and these celebs have enough money to protect, they're willing to pretend to believe in mind-controlling aliens...

But the truth is that Scientology kills. Search on http://www.ytmnd.com/

Answer 2

I am by no means a scientologist and can see the flaws with this cultish religion. However it still has the 'right' to be a religion as it still conforms to the definition - ie a system of social coherence based on a common group of beliefs or attitudes concerning an object, person, unseen being, or system of thought considered to be supernatural, sacred, divine or highest truth, and the moral codes, practices, values, institutions, traditions, and rituals associated with such belief or system of thought. Therefore I could set up a group surrounding the worship of me as a divine being and still call it a religion whether or not the vast majority of people saw it as wrong.

Scientology, always has been about money and exploiting vunrable people. Just because you are a high profile celebrity, doesn't make you immune from the predators in society. Some of these celebrities live very unreal existances where they lose sight of who they really are - after all they pretend to be someone on film, they then have this public persona which follows them to the shops or any time they step outside the door. Leaving some of them very confused and frightened as to who they really are. Therefore they reach out to find things that can support them, sometimes it is drink, sometimes drugs, sometimes religion! Therefore scientology is just one out of thousands of belief systems that is very creuly and cynically designed to fleece you for all your worth and then to thank the people that are fleecing you.

Answer 3

It's as much a religion as any other. Personally, I think aliens controlling our minds is just as likely to be true as most of the stuff in the bible.

Doesn't mean I don't think Scientology is shady. But I think Christianity is kinda shady too.

Answer 4

The U.S. Tax Court, much to the shagrin of the I.R.S. has DECLARED Scientology (an organzation formed in 1951) to be a religous organzation under law.

The courts have spoken, even though the IRS sides with you.

It's rare the the Courts go against the IRS!

Answer 5

from dictionary.com Religion: a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.

It's a loose fit, but scientology can be considered a religion.

Answer 6

I have no idea why some people consider it a religion. Some places, like Germany, have ruled that it's a cult. It IS a cult. Despite what a few fanatical members may say, it IS a cult. The church harasses & 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 & 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 & blowing them up inside volcanoes. They believe the souls of these aliens (these souls are "Body Thetans") have attached themselves to us & cause many of our mental & physical ills. Even members of the Church of Scientology who know of Xenu will publicly deny the existence of Xenu & 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" & 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”...... & we have to pay lots & lots of money for “auditing” (purchased in 12.5-hour blocks, costing anywhere from $750 for introductory sessions to between $8,000 & $9,000 for advanced sessions) & to take courses on Scientology to advance to higher “levels” in the “church”. The “church” has also taken a very hostile stance towards psychiatry & 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 & profound mental disturbance & 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 & 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 & retain its members. (2) It forms an elitist totalitarian society. (3) Its founder leader is self-appointed, dogmatic, messianic, not accountable & 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 7

Lol, I guess scientology is a belief. I mean all religions believe something so why not science? Well thats what scientists think...
Scientology believe in science, I guess it can be a religion...

Answer 8

At the very least, it has a more entertaining back story than the traditional religions.

Answer 9

Scientology is completely bizaare. But then not anymore more strange and outlandish than any other religious belief based on nothing more than faith, which they all are.

Answer 10

lol i am not quite sure about scientology. i can see that tom is certainly trippin the light fantastic lately. wonder what his new wife really thinks of all of this.