Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Scientology

Tom Cruise, John Travolta, and Kirstie Alley are all adherents, but what is it specifically that Scientologists believe? Here are the central tenets of the religion (along with my comments):

A person is an immortal spiritual being (termed a thetan) who possesses a mind and a body.
(I'll go along with that)

The thetan has lived through many past lives and will continue to live beyond the death of the body.
(Sounds good)

Through the Scientology process of "auditing", one can free oneself of "engrams" and "implants" to reach the state of "Clear", and after that, the state of "Operating Thetan". Each state is said to represent recovering the native spiritual abilities of the individual, and to confer dramatic mental and physical benefits.
(Interesting. The word "auditing" usually has a negative connotation)

A person is basically good, but becomes "aberrated" by moments of pain and unconsciousness in his or her life.
(Possible)

What is true for you is what you have observed yourself. No beliefs should be forced as "true" on anyone. Thus, the tenets of Scientology are expected to be tested and seen to either be true or not by Scientology practitioners.
(Ahh, but what if my "tenets" don't match up with yours? Can we still be friends?)

Psychiatry and psychology are evil and abusive practices.
(You just lost me)

Scientologists protesting:


They also have a "disconnection" policy, in which members are encouraged to cut off all contact with friends or family members critical of the Church.
(Apparently their beliefs aren't strong enough to withstand scrutiny)

These last two points cause me to conclude that they're rubbish.

What do you guys think?

2 comments:

Mags said...

Any religion or orgnaization that tells me to rid myself of the very people who love me is crazy in my book.

Even if their religion is completely different from mine.

Rubbish!

Rocketstar said...

No different from any of the other religions, they are all unprovable rubbish meant to control people under the vailed notion that "their" path to "heaven" is the right one.