What research supports the idea that the Church of Scientology is a cult group?

Question

I recently saw an article on television on how Scientology as a religion is trying to make its way into Britain. It would seem they have several bizarre and unfounded beliefs which could be construed as cult-like in nature. Were you part of the Church of Scientology; and if so, what evidence do you have that they practice activities that are similar or cult-like. Open my mind . . . . is Scientology as a religion a viable option in comparison to others in mainstream society?

Answer 1

Personal opinion!
John Sweeney had his own agenda when he did that BBC documentary. In this link is John Sweeney trying to cause trouble in the premier of wild hogs. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRfMrvpDzj8And
This is his hot tomato incident. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxqR5NPhtLI
In this other video Sweeney keeps chasing after a Scientology official after that official steps away from him because Sweeney he was being offensive.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HGM8DSnYh0&mode=related&search=

THIS IS SCIENTOLOGY
Scientology is a path to find your own personal truth, these are the principles:

1. Man as we know him has three parts: Body, Mind and Spirit but the spirit is man’s true form. Man’s individuality, purpose and self determinism are originated in the spirit.
The second part of man is the mind, the mind is a bank of mental image pictures were all his experiences are stored. The spirit uses these memories to estimate future action effort and make decisions. We call these decisions ‘postulates’. A ‘postulate’ is a conclusion, decision or resolution made by the individual himself on his own self-determinism on data of the past to resolve problems on the past decide on present problems and observations and sets a pattern for the future.
The parts of the mind:
a. The analytical mind is the conscious and aware mind which thinks, observes data, remembers it and resolves problems. It would be essentially the conscious mind as opposed to the unconscious mind.
b. The reactive mind is the portion of the mind that was created during moments of unconsciousness or severe pain. This part of the mind that is occluded to the spirit but still impinges upon the spirit in a stimulus response sequence. This mind is the source of irrational fears and inexplicable emotions, pains and psychosomatic illnesses.
The third part of man is the body this part of man is the specialty of medicine and NOT Scientology. But I will tell you a little secret; the brain is not the mind. Man’s mind is far superior than the brain or any computer. First the brain doesn’t have the capacity to store not even a fraction of the mind’s memories. Secondly the amount data required to recreate man’s thinkingness is far beyond the abilities of the brain. We are talking about millions of gigabytes of data being instantly transferred from the memories banks to man’s consciences for analysis. Just think about it, brain cells are not even a good conductor of electricity. It is physically impossible for brain cells to transfers such high amount of data. All what the brain is the center of the nervous systems, the brain controls movement, glands and receives information from it’s sensor but all thinkingness of man is done by the spirit. You are not a biological machine, you are a spiritual being that has a mind and controls a body through a brain.

2. Dianetics rehabilitation technology assists the individual in exploring his own mind on a self determined basis in order to eradicate the reactive or unconscious mind. In order for the reactive mind to exist it needs to be occluded from the spirit but once the spirit have look and examined the reactive mind, the reactive mind disappears and its data becomes part of the analytical mind.

3. Scientology spiritual rehabilitation technology addresses the rehabilitation of the individuals or groups ability and ethics. Dianetics is an important part of Scientology but it only addresses the reactive mind whereas Scientology addresses all parts of life including communication, learning and morals.

4. Scientology doctrine as a religion holds as its most important axiom “What is true for you is what you your self observe to be true.” This axiom promotes individual thinkingness and independence. In fact it is a high crime in Scientology for anyone to tell anyone what to think or what to believe in. In Scientology it is YOU that do the exploring, YOU that do the observations and YOU come up with your own conclusion.

5. Scientology has highly trained experts to assist you in this journey. We call these experts auditors, auditors are not counselors because they don’t give counsel or opinion. The role of the auditor is to listen and ask a question or command, these questions or commands are geared towards calling your attention to observe a part of life and YOU, by making these observations you gain new data and you reach new conclusions.
The Auditor follows this code:
http://www.scientology.org/en_US/religion/auditing/pg004a.html
“1. I promise not to evaluate for the preclear or tell him what he should think about his case in session.”, “11. I promise never to get angry with a preclear in session.”, “24. I promise to see that any donation received for processing is refunded, following the policies of the Claims Verification Board, if the preclear is dissatisfied and demands it within three months after the processing, the only condition being that he may not again be processed or trained.”

6. This link has 28 different religious studies papers on Scientology made by religious scholars: http://www.neuereligion.de/ENG/index.html Also see this link: http://www.bonafidescientology.org/Append/09/index.htm

7. Scientology vs. Psychiatry. Psychiatry is a dogma that believes that self awareness, feelings, love and faith is merely cellular activity. Basically they think that you are your brain and you are not in charge of your behavior but your cells are. But contrary to their beliefs Psychiatry bases it’s diagnosis on opinion and opinion alone. There aren’t any pathological tests that can determine if a person is mentally ill.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3895596783332855545&q=Psychiatry+is+fraude&hl=enhttp://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8443414209115892468&q=scientology&hl=en
In the following video two college professors explain that there is no such thing as a chemical imbalance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbTqjSfMPKA&mode=related&search=
Happiness, exhilaration, depression and psychosis are states of mind, not diseases. All what you have to do to stop being depress is change your state of mind and you CAN do that.
Note: Scientology doesn't have anything against Psychology or Neurology.

8. Scientology is a force for good in society and fights dangerous and harmful drugs and Psychiatric abuses, http://www.cchr.org/ criminality, http://www.criminon.org and drug addiction. http://www.narconon.org. And Scientologists initiated the social reform group "Youth for Human Rights" http://www.youthforhumanrights.org and the movement "Say no to drugs and yes to life". http://www.notodrugs-yestolife.org
Scientologists are some of the more intelligent, able, successful and happy people in this planet; including Jenna Elfman, Kelly Preston, John Travolta, Priscilla Presley, Sofia Milos and Leah Remini.
Scientology is composed more than 6,000 churches, missions and groups, employing over 10,000 members, over 10 million people have taken Scientology services WW.

9. Scientology doesn't ask for donations from their parishioners during their Sunday Services. All chapel services are 100% free (marriages, naming ceremonies, ect). Scientology uses an exchange system to finance its organizations, basically earns its money by delivering services. You do not need to buy services to be in Scientology. All you need to do to be a Scientologist is to read the books and apply Scientology to your life. But if you want auditing there are many alternative and economical ways to achieve this.
a. You can do volunteer work in your local church and get your services for free.
b. You can study to become an auditor and perform all auditing with a fellow student. This way you also become a trained auditor and you can provide free services to friends and family.

10. Scientology means “knowing how to know” and follows a tradition of 10,000 years in the study of life and the spirit. Scientology earliest ancestor is the Veda (the Veda means knowingness or sacred lore) continued with the Tao-The-king (also known as Taoism and it means “the way to solving the mystery which underlines all mysteries”) continued by the Dhyana (that means knowingness or lookingness), continued by the works of Gautama Sakyamuni also know as Gautama Buddha (a Buddha or Bodhi is one that has attained intellectual and ethical perfection by human means).
“The words of Christ of were a lesson of compassion and they set a very fine example” The Phoenix Lectures by LRH

11. L Ron Hubbard (13 March 1911 – 24 January 1986), was a literary genius that published more than two hundred stories and novels between 1927 and 1941. As a Hollywood screenwriter during this same period he wrote the screen plays for films such as The Mysterious Pilot and The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok, while his The Secret of Treasure Island stands as one of the most profitable serials of all time. With a regular production of one hundred thousand words a month LRH was the undisputed king of high-speed production writers. In fact he had the ability to produce a whole story in a couple days of work by only using a manual type writer (believe it or not). Amazingly in the 1980ties he did a come back as a writer by producing the best sellers ‘Battlefield Earth’ and the decaology (ten volume series) Mission Earth. LRH had 21 consecutive international bestsellers, a feat unmatched in publishing history.

LRH could have lived a very profitable and idle life as a writer but he chose to use his earnings and industry to research the human spirit and human mind. This research later became Dianetics and Scientology. LRH produced 5,000 writings and 3,000 tape-recorded lectures on the subject of Dianetics and Scientology. Contrary to popular belief L Ron Hubbard never profited from Dianetics and Scientology but it actually cost him many millions. Dianetics and Scientology are LRH’s gift to humanity. LRH also developed drug rehabilitation, educational and management programs. Humanity will always be indebted for the contributions of LRH.
For more questions see my blog:
http://www.myspace.com/129727315

References
http://www.bonafidescientology.org/
http://www.chaplaincare.navy.mil/Scientology.htm
http://www.religioustolerance.org/scientol.htm
http://www.scientology.org/
http://www.beliefnet.com/story/80/story_8057_1.html

Answer 2

A cult is a secret group. You don't hear about until something crazy happens. Like The Heaven's Gate people that commited suicide to meet the UFO behind the comet that came.
OHHKAY!
All religions are based on truth. But get distorted by men. The mind-clearing aspects of Dianetics could be beneficial. Then again, "If you take the evil spirit from a man, and don't put anything in it's place. The spirit will return with 7 spirits more evil than himself." (Just a characterization).
I've heard people get addcicted to thier therapists in Scientology. So it would depend on what type of character the individual therapist has. Would they help you to refill your mind with good things. Or fanatic allegiance to Scientology. Case in point, Tom Cruise.
I've heard of Scientologists that go to extremes and let their children die, thinking they can heal the child with mind power alone. And they won't seek a doctor's help. Not good!

Answer 3

Scientology is a religion that has Churches, Missions and groups all over the world. Scientology Statistics There are presently 7,731 churches, missions and groups in 164 countries worldwide. Membership has increased from 6.1 million in 2000 to approximately 10 million at the end of 2007. Scientology operates freely all over the world and has hundreds of religious recognitions from courts and government administrative bodies. Scientology has been formally recognized as a religion in each of the following countries: Albania, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Hungary, India, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, the Philippines, Portugal, Scotland, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Taiwan, Tanzania, the United States, Venezuela and Zimbabwe. --------------------------------------... Added due to earlier comment on this question: On April 5, 2007, a decision rendered by the European Court of Human Rights, found that Scientology constitutes a religious community, enunciating a principle binding on all 47 member states that comprise the Council of Europe.

Answer 4

"Cult" is an awkward word, no member of any belief system will ever own to being a member of a `cult`, and as mentioned above, all religions are cults. Scientology is another cult claiming to have all the answers. Do not be drawn by the fact that film stars and musicians are involved. Being rich does NOT mean you are not gullible and desperate. When dealing with any of the countless truths on sale, consider why the wise reject them all !

Answer 5

There are different definitions of cults. Many evangelical Christians think a cult is any religious organization that contradicts their understanding of the Bible. The more common definition is any religion with beliefs that are not "mainstream" and that exercises a high degree of control over the lives of its members. In Europe, faiths that are not part of established state churches are thought to be cultic by many. Ironically, this definition includes American evangelical organizations when they try to establish themselves in Eastern or Western Europe.

These definitions are less than precise, and determining which organizations fit these definitions is even more difficult. But I'm sure you can see how Scientology might be capable of fulfilling the criteria of any one of them.

Answer 6

People who belong to a religion do not consider it a cult. It's only because it is not the majority religion that people think on a religion as a cult.

For example, Lukumi is a religion with millions of followers, but because it's foundation is different from the mainstream religions it is considered a cult.

Answer 7

Dang what is it with the scientology questions lately?

Considering how britian is over 80% atheist..I doubt SERIOUSLY doubt that anyone over there will fall for this shananigans. 1.) Because it's popular in america, and I think we all know that brits arent to ga-ga over american culture. and 2.) They are obviously a lot smarter as a whole, so the picture of xenu will pretty much do it for them.

There was an article done by a women that I read not to long ago and I can't seem to find it, however I will post a link that will give you evidence of scientology and it's cult like abilites...It's quite shocking.

heres the story: http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Library/Shelf/xenu/

it's a good read-scary but good.

Answer 8

I really dont get the whole buzz on this so called religion for one it was created by American science fiction author, was founded on a whim 'i'll create a religion' and all those rich saps will follow me if its based on how to get them freedom, and fortune and be happy... this aint religion.. well not in my eyes it's more like a self help group, with a bit of spiritual well being on the side. There are many religions out there, some strange to us in ways but am somewhat curious and intrugued about diffrent cultures and their religions. Tribes and what they believe and worship many dating back thousands of years some even before christianity and more older, It's fancinating to research.

But then of course in some religions, you get people who twist what it's really about, for their own gain mostly.. thats when it becomes dangerous. Then you have your cults, a leader controlling and twisting words from scriptures or other means, and promising a better world and life etc, and of course people fall for this, be it they are weak minded, religious, or have had experiances in their life they want to correct and forget etc. In some cases this leads dangerously into controlling people, brainwashing them.

I like to be open minded about lots of things, but when something gets put into the religion catagory, well thats when other people and lives become involved, and thats where i think we should all be wary.

'Keep the faith', in whatever meaning xXx

Answer 9

Primarilty, allegations of Scientology's cult status are due to its unconventional creation by a single authoritative and charismatic leader (not a divine person) who practiced tricks like hypnotism.

The secrecy and elitism are also hallmarks of a cult.

Answer 10

You first have to define what a "cult" is exactly and that is difficult to do. Scientology is a multi-million dollar industry which caters to the rich, and elite. It is new age in it's inception and while it tells you it's ok to be a Christian, it certainly doesn't profess to any Christian beliefs.

Answer 11

Do you know of any other "religion" where superficiality and wealth are necessary in order to advance to the level of seeing the alien god? Do you know of any other religion that was made up by a science fiction writer? This is a cult for nitwits and it doesn't take any research to figure it out.