Scientology is a new religious movement founded in 1952 by the American scientist and writer L. Ron Hubbard. Hubbard was originally a writer of science fiction works, and he presented his theories in the form of a mind science or Dianetics. He later expanded these theories and transformed them from a method of psychotherapy into an organized religion under the title of Scientology.
From the perspective of the followers of this school, Scientology is a complete religion, and its goal is to understand the truth of human existence and to free the soul from material constraints, suffering, and pain. However, from the viewpoint of critics and researchers, this ideology is an intellectual and quasi-psychological school that has taken on a religious appearance; since in the beginning, the founder of this school presented it as a mind science, it is understood from this that this school is an intellectual and spiritual organization, not a complete religion. For this reason, this ideology is not included in the list of the world’s living religions, and research and findings concerning it are also limited.
This school, by spreading the claim that “this doctrine can permanently heal psychological and spiritual pains,” attracted many followers to itself. It established dedicated organizations in many countries and is recognized as a religion and official faith in 50 countries of the world, with 3,000 active churches across the globe. But in contrast, some countries do not recognize it as a religion or faith; rather, they raise accusations against this organization’s church and say that the establishment of the Church of Scientology is meant to infiltrate the government. Some other European countries, such as Germany and France, do not consider its church as a charitable religious institution but instead attribute to it the nature of a “commercial company,” since this doctrine has not presented a clear image to the people and its programs proceed in a mysterious and secretive manner. Therefore, it has drawn these accusations upon itself.
Keywords: New religious movement, psychiatry, Dianetics, Scientology, Church of Scientology, Hubbard.
Introduction
Scientology — which is sometimes translated literally as “the science of knowledge” — is a new religious movement founded in 1952 by the American writer L. Ron Hubbard. This school is a combination of psychological, philosophical, and spiritual beliefs, and it simultaneously presents itself as a “science,” a “philosophy,” and a “religion.”
In the beginning, this school was introduced as a scientific method of psychotherapy. Hubbard, the founder of this school, wrote and published a book in 1950 titled Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health. Because in this book Hubbard offered an important and appealing method for liberation from mental and psychological problems, it attracted public attention. These ideas evolved and gradually took the form of a belief system that we know today as Scientology.
Not long after the formation of the school of Scientology, a church called the Church of Scientology was founded in 1954 with the aim of spreading and promoting the teachings of this school. This church manages and implements all the programs and goals of this movement. The Church of Scientology attracts well-known individuals and artists, especially Hollywood actors. Among them are famous people and actors such as John Travolta, Catherine Bell, Tom Cruise, and Johnson B. The purpose of attracting celebrities is clear: through them, the advertisement and fame of this movement and its church are carried out effectively and successfully.
This movement has dedicated organizations in many countries that promote and spread its ideas and beliefs. This organization is recognized as an official religion in more than 50 countries around the world, such as the United States, Australia, India, Mexico, New Zealand, Portugal, Switzerland, Taiwan, South Africa, Tanzania, and others, and it has more than 3,000 active churches across the globe.
Followers of Scientology — that is, Scientologists — present this school as a distinct religion with unique teachings; however, on the other hand, many critics and researchers reject its status as a religion and say it is an intellectual and quasi-psychological school, not a specific religion or creed. Some countries still do not hold a positive view of the Church of Scientology, which leads this movement, but rather regard it as a mysterious organization created for the purpose of infiltrating the government. Other countries, such as France, Germany, and England, consider the Church of Scientology a commercial organization and completely reject its status as an independent religion. In Europe, this movement is introduced as a very dangerous sect, and its activities have even been greatly restricted.
Despite the numerous criticisms from psychiatrists and religious leaders in America and Europe, Scientology has continued to grow significantly in many countries. The reason is that Scientologists claim they can cure people’s spiritual and psychological sufferings. They promise people that by applying the teachings of Scientology, a person can be saved from inner sorrows and pains and be brought to lasting happiness and joy. Since many people struggle with psychological and emotional problems, this promise is attractive to them, and for this reason, they join Scientology.
Scientology has also been connected with atheistic, deviant, and dangerous systems and sects and has been influenced by them. For example, Hubbard, the founder of this movement, had a close and friendly relationship in 1954 with the Freemasonry organization (a mysterious and dangerous global organization), founded by Aleister Crowley, and he was also influenced by the teachings of this organization. It is said that Hubbard’s man-made organization was influenced by various sources, including science-fiction stories, Hindu beliefs about karma, and the psychological theories of Rigmund Freud, Carl Yung, and William Sargant. As one Scientologist has said: this sect is similar to Freudian psychology and is derived from Buddhism, Hinduism, and Gnosticism — which is one of the heretical offshoots from Christianity.
This research seeks to examine the school of Scientology from various dimensions. First, it explores the definition and historical background of this school and explains how it emerged; then it examines its ideas, beliefs, and other related subsidiary topics connected to this movement.
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