Why Scientology is not a Religion

The short answer is, Scientology is not a religion because they have become what they despise.

I believe Scientology has discovered an important dynamic concerning the influence of the unseen upon our physical and mental wellbeing. Their system of counseling in connection with some kind of monitoring equipment appears capable of guiding people to change their spiritual reality. How else can one explain the life changing experiences of members or why anyone would possibly stay committed to the group. Their method may warrant research and expand the scope of scientific inquiry. None of this however makes Scientology a religion.

Furthermore, it grows more apparent with every new revelation that Scientology is an over controlling and abusive organization.

I know, everyone wants to scream “They’re a cult. What do you expect?”

Have you ever been accused of being in a cult? (But you are in a cult, blah blah blah) It is a devastating designation. True, most people are willing to give anyone the benefit of the doubt, but not in the face of an assault by true haters.

I can compare this stigma and derision the label of cult entails, by using the homosexual agenda for gay marriage as an example. What happens when you are a business being accused of being opposed to gay marriage? Sure you’ll get some kneejerk initial support in opposition to the vile attacks that follow, but what of one’s long term goals and prosperity, one’s reputation in the eyes of the public?

What are the views of the nation in general? Polls indicate that public opinion is in favor of gay marriage. I would put forth that they are not really in favor of gay marriage. The majority has little concern for the issue of gay marriage, it is the ridicule they will receive for opposing gay marriage that sways their opinion. The path of least resistance and unquestioning conformity to the pop culture is what drives public opinion, not moral fortitude.

Much like these businesses, no matter what environment one finds oneself in, be it a sports league, the neighborhood or your favorite hangout, one or two true haters of your religion will make sure everyone knows you are in what they deem a cult; along with every vile stereotype associated with the term. Where most people care little what faith you belong to, these haters will work up such a frenzy against you in the background, stigmatizing anyone who doesn’t agree with them, that few to none will maintain any desire to stand up for you. Generally people have a satisfactory circle of friends and business associates, why do they need another if it will bring them unwanted ridicule?

In either case, if a person of prominence would boldly stand up with moral sensibility, against hateful spiteful people and their views, opinions would change overnight. Like in the tale “The Emperor has no Clothes”, far too many religious and political leaders are fearful to speak out on behalf of traditional moral and ethical standards; standards upon which civilization stands.

I joined the Unification Church in 1983. The Deprogramming Movement was fading away by then, as the most famous of deprogrammers were being sent to federal prison for their actions. Deprogrammers benefitted from people believing their work to be just, what we call today, an intervention. These haters loved to convince others that their victims are incapable of making decisions for themselves. This is an evil tactic as old as humankind itself. Whether out of pure hate, revenge, avarice (e.g. to steal someone’s inheritance), or simply to get rid of someone one for convenience sake, such as Rose Marie Kennedy, families have locked up, committed and vilified and destroyed the reputation of other family members for the most selfish of motives. They make Cain’s murder of Abel look like a mercy killing. They have used lawyers, doctors and other individuals from respected professions to achieve their contemptible goals.

Deprogrammers ravaged the lives of many who joined groups they labeled as cults. Members of target groups were kidnapped, put through moral depravations and stalked to ensure their deprogramming took. Some, particularly in Japan, have been held captive for years because of their faith. When I hear of the activities of Scientology I am reminded of the age of the deprogrammers and some of the atrocities, that still continue to this day, against people for their faith.

In the past deprogrammers attempted to legitimize their activities under the umbrella of the Cult Awareness Network; CAN. Who bought CAN? Scientology did. The tactics of Scientology have increasingly been revealed as mimicking their old nemesis, the deprogrammers, far more than those of a religion. A religion guides people to go beyond the world around them, particularly the evil world that contradicts the life an individual believes God longs for them to live; a life of goodness. Religion guides people to despise evil and to set themselves apart, creating communities of goodness.

Scientology is not a religion because they have become what they despise.

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