What actually is Scientology?

Answer 1

To be honest you are not really going to get a helpful answer to this particular question via this forum.
Despite it being called "Religion & Sprituality" it has been almost completely overrun by a bunch of "gleeful" religion bashers and snipers who have no real interest or actual knowledge in the areas they "bash" .
But you have to admire their quest for point accumulation !!

For what it's worth, here is my answer:
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. It is a very practical religion.
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 lifeAnd 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. L. Ron Hubbard researched and made new discoveries about the human spirit. He developed technology from these discoveries to apply to increase spiritual awareness and ability.
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.

This is just an overview.
L. Ron Hubbard explained fully the theology and technologies of Scientology in more than 500,000 pages of writings, including dozens of books and over 2,000 tape-recorded public lectures. So it's not possible to fully answer your question on this forum, but I hope you find this helpful.

Answer 2

Scientology is an applied religious philosophy. It is a new religion founded by L. Ron Hubbard.

The word Scientology literally means "the study of truth." It comes from the Latin word "scio" meaning "knowing in the fullest sense of the word" and the Greek word "logos" meaning "study of."

Scientology is the study and handling of the spirit in relationship to itself, others and all of life. The religion comprises a body of knowledge extending from certain fundamental truths.

If you would like to learn more, go to http://www.scientology.org

Answer 3

Scientology is a Cult

Answer 4

Here's the official Scientology website:

http://www.scientology.org

There's a section on the site called "What Is Scientology?" and you might find some answers there.

Answer 5

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. However, the truth deserves to be told, so here is the REAL truth:

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. (visit this link to read about the uses of hydoxyzine: http://www.drugs.com/mtm/v/vistaril.html )

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. Members who know about Xenu will attempt to deny it or pretend like it doesn’t matter. They are required to sign a contract binding them to silence on the matter. Lower level members don’t know about Xenu & accordingly deny everything because they honestly don’t know.

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 6

Honestly???
A type of Religion without Faith. They try to explain away things with science. Faith is the belief of something unseen. Those who fear believing things they cannot see, made this up... There is nothing Tangible or believable about their belief.
The bible has time and time again fulfilled Prophecy (Predictions of things that have not happened yet!) That is faith.
How many times have people accomplished things believing in THEMSELVES??? The same faith in your own abilities to make things happen, is the same faith in God you have to have. You cannot figure out an invention, unless you ask the inventor?? God made you, so he knows your purpose. Faith in him is the answer. Not Scientology

Answer 7

L. Ron Hubbard was a great Science Fiction writer. He just got paranoid and delusional in his old age, confusing his writing with reality. Why people have formed a religion around the delusions of an old man, I do not know. If I wanted to form a cult around a writers philosophy it would be Kurt Vonnegut.

Answer 8

Scientology was founded by L Ron Hubbard - a failed science fiction writer, who wrote a book about how we originated from aliens from outer space.

Answer 9

To read their lies, go here http://www.scientology.com/
However, Scientology is a cult, created by a popular Science fiction writer. He basically brainwashes the members of his cult into giving him all their money, in exchange for "spiritual enlightenment." about the Interstellar warlord, Xenu, who killed millions of people on Earth millions of years ago (or thats the lie fed to them). Scientologists believe that Xeenu's actions have trapped us in a circle of negativity, and only Scientology can break that circle. I find it funny that all these people are falling for these lies from someone who writes crap like this for a living. It's his job to make up weird names of interstellar warlords who take over planets and are horrible people, so of course he's good at making things like that up.

Answer 10

Science fiction fantasy turned into a money-making cult.