Scientology
History
} Formed: 1953
} Founder: Science fiction author L. Ron Hubbard
} Foundation: Dianetics (a self-help system / counselling technique) developed by Hubbard.
} Long history of legal battles related to its status as a cult / recognised religion.
Membership
} 2005 Scientology claimed 8 million members
} 2007 claimed 3.5 million members in USA
} 2001 independent survey showed USA membership to be 55 000 members
} Celebrity members include Tom Cruise, John Travolta, Kirsty Alley, Katie Holmes
Beliefs of Scientology
} “For a Scientologist, the final test of any knowledge he has gained is, ‘did the data and the use of it in life actually improve conditions or didn’t it?’”
L. Ron Hubbard
Body and spirit
} A “thetan” is the true identity of a person – an intrinsically good, omniscient, non-material core capable of unlimited creativity.
} We are on earth because of Xenu.
} We are messed up by MEST
} Thetans are continually reborn through assumption
Emotions and the Mind
} Reactive Mind
} Analytical Mind
} Engrams
} The main aim of scientology is to avoid the drift away from one’s true identity due to engrams.
} The Clear State
} ARC and KRC Triangles
} A = Affinity
} R = Reality
} C = Communication
} K = Knowledge
} R = Responsiblity
} C = Control
Eight Dynamics of Existence
- The urge to survive as oneself
- The urge to survive through procreation & family
- The urge to survive in a group
- The urge to survive as mankind
- The urge to survive through animals and plants
- The urge to survive through the physical universe
- The urge to survive through the spiritual universe
- The urge to survive through Infinity / the Supreme being
Processing / Auditing
} The process of identifying and cleansing a person of engrams.
} Pre- clear è Clear è Operating Thetan
} Auditing requires an E-meter.
Training
} Education in the principles and practices of Scientology (Technology or Tech)
} One progresses in levels (“gradients”) and are moved along the Bridge to Total Freedom.
} Space opera is a cruise for Operating Thetans only !
} IF you qualify and can afford it !!
} And if you don’t get sea-sick !!
Religious ceremonies
} Weekly services on Fridays
} Weddings, child namings and funerals
} Ordained ministers perform such services
} They are not a core component of Scientologists’ lives
Is it a Religion?
} “It is a multi-faceted transnational corporation, only one element of which is religious” (Prof. S.A. Kent)
} “It is a quasi-religious therapy that resembles Freudian ‘depth psychology’ while also drawing on Buddhism, Hinduism and gnosticism.” (Prof D.G. Bromley)
} “Religion requires belief in something transcendental or ultimate; practices that re-inforce that belief, and a community that is sustained by both the beliefs and the pracitices. All of these are present in Scientology” (Dr. F.K. Flinn)
Hidden Practices
} Disconnection
} Suppressive person declaration
} Fair Game
} Potential Trouble Source
} Rehabilitation Project Force
} Vilification of Psychiatry
} Introspection Rundown
Biblical reasons to reject Scientology
} L.Ron Hubbard expressly anti-Christian and believes it is the “ravings of the mentally ill”
} Creation account
} Operating thetans are god
} Salvation (becoming an OT / clearing the planet) is acquired through auditing and training
} “There was no Christ”
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