Is Scientology a form of pyramid selling.........?

Question

......where only the top people get rich?

Having asked this question I notice that Yahoo's suggested section was Mythology and Folklore, rather than Business and Finance, why would that be?

Answer 1

It's a scam, if that's what you're asking.

L. Ron Hubbard, the science fiction writer & “prophet” of Scientology, has been quoted as saying: "Writing for a penny a word is ridiculous. If a man really wants to make a million dollars, the best way would be to start his own religion" http://lisatrust.freewinds.cx/scientology/hubbard.htm

The cult is mostly a high powered scam. It pays members 10% commissions, called FSM (Field Staff Member) commissions, for bringing in new recruits who take a course or get counseling, so Scientology members routinely try to "sell" Scientology to others.

The new members then, in turn, are required to pay vast amounts of money to the "church" in order to receive "auditing", courses, literature, take tests, retake tests, etc. Here is a run-down of all the costs involved with Scientology membership: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology_as_a_business#Costs

Here is testimony from a woman who had been involved in exposing Scientology & other cults for most of her adult life: http://www.clambake.org/archive/books/tsos/sos-19.html

Even more proof that Scientology is out for your money... here is Hubbard discussing turning the business of Scientology into a "religion" for profit:

"I am not quite sure what we would call the place - probably not a clinic - but I am sure that it ought to be a company, independent of the HAS (Hubbard Association of Scientologists) but fed by the HAS. We don't want a clinic. We want one in operation but not in name. Perhaps we could call it a Spiritual Guidance Center. Think up its name, will you. ... It is a problem of practical business. I await your reaction on the religion angle." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology_controversy#L._Ron_Hubbard_and_starting_a_religion_for_money

The official Scientology organization is composed of a number of “levels”. One begins as a “preclear” & works their way up. One must purchase virtually every service crucial to advancement directly from the "church" & at staggering prices. "Auditing", for example, is purchased in 12½ hour blocks, costing anywhere from $200-$750 for introductory sessions to between $8,000 & $9,000 for advanced sessions. Basically, Scientology claims to possess exclusive knowledge of the path to religious redemption & then charges obscene amounts of money for every tiny incremental step towards this end. Visit this link to see how $380,000 is a conservative estimate for the total cost of moving all the way up the Scientology hierarchal ladder: http://www.xenu.net/archive/prices.html
These are the total costs for auditing alone: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology_as_a_business#Costs
Here’s an explanation of what “auditing” is: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061224182319AA2nnd6

Answer 2

NO. Pyramid selling is just that: one person enrols 2 people and they each enrol 2 people. If anything is actually sold the profit is distributed down the pyramid, so the mugs nearer the bottom get nowt. A franchise is a business idea that is leveraged to many people. The franchisee runs his own business, usually with management suopport from the franchisor and in return pays part of his profit to the franchisor. The franchisees can gain by economy of scale in purchasing for example. Of course there are good and bad franchises. Domino Pizza is an example of a very successful franchise.

Answer 3

It is probably that it is considered to be a CULT. ergo a 'religion' so it would be a myth (fake) religious scam. It also does harm to most of the people who get sucked into its tentacles. It is only because of their tendency to sue and harrass all who oppose it that you don't see much more about how harmful it is. Just like Jehovas Witnesses and Mormons... they are a false faiths started within the last hundred or so years. that use repetition and fear provoking threats and thought stopping techniques to cause the 'prey' to not be able to think clearly.♥

Answer 4

I can see how that analogy would suggest itself. People have to invest a lot of cash and effort in return for dodgy gimmicks and 'tech'.

L Ron's boys are so litigatious that I bet Yahoo wet themselves at the thought of offending them!

BTW, how's Jubal? are you on speaking terms yet?

Answer 5

I couldn't say because I don't really know much about it, but what I have read makes them look a bit sinister.

Answer 6

Scienceology. It's a total myth. Nothing based in reality.

Answer 7

Scientology is a religion.
Therefore non profit or charity status .

Answer 8

It sounds typical

Answer 9

Because Scientology has nothing to do with business and finance. It's not a pyramid scheme.

Answer 10

yes it's a ponzi scheme to bilk the lower level folks out of their dough. i know it happened to a cousin of mine, he lost everything, house etc....