Can someone tell me what exactly is scientology and do they believe in aliens?
489989
They beleive that crab ghosts from another world are inside them.  And they got this from a SCIENCE FICTION WRITER.  Cruise and his friends show their intelligence by following a made up religion, I am sure the L Ron Hubbard (the guy who made it up) is laughing his butt off in the alien spaceship right now.  L Ron Hubbard wrote a bunch of books called Dianetics, if you read them youll get the whole picture.
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.)
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?
1183239
Hi Bethany,\n\nI am glad you are researching into it...I have had a lot of time for my own reasons to look into scientology and have found some rather worrying stuff on the subject.  I urge you to do a lot of research at not only the scientology sites and from his books but also from critical sites and the evidence they present, as well as there opinion.  These critical sites are often run by or added to by ex-members who have spent, often decades in scientology before realising the true nature behind it.  There are many philosophies, activities and help groups you can go to that do not involve money, that do work, and are not highly disputed by individuals, ex-members, scientists, governments & all the families whose loved ones have disconnected from them.\n\nIt is not endorsed by the mainstream scientific community and infact has many ideas and theories which have been flat out rejected.  He also did not do any of the research he claims to have done, or at least all the evidence of it mysteriously vanished.\n\nAre you aware that Hubbard thought that religions are an implant (R6 implant that forms the basis of your reactive mind)\nhttp://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/xenu\n\nYou are right to suspect of the Church of Scientology as a cult and that it exhibits less than desirable actions, such as all these court transcripts, or Operation Snowflake, or the way it hounds its critics...\nhttp://www.clambake.org/archive/CourtFiles/\nhttp://www.clambake.org/archive/judge_quotes.html\nhttp://www.daisy.freeserve.co.uk/bonniewoods.htm\nhttp://www.scientology-lies.com/investigation.html\n\nHere is a paper presented at the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, November, 1991\nhttp://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Library/Shelf/kent/isc.html\n\nAlso see this Govt. Report:\nhttp://www.xenu.net/archive/audit/fosthome.html\n\nHere is an info pack on what scientology might not tell you, written mainly by ex-members:\nhttp://www.clambake.org/archive/infopack/\n\nHere is something that explains their practices\nhttp://www.clambake.org/archive/techniques/\n\nYou might also like to read these accounts by ex-members:\nhttp://www.clambake.org/archive/books/apobs/\nhttp://www.clambake.org/archive/books/isd/isd.htm\nhttp://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Library/Shelf/xenu/xenu.html\n\nPlease review the following sites as well as any you might have read given to you by the Church of Scientology.\n\nhttp://www.xenu.net\nhttp://www.factnet.org\nhttp://www.truthaboutscientology.com\nhttp://www.scientology-lies.com\nhttp://www.lermanet.com\nhttp://www.xenutv.com\n\nIf you still want to follow Hubbards Teaching pls do so in the FreeZone not the CofS.  It is much cheaper, original tech, and without the cult thing.\n\nhttp://www.fzaoint.net     \nhttp://www.fza.org     \nhttp://www.freezone.org\n\nAnd just to be fair here is the Official site for the Church of Scientology:\nhttp://www.scientology.org\n\nPlease do the reading and make an informed decision, I wish you all the best for the future no matter what decision you make.
607480
The religion that Tom Cruise is involved in is Scientology.\nHe has been involved with it for over 20 years and was introduced to it by his first wife , Mimi Rogers.\n\nFollowing is a brief description of it. For more details I recommend the book "What is Scientology" compiles by the Church of Scientology, (or any basic book on the subject, by L.Ron Hubbard.)\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. The basic religious philosophy and knowledge of Scientology is very old, going back 10,000 years at least to the Veda or Vedic Hymns from the East. The  developement of the technology is new.\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"\nThere are currently over 8 million Scientologists in more that 150 countries world wide. However we are a new religion, only 55 years old. \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.
391588
Scientology.  Here's some info:
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.
298127
Here's an article I found:\n\n"Welcome to Scientology"\n\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\nRead more here:\n\nhttp://www.scientology.org/
82690
because people are idiots.  why do they believe some man 2000 years ago walked on water and saved them from...(i'm not sure from what...hell?  what is that?)?  why do they think they will come back as a cow?  people will believe any kind of shit because they are dumb and scared of death. \n\np.s. don't take those tests.  they are masters and brainwashing.  if you see a scientologist on the street who offers you a "personality test" tell him you don't want to be part of a cult.\n\np.p.s. when you get to core of scientology, the general belief is that earth is sort of a prison planet where the souls of bad aliens are trapped in monkey bodies (humans) as a punishment and only by paying the church of scientology lots of money can you become "clear" and escape a cycle of death and rebirth on the prison planet (earth).
962775
I do believe in aliens.  I've seen Tom Cruises' child.
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.
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Scientologist here,\n\nThe fact that Scientology is not in the slightest bit intersted in the\n"media's" usual "let's stir up some scandle, controversy, alarm, rumour\netc. to sell our "product", should demonstrate that what you have "heard" may not be factual. I have no idea who your sources are for this idea about Scientology in the past with regard to negative press.\n\nThere have been some very momentous legal battles won in the past by Scientology, but they have been to preserve religious freedom, and none involved the press.\nThe press also does not print this kind of positive outcome, nor does it promote any other good works accomplished by Scientology.\nIt's what you don't read or find out in the press that actually counts.\nWe do not take it personally since they do this with many individuals and groups. Our viewpoint with regard to the media is that they always howl the loudest when we are expanding and doing the most good.\nSo in a way negative press is an index for us, re our impact and expansion, a compliment. And they are right, Scientology is growing very fast at the moment, considering it is a new religion, only 55 years old infact, we are expanding internationally more than at any other time in our very brief past.\nHaving been a Scientologist for the past 35 years and been through the various "attacks" that have been launched in the past by the media, which were a lot more vicious than the silly stuff that has been printed recently, for me this is a big yawn, actally it is even a bit amusing.\nAs to whether this affects Scientologists in general, Huh! \nWe all have a lot more certainty about what we are doing with and in Scientology to even give this our attention.\nWe are all very busy expanding right now, and have much more important things to give our attention to.\nIf you knew our aims and purpose you would know we still have a lot of work ahead of us.\nDespite "rumours" to the contrary we are very much here to stay!
260471
I think that it is an interesting cult thing created and propagated by celebrites. I mean how many of us can read a science fiction book by L. Ron Hubbard and than continue to think...hey maybe my spiritual side comes from aliens! It takes a special person like tom cruise to think like that.
396518
I don't know if they are believing in aliens as being superior life forms, but from what I've been told they do believe in aliens. I think its something along the lines of the aliens (which crashed on earth a long time ago) malignant spirits cling to you and you have to go through processes to get rid of them. At least that's what my film studies teacher said some years ago now. Its pretty hard to get information about it, because, well, they are a bit secretive. But wouldn't you be if you were paying to have dead aliens removed from your body?
1035810
It's a cult whose purpose is to increase the distance between its suckers, oops, I mean members, and their assets. Hubbard was a really bad s-f writer and desperate to make some dough. Here's an article I found on the Religion Facts website:\n\n'In Scientology doctrine, Xenu is a galactic ruler who, 75 million years ago, brought billions of people to Earth, stacked them around volcanoes and blew them up with hydrogen bombs. Their souls then clustered together and stuck to the bodies of the living. These events are known as "Incident II" or "The Wall of Fire," and the traumatic memories associated with them are known as the "R6 implant." \nScientology founder L. Ron Hubbard detailed the story in Operating Thetan level III in 1967, famously warning that R6 was "calculated to kill (by pneumonia etc) anyone who attempts to solve it." Much controversy between the Church of Scientology and its critics has focused on Xenu. The Church avoids making mention of Xenu in public statements and has gone to considerable effort to maintain the story's confidentiality, including legal action on both copyright and trade secrecy grounds. Critics claim that revealing the story is in the public interest, given the high prices charged for OT III. The Xenu story prompted the use of the volcano as a Scientology symbol.'
927080
Actually, you'd be surprised at how accurate that South Park episode was.  Whenever they had "THIS IS WHAT SCIENTOLOGISTS ACTUALLY BELIEVE" on the screen, they were NOT kidding.  Yes, the bit about aliens is true.  And yes, it's true, L. Ron Hubbard, the science fiction writer, created a "religion".  Here, I'll explain what it's all about.\n\nIt 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.
6217
Is Scientology posing a real threat to Christian America or summink?  This is the third or fourth paranoid question about that organisation in a week!\n\nIf they're crackpots let them carry on cracking pots. \n\nYou can ask a similar question about Christian (blind) faith.  How on earth does a Jewish guy being murdered by the Romans on a cross save humanity either then or now - especially as Hebrew scripture forbids (1) human sacrifice and (2) the deification of a human sacrifice?\n\nSome Christians find the real answer to that question and carry on believing in their faith. This is because faith is often the replacement or removal of rational reasoning, facts, evidence, and logic.\n\nWhy is Scientology being held up to higher standards than other blind faiths?