Scientology

History

• 1950: Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health is a best seller.• Dianetics: self-help system which is a

set of ideas and practices regarding the metaphysical relationship between the mind and body.

• 1952: foundation of SCientology by Ronald Hubbard.• 1953: First Scientology church in

Camden, New Jersey.

Hubbard and his book

Beliefs and practices

• The human being is an immortal spiritual being who is fundamentally good and have unlimited hidden abilities which can be unlocked.

• Scientology gives to the individual means to solve his problems himself, to get his own life straight and to help his friends effectively. The obtained result would appear in concrete progress: to clear the society of drugs, illiteracy, crime, violence and intolerance which are curses according to Scientology.

The Scientology Cross

• The 8 dynamics:*Individual's desire to survive *Procreation and family*Involving groups*Mankind*All life*The physical universe *The spirit *The Supreme Being

The Scientology symbol

• S for Scientology• The ARC Triangle (the lower)

A= AffinityR= RealityC= Communication

• The KRC Triangle (the upper)K= KnowledgeR= ResponsibilityC= Control

Controversial status

Religion• Scientology is a religion

because it meets these criteria: 1) A faith in some supreme Reality, such as a supreme Being or the eternal truth which transcends here and now of the temporal world.

Sect• Scientology is a sect

because it involves this characteristics: 1) Recruiting members

2) Indoctrinating 3) Seclusion 4) The almighty guru

2) Religious practices in order to directly understand, reach or communicate with this supreme Reality.3) Believers' community which gather to seek for it.

Countries in which Scientology is considered a religion

• Australia• Croatia• Hungary• India• Italy• Mexico• Netherlands• New Zeeland• Philippines • Portugal• Russia• South Africa• Spain• Sweden• Switzerland• Taiwan• Usa

….onsidered

Countries in which Scientology is considered a sect

• Belgium • England• France• Switzerland

Scientology church in Brussels

Scientology protesters

Scientology vs medecine

• Scientologists are opponents of Psychology calling the psychiatrists “Brain Butchers”. • Members are not allowed to take

Aspirin before auditing.

• Congress the anti-butchery bill Its purpose is to make it a felony to use psychiatry, psychology drugs and shock treatment to change an individual’s religious, philosophical or political ideas

Conclusion

• Still controversial• Considered as a religion in some

countries and as a sect in others• Reject of psychology and medical

practises. Everybody is FREE to have is OWN opinion!