What do you make of this religion? There is so much controversy out there that I’m not sure who to believe. I know the basics of what its about, but factually speaking, where does the Chruch of Scientology stand?
Religioustolerance.org usually has pretty good info on religions… here’s their section on Scientology. That’s just an introduction, though.
The first time I ever really read about Scientology was when somebody linked to Operation Clambake, basically an anti-Scientology site. For the most part, it seemed just like any other strange cult to me, but a few of their practices seemed genuinely creepy. Examples include the “Sea Organization” and also the Scientologists’ incessant need to seek out and censor/cover-up all negative discussion about themselves.
Then again, I also find Christianity somewhat creepy, so I’m probably just biased…
Where does the church stand in reference to what? Asking a blanket question such as “where does Christianity stand?” is going to take a very very long time to answer.
This site gives a fairly detailed account of the history of the church and the Church of Scientology Creed can be read here
Search scientology and you’ll get many threads. This one should get you started.
Thanks for the info.
Reply: That religioustolerance.org site seems to confuse the belief system, which is no more bizarre than any other, with the current organization promoting it, which is criminal.
For example, this passage doesn’t make much sense:
The first sentence implies a religious motivation, whereas the second sentence states they were convicted of theft, a crime that has nothing to do with belief structures and everything to do with the specific group of people. I do wish Relgioustolerance.org would clean up its act and rectify this confusion.
In short, the belief system called Scientology on the whole is strange and it is heavily biased against psychologists, mainly because Hubbard was insane and hated psychologists. It could harm you if you pursue the Tech to the exclusion of seeking actual help, but I don’t see much difference between it and the more hardline strains in the Christian Science belief system.
The Church of Scientology is just this side of the Mafia in terms of general sleaziness and greed. It charges for its teachings, and they don’t come cheaply. It preys on people when they are in trouble. They were among the jackals preying on 9/11 victims, for example. This has nothing to do with their beliefs, and everything to do with them as people.
So the point I’m trying to make here is to keep a firm grasp on the distinction between a belief system and the people who follow it.
Cecil’s column.
Derleth I’m absolutely with you on this. People can believe anything they want- including that we’re haunted by the ghosts of aliens brought to earth during a genocide millions of years ago.
It’s when they require members to pay for this knowledge, prevent them getting adequate medical care, insist on female members having abortions etc that it all becomes unacceptable.
Derleth: I thought that entire section was explaining the History?
Ack, hit reply too soon. Anyway, I thought that was just a historical overview. The actual beliefs and practices are further down the page.
But yes, I suppose there are differences between the beliefs and the people. However, aren’t the two usually quite interconnected, making it hard (and not always useful) to separate the two? Scientology (the belief system) would not exist were it not for its followers, and Scientologists are the only examples we have of how people who follow the Scientology doctrine actually live.
Reply: These people don’t see anything wrong with practicing Scientology outside of the Church of Scientology. So it is possible to remove the religion from the criminals.
As for the rest of your comments, I think even Hubbard was a charlatan who wanted to milk his followers for all they were worth. He was greedy and he was paranoid and he was just this side of criminal. The organization he founded inherited all those traits. But that doesn’t mean that someone, somewhere can’t find a use for the belief system he concocted as a bait for his get-rich-quick scheme. As I said, people find comfort in odder places.
Derleth: Interesting, thanks 
I never knew of such a group. How do they deal with the CoS people, and where do they get the Scientology teachings and such from?
The CoS can’t keep a complete lid on Hubbard’s works, as much as they try. The Free Zone people want to practice the religion/Tech as Hubbard originally designed it, so even though they can’t call it such because the CoS is extremely lawsuit-happy they can do what they believe despite the CoS’s efforts to suppress them.
As a side note, I’m not involved in any of this. I’ve been watching it for years, though, including reading alt.religion.scientology at one time. There’s a strange group to follow…
The Bible, the Koran, the Vedas etc. one can read in their entirety for free; you can get them at a library, someone will gladly give you one etc.
In Scientology, you pay incrementally for increasing knowledge. It would be as if: you can read Genesis and Exodus for free, but before you can see Proverbs & Psalms you have to take classes, sign a non-disclosure form, and pay $500. first.
A scam of global-historic proportions.
Somewhere between Ebeneezer Scrooge and Gordon Gecko. Fiction revolving around greed.
(referring to Jack Parsons and Elron practicing sex magic). Now when Alistar Crowley thinks you’ve gone off your rocker…
I recommend Stewart Lamont’s book Religion Inc. about his experiences with the cult. He went out of his way to give the clams the benefit of the doubt and even he wound up (figuratively) shaking his head and saying “Yeah, they’re as messed up as their critics claim”.
Bonus tip: If you want to annoy someone remove the “please send me more information” card from a copy of Dianetics, fill in your mark’s contact info, and drop it in the mailbox. Good times. 
**“Writing for a penny a word is ridiculous. If a man really wants to make a million dollars, the best way would be to start his own religion.” **
Writer Ron Hubbard in 1949
who later founded the Church of Scientology
A little insight is a good thing
Thanks. I knew I remembered some such line from him.