1. What does the Word “Scientology” Mean?
The word Scientology was conceived by L. Ron Hubbard to describe his philosophy. It comes from the Latin word scio which means “know” and from the Greek word logos which means “study of”. Thus it means the study of knowledge. L Ron Hubbard uses this word to describe the religious philosophy he developed which allows people to study life, the human spirit, and to attain spiritual freedom.
2. What does Scientology Believe?
Scientology is a religion which recognizes that man is basically good and offers practical methods anyone can use to become happier and more able as a person. These methods allow a person to improve conditions in life for himself and others and gain a greater awareness of his own spiritual nature.
Developed by L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology provides exact principles and a practical technology for improving spiritual awareness, self-confidence, intelligence and ability.
Scientology comprises a body of knowledge which extends from certain fundamental truths. These include:
Man is an immortal spiritual being.
His experience extends well beyond a single lifetime.
His capabilities are unlimited, even if not presently realized.
Scientology further holds man to be basically good, and that his spiritual salvation depends upon himself and his fellows and his attainment of brotherhood with the universe.
Scientology is not a dogmatic religion in which one is asked to believe anything on faith. An individual discovers for himself that Scientology works by applying its principles and observing or experiencing the results.
The ultimate goal of Scientology is true spiritual enlightenment and freedom for the individual.
3. Why is Scientology called a Religion?
Scientology is a religion in the deepest and most traditional sense, for it is concerned with no less than the full rehabilitation of man’s innate spiritual self — his capabilities, his awareness and his certainty of his own immortality — and his relationship to the divine. Scientology holds in common with many of the world’s oldest religions the belief that man was put here to work out his own salvation and that only by doing this can he fully understand his relationship to God the Creator. Scientology principles further hold that man is basically good and that his salvation depends upon himself, his relationships with his fellow man and his attainment of brotherhood with the universe.
4. Does Scientology have a Concept of God?
Most definitely. Belief in God is a part of Scientology Doctrine. Whereas some religions focus entirely on God, Scientology also addresses other parts of life, such as a person’s own life, his family, his job and so on. However, Scientology represents God as the senior level of life.
5. Do People have to Change their Religions to Become Scientologists?
No. Scientology teaches respect for all religions, and people do not change their religions to join Scientology. Scientology is interested in increasing and adding to people’s knowledge and wisdom, not in taking away what truths they have already learned. Christians, Buddhists, Catholics, Muslims, and people of many different faiths have all become Scientologists without changing their religions, and they feel Scientology helps them to become better Christians, Buddhists, Catholics, and Muslims, etc. No one is ever enforced to believe certain things in Scientology; in fact, Scientology helps people to learn to observe and form their own conclusions about the truths of life because no one is ever truly successful or happy without the ability to think for themselves.
6. What about What I Read on the Internet?
A long time ago Mark Twain stated that “If you don’t read the newspaper, you are uninformed; if you do read the newspaper, you are misinformed.” Unfortunately, that remains true today, except that now it also applies to the Internet as well. The only way to find out if Scientology is going to help you is to come into a Church of Scientology and learn about it and try to apply some techniques or principles of Scientology. Then you can see for yourself.
7. Is Scientology a cult?
Not at all. Cults are generally considered to be secretive or mystical, with strange ceremonies or beliefs. Scientology is the very opposite. There are millions of Scientologists all over the world who live normal lives, just like you. When they study Scientology, they go to open centers where anyone can go. In fact, you can buy almost all the materials of Scientology on-line. Scientology helps people with improving communication, relationships, reducing stress, and becoming more successful in life. The information is practical and requires no belief to work. Scientologists dress normal, behave rationally, and all church activities make logical, common sense.
8. Who was L. Ron Hubbard?
L. Ron Hubbard is the founder of Dianetics and Scientology and the author of the Scientology scripture. His research on the spirit, the mind and life is recorded in the tens of millions of words which comprise Dianetics and Scientology. His works cover subjects as diverse as drug rehabilitation, education, marriage and family, success at work, administration, art and many other aspects of life.
His best-selling book Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health alone has sold tens of millions of copies and continues to appear on the New York Times and other bestseller lists around the world, even nearly six decades after its original publication.
L. Ron Hubbard made no claims to be more than human or above the frailties of the human condition. He lived life, in fact if you added up his achievements, you could say he lived several. And out of that deep well of experience, and many years of research, he made some discoveries that were so far ahead of their times that people are still catching up. In the late 1940s he discovered pre-natal perceptions. Look it up, fifty years later, established medicine is slowly drawing the same conclusions.
But the real testimony to the effectiveness of his discoveries are the millions of people who have benefited from the knowledge he learned and shared.
For more information on L. Ron Hubbard visit www.LRonHubbard.org.
9. How do I get started in Scientology?
The best way to learn is by experiencing Scientology and Dianetics for yourself. Find out how Scientology and Dianetics can improve your life. We recommend you to come to a free introductory lecture, or take a free personality test on-line. After all, knowing yourself and knowing life is what we are all about.
Click here to find out about our free introductory lectures.
Click here to take a free personality test.