Morgan Hulst

Scientology
The topic of religion often raises some animosity no matter who or what is being
discussed. Scientology is a good example of controversy when compared to other faiths because
its defense as being an actual religion is up for debate. It has been rocked back and forth between
religion and business and both sides have been defended. From the medias analysis of its tactics,
fellow religions opposition to its beliefs, and scholars badgering about its legitimacy, Scientology
has received blows from every angle. These attacks do come from good reason considering the
rules and laws involved in this belief system can be quite drastic and even cruel. Scientology is
one of the most controversial religions in society today.
Scientology emerged from a man named Lafayette Ronald Hubbard, who was born 1911
in Nebraska. This faith focuses on the spirit of man and the path to better oneself. In strict terms
it is described as offering a precise path leading to complete and certain understanding of
ones true spiritual nature and ones relationship to self, family, groups, mankind, all life forms,
the material universe, the spiritual universe and the Supreme Being (Church of Scientology
International, 2014). According to Scientology, Man is more than just a human and can do more
than he thinks and must expand himself in relation to the universe. Mans problems stem from
the desire to do only for him while not understanding the needs of others. However, man is
considered good and can always better himself. This includes mental illness and stress, which is
a major part of the Scientology belief. This is all summed up in the word Dianetics, meaning
through mind or soul. While in general terms this may sound appealing to many the details of
this religion venture more towards a business/cult lifestyle and promote a massive attack on
modern psychiatry, which bring forth both criticism and opposition to the faith.

The analysis of what Scientology really is or should be defined as is very complex due to
the fact that it has so many branches and concepts. Its followers demands it be considered a
religion, but there are other terms given to the faith by critics as well (Shaefer, 2011). A cult is
defined as a religious group that is not part of a larger and more accepted religion and that has
beliefs regarded by many people as extreme or dangerous and a business is defined as the
activity of making, buying, or selling goods or providing services in exchange for money
(Merriam-Webster Inc., 2014). There are many angles within Scientology that have been viewed
as business-like and cult-like which spark criticism and define the faith as profit making, tax
paying, and extreme.
The first business point within Scientology is the Oxford Capacity Analysis. This is a
type of personality test given by leaders to potential clients of Scientology to assess ones
personal awareness and offer guidance. The results of this test are always the same, suggesting
the client take Scientology communication courses to better themselves, thus extracting revenue
from individuals with seemingly false information (Foster, 1971). This fraudulent operation is
seen as being completely secular (Beit-Hallahmi, 2003) with no basis as a religious process,
which is why it is a very businesslike motive with the only intent to gain money and draw people
in with false beliefs. A religion would not want to exploit its followers, right?
Scientology also has many trademarks and trade secrets, both business terms to identify
and distinguish goods and hold an advantage over other similar enterprises. In fact, Scientology
is said to own more trademarks than McDonalds, Disney, and Microsoft combined (BeitHallahmi, 2003). People question, why would a religion need these components if it were not in
fact an actual business? Scientology is also known for criminal behavior including burglary and
forgery, scamming, and tax fraud, all very un-religious-like qualities. These acts were most often

done in an attempt to avoid tax payments and falsify government records concerning the
Scientology enterprise. Their main goal here seems to be making money and making sure they
keep it. In fact, Hubbards own view on financial policy is quoted as A. Make moneyJ. Make
money, K. Make more money, L. Make other people produce so as to make more money (Senn,
1990). Considering the fact that Scientology is supposed to be rooted in the belief of bettering
oneself spiritually, these business components and criminal allegations do not exactly match up
to the standards of the original definition of the faith.
A final main business endeavor of Scientology, but certainly not the last, is the existence
of WISE. The World Institute of Scientology Enterprise is a company run by employees of
Scientology that offers management and consultation services which can develop programs to
best fit your companys needs (Stephen A, 1999). This description is completely secular and has
no basis in religious views or even self-improvement views, which are supposed to be the focus
of Scientology. This belief system continues to offer more and more branches of business
ventures while keeping up the front of being an honest religion. The characteristics of
Scientology in this aspect are unique in religious groups today. While many churches and groups
of religions ask for offerings of money to benefit their cause, Scientology takes the concept to a
whole new level.
Another standpoint of not only some business aspects of Scientology but also the main
source of criticism with the general public and this faith is its massive, organized attack on
psychiatry. This intense movement against this modern practice involves books and articles about
the horrors or psychiatry, its false connection with the Nazis and communists, and its
conspiracy against mankind. It demonstrates a strong emphasis on how its internal beliefs are the
right way to live and modern beliefs are false, a major characteristic of ethnocentrism (Shaefer,

2011). Scientology has put forth massive campaigns to demonize psychiatry and promote
Hubbards Dianetics view instead, which demands a large amount of money and time from its
followers to give to the true cause. All of these allegations seem to be rooted with paranoia and
ignorance about the actual subject and are fueled with only passion and delusion (Beit-Hallahmi,
2003). In fact, Hubbard himself started the war against psychiatry, most likely due to his early
experiences with rather inhumane treatments for mental illnesses, but he himself was diagnosed
with paranoid schizophrenia and was taking prescription psychiatric medication when he died
(Beit-Hallahmi, 2003). His wife also accused him of being insane and torturing, denying her
sleep and beating and strangling her. She later divorced him because of this dangerous behavior
(San Fransisco Chronicle , 1951). Perhaps his paranoia was the origination of this entire belief
system, using his Dianetics belief to draw people into his own mindset and give validity to his
irrational fears. Things only got worse for Scientology when they began butting heads with the
United States government, who did not acknowledge Hubards research as significant and
responded at first somewhat violently to Scientology beliefs. Thus began the war between
Scientology and the government (Lewis, 2009).
Scientology also takes the form of a total institution in that it has strict rules, which need
to be followed (Shaefer, 2011). An organization within Scientology called the Sea Org consists
of a devoted group of people who live by a strict system of family rules that demand a certain
relationship between parent and child (Kent, 1999). Many people believe that the rules within
this branch of Scientology damage the bond between a parent and child, allowing parents very
little time to spend with their children because of their ultimate devotion to the religion
consuming most of their time. To care for the children while their parents were working for the
faith and the cause in the Sea Org, the organization had nurseries, which would watch them for a

vast majority of every day. The conditions in these nurseries were often said to be terrible and
dangerous to the childrens health (Kent, 1999). Common beliefs in modern sociology and
psychology discuss the importance of having a strong parental bond for children, especially
when they are young and developing. Secure attachment with a parent or caregiver helps a child
develop positive relationships and trust for other individuals. The fact that this religion demands
such strict time restrictions between the families brings about the belief that it is dangerous for
childrens health and future social skills within society.
Along with the family views within the Sea Org, there are other strict rules, which apply
to every individual, and deviance within the system was then punished (Shaefer, 2011).
Speaking about beliefs other than what Hubbard followed, speaking against practices done, or
breaking other rules established in the system specific to certain groups could result in a person
being sent to the Rehabilitation Project Force for punishment and correction of behaviors (Kent,
1999). These rules, can be informal or formal and are evaluated by a committee to determine the
course of action for this persons deviance (Shaefer, 2011). Punishment in the RFP has said to be
given verbally in the forms of interrogation, physical abuse and labor, social isolation, and forced
studying of Hubbards policies, all of which can be degrading and psychologically damaging
(Kent, 1999). This s seen as very unethical by the general public and is another source of
controversy with the population. These types of punishment are harsh for anyone and challenge
beliefs about human rights and humane treatment, but are hard to punish with the law because
these individuals choose to be a part of the system themselves.
In conclusion, Scientology claims, foundations are rooted strongly within selfimprovement and spiritual enlightenment in relation to oneself and all other beings. It has valid
arguments for human nature and a hopeful future presentation for all people. Aside from the

initial description of this faith though, the actual actions and beliefs of this system lean more
towards a business and a cult rather than a religion. With instances of fraudulence and crime,
organized business ventures, false documentation, extreme beliefs, and many avenues to simply
making money, Scientology has gained a more negative view in the public eye. The behavior of
the system as a whole is based in business and paranoia, laced with ignorance of actual events
and topics. These issues come together and draw the outline for controversy over this belief
system, and pose the question as to whether or not Scientology can really be considered a
religion.

References
Beit-Hallahmi, B. (2003). Scientology: Religion or Racket? Marburg Journal of Religion , 7-8.
Church of Scientology International. (2014). Who was L. Ron Hubbard? Retrieved from
Scientology.org: http://www.scientology.org/faq/scientology-founder/who-was-lronhubbard.html
Foster, J. (1971). Enquiry into the Practice and Effects of Scientology. London: House of
Commons Report.
Lewis, J. R. (2009). Scientology. New York: Oxford University Press, Inc.
Merriam-Webster Inc. (2014). Merriam-Webster Dictionary: Cult. Retrieved from MerriamWebster.com: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cult
San Fransisco Chronicle . (1951). Scientology News. Retrieved from lermanet.com:
http://www.lermanet.com/scientologynews/sfchronicle-hubbard-042451.htm
Senn. (1990). The prosecution of religious fraud. Florida State University Law Review , 325352.
Shaefer, R. (2011). Sociology Matters 5th Edition. New York, New York, USA: McGraw-Hill.
Stephen A, K. (1999). Scientology - Is this a Religion? Marburg Jounral of Religion Vol 4 , 4-5.