Author: Mohajer Azizi
Scientology; Its Origins and Beliefs (part 24)
Introduction
After examining and criticizing one of the basic beliefs of Scientology about engrams and their claimed direct effect on the human mind, morals, and body—and after clearly showing the fundamental conflict of this view with Islamic teachings—we now turn to another important and controversial belief of this system.
As part of its belief structure, Scientology believes in the existence of extraterrestrial beings, especially a being called Xenu, and it explains many human problems based on this claim. Therefore, it is necessary to introduce this belief separately and then examine it using reason and Islamic teachings, in order to clarify its validity and position.
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Belief in the Existence of Extraterrestrial Beings (Xenu)
Xenu is the name of a being mentioned in the higher and secret levels of Scientology. This belief is not revealed to beginners or to those who have not yet completed the basic and intermediate stages of Scientology training. This belief plays a central role in explaining the current condition of humans and their mental and psychological problems.
According to reports taken from the secret teachings of Scientology, Xenu was originally the ruler of a very advanced space civilization that ruled over a group of planets tens of millions of years ago. These sources claim that, at that time, Earth was part of the same galactic system and had a place in its political and population plans. [1]
According to more secret Scientology beliefs, when Xenu became overwhelmed by a population crisis among these beings, he made a very firm and violent decision to solve this widespread problem. He arrested billions of living beings, collected them from different planets, transferred them to Earth, and destroyed their bodies. In this story, what matters is not physical death, but the fate of the thetans, meaning the spirits of these beings.
After their bodies were destroyed, the spirits became wandering souls. Xenu then placed them in special centers and subjected them to strong and intense mental programming. At this stage, images, ideas, and different beliefs were planted into their minds. Scientology claims that many human religious, mythological, and cultural beliefs have their roots in these implanted ideas. After this process, Xenu released these spirits, and according to Scientology, they attached themselves to modern humans and remain alongside the main soul as disturbing spirits. [2]
Based on this belief, Scientologists claim that many mental problems, psychological disorders, and even physical pains are caused by the presence of these spirits [3], not by sin, moral weakness, or educational and moral factors—as discussed in the previous section. Therefore, a major part of Scientology’s educational and therapeutic methods focuses on identifying and removing the effects left by Xenu and his programs.
To remove these mental and spiritual effects, special sessions and seminars are held in Scientology centers and churches so that individuals can free themselves from the influence of these spirits and achieve a pure and ideal mind and soul.
1. Is Extraterrestrial Life Possible?
The question of whether extraterrestrial life is possible, and whether non-Earth beings exist, is one of the most important and debated topics in modern scientific research. This issue has occupied the minds of many scientists and researchers and has always been a subject of discussion.
In this context, an important question arises: Can extraterrestrial life exist? And do the claims made by some scientists about extraterrestrial beings—or the belief in a being called Xenu in Scientology—have real and provable evidence or not?
First, we examine this question from the perspective of non-religious scholars, both ancient and modern. Then, we analyze this belief from the Islamic point of view.
Scientists are divided into two groups regarding the possibility of inhabited worlds beyond Earth:
2. Those Who Believe in Extraterrestrial Life
Some ancient and modern scientists and space organizations believe that extraterrestrial life and beings may exist. Speculation on this subject goes back to ancient times. Early Christian writers reflected on the idea of the “plurality of worlds,” which had already been discussed by earlier thinkers such as Democritus.
Augustine, one of the most influential philosophers and thinkers of Christianity in ancient times and the early Middle Ages—and one of the founders of Western Christian tradition (Catholic and Protestant)—referred to the existence of countless worlds across the infinite space.
Pre-modern writers generally believed that living beings existed in “extraterrestrial worlds.” In the fifteenth century, William Vorilong wrote about the possibility that Jesus (peace be upon him) traveled to other worlds to guide their inhabitants.
In 1440, Nicholas of Cusa wrote that Earth, like other visible celestial bodies in space, is a “bright star” and that because of a layer of “burning brightness” in the outer atmosphere, it appears from outside like the Sun. He believed that all celestial bodies, including the Sun, could host humans, plants, and animals.
René Descartes believed that there was no way to prove that intelligent beings do not live on the stars, but he considered their existence to be mere speculation.
Since the mid-twentieth century, many studies have been conducted to search for signs of extraterrestrial life. These include the search for existing or extinct life, as well as more limited searches for intelligent life. Depending on the type of research, methods range from analyzing telescope data to using radio signals to detect or send communications. [4]
continues…
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References:
[1]. www.wikipedia.com/wiki/xeno
[2]. Ibid., xeno
[3]. Scientology – Dianetics, p. 40
[4]. www.wikipedia.com/wiki/Extraterrestrial_life
