How Scientific is Scientology?

by Gabbie

Lately, I noticed that Scientology has been getting some very negative press. Not
knowing very much about this religion – is it, in fact, a religion? – I had to wonder why. I was interested enough to investigate further, and decide if there was truth in the rumors that are circulating.

The most alarming news came from an article in the Daily Telegraph, wherein a Northern Territory Health Minister condemned the Church of Scientology as “utterly irresponsible”. Volunteer Scientology representatives have apparently gone on a sort of a mission through Australia, targeting the indigenous Aboriginal people. During their travels these representatives distributed pamphlets describing formulas that L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology, declares to be “the only successful drug and alcohol dependency treatment in the world”. Health professionals reviewing the formulas agreed that they could cause gastric ulcers or hypophosphataemia. If this is true, then shouldn’t we wonder – how scientific is Scientology? This article can be read in full here: http://www.news.com.au/national/scientologists-targeting-alcoholic-aborigines-with-killer-therapy/story-e6frfkvr-1225956836170#ixzz16pBE13xj

On a lighter note, St. Petersburg’s American Stage is soon to perform a production of A Very Merry Unauthorized Children's Scientology Pageant in Tampa Bay. Ironically, the headquarters of the Church of Scientology are located in the neighboring city of Clearwater. The pageant is a musical satire which includes as a character L. Ron Hubbard, as well as John Travolta, Tom Cruise and Kirstie Alley – just a few among many celebrity Scientologists. It borrows dialogue directly from the writings of L. Ron Hubbard. The musical’s author, Kyle Jarrow, identifies himself as agnostic and freely admitted that his goal was to ridicule Scientology; he recalls that “At the time I wrote it, Scientology was sort of a punch line on South Park.” You can find out more about Jarrow’s Pageant here: http://www.tampabay.com/features/performingarts/american-stage-in-st-petersburg-to-produce-musical-scientology-satire/1133579

To other opponents of Scientology, however, it seems to be more than just a punch line. There are entire websites, full of links and details, devoted to the hatred of Scientology and the fight against it. At one such website (which can be further explored here: http://www.xenu.net/cb-faq.html), the author Andreas Heidal-Lund gives advice to people who have been contacted by the Church of Scientology. He says very seriously, “They will not hurt you. You should however never underestimate their ability to slowly reel you in.” Under the heading of “What is Scientology?” the author begins, “The Church of Scientology is a vicious and dangerous cult that masquerades as a religion. Its purpose is to make money. It practices a variety of mind-control techniques on people lured into its midst to gain control over their money and their lives. Its aim is to take from them every penny that they have and can ever borrow and to also enslave them to further its wicked ends.” Could it be? A logical, well-researched and proven answer to my earlier question: Is it, in fact, a religion?

Maybe not, but it’s still interesting to see the contrast between Heidal-Lund’s dire warnings and the explanation on the website of the Official Church of Scientology, where the same heading “What is Scientology?” is followed by this paragraph: “Scientology is a religion that offers a precise path leading to a complete and certain understanding of one’s true spiritual nature and one’s relationship to self, family, groups, Mankind, all life forms, the material universe, the spiritual universe and the Supreme Being.”

For now, my question remains unanswered, and the controversy of Scientology seems unlikely to resolve itself soon. What do you know about Scientology, and whose description do you buy into?

Works Cited
Fleming, John. "American Stage in St. Petersburg to Produce Musical Scientology Satire - St. Petersburg Times." Tampa Newspapers: The Times, TBT & Tampabay.com. St. Petersburg Times, 11 Nov. 2010. Web. 30 Nov. 2010. http://www.tampabay.com/features/performingarts/american-stage-in-st-petersburg-to-produce-musical-scientology-satire/1133579

Heidal-Lund, Andreas. "Operation Clambake Presents: Frequently Asked Questions." Operation Clambake - The Inner Secrets Of Scientology. Web. 30 Nov. 2010. http://www.xenu.net/cb-faq.html

Official Church of Scientology: L. Ron Hubbard, Dianetics, What Is Scientology?, Books, Beliefs, David Miscavige. Church of Scientology International, 2010. Web. 30 Nov. 2010. http://www.scientology.org/

Toohey, Paul. "Scientologists Targeting Alcoholic Aborigines with 'killer' Therapy." News.com.au News Online from Australia & the World. News Limited, 20 Nov. 2010. Web. 30 Nov. 2010. http://www.news.com.au/national/scientologists-targeting-alcoholic-aborigines-with-killer-therapy/story-e6frfkvr-1225956836170

"67 Celebrities Who Are Scientologists." Top Socialite. 25 Mar. 2008. Web. 30 Nov. 2010. http://www.topsocialite.com/67-celebrities-who-are-scientologists/