Scientology - what is it?

click fraud protection

One of the most scandalous and controversial organizations in the world.Science or religion, cult or a commercial organization?All these concepts can be attributed to the term "Scientology".What it really, we will try to tell in this article.

you will meet with a brief history of the movement, its trends and the basic ideas.In addition, the main provisions will be made public criticism relating to Scientology.

Meaning

from time to time in the press this word appears in connection with the various scandals.So, Scientology, what is it?According to the founder of Ron Hubbard, he and his wife compiled a term of two words.In Latin "stsio" means "knowledge" in Greek "logos" - "the word of science."Consequently, this "knowledge about knowledge" or "science of science".

first Hubbard uses this word in a work of "Excalibur", the manuscript of which was written in 1938.In March 1952, he began a series of lectures in Kansas, which was called "Scientology: Milestone One."

Although this neologism found in other writers such as Allen Apvard and Anastasius Nordenholz unambiguously talk about borrowing Hubbard from his earlier work impossible.It is too frequently used words in the English-speaking environment.To join the «science» (in English "science") and the end of any branch of knowledge «... logia» (eg "dentistry") necessarily borrow terms from other authors.

Therefore, this issue is still open to researchers, it is more important to us the existence of this trend, as we continue to talk about the history of its formation.

History of Scientology

Now we will not talk about the concept of "Scientology" - what it means and what ideas are hidden behind it.In this article we will touch on the history of formation of society.

So, the doctrine of Scientology was a continuation of Dianetics Hubbard.Dianetics author defines as the study of mental health.The key there is a method of mental therapy.

based on groups who have joined the many innovations interested in Dianetics, in 1952, created Scientology.Company called "Hubbard Association of Scientologists."Subsequently, in Arizona (Phoenix Town) is transferred to the newly founded Dianetics College.And after three years in the capital of the United States opened the first Church of Scientology.

In 1952, together with the base of the college, Mr. Hubbard patented "Dianetics" as its trademark.To control the use and distribution of materials, technologies and brands, it was created by the Religious Technology Center.This organization after Hubbard's death is the sole manager of all property and rights of the company.

Today, most supporters of Scientology in the United States.Among them there are even Hollywood stars such as John Travolta and Tom Cruise.After the death of the founder of the followers were divided into two streams, which we'll talk later.

basic ideas

Now we briefly shall sound fundamentals of Scientology, Ron Hubbard expounded that for twenty years (in the fifties and sixties of the twentieth century).

So, define themselves followers of the teachings of a religion.Even talking about it as an applied religious philosophy.For the purpose of Scientologists put the study of the human spirit and the practice of his relationship and the relationship with the universe, in other lives and ourselves.

Studies say about the concept of "Scientology", which is the national team of science or teaching.According to religious scholars and critics reviews, she absorbed the ideas of Gnosticism, Buddhism, Judaism, the Vedas, some of the features of Christianity, ancient philosophers, Taoism, as well as the results of Nietzsche and Freud.

Ron Hubbard proclaimed himself a few key points about the philosophy of Scientology.

First, all people are good in nature, but they have to struggle for existence and survival.

Second, to achieve this goal, it is necessary to achieve unity with him, his teammates and the universe.

Finally, salvation is possible only through the spirit.If we can know it, will even heal the body.

Currents

During the development of the theory there is a lot of followers.According to some sources, the supporters of this religion have among citizens over one hundred countries around the world, and their total number is around eight million people.

The data themselves Scientologists say there are more than three thousand of missions in these countries.In the mid-nineties in the Russian Federation, there were about ten thousand followers and sympathizers.

After the death of the founder of the religion L. Ron Hubbard (1986), the movement is divided into two streams - the "Church of Scientology" and "Free Zone."For more information on these will be discussed later.

Scientology in Russia

In Russia, the first Scientology organization appeared in January 1994 when it was recorded, "The Church of Scientology of Moscow".Later began a series of scandals and performances of various critics, injunctions and their appeal.What is important is the fact that on several occasions banned activities such as Scientology.Petersburg, for instance, has experienced the elimination of "the center of Scientology" in 2007.

Also in June 2011, a Moscow court found eight works of L. Ron Hubbard as extremist and banned their distribution in Russia.
Let's talk about the two separate trends that have emerged in the eighties.

Church

The first of these is called the "Church of Scientology".In fact, it is the oldest organization in the history of the movement.It was founded in 1954, shortly after the beginning of the promotion of the ideas of L. Ron Hubbard.Today it is the only successor to the manager and all the technologies and brands of the company founder.

copyright works of L. Ron Hubbard, owned by the Church of Scientology, according to the legislation of the Russian Federation, completed in 2056.Therefore, in this country within a few decades, the organization will not be able to enjoy exclusive rights to the products and ideas.

In addition, the only organization that has all the trademarks of a Religious Technology Center.In view of the specific hierarchy of the corporation only he can grant licenses to use them.Such a possibility is not even the Church of Scientology International, although it in fact is the parent organization.

Scientology in Russia has its offices.But in fact it turns out that this trend is less popular than the "Free Zone", which will be discussed later.

So Scientology in Russia went two ways.The Church of Scientology came to the market in 1994, but soon there are various scandalous events.Initially, she was recognized as a destructive organization after the decision appealed against.In 2011, several works of Ron Habbarta as extremist and banned for distribution in the territory of the Russian Federation.

Against the background of these events in 1996, there is an interest in the environment of Russian Scientologists to the new trend that is spreading in Western Europe.The organization called "Free Zone."It was formed and took shape after the death of the founder of the doctrine.

This is not for a single and centralized society, like the Church of Scientology.There are various societies.Some seek to preserve the teachings in the form in which it was under Hubbard, the latter want its improvement and development.

To avoid a legal conflict on the basis of copyright, the followers of the "Free Zone" for the exclusive use Hubbard's lifetime editions of works, as well as personal work.

In fact, this trend has been the popularization of Scientology as a religion.Most of the other areas in which there are patents and rights of the Church, is not officially developed by fans of "Free Zone."

Criticism

Many journalists and researchers have tried to understand what Scientology.Reviews of former followers, the opinions of specialists in various fields, including law, religious studies, and other areas, influenced the way in which activity include Scientology in different countries.

So, in most European countries, such as France, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, Ireland, the doctrine is not recognized as a religion.Moreover, the Federal Republic of Germany, Scientology belongs to the category of commercial organizations want to ban it.

as religion it does not recognize Israel and Mexico.

Some states define the organization even easier: "Scientology - a sect."In view of this situation, more and more countries to limit the spread of its ideas.

Scandals

But not only this famous Scientology.Critics can be interpreted and how "black" PR.And what to do with such scandalous events as murder, intimidation and suicide?

of the most notorious cases it is worth mentioning the case of Lisa McPherson with.A young girl came to the ideas of Scientology in eighteen years.But soon she falls into a light accident.It is taken from the hospital and placed in a Scientology center for the effects of obstacles psychiatrists.Seventeen days later, the girl dies.

The second case is related to the suicide of Patrice Vic.It's a Frenchman who in 1988 jumped out the window, because he could not find the funds to pay for the next course.The head of the Lyon branch of the Church of Scientology and fourteen members found guilty of manslaughter.After this event in French schools started outreach work on the specifics of teaching.

There is also ample evidence of intimidation, murder unwanted people in the framework of the practice of "fair play" and ritual R2-45.Among the victims of the media called Rudolf Willems, the bankrupt owner of the German steel company, Rex Fowler, an American businessman, November Lottika who jumped out the window, holding the last of his money - 171 US dollar.

comparing religion

Due to the different trends in the world market for some time advocated a free Scientology.It included many facets and aspects of the company.Religion and science, education and therapy.Now we talk about the attitude of the Scientology religion.

So Ron Hubbard himself noted that the party popularized exclusively for business.His son confirmed those words and added that the first Scientology - it is a science.And all the questions related to religion, were designed exclusively for the settlement of tax relations with the US government.

It is a science or not?

If you look at the titles of the works of L. Ron Hubbard, we can see that first of all this teaching is positioned as a science.Scientology Center assists people in improving intelligence, health, career.

For example, the program "Clean body, clean mind" many researchers considered as preventive and restorative procedures.It involves taking vitamins and other supplements, jogging and sauna.

However, most scientists categorically perceive Scientology as a pseudoscience.The first criticism of "stress test" as unrepresentative process only to attract new members.

Scientology - a cult?

Teaching that made Ron Hubbard (Scientology), according to many scientists from different areas of knowledge, is a "destructive totalitarian sect, which has a detrimental effect on the vast psyche of their followers."

So in 1965 a report was published by Anderson in Australia, where he gave an example of command hypnosis on auditing.Due to this over the Cubs sect receives psychological control, as well as above and finances.

This situation was repeated in Germany, France, has not escaped the persecution of Scientology in Moscow.The case the court ban of eight works of L. Ron Hubbard as extremist, has been described above.

Also worth mentioning is the difference in trends.These facts relate mainly to the Church of Scientology.Supporters of the "Free Zone" declare that they have no such dictates, although there is evidence to the contrary.

Commerce

Critics say that the capital base of the Church of Scientology of property for many millions of dollars worldwide.Also included are sessions auditing donations book.Scientology is developing as a pyramid scheme, according to eminent economists.

In addition, there is evidence that Ron Hubbard thus solved the problem of their welfare.Founded his own religion - the best way to get rich, and shelter from taxes.

According to some reports, to attract new members, Scientologists get a commission, the head office has 10% of the monthly turnover of affiliated branches, and competitors are removed via litigation.

Interesting facts

fact that in some countries banned Scientology, we have said before.Now it is worth mentioning some interesting facts in the history of the movement.

Since the mid-nineties, is an ongoing process for the removal of a worldwide network of any information contrary to the teachings of Hubbard.

have also been attempts to force Google and Yahoo to remove from search results pages about objectionable Scientologists information.

And in 2009, the arbitration committee "Wikipedia" forbidden changes on its website from any IP-address associated with the Church or its affiliates.