The Concept of Scientology - Research Paper Example

? Topic: Scientology  By Insert Presented to Location Due Introduction Scientology is a group which has been perceived by many to be a cult group. This group was founded by L. Ron Hubbard in 1952 who was an American fiction science author and a writer. Hubbard launched this group as a self-enhancing movement transforming becoming the popular Church of Scientology. The concept of scientology refers to knowing how to know in which the founder asserts that it this established movement is not only a belief system but also attributed to action (Hamilton 2001). This group has been linked to being a cult movement because of the collective group efforts where members who share common goal and beliefs come together. It is argued that cults and movements like scientology arose because of the shift in ideologies as well as politics across the globe (Irving Hexham 2004). Group development Scientology started as a self-help system in its early stages of development but it was incorporated fully as Church of Scientology in 1952. The group developed ascribing to the beliefs, norms and practices which was created and established by L. Ron Hubbard. It was incorporated fully as a church as the founder and the followers considered it as religion and established its first church in Camden, New Jersey in 1953. This group teaches its members that they are immortal beings and do not account on the existence of the nature. Over the years the Church of Scientology being classified as church and new religious movement it has become one of the controversial new religious movements to be established in 20th century (Burgmann 2003). This group has been described by many to be a cult which defrauds and financially brainwashes its members. The group provide spiritual services and its members are charged at exorbitant fees rates. Up to date most scientologist argue that they are genuine religious movement who have been misunderstood, misinterpreted, criticized and persecuted for no reason (Galanter 2003). The group has responded this by using litigation consistently against their critics which has further led to them being condemn and their aggressiveness disapproved (Dawson 2000). Social change It is notable that most of the members joining Scientology because they want a meaningful life majorly to serve God or humanity and thus major social changes occur in their lives. Scientology provides that there are real malevolent persons. They further assert that the social problems in people’s lives are as a result of imperfections. They believe that significant percentage of people in the world is social personalities who contribute to the welfare of others and the other is suppressive persons. Therefore ascribing to this assumption is that there is the need for the social change on the social personalities. The social change attributed to scientology is apparent on its members (Irving Hexham 2004). The social changes sought by Scientology group arise from change on the emotions, mind, ethics as well as the survival of its members. The social change in regard to the mind is the control of the two divisions of mind comprising of the reactive and analytical mind. The social change takes place when they control its member’s emotional life manipulating their feelings; they do this by incorporating fear and guilt to control them (Zeller 2010). The members fully change when the group wins their gradual freedom and acquiring certainty on their reality (Burgmann 2003). In regard to the survival social change the group sought to consider the personal dynamics comprising of the individual desire and the family as well as procreation. Spiritual change is also emphasized by the group where focus is on the achievement of higher ethical standards and morality. Differences between Scientology and social/ new religious movements Although Scientology has been classified as a religion there are differences with other social and new religious movements (Zeller 2010). First is that scientology is a difficult and complicated religion unlike other religious and social movements. This religion gained popularity mainly because of Hollywood celebrities and other prominent individuals after being founded in 1953. The founder started this religion for financial gains and he became a multi-billionaire. Other new religious movements do ascribe to this basis rarely. Scientology provides that humans are immortal being and not from this planet and trapped by space, matter and time. The salvation is only through auditing which a lengthy process is costing thousands of dollars (Hamilton 2001). Therefore it can be argued that Scientology is the most expensive religion as compared to new social and religious movements. It is also notable that this religion is stricter and punitive compared to other religions and that most of the teachings and writings are limited to the founder only (Irving Hexham 2004). Scientology believes in a number of multiple gods while many other religions believe in one God. They also believe in the goodness of man and reincarnation as personal salvation in which other religions do not ascribe. In comparison of scientology and other religious and social movements there are little similarities or anything in common. Scientology as a new religious movement To many scholars scientology is considered and acknowledged as religion, few scholars such as Stephen Kent argues that scientology is not religion but it can be accommodated by its reference to a multifaceted corporation and the only element of religion is its originality. In addition to this he further argue that most governments refer scientology as charitable organizations attributed to their religious claims. According to Strasser (1999) he characterizes scientology to be a quasi-religious therapy similar to Buddhism and Hinduism. Burgmann (2003) provides that it is apparent that the concept of scientology comprises of both celebratory and ceremonial worship with its members having their specific unique way of worship. He further asserts that scientology as a religion has beliefs, norms and practices which are the common characteristics of religion. Scientology is an alternate religion in the sociological grouping entailing personal development movements. Arweck (2006) and Dawson (2000) argue that it is for the purpose of academic study that scientology is placed to be a religion where it is further asserted that scientology is new religious movement which contributes to globalization. As a religion scientology has religious practices, rituals, ethical standards and moral code of conduct for the salvation of humanity. Therefore from these various perspectives it can be argued that Scientology is a religion in the sense of the world (Strasser 1999). Group Leadership Scientology church group is among the groups with the largest church group members. Members willing to become ministers are allowed to become ministers doing basic scientology services (Arweck 2006). Field staff members are appointed from the various local churches where they help in the dissemination of Scientology literature as well as coordinating church fundraising. Field auditors are also appointed in their respective neighborhood. Above those who have volunteered as clergy the leadership is usually dominated by ordained ministry. Each of the local churches has special training courses where ministers emerge and they are ordained. The training courses give overview of the Scientology beliefs, ethical standards and guidance. The important activity in Scientology is auditing and the group employs full-time professional auditors who must be ordained ministers (Irving Hexham 2004). There are also supervisors who guide students at different levels. There are chaplains who have been entrusted to deal with practical immediate problems. These problems entail spiritual problems, job loss, financial issues and family related difficulties. Reasons for Joining Cult groups According to Dawson (2000) the general reasons why individuals join cult group is for the search for spiritual and community quest (Dawson 2000). Scientology as a cult has attracted a broad number of members mainly because of the following reasons. The first major reason is consultation where people are induced into joining the cult in order to access consultation on various issues. Scientology claim to have the best consultancy services notably on medical, chiropractors and veterinarians (Colin Barker 2001). Members are expected to pay some fees in order to access these services. Health care is also another reason why people join this group because the scientology group have chain of clinics and health care centers and run by scientologist. Members join this cult group in search of drug treatment as the group claim to have purification treatment. Others join for the purpose of gaining materially from the group attributed to the lucrative financial scams associated with scientology group. People join this group for the purpose of gaining public influence attributed to celebrities and other important personalities (Arweck 2006). Processes and conditions that cult group responds This comprises of the perceived conditions and situations that people believe that upon joining the group the group will help him or her to overcome (Arweck 2006). They believe that the group will respond to their underlying hardships. The group major response is the social and community needs where it strives to fulfill its member’s relationship gaps. Group ensures that members have active participation in community life as well as engaging in positive interpersonal relationships (Burgmann 2003). Psychological process in member’s lives is also responded where distressed individuals seek intense emotional connection and meaningful life. The group responds to moral state of the members who experience confusion in the existing value system. Finally is that cult groups responds to its members need reciprocity and similarity in the quest of improving ones social status. Group religious, social, and intellectual traditions The functioning of scientology cult group is based on the set religious, social, and intellectual traditions which comprises of a wider culture. It is notable that most of the Scientology group has a clear and focused culture (Dawson 2000). Members of the group are expected to share ideas, perceptions, beliefs, norms and values in the context of the group as a way of fulfilling compliance with the group. In addition to this is the fact that members are audited and they should pay substantial fees for the rendered spiritual service (Hamilton 2001). Scientology has a strong belief system that despite controversies and scandals surrounding them, they have been able to maintain its members. Group classification Scientology as argued by many scholars’ falls under the recognized typology of the new religious movement (NRM). Scientology group has spiritual, ethical, community acceptance in most countries, philosophical or religious teachings which are of modern origin (Strasser 1999). Another major reason for describing the group as new religious movement is its recent originality and its distinction from other existing religions. The group leadership, authority, teachings, organizational structures individual and family conception falls under the NRMs classification criterion. The criterion entails the group levels of organization and the adherent involvement also the NRMs views and the relation with the world in large is also taken into account (Strasser References Arweck, E,2006, Researching New Religious Movements: Responses and Redefinitions, Boston: Routledge. Burgmann, V. 2003, Power, Profit and Protest Australian social movements and globalization, Allen & Unwin, NSW, Austral Colin Barker, A. J, 2001, Leadership and Social Movements. Manchester: Manchester University Press. Dawson, L. L, 2000, Cults in Context: Readings in the Study of New Religious Movements, New Jersey: Transaction Publishers. Dawson, L. L, 2006, Comprehending cults: the sociology of new religious movements, Oxford: Oxford University Press. Galanter, M, 2003, Cults and New Religious Movements: A Report of the American Psychiatric Association, New York: American Psychiatric Pub. Hamilton, M. B, 2001, The Sociology of Religion: Theoretical and Comparative Perspectives, London: Routledge. Hermann Strasser, S. C, 1999, An Introduction to Theories of Social Change, New York: Taylor & Francis. Hexham, I, 2002, Pocket Dictionary of New Religious Movements, Calgary: InterVarsity Press. Irving Hexham, K. P, 2004, Understanding Cults and New Age Religions, Vancouver: Regent College Publishing. Zeller, B. E, 2010, Prophets and Protons: New Religious Movements and Science in Late Twentieth-Century America, New York: NYU Press. Read More