Knowledge in Scientology as an Alternative to Religious Faith - Coursework Example

Scientology Scientology is a fast growing religious reform and spiritual self betterment group which has a global presence. The ideology of scientology is to “help man become more able and brings about greater peace and happiness” (Waldeck p.9). The quest for enhanced feeling of happiness is a major part of the person who follows scientology. Further, scientology aims to acquire a world without war, crime and insanity. Scientology assists individuals to achieve their objective and claims that it offers all essential answers to an individual’s life. Ron Hubbard coined the term Scientology which means the science of knowledge or study of knowledge which in turn means, knowing how to know, so that an individual can understand himself fully and truly to create peace with sanity while living on this earth. Scientology is the analysis of a man as a spirit with respect to the association between the physical universe and life. It is a religious philosophy related to man and his association with life and the Supreme Being, leading the individual to total truth and freedom (Waldeck p.9). In the light of the above, it may be argued that scientology is beneficial than traditional orthodox religion for some people and for people who do not follow any religion. Scientology includes novel practices, beliefs and organizational structures and comprises normal features of all major religions in the world. The religion offers sacred and supernatural myth of origin, explanation of the human condition and the nature of humanity. Scientology comprises rituals, religious practices, standards for ethical behavior and moral principles aimed at the salvation and redemption of humanity. The founder, L.Ron Hubbard has a prophet like character like other religions and has written sacred scriptures that define religious doctrines. Scientology is a new religion with a community of believers that include ordained and dedicated clergy and the activities of the clergy are organized like other American religion (Neusner p.221). It may be argued that if a person follows Scientology it is like following any other religion with prayers, faith and social responsibility. The religious activities of Scientology include social betterment services to the secular society. Though the prayer hall of Scientology resembles a protestant church, the Scientology cross is different from the familiar Christian cross. The arms of the cross along with diamond shaped protrusions in the middle indicate the eight dynamics of existence. Like any other traditional orthodox religion, Scientology has a well defined theology that enables the members to understand the religion. The theology of Scientology is defined by the dynamics of existence. The central principle of the theology of Scientology is survival and revolves around the eight dynamics. The survival factor is similar to the salvation in the bible. The first dynamic of Scientology is survival of the person’s mind and body or the self. The second is creativity, comprising family and brining up children. Group survival is the third dynamic as in a company, community or nation. The fourth dynamic is the survival of the species, the complete mankind (Neusner p.222). Life forms and survival of other kinds of life like birds, plants, animals and fish is the fifth dynamic. The sixth dynamic is physical universe, the seventh dynamic is survival of all spiritual things and infinity or God is the eighth dynamic. The dynamics can be represented through concentric circles that describe the expanding spiritual ability and awareness of a person to survive through all the dynamics. Therefore survival is the core belief and salvation objective of Scientology which is beneficial for the healthy living of an individual. Similar to traditional orthodox religion Scientology has Sunday worship through the recital of the creed. The creed of Scientology confirms that the members gathered in the church believe that all human beings of whatever color, race or creed are created with equal privileges. The creed specifies that individuals have the right to religious performance and practices and has the right towards their lives, defense, and sanity and to think, write and speak their opinion freely and has the right to utter, counter or write upon others opinion and their creation. It is obvious from the creed of Scientology that it is a humane religion with tolerance towards humanity. It may be argued that Scientology is beneficial for people than orthodox traditional religions due to direct implications of the religion with a theology that clearly describes the purpose of the religion. Scientology also defines how the religion is related to mentally related ills and prophesies that the power of God alone can change or correct a person. The belief of Scientology is that all human beings are fundamentally good and they strive to survive. The survival is based on the self and on the basis of brotherhood in the world. The creed of Scientology forbids human beings from destroying and enslaving others. The creed emphasizes that a person should not reduce the survival of others or other groups. Further, the creed says that the spirit saves or heals the body and this can save the spirit. Scientology is beneficial to people because the content and tone is basically religious. The creed is humane and is not economic or political in character. The constructive approach of the religion is similar to many other religions. Scientology is better than traditional orthodox religion because it is a salvific religion which aims to save people and preserve them from destruction and redeems humanity. It is a better religion since it signifies human freedom and equality. The beliefs of the religion emphasize spiritual healing and goodness of humanity. The profoundly religious creed and conduct of religious rituals is based on the belief in the ultimate reality of God. The ultimate reality is the spirit as in other religion instead of matter. It is better to follow Scientology than to remain without following any religion because it has an organized structure of worship. The Sunday sermon includes a proclamation on personal integrity and spiritual texts from the scriptures written by Hubbard. On special occasions, the sermon is replaced by a video or audio recording of Hubbard’s lecture (Neusner p.223). “The Bridge to Total Freedom” (Neusner p.228) is an advanced understanding of the spiritual awareness of the religion explained by the ARC triangle. The bridge is classified into two parts namely the processing and training parts. Training is the essential education in the practices and principles of Scientology and processing is the spiritual development of the person though the ritual called auditing. These steps evolve a normal person into a spiritual person with a greater understanding of the ARC or Affinity reality communication principles. When people gain more understanding they improve their functioning based on the eight dynamics of existence. It may also be said that a person has improved ability to survive as a species, individual, group or family together with the survival of the physical universe and other life forms. This increases survival potential and increases spiritual awareness finally leading to salvation and infinity. Hence the Bridge to Total Freedom is a metaphor to the whole spiritual life of Scientologists (Neusner p.228). Traditional orthodox believers like catholic give importance to catechism. Catholics wish to experience or feel faith by experiencing the gift of Holy Spirit. They attend religious service with a renewed fervor. But scientologists are centered on their own religious ceremonies and attract the unchurched to be churched. People who have joined Scientology have earlier been seekers of religion and have tried several traditional religions. However, after experiencing the rituals of Scientology they seem to stick with the religion mostly due to the tech or the auditing technology factor. Scientology has several resemblances to Buddhism due to the self understanding aspect (Lewis p.211). After the completion of the auditing techniques, the followers of Scientology are relieved from the past injury, pain and harm attain a condition of being clear (Lewis p.212). Scientology is beneficial to people because it is a religious organization based on psychology. The auditing process is the proof because it identifies and eliminates the psychological difficulties of a person. The objective of Scientology is to enable a person to reach the state of clarity which is equivalent to salvation. Clarity is a condition of being free from spiritual and psychological malfunctions since it is obvious for a person to have multitude of problems formed from earlier years of a person’s life and from previous lives. Auditing is a sequential process and requires several sessions. The process of training also prepares an individual to become an auditor. A person is liable to pay fees for training and auditing. The religion justifies this as the doctrine of exchange which is a fixed contribution or fixed donation. The doctrine of exchange indicates that one should pay back on receiving something. The revenue earned from training and audition is used as the primary mode of income for the functioning of the religion (Flowers p.149). Thus there is a complete renovation of the person while following Scientology. It is mandatory for all members to under the tech to renew themselves and understand and experience God. Scientology is categorized under alternative religion and the term cult associated with such religion has to be reconsidered due to the well organized structure of the religion even when examined from the perspective of a Roman Catholic belief (Schmalz p. 29 - 36). It may be concluded that the religion Scientology has all the aspects of a true religion which is understood from the creed, objectives and conduct of the religion. The religion makes it mandatory for all its members to attend the auditing process for salvation and to understand the religion. This reveals the organizational structure of the religion and the compulsory participation of the members to widen their understanding of the perception of God. Scientology clears a person from past negative experiences and gives a new lease of life. The dynamics of existence explains the tolerance towards self and others and how people should co-exist in this world without causing harm to others. Therefore, Scientology is a complete religion and it is not necessary for a person to follow traditional orthodox religion and even people not inclined to any other religion can follow Scientology for a better life. Works Cited Flowers, Ronald Bruce “That godless court?: Supreme Court decisions on church-state relationships” Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2005 Lewis, James R. “Scientology” New York: Oxford University Press US, 2009 Neusner, Jacob. “World Religions in America: An Introduction” Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2003 Schmalz, Mathew N. “Scientology and Catholicism Do Mix: A Note on Teaching New Religions in a Catholic Classroom” Teaching Theology & Religion Vol.9 Iss.1, p. 29 – 36. 2006 Available: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/118612946/abstract Accessed on May 7, 2009 Waldeck, Val. “Scientology: What do they believe?” Pasadena: Pilgrim Publications SA Read More