I know they went head to head w/the IRS in 1993 and prevailed ID how. So what constitutes a Religion that allowed them to continue as one? Isn't a religion supposed to be non-profit?
Hmm, define both religion and "profit". The definition of what a "religion" is is very subjective and what many people consider to be a "cult" or organization is considered to be a religion by its followers or they treat it as a religion. "Profit" is a bit different from a legal sense and being non-profit does not that the "organization" can not make money, just take a look at the Catholic Church or any mega-church for an example.
It isn't in my opinion, but as far as RELIGION is defined in Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary as: 1) The service and adoration of God or God(s) as expressed in forms of worship. 2) One of the systems of faith and worship. 3) The profession or practice of religious beliefs; religious observances collectively; rites. 4) Devotion or fidelity; conscientiousness. [Conscientious: Influenced by, governed by, or conformed to, a strict regard for the dictates of conscience.] 5) An awareness or conviction of the existence of a Supreme Being, arousing reverence, love, gratitude, the will to obey and serve, and the like; as, man only is capable of religion. So where does the alleged religion of Scientology stand on the subject of God? Quoting the Dianetics and Scientology Technical Dictionary, by L. Ron Hubbard: "The Eighth Dynamic is the urge toward existence as infinity. This is also identified as the Supreme Being. It is carefully observed here that the science of Scn does not intrude into the dynamic of the Supreme Being." So what has the "religion" of Scientology to say regarding God? It "- does not intrude into the dynamic of the Supreme Being." This claimed religion says NOTHING about God! Nothing official, at least. From the unquestioning obedience, fidelity and devotion expected of members towards Scientology's late founder L. Ron Hubbard, one can only conclude him alone to be the intended God of Scientology. There is no prayer, but among the few rites of this "church" are daily sessions of applause directed towards Hubbard's picture by all present.
L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of the controversial Church of Scientology which he dreamed up in the 1940?s. Hubbard was a science-fiction writer who once mused that "if a man really wants to make a million, the best way would be to start his own religion," Scientology uses the cross with 8 points to signify something they say is not intended to be representative of Christianity, yet gives inductees the impression it is somehow connected. When in reality what is also not widely known about Mr. Hubbard is that he was a follower and closest friend of one of the 20Th Century's leading practitioners of Black Magic, Alistair Crowley, truly a man of the dark side. A man Mr. Hubbard referred to as his "very good friend." And what is also not widely known is that the Scientology cross is based upon Mr. Crowley's Satanic cross.
Church of Scientology states "Scientology cross is an eight-pointed cross which represents the eight parts or dynamics of life. The Scientology cross, which was first conceived in 1954, symbolizes the ability to live happily across all eight dynamics."
The eight 'dynamics' being:
?survival as an individual
?survival through procreation
?survival for the group
?survival of the species of mankind
?survival of other organisms
?survival of the physical universe (matter, energy, space and time, known as MEST)
?survival of spiritual beings
?survival of infinity, the Supreme Being
My answer is they stated to the IRS that they believe in a Supreme Being in infinity to get away with being termed religion. So basically the IRS gave up after 2 decades.
Really it's all about this alien guy named Xenu is the dude who wanted to reduce the population of his 76 planets and came here to clump their souls together in Volcanos...so now Scientologists are trying to get back to their core by going Thur auditing sessions which chips away at victims minds...like primal scream it puts you into a vulnerable state and after they fill the void with their special signal terms with generalizations of outsiders like calling homosexuals "1.1's" which they consider covertly hostile & "SP's" which is anyone who asks questions that means "Surpressive Person" or if you have an injury or cancer "PTS" which means Potential Trouble Source, someone to avoid like a contagious virus. Volumes of rules and terms, then in the end they tell them about Xenu and by then they are just zombies anyway.
Anybody it seems can start a religion, Scientology is just another business that uses it's patrons as associates to market it's product. Like Miltie-level-marketing, not telling you the whole story of how much it's going to cost until you're fully immersed. Scam with the cloak of religion.
Religion is defined as dealing with the supernatural (God, spiritual beings). Scientology has met all the tests for that.
Scientology is a not-for-profit organization. No individual benefits since the funds go to support church premises, staff and our social benefit programs. Those folks who keep running on about Scientology just wants money forget to tell you that for every donation there's an exchange (personal service such as courses and counseling -- it's very costly to train people to deliver these services -- sometimes years) or furthering the social benefit programs we sponsor so we can have a better world to live in.
You can find those programs here:
http://www.scientology.org/activity/activity.html
.
edit: GoGreen
what God is is up to each individual. We do not worship any entity, including LRH.
Your reference to Crowley is out of context. It's LRH being facetious (he has a great sense of humor), and if you'd heard the lecture you'd have known this. Why do people do that anyway (take things out of context to make someone look bad)?
@Theta Doesn't Work
The question is about what identifies Scientology as a "religion", so the symbols used in Scientology as well as their origins are all highly relevant and within context.
Hubbard was dabbling in black magic with Alister Crowley, and it has influenced some of his ravings. Thus, Scientology's roots in the satanic occult should be considered when discussing its religious status.
An interesting discussion of this issue: http://ocmb.xenu.net/ocmb/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=28725
Scientology has many aspects to it that make it, a practical, applied religious philosophy, and I have read many testimonials of believers whose lives have changed permanently for the better. See: http://youtube.com/churchofscientology. According to Wikipedia, "Religion is a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of life and the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a supernatural agency,[1] or human beings? relation to that which they regard as holy, sacred, spiritual, or divine." Scientology has all of those characteristics, having teachings about life, love, relationships, family, business, school, spirituality, health and happiness.
Here?s a factual description for you which may help:
(From a Scientologist who has studied and practiced this religion for over 38 years):
Definition:
The term Scientology is taken from the Latin word "SCIO" : which means, in the fullest sense of the word, "knowing", and the Greek word "LOGOS" which simply means "study of".
The subject of Scientology is further defined as :
"the study and handling of the spirit in relationship to itself, universes and other life. "
Scientology is a new religion. It is an applied religious philosophy. By ?applied? is meant that it is for use in life and living. You actually use it in your day to day life to change and improve existing conditions. It is a practical religion.
All religions if you study them have a basic philosophy, but they also have certain dogma, rituals and observances and a certain faith or belief is required. There is nothing wrong with this , but Scientology is not that kind of religion. It does acknowledge the principle of God or the Supreme Being but does not try to define or describe this principle, leaving it up to the individual.
It is also not a messianic religion. This means there is no worship of prophets or messiahs or gods. It is not belief or faith based. In Scientology a truth is true for you according to your own observation and experience .
The dictionary definition that applies:
Religion: The spiritual or emotional attitude of one who recognizes the existence of superhuman power or powers.
The most basic principle of Scientology is that YOU are your own immortal soul, that this is not a thing you have but what YOU actually are.
Scientology believes or considers that Man is basically good. This is different from many religions that promote that he his naively evil or bad unless ?made? good.
The whole purpose of Scientology knowledge application and procedure is to increase an individual?s understanding and awareness of himself as a spiritual being and to rehabilitate his native abilities and potential.
When you do this the sphere and zones of his positive influence increase and move outward into his life , his family and friends, his groups and Mankind of which he is part .
How this result is achieved is the ?technology? of Scientology, which was developed by L Ron Hubbard from discoveries he made after extensive research into the field of the mind and the human spirit.
Some of this knowledge was already existing in the sacred lore of ancient texts like the Veda or Vedic Hymns going back 10,000 years. New and additional discoveries were made about the nature of the human spirit and fully recorded and codified .
Scientology?s closest spiritual ties with any other religion are with Orthodox (Hinayana ) Buddhism with which it shares an historical lineage. But even here the relationship is based mainly on friendship and the recognition of the being as a spirit rather than any organizational ties.
L.Ron Hubbard published 18 basic books from 1950 to 1955 to fully communicate the basic principles of Scientology, the path of his research and the spiritual technology that he developed from this.
He completed all his research before his death in 1986 and left all his materials and copyrights to the Church of Scientology?s Religious Technology Centre along with most of his personal estate when he died.
The Church of Scientology is currently established Ind operating internationally in over 160 countries world wide. However it is still a new religion, less than 60 years old.
The true story of Scientology as a religion goes like this:
1. A philosopher develop es a philosophy about life and death.
2. People find it interesting.
3. People find it works.
4. People pass it along to others.
5. It grows.
This is just an overview.
L.Ron Hubbard explained fully the theology and technologies of Scientology in more than 500,000 pages of writings, including dozens of books and over 4,000 tape recorded public lectures.
So it?s not possible to fully answer your question on this forum, but I hope this helps.
You can also go to WNW.scientology.org for a much more detailed description of this religion.
Or go to your local library Self Help section for books on Scoentology
( Recommend ?Scientology: A New Slant on Life? )
P.S. The Church of Scientology and all it's secular "Life Improvement" organizations are definitely non profit and have recognized Charitable status in the USA. This was designated by the IRS in 1993 after a VERY THOROUGH and extensive audit and examination of ALL their financial books and accounts.
Do you think that the IRS , after many years of "negotiation" with the Church of Scientology,
would have conceded and awarded this designation if they were able to find was ANY evidence of profit !?
The IRS doesn't care about anyones spiritual eternity LOL !
What identifies Scientology as a Religion?
