Scientology, good or evil?

Question answered by escapee in Scientology

Anonymous asked this question on 9/29/2000:

Hi, I have read many negative opinions about Scientology on this site over the last few months. I was hoping there was some Scientologist out there who could give me some insight into the religion....(not just the usual stuff written on the Scientology pamphlets, I've heard it all before). Eg: what type of personality charactoristics are derived from the 200 question quiz etc. What are some of the life tools used to make the most of one's life palette, etc. Why the secrecy? Please fill me in. I know a few Scientologists (who don't really seem to take my subtle hints & tell me more about their religion) however I have always found them to be kind, generous, positive, empowered, and definately too intellegent to beleive in dead space aliens and so on. I only want to hear from members, so if you have a heap of negative crap to send, please don't do so!! I wan't to learn something here!

escapee gave this response on 9/30/2000:

The first Church of Scientology was started in Phoenix, AZ in 1953. L. Ron Hubbard realized that since he was dealing with a Thetan (individual spirit, from Theta, thought) that he could start a religion. It solved a very critical problem at that time, which was, the practitioners, "auditors" were not permitted to audit for pay in different States because they weren't qualified by State laws. Few auditor's had psychology degrees, or whatever a given State required. Ministers, on the other hand, could give councelling in any State of the US. From their it was not too hard to take a body of data that had been called "applied philosopy" and turn it into a religion. In the US Scientology is considered a religion, not all countries do. Germany does not.

The personality test? The one they give is very similiar to any psychology test. When the test is done one can say, you are well oriented, or dispersed (whatever the test shows) you are happy or sort of happy or depressed, (whatever the test shows) you are nervous or relaxed, aggessive or passive, empathic or cold...there are some traits. The test is used to encourage people to come in for auditing or training. You pick the lower points, and indicate those and say they need improving and that is what Scientology can do for you.

Life tools, probably find some of those in Problems of Work. The TR's (training regime) for communication skills were originally designed to improve auditor skills, but some may find them useful in every day life.

You know, there is a joke about Bridge Players. They say they are the most wonderful people in the world, until they get 13 cards in their hands. Something similar could be said about Scientologists. I have met very few Scientologists in my life that I didn't like.

Anonymous rated this answer:

Thankyou. Were you once in Scientology or are you still involved in it? I am not looking into joining or anything but I find their zest for life intruiging and would just like to know some of the rules they live by to be such a way!

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