I have chosen to look at the religion of
Scientology as it is one that I have heard many people discuss because of the
controversy it causes and the mocking it receives; however it is one I am
personally unaware of.
The website scientology.org looks like a
slick and modern organization that is welcoming to visitors. It has a page
dedicated to the religion’s creator L. Ron Hubbard and pages inviting visitors
to ask ‘what is Scientology?’ The video and text that comes with this explains
that “Man is an immortal and spiritual being” and their goal is “spiritual
enlightenment and freedom for all,” which sounds hugely positive but has no
information on what makes this truly different from any other religion. The
video explains that is the study of knowing and is something you do as well as
believe in; following this are a long list of empowering words such as
“practical solutions,” “inspiration” and “creativity” but still no explanation
what they actually do.
After going on the next page, another video
explains the charity work they supposedly do, with interviews with everyday
scientologists saying how empowering helping others is. What links this back
with American identity is the notion that everyone is born equal and deserves
help from their fellow man in a very biblical kind of message.
It is not until a page called ‘what are the
principles of Scientology?’ that is quite difficult to find, that I get a real
idea of what they believe in. The video describes how Men are spirits and the
body and mind are something we have, not something we are, and that our spirits
will live longer than our bodies and minds.
I find the fact that Scientology is a 21st
Century religion interesting as it has been built on the beliefs of one man, L.
Ron Hubbard, and not on the actual practicing of the teachings like other
religions have. This does fit in with America’s identity as being a “land of
the free” where people can decide what it is that they choose to believe in,
even if it is a New Age idea that has no evidence behind it. It reminds of
sections in De Crevecoeur’s book where he describes settlers coming to America
and working for themselves off the land. Scientology seems similar to me, as it
suggests that people can invent their own religion and live by its rules if
that is their choosing.
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