World religion concepts and traditions

World Religion: Scientology

Scientology is an emerging world religion, which allows one to really understand the development of a religion. It was developed by L. Ron Hubbard, who was otherwise well-known as a science-fiction author. Hubbard's goal in developing scientology was to help man achieve a higher plane of civilization and existence (Robinson and Buttnor). In 1950, Hubbard published Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health, a self-help book that was aimed at helping alleviate unwanted sensations and emotions, irrational fears and psychosomatic illnesses (Robinson and Buttnor). Dianetics became a runaway best-seller, which led Hubbard to further contemplation of the human condition. He decided to move into the condition of the human soul, which was the beginning of Scientology.

It is almost impossible to give a thumbnail version of Scientology. While the three major Abrahamic religions each have a single, definitive text, Scientology has a score of books, 15,000 pages of technical writing, and more than 3,000 taped lectures (Robinson and Buttnor). To really understand the religion, one has to understand all of that scripture. However, the Scientology religion teaches that the "fundamental laws of life, when applied, help people achieve a happier and more fulfilling existence, just as surely as an apple falls to the ground when dropped" (Robinson and Buttnor). Moreover, it teaches that this is a law, such as gravity. In addition, Scientology teaches an approach to life, so that Scientology is a living religion, not merely a system of beliefs. Scientology teaches, "that an individual is a spirit -- not a body, a brain, or a fortuitous random conglomeration of genes and chemicals. It is this recognition of the nature of an individual that forms the foundation of the Scientology religion. Throughout the ages, man has traditionally viewed himself as a spiritual being. It is only in the last century that the materialistic idea that man is a mere animal similar to a monkey or rat has taken hold. Scientology teaches that this idea is patently false, unworkable, and acts as a barrier to personal understanding of life. One little suspects how much untapped potential one has to create his or her own life" (Robinson and Buttnor).

Scientology is governed by two main bodies. The Religious Technology Center is in charge of maintaining the purity and orthodoxy of the Scientology religion. Therefore, it is in charge of scripture. The Church of Scientology is the management body of the religion, and is in charge of planning and coordinating Scientology expansion. There are over 7,300 Scientology groups in 163 countries around the world, with 87,000 volunteer ministers. It is difficult to estimate the number of practicing Scientologists, but estimates range from several hundred thousand to several million. However, it is suggested that Scientology "is the fastest growing religion in the world, by percentage growth per year" (Robinson and Buttnor).

The main Scientology symbol is composed of an "S" to represent Scientology, an upper triangle, representing knowledge, responsibility, and control, and a lower triangle representing affinity, reality, and communication (Robinson and Buttnor). There is another Scientology symbol, an eight-pointed cross, representing the Eight Dynamics of Existence (Robinson and Buttnor). These dynamics help explain some of the ceremony in Scientology. The First Dynamic is self-survival, the Second Dynamic is reproduction and raising a family, the Third Dynamic is small-group survival, the Fourth Dynamic is the urge to survive as mankind, the Fifth Dynamic is the urge to survive through plants and animals, the Sixth Dynamic is the urge to survive through the physical universe; the Seventh Dynamic is the urge to survive through the Spiritual universe, and the Eighth Dynamic is the urge to survive through a Supreme Being.