Who is Scientology?

Until recently when one perused Scientology’s website one found the following explanation as to why Scientology is a religion:

“Scientology is thus a religion in the most traditional sense of the term. Scientology helps Man become more aware of his own spiritual nature and that of those around him, and, hence, more aware of God.

Scientology carries forward a religious tradition extending ten thousand years and embraces truths found in the oldest sacred texts of the Hindu Veda and the wisdom of Buddhism.

Scientology holds in common with all great religions the dream of peace on Earth and salvation for Man. What is new about Scientology is that it offers a precise path for bringing about spiritual improvement in the here and now and a way to accomplish it with absolute certainty.”

Interestingly at some point the wording has changed, subtly guiding Scientology further from a religion back to what L. Ron Hubbard intended; a Science. (Although it isn’t that, either.)

“Scientology follows a long tradition of religious practice. Its roots lie in the deepest beliefs and aspirations of all great religions, thus encompassing a religious heritage as old and as varied as Man himself.

Though it draws on the wisdom of some 50,000 years, Scientology is a new religion, one that has isolated fundamental laws of life and, for the first time, developed a workable technology that can be applied to help people achieve a happier and more spiritual existence in the here and now.

That Scientology’s development and rapid promulgation was made possible, in part, by advances in the physical sciences through the first half of the twentieth century is significant. For it bridges Eastern philosophy with Western thought. In that way, Scientology constitutes Man’s first real application of scientific methodology to spiritual questions.

Scientology is something one does, not something one believes in.”

True religion directs the individual outward. The person is encouraged to good works to better the community. It is love of neighbor, forgiveness for wrongs and treating others as we would want to be treated. Hindus believe that all life is sacred, to be loved and revered, and therefore practice ahimsa, noninjury, in thought, word and deed. No matter the religion, our similarities are in the focus being on how our actions reflect on and affect our community the family and the world. Religion is about spirituality, faith, striving for holiness and most importantly the community around us.

Religion is about the Family of Man. It is not something one does it is something one believes in. That belief is at the core of what drives us to come together in community it is the ultimate way to happiness.

Scientology is not community or family. It is about forming a collective of obedient followers who are expected to materially produce.

Produce money.

Produce work.

Produce results.

It is indeed something one does.

All while being programmed to rely solely on oneself. No emotional or spiritual support from friends or family, no community. Just unhealthy egocentric loneliness.

Here is one of the greatest sins of Scientology.

The loss of the individual.

When one hears of the crimes and abuses of Scientology it is easy to shake one’s head and dismiss Scientology as a dark and horrible cult.

Which it is.

But who is Scientology? Who is responsible for these abuses?

Scientology is filled with people who truly believe they are working for the good of the planet.

Leah Remini is a woman that millions look up to with respect and admiration for her strength and courage in breaking away from COS and becoming a voice for others who have been involved.

Mike Rinder escaped from Scientology, leaving behind everything he ever knew, everything he understood and believed in and rebuilt his life. He then, with Leah, began the crusade for truth and for justice for all those victimized by the cult that had once been their lives.

We admire and respect both of them for their tenacity, courage, strength and intelligence in the face of Fair Game, stalking and hate.

But neither of these people suddenly became strong or courageous one morning out of the blue. They, like so many other people involved with Scientology were already incredible people. They were already intelligent, driven, strong human beings.

Scientology is filled with people just like Mike and Leah. It is so easy to forget that when addressing the abuse and the greed and the darkness.

The people we so admire now are the same people we would have looked at with scorn and anger before.

There is a reason for this that has perhaps been missed.

David Miscavige is the driving force behind every decision made, every abuse condoned.

Every crime committed.

While he works in the darkness changing the infallible scripture that are the works of L. Ron Hubbard to better suit his own greed, he hides behind the ever shrinking wall of people who make his lifestyle possible.

So focused on the forest are we that we miss the single giant tree at the center of it all. Miscavige lives his life of luxury suits, fast cars, power and control while those under him are facing the brunt of the anger and suspicion directed towards Scientology.

David Miscavige IS Scientology.

He is not a blind follower.

He had the clearness of mind to have been able to wrest control of Scientology when Hubbard died. No other minion who truly believed in Hubbard’s infallibility as founder would have dreamt of such a coup. Miscavige knew exactly what he was doing then just as he knows exactly what he’s doing now.

The stringent, iron fist control he exerts. The abuses he commits and permits.

With his wife missing and his officers beaten into fearful submission how could those he rules do anything other but submit and obey?

Members have had their honest, good hearted intentions turned into dust and ashes as they are squeezed for every penny at any cost.

All those people who one would think are the community of Scientology are in reality just cowed, programmed individuals audited into submission on the directive of their leader who uses them as a shield.

We need to remember this when we are angry and frustrated by our encounters with those still within this cult.

Hate what they are defending, challenge their words, but remember that these are the same kind of people that Mike Rinder and Leah Remini were before they were able to extract themselves.

Stop and think for a moment what it would be like for you to be faced with leaving everything you’ve ever known and stood for behind. Think how difficult, devastating and traumatic a divorce is and then apply it to Scientology. It is not an easy thing to face.

We need to remember that the Scientologists we are interacting with were created by Hubbard’s twisted pseudoscience but were turned into blind, money making resources by David Miscavige.

He holds the reins and he is the one recreating Scientology in his own image.

The anger and attention misdirected at the members needs to be more focused on Miscavige and what he is doing behind the scenes.

He was not follower enough of LRH to have accepted Hubbard’s choice of Pat and Annie Broeker as Loyal Officers and leaders after his death. Miscavige was clear minded enough to systematically and thoroughly dismantle the entire upper echelon of COS.

Rebellion is not part and parcel of Scientology.

Rebellion on the part of any other member of Scientology is met with escalating punishments leading finally to the RPF.

But Miscavige rebelled spectacularly.

One might think, if one looks closely at what is known of David Miscavige, that perhaps he is not quite the blind believer of Scientology as one would be led to believe.

Ruthless, violent, driven, ambitious.

David Miscavige is the undisputed leader of Scientology. No one demands to know his crimes. No one writes Knowledge Reports or questions him.

The next time we might be tempted to personally attack, deride or even bully someone involved in Scientology remember that this person could easily be a Mike Rinder or Leah Remini if just given a fighting chance. Or they may be suffering the loss and pain of Disconnection or abuse. While they are obediently spewing the chaos and confusion that is the subtly changing doctrine of Scientology perhaps stop for just a second and wonder what their life might be like under the rule of a man capable of disconnecting from his own wife to such an extent that she has not been seen in years.

Hate the sin, love the sinner.

Always question and poke holes in the ridiculous, destructive world of Scientology. Expose it’s abuses and crimes to the light. Be a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves and work for the complete destruction of this dark and heinous cult.

But at the same time remember that it is filled with misguided, controlled people who are worthy of at least a moment of pity and patience.

Remember that they might be as strong and good as those we now respect and admire if given half the chance.