Before I conducted my research, I knew a little about the cult-like behavior that Scientology involved. I had watched a few episodes of Leah Remini’s documentary and had known the basics of Scientology. I thought that Scientology was very suspicious and that their beliefs seemed strict and punishments for crimes/sins were harsh. This topic interests me because I think that the lifestyle of a Scientologist is very distinct and I was curious as to why someone would willingly put themselves through the treatment. When I started I had hoped to learn more about the belief system and lifestyle of a Scientologist, I wanted to find enough information, through research, to determine the level of cult behavior involved in Scientology. My search process was not too difficult, I used the majority of my sources from EBSCOhost and then worked in my last source from a documentary hosted by a former Scientologist.
The best information was found through the documentary. This documentary was very helpful because it exposes a lot about religion in a way that is very easy to understand. I found the most success in looking for information on the topic of Scientologists’ family lifestyle. I found it hard to find specific details and articles that went into depth. Most articles were very vague and did n’t provide much information. Ms. Adams was helpful by offering specific techniques to find sources easier. I had some setbacks when it came to taking my research and basing legitimate claims to expand on the idea. I needed to make sure I had sources to back up any claims. I was originally going to have a part of my thesis on the history of Scientology; however, after learning the large role Scientology plays in destroying families, I switched to family life. I then gathered as much evidence as I could to help support my stance of seeing this religion as a cult.
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What is Scientology? Scientology is a religion founded by L. Ron Hubbard based on the theory of man. Their beliefs are based on a book, Dianetics, written by Hubbard and their religion depends on following this book’s teachings very strictly. It has been through the media countless times being dragged and called a cult. These arguments are supported by the facts that religion takes a great toll on member mental health. There are also many speculations towards the completely different lifestyle of a member, and the main aspect in question is their freedom status. Based upon the beliefs of Scientology and its effect on mental health, the lifestyle of a member, and families, it shows more characteristics of a cult rather than a religion. Scientology is a religion that relies heavily on the ability to brainwash its followers and contribute to their mental illnesses through their beliefs and theories designed to manipulate members thoughts. One example is the use of the E-Meter. L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology, relied heavily on the workings of the E-meter. This is the Scientologists’ version of a lie detector used to determine a member’s mentality. “An individual no longer having a reactive mind is defined clear” (Bigliardi 663) The Scientologists’ goal is for their members to confine to their beliefs and not be able to think for themselves.
Those who are clear are free to move on and continue to progress in their rankings. There is no known policy for what they do to the members who do not get cleared but that’s because Scientology doesn't want people to know the consequences. There is little questioning of this method because the process is praised by members. The E-meter is seen as necessary to the Scientologists as a way to detect dangerous things. (Bigliradi) This device is praised by many Scientologists because it is seen as helpful and is written in the book of Dianetics. However, to outsiders, this method is seen as strange and unnatural. Even medical experts have hard times supporting this process. “His theories were not accepted by the medical establishment from which he initially sought approval” (Bigliardi 663) The workings of L. Ron. Hubbard is not supported by medical experts because it is seen as wrong and there is not a way to prove the effects it could have on members. When even medical experts are disturbed by this system used by Scientologists, there needs to be something done to ban this E-meter. The world of Scientology is brutal and unpleasant due to the belief system focusing on a set list of theories, and those who fail to show their allegiance are punished and brainwashed until they do. Scientologists gain the majority of their members through recruitment.
The majority (68%) of respondents had made contact with Scientology through friends and/or family (Ross). Because of the uneducated amount of people of the lifestyle, people join thinking that they are doing the right thing. This is because Scientology advertises as a religion that's the main focus is to improve the world and save mankind from themselves. Every member is expected to recruit as many people they know that will benefit Scientology. There is even a decent amount of celebrity members who are used to recruit any people who see them in the media. The other people that weren’t recruited were born into the religion. These children are brought up to life solely focused on Scientology. “Everyone I knew was in the church, as a third-generation Scientologist, my life was Scientology” (“Beyond Belief”). The only people they are allowed to communicate with are people within the religion. There is little to no outside contact with others of different beliefs. This could be supported by the fact that seeing an outside contact might lead to the realization of the unfair treatment that they receive compared to others. Even though it is greatly frowned upon, there are people that take the risk and speak out of the grim lifestyle that Scientology brought them. “That life included absolute obedience to dictates that seem crafted to strip away any autonomy from the individual, if any individual at all” (“Beyond Belief”). The workings of Scientology are intended to take away a person's right to make their own decisions.
This is cult behavior because they want all of their followers to be the same. The teachings of Scientology are very harsh and there is a large amount of evidence that points to it causing an emotional toll on members. “It has been argued that members are likely to become psychologically devastated, economically exploited and to lose their ability to distinguish reality from imagination” (Ross 630). Members in Scientology are facing a lot of difficulties when it comes to knowing what is real and what isn't. This is a very concerning statement and makes the fact that Scientology is still a religion even more of a concern. Religion should be helping their followers, but instead, Scientology is worsening their mental health and trying to conform them all to be the exact same. One of the main aspects Scientology interrupts is families, because of their strict rules set on family life. The church is extremely precise about what happens to the people that choose to leave Scientology. Scientology has been known to tear families apart, specifically for how it treats those who leave and how they expect the family members to treat those who leave. Leaving the church will mean you are now an enemy of the church, also referred to as a “suppressive person”. (Childs) Members that leave the church essentially leave their families behind as well, because as soon as they escape, family ties are cut and they will never be able to talk to them again. The people who leave the religion are not allowed to contact their loved ones ever again, which is intended to sway people from leaving. Because so many people choose their own safety and freedom, families are torn apart. “Because I have publicly denounced Scientology, I’m rejecting my families legacy, is what I was told” (Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath)
Scientology not only tears families apart from the outside, but from the inside, too. There is a specific theory based on how the ideal Scientologist family should be and every family is required to live out this picture perfect standard. There is a book, known as Child Dianetics, with a compilation of materials written by L. Ron Hubbard to describe the expected beliefs to children. (Leah Remini) While the teachings are focused on the adults they start with the children at an early age. The children also aren't given much time to spend with their parents, especially those who are part of the SeaOrg. “One requirement was that families be separated and that “children over the age of six would be raised communally at locations to Sea Org bases” (“Beyond Belief”) The children of Scientologists grow up with limited contact with their parents. This can affect their growth negatively because growing up in a situation where they don’t have the adult figure in their life for support or discipline can eventually lead to that child not having enough to develop properly. This could also be connected to them not having enough knowledge on how to make their own decisions, if under this constant isolation that comes with a strictly Scientology based life. The decline in numbers is due to the number of people that decide to leave the religion. Scientologists beliefs and theories affect mental health, the lifestyle of a member, and the families. Because of these negative effects, Scientology should be referred to as a cult rather than a religion. The church of Scientology has a significant negative effect on its member's mental health, as they teach members the idea of perfection and how not being as perfect as another makes you less of a person. This lifestyle of a member is very inhumane and seems like their level of freedom should be pointed out because of how nonexistent it is. The family life not being strong for nearly all the members, which ties into their life because it is not ideal to not be able to talk to your family and this leads to poor mental health because they may think of themselves as unloved.
Overall, because the beliefs are so severe, it leads to a very brutal mentality and an unpleasant life without much support from family. Throughout my research process, I learned a lot about my topic along with learning a lot about writing a research paper. I learned how difficult it is to state commentary that is supported by evidence. I also found out that sometimes, the paper may not come together nicely until the end. It was easy to pick my topic and find my sources. I had always had a lot of questions about Scientology, so when I had the opportunity to dive deep into the topic, I took it. It was difficult to organize the paper into a way that made sense to the reader and had a nice flow. Next time, I will do steps in order and stay more organized throughout the process. This would help my paper by making it easier to stay on task. The most important results from my research include learning of the very harsh treatment to those who leave the religion and those who defy the religion by not complying exactly as they want their members too. My paper left me with many thoughts about how our society, for the most part, ignores such bad treatment. It’s good that people do choose to speak out, and I think that Leah Remini’s documentary really shines a light on this problem. I think the more educated people are, the fewer people there are that are willing to join this religion and support its teachings. It can help the Church of Scientology to hopefully in the future be under more questioning and this could lead to a more active role in shutting it down.
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