Yes, but barely, it almost didn't make it as tax exempt religious organization. and master Yoda is right except the bet was between 3 men and it was that he could start a religion and get rich guess ole Ron won that bet
it is an applied religion.. a life philosophy that can be utilized in any dogmatic or non dogmatic context.. it is a map or complex of thought and logic that will lead you to your ultimate potential.
well lets just say its a very mysterious cult-like religion. it's based on the book diabetics by l Ron Hubbard, threes a center close to where i live. i called them to find out their beliefs and mandates.you must come in and be cleared (brain washed?) but they wouldn't tell me what the clearing entailed. they really wouldn't give me any info at all. this is very odd almost all religions gladly discuss their belief systems..........that's all the info i have hope that helps.
It is considered a religion. Some Say they call their-self a religion so the church doesn't have to pay taxes. I don't know if that is their reason or not.
I try really hard not to criticize other religions, but this one is a little out there. I have read interviews with the son of
L. Ron Hubbard, the man that started the church, and he has even said his dad was really strange. It's definitely different then any other religion I know of.
Scientology is considered a religion in some countries, a profitable organization in others, and in some it is considered a cult whose practices have been banned. For example, the US gives Scientology tax exempt status, whereas Germany and Belgium have called it a ?totalitarian cult? and a ?commercial enterprise?. France in 1995 classified it as a dangerous cult. The UK refused charitable status in 1999. Russia has a pending court trial over their refusal to register Scientology as a religion.
I personally believe Scientology to be a dangerous cult that lies to and tricks adherents into believing they are improving themselves and the world around them, while they are for the most part doing the exact opposite. It is made up of good people with good intentions that have been unfortunately deceived just because they do want to help others and themselves live better lives. It appeals to a person?s good intentions, and therein lies the trap.
It seems to have been set up to make money, and indeed they have been very successful at it ? although the money is all at the top and not with the actual people delivering the services.
The church often claims it is unjustly persecuted, and to show such files normally countless of libels every year and other such court cases to silence criticism; no other religion hounds and harasses its critics. I believe that Scientology is different from other religions, the main one being that potential members are lied to when they start. See below, under ?Why it is often described as a cult? for all the reasons.
Why are they often described as a cult?
They lie to members to gain and keep them.
Try to find the story of Xenu at the Scientology site for example.
They say it has been thoroughly researched using the scientific method when it Hans?t.
http://www.clambake.org/archive/techniques/
http://www.clambake.org/archive/lrhbare/
They hound and harass critics:
http://www.suppressiveperson.org/
They use mind control techniques: http://www.freedomofmind.com/resourcecenter/groups/documents/scientology/pignotti
They limit outside information via censoring, condemning it the work of criminals, via disconnection with family.
http://www.clambake.org/archive/events/censorship/
http://www.xenu.net/archive/infopack/15.htm
More on similar stuff here:
http://www.clambake.org/archive/co_pls.html
For some in-depth research I recommend reading some books written by ex-members.
http://www.clambake.org/archive/books
"Scientology is both immoral and socially obnoxious...It is corrupt sinister and dangerous. It is corrupt because it is based on lies and deceit and has its real objective money and power for Mr. Hubbard... It is sinister because it indulges in infamous practices both to its adherents who do not toe the line unquestionably and to those who criticize it or oppose it. It is dangerous because it is out to capture people and to indoctrinate and brainwash them so they become the unquestioning captives and tools of the cult, withdrawn from ordinary thought, living, and relationships with others."
Justice Latey, ruling in the High Court of London:
http://www.clambake.org/archive/judge_quotes.html
Here you can see cytologistsSt's action:
http://www.xenutv.com
It is now a religion, yes. Scientology is a funny "religion"...its founder even thinks so. This is what L. Ron Hubbard said about starting his religion...
"MAKE MONEY. MAKE MORE MONEY. MAKE OTHER PEOPLE PRODUCE SO AS TO MAKE MORE MONEY."
- L. Ron Hubbard, Hubbard Communications Office Policy Letter, 9 March 1972, MS OEC 384
"I?m drinking lots of rum and popping pinks and Grey's."
- L. Ron Hubbard in a 1967 letter to his wife, written during the period when he was creating Scientology?s secret "upper levels."
"THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN CONTROL PEOPLE IS TO LIE TO THEM. You can write that down in your book in great big letters. The only way you can control anybody is to lie to them."
- L. Ron Hubbard, "Off the Time Track," lecture of June 1952, excerpted in JOURNAL OF SCIENTOLOGY issue 18-G, reprinted in TECHNICAL VOLUMES OF DIANETICS & SCIENTOLOGY, vol. 1, p. 418
"I?d like to start a religion. That?s where the money is."
- L. Ron Hubbard to Lloyd Eshbach, in 1949
And last thing he says that makes the fact the US has turned Scientology into a religion is...
"Scientology...is not a religion."
- L. Ron Hubbard, CREATION OF HUMAN ABILITY, 1954, p. 251
Is it Scientology a religion ?
