Misconceptions
Why do some people oppose Scientology?
In the first place, very few do.
There are those in psychiatry who have long opposed spiritual betterment of any kind, but particularly that offered by Dianetics and Scientology.
Additionally, there are certain characteristics and mental attitudes that cause a percentage of the population to oppose violently any betterment activity or group. This small percentage of the society (roughly 2 percent) cannot tolerate that Scientology is successful at improving conditions around the world. This same 2 percent is opposed to any effective self-betterment activity. Those who are upset by seeing man get better are small in number compared to the millions who have embraced Scientology and its efforts to create a sane civilization and more freedom for the individual.
Is Scientology a cult?
No. It is a religion in the fullest sense of the word.
“Cult” is usually meant in a disparaging sense to imply a secret or closed group with limited membership and mysterious beliefs. Religious scholars point out that the term has become almost meaningless, since its modern use reflects a growing prejudice against all religions. For example, a government report in Belgium labeled the Hasidic Jews and even the YWCA as “cults.” The French Parliament included Baptists on their list.
Scientology is unique in that it does not require or tell anyone to “believe” anything. Rather, Scientology believes every individual should think for himself. In Scientology, what is true for the individual is only what he has observed personally and knows is true for him. Scientology is not authoritarian, but offers a technology one can use and then decide whether it works for him.
Is Scientology secretive?
Not at all. There is nothing mysterious about Scientology or its members and practices. The Church’s leaders are in close touch with the membership and they hold events throughout the year which are attended by tens of thousands.
Scientologists are actively involved in their communities, visible and effective.
The Church has found that those who allege the Church is secret are almost always those who never bothered to try and communicate with or find out anything from actual Scientologists.
Does one have to change one’s religion to be a Scientologist?
No. Scientology doesn’t require that anyone convert. Indeed Scientology can compliment one’s existing religion. Scientologists include Roman Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists and those with no other religion. Having two religions in quite common in the Far East.
Is a belief in “aliens” fundamental to Scientology?
No. Like many scientists Scientology teaches that there must be life in the Universe apart from Earth. Indeed Scientology teaches that spiritual beings existed prior to the creation of the Universe. Scientology deals with the spiritual being ie the person themselves and the origin of the spirit as distinct from the body. Scientology does not say that one's body did not come down an evolutionary line. Scientology merely states that one is not one's body and that the spirit, namely the person themselves, can find out and know about their past and decide what is true for them.
What does Scientology say about brainwashing?
Brainwashing is a psychiatric technique and Scientology is totally opposed to it.
Scientology makes people spiritually free and enables them to think for themselves.This is the exact opposite of brainwashing. Indeed, one of the maxims used in the Church is that a parishioner should not just believe, but should observe the truth and workability of Scientology for himself and only accept it when it is true for him.
What is true is what is true for you.
Millions of Scientologists from literally all walks of life have attested to the positive benefits received from Scientology. A common theme to their personal success stories is that they say that they are now in more control of their lives than they have ever been.
Then, too, L. Ron Hubbard was one of the first to discover and expose actual mind control and brainwashing experimentation conducted by United States military and intelligence agencies during and after World War II. He called these techniques “pain-drug-hypnosis.”