The Manifestation of Scientology PDF

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McDonald 1 Alyssia McDonald Professor Martinez World Religions 205 25 April 2019 The Manifestation of Scientology Religion is a very controversial and profound topic that generates a wide array of thoughts, definitions, and opinions throughout our society. Many have been questioning what exactly religion is for centuries, and ultimately there is no right or wrong answer. However, religion can be defined as faith that norms, rituals, holidays and myths will give one answers, purpose and help improve one in this life and enable one to transcend death. In addition to that definition, it is safe to say that it applies to all different religious systems in many different ways. The religion of Scientology is one of the fastest growing religions of the 21st century and it’s truly one interesting system of religion that has evolved over time in our society since it was established, as it still sets an impact on today’s time. There are many aspects within the religion, such as its historical beginnings, ritualistic practices and beliefs, controversies within society, and interpretation as a whole within the world we live in and how it impacts said world. Scientology was created by a science fiction writer, named L. Ron Hubbard, and he emphasized that the religion was a combination of beliefs in eastern philosophy, mind-science, and extraterrestrial life. L. Ron Hubbard did a lot in his life, originally studying civil engineering for two years, then launching a successful career writing stories for “pulp” magazines, and then serving in the U.S. Naval Reserves, where he began suffering from serious war-related ailments. He initially focused on healing himself from physical and psychological battle injuries from being in World War II by utilizing a process called Dianetics, which was said to relieve

McDonald 2 psychosomatic disorder by cleansing the mind of harmful mental images. His use of Dianetics to heal spread drastically and Dianetics groups spread across the country and abroad, truly sparking a new religious movement throughout his study of mental health processes. Hubbard later shifted from Dianetics to his newly created religion of Scientology, which was based on a premise that people were actually thetans, spirits of alien race killed by evil aliens who have come to Earth. Through this premise, it was said that these evil aliens captured good aliens and stuffed them into volcanoes on Earth, later blowing them up with thermonuclear devices. Eventually, the spirits of the good aliens entered the bodies of humans and have been trapped by bad experiences and emotions ever since. Hubbard coined this phenomenon as spiritual entrapment by mest, or matter. He believed that even though the aliens were blown up in volcanoes, they were happygo-lucky aliens who deeply contrasted humans, who he considered to be a morose lot of cavepeople.1 Hubbard claimed after purging the mind of past trauma, referencing the alien-human trapped trauma, through a process he called auditing, in which an auditor rids one of scarring events by going through events in one’s life, one can become “clear.” Those who go “clear” were believed to obtain a higher level of moral and ethical standards, greater control over their surroundings, and become less susceptible to disease. Thus, another phenomenon stemmed from Hubbard’s religious techniques, in which individual Scientology churches and missions, known as “orgs” spread throughout society. Members of the religion would use Scientology materials to teach the faith’s basic tenants to conduct auditing procedures to help people achieve the “clear” state. Each org had the purpose of processing clients, recommending paid auditing session packages for purchase, and discussing the people’s personal needs. Once a member reached the “clear,” they

1 Christopher Martinez, Religion Basics (San Diego, CA: Cognella Academic Publishing, 2015),208,209.

McDonald 3 could continue onto the more advanced levels of the Scientology church and finally become “Operating Thetans.” There are way more beliefs and practices within the original backstory of Scientology that included even more descriptive notes on the thetan society and how it contrasts to human-life. However, Scientologists today actually distance themselves from the alien story, and focus on emphasizing their journey to seeking out self-knowledge and spiritual fulfillment through graded training and courses of study. The religion of Scientology has many rituals and practices that revolve around their sacred Thetan symbolism. Practices include sacred time, sacred space, rites and ceremonies, and worship and devotion in daily life. Sacred time is devoted to analyzing how the world emerged billions of years ago and was populated by thetans who lived many past lives prior to their present existence. Scientologists use this sacred time to reach a “clear” mentality and to find a way out of the mental and physical dilemma humans have placed themselves in. Members of the church devoted their sacred time into sacred spaces. However, there initially was not a set space of worship, instead it was a series of offices, classrooms, and auditoriums. Many of these sacred spaces were rented facilities that were often abandoned and forgotten. As the religion grew, Scientologists purchased more permanent and stable facilities in locations where a long-term presence was desired. Eventually, members of the church were able to expand their religious spaces even more and developed several structures that commemorated Scientology and Hubbard’s life with guided tours, original artifacts, and extension exhibitions of what message the religious community wants to portray to society. The most significant commemoration of Scientology exists in each church facility as a dominant sacred space. This space is an office that was set aside for Hubbard and made ready as if he may arrive at any moment in time. Local churches were expected to be prepared for his visit

McDonald 4 and in current times, the spaces have transformed into shine-like arenas, in which copies of Scientology texts and references, as well as statues of Hubbard are held. The Church of Scientology also partook in religious ceremonies to bring awareness to the important events in the lives of its parishioners, namings of children, weddings, and funerals to emphasize that each person was a free spirit (thetan) who shall come into a body, act in that body, and leave it for another body. The church also celebrates highlights of its history four times a year, in addition to celebrating the birthday of its founder on March 13th. Hubbard’s birthday was the most important celebration of the year, as invitations were sent out beyond friends and church memberships and many people gather to a party-like atmosphere within the sacred spaces. Each celebration varies throughout all of the Scientology arenas and some are even televised in their more grande religious settings, such as Clearwater, Florida and Los Angeles, California where Scientology headquarters reside. Other important events including the International Association of Scientologists, the publication of Dianetics, and the foundings of the Sea Org are also celebrated. 2 Lastly, there are no personal deities in Scientology so it is expected for members to have diligence in spiritual practices and striving for moral uprightness as way of worship and devotion in daily life. Members will meet at Scientology churches to become informed about the religion, get tested about oneself, get audited, observe technical training films, and to engage in special religious services and ceremonies.3 Scientology has faced controversy and opposition, including long-running complaints 2 Patheos Editors. Scientology. https://www.patheos.com/library/scientology/ritual-worship-devotionsymbolism [April 25th, 2019] 3 Scientology.org, What Goes On in a Scientology Church? https://www.scientology.org/faq/inside-a-church-ofscientology/what-goes-scientology-church.html [April 25th, 2019]

McDonald 5 from both scientific and medical communities, as well as criticism over its status as a religion as a whole, since its origins. As the religion continued to grow, Scientology was involved in multiple legal battles and lawsuits from former members who claimed extreme mistreatment by the church. Although Hubbard was the creator of Scientology himself, he discontinued all religious offices and focussed on creating post-Clear, Operating Thetan levels. He spent most of his time during this period abroad a fleet of seagoing vessels that were staffed with young Scientologist volunteers who called themselves the Sea Organization. This organization later became the elite of the Scientology movement and the church’s equivalent of a religious order. Over the years, Hubbard disappeared from the public eye in 1980, at the age of 74, amid the increasing scrutiny of the movement, as he left his Sea Org member, David Miscavige, to take control over the Church. The controversies truly began to spread in the more recent years. One major controversy within the community stemmed when Scientologists openly condemned psychology and psychiatry, naming it corrupt and barbaric. The church even founded an antipsychiatry organization called Citizens Commission on Human Rights that operates a museum in California. The museum is called Psychiatry: An Industry of Death and its purpose is to criticize psychological and psychiatric endeavors because they believe they are solely driven by profit. This claim has outraged many because they believe the Church of Scientology is contradicting itself because of how they only operate to make a profit. In 2007, a 25 year old woman was charged with murdering her father and sister and injuring her mother because her parents prevented her from seeking the psychiatric treatment she needed due to her Scientology beliefs. This is a major case that displays the controversial aspects that stem from the religion and its beliefs. An even more significant controversy that stems from the religion is based on

McDonald 6 Scientology’s “attack the attacker” policy. Although Scientologists claim “all men have the right to think freely, write freely, and to have their own opinions, they do not accept or apply that ideology to anyone who has wished to speak, think, or write against Scientology as a whole.4 Members of the church have a high reputation for pursuing hostile action toward anyone who criticizes their religion in a public forum because it was instilled into the religious code Hubbard generated for them, which is known as The Creed of the Church of Scientology. They’ve public stunned anyone who’s said anything negative on the behalf of the religion and have even filed lawsuits against said critics. Many people have also come out and discussed the mistreatment they received within the religion. In 2012, a woman came forward and accused the church of abusing her through screaming, slapping, and having water poured on her in order to confess her sins while she was located in the Scientology’s International base. She claimed the church forced her to stay there for “religious discipline” and the church responded by saying that she voluntarily participated in their program. This event doesn’t help with the skepticism and criticism the religion faces due to its severe cult-like methodologies. Brainwashing also comes into play when discussing controversy within Scientology. The church is frequently accused by critics of employing brainwashing to their members. Many claim that Scientologists partake in a social process that attempts to coerce influence among members. One situation of the Church’s possible brainwashing tactics was the Rehabilitation Project Force. Church members were required to work off wrongdoings under extreme and degrading conditions. There was an alleged text called The Brainwashing Manual that was supposedly coined by Hubbard in order to train members in these techniques. Many critics of the religion

4 L. Ron Hubbard, The Creed of the Church of Scientology (Los Angeles, CA: 1954), “Freedom”, 63

McDonald 7 believe that the members are so corrupt and absurd is because they are forced to follow all of the intense rules of Scientology, with members like Hubbard who create such extreme manuals to live by. Many people truly believe it is corrupt and even question its placement as a religion in general. When examining whether or not Scientology is actually a religion, one must not forget what qualifications it takes to be considered one. The United States and United Kingdom have classified Scientology’s status as a religion, but other countries have refused to legitimize the faith. The country of France has even found the church guilty of fraud. However, there are four major types of religion and Scientology falls under what is defined to be a cult. Scientology is a cult because it is an anti-social religion with a closed membership and a charismatic leader. Therefore, Scientology is indeed a classified religion. There are more than 11,000 churches, groups and missions in 184 nations and the movement welcomes more than 4 million new people each year.5 Many people have their own thoughts and opinions about Scientology and how it manifests into society. The fascinating historical beginnings, ritualistic practices and beliefs, controversies within society, and interpretation as a whole have truly added to the relevancy of the religion, making more and more people aware of it over time. Each aspect of the religion allows for a deeper and more critical investigation of what it has to offer and what its purpose truly is. Throughout all the investigations and research, it is safe to say that there is no religion truly like it and there’s no saying what will happen in the future of Scientology.

5 History.com Editors, Scientology. https://www.history.com/topics/religion/history-of-scientology [April 25, 2019]

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Works Cited “Attacking the Attackers.” The Scandal of Scientology / Chapter 9: Attacking the Attackers, www.xenu.net/archive/books/tsos/sos-09.html. Editors, History.com. “Scientology.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 8 May 2017, www.history.com/topics/religion/history-of-scientology. “Rituals and Worship.” Patheos, Patheos Explore the World's Faith through Different Perspectives on Religion and Spirituality! Patheos Has the Views of the Prevalent Religions and Spiritualities of the World., www.patheos.com/library/scientology/ritual-worship-devotionsymbolism.

McDonald 9 “What Goes on in a Scientology Church?” Official Church of Scientology: What Is Scientology?, Scientology, 1 Jan. 1AD, www.scientology.org/faq/inside-a-church-of-scientology/what-goesscientology-church.html....