Scientology: The Basis For A New Religion

Scientology describes itself as the "the study and handling of the spirit in relationship to itself, others and all of life," and "encompasses all aspects of life from the point of view of the spirit" — including "auditing" and training in morals, ethics, detoxification, education and management.

Prime among Scientology's beliefs is "that man is a spiritual being whose existence spans more than one life and who is endowed with abilities well beyond those which he normally considers he possesses." Scientology believes man to be basically good, that his experiences have led him into evil, that he errs because he seeks to solve his problems by considering only his own point of view, and that man can improve to the degree he preserves his spiritual integrity and remains honest and decent. According to the Church, the ultimate goal is: "a civilization without insanity, without criminals and without war, where the able can prosper and honest beings can have rights, and where man is free to rise to greater heights."

More beliefs held by Scientologists are as follows:

• A person is an immortal spiritual being (termed a thetan) who possesses a mind and a body.
  The thetan has lived through many past lives and will continue to live beyond the death of the body.
• 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.
• A person is basically good, but becomes "abberated" by moments of pain and unconsciousness.
• Psychiatry and psychology are destructive and abusive practices.

You can read more about Scientology here.
You can read more on Tom Cruises's unauthorized biography from the biographer of Princess Diana here.
You can read more about David Miscavige here.
You can read more about Scientology's founder, L. Ron Hubbard here.

Some questions:

-Have you ever had an ecounter with scientologists?
-Do you see their basic belief system as being threatening to your world view?
-What do you think about Tom Cruise's biography? Do you think he is a magnet for bringing others into their "new religion"?
-If you read any on Lafayette Ron Hubbard, what is your opinion of his beliefs and reasoning for starting the church of scientology?