The Cult of Scientology

# The Cult of Scientology

Scientology has nothing to do with real science, despite the use of the word “science” in its name. Its founder, L. Ron Hubbard, deliberately employed the term to lend his movement the appearance of legitimacy, but its doctrines, practices, and methods have been consistently rejected by the scientific and medical communities. What has emerged is not science, nor religion in any traditional sense, but a controversial system often described as a cult, a business, or a manipulative enterprise.

## Pseudoscientific Roots

The origins of Scientology can be traced back to Hubbard’s 1950 book *Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health*. In this book, Hubbard claimed to introduce a revolutionary form of therapy that could cure mental and physical illnesses by eliminating “engrams,” which he defined as traumatic memories stored in the subconscious. He argued that these engrams acted as barriers to happiness, health, and rational thought.

Psychologists, psychiatrists, and medical professionals quickly dismissed *Dianetics* as pseudoscience. Its claims lacked empirical support, were untestable in controlled studies, and contradicted well-established principles of psychology and medicine. Instead of being recognized as a legitimate therapy, *Dianetics* was seen as a collection of unverified anecdotes packaged with scientific-sounding terminology.

When the *Dianetics* movement began to collapse financially and legally in the early 1950s, Hubbard rebranded his system as a religion: Scientology. This shift allowed him to protect his teachings under the banner of religious freedom, gain tax exemptions, and avoid legal scrutiny. The transformation was strategic rather than theological.

## The Founder: A Science Fiction Author

L. Ron Hubbard was not a scientist, doctor, or trained psychologist. He was a prolific science fiction and fantasy writer who had a keen sense of storytelling. Critics have noted that some of his ideas in *Dianetics* and Scientology appear to be extensions of science fiction tropes rather than discoveries grounded in research.

According to testimony from contemporaries, Hubbard once discussed with fellow writers how founding a religion could be more profitable than writing pulp fiction. While this account cannot be proven definitively, it reflects the widespread suspicion that Hubbard’s motivations were financial and opportunistic rather than spiritual or scientific.

## Lack of Empirical Evidence

The defining feature of real science is its reliance on empirical testing, reproducibility, and openness to falsification. In contrast, Scientology resists critical scrutiny. Its doctrines are presented as absolute truths, not subject to revision or disproof. Members are discouraged from questioning Hubbard’s writings, which are treated as scripture.

Independent scientific studies have not validated any of Scientology’s claims. For example, the “E-meter,” an electronic device used during auditing sessions, is marketed as a tool that measures changes in the “mental state” of an individual. In reality, it is nothing more than a galvanometer measuring skin conductivity, a technology long known to science and incapable of diagnosing or healing psychological conditions.

This rejection by the scientific community places Scientology firmly within the realm of pseudoscience. Its use of scientific language does not change the fact that its methods fail under rigorous testing.

## From Therapy to Religion

Hubbard’s pivot from “mental health therapy” to “religion” was not merely rhetorical. By redefining Scientology as a religion in the mid-1950s, he was able to establish churches, recruit ministers, and claim legal privileges. This was crucial for avoiding charges of practicing medicine without a license and shielding the organization from fraud lawsuits.

The Church of Scientology maintains religious trappings—ministers in clerical collars, chapels, and ceremonies—but these are often superficial. The faith lacks a coherent theology or deity. Instead, its focus is on advancement through a structured program called the “Bridge to Total Freedom,” which requires members to undergo auditing and training at significant cost.

## The “Supreme Being” and the Eighth Dynamic

Scientology does make reference to the concept of a “Supreme Being,” which it terms the **Eighth Dynamic**. However, Hubbard left this concept vague and undefined. He encouraged followers to interpret it however they wished. Unlike traditional religions, Scientology does not center its practice around worship, prayer, or a divine figure. The mention of a Supreme Being appears more as a symbolic placeholder than a theological commitment.

## The Secret of Xenu

One of the most infamous aspects of Scientology is the Xenu narrative, revealed only to members who reach **Operating Thetan Level III (OT III)**. According to leaked documents, Hubbard taught that 75 million years ago, a galactic overlord named Xenu brought billions of people to Earth, killed them with hydrogen bombs, and implanted their souls with false memories. These disembodied souls, or “body thetans,” are said to attach themselves to humans today, causing trauma and suffering.

The secrecy surrounding this teaching is intentional. Members spend years progressing through the lower levels of Scientology, often paying **\$100,000 to \$200,000 or more** in auditing and training before being introduced to the Xenu doctrine. The church insists that premature exposure to these materials could be harmful. Critics argue that the secrecy functions as a financial control mechanism, incentivizing members to keep investing in pursuit of hidden knowledge.

## Financial Exploitation

The Church of Scientology is notorious for its financial practices. Progressing along the Bridge to Total Freedom requires members to pay for every course, auditing session, and training step. Defectors and researchers estimate that reaching the higher levels can cost individuals anywhere from **\$500,000 to \$1 million**.

The high costs are justified by the church as investments in spiritual advancement. However, critics argue that this creates a system of exploitation, where members are pressured into financial ruin to continue their journey. Former Scientologists have testified to mortgaging homes, draining savings, and going into debt in order to stay involved.

## Aggressive Tactics and Harassment

Another hallmark of Scientology is its aggressive stance toward critics and defectors. Hubbard himself instituted a policy known as “Fair Game,” which stated that enemies of Scientology could be “tricked, sued, lied to, or destroyed.” Although the church later announced the cancellation of the Fair Game policy, many observers argue that its spirit remains in practice.

Journalists, former members, and government officials who have spoken out against Scientology have reported harassment, surveillance, character assassination, and legal intimidation. The organization maintains an internal intelligence division, the Office of Special Affairs, which has been accused of carrying out covert operations against perceived enemies.

## Government Responses

Different governments have taken varying stances toward Scientology:

* **France**: Classified Scientology as a dangerous cult; in 2009, the church was convicted of fraud.

* **Germany**: Officially regards Scientology as a threat to democracy and monitors it as an unconstitutional sect.

* **United Kingdom**: Critics in Parliament have described Scientology as “pernicious nonsense” and “socially harmful.”

* **United States**: After years of legal battles, the Internal Revenue Service granted Scientology tax-exempt status as a religion in 1993. This decision remains controversial, as U.S. courts had previously ruled that the organization operated for commercial purposes rather than charitable ones.

## Relationship with Psychiatry

Perhaps one of the most unusual features of Scientology is its hostility toward psychiatry. Hubbard considered psychiatry corrupt and abusive, portraying it as the primary cause of human suffering. The church continues this crusade today through organizations like the Citizens Commission on Human Rights, which campaigns aggressively against psychiatric medicine.

This position further isolates Scientology from mainstream science and medicine. By rejecting psychiatric treatment and promoting auditing as a cure-all, the church has exposed members to potential harm, including discouraging individuals from seeking legitimate medical care.

## Conclusion

The cult of Scientology stands as a striking example of pseudoscience cloaked in religious language. Its roots lie in the imagination of a science fiction writer rather than empirical discovery. Its doctrines resist scientific testing, its financial model exploits followers, and its aggressive tactics silence dissent. While it presents itself as a religion offering spiritual freedom, governments, courts, and countless former members have documented its coercive and harmful practices.

Scientology is not science. It is not even religion in any traditional sense. It is a cult-like system designed to enrich its leadership, protect its image, and perpetuate its mythology under the guise of spiritual advancement.

---