Introduction: Unveiling the Church of Scientology
When you think about Scientology, what first comes to mind? They present it as a religion, but over the years, there has been controversy over whether it is a cult or a possible pyramid scheme. My goal is to come to an understanding and a possible conclusion to the truth. I will explore the Church of Scientology to accomplish two primary goals. The first goal is to determine what defines a 'cult' in terms of persuasive techniques and characteristics. This will help in whether or not the Church of Scientology can be classified as a cult. The second goal will identify the types of rhetorical strategies and persuasive fallacies used to promote a group's ideas and motivations. Furthermore, how it promotes unity as a means to gain and maintain group membership. Scientology, cults, and even pyramid schemes can have overlapping similarities. The ultimate goal is to find out how much of their similarities over-lap to determine where Scientology falls.
The Origins and Expansion of Scientology
Scientology has been the most talked-about and controversial religious group in the United States. The church of Scientology was founded by L. Ron Hubbard (LRH), a well-known science fiction writer in 1954 (Reitman, 2011). Not soon after writing the book Dianetics, which focuses on the topics of psychoanalytic methods to help purify the mind, Hubbard soon after that had started the church of Scientology to help to teach, preach, apply the techniques in his book. Ultimately, the principles he had created. Ron L Hubbard used Dianetics as their holy text and or scripture. (Gibney, Vaurio, Wright, & Nevins, 2015). After the death of L. Ron Hubbard in 1986, the creator of Scientology. A man named David Miscavige took over as a leader since he grew up in Scientology and was look at as a protégé of LRH (Lindsey, January 29, 1986; Gibney, Vario, Wright, & Nevins, 2015).
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As the new leader of Scientology, David Miscavige's most significant achievement in the church was winning a case against the IRS in court, making the church be a religious tax exemption (Lewis 2015: 227). With that case being won and having its religious tax-exempt new status, the church of Scientology accumulates billions of dollars because of their lavish and beautiful buildings and the real estate that the church of Scientology owns (Reitman, 2011). Scientology was started in the United States, but since then, it has spread all over the world, such as England, Australia, and a vast amount of European countries (Reitman, 2011). The church of Scientology comes across as the 'study of knowledge' and the truth seeker through the new technology developed by the creator LRH (n.d., What is Scientology). Scientology was set up in a hierarchical structure, with members always working to reach or gain the next level in the church. Until the member reaches the level of becoming 'clear,' which is considered to be fully aware and free from the reactive mind, they classify the highest level one can reach as the OT VIII. Due to the secrecy of their approach, it is hard to determine what level up consists of or how it comes about. They refer to the part of this leveling up as 'auditing,' which is an $800 an hour therapy session. Ultimately the book is a course outline with tasks that need to be completed to ascend in the church. These books are constantly evolving and having material added to the journey. This process can lead one to question its legitimacy as a religion.
Persuasive Techniques and Membership Dynamics
The church Scientology uses the approach of persuasive techniques to maintain their members and to gain new members, and the church uses a multi-faced approach. By examining common themes and similarities within cults, as well as what characterizes them, by gathering information and comparing them to help distinguish the difference between high demand religious' groups such as Scientology and cults. The church Scientology will be looked at carefully to help identify and determine the measures of similarity and dissimilarity of the major outlining characteristic that cults possess. This research paper will also look closely at and examine the persuasive and language techniques and methods that the church of Scientology will use; we will look from the three different views of perspectives: the current leader of the church David Miscavige; and an ex- Scientology member, along with current and active members. While conducting a detailed examination of a speech that David Miscavige has given to find the rhetorical devices and persuasive fallacies used to promote unity, to help increase group morale, and facility group thinking. Considering the impact that the member's testimonials on group polarization and the thought of bandwagon. The testimonials will be compared to some of the ex-Scientologists interviews to see the difference in the thinking processes between the two groups. Jargon is an essential mode of persuasion; the specialized language of Scientology will be examined to see how the church uses thinking to help form an ingroup and an outgroup. The formation of opposing groups is at the core of the persuasive techniques used to maintain and gain their members.
Defining Cults and Distinguishing Characteristics
In trying to find out what makes a cult, it is essential to know and to remember that there isn't a clear distinction between any cult or any given organized religion. It can be a very subjective task trying to compare any religion and a cult. Research shows that any religious organization can be deemed as a cult if enough option and criticism it threw upon it though the term cult can carry a dangerous title and should not be used gently. Due to the word 'cult' is a vague term, and with that, it is hard to define. The courts are legally unable to treat any controversial religious groups any different if they fall under any of the protection of their religious freedom by law (lewis 2015:230). By being able to define the core meaning of cults along with being able to see and assessing some of the significant differences between cultic and non-cultic groups, that will help give a general and comprehensive checklist to help understand and classify interoperate religious groups as 'cults.' The checklist will help people see a more definite way and understanding of what makes a cult different on a convincing level. Dr. Michael Langone, who is a psychologist whose primary focus is on cultic groups research. Below is a compiled list of common characteristics of cults, some of the major themes in his list include:
- A focus on members all-consuming 'unquestioning commitment' to the leader,
- The use of guilt and even 'mind-numbing techniques 'to help suppress doubt,'
- Total control over the thoughts, actions, and feelings of members,
- 'The group leader is claiming a special, exalted status for itself, leaders and members,
- Isolating members from the rest of society- including friends and family outside of the group,
- Members 'devoted inordinate amounts of time to the group.'
- 'Members are encouraged or required to live and socialize only with other group members' (Tobias& Lalich 1994: 276-77).
The easiest way to look is the way past members have described some of their experiences and becoming involved and even participating in some of these cultic groups to help underline similar traits. With the ex-members have even gone to describe their initial reaction as 'being enthralled' with an idea, group, and the leader' (Tobias and Lalich 1994: 11). They are said to have a honeymoon stage, which is the most critical stage and period for the prospective members to be pulled even deeper into the organization or group.
Cult Leadership: Charisma and Control
The leaders of cults are known to carry a specific type of personality trait that makes them unique all on its own. Psychologist Dr. Margaret Singer has described cult leaders as being 'very determined, dominating and charismatic.' They like to be the center of attention and veneration on themselves; they are also are known to be very narcissistic (Tobias and Lalich 1994: 14). Cultic leaders are known to put themselves upon a pedestal, trying to come across as if they have all the answers that you might be seeking. The cult leaders have two sides to their personality that are the two versions of themselves the godly, charismatic self and the authoritarian, vengeful and hateful self. The members are taught to, of course, adore their leader and follow blindness to what they say but to also fear them. However, the most effective cults are the one that the leaders can create a situation from continues to persist after the leader has died. The charism is what attracts new members to join and keeps the current ones enthralled (Zellner & Petrowsky: viii).
The members that join the church Scientology are usually taught to think in a cognitive distortion but more pointed at filtering and personalization. The organization does not have or produce a positive result. Another pretty huge characteristic is the amount of push of their member's dependency on the leader and the group. Tactics that a group might use is a specialized language that is used to help promote consequently and solidarity, a loss of self. By using these tactics, it helps creates a sense of fear to leave after having been tied to the group (Tobias and Lalich 1994:12). They have created this fear so that the members feel a loss of a connection to the outside world; more time than not the members of a group are forced – told sever ties with friends and family who are outside of the group, so they get lost and lose a sense of self within in the group, and therefore need it.
The Psychological and Social Dynamics within Cults
A lot of the time, cult members are living in horrendous conditions; by doing this, they are putting their lives and the people they love in danger. The members in some cases are treated and abused mentally, emotionally, and physically; most members will give up there right to sleep, proper nutrition, and to have a safe shelter (Tobias and Lalich 1994:12). The members are so blinded and are willing to give up all their fundamental human rights and are all willing to suffer just for the sake of pleasing the leader or even furthering the group's mission.
Their characteristics that have been outlined above can help enlighten the kinds of dangers that are unique to cultic groups, as opposed to other religiose groups. However, it is very crucial to understand that note each cult is different, and they may not possess all the characteristics that were mentioned previously. However, the one common factor is that all cult does rely heavily on techniques of persuasion and manipulation to help gain new followers and to maintain the ones they already have.
Conclusion: Is Scientology a Cult?
Now we are at a point where we can determine is Scientology a cult we have looked at what defines a cult up above. We have determined the court characteristics that distinguish cults from other high demand religious groups around the world. Assessing how the church of Scientology does fit these criteria, in many kinds of ways, Scientology even functions as a business hand all the flashy presentation along with the famous spokesman and the elitist hierarchy that they have. All of the members of Scientology are required to give out thousands of their dollars for books CDs, even auditing sessions they will do anything to help ensure that they will reach the next level on the bridge. However, when combined with blind division reverence of L. Ron Hubbard and isolation from the outside world, the church of Scientology can very well be viewed as a cult with all of this research that we have gathered.
With the list that has been outlined in the previous part of the paper, one of the first things that we look at with the church of Scientology is how they judge in and are based on 'unquestioning commitment' to an authoritarian leader. In the case, the leader in question would be the founder of Scientology L. Ron Hubbard he was even known to have an extreme domineering present to be around. 'larger than life, attracted to people, dynamic and immensely capable in a dozen fields' is how a website sponsored by the church of Scientology describes LRH as being ('an introduction to Elder Ron Hubbard,' n.d). However, the church of Scientology attempts to collective a glowing image of a perfect leader to the outside world. Active members along who are loyal Scientologist perceive him as 'part profit, part teacher, and even part Savior '(Reitman 2011). After the passing of LRH members have continuously hold a loyal following and still perceives him as a godly, omnipotent figure. The current leader of Scientology David Miscavige who is this image by always constantly quoting LRH in many his speeches and requiring members to read books and other text written by Hubbard to ensure that they still view him that way (Miscavige, n.d.,' Scientology scripture and recovered '). One of the members of Scientology has even described this inundation of LRH materials as an 'ongoing conversation with LRH day-by-day-by-day-by-day,' 'whether you are reading it or you are listening to the lecture it is just continuously amazing conversation '(Miscavige, n.d., 'Scientology scripture recovered '). Another way that David Miscavige has also been able to garner his own support is by directly linking himself to the L. Ron Hubbard. He even goes as far to recall his childhood memories of working alongside LRHI sort of a protégé (Gibney, Vaurio, Wright, & Nevins 2015), with that being said Miscavige was claiming authority by association to LRH (Withey 2016: 22, 43). That is a big appeal of Scientology Scientologist quite literally buy into this by handing over thousands of their money to file some more connection to their beloved leader that they believe is godly. A lot of the Scientologist see David Miscavige has a product of that hard work and dedication of the LRHC is their success stories and who they want to be and become.
As a result of tutoring David Miscavige up as a successful golden child of L. Ron Hubbard and Scientology as a whole perspective and new members became enthralled with the idea of becoming enlightened and fully self-aware. Sensationalized terms like “bridge to total freedom” or “clear” further add to this sense of mysticism and wonder. The idea that there is a clear-cut path to internal happiness and goodness is appealing especially to those looking for direction or purpose in their lives. This phenomenon can be linked to nearly all cultic group throughout history; it is the main reason people are drawn to colds. One can see this in Hollywood’s fascination with Scientology, exemplify the actors in Scientology figurehead John Travolta out and Tom Cruise. Tom Cruise is very open about the presence of the church of Scientology and his life, describing that enthronement with Scientology as: “I just went poof -this is it this is exactly it “(Aleteuk January 17, 2008). 1X Scientologists recounts the recruitment of John Travolta saying “he got injected with a lot of confidence” by getting involved in Scientology (Gibney, Vaurio, Wright, & Nevins 2015). I’ve perfected members Barowsky eight became in the world with the ideal presented by the group it becomes more likely they will seek self-improvement procedures he created.
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