How would the general population react, if they were told that there was a modern day cult sweeping across the world, causing irreversible damage to countless lives, all the while operating in plain sight, but with no one to stop them? It is true, and this cult, is not other than: Scientology. People hear that name and chuckle to themselves, as they think that they know who they are. Scientology’s stigma, while seeming to be their greatest adversary, has instead deemed to be their greatest benefactor in their spreading. The world needs to be aware of the dangers of Scientology, as it is just a massive blackmailing, threatening, money making scheme, that can abuse the legal system to get anything they desire. If left undisturbed, their impetuous actions will soon touch everyone, and by then it will be too late to do anything about it. Scientology was created back in 1953, after the avid science fiction writer, L. Ron Hubbard, had his book Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health become a bestseller. With 1,084 published books, the current world record (Business …show more content…
A typical auditing session typically costs $500 an hour at a Scientology center (Business Insider 1). Participants are never forced to pay an hourly fee in order to practice their faith in any major religions. But as a Scientologist matures through the Church, they travel through a series of “levels” which, or course, they need to pay extra for. “The estimated cost from beginning Scientology courses through completion of the upper levels is today $300,000 - $500,000 in US dollars” (Xenu.net 1). The Church milks their member for every penny possible, as it soon becomes impossible for them to leave, as they had invested so much money into the Church. Every little aspect of Scientology is used against them in an effort to keep them in, so that money flow will
Cults are dangerous institutions that have existed for many years, corrupting and reforming the minds of innocent people into believing outrageous doctrines that eventually result in disaster. Horrifying cases involving men such as Charles Manson, Jim Jones and David Koresh have bewildered people and raise the question: how could individuals be easily susceptible to the teachings of these men, so influenced that masses go as far as to commit the unthinkable? Individuals who are in a vulnerable position in search for an identity are attracted to cults because they offer a sense of belonging. In addition, isolation from society contributes to the functioning of a cult for it creates an atmosphere where submissiveness and obedience runs high. These two factors seem to hold true for one of the most notorious cults currently established in the United States and Canada. The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints or, FLDS, is an international polygamist sect that incorporates belonging and isolation along with a dangerous mentality that have resulted in the abuse of women and children in the name of God.
We can distinguish among other religions of such history – Scientology is a complete transformation on a human being. Scientology came about because of Man's increased knowledge of energy (Hubbard, 2007). This movement is a based on the self revelation of the human inner spirit to heal and take on new forms of living. Auditing plays an important role for all Scientologists who learn to believe that our lives need to be controlled in order to develop a higher spirituality. The idea is to confess all of our past endeavors and be cleared path to the "ideal being". The core belief of the religion is that humans are immortal alien beings who have forgotten their true nature. In order to rediscover their inner selves -- the thetans -- Scientologists undergo practices such as auditing (Yapp, 2006). Recognized as a form of technology, the human being is taught to free itself from the barriers and recognize it's true self because of such religious
For many decades, the cult phenomenon has fascinated the masses. A cult is an organization with deviant beliefs and practices, and is characterized by the apparent life-time membership of its participants. It seems to be very popular among troubled teenagers and adults. The psychology behind why some people are more susceptible to the charms and the lure of being in a cult is not very widely researched or understood. Many people are concerned with cultist behavior and the effect that they have on the individuals involved, believing that they have been “brainwashed” into this lifestyle. This paper deals with cult mentality and how people become involved in certain religious and secular cults. It will explore the personality traits of current and ex-cult members as well as look at case studies of members of particular cults. The format of this paper will first look at some preexisting dispositions, the psychological effects while in the cult, and any short term or long term effects upon leaving the cult, as well as some treatment options.
Anderson, Kevin V. "Report of the Board of Enquiry Into Scientology." The Anderson Report. State of Victoria Australia, 21 Feb. 1997. Web. 1 Dec. 2013.
Cults can be dangerous as manipulative strategies are used to control large groups of people into behaviour they may not usually be comfortable with. A cult is a counterculture that is an extremist group usually lead by religion and a charismatic leader (Winner 2011:417). Counterculture is the rejection of popular norms and values and replaces them with extreme views on violence, family and loyalty (Winner 2011:417). Cult leaders often preach about religious history as they take it very seriously. Usually, these religious views guide the bizarre behaviour and conformity within the cult. Anthropologists see cults as a way for people to find self-identity and belonging within a group which they are not receiving from outside of the group.
Cults have existed throughout history since the beginning of time. A cult is defined in Webster’s dictionary as a “system of religious worship with a devoted attachment to a person, principle, etc.” Over the past thirty years numerous religious cults have caused “ tens of thousands to abandon their families, friends, education’s, and careers to follow the teaching of a leader they will never meet”(Beck 78).
Moreover, by obtaining a basic understanding of Scientology and its purpose we can now explore and uncover the answer to a question that sparks the curiosity of outsiders in western civilization; such a question is How did it Begin? The origins of this culture began in the year of 1923 when L. Ron Hubbard started his studies of the mind and spirit. Likewise, such studies resulted in the creation of a manuscript entitled Excalibur; this book was completed in 1938 but was never published. Furthermore, it was in this unpublished work that the word “Scientology” first appeared. The literal interpretation of the phrase means “the study of knowing how t...
L. Ron Hubbard was an American author and he was the founder of the Church of Scientology. Born on March 13 in 1911 Lafayette Hubbard grew up in Helena Montana. Hubbard became a writer for pulp fiction magazines during the 1930s starting his career in the field of writing. Hubbard was best known for his fantasy and science fiction stories, however he wrote many other genres. In May of 1950 the book Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health was published. It was after this that L. Ron Hubbard began to really promote Scientology as a religion and established the church of Scientology in 1953 located in Camden, New Jersey. (What is Scientology, 25-29)
The Fundamentalist Church of Latter Day Saints is a radical sect that branched off from the Mormon church after the church renounced polygamy (ABC News). Roughly 10,000 people are part of the FLDS base located on the Arizona-Utah border (ABC News) The members of FLDS view Warren Jeffs their "prophet" and God even though he is currently serving a life sentence in prison for the sexual assault of two girls, one of whom was a 12-year-old he considered his wife (Farberov, Snejana). FLDS members constantly pray for Jeffs to break out of prison; they stop whatever they are doing every hour of every day to pray for his escape (ABC News). Jeffs believes that he has not escaped yet because the members do not have enough faith (ABC News). Jeffs decides
Robinson, B.A. "About the Church of Scientology A Religion Founded by L. Ron Hubbard." http://www.religioustolerance.org/scientol.htm
Every religion embodies a plethora of recognized rituals that are significant to its teachings. Customs exclusive to each religion can include acts such as: attending a weekly mass, praying five times a day at specified hours, celebrating the transition from childhood to manhood, along with endless others. The similarity shared amongst all religious rituals is that the follower of faith must believe whole-heartedly in what he/she is doing or saying. Dhikr, or the remembrance of God, is a ritual based in Islam that does not receive the attention it deserves from mainstream Muslims, and is highly under appreciated for its value (Robson 238). Its myriad versions allow it to be very personal, whereas other rituals are more structured, which is
Some hale and some hate L. Ron Hubbard. Before my months of research into the religion of Scientology I had never learned of a man so loved and so dispised by many. The science-fiction writer turned leader/ antithesis depending on where you stand made his way into the world in 1950 when a book called dianetics hit America's west coast like a storm. Some claim it was his plan saying he was only out for money. I can not conclude other than that L. Ron Hubbard was a genius in the craft of foolery and money making.
Cults entice people whom by nature want to belong to a group and make it hard for them to leave by altering their thought processes. Those in the psychology field have defined what makes up a cult, have determined what draws individuals in and have recognized the effects that a cult can have on
Throughout our history, cults have become a prevalent part of our society. More and more cults are forming every day. Although not all of them are dangerous, some can perform practices that are toxic to their members. Cults use fear and control to gain more and more members. Once members join a cult, they are forced to perform the practices that the cult leaders require. It is through these practices that cult leaders convince their members to stay in the cult. Through mind control and scare tactics, cults have become a very powerful and dangerous part of our society.
According to Hutchison (2015), “religion is symbolic patterns that consists of values, beliefs, behaviors and experiences” (p. 184). I personal conceptualize spirituality as a vital role in my life that helps me during a time of sickness, forgiveness, and needed guidance. Spirituality helps guide me throughout life during the difficult times I have encountered. Spirituality impacts my life in positive ways that influence and regulate my behavior and health. Health is very important to me; I believe the spirit can heal a person from their sickness. It seems that the spirit heals me every time I pray to be healed from sickness. The spirit gives me strength at a time of weakness. When I feel at my lowest point in life I call on the spirit to pick