Ok. So we have all heard about Scientology and how certain names in Hollywood are advocates for the "faith." But did you know that Scientology was introduced to the world by L. Ron Hubbard, a science fiction novelist? Not a doctor or scientist, but a science fiction novelist.
Now please understand, my intentions are not to denounce any of Mr. Hubbard's many successes or accomplishments yet at the same time, you have to wonder how a self-improvement theory, entitled Dianetics, introduced with a publication in a science fiction magazine (due to the medical and mainstream avenues having no interest as there was no scientific data to support the validity of his theory) could develop such a following. A following strong enough to support a new "church;" i.e. a new "religion."
It is my understanding that Scientologists believe their bodies to be temporary vessels for their immortal being, called "Thetan." They believe that they have lived for trillions of years, and are reborn again and again. They believe they were banished to earth 75 million years ago by an evil galactic warlord named Xenu. The also believe that Xenu "implanted" them with a number of false "realities" - including the concepts of God, Christ and organized religion. Scientologists - Thetans - believe they have attached themselves to human beings, where they remain to this day, creating not just the root of all of our emotional and physical problems but the root of all problems of the modern world. It is their goal to free themselves of this entrapment and to one day return home to their planet, having rid themselves of their temporary vessel and angst.
One begins their passage of Scientology Enlightenment, known as the Bridge to Total Freedom, for a nominal fee. There are specific stages, or "grades," of the Bridge, and the key to progressing "upward" is auditing: hundreds, if not thousands, of sessions that Scientologists believe can not only help them resolve their problems but fix their ethical breaches, much as Catholics might do in confessing their sins. The ultimate goal in every auditing session is to have a "win," or moment of revelation, which can take a few minutes, hours or even weeks. Scientologists are not allowed to leave an auditing session until their "auditor" (a higher ranking Scientologist who makes big bucks from what I can gather) is satisfied.
So how much is this nominal fee? Well, auditing is purchased in 12.5-hour blocks. Each block can cost anywhere from $750 for introductory sessions to between $8,000 and $9,000 for advanced sessions (from what I have read, they pretty much charge for all their"religious" services).
And who ranks higher on their ladder of success? Well, for one, Tom Cruise; Weirdo Cruise.
I say believe what you want to; give your money to whoever you want to, but let's be honest. Scientology is a science fiction story that made L. Ron Hubbard a very rich man and a very wealthy empire. If I could create a new religion and have people offer me tons of money to jump on board my bandwagon you better be damned sure I would. I'd be crazy not to. And these days, crazy ain't what it used to be.
My conclusion of Scientology? A scheme to make a LOT of money - and it worked. What's your conclusion?
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