The Uniqueness of Scientology as a Religion - Essay Example

Scientology The uniqueness of Scientology as a religion is not only based on the fact that it is the only new religion to have emerged in the 20th century, but on the fact that the tenets of this religion are different, unconventional and even weird to some of the believers of different religions1. This new religion however does not seem to entirely introduce new religious tenets, but only to borrow more from the old religions, especially those from the east, whose basic tenet was that man is a spiritual being, who have lived many lifetimes through renewal (Urban, 7). Thus, it is through spiritual enlightenment that human beings are able to understand their creator, and enlightenment is only attainable through gaining infinite knowledge. However, the departure of the new religion from those of the past occurs in the belief that personal enlightenment, as opposed to enlightenment through religious doctrines, principles and beliefs, forms the basis of enlightenment, which then enables the individual to understand the creator (Davis, n.p.). Scientology is a religion that borrows from the ancient religions of the west, but applies none of the basic tenets of such religions, rather preferring to apply the technological language as the basis of developing and advancing spiritual concepts in daily life (Fox, 131). The faith of this new religion is in technology, and technology is the basis of running the new faith2; thus, the basis of Scientology is clouded by controversy, making it difficult to differentiate between the faith of Scientology and the way the Church of Scientology is run. The fundamental principle that qualifies scientology as a religion is that; the religion holds the belief that man is basically good, and that his fate regarding salvation ultimately depends on how man relates with the others and the universe at large (Urban, 22). This principle therefore postulates that man is the sole determinant of his own salvation fate, considering that it is based on how he develops relationships with humanity and the universe that determines his religious fate. Therefore, in a way, the religion of scientology advances morality as the basis of mans spiritual life, since it is through his awareness and capabilities to apply morality that determines his final religious fate (Davis, n.p.). Simply put, the basis of scientology as a religion is freedom; where man should live in a free world, where he is able to apply his capabilities to advance, prosper and rise to greater heights, without the limitation of social ills such as crime, war and prohibitory laws. However, while advocating for a free world that transcends all limitations that can hinder man from rising to greater heights based on his capabilities and morality, the religion of scientology addresses the basic and fundamental principle of every other religion, whether modern or traditional; that of addressing the spiritual and natural concerns of man, in relation to eternity (Weldon, 20). This is the actual point where the confusion around scientology religion emanates, since it does not place its belief system on the religious doctrines that clearly demonstrates the relation between human life in the world and eternity, since most of the doctrines of the church of scientology are vague even to the adherents, and can only become apparent to them, after many years of followership (Fox, 133). The origin of the Scientology religion is traceable to the scientific experiment undertaken by Hubbard3, a scientist and the pioneer of the religion, who set to experiment on the state of mind of humans, eventually coming up with scientific findings that have been vaguely disclosed, but which forms the basis of the doctrine of the Scientology religion, referred to as the Dianetics Doctrine (Urban, 47). The field of psychology and psychosocial analysis is a field that has been widely researched, but the knowledge in this field is only held by a few. Similarly, while the issue of technology in the modern world is no longer new or associated with a few, the advanced knowledge in this field is held by a few in the society. The advanced knowledge that is held by a few in the society can be applied to control the many, which is the case with the concept of Dianetics Doctrine and Scientology religion, where there are only a few who completely understands the doctrines, while most of the adherents are merely being controlled and brainwashed into following the non-understandable doctrines, based on religious connotations that are meant to instill fear and control the mind of the followers (Davis, n.p.). Any attempt to completely discuss and analyze the Scientology religion doctrine of Dianetics has been met by unprecedented resistance from the advocates of this religion, who has made it impractical to dissect the teachings of this religion fully, and divulge them to the general public. It is this controversy between opening up to the world regarding the doctrines, and teaching of the Scientology religion coupled by attempted blockade of such openness by the adherents and followers of the religion, that has always created confusion in differentiating between the faith of Scientology religion and the way the church of Scientology is run. The concealment of the fundamentals of the doctrines and teachings of Scientology religion is the responsibility of the Religious Technology Center (RTC)4, which is among the highest authority of the Church of Scientology (Fox, 131). This body is tasked with the role of protecting, preserving and ensuring the purity and sanctity of the Scientology religion technology, which emanates from technological research and experimentations undertaken by the pioneer of the religion, Ron Hubbard (Weldon, 32). The controversy surrounding the technology running the Scientology religion is added to by the fact that; the church has failed to disclose the specific location of the headquarters of this higher authority of the church, while also failing to disclose what it is that comprises of the Scientology religion technology applied to run the church (Weldon, 23). Consequently, it is not clear on the mind of the people, regarding whether there is a difference in the belief in the technology of the Scientology religion and the way the church of Scientology is run or whether both represents the same thing. The fundamental principle under which the Church of Scientology operates is the principle belief that man is an immortal being, who has lived countless times before, and continues to live in different forms (Fox, 132). However, while man was created in his purest form, the continued living under different form has caused man to fall short of the salvation, since the subsequent different forms of life have depleted the purity form of man, leaving him with a fraction of it. Therefore, to regain the full pure form of the original form of the life of man, enlightenment is desirable, since it is the channel through which man will get to know the creator (Davis, n.p.). However, the enlightenment advocated by the Church of Scientology is not achievable by the individual adherents through their own individual capacities, but it has to be aided by the technology of scientology, which has been preserved in its purest form by the Scientology Religious Technology Center (RTC) (Urban, 36). This concept therefore raises the confusion of whether the adherents of the Scientology Religion has any distinguishable doctrinal guidance of the religion, or whether religion is a process run by the technology of Scientology, leaving no difference between the technology and the belief system. The doctrines of the Scientology Religion further holds that the experiences of man extends beyond a single life, and therefore, to achieve the complete form of a thetan5, the achieved form of man according to the Scientology Religion, there is a lot of enlightenment that needs to take place in an individual (Weldon, 21). Further, the Scientology Religion advances the belief that the capability held by man are unlimited, even though they might not be fully realized in the present form, thus advancing the belief that it is through the continuous improvement of man, through the application of Scientology technology, that man will be able to completely advance, and achieve the level of a thetan (Urban, 12). Once again, technology is touted as the way to achieve the desired form of human life, further contradicting the doctrine of personal improvement as advanced by the same religion, which holds that the achievement and advancement of an individual to the greatest heights can only be achievable through the action of the individual himself. The contrast comes in the form of the requirement for personal advancement in knowledge through personal initiative, yet the same cannot be attained without the aid of the Scientology Religion Technology (Davis, n.p.). This conflict serves to show Scientology Religion Technology as the only means through which an individual can attain the highest form of personal advancement, not withstanding that such technology is not placed at the disposal of the individual adherents, but instead preserved and protected under the authority of Religious Technology Center (RTC) (Fox, 134). This essentially shows that, the Scientology Religion and the Church of Scientology have no distinguishable principle of belief/faith in Scientology technology, and running the Church of Scientology through technology. This can simply be construed to mean that the faith of Scientology, and the way the Church of Scientology is run; is technology6. Thus, there is no difference between technology being the faith of Scientology, and technology being the means of running the Church of Scientology. Works Cited Davis, Freddy. The Gospel According to Tom Cruise: Scientology, 2008. Retrieved November 18, 2013: from http://www.marketfaith.org/non-christian-worldviews/the-gospel-according-to-tom-cruise-scientology/ Fox, Davis, and Lebovits. Psychological Newsletter. New York University, 1959. 131-134. Print. Urban, Hugh B. The Church of Scientology: A History of a New Religion. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2011. Print. Weldon, John. "Scientology: From Science Fiction to Space-age Religion." The Christian Research Journal, 1993. 20-32. Print. Read More