If you are a South Park fan, then you probably already have some opinions on this religion. Though Trey Parker and Matt Stone have done their share to entertain, as you can imagine, there is much more to this system of thought than Tom Cruise not coming out of the closet.
But, in the spirit of humor, let’s start first with a popular joke among religion majors: “What is the difference between a religion and a cult?” The answer: 300 years.
Just as every elderly old-timer was once an innocent little baby, we must keep in mind that every religious tradition, no matter how ancient and accepted, was once a new religious movement struggling to survive in a heat of controversy, resistance and often violent oppression. Whether it was early Roman Christians burned in the streets at night, monastic Buddhists kicked out of India or Latter Day Saints (Mormons) escaping violent protests in Midwestern America, let’s face it – humans do not have a very good track record of accepting something new and different from what we know, especially when it comes to religion.
Considering Scientology is a little less than sixty years old, it is not much of a shock that so many have trouble accepting it as a legitimate religious tradition. The new kid is always teased or bullied at first. But upon further research, you might be surprised to find how much it has in common with other (and more seasoned) religions. Let’s look at the basics of Scientology’s History, Philosophy, and Beliefs.
History
Founded in 1954 by science-fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, this red-headed, worldwide traveler and cultural enthusiast created a human-potential movement that he believed would help people have a better understanding of themselves and the world around them. This movement quickly evolved into a religion known today as the Church of Scientology (Scientia is Latin for knowledge; logos is Greek for reason or understanding). Hubbard felt no other religious tradition (or even science) gave any real answers and felt Scientology was the “first practical religion.”
Philosophy
There are many tenets of Scientology, but the underlying goal is to understand how we perceive and react to the world around us so we can have more clarity and rationale and live a better life. Scientologists feel they can offer practical solutions to suffering and can help increase our personal understanding. While this may sound an awful lot like psychology at first, don’t say that to a Scientologist. Most Scientologists shun the field of psychiatry and most branches of psychology, as abusive and based upon erroneous assumptions.
Scientologists are especially for mind oriented, natural methods of healing and are against excessive uses of drugs, which they feel only numb ourselves to the problem instead of finding the solutions. This causes most Scientologists to be anti-psychiatry (and was the source of the big blowup between Brooke Shields and Tom Cruise about her taking anti-depressants for her post-partum depression). Scientologists also feel strongly that our actions and words affect everyone around us, which is something most religions would agree with.
A unique example of this in Scientology is the practice of silent birth, which actresses Katie Holmes and Jenna Elfman both are rumored to have utilized. The mother and anyone else in the birthing room are instructed to remain in silence as the child is born so that no negativity of shouting, cursing, groaning, etc. is transferred to the child upon its entrance to the world. I think most mothers would say kudos to Katie and Jenna.
Beliefs
Because Hubbard was well read and had traveled extensively, he was deeply influenced by other religions, especially those of Eastern thought. Scientologists believe that we have a spiritual purpose and that each one of us has a soul, called a thetan. Our existence in this world is a type of imprisonment and we long for liberation. Scientologists call this physical world MEST (matter, energy, space and time). So far, this is a pretty identical belief system to Hinduism, Buddhism, and many denominations of Christianity. Hindus and Buddhists would just call this samsara instead of MEST and atman (or anatman) instead of thetan. In many forms of Christianity, our time here on earth is temporary and what we are really striving for is the Kingdom of Heaven in the hereafter. Though the language is different, scientologists have the same basic viewpoint in this area.
Also like Hindus and Buddhists, many Scientologists believe in rebirth or reincarnation, though some will see it more symbolic (or for lack of a better term, psychological) than literal. Scientologists see our human progress through a grand evolution of stages that we can climb, a kind of ladder of progress with each rung bringing us towards a better and clearer understanding of ourselves and the world around us, eventually bringing us to the goal of ultimate liberation (called moksha in Hinduism, parinirvana in Buddhism, atonement in Christianity and paradise in Islam). This ladder (or chart) is called the Bridge to Total Freedom or just simply, “The Bridge.” Individuals range from the beginnng (pre-clears) to the final liberation (clear or Operating Thetan, also called OT).
Scientology, like most religions, believes that it can be hard to discipline yourself to make this kind of spiritual progress. Just as rabbis, gurus, priests, priestesses, pastors, imams, and shamans have done for thousands of years, Scientology spiritual counselors with help and coach individuals through each step of the Bridge. Called Auditors, these counselors help the individual “audit” or “process” to find and overcome blockages to growth. These blockages are often painful or traumatic experiences, called engrams. Now, here is where things start feeling a bit different from other religions you may be familiar with. Auditors will sometimes use an e-meter, an electronic machine, to read galvanic skin responses and to pinpoint the source of the blockages.
Another difference and source of controversy is the charging of money for these services. There are fees for most steps involved and advancing through the stages, with the exception being the initial personality test at the beginning.
Christians use the Bible, Jews use the Tanakh, Muslims use the Koran, Mormons use the Book of Mormon, Hindus use the Bhagavad Gita, and Scientologists use the prolific works of L. Ron Hubbard, who authored over 40 books. His books that focus on Scientology have positive titles and contain common sense principles and instructions that can arguably resonate with those of most people with any kind of morals or values. One example is The Way to Happiness: A Common Sense Guide to Better Living. Within its pages are instructions and thoughts on everything from not stealing, lying, or spoiling our children too much, not murdering or being promiscuous or unfaithful, to positive guidelines of keeping our promises, protecting our environment, being ambitious and hardworking, learning and discovering, loving and respecting our fellow neighbors, and keeping ourselves clean and presentable through good, personal hygiene.
Scientologists also believe ideally that this religion can be practiced with other religions or traditions (though scientologists themselves will say committing to Scientology is very consuming, and so it is difficult to practice anything else with the same kind of equal commitment).
Though called the “Church” of Scientology, its centers do not resemble temples, churches or mosques. A good example of this is a glass storefront along West Fourth street in Cincinnati, where you will see a simple sign that reads, Church of Scientology – Hubbard Dianetics Foundation. Inside, you will find a few tables with pamphlets and several enlarged pictures of esteemed founder, L. Ron Hubbard at various stages of his life, along with various quotations.
Like most Christian churches, Scientologists will meet on Sundays for service. But unlike Christians, they will usually read from Hubbard’s writings and/or watch DVD footage of his several speeches. There may be a sermon by a Scientology minister, who like other religious leaders, can conduct rituals, ceremonies, weddings and funerals. The sermon is often followed by a sharing of viewpoints among the participants, announcements, and then a closing prayer, also written by Hubbard.
According to Hubbard, Scientology has accomplished the goal of “Freeing the soul by wisdom.” Though some of the practices may seem different, anyone in academia would have a hard time disagreeing with Hubbard’s belief that knowledge, love of learning, and personal discovery should be high on our list of good virtues to have.
Along with Tom Cruise, John Travolta, Kirstie Alley, the late Isaac Hayes, Nancy Cartwright (the voice of Bart Simpson, who during an interview last year in Dayton, said she relied on Hubbard’s writings to help her to live “the good life”), there are thousands of Scientologists around the world who swear by its tenets and the positive affect it has had in their lives.
The real test will be to give it 300 years. Like many new religious movements, it could fade out with the pressures of the larger and more skeptical majority. Then again, there may be Scientology centers in every city and Grease could still be one of the most popular musicals ever made. And if so, score two for John Travolta.