scientology

1. Scientology
By: Sydney Ruff &
Meghan Sherman

2. Demographics
-Today, more than 10,000 Scientology Churches, missions, related organizations
and affiliated groups minister to millions in 165 countries”
(https://www.scientology.org/faq/)
-Total assets and property holdings of the Church of Scientology internationally
have more than doubled since 2004 (https://www.scientologynews.org/quick-
facts/)

3. Demographics
44.6% of scientologists are between the ages of 31-40
(https://www.whatisscientology.org/html/Part11/Chp32/pg0569.html)
The church of scientology and its parishioners now own a lot of real estate in
Clearwater, Florida (https://www.npr.org/2019/10/27/773817390/scientologys-
presence-in-clearwater-fla)

4. History
Conceived by: L. Ron Hubbard
-Scientology is further defined as “the study and handling of the spirit in
relationship to itself, universes and other life.”

5. History
Founded in 1953
Celebrity Scientologists:
Tom Cruise
Catherine Bell
Nancy Cartwright

6. History
Scientologists are businessmen, housewives, students, artists, celebrities, laborers,
scholars, soldiers, doctors, policemen and on and on
(https://www.scientology.org/what-is-scientology/scientology-background/the-
growth-of-scientology.html)

7. Beliefs
Fundamental Truths:
Man is an immortal spiritual being.
His experience extends well beyond a single lifetime.
His capabilities are unlimited, even if not presently realized
The Theta- “thetan (spirit) uses its mind as a control system between itself and the physical universe”
(https://www.scientology.org) The mind is not the brain!
-When directly working to improve the Theta is accomplishes
-increased spiritual freedom
-intelligence and ability for individual
-clarifies any part of life

8. Beliefs
Space Aliens- many problems due to spirits of space aliens stuck in our bodies
● Hubbard states 75 million years ago, the head of the Galactic Federation made
up of 76 plants, Xenu
● Due to an overpopulation problem they blew them up & spirits invest our
bodies
-Man is basically good
-Salvation depends upon himself, his fellows, and his attainment of brotherhood with universe

9. Sacred Texts
-Writings and Lectures of the Founder Hubbard
-the HCOBs for “Hubbard Communications Office Bulletins”
-Also known as the Red Volumes

10. Rituals
-Absence of worship and devotion are largely absent
-Church is not really a requirement
-The things of Scientology happen all throughout
society
“Scientology is all about learning to do things to improve conditions in your own life and
in particular in the lives of others” (https://www.scientology.org)

11. Rituals
-The birth ritual = a silent birth
● To help avoid scarring of the baby
-Celebration of Death is a reaffirmation of immortal spiritual beings
exist

12. Practices
They do a lot of Auditing spiritual of oneself
-Which is to help individual rid himself of any spiritual disabilities
-Increase individual ability

13. Engaging with this Religions
-Looking at Creation as a gift of God’s beauty displayed
-Seeking greater understanding on how they partake in Humanitarian acts
-They are on this quest of happiness, so in humility curiosity asking if things of this
world will ever make them happy or are things on this life always falling short

14. Engaging with Religion
Their views: they hold the belief that Man is basically good and spiritual
salvation depends upon himself which VERY disagrees with gospel
Scripture: Romans 5:8-9
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we
were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have been justified by his
blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through
him!”

15. References
Official church of SCIENTOLOGY: Religious beliefs, what is SCIENTOLOGY?, L. Ron
Hubbard & Dianetics. (0001, January 01). Retrieved April 16,
2021, from https://www.scientology.org/faq
Scientology's presence In CLEARWATER, FLA. (2019, October 27). Retrieved April 16, 2021,
from https://www.npr.org/2019/10/27/773817390/scientologys-presence-in-
clearwater-fla
Scientology religion - statistics. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2021, from
https://www.scientologynews.org/quick-facts
What is scientology? (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2021, from
https://www.whatisscientology.org/html/Part11/Chp32/pg0569.html