This paper examines Scientology through the lens of a universal definition of a cult, arguing that the organization exhibits hallmark characteristics including authoritarian leadership, psychological manipulation, and coercive financial practices. Beginning with an overview of Scientologic doctrine — including beliefs about thetans, reincarnation, and spiritual salvation — the paper then analyzes how the auditing process functions as a pyramid scheme requiring escalating financial payments. It further investigates front groups, legal battles, brainwashing techniques, and deaths linked to the Church's facilities in Clearwater, Florida, concluding that Scientology's behavior, regardless of its doctrinal content, qualifies it as a cult.
Many controversies have arisen regarding Scientology, which was founded in 1952 and declared itself a religion in 1953 when it was incorporated as the Church of Scientology. Scientology can be identified as both a cult and a complex pyramid scheme in which people are coerced or convinced to donate money in order to attain spiritual salvation. Scientology has encountered several legal, ethical, and moral dilemmas throughout its brief history and demonstrates many characteristics that allow the "religion" to be classified as a cult.
The definition of a cult depends on the perspective being applied. For the purpose of this paper, a universal definition — as opposed to a secular or Christian definition — will be applied to Scientology. The universal definition of a cult holds that a cult is "any group which has a pyramid type authoritarian leadership structure with all teaching and guidance coming from the person or persons at the top. The group will claim to be the only way to spiritual salvation and will use thought reform or mind control techniques to gain control and keep their members" (Groenveld). Furthermore, it is important to remember that a group is identified or classified as a cult not because of its doctrines, but because of the manner in which it behaves.
Scientologic doctrines, despite the manner in which they are pursued, do have spiritual dimensions. For example, Scientologists believe that "the nature of the Supreme Being," whether conceived as God or gods, "is revealed personally through each individual as he or she becomes more conscious and spiritually aware" ("What Scientologists Believe"). Scientologists also contend that "all humans are immortal spiritual beings (thetans) capable of realizing a nearly godlike state through" the religion's practices and beliefs ("What Scientologists Believe"). This contention, along with several others, vaguely echoes the beliefs of Buddhism and Hinduism.
Moreover, Scientology embraces a form of reincarnation, declaring that "rebirths continue until one consciously confronts all pre-birth, current-life, and previous-life traumas and realizes one's true nature as a thetan — an immortal spirit transcending matter, energy, space, and time" ("What Scientologists Believe"). Scientologists also believe that everything in existence is a manifestation of a universal spirit, and that nothing else aside from this universal spirit exists. One of the last Scientologic tenets that resembles those of other organized religions concerns the manner in which salvation is attained. Scientologists believe that "salvation is achieved through the practices and techniques of Scientology, the ultimate goal of which is to realize one's true nature as an immortal spirit, a thetan" ("What Scientologists Believe").
Despite some tenets that make Scientology appear to be a genuine religion or a self-affirming organization, the manner in which salvation is reached begins to resemble a complex pyramid scheme and further reinforces the notion that Scientology is a cult. Methods employed by cults to maintain control of their followers include the belief that they are the only true church, the use of intimidation or "psychological manipulation" to retain member loyalty, expecting members to provide "substantial financial support to the group," an attempt to exert complete control over "almost all aspects" of members' lives, and requiring members to demonstrate loyalty to the group (Groenveld).
While Scientology holds that salvation is achieved by following the group's doctrines, the process by which salvation is attained is quite complex. Scientologists believe that in order to attain salvation they must gradually increase their mental awareness; states of mental awareness include pre-clear, clear, and Operating Thetan ("What Scientologists Believe"). The status of "Operating Thetan" carries supernatural or extraterrestrial connotations, as Scientology defines an "Operating Thetan" as "a spirit who can control matter, energy, space, time, thought, and life" ("What Scientologists Believe").
In order to reach a higher level of mental awareness and eventually gain the knowledge required to become an "Operating Thetan," the Church must evaluate the preparedness of the individual. To aid members in this quest, auditors are employed to assist them along their spiritual journeys. Auditors serve the roles of ministers and counselors, helping other members "identify their pre-birth, current, and past-life disturbances, which are obstacles to happiness and spiritual enlightenment" ("What Scientologists Believe"). What is not clearly stated, however, is that these audits are far from free — they cost thousands upon thousands of dollars. Initial auditing fees can start at $15 and escalate to thousands of dollars as higher spiritual levels are reached. Furthermore, Scientology trains its followers to audit others, thereby generating additional revenue for the organization (Cooper). Members are also expected to purchase other "auditing materials" such as books written by L. Ron Hubbard and to attend lectures and speeches given by prominent Scientologists (Cooper). It is estimated that the total cost of auditing from pre-clearance to Operating Thetan Level 9 can exceed $380,000 (Operation Clambake).
"Sterling Management, HealthMed, and lawsuits"
"Three-stage conversion and thought reform process"
"Clearwater deaths linked to Church facilities"
Scientology continues to entice people to join its ranks. Perhaps it is because these individuals are seeking enlightenment, but perhaps it is also because new recruits are drawn by the prospect of associating with the celebrities who promote the religion. The hidden side of Scientology — from its pyramid scheme of salvation to the deaths that have been attributed to the organization — remains obscured. Yet as more people continue to break away from the church, its secrets are slowly being revealed.
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