Introduction
It is defined as the religious beliefs and practices body. It was started by L. Ron Hubbard, an American author in May 1952. The first program of ideas that was developed was referred to as Dianetics, found in the Dianetics Foundation. In 1952, the foundation became bankrupt, and Hubbard ended up losing all the rights the publications of the Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health. It was then that Hubbard recharacterized the subject as a religion and it was named Scientology. The terminologies that were retained were the E-meter, doctrines and the auditing practice. After one year, Hubbard got the rights to Dianetics back, and the two subjects were put under the Church of Scientology umbrella. According to the definition provided by Hubbard, Scientology is the science of knowledge.
Since the establishment of Scientology, the groups dealing with the subject have faced lots of opposition and controversy. In 1951, for example, the Dianetics Foundation was faced with issues indicating that they were offering education on medicine without having a license. The accusation was made by the Board of Medical Examiners from New Jersey. It was also indicated that the followers of Hubbard were engaged in criminal infiltration in the United States government. In the program, it was indicated that the Church of Scientology was having a criminal conspiracy, where theft and infiltration were done in 136 government agencies, and foreign embassies were one. The work of Hubbard was an inspiration to most organizations and their classification, ensuring that they achieved contention.
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History of Scientology
In 1938, Hubbard had a dental issue, and on undergoing a dental procedure, he had a reaction that almost cost his life. It was then Hubbard wrote near-death experience, and the title of the work was ‘Excalibur,’ and it was never published. Though the work was never published, it formed the bases for later publications. Later in the same year, the work was referred to as ‘one command’ to survive by Arthur j. Burks after reading the work. The theme of the work was later revisited in Dianetics, and the ideas and practices concerning the metaphysical relationship of the body and mind were used later as the central philosophy in Scientology. Excalibur was cited as the early form of Dianetics. Dianetics was created from Hubbard experience with hypnosis. Hypnosis is referred to as the human consciousness, concerning attention and less peripheral awareness thus improved ability in responding to suggestion.
Church of Scientology
Hubbard Dianetics started to face issues especially with the Medical Examiners from New Jersey indicated that medicine was being taught without a license. The issue led to the bankruptcy of the foundation. Don Purcell, a financer, took over the copyright and Dianetics trademark. In his initial writings, Hubbard wanted Scientology to be about science. Hubbard ensured that new sets of teaching Scientology were published, but it would be done as a religious philosophy. Hubbard, in his letters, indicated that it would concern handling the spirit of human beings. Initially, a scientific establishment had been done, instead of religious and humanitarian lines. Hubbard wanted to look for ways in of explaining that the body and mind exist separate at will and there is no harm caused at the body or death. Hubbard later wrote a letter in 1953, where he indicated that Scientology would be reformed into a religion. It was then that the concept became changed to Dianetics. Three churches were incorporated in the same year resulting in the ‘Church of America Science, Church of Spiritual Engineering, and Church of Scientology.’ After the church of Scientology was established in California, the movement expanded in America as well as other countries such as Australia, Britain, South Africa, and Ireland. The churches were also for religious faith purposes. The Church was faced with issues with the Food and Drug Administration, indicating that the movement made false medical claims since they used illegal medical devices. The issue was connected with E-meters, the devices that were used in recording the eletrodermity of an individual. As Scientology grew, it was related with self-contradictory teachings which were changing rapidly. It led to questioning the faith of Hubbard which led to Hubbard giving up his position as the executive director and he decided to concentrate on research and writing.
Tax Issues
The Food and Drug Administration investigated the Church of Scientology in connection to the E-meters because they were illegal. They made a lawsuit, and the original one did not succeed. However, the Church was requited to label their meters by the court using a disclaimer that it was completely a religious artifact. A bond of twenty thousand dollars was to be posted as compliance, and the church was also to pay legal expenses to the Food and Drug Administration.
Negative Press
Scientology is facing lots of negative press as they are being labeled as people who evade paying taxes for religious reasons, yet they are making millions of dollars. The Church has been facing larger PR crisis for some time now. In handling the situation, the Scientologists are making the issue worse by using lots of money to control the situation, ye the money is untaxed. The PR strategy that is being applied by the church is very bad. The foundation has not updated their internet use, which explains the lack of control on their public image. There are adverts that are dedicated to destroying the image of the church, such as questioning whether it is a cult, or it is related to religion or science. There is a lot of information written in relation to it, and most indicate negative information about the church, thus creating controversy in their name.
Analysis of Scientology
In the United States, Scientology is officially considered as a religion. The recognition was gained in 1993 with the statement of the Internal Revenue Service indicating that Scientology was allowed to operate as a religion and for charitable purposes. In 2012, Scientology gained recognition again, as a religion with the confirmation of the Headley v. Church of Scientology International in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals by the United States court. In Australia, the Scientology was also recognized as a religion and in other countries such as in Spain, Hungary, Sweden, and Portugal. In some nations such as South Africa, Scientology has been allowed to conduct some performances such as marriages.
As a religion, there are certain beliefs and practices that are practiced in the Church of Scientology. They are based on vast research, and the doctrine is based on scientific laws. The practices are based on the personal experience of the followers of the church. According to Hubbard, the aim of Scientology is creating a civilization that has no insanity cases, no criminals and filled with peace, where human beings could live honestly and with rights and able to achieve greater heights. Scientology was labeled as an applied religious philosophy, with a psychology theory and morality teachings. In the theological doctrine of the church, human beings are supposed to discover the truth on their own through the observations they make.
The church is guided by an ethics system which regulates the behaviors of the members and the operations of the foundation. The ethics officers are in charge of making sure that the right application of the Scientology technology is made addressing the attributes which affect the performance, such as suppressive Acts, errors, and crimes. Hubbard came up with policies that that would be used against the people who were criticizing his organization. He considered such individuals as a threat to the organization and they were to be punished or harassed in any way possible.
Sample Questions
What is Scientology?
Does Scientology offer chances to any person?
Does the Church of Scientology have a particular organization?
How is the Church of Scientology compared to other faiths?
Are there any fundamental practices of the Scientology religion?
What understanding does the Church of Scientology provide on the Supreme Being and the spiritual aspects of the temporal world?
Conclusion
Scientology is both a science and a religious body. The ideas and practices that were being presented helped in understanding the relationship between the mind and the body. Dianetics was considered as the new psychotherapy since it helped in establishing a connection between the body, mind, and spirit.
