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Religion 101: What is Scientology?
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Scientology is a religion that was created by L. Ron Hubbard in 1952. Before that time, Hubbard was well known as a fiction writer. The Scientology website states that writing was the way Hubbard financed his research and expeditions, which eventually led to his religious writings. Hubbard served in World War II and returned partially blind and lame from combat injuries. He returned to the U.S. and continued his research. Five years later, he released Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health. Two years later, Hubbard published his first book on Scientology, which was designed to be the successor to Dianetics' self-help belief system. In 1953, the Church of Scientology was incorporated in New Jersey. It is the only major religion to emerge in the last century. After a number of legal battles, Scientology is now recognized as a tax-exempt church in the United States as well as some other countries in the world. It is not recognized as a religion in the United Kingdom, France and Germany.
Basic Beliefs
Scientology claims to provide its followers with tools to solve their own problems, accomplish goals and find lasting happiness. Scientologists believe that every human being is immortal and has reincarnated many times in order to learn, evolve, and develop higher states of awareness and abilities. They believe that human beings consist of three parts: the mind, the body and the thetan (which translates to "spirit" or "soul"). Scientologists believe that street drugs as well as legal mind-altering drugs pollute the body and deplete it of essential vitamins and minerals. Followers are wary of psychology and psychiatry, which are believed to be more harmful than helpful.
"I like to help others and count it as my greatest pleasure in life to see a person free himself from the shadows which darken his days."
—L. Ron Hubbard
Auditing
Scientologists learn how to apply the religion's principles to their personal situations by meeting with auditors, who "listen" to the practitioner to see what unwanted spiritual conditions exist within the person, and suggest methods to increase awareness and abilities.
The E-Meter
The E-Meter (Electropsychometer) is a device similar to a lie detector that monitors changes in mental activity and can pinpoint areas of spiritual distress or troubles so that they can be discussed and processed or eliminated. It is used as a pastoral counseling device and assists auditors in guiding practitioners towards their optimal awareness.
The Aim of Scientology
According to the official Church of Scientology website, the goal of the religion is "A civilization without insanity, without criminals and without war, where the able can prosper and honest beings can have rights, and where man is free to rise to greater heights."
For more information:
What is Scientology?
Church of Scientology International
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology
Photo credit: Velo Steve on Flickr.com
This Scientology Church is located at the former Transamerica Building.
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