Scientology

Scientology is a new religious movement based on the writings of author L. Ron Hubbard, who founded the Church of Scientology in 1953 as an "applied religious philosophy". Hubbard defined Scientology as "knowing how to know" [1], although he first introduced it with the words, "Scientology would be a study of knowledge."

The Church of Scientology has attracted much controversy and criticism. Scientology's principles have been characterized as pseudoscientific by scientists and by medical and psychotherapeutic practitioners. Critics — including government bodies of several countries — have characterized the Church as an unscrupulous commercial organization, citing harassment of critics and exploitation of its members. Because of these factors, the Church has frequently been called a cult.

The 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 rehabilitation 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 saved them from addictions, arthritis, depression, learning disabilities, mental illness and other problems.

Origins

Dianetics

Scientology followed Dianetics, an earlier system of self-improvement techniques laid out by Hubbard in his 1950 book Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health, though his work on Dianetics had begun in 1948. Dianetics itself is not a spiritual practice, and at no time did Hubbard claim Dianetics to be a religion. Hubbard believed that incidents involving pain and loss were recorded on what he called the "reactive mind". The reactive mind is subconscious but manifests itself as fear, irrational emotion, addiction and illness. Dianetics wis the process by which the reactive mind is uncovered and erased, leaving only the "analytical mind". In Dianetics literature the analytical mind is the portion of the mind that is logical and problem-solving. The Church of Scientology makes use of Dianetics to this day, indicating that what Scientology is to the spiritual part of humanity Dianetics is to the human mind.

Beliefs and Practices

Scientology's doctrines were established by Hubbard over a period of about 34 years, beginning in 1952 and continuing until his death in January 1986. Most of the basic principles of the Church were set out during the 1950s and 1960s. By the mid-1950s, Dianetics was considered a system of therapy within the context of the religion of Scientology.

Thetan

The concept of the Thetan grew out of L. Ron Hubbard's observation of the results of Dianetics practice. Participation in Dianetics resolved the mental anguish of practioners in the present, but also uncovered anguish from preceding lives in a great deal of those undergoing the procedure. Hubbard postulated the existence of an eternal element, separate from the mind and body of the human being. Wary of the connotative baggage associated with the word "soul" he called this element the "thetan" (adapted from the Greek letter "theta"). The Church of Scientology affirms that each individual is at the most basic a thetan, possessing a mind and body. Thetans are believed to have existed since the beginning of time, formed at the moment of creation. These spiritual essences were entangled with MEST (matter, energy, space and time) to produce beings that are both spiritual and physical.

Auditing

The central practice of Scientology is auditing (from the Latin word audire,"to listen"), which is one-on-one communication with a trained Scientology counselor or "auditor". The practitoner undertaking the procedure is referred to as a preclear. Most auditing uses an E-meter (Electropsychometer), a device that measures galvanic skin response. The E-meter has two terminals that are held in both hands of the preclear and a display with which the auditor can monitor the progress of the individual.

The auditing process is intended to help preclear unburden himself or herself of specific traumatic incidents, prior ethical transgressions and bad decisions, which are said to collectively restrict the preclear from achieving his or her goals and lead to the development of the reactive mind. The auditor asks the preclear to respond to a list of questions which are designed for specific purposes and given to the preclear in a strictly regulated way. Auditing requires that the preclear be a willing and interested participant who understands the questions, and the process goes more smoothly when he or she understands what is going on. Per Church policy, auditors are trained not to "evaluate for" their preclears; i.e., they are forbidden from suggesting, interpreting, degrading or invalidating the preclear's answers. The E-meter is used to help locate an area of concern.

Scientologists have claimed benefits from auditing including improved IQ, improved ability to communicate, enhanced memory, alleviated dyslexia and attention deficit problems, and improved relaxation; however, no scientific studies have verified these claims. The Church of Scientology now publishes disclaimers in its books and publications declaring that the E-meter "does nothing," and that it is used specifically for spiritual purposes.

The Eight Dynamics and the ARC Triangle

The concept of the Eight Dynamics is a graduated way of understanding the universe and one's relation to it. These dynamics are the basis for the cosmology of the Church of Scientology. A set of concentric circles radiating outward from the Self (the first dynamic) to the Infinite (the eighth dynamic), perhaps identified with a supreme being. The complete list of dynamics is as follows:

1. the Self
2. the Family
3. the Group (including community, state, etc.)
4. the Species
5. the Life Form (life in all its varieties)
6. the Physical Universe (MEST)
7. the Spirits (the Thetan)
8. the Infinite (the deity or ground of being)

Another basic tenet of Scientology are the three interrelated components that lead to perfect understanding: affinity (emotional responses), reality (an agreement on what is real) and communication (the exchange of ideas). Hubbard called this the "ARC Triangle", and the triangle is one of the many symbols adopted by the Church of Scientology. Communication is recognized as the paramount amongst the three points of the ARC Triangle, though all three points must be practiced across the Eight Dynamics.

Operating Thetans and "Space Opera"

The progression of the individual in the Church of Scientology is measured against a church document entitled "The Bridge to Total Freedom". This includes levels from preclear through to "Operating Thetan" or OT. The Operating Thetan in Scientology is one who through dedication and practice in the church has relieved his or herself of the abberations in the reactive mind gained in this life and others, and begun to operate independantly of the reactive mind. Operating Thetans are also able to see and confront the "whole track", an unobstructed view of reality.

As one climbs higher along the Bridge he or she delves deeper into the essential mystery of Scientology, and accordingly the information revealed at these levels is kept under stricter confidence. Though very little information about these teachings are published for the public at large through official channels, it is believed that those initiated into higher OT levels learn of the arrival of Thetans on Earth and an epic history of the universe, described by L. Ron Hubbard as a "space opera".

The Church of Scientology Organizations

A Church of Scientology was first incorporated in Camden, New Jersey as a non-profit organization in 1953. Today's Church of Scientology was established in 1954. It forms the center of a complex worldwide network of corporations dedicated to the promotion of L. Ron Hubbard's philosophies in all areas of life. This includes:

• Drug treatment centers (Narconon)[2]
• Criminal rehab programs (Criminon)[3]
• Activities to reform the field of mental health (Citizens Commission on Human Rights)
• Projects to implement Hubbard's educational methods in schools (Applied Scholastics)[4]
• A "moral values" campaign (The Way to Happiness)[5]
• World Institute of Scientology Enterprises, or WISE, which licenses Hubbard's management techniques for use in businesses [6]
• A consulting firm based on Hubbard's management techniques (Sterling Management Systems) [7]
• A publishing company, e-Republic, which publishes Government Technology and Converge magazines and coordinates the Center for Digital Government [8]
• A campaign directed to world leaders, as well as the general public, to implement the 1948 United Nations document "The Universal Declaration of Human Rights" (with particular emphasis on the religious freedom elements).
• An organization dedicated to bettering plant and animal life on Earth that applies Scientology tools, such as "The Dynamics" (Earth Organization) [9]

Independent Scientology Groups

Although "Scientology" is most often used as shorthand for the Church of Scientology, a number of groups practice Scientology and Dianetics outside of the official Church. Such groups are invariably breakaways from the original Church, and usually argue that it has corrupted L. Ron Hubbard's principles or otherwise become overly domineering. The Church takes an extremely hard line on breakaway groups, labeling them "apostates" (or "squirrels" in Scientology jargon) and often subjecting them to considerable legal and social pressure. Breakaway groups avoid the name "Scientology" so as to keep from infringing that copyright, instead referring to themselves collectively as the Free Zone.

Scientology and Society

Scientology and the Media

File:ScientologyCenter1.jpg

A Scientology Center on Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California.

Since its inception the Church of Scientology has made use of mass media to spread its message. Originally this was done through printed materials, primarily books, but eventually a collection of periodicals. Videos were also made available to those interested. As the Internet became more popular and accessable to many people the Church of Scientology expanded its presence there, now maintaining over a dozen different domains.

From its beginnings the Church of Scientology has been associated (both officially and in the popular consciousness) celebrities, especially in the fields of film and music. High profile members of the faith have brought much attention to the Church. The church recognizes the potential for growth due to its celebrity members, and maintains an elaborate "Celebrity Center" in Los Angeles, California, in addition to its many other church buildings throughout the world.

Scientology and Other Religions

Scientology teaches that it is fully compatible with all existing major religions, often being described by the church as a system of religious technology. The Church of Scientology has publicly stated:

"Scientology respects all religions. Scientology does not conflict with other religions or other religious practices." (What is Scientology? 1992, p.544)

However, Scientology's claim of religious compatibility to entry-level Scientologists is soon modified by the additional teaching that the various levels of spiritual prowess which can be reached through Scientology are more advanced than those attainable in other religions. Critics maintain that, within Scientology, "spiritual abilities" tends to be synonymous with "mystical powers" rather than with "inner peace". Hubbard himself cautioned against the unwise or improper use of powers in his book History of Man.

In its application for tax exempt status in the United States, the Church of Scientology International states:

"Although there is no policy or Scriptural mandate expressly requiring Scientologists to renounce other religious beliefs or membership in other churches, as a practical matter Scientologists are expected to and do become fully devoted to Scientology to the exclusion of other faiths. As Scientologists, they are required to look only to Scientology Scriptures for the answers to the fundamental questions of their existence and to seek enlightenment only from Scientology." (Response to Final Series of IRS Questions Prior to Recognition of Exemption Under Section 501(c)(3) As a Church, October 1, 1993)

Beliefs in Scientology as one progresses into higher levels become increasingly contradictory with other religions. Most notably is the concept of past lives (a form of reincarnation) which most western religions reject. Other ideas such as the origins and age of the Earth, the root of evil, and the nature of humanity make it impossible to hold literal beliefs in most other religions while being a Scientologist.

Official Status as a Religion

The Church pursues an extensive public relations campaign supporting Scientology as a bona fide religion. The organization cites numerous scholarly sources supporting its position, many of which can be found on a website the Church has established for this purpose. [10] This campaign is in response to the criticism made by critics of the Church of Scientology that its incorporation as a church was to avoid charges of practicing medicine without proper accreditation and for tax exempt status.

File:CoSTorontoFeb0105.jpg

Church of Scientology on Yonge Street in Toronto, Canada.

The Church is recognized in some countries as an official religion under the law, including the United States, Australia, Taiwan, Thailand and Spain. Other nations, including Belgium, Germany, France and Austria, do not recognize the Church of Scientology as an official religion. An intermediate approach is taken in some countries, such as Canada, where Scientology is recognized as a non-profit charity organization. Despite the lack of legal recognition in some countries, the Church of Scientology is present in 175 countries worldwide, including nations where it is not recognized as a bona fide religious tradition.

Scientology and Psychiatry

Scientologists regularly hold anti-psychiatry demonstrations they call "Psychbusts"

Scientology is publicly and vehemently opposed to psychiatry and psychology. This theme appears in some of Hubbard's literary works. In Hubbard's satiricMission Earth series, various characters praise and criticize these methods, and the antagonists in his novel Battlefield Earth are called Psychlos, a similar allusion.

From the Church of Scientology FAQ on Psychiatry:

What the Church opposes are brutal, inhumane psychiatric treatments. It does so for three principal reasons: 1) procedures such as electro-shock, drugs and lobotomy injure, maim and destroy people in the guise of help; 2) psychiatry is not a science and has no proven methods to justify the billions of dollars of government funds that are poured into it; and 3) psychiatric theories that man is a mere animal have been used to rationalize, for example, the wholesale slaughter of human beings in World Wars I and II. [11]

L. Ron Hubbard was bitterly critical of psychiatry's citation of physical causes for mental disorders, such as chemical imbalances in the brain. Although there are many questions remaining, the statements by Hubbard deny that psychiatry, through the scientific method, has shown some psychiatric disorders are related to anatomical and chemical cerebral anomalies. He regarded psychiatrists as denying human spirituality and peddling fake cures. He was also convinced psychiatrists were themselves deeply unethical individuals, committing "extortion, mayhem and murder. Our files are full of evidence on them." [12] The Church claims that psychiatry was responsible for World War I [13], the rise of Hitler and Stalin [14], and even the September 11th attacks [15]. Scientology's opposition to psychiatry has also undoubtedly been influenced by the fact that a number of psychiatrists have strongly spoken out against the Church, resulting in pressure from the media and governments. Additionally, after Hubbard's book on Dianetics was published, in which he tried to present a new form of psychotherapy, the American Psychological Association advised its members against using Hubbard's techniques with their patients until its effectiveness could be proven.

See also

• Symbols of Scientology
• Scientology and psychiatry
• Space opera in Scientology doctrine
• Scientology versus the Internet
• Alt.religion.scientology
• List of religious organizations

References

ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

• Atack, Jon (1990). A Piece of Blue Sky. Lyle Stuart. ISBN 081840499X
• Frenschkowski, Marco (1999). L. Ron Hubbard and Scientology: An annotated bibliographical survey of primary and selected secondary literature [16]
• Kent, Stephen A. (1996). Scientology's Relationship With Eastern Religious Traditions [17]
• Miller, Russell (1987). Bare-faced Messiah, The True Story of L. Ron Hubbard, Henry Holt & Co. ISBN 0-8050-0654-0.
• Spaink, Karin. Fishman Affidavit. I write therefore I am.

External links

• Scientology.org - The Church of Scientology's main page.
• whatisscientology.org - The Church of Scientology's site promoting Scientology.
• Related Groups - List of groups related to the Scientology organization.
• Operation Clambake
• The Secrets of Scientology
• InternationalFreeZone - Association dedicated to the promotion of the original philosophy of Lafayette Ron Hubbard.
• Ron's Organisation and Network for Standard Tech - Delivers auditing and training outside the Chuch of Scientology.
• scientologists freezone - A comparative study of the church and the freezone
• Interview with L. Ron Hubbard Jr., 1983, Penthouse Magazine - Critical Insider Interview

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