A Study on Scientology

I have always been very interested in learning and experiencing different religious practices. Throughout my life I have experienced a variety of religions through people I have met. When the opportunity arose for me to visit yet another religious site, I wanted to branch out and find a religion I knew absolute nothing about.

Many times I have driven past The Church of Scientology with different people, and I always expressed interest in going and figuring out what it is all about. I called and made an appointment for a friend and me to go visit. I was super nervous going into this church. I had no idea what to expect, I didn’t know much about the church, I didn’t know exactly what they believed, and I also didn’t know how they practiced. I had no idea what to expect from my visit.

Walking in was somewhat scary. As ashamed as I am to admit, I had judgments in my head of what it was going to be like. I thought that all the people would be weird, and have strange ways of practicing their religion. I was also very afraid that the people that I met would try to convert me to their religion.

I was completely wrong. When we arrived at The Church of Scientology I looked at the building. It was somewhat intimidating. I was able to identity the building as a church, not because there was a steeple at the top or anything, but it just looked like it was a religious building. It was very large and made of stone, with pillars, and of course a sign that said “Church of Scientology.” Extremely apprehensively I walked though huge metal doors and was taken aback by what I saw inside.

I am not sure what I was expecting, but it was definitely not what I saw. The interior reminded me of a museum. There was a front desk and almost a gift shop. Upstairs there was a small room with chairs and a stage, and lots of desk. From he inside I never would have known The Church of Scientology was a religious site.

A man named L. Ron Hubbard opened the first Church of Scientology in 1954 in Los Angeles. It started with Hubbard Association of Scientologist International, until 1853 when Hubbard announced Scientology’s afflation with religion. According to Hubbard the goal of Scientology was, “a civilization without insanity, without criminals and without war, where the able can prosper and honest beings can have rights, and where man is free to rise to greater heights.” When practicing Scientology people focus on their own personal faith and being the best person they can be.

Scientology focuses on Dianetics, which is the idea of the relationship of mind and body. People who practice scientology focus on their spiritual immortal being. One of the main way people practice this religion is by auditing. Auditing is done by a trained auditor, and is a process of the auditor asking a series of questions, which are then answered and then a specific of objective is achieved though the process. Auditors are required to follow a specific code and conduct. During the auditing process a Hubbard Electropsychometer, or E-Meter is used. An E-Meter measures electrical resistance.

The E-Meter is also believed by Scientologist to help the auditor detect memories in either a person’s previous life or even past life. Different classes are also held to help people with relationships, and other important areas of life. The Church of Scientology is a very organized place, where everyone has a job and everyone knows his or her place. As long as everyone sticks with what they are supposed to be doing the church runs smoothly and no problems should arise.

The most recognizable symbol of Scientology is the double triangle with an S in it. The S represents Scientology. The upper triangle is called the K-R-C triangle. K is for knowledge, R is for responsibility, and C is for control. The lower triangle is the A-R-C triangle, with the A standing for affinity, R for reality, and c for communication. The three points on each triangle are all interrelated, and increase and decrease with one another. Another symbol of Scientology is an eight point cross.

Each point represents a different basic dynamic of Scientology, and how they organize their experiences. The eight points are, self, creativity, social groups, humanity, life, the universe, the spiritual realm, and infinity. The infinity symbol, which has become quite popular today, also has meaning in The Church of Scientology. This symbol, for Scientology, means exactly as it states, infinity.

When visiting The Church of Scientology I met with a woman named Mindy. I was very nervous, because I feel that often times when you go and meet with someone of different religions they often try to convert you to their religion. Mindy made me feel very comfortable and I felt that I was able to ask her anything and share my opinions with her. When we got to the church, I first watched a video called Orientation.

In the video I learned about the history of Scientology and the organization of the church. After the video Mindy took us upstairs to where her desk was. This was also the location of where the services where held. The room was very opened with tables and desks lining the walls. At one end of the room was a stage, and there were chairs lined facing the stage. In front of the stage there was a TV. I set down in the chairs in front of the stage and Mindy showed us another video, which talked about the life of L. Ron Hubbard, and creator of The Church of Scientology and how he created the church. After the video Mindy asked if I had any questions. At that time I was still very confused about how The Church of Scientology was a religion.

Mindy explained how it is a religion, because Scientology believes that it is important for everyone to have faith and have something to believe in, but the church does not specify what that faith needs to be. When I learned this about Scientology I was really surprised. Mindy then asked me what my greatest struggle in life was. I told her it was either with school or with relationships. At that moment Mindy went and got a small paperback book. With that she began to explain that there were three reasons a person struggles with school. She told me that in the book it explained the different reasons.

One of the reasons is a lack of mass. When you can’t see something or feel something it is difficult to understand it. For example in chemistry you cannot physically see atoms and molecules so it is challenging for some people to learn chemistry. Honestly, I was amazed. I had never thought about the reason why some subjects are harder than others, and why some people struggle with something that someone else excels at.

Mindy then proceeded to explain that not only does the little book she held in her hand explain why people battle with certain things, it also tells you how to fix the different problems in your life. She told me that not only where there are books on difficulties in studies, but also there were book on everything you could imagine. Wherever you have a problem in your life, there is a book that can help you in fixing it. In the end I was pleasantly surprised with my visit to The Church of Scientology. I learned something totally new, and thought about things I had never even come close to thinking about.

I am still not sure how I feel about The Church of Scientology. I greatly respect the people that practice Scientology and how they are so in tune with their inner being, but I wouldn’t consider ever converting to Scientology. I am glad I chose to visit The Church of Scientology, because I was able to gain so much knowledge into the lives and believes of others.