Scientology Research Paper

Some people love, and some people hate L. Ron Hubbard. Before doing any kind of research into the religion of Scientology I had never heard of the religion, let alone heard of a man so loved and so despised by many. The science-fiction writer, later turned leader made his way on I the scene in 1950 when a book called “Dianetics” hit America's west coast like a wild fire. Some claim it was his plan saying he was only out for money. My opinion of this was that L. Ron Hubbard was a genius when it came to believable scams and money making.
Scientology is an organization or movement that is right on the edge between psychology and religion. The idea is that if you correctly apply the knowledge that is there for the taking, which will fully release the individual’s full potential. The proper application of the ideas is supposed to lead to the freeing of the individuals superhuman powerful human nature. Scientology believes that in the climb to a desirable state, there are current human limitations, including lack of confidence, psychological and physical disabilities, and psychosomatic illness. These limitations, if they are eliminated (the idea of scientology), this will enable man to handle his environment more successfully
Scientology also looks at the human beings will to exist, which is summed up in 8 dynamics or drives as they are called. L. Ron Hubbard composed these 8 dynamics or drives, and they are as follows: 1) The urge to survive as a self-aware individual; 2) through his progeny; 3) as a member of a family group or race; 4) through mankind as all mankind; 5) the urge toward survival through all living things, whether animal or vegetable; 6)the urge towards survival in the physical universe; 7) the urge towards survival as or of spirits; and 8)the urge towards survival as Infinity, or through a Supreme Being. The religion of Scientology strives to teach the people to reach their maximum potential and to make the person exist and satisfy all of the dynamics
Many books have been written that discredit the religion of Scientology including Paulette Cooper's book, “The Scandal of Scientology” which outlines all of what she believes to be faults in the Scientology religion. There is also an article that was released four years after the death of the founder of Scientology Lafayette Ronald Hubbard. Called "The Scientology Story” it was a series in The Los Angeles Times that was written to walk through Scientology from the beginning to end that explain the facts. In this article of Scientology there are many discrediting facts and ideas about the religion that were found.
A very widely used quote of L. Ron Hubbard is the following which was said in 1938 in a letter to his first wife ten years before the creation of his religion. He said "I have high hopes of smashing my name into history so violently it will take a legendary form. . . that goal is the real goal as far as I am concerned (Los Angeles Times About This Series pg 1)." This quote explains that L. Ron Hubbard simply created this religion as a way to gain a name for himself. It is also used to try and argue that L. Ron Hubbard was a smart man looking for money. It is also stated in the article that when he began his religion he was a struggling science fiction writer who was according to this article in debt. Not only are those arguments used, but also the fact that he displayed many cult leader qualities. In the article it states that L. Ron Hubbard was " and expert in hypnotism" . The following was also stated: "During a 1948 gathering of Science fiction buffs in Los Angeles he hypnotized many of those in attendance, convincing one man that he was cradling a tiny kangaroo in his hand (Los Angeles Times The Scientology Story Part 1 pg 3)." Not only that, but L. Ron Hubbard was said to have admired Aleister Crowley a British Satanist and in 1952 during a lecture he described him as "my very good friend." Later on in life Hubbard tried to deny and /or diminish his relationship with Crowley after a fall out over a boat venture. His relationship with this cult leader shows Hubbards possible cult thinking. I have outlined only a few of the many facts that could be used and have been used in the past as a way to show the falsity by which Scientology was started therefore false in it's standing today.

In a video titled “My Philosophy” L. Ron Hubbard Mr. Hubbard describes his personal story of being left physically disabled after World War II, being abandoned by his friends and family, and being what he calls "a helpless cripple". He explains how he fought back from all of that to be a productive happy man through growth and the discovery and practice of his new saving religion. Believers say that it is his story that makes the religion true. They say that his fight is proof that L. Ron Hubbard knows how to become healthier and happier and that his ways work. This may be a good concept for them to believe in however in records L. Ron Hubbard's story was proven to be false and everything else besides general moral statements were false also. I believe that the facts don't add up in Scientology, it is the morals that people take from it. However, if something is bad at the core it is rotten throughout.
Scientologists have a severe distrust for people that are in the medical community. In Paulette Cooper's book “The Scandal of Scientology” , Cooper states that Scientologists have actively tried to discredit their "competition" which they believe to be mental health professionals and sometimes doctors of medicine in general. She states that Scientologists see Psychiatrists or people of the mental health as "frauds", "mental con men", "pimps" and "insidious politicians". Cooper also tells of a delusional Hubbard that is convinced that "psychiatrists kill or torture their patients with electric shock treatment, use them sexually and never help them." On top of all of that Scientologists in believing what L. Ron Hubbard has taught them accuse doctors of " giving away free samples of marijuana and LSD", being "brain butchers", as well as practicing "mental murder" and sometimes "castration" on a patient. In a memo to a private investigator that L. Ron Hubbard was trying to hire to investigate psychiatrists he allegedly stated "A psychiatrist today has the power to take fancy to a woman, drug or shock her into mental insanity, use her sexually, sterilize her to prevent conception, and kill her by brain to prevent disclosure. . ."

This insight into Scientology has brought me to believe that there are many different beliefs in the world, and they may look weird from the outside looking in, but that does not mean that these are not legitimate or real religions. The idea of Scientology is not like that of anything that I have heard about before, and that is why it is, in my opinion, an amazing accomplishment that it has survived and flourished. With a worldwide membership of 8 million people, it does not appear that Scientology will be dying out anytime soon , which is admirable. (Nation, 1) Scientology is unique and different, and that a big part of the reason that it is so interesting.

Works Cited

Fitcher, Joseph H. Alternatives to American Mainline Churches. New York: Rose of Sharon Press, 1983.

Garrison, Omar V. The Hidden Story of Scientology. New Jersey: Citadel Press, 1974.

Hubbard, Ron L. The Philosopher: The Rediscovery of the Human Soul. Los Angeles: Library Donation Service, 1996.

Malko George. Scientology: The Now Religion. New York: Delacorte Press, 1970.

Rowley, Peter. New Gods in America: An Informal Investigation into the New Religions of American Youth Today. New York:D. McKay Co., 1971.