Addressing Scientology
Scientology was founded in 1952 by the American science fiction writer L Ron Hubbard and controversy has followed it ever since. The majority of the population have not known how seriously to take it as a so-called religion with many viewing it as a cult. However according to the Church of Scientology, the goal of Scientology is to achieve “certainty of one’s spiritual existence and [of] one’s relationship to the Supreme Being," a goal which could be considered as analogous to eastern religious goals such as within Hinduism as I will discuss. Central beliefs of scientology also mirror those of eastern religion including:
A person is an immortal spiritual being(a thetan) who possesses a mind and body
This idea could be taken from the hindu idea of ‘atman’ as our immortal soul
The thetan has lived through many past lives and will continue to live beyond the death of the body
This idea mirrors the eastern idea of ‘samsara’ the cycle of death and rebirth which we are attached to and must escape from
Through the Scientology process of “auditing,” people can free themselves of traumatic incidents, ethical transgressions and bad decisions which are said to collectively restrict the person from reaching the state of “Clear” and “Operating Thetan.” Each state is said to represent the recovery of native spiritual abilities and to confer mental and physical benefits.
This could have been taken from the use of the Noble Eightfold Path in Buddhism
A person is basically good, but becomes “aberrated” by moments of pain and unconsciousness.
This is similar to the first Noble truth of Buddhism, namely Existence is suffering
I would argue that from these examples it can be seen that L Ron Hubbard plainly used elements of other religions in artificially creating his own religion of Scientology and I believe he did so cynically. He is quoted as saying “Writing for a penny a word is ridiculous, if a man really wanted to make a million dollars, he would start a religion.” There is still debate as to the veracity of the quote. Although Scientology is seen as a joke by many, it does have the potential to be taken seriously, as its followers do. This is because the elements within may seem to have potential to enlighten however within the context of Scientology all they have the potential to do is confuse. I would argue that Scientology is a cynical collection of eastern religious ideas manipulated and presented as a new religion. Scientologists would find a better grasp of the truth if they comprehended the beliefs of Scientology from their original source and in their original context.
In conclusion I would argue that the first instinct of the majority of many people is correct and that scientology is not something to be taken too seriously, however the way that it was created means that there was method to its madness which is why it does have the capacity to suck in followers with its belief system but ultimately I would agree that it is a ridiculous and cynical religion.