With supporters claiming it provides "true spiritual answers", and dissenters branding it a brainwashing cult, the Scientology debate remains fraught with controversy.
With its controversial practices, public relations peddling and Hollywood star supporters, the Church of Scientology is never far from the media spotlight. From being lauded as an “authority on the mind” by celebrity follower Tom Cruise to receiving staunch criticism for its ‘cult-style’ brainwashing rituals, there seems to be no end to the controversy surrounding this 20th century religion. Yet, whilst it has been intermittently criticised and extolled by influential figures from all walks of life, the true practices and beliefs of scientologists and their Church are rarely identified in detail.
The Philosophy: L. Ron Hubbard
With its slightly off-centre futuristic practices upheld by fervent spiritual philosophies (including the idea that billions of aliens were transported to Earth 75 million years ago and hence blown up with hydrogen bombs by the ruler of a ‘Galactic Confederacy’), it will perhaps come as no surprise that the Church of Scientology was the brainchild of a pulp science fiction novelist.
Founded in 1953 by then little-known author L. Ron Hubbard, the religion aimed to wipe its followers of trauma, unhappiness and ethical transgression, thus enabling them to reach a state of ‘Operating Thetan’ – of complete control. It was in this condition that the power of the Scientologist would be incomparable, providing them with the exceptional ability to “move MEST (Matter, Energy, Space and Time)”, “control others from a distance” and thus effectively “create (their) own universe”.
Whilst the philosophy behind this religion may appear to be considerably mythical, Scientology has prospered since Hubbard’s death in 1986, today claiming more than 10 million members and having gained a significant, albeit controversial, reputation across the globe.
The Practice of Scientology - "the study of truth"
According to its official website, the term ‘Scientology’ is directly translated as “the study of truth” – an idea supported in a recently leaked video of Tom Cruise fervently avowing that “If you’re a Scientologist…you see things the way they are.”
Of course, this comprehension and knowledge of the world referred to by Cruise cannot be immediately available. In order to gain such an understanding, the Scientologist is expected to follow particular rituals and habits to aid them in their development.
Possibly the most notorious of these traditions is the custom of ‘auditing’.
Scientology Auditing Process
A process central to the practice of Scientology, ‘auditing’ refers to one-on-one sessions that take place between a registered Church ‘auditor’ and a “Preclear”, or one who has not yet reached the stage of ‘Operating Thetan’. During these sittings, the scientologist is expected to reveal personal details relating to their prior traumas, current concerns, bad decisions and ethical transgressions.
According to the official Church website, “only auditing provides a precise path by which any individual may walk an exact route to higher states of spiritual awareness”. Yet according to critics, auditing is merely a “sinister, flawed and even potentially dangerous” practice. Supporters claim it will enable individuals to reach their true mental, physical and spiritual potential. Yet rivals call it simply another means of prying mind-control.
And the debate continues.
Other practices - Suppressives, Anti-Psychology and Silent Childbirth
Despite its notoriety, auditing is by no means the only Scientology practice to be embroiled in controversy.
In recent years, the media and various critics have thrown the spotlight on numerous other contentious customs adhered to by the Church. Debates continue to reign over the notion of silent childbirth, the policy of ‘disconnection’ from family and friends, the complex and gruelling scientology training process, the distaste for both psychology and psychiatry, and the idea that 'suppressives' of the Church may be “sued, tricked, lied to, or destroyed” in order to serve the religion.
Critics use quotes from Hubbard himself as ammunition, citing his assertion that “the only way you can control people is to lie to them”.
Adherents insist that “no one is asked to accept anything”’, and that the truth – about individuals, nature and the spiritual universe – will be understood with religious practice.
Regardless of which side is taken, it is clear that the practices of Scientology continue to be fraught with controversy. And, with its array of famous supporters and infamous practices, the public deliberation on this notorious religion will no doubt persist well into the future.
References
http://www.factnet.org/Scientology/celebcrit.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology
‘Scientology: The Thriving Cult of Greed and Power’, Richard Behar, Time Magazine, May 6 1991.
‘Cruise extols Scientology in 2004 video’, CNN.com, January 17 2008.
