I'm Sorry, but I Just Don't Get Scientology

In January 2007, Scientology attracted new interest. The American public was called to scrutinize yet again the connections between actor Tom Cruise and Scientology. This attention stemmed directly from the imminent release of Andrew Morton's unauthorized biography of Cruise. This news story might leave you thinking, "I'm sorry, but I just don't get Scientology."

If you want the facts, go directly to the source at Scientology.org. The information below is based on information provided for the media by the international Church of Scientology.

Scientology was founded in 1954 by L. Ron Hubbard. Today, it boasts thousands of churches in over 100 countries. It has an impressive membership of 10 million believers. In a November 2007 press release, the Church of Scientology announced the landmark decision by Spain to recognize its national church as an official religious organization.

Okay, now you might be thinking, "Wow, there is really a lot more to this movement than those little books by L. Ron Hubbard that I see in the grocery store."

Some others might be thinking that Spain is an advanced Western nation. Why did it take so long for Spain to recognize this religion? What is it about Scientology that this religion had to work so hard to prove its right to religious freedom in Spain?

Here is a little bit more about the religion. Scientology counts millions of believers beyond high profile actor, Tom Cruise. The essential belief is that humans can improve their own lives through self-empowerment. L. Ron Hubbard describes the goals of the religion with this message: "A civilization without insanity, without criminals and without war, where the able can prosper and honest beings can have rights, and where man is free to rise to greater heights."

At first glance, Scientology is reminiscent of earlier American doctrines like manifest destiny and the self-made man. But what makes it a religion? The Scientology web site addresses this question by answering that it is a religion because followers believe in a Supreme Being, because the religion goes beyond secular reality, and because there is a body of believers that worship together. The following explanation from Scientology.org might help you understand better:

"Scientology Scripture recognizes that there is an entire dynamic (urge or motivation in life) devoted to the Supreme Being (the eighth dynamic) and another dynamic that deals solely with one's urge toward existence as a spirit (the seventh dynamic)."

Scientology claims its teachings will help people to improve their own lives. This religion gives people ways to grow and change their reality. For example, members called auditors ask standardized questions to help people realize their own power to change their life. "One of the fundamental principles of the Scientology religion is that an individual can improve his conditions only if he is allowed to find his own answers to life's problems."

This religion stands out as putting a lot of power in the hands of the individual to find the life that he or she desires. Some readers may wonder where the role of a Supreme Being comes in.

According to Scientology.org, each person in the church would arrive at his/her own understanding of the Supreme Being. Through practicing the religion and moving towards the eighth dynamic (or the desire to become immortal and connect with a higher power), the believer constructs his own definition of God. In Scientology, people help themselves in their path to self-awareness, and the Church doesn't ask them to accept doctrine based on faith.

What is the Church doing today? President of the Church of Scientology International, Reverend Heber C. Jentzsch, characterizes the contemporary church as a beacon of social reform, social welfare, and justice. He points to the magnificent outreach done by churches around the world and the activism of the church in the United States for issues like open government, with frequent invocation of the Freedom of Information Act.

Here, you've had a little taste of Scientology's ideology. Discover more for yourself by visiting the web site of this growing religious organization.