Can anyone please tell me aboot 'Scientology'?
400068
I get pretty cheesed off myself reading all the baloney that gets spewed forth on this forum about Scientology.\nJust between us two I'm also a bit weary answering the same questions about it.\nI must have answered over 100 or more in the last few weeks, trying to put some factual information out, between all the utter nonesense.\nSeems like some folks just use this forum as a garbage dump, instead of sharing any actual, factual knowledge the might have about a subject.\nHaving said all that (and sorry for dumping on you , please don't take it personally)\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 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.\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 spere 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.\n\nHe published a book in 1951 to communicate the basic principles he discovered called: " Scientology The Fundementals of Thought"\nThis is a MUCH easier read than Dianetics, (only about 100 pages instead of over 500) Dianetics does not explain Scientology since it preceded it and was first published in 1950.\n\nNow I know there have been some complaints that I keep telling people to read this book. I understand that some people just don't read books, or find reading difficult, but honestly the explanation and introduction to the subject is fully contained in this book. And you can apply it's principles right away, for yourself.\nThat way you can actually experience what it is for yourself. Then maybe you can help me to answer these questions !@!!*!!\nBecause then you will KNOW.
905529
It is a CULT. Despite what a few fanatical members may say, it IS a cult. Tom Cruise is so crazy about it because they have completely, utterly, absolutely BRAINWASHED him.  He of course was a willing participant in the beginning and could have left (with a bit of a struggle) but after a while, they had him under their control.\n\nThe "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. (visit this link to read about the uses of hydoxyzine: http://www.drugs.com/mtm/v/vistaril.html )\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. 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.\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.
922304
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. (visit this link to read about the uses of hydoxyzine: http://www.drugs.com/mtm/v/vistaril.html )\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. 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.\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.
271423
It's got a reputation as an expensive church that's fashionable in Los Angeles.  Expensive because the path toward self improvement it defines seems to involve a lot of costly sessions.\n\nAt any rate, it was founded by a science fiction author, L. Ron Hubbard who also wrote a number of books on philosophy and what he calls Dianetics.\n\nThere's some interesting ideas: the basic goal of all humanity should be achieve immortality - truly on an individual basis, all of our disfunction is caused by "engrams" which I understood to emotionalized trauma stored in our subconscious mind.  He defines a methodology for clearing these engrams and labels a person who has been freed from all of these engrams as a "Clear".\n\nJohn Travolta, Tom Cruise and many others have recently brought Scientology into a more public light.\n\nThere are some kinda freaky aspects of Scientology like the e-meter and some of the auditing practices.  I'd recommend that you take a look at some alternate opinions before jumping into it.\n\nSome links that may help you are listed below.
845907
ccluff7 is absolutely right.  A young relative of mine got involved with this strange cult when he was a bit low during his studies.  All they seemed to want,  was to get him to pay money to go through 'auditing' processes (galavanic skin responses which you can do yourself with a multimeter) and pay them large sums of money for the privilege.  By brainwashing him (or at least using dubious psychological persuasive techniques) he gave up his studies and went abroad as a builders labourer in order to get money to give to the cult.  It ruined his life in fact.  Died early, too.   So if Katie Holmes is prepared to believe humans are the result of spacemen (Thetans) visiting the earth, and that Ron Hubbard (whose book Dynetics is but a distorted version of many standard psychology tracts), was a sort of 'saviour', then she desrves all she gets.  On the other hand, she might just be a shrewd person who will divorce Cruise and  take him for all he's got!
628163
http://xenu.net/  good page about Scientology
136117
Basically it's science fiction disguiesed as a religion.  What most people know of it is the book Dianetics by L. Ron Hubbards.  \nIn the late 1940s, L. Ron Hubbard—a former navy man and writer of western, romance, and science-fiction novels—focused his interest in the human condition into an academic paper called "Excalibur". The paper was later incorporated into his book Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health. Hubbard claimed that by using the techniques described in the book, a person could boost their intelligence, improve their health, and sharpen their memory to near infallibility. Upon its release, Dianetics launched to the top of the bestseller lists, but the effects of Hubbard’s techniques proved disappointing. According to a number of newspapers that covered Hubbard’s first demonstration, the person presented by the author as proof of his technique’s success could not even remember the colour of Hubbard’s tie. \n\nAlthough Dianetics was not the success Hubbard had hoped it would be, he went on to use its principles as the basis for Scientology. Members aim to achieve a state of "clarity" by undergoing "auditing" sessions whereby psychological traumas, either from this life or a past one—the Scientology term for them is an "engram"—are unearthed with the help of an auditor in an effort to cure afflictions of their reactive mind. The auditing sessions include the use of an E-meter (essentially a polygraph machine) that allows auditors to observe a person’s reaction to their questions, and pinpoint behavioral problems that need to be addressed. \n\nAccording to Hubbard’s own Dianetics, engrams can also be responsible for psychosomatically causing many types of physical illnesses, including cancer and some heart conditions. In the book, Hubbard estimates that nearly 70 per cent of the diseases treated by physicians are psychosomatic in origin. In tandem with auditing, Hubbard promoted a regimen of vitamins, exercise, and saunas. The process, which also includes consuming large amounts of niacin, a B-complex vitamin, is meant to remove long-stored toxins from the body’s fat cells. The regimen has been greeted with a great deal of skepticism in the scientific community: experts regularly state that its effectiveness has yet to be proven. \n\nScientology is taught through a series of tapes and lectures collectively called The Bridge, all written by Hubbard himself, whose writing is taken as scripture. The price of courses can vary depending on where they are purchased, but the Scientology website puts the cost of them in the tens of thousands of dollars. \n\nReverend Mann, who does media relations for the Church, is initially unable to quote the figures for courses in The Bridge. When phoned back, she offers the prices for three beginner courses, "Ups and Downs in Life", "Personal Values and Integrity", and "How to Improve Relationships with Others", each with costs of $60. I am never told the amount for the more advanced courses. \n\nReverend Mann does mention that the first six months of membership are free, while a yearly membership costs $200, and auditing costs $200 for a total of 12.5 hours of sessions. \n\nOnly a small pool of members in the religion’s upper echelons have completed The Bridge. Due to the quickly increasing cost of the courses, members are often encouraged to join the Church’s workforce as a means of earning enough to make payments. Those who decide to join the Church’s workforce sign "covenants"—contracts that commit employees to work for the Church from two to five years. \n\nA Time magazine cover article from 1991 titled "The Thriving Cult of Greed and Power" explained the Church’s interest in profit and brought Scientology’s validity as a religion into question. The article, written by a small team of journalists, contains quotes from former Scientologist Vicki Az
749062
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. (visit this link to read about the uses of hydoxyzine: http://www.drugs.com/mtm/v/vistaril.html )\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. 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.\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.
523764
Hi there,\nLong term Scientologist here (for 35 years plus).\nMy answer:\nIt's a "story". \nYOU don't take every story you hear seriously, especially when the source is from dubious websites and general rumour or media ........\n(I hope.)\nWell , neither do we.\nPeople who create this kind of thing usually have their own private agendas and are trying to ridicule and invalidate or attack their target for some hidden reason that you do not see.\nThis is not a new activity specific to the religion of Scientology.(or even religions actually)\nThe Romans circulated all kinds of rumours about the early Christians,\nto justify throwing them to the lions as a popular public event.\nHitler circulated similar false and alarming rumours about the Jews, not so long ago, (one of which was that they ate babies! ).\nThis allowed 6 million human beings to be murdered without any public protest from the German people.\nAnd so it goes on.
433847
The word is SCIENTOLOGY: from the Latin "scio" which means "know or distinguish" and the Greek word "logos" which means "the inward thought" or "reason itself"\nCombined it basically means" Knowing about knowing" .How to know or find out . The science of knowing how to know.\nIt's central principle is that man is a spiritual being. That in fact, you don't HAVE a soul or spirit, you ARE one.\n\nScientology (the name) was coined by it's founder ,L.Ron Hubbard, who after more than 30 years of extensive research into the mind and spirit combined ancient knowledge from the East with new scientific knowledge from the West, to discover or rediscover the fact of the human spirit and exact workable methods to apply to rehabilitate awareness, and ability for the individual so that he can achieve his full potential and also help create a better life,society,civilization, world.\n\nIf you want more specific information about the basic principles of Scientology and knowledge of some simple methods you can personally apply to observe for your self whether it is true or not,\nI highly recommend the basic book:\n"Scientology The Fundementals of Thought" written by L.Ron Hubbard and first published in 1951 to answer your exact question.\nMost local libraries will have a copy.\nThat's how I found out about it back in 1971.
190974
I have a ton of 'em for all different kinds.  Depends on what you need. Start out with these cults, Scientology, Church of Jesus Christs of Latter Day Saints, Jehovah's Witnesses, Bahia, Christian Scientists, Church Universal and Triumphant, Raelens, The Seventh Day Adventists and the ICC(International Church of Christ), The Family. You are going to have a problem with a few of them because the only things out thee are either information the church releases or the anti part of the equation.  There is very little real neutral evidence on them.  I will just start with the generics and let you go from there.
568444
The answer to this is pretty simple, scientology doesn't care about helping people, they only care about their image and making money. Tom Cruise has mental problems and NEEDS psychiatry, but his religion tells him that he can out think these issues, but as his public appearance has shown, that is not the case.\n\nScientology is not a community of caring individuals hoping to make the world a better place, it is a pyramid scheme trying to rid it's members of individuality and hard earned cash.\n\nI fear for Katie Holmes and ESPECIALLY for her baby.
272681
Short answer is it is a cult.  Here is a basic rundown of their belief system...\nThe 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." \n\nScientology is the study and handling of the spirit in relationship to itself, others and all of life. The Scientology religion comprises a body of knowledge extending from certain fundamental truths. Prime among these: \n\nMan is an immortal, spiritual being. His experience extends well beyond a single lifetime. His capabilities are unlimited, even if not presently realized — and those capabilities can be realized. He is able to not only solve his own problems, accomplish his goals and gain lasting happiness, but also achieve new, higher states of awareness and ability. \n\nIn Scientology no one is asked to accept anything as belief or on faith. That which is true for you is what you have observed to be true. An individual discovers for himself that Scientology works by personally applying its principles and observing or experiencing results. \n\nThrough Scientology, people all over the world are achieving the long-sought goal of true spiritual release and freedom. \n\nSee the following links for more info.
212081
If you're considering Scientology as a reliiogion- stay far, far away from it!  It was started by L Ron Hubbard (yep, the same Science Fiction writer that wrote the bad bok "Battlefield Earth", which was turned into arguably the worst movie of all time).\n\nTry the Operation Clambake site- it has everything rom books to FBI files and huge amounts of information on Scientology\n\nThe url is http://www.xenu.com\n\n(The name of the site is a reference to a claim ade by Hubbard in one of his books that we are descended from clams.)
690305
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"\n\nThere are currently over 8 million Scientologists in more that 150 countries world wide. \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.\n\nHope this helps answer you question as to what it is about.
363934
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." \n\nScientology 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. Prime among these: \n\nMan is an immortal, spiritual being. His experience extends well beyond a single lifetime. His capabilities are unlimited, even if not presently realized — and those capabilities can be realized. He is able to not only solve his own problems, accomplish his goals and gain lasting happiness, but also achieve new, higher states of awareness and ability. \n\nIn Scientology no one is asked to accept anything as belief or on faith. That which is true for you is what you have observed to be true. An individual discovers for himself that Scientology works by personally applying its principles and observing or experiencing results. \n\nThrough Scientology, people all over the world are achieving the long-sought goal of true spiritual release and freedom.
373656
look at all religions and compare, then look deeply into them before you judge.\n\nit's not a money making cult any more than the catholic church, or the christian church. they sell books and services like any other religion. It takes money to print those books, and time away from people family to conduct services, plust the cost to pay upkeep and utilities of the church.\n\nthe definition of a cult is a belief system created by a person to control a person or group of persons, when that person dies, so does the cult\n\nL Ron Hubbard died in the 80's, but Scientology is still growing today, and if you read a book like Dianetics, you will find that it's not about controlling others, but I'll leave you to do that research for yourself.