What religion thinks that there are dead aliens in volcanos and psychiatry is evil?

Question

I can't think of the name but I know in Europe they do not even consider it a religion in some countries.

Also do those folks really believe this or is this gossip?

Answer 1

I have long pondered the nonsense that is Scientology. So one day I wrote a couple of people at their insitiute some letters. Here's what I wrote:

Ok, so Scientology is all over the news, and there are hundreds of sites online, but I have found nothing to answer my questions. The majority of websites only go on and on about why Scientology is bad, without explaining what about this religion actually appeals to people... and the pro Scientology sites have all this info on how wonderful it is, without really going very deep. Despite the majority of the claims by the media that Scientology is utter nonsense, I can't help but wonder what about this religion appeals to so many respectable people. And upon asserting that there must be something to this religion, my next train of thought is, "If this is such a life-changing, wonderful religion, why is it so obviously exclusive? What is the purpose of charging people hundreds of thousands of dollars to join the religion? Why is it that only the people who have tons of money are allowed to join? If this is such a wonderful way to live life, shouldn't it be accessible to all people from all walks of life? I just want to understand why a person wants to be a Scientologist, what about Scientology makes the media so vocally opposed, and why do its followers not pay any mind to the vocal opposition? It can't be as black and white as: "this is either a revolutionary religion or a nasty cult." Where is the inbetween? There must be something I'm missing.

Here's the response I got:
You have some very good points. I really think the best way to find out about Scientology and why, as you rightly put it, so many "respectable" people like it. is to put a bit of time and effort into studying it -- in other words, read a book. The best book to read is Dianetics the Modern Science of Mental Health and you can get it just about anywhere -- any bookstore or library, or you can purchase it online. It is the research and discoveries of L. Ron Hubbard and the practical application of his work that /is/ Scientology. And by reading a book you are not relying on anyone's opinion, you are getting it straight. I want to address one other point -- about Scientology being exclusive. This just simply is not true. Anyone wanting help can contact a Scientology Volunteer Minister and get it. Some of Hubbard's books, life Self Analysis and Handbook for Preclears, are self-help volumes where for the price of the book (or for free if you get it from the library) you can get hundreds of hours of Scientology counseling and make a major change in your personal outlook on life, your intelligence and your ability. Most of our churches and missions offer very inexpensive Dianetics workshops where a person can learn how to deliver basic Dianetics techniques and can get paired up with another person and they can use Dianetics techniques with one another for as long as they like without paying anything, or they can get very affordable supervision from the Case Supervisor of the church if they prefer, and literally thousands of people (probably more like tens of thousands or more) simply get a copy of the book and pair up and use it without even contacting one of our churches and without spending any money at all. Yes. There are services which are expensive. These are services which require very highly trained personnel to deliver them and a full team of support staff, and I'm sure you would agree that the staff of Scientology churches and missions deserve to be paid for their work. So, most people, once they do find out what Scientology is and how effective it is and how well meaning and helpful the staff of the churches are, are all too eager to donate money for courses and counseling to help support the church. So, I really suggest you get and read a book. And if you are still interested, go visit a Scientology church or mission, or contact a Volunteer Minister for some help and get a subjective understanding of its value.

Not being satisifed, I wrote another person. Here's what they said:
Thanks for your questions. I'll try to answer them all, but if I miss something then just write back. I'm just giving you straight answers from me to you, not trying to make them too pretty... First, Scientology is most definitely open to anyone, regardless of how much money they have (or don't have). It doesn't cost one penny to become a Scientologist or "join the church." That is in quotes, because there's not really a "joining" process--nobody has to "convert" to Scientology or getbaptized or perform any rituals. Most people just start using its teachingsand one day realize "what do you know, I'm a Scientologist." We do a lot of work to make Scientology accessible to everyone, including even Free Scientology Centers and placing books in libraries. Most Scientologists I have met were attracted to the religion because they found something that helped them, or allowed them to help someone else. Media will take any stance that pays its bills and stirs up the population.Watch a news show for five nights and count the number of good news stories compared to bad news. Then watch the same show next week and realize how it doesn't matter what they are reporting on--traffic, weather, whatever--italways comes out scary and BADDD so Bad. Check that out for yourself. Why its followers don't pay any mind to the opposition? Well, we do to some extent. But mostly Scientologists are just people who are getting on withtheir lives. Not out to do battle with some fruitcake who has nothing better to do than attack something that really helps people.

I have concluded it's a load of nonsense that appeals to total narcissists.

Answer 2

Scientology

Answer 3

Sounds like some branch of Scientology

Answer 4

Scientology,

Go ask Tom Cruise

Answer 5

Scientology (aka Church of Scientology)

i can't comment on what they "really" believe or not, but the dead-aliens-inna-volcano is indeed part of their Creation Myth

Answer 6

Wow, never heard of that before, but as long as they aren't trying to get science teachers to teach that in schools I'm happy.

Answer 7

I think you mean Scientology.

Answer 8

That would be Scientology.

And yes there are people that truly believe it and some of them make really good movies. (Unless you count "Battlefield Earth")

Answer 9

That is, indeed, scientology.