does scientology belive in not taking medication?
105375
You're not supposed to take any mind altering drugs, even pain prescriptions. After medical treatment you're supposed to go to a session to heal your emotional body from the memory or trauma or something ( read: extra brainwashing ).
709135
Scientology is no more odd than the beliefs of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, or any other respected religion you can name, if you stop and think about it. It's a matter of what you're indoctrinated to believe or accept as respectable.\n\n1- Scientology considers the belief in a God or gods as something personal and therefore offers no specific dogma. The nature of the Supreme Being is revealed personally through each individual as s/he becomes more conscious and spiritually aware. There exists a life energy or force (Theta) beyond and within all.\n\n2- There are no particular human incarnations of God, as the universal life force (Theta) is inherent in all. All humans are immortal spiritual beings (thetans) capable of realizing a nearly godlike state through Scientology practices.\n\n3- Origin of Universe and Life: All is manifestation of the universal spirit, which is all that actually exists.\n\n4- After Death: Rebirths continue until one consciously confronts all pre-birth, current-life, and previous-life traumas and realizes one's true nature as a "thetan," immortal spirit--transcending matter, energy, space, and time. Achieving this state enables the spirit to escape the cycle of birth and death--to operate independently of the physical universe and become one with God.\n\n5- Why is there evil? Painful experiences and harmful acts in one's prebirth, current, and past lives become imprinted in the reactive mind and lead to irrational behavior. Departures from rational thought and untrue ideas ("aberrations") can result in wrongdoing.\n\n6- Salvation is achieved through the practices and techniques of Scientology, the ultimate goal of which is to realize one's true nature as an immortal spirit, a thetan. The path to salvation, or enlightenment, includes achieving states of increasingly greater mental awareness--Pre-Clear, Clear, and ultimately Operating Thetan. An Operating Thetan is a spirit who can control matter, energy, space, time, thought, and life. Practitioners ("Auditors") are regarded as ministers and counselors who assist others to achieve self-enlightenment. Auditors help others to identify their prebirth, current, and past-life disturbances, which are obstacles to happiness and spiritual enlightenment.\n\n7- Suffering occurs as part of the spirit's entrapment here in the physical universe. Only when the individual is aware of his spiritual nature can he identify his barriers within the universe and overcome them, rising out of a lower state and into a higher state of happiness and freedom.\n\n8 -Contemporary Issues: Based on the belief that you cannot free yourself spiritually without working to free others, Scientology has founded and supports many organizations for social betterment, particularly in the areas of drug abuse, crime, psychiatric abuse, government abuse of law, human rights, religious freedom, education, and morality. Scientology strongly favors the use of their methodology for spiritual/mental healing over the use of conventional treatment.
51191
Scientology is a system of beliefs, teachings and rituals, originally established as a secular philosophy in 1952 by author L. Ron Hubbard, then recharacterized by him in 1953 as an "applied religious philosophy". Hubbard defined the word "Scientology" to mean "a study of knowledge."\n\nIt is officially represented by the Church of Scientology, which presents itself as a religious organization dedicated to encouraging development of the human spirit. The Church states that it is a non-profit organization that works especially in the areas of mental counseling and rehabilitation. It offers itself as an alternative to psychiatry, which Scientologists believe to be a barbaric and corrupt practice. [1]\n\nThe term Scientology is a trademark of the Religious Technology Center, which licenses its use and use of the copyrighted works of Hubbard to the Church of Scientology. The Church presents itself as a religious non-profit organization dedicated to the development of the human spirit and providing counseling and rehabilitation programs. Church spokespeople claim that Hubbard's teachings (called "technology" or "tech" in Scientology terminology) have freed them from addictions, depression, learning disabilities, mental illness and other problems.\n\nHowever, the Church of Scientology has attracted much controversy and criticism. Critics — including government officials of certain countries — have characterized the Church as an unscrupulous commercial organization, and it is accused of harassing critics and exploiting members. Scientology's principles have been characterized as pseudoscientific by many mainstream medical and psychotherapeutic practitioners, and the Church has frequently been characterized as a cult.
101036
If you are trying to write a report the best source of this data would be the book called "What is Scientology?".\nTo answer in short, sometimes you need to take medicines, but these days it is by far overweighted, meaning the handling with medicines.
763593
firstly to the scientoligist that said that will help firstly Scientology is a pretty weak set of beliefs for weak people ,even their founder was a fool who stole the majority of his concerpt from other cults and magickal orders , You can't help someone by making them transfer from one brain washing cult to another.\n\nSecondly I would seek the professional help of qualified counsellor or physiciarist to help you deal with the addictive personal cravings and ideals which many cults use to manipulate the minds of their followers , these are usually centred around group dynamics and diminishing the worth and value of the individual , cults generally also create contempt and distrust to the outside world , so indivuduals are scared of breaking away or being exiled from the group , Mediatations , mantras etc. which relate to the invidulas self worth can help over come these damaging effects
408788
Of course.\nI have a really good medical Dr. \nScientology is about a persons spiritual nature. It's basic principle is that YOU are your own immortal soul. Dianetics which came out about a year before Sccientolgy was founded, is about "what the soul is doing to the body" and addresses spititually caused unwnted physical and emotional problems.\nHowever, if a Scientologist needs medical treatment or a medical exam they go to a medical Dr. Dianetics is not medical treatment and is in no way intended as a substitute for it.\nThe issue of child vaccination is one of personal parental choice.In fact any parent has the right not to get their children vaccinated for reasons of conscience.\n Both my kids got all their shots, however, I personally am not certain of the true validity of child vacinations, and even medical Drs have expressed doubts as to whether introducing a weakened strain of some disease causing mico organism into a childs body at a young age to promote immunity, (which is what a vaccination basically is) may not have more overall negative effects than positive. There are certainly plenty of actual cases where this has infact been the result.
1113492
The church of scientology is a cult and knows nothing about medicine.  What you will hear from them is dogma, nothing more.  \n\nThat said, ECT is barbaric.  Some patients experience chronic convulsions, as you describe.  More commonly, patients report short-term and long-term memory damage.  It is bad therapy.  Steer clear of any psychiatric treatment facility that uses it.
477661
You obviously have never had a disorder bad enough to require medication. It's like asking a diabetic to relax some and make their own insulin. I do think anti-depressants are over prescribed but some people absolutely need them. People like myself.
597838
Following is a simple description of what Scientology is:\n\nScientology is an applied religious philosophy. When I say "applied" I mean you actually use it in your life to change or improve existing conditions. This is different from a religious practice. 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 or Atheist,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.\nAnd it is only true for you according to your own observation and experience with it.\nIt is a non denominational religion . The dictionary definition that applies:\nReligion: The spiritual or emotional attitude of one who recognises the existence of superhuman power or powers.\n\nThe 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.\nThe whole purpose of Scientology is to increase an individual's understanding and awareness of himself. And thereby his native abilities .\nWhen 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.\n\nHow 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.\nHe completed his research before his death in 1986 and left all of his results and copyrights\nto the Church of Scientology along with most of his considerable estate., when he died.\n\nHe published a book in 1951 to communicate the basic principles he discovered called: " Scientology The Fundementals of Thought"\n\n There are currently over 8 million Scientologists  in more that 150 countries world wide.This includes various celebrities not just Hollywood ones. \nHollywood media for some reason seems to be making a big deal out of it at the moment. But then they create celebrities just so they can knock them down. If they can't find a reason to do so, they invent one.\nBashing a celebritie's religious choice seems to be in vogue at the moment. I'm sure they'll move on to something else soon.\nMost of these celebs have been Scientologists for many years. It never \nhad any media attention until now. That's the media for you.\nHowever we are a new religion, only 55 years old . This is the normal course for any new concept or idea, if you look through history.\nScientology is no exception. We don't take it personally.\n\nThe true story of Scientology as a religion goes like this:\n1. A philosopher developes a philosophy about life and death.\n2. People find it interesting.\n3. People find it works.\n4. People pass it along to others.\n5. It grows.\nI guess this includes celebrities. Why not?
36577
Yes.\n\nIf a person is taking medication for a bi-polar ailment, then the effects of alcohol cannot be adequately surmised on the behavioral aspects of the person in question.  It can lead into manic highs or lows, or just disassociate that individual from reality.\n\nIf the person is not on medications, it can do the same.  However, more vividly and progressively animated.  Alcohol, being a depressant, usually has the affect on this type of individual as making them reach their "lows", and they can be quite violent and destructive.\n\nAnyone with bi-polar disease should ALWAYS be careful on ANY medications injested.  This comes from some aspirins containing stimulants, cough syrup (hypertension effect), etc.\n\nAnyone on Zoloft, Paxil, or any other seratonin reuptake meds are advised strongly to avoid alcohol.\n\nConsult with a physician on this matter-- don't waste time on the 'net!
853556
Tom Cruise is the most famous member of the cult of Scientology.  And 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.\n\nThe 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.\n\nScientologists 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.\n\nTo 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).\n\nScientology 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:\n\n(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.
610933
Not all meds are chemically or physically addicting. Theres a stigma on mental health everybody thinks for some reason it can be fixed by god.. sooo don't worry about it.. if you are doing better that's all that matters. It's very likely someday you will no longer need medication.
920565
Looks like the Scientology cultist is pre-empting me these days.  It's quite sad that he feels so threatened by what I MIGHT say that he tries to invalidate me with ad hominem attacks.\n\nHere is an online book that you can read: http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Library/Shelf/cooper/index.html\nHere are some more books on the subject:\nhttp://www.amazon.com/Scientology-What-do-they-believe/dp/B00097HC5A/sr=8-2/qid=1162674568/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/102-7812212-0608922\nhttp://www.amazon.com/Piece-Blue-Sky-Scientology-Dianetics/dp/081840499X/sr=8-3/qid=1162674568/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3/102-7812212-0608922?ie=UTF8&s=books\nHere is a book written by someone who had been on the inside:\nhttp://www.amazon.com/Escaping-Scientology-Insiders-True-Story/dp/1596690666/sr=8-6/qid=1162674568/ref=pd_bbs_sr_6/102-7812212-0608922?ie=UTF8&s=books\nHere is a recent news story regarding a family of Scientologists:\nhttp://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/10/25/48hours/main2124568.shtml\n\nAccording to an article which interviewed real Scientologists, auditing is purchased in 12.5-hour blocks, costing anywhere from $750 for introductory sessions to between $8,000 and $9,000 for advanced sessions.  It consists of holding a pair of tin cans in your hands.  The tin cans are connected to a small machine that detects electical resistance in the human body.  You recount specific traumatic incidents, prior ethical transgressions and bad decisions to the "auditor" who "interprets" the machine (the e-meter).  Every e-meter is required to bear this warning: "The E-Meter is not medically or scientifically useful for the diagnosis, treatment or prevention of any disease. It is not medically or scientifically capable of improving the health or bodily functions of anyone".
215722
Not really; everyone is entitled to their faith.  When you get into the area of auditory and visual halluncinatons [tho some call it something else ;) ], then, yes, a psychiatric evaluation would be in order.
585716
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. This is different from a religious practice. 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 or Atheist,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.\nAnd it is only true for you according to your own observation and experience with it.\nIt is a non denominational religion . The dictionary definition that applies:\nReligion: The spiritual or emotional attitude of one who recognises the existence of superhuman power or powers.\n\nThe 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.\nThe whole purpose of Scientology is to increase an individual's understanding and awareness of himself. And thereby his native abilities .\nWhen 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.\n\nHow 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.\nHe completed his research before his death in 1986 and left all of his results and copyrights\nto the Church of Scientology along with most of his considerable estate., when he died.\n\nHe published a book in 1951 to communicate the basic principles he discovered called: " Scientology The Fundementals of Thought"\nThe first Church of Scientology was established in 1953 by a group of Scientologists in L.A. It was established to handle the demand for information about Dianetics and Scientology and to deliver training and councelling and to free up the Founder of Scientology,  L.Ron Hubbard, so he could continue his research into the human spirit.\n\nSince then it has expanded and there are many Churches and Missions\nall over the world. They still have the same purpose, the supply information and materials about Scientology and delivering the various levels of training courses and spiritual councelling that comprise the route or Bridge to spiritual freedom. \n\nI hope this helps to answer your question. Let me know.
1006674
Yes. They claim to be "spiritual, not religious" but insist you believe in the same micro-managing God as everyone else and that you must turn over your free will to Him. And if you leave you will die. \n\nThey claim you can choose whatever god you want, but it soon becomes apparent that your god must have the same attributes as everyone elses.\n\nTheir "Big Book" is treated like a Bible, they have Big Book meetings where they pour over every word. Many will say it was written BY God through Bill Wilson. The focus of the book is getting right with God, little is said about how to quit drinking. Wilson wasn't shy about making this clear: "Our real purpose is to fit ourselves to be of maximum service to God" BB, page 77.\n\nIf someone mentions "brainwashing", the standard response is, "My brain needed a good washing". There are standard responses to everything; the people in meetings speak in slogans. This is known as "thought reform", a good indicater of a cult.\n\nAlcoholics Anonymous is an offshoot of The Oxford Group, a Christian cult from the 1930s that fell into disfavor when its founder, Frank Buchman, praised Adolph Hitler for running a country by "God-control". \n\nYes, it's a cult, but is it a dangerous one? I'd have to say yes. I've been working with people who have mental health and substance abuse problems for several years and I have seen many that were harmed by the program. AA teaches that ALL problems stem from alcoholism; if you quit drinking and get right with God, all your problems will magically go away. If they don't, THEN YOU MUST NOT BE WORKING A GOOD PROGRAM. If AA works for you, AA wants all the credit, but if you fail, it's all your fault. This is hard enough on anyone, for folks who are dealing with other issues, it is traumatic.\n\nThere is also a large faction of people who are anti-medication, anti-therapy. They believe that the use of medication means you'll really not sober.\n\nAccording to AA's own statistics, the program only works for 5% of the people who go there. Coincidently (?), no program at all works for 5% of the people who decide to quit. However, AA has a MORTALITY rate that is 6 times higher than trying to quit on your own. George Valliant of Harvard and AA Board of Trustees calls this "apalling" and I'd have to agree. Yet members believe that AA is the only way to stop drinking. To have this belief in spite of all evidence, in spite of what they see with their own eyes in the rooms, in spite of common sense, is a sure sign of being a cult.
264403
Scientology was carefully designed to use many previously documented brainwashing techniques.  Passage through the ranks of this cult is achieved through a long-term series of escalating brainwashing sessions.  According to an interview with a Scientology defector Jesse Prince, Tom Cruise became psychotic during a secret Scientology initiation in which he was told that rather than being one person, one is composed of thousands of aliens from all over the universe fighting for control of your body. After completing this initiation, known as OT III, Tom appeared sickly with black circles under his eyes and pasty skin. He said he wanted to be away from Scientology for good. He just wanted to go back to Hollywood and his home and be left alone by Scientology. This would not happen; David Miscavige ordered Cruise could not be let go. Scientology worked on Cruise day and night until he finally returned to Scientology.