Scientology 101

Mobile Register ^ | Saturday, July 23, 2005 | -- Kristen Campbell

[HighlyOpinionated]

Thanks to Tom Cruise and his couch-hopping, reporter-thrashing self, Scientology is in the news again.

And while most of us can identify it as the belief system of choice for Cruise and other Hollywood headliners, the teachings and practices of the Church of Scientology -- not to be confused with Christian Science -- remain a mystery to many.

Founded in 1954 by science-fiction author L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology today claims millions of adherents in more than 150 countries, though there are no Scientology organizations within 100 miles of Mobile, Montgomery or Birmingham, according to the Church of Scientology Web site.

The 51-year-old faith teaches that humans are basically good, spiritual beings called "thetans." To attain greater spiritual freedom, practitioners are encouraged to discover sources of distress and erase their effects. Once that occurs, a person is considered "Clear" and may achieve higher states of awareness.

[HighlyOpinionated]

Common Scientology terms defined in the article: ARC; Clear; Dianetics; Dynamic(s); Engram; KRC Triangle; Operating Thetan.

Also explained are the religious practices of auditing and training (which can cost up to $22,000 for a 2 year course and religious services.

Legal problems are addressed as well. Sites for the information are credited.

L. Ron Hubbard -- Born March 13, 1911, in Tilden, Neb., Hubbard studied engineering at George Washington University. Hubbard went on to pen science-fiction works. In 1950, "Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health" was published, followed by "Science of Survival" a year later. He died in 1986.

[PistolPaknMama]

kook alert! (again)

[null and void]

I'm a former member of that, ummmm, organization. I have a standing offer to answer any FReeper's questions about it, either by FReepmail, or on an open forum.

[roylene]

I am proud to say my husband and I are on their official enemies list, since 1977.

[since1868]

Church of Scientology -- not to be confused with Christian Science

I thought they were one in the same

[Abcdefg]

Isn't FOX's Greta one of them?

[mcg1969]

I thought they were one in the same

Well, then you learned something new today! :-)

[Big Guy and Rusty 99]

tell us what it was like . . .

[pitinkie]

Yes and her hubby too

[null and void]

Early on fun and educational. I learned lots of useful stuff, made a whole new set of friends, and felt I was part of something bigger than myself, and worthy of my efforts.

Then I started to get glimpses of the guy behind the curtain. I saw several instances of where internal turf wars prevented progress towards the stated goals and purposes of the organization.

As I became more aware of the internal politics, I started to encounter occasions where church leaders were actively preventing members from using the Tech in their daily lives.

Weird things started to happen, like a new executive post called "International Finance Dictator".

If you've read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, that was my life!

There was even a Policy Letter titled Jokers and Degraders, that said in effect, anyone with a sense of humor was a suppressive person.

[epaul]

Dianetics; Is the ONLY book I can say I have not been able to read. I tried for over a month and even re-read the 1st and 2nd chapter over and over,,,,, never got past that. The best book to put me too sleep ever.

[M203M4]

Is this accurate?

[mabelkitty]

Do it in open forum.
The Masons do it.
I think it's much more informational.

[mabelkitty]

What is the ultimate goal?
Why Clearwater, Florida?

[null and void]

Pretty much. I can't speak for what's happened since I left in the church in the early 80's, but it looks pretty typical.

[commonasdirt]

Does the Church of Scientology have tax exempt status?

[null and void]

What is the ultimate goal?

Scientology's ultimate stated goal is a world without insanity, war or crime.

They believe that by "clearing the planet" that is, removing the effects of the reactive mind from everyone, all the craziness would simply go away.

In practice the goal is to seize as much money and power as possible to control everything.

Why Clearwater, Florida?

It is the center of the universe after all... (Seriously, I have no idea, I think just because Hubbard liked it?)

[null and void]

Do it in open forum.

Some people have questions of a more personal nature that they'd rather not discuss in front of God and everybody.

[null and void]

Does the Church of Scientology have tax exempt status?

Yes, another fine clinton legacy.

[SQUID]

Crap.