what is Scientology??? is it like Christianity? do they believe in Jesus Christ?
486559
For those of you whose Christian toes I may have stepped on, let me take the opportunity to disabuse you of some lovely myths. For instance, the historic Jesus was not nearly the sainted figure (he) has been made out to be. In addition to being a lover of young boys and men, he was given to uncontrollable bursts of temper and hatred.... You have only to look at the history his teachings inspired to see where it all inevitably leads. It is historic fact and yet man still clings to the ideal, so deep and insidious is the biologic implanting.... \nNo doubt you are familiar with the Revelations section of the Bible where various events are predicted. Also mentioned is a brief period of time in which the arch-enemy of Christ, referred to as the anti-Christ, will reign and his opinions will have sway ... this anti-Christ represents the forces of Lucifer (literally, the "light-bearer" or "light-bringer"), Lucifer being a mythical representation of the forces of enlightenment.... My mission could be said to fulfill the Biblical promise represented by this brief anti-Christ period. \n-- L. Ron Hubbard, Student Briefing, OT VIII Series I\n\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\n\n_ \n\n1. Introduction\nThe controversial Church of Scientology had its beginnings in 1950 with the publication of the book Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health by L. Ron Hubbard. \n\nAccording to Dianetic theory, the mind is composed of mental image pictures of every event in a person's life. Memories, or pictures, of painful events from the past containing pain or unconsciousness are known in Dianetics as "engrams." By recalling and "erasing" these memories a person can be restored to perfect physical and mental health and analytical functioning. A person whose engrams have all been erased is called a "Clear." \n\nIt is the purpose of Scientology to "clear the planet." In other words, that every person in the world will eventually be cleared of his engrams through Dianetic "processing." \n\nBy 1954, Hubbard had "discovered" that in order to be truly "clear," a person also had to erase all the engrams from his hundreds of past lives. The new science of Scientology was founded and organized as a religion to incorporate this belief. Sooner or later, most people in Scientology will begin to "remember" (imagine) their past lives. \n\nScientologists do believe in reincarnation, which is an occult belief. \n\nAccording to the theology of Scientology, a person is actually an invisible entity, similar to the soul in Christianity. This entity in Scientology is known as the "thetan." \n\nAs the thetan becomes relieved of his engrams, he will regain the many godlike powers that are inherently his -- powers such as telepathy, "exteriorization" (the ability to be separate from his body with full perception), telekinesis (the ability to move objects with thought), etc. The belief in Scientology is that we were once godlike, and that we have deteriorated over time. The promise of Scientology is that through Scientology counseling, called "auditing," the person can regain these godlike abilities. \n\nA thetan who has been restored to a godlike state is known in Scientology as an "operating thetan," or "OT" (pronounced "oh-tee"). People in Scientology spend exorbitant fees, sometimes as much as $1000 per hour, to attain the exalted state of OT. \n\nDeath in Scientology is known as "dropping the body." According to Scientology theory, when a person dies, he (the thetan, or spirit) has been pre-programmed to "return" to an "implant station" out in space. In the implant station, the thetan will have all memories from the most recent lifetime electronically erased, and then the thetan will be sent back to earth to "pick up a new
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.
999077
They could very well be in the same realm. Scientologists have a lot of good theories about mankind, but they trade in some sanity for belief in an ancient evil galactic warlord.\n\nBut the same could be said about any religion really.
455401
Scientology is not a system of "beliefs". It is an applied religious philosophy. And when I say "applied" I mean it is applied to life and living in all it's aspects with the purpose of improving the conditions of life.\nNothing in Scientology is true, unless it is true for you.\nAnd then it is only true according to your own observation and experience.\nSo there is no belief involved.\nI have studied and applied it to my own life and living for the past 35 years or more. It definitely works for me.\nAs to aliens.....??? No idea where this comes from.\nSilent birth is definitely an ideal environment for both mother and baby if you can arrange it. (Tom Cruise has the resources to do this for his partner Katie and soon to be born, new baby)\nThe reason why is fully explained in Chapter 7 " Prenatal Experience and Birth" in the book "Dianetics The Modern Science of Mental "Health" by L.Ron Hubbard\n\nFor a very good basic book on the subject of Scientology which covers\nall of it's basic principles I would recommend:\n"Scientology The Fundementals of Thought" by the same author.
507544
Yep, there are currently over 8 million Scientologists in more that 150 countries world wide. However we are a new religion, only 55 years old so you will have to give us a bit more time as we just got started.\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.\nAs to your question about our "beliefs",  this is a hard one to answer\nbecause nothing in Scientology is true for you unless it is true for YOU. And even then, it is only true for you, according to YOUR observation and experience . This is a very important point of personal integrity in Scientology.\nSo it really isn't any kind of belief system. This is quiet different from most other religions. One usually tries to understand something by comparing it to other similar things, so with Scientology, as a religion\nit is hard to understand it in this way, because it does not have this particular similarity with other religions.\n\nFollowing is a pretty good description of what it is. I hope this helps you to understand it better:\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"
1153082
People follow Scientology because they're looking for something to believe in when other religions may have failed them or not interested them. In terms of celebrities, it certainly helps that Scientology is "hip" -- it keeps the attention of the press. For everyone else, however, I think the reason is that people need something to believe in, and space aliens are no more or less believable than Jesus rising from the dead or Jonah getting swallowed by a whale.
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.
1106017
Tom Cruise is a Jew?  I thought he was a wacko Scientology major?
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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.
1152487
Christianity is a cult. All "we are right and they are wrong" religions are cults.
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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 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
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*chuckle*  Well, being without belief in The Devil, I'd say no, but if you'd like to know just how strange and dangerous Scientology is, check out these links:\n\nThis is what they believe in (including aliens):\nhttp://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ap8nVqpmRkLIn2rqXNPxlCEjzKIX?qid=20061124162841AAdJv3F\nThis is how they view birth (complete silence):\nhttp://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061109120531AAVpKDj\nThis is how they sell their cult to others:\nhttp://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AsRBlApM2mdSw7XfXIAgOqwjzKIX?qid=20061125081249AAPtMJV\nThis is how much it costs to involve yourself in their cult:\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology_as_a_business#Costs\nWatch this short video (around 4 minutes long):\nhttp://theunfunnytruth.ytmnd.com/\nAnd this one:\nhttp://theunfunnysequel.ytmnd.com/
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Hehhe.  If you really knew what they believed, you'd never look at Tom Cruise the same way!\n\nYou really should just go read the Wikipedia page on it, as its simply too much lunacy for me to post without busting my gut laughing.\n\nEssentially, they believe in aliens.  But they believe some things about these aliens that make the simple belief in aliens seem rational.  :)
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I've been doing a little reading on it, too. Just out of curiousity and some more to answer a couple of questions here.  I'm not sure what the actual main belief is, if it has one.\n\nHere's my post for one of those questions (I know it's long, sometimes I just can't help myself), http://answers.yahoo.com/question/?qid=1006032806764\n\nIt's interesting to note that the official Scientology FAQ's are at odds with some of the statements made as answers here. It has been stated here that Scientology is "not a belief or system of beliefs" and "there is no belief in Scientology", and yet, the church's official website seems to state the exact opposite by listing its beliefs and talking about believers. It is no wonder that there is a bit of confusion as to what Scientology is and isn't, if the followers cannot agree with the information publicly posted by the church itself.\n\n\nFrom the official Scientology site mentioned a few times here, http://www.scientology.org \n\nWhy is Scientology called a religion? \n\nScientology certainly meets all three criteria generally used by religious scholars around the world to determine religiosity: (1) a belief in some Ultimate Reality, such as the Supreme or eternal truth that transcends the here and now of the secular world; (2) religious practices directed toward understanding, attaining or communing with this Ultimate Reality; and (3) a community of believers who join together in pursuing this Ultimate Reality.\n\nScientology’s beliefs in an Ultimate Reality that transcends the material world include its concepts of the thetan, the spiritual world (the seventh dynamic) and the Supreme Being (the eighth dynamic). The second element can be found in Scientology’s life-rite ceremonies such as naming, marriage and funeral services, but predominantly in the religious services of auditing and training, through which Scientologists increase their spiritual awareness of themselves and attain an understanding of the spiritual world and, ultimately, their relationship with the Supreme Being. As to the third element, a very vital community of believers can be found at any Church of Scientology at almost any time of the day.\n\nScientology is thus a religion in the most traditional sense of the term.\n\n\nDoes Scientology have a scripture? \n\nYes. The writings and recorded spoken words of L. Ron Hubbard on the subject of Scientology collectively constitute the scripture of the religion. He set forth the Scientology theology and technologies in more than 500,000 pages of writings, including dozens of books and over 2,000 tape-recorded public lectures.\n===============\n\nSome interesting reading from an opposing view is found here,\n\nhttp://www.spaink.net/fishman/home.html\n"When Fishman was then brought to court, he used parts of Scientology-documents to prove he had been brainwashed by the Church. These Scientology documents thereby became public material: anybody could go to the court library and read them. The Church, fearing that its sacred secrets would be revealed, had some of their people going to the library every day to borrow these documents, thereby preventing other people (read: non-Scientologists) from reading them. Nevertheless, the Fishman Affidavit got copied (it was also available through the clerk of the court, for a mere $36.50). Somebody retrieved the affidavit via the clerk, scanned it, and posted it to the net. The Fishman Affidavit has been travelling on the Internet ever since."\n\nand here,\nhttp://www.spaink.net/fishman/ot3.html\n"In OT III, ("OPERATING THETAN, Section Three") Hubbard explains his cosmology and the ins & outs of 'body thetans'."\n\n"The head of the Galactic Federation (76 planets around larger stars visible from here) (founded 5,000,000 years ago, very space opera) solved overpopulation (250 billion or so per planet, 178 billion on average) by mass implanti
322567
People will believe in just about anything (not just scientology) as long as it isn't God.  That way, they don't have to be accountable for their sins.  As long as God is out of the picture, they are free to pursue their lifestyle in whatever manner feels good to them.  Sad really.
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Yes, you are hallucinating and confused. How long have you had this problem?\nWhere are you getting your information from? I'm guessing the media\nand various bogus websites. Is this your usual method of discovery?\n\nI have no desire to convert you to anything, but I will give you some facts about Scientology:\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"\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.\n\nHope you are a bit less confused. Let me know. \nAs to the hallucinations, I'm not sure if I can help you with that.\n\n(Oh,  and yes I am a Scientologist !)
822435
It's a made up religion by a sci-fi producer or writer.. L. Ron. Hubbard. Completely made up and many people in Hollywood are followers. It's ridiculous and shouldn't be observed as a religion. I wasn't raised with any religion but I do believe they should have had a Catholic ceremony since that is from both their upbringings.