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Scientology 101
Mobile Register ^
| Saturday, July 23, 2005
| -- Kristen Campbell
Posted on 07/24/2005 7:06:10 PM PDT by 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at al.com ...
TOPICS: Culture/Society; Philosophy
KEYWORDS: dianetics; engram; lronhubbard; newage; scientology; thetan; tomcruise
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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.
To: Ms Jeezlooweez
To: HighlyOpinionated
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.
3
posted on
07/24/2005 7:11:53 PM PDT
by
null and void
(Be vewwy vewwy qwiet, we're hunting whabbits...)
To: HighlyOpinionated
I am proud to say my husband and I are on their official enemies list, since 1977.
4
posted on
07/24/2005 7:11:57 PM PDT
by
roylene
To: null and void
Church of Scientology -- not to be confused with Christian Science I thought they were one in the same
5
posted on
07/24/2005 7:17:11 PM PDT
by
since1868
To: HighlyOpinionated
Isn't FOX's Greta one of them?
6
posted on
07/24/2005 7:18:54 PM PDT
by
Abcdefg
To: since1868
I thought they were one in the sameWell, then you learned something new today! :-)
7
posted on
07/24/2005 7:20:45 PM PDT
by
mcg1969
To: null and void
tell us what it was like . . .
To: Abcdefg
9
posted on
07/24/2005 7:35:23 PM PDT
by
pitinkie
(revenge will be sweet)
To: Big Guy and Rusty 99
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.
10
posted on
07/24/2005 7:39:46 PM PDT
by
null and void
(Be vewwy vewwy qwiet, we're hunting whabbits...)
To: HighlyOpinionated
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.
11
posted on
07/24/2005 7:43:13 PM PDT
by
epaul
(Great ships and great men need to be honored)
To: null and void
12
posted on
07/24/2005 7:44:24 PM PDT
by
M203M4
To: null and void
Do it in open forum.
The Masons do it.
I think it's much more informational.
13
posted on
07/24/2005 7:49:26 PM PDT
by
mabelkitty
(Lurk forever, but once you post, your newbness shines like a new pair of shoes.)
To: null and void
What is the ultimate goal?
Why Clearwater, Florida?
14
posted on
07/24/2005 7:50:54 PM PDT
by
mabelkitty
(Lurk forever, but once you post, your newbness shines like a new pair of shoes.)
To: M203M4
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.
15
posted on
07/24/2005 8:00:03 PM PDT
by
null and void
(Be vewwy vewwy qwiet, we're hunting wahabbits...)
To: PistolPaknMama
Does the Church of Scientology have tax exempt status?
16
posted on
07/24/2005 8:01:52 PM PDT
by
commonasdirt
(Reading DU so you won't hafta)
To: mabelkitty
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?)
17
posted on
07/24/2005 8:05:51 PM PDT
by
null and void
(Be vewwy vewwy qwiet, we're hunting wahabbits...)
To: mabelkitty
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.
18
posted on
07/24/2005 8:07:15 PM PDT
by
null and void
(Be vewwy vewwy qwiet, we're hunting wahabbits...)
To: commonasdirt
Does the Church of Scientology have tax exempt status?Yes, another fine clinton legacy.
19
posted on
07/24/2005 8:08:14 PM PDT
by
null and void
(Be vewwy vewwy qwiet, we're hunting wahabbits...)
To: HighlyOpinionated
20
posted on
07/24/2005 8:18:09 PM PDT
by
SQUID
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