Scientology

I was inspired to do some research on Scientology after I saw people protesting against it while I was in downtown Chicago, IL. I am quite unfamiliar with this religion, other than traumas Scientology-related that have been on the news like mass suicides, for example. There is so much controversy attached to this topic! The coined name is L. Ron Hubbard, who created this religion. Scientology's goals are: to have "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." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology)

These types of goals can be found in other religions as well; it instantly reminded me of the Baha'i religion I recently wrote about. The key is to find out how different religions plan on accomplishing these goals. Just like any other religion, they too go through prosecution, but the question is how radical are their actions and what actions are they taking that's causing this prosecution.

It was amazing to read all the fraud that goes on amongst the politicians also known as the church leaders (yes, one can find this anywhere). It was frightening to read how many people went to jail for stealing or lying in some way. The members are also very aggressive; if you talk down about their beliefs they're not afraid to use threats or physical contact. What is ironic is if you look back to their goals and purpose it talks about being "honest beings" and a living a life "without criminals".

Personally, I would think for having such positive goals, a lot of money, and so many members, there would be positive reviews on the religion; but as I read on, it became very concerning to me what was really going on. It's scary to think that there's a chance that one day a man decided to make up a religion, because he would make good money, and it is now leading people to be against any type of medical assistance, to people being evaluated on how much evil spirit is in them by recording how conductive they are, and to people dedicating their entire being to Scientology and NOTHING else. What's interesting though, is that one could probably make the same argument about any other religion. Although, this religion seems a lot more radical and controversial and I wonder why. I also wonder if Hubbard, as he was creating this religion truly believed in it or was really just in it for the money. The refinement of this religion is very clearly made because every few years Hubbard would change the definition of Scientology as far as it being a religion, a philosophy, or both.