Scientology: Answers for A Student

rhcp21490 said

Hi my name is Patrick and I am doing a project about Scientology in school and was wondering if you could answer some questions.

Why did you choose the Church Scientology?
The Church of Scientology forwards and protects the Scientology religion. There is no other place to get true Scientology from.

What initially appealed you about Scientology?
What I liked about Scientology was the logical approach to the questions of life and how to handle the problems of life and the fact that when I applied what I learned I got results.

Do you believe Scientology is a cult?
I already answered that one here: Is Scientology A Cult?

What do you have to say to people who believe it is a cult?
The problem with that questions is that anyone can "believe" anything. Whether something is a "cult" or not depends on the definition of the word and if that definition applies to the activity in questions.

The word "cult" has been so misused and abused that it is not an accurate or scientific word to use when referring to any religion or group in any but a denigrating or pejorative way.

If someone wanted me to tell them why Scientology is not a "cult" then I've answered that in the posts you will find here: Scientology, Brainwashing and Cults.

Are you tolerating to other religions?
Yes. Scientology is not an "exclusive" religion. That means is people from any religion can be Scientologists. You don't have to give up any beliefs or practices to be a Scientologist. I was an atheist before Scientology, so I didn't have anything to give up, but I know Jews, Christians and Muslims who are Scientologist.

Scientologists also are very hot on Human Rights and one of the most important Human Rights is the right to freedom of religion. Here is a video created by a human rights group that was started by some Scientologists: Respect the Religious Beliefs of Others

What would you do if someone tried to convert you to another religion?
Funny you should ask that, because I had a couple of Jehovah's Witnesses at the door today. They were very nice ladies. I told them I was not a Christian but that I very much agreed with the religious philosophy of Christianity. We parted on good terms.

I have studied Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and Buddhism and I've taken very brief glances at Shinto, Sikhism and a couple other lesser known religions. I see that they are all basically saying the same thing.

Do you feel threatened by other religions?
Scientologists regard people in other religions as friends and fellow travelers on the road to spiritual freedom.

My personal view is that religion and spirituality are vital to this world. Without them we would live in a barbarism. The great religions of the last few thousand years have helped civilize man and have kept alive the hope that man could rise to greater heights and that man can be freed from the travails of this life.

What practices do you perform in Scientology?
There are two basic practices: Scientology Auditing and Scientology Training

Description of Auditing (from Scientology Auditing)
The primary means by which the basic truths of Scientology are applied to the rehabilitation of the human spirit is called auditing. It is the central practice of Scientology, and it is delivered by an auditor, from the Latin word audire, "one who listens."

An auditor does not engage in some vague form of mental exploration, nor does an auditor offer solutions, advice or evaluation. One of the fundamental principles of the Scientology faith is the truism that an individual can improve his conditions only if he is allowed to find his own answers to life's problems. Scientology auditors help individuals to accomplish this goal by guiding them to examine their existence through a carefully structured series of steps that Mr. Hubbard developed. By following this gradient process, individuals can thereby improve their ability to face what they are and where they are - peeling away the layers of experience that have weighed so heavily upon them.

Description of Training (from Scientology Training))
Another fundamental practice of the Scientology religion is training - the study of Scientology principles. Many courses of training are available in the Scientology religion because a person can, as stated, use the truths found in Scientology to improve conditions in every area of life. However, the most important training courses are those through which one learns to become an auditor. That is because the overriding principle in all courses is that Scientology is an applied religious philosophy, and all training emphasizes application.

The broad path the Scientologist follows through auditing and the study of Scientology materials is known as The Bridge. This embodies an ancient concept - a long-envisioned route across a chasm between man's present state and vastly higher levels of awareness. The Bridge is comprised of gradient steps so that gains are incremental, predictable and apparent.

I hope that answers your questions. If you have more then please feel free to ask more.