Religious Studies 2370 Lecture II — A Controversial Test Case for… PDF

Preview

Summary

Professor Hugh Urban...

Description

Religious Studies 2370 Lecture II — A Controversial Test Case for Thinking About Sacred Texts: Scientology — Dr. Hugh Urban Reminder: First written assignment on Carmen ● (Ungraded, mandatory) ● Prompt: “What I Think About Religion and the Way the World is” — 1 page outlining: ○ How you understand religion and beliefs worldwide; ○ The reasons for your own religious beliefs ○ Your rationale for the existence of a plurality of religions ○ An explanation for how to understand the appeals to religion in violence and in terrorism. In-Class Discussion Comments Submission: ● Zoom students will submit comments online. ● In-person students: hand in-class writings in the box by door at end of class (or upload to Carmen if written on device; indicate you were in-person) Observe your own!definition!of!your religion, and consider revising it throughout the course this semester. One basic definition from Bruce Lincoln: 1.) “A discourse whose concerns transcend the human, temporary, and contingent” 2.) doctrine (beliefs, articles of faith, &c.) 3.) practice (rituals, forms of worship, &c.) 4.) institution (community, organization, &c.)

●

●

Balancing respect and critical thinking must be observed as the discussion continues towards various religious traditions. Not a course for what to think, but how to more prudently consider and reflect upon religion as you reach your own personal conclusions. ○ What is or is not a religion; and what is at stake in making such judgements towards various emergent groups?

Controversial Test Case of Sacred Texts: Scientology ● Scientology began in the 1950s, and spread at precipitous rates. ○ Has brought forth many discussions over defining a religion and. ○ Faced!25 years with the IRS over status as a religion Why Study Scientology? ● Eminence in role as media and popular culture ● Elaborate discussion over present status as a tax-exempt, putative religion? ● A religion, a corporation/an enterprise, or a cult? L. Ron Hubbard: Founder 1911-1986 ● Very prolific science fiction and fantasy author; frequently wrote under pseudonyms ● Various editions of Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health (1950) ○ Dia — “through” ○ Nous — “the mind” ○ First major self-help mental therapy in the United States ◆ New York Times bestseller ○ Not presented as a religion at first, but as a self-help therapy in its early years (1950-1953); without concepts of transcendence ○ Analytical Mind and Reactive Mind (similar to Freudian conception of the unconscious)

◆

○

Memories of moments in pain or loss (engrams) logged and garnered within the reactive mind ◆ Through Dianetical therapy, goal is to clear engrams from the reactive mind, leaving only an Analytical Mind and an ideal state of ‘Clear” — highly robust general well-being — physically, intellectually, &c ◆ Hubbard believed in the connection between state and mind (idealistic monism) Auditing — Dianetic Therapy form under an auditor using an EMeter (Electropsychometer)—measuring galvanic skin response ◆ When an engram is reached during free association, oscillations are registered; discussions are focused and engaged until the oscillation ceases, at which it is believed that the particular engram is resolved and clear is more closely resolved. ◆ Memories of negative events persist, but reactions (putatively) no longer take place for them (in the reactive mind)

Reflection Questions: (Considerations raised in class dialogue enclosed) (1) Why did Dianetics gather such great appeal in the US during the 1950s? Consider historical, cultural, social, and economic context. ● Emerged largely in the midst of both profound economic growth and technological innovation (post-WWII), and in the midst of great turmoil and difficulty (civic and race relations; traumatic experiences of veterans; Korean War, threats of nuclear warfare and the Cold War) ● Gave assurances of greater security and stability amid these difficulty and uncertain events. (2) Why did Auditing and the E-Meter receive such widespread acclaim and engagement in this time of US history?

●

Auditing gave assurances of more immediate inner stability and calm; in the midst of stressful social and political climates in the US ● The E-Meter (particularly also in light of use of more technical parlance used to describe it by LRH and other proponents) bore a semblance of being scientifically based and reflective of advanced technology ○ More advanced dimensions and disciplines of psychology, neuroscience, and psychotherapy were relatively marginal compared to the standards of contemporary scholarship. ○ The 1950s was a time of much advancement and innovation in technology. LRH founded the Church of Scientology in 1953, introducing concepts of ● Thetan (spirit) ● Past Lives (process of reincarnation and rebirth) LRH introduced concept of 8 Dynamics (reflected in use of 8-pointed cross as a religious symbol for the community) ● Survival of oneself ● ...of future generations ● ...group ● ...human species ● ...all living beings ● ...entire cosmos ● ...“Spiritaul Self” (thetan) ● ...supposed “Infinite Being” (vaguely defined; represented by ∞) Why “the church” of Scientology, and why “a cross”? ● Consider why they name themselves a “church” and employ a “cross” as a key symbol ○ Self-identity as a religion could perhaps have helped to bolster the likelihood of receiving tax exemption from the IRS, and by extension more official recognition as a religion.

○

Use and misappropriation of a cross as a symbol would likely facilitate public identity as a religion (particularly within a nation with a plurality of its population identifying as Christians. ◆ Misappropriation both misleading and offensive ◆ Misleading as it may lead individuals to believe that it is associated with Christianity when it is not ◆ Offensive as it employs an enduring symbol of the profound suffering and sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross; for a symbol of of a community supposedly promising immediate peace and clarity ● LRH developed system of The Bridge to Total Freedom ○ Operating Thetan (OT) Levels and Grades ◆ LRH died after completing OT VIII ◆ At OT Level XV and beyond, details of OT are confidential ◆ Incremental and hefty costs associated with incremental OT levels and of “Clear” are subjects of controversy and public claims of the community functioning as a business and corporation drawing money from its members ○ Two dimensions of Training and Processing in auditing and Diantetics in status as an OT. Small group discussion questions: ● 1.) Is it necessarily a bad thing for a religious organization to charge money for its services and become wealthy? ● 2.) Why do you believe the upper reaches of Scientology are secret, and how does this affect its apparent credibility?...