Term Paper on "Scientology Religion"

Term Paper 4 pages (1174 words) Sources: 1+

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Scientology plethora of information on the Church of Scientology is available online, in official Scientology publications, and in trade books. Additional resources should come from interviews with Scientology members and ex-members, many of whom become vehemently opposed to the Church and deride it for unscrupulous business practices, mind control, and other forms of social manipulation. Interviews with religious scholars who specialize in cults would also offer insight into the Church of Scientology. Official Church of Scientology publications include classics by L. Ron Hubbard like the Dianetics series of books. Other Church of Scientology publications include the encyclopedic work begun in 1992 and revised regularly: What is Scientology? Official DVDs and audio lectures are also available to offer primary source material for this research project. The official Church of Scientology publications will provide a canon of literature on the organization's core philosophical, social, and religious ideologies and will be treated as primary source reference materials.

However, equally as relevant are the mass of critical materials available on Scientology. Some of the most vocal writers publish Web sites warning prospective members that Scientology is a cult. Scholastic journals also include articles written by religious scholars and sociologists that can lend insight into the ways the Church of Scientology fits into relevant theory. Articles from popular trade publications will also be of use for this research project because Scientology is a high-profile religion with a substantial celebrity endorsement including the likes of Tom Cruise, John Travolta, and Isaac Hayes. For example, Tom Cruise successfully stymied a South Park episode that satirized the religion and which also led long-time cast member Hayes to quit the show.

Interviews with current Church members, former Scientologists, and religious scholars will bolster the research. Providing qualitative data about the perceived effects of the religion, these sources will add a dynamic element to the project and will allow nuances to emerge that would not be possible by relying on printed materials alone. Finally, a personal visit to a Church of Scientology will round out the research by offering first-hand reports and impressions. Church of Scientology Missions (SMI) are scattered around the country, including one in Teaneck, New Jersey. There are no churches of Scientology in New Jersey but several are within driving range in New York and Pennsylvania. Visits offer visual and auditory impressions of services or meetings and will also allow the possibility of meeting with Church leaders.

The Church of Scientology is somewhat secretive about its ideology and practices and teachings are disseminated to students in stages. One of the most common criticisms of the religion is how members pay substantial fees for access to each level of materials and information. However, the basic elements of Scientology and Dianetics include the following. First, Scientology is somewhat anthropocentric. The religion is not deistic as most religions are, and human beings are viewed as manifestations of Theta, the universal spirit. The Human being is therefore called a "thetan" and is believed to possess a wealth of untapped spiritual powers that can be harnessed through the acquisition of spiritual truth and the elimination of ignorance. The Church of Scientology offers "the study of truth" that helps the practitioner reach a state of enlightenment. As they study Scientologists, thetans progress through stages of spiritual development: Pre-Clear, Clear, and ultimately Operating Thetan. "An Operating Thetan is a spirit who can control matter, energy, space, time, thought, and life," (Beliefnet).

Second, Scientologists believe in human immortality and reincarnation: the home page of the Church of Scientology website reads "Man is… READ MORE

How to Reference "Scientology Religion" Term Paper in a Bibliography

Related Term Papers:

Scientology Founded in 1954, the Church Term Paper

Scientology

Founded in 1954, the Church of Scientology was based on the teachings of L. (Lafayette) Ron Hubbard, an American author. Hubbard, the son of a naval commander, was born… read more

Term Paper 3 pages (960 words) Sources: 1+ Topic: Religion / God / Theology

---

Scientology Term Paper

Scientology may be one of the most controversial modern religions, its late founder L. Ron Hubbard one of modern history's most contentious writers and spiritual leaders. The Church of Scientology… read more

Term Paper 15 pages (4857 words) Sources: 8 Style: APA Topic: Religion / God / Theology

---

Scientology an Online Debunking Site Calls Thesis

Scientology

An online debunking site calls the Church of Scientology "a vicious and dangerous cult that masquerades as a religion." Started by fiction author L. Ron Hubbard, the Church of… read more

Thesis 2 pages (658 words) Sources: 4 Style: MLA Topic: Religion / God / Theology

---

World Religion Essay

World Religion: Scientology

Scientology is an emerging world religion, which allows one to really understand the development of a religion. It was developed by L. Ron Hubbard, who was otherwise… read more

Essay 2 pages (747 words) Sources: 1+ Topic: Religion / God / Theology

---

Church of Scientology Research Paper

Church of Scientology

Origins of the belief system

The founder Ron Hubbard

Scientology's concern is the spirit as opposed to the mind or body

The truth of scientology is understood… read more

Research Paper 3 pages (873 words) Sources: 2 Topic: Religion / God / Theology

---

View 100+ more related papers  >>