Auto-SummaryThis forum post addresses four key questions about Scientology:
1. Did L. Ron Hubbard create the religion to make money? Various sources claim Hubbard made this statement around 1945-1950, but there is conflicting testimony, including affidavits from David A. Kyle and Jay Kay Klein, which have been disputed in German courts. Germany has a history of perceived persecution against Scientology due to its integration with the pharmaceutical industry.
2. Do Scientologists believe in the alien Xenu? No, they do not. Scientologists believe in the concept of a thetan, an immortal spiritual being, which is billions of years old, not born from an alien Xenu.
3. Why do Scientologists charge money for knowledge? Scientology charges fees for various levels of knowledge and training, such as OT8 at $10,000. However, the cost does not vary significantly, and the perceived value of the training is often more important than the price.
4. A brief overview of Scientology's belief system: Scientology is based on 8 dynamics of life, each representing a different aspect of existence and evolution. The ARC triangle (Affinity, Reality, Communication) is a crucial concept, emphasizing the importance of strong relationships. The highest goal is becoming an Operating Thetan (OT
here are appleoranges questions...
Quote: 1. Did Hubbard really make this religion to make money?
I really wouldnt know. I never knew the guy. but I guess what you are referring to is the alleged quote from him.
Quote: Several people have been quoted as saying that they heard Hubbard talk of starting a religion to make money and avoid taxes some time around 1945 to 19.50. Among them are Jay Kay Klein, reporter Neison Himmel who shared a room with Hubbard in 1945, then editor of the "Thrilling" group of magazines Sam Merwin, writer Sam Moskowitz, science fiction writer Theodore Sturgeon, and writer Lloyd Arthur Eshbach. On the other hand, the church of Scientology has obtained affidavits from a David A. Kyle and Jay Kay Klein who claim they were at the same talk that Hubbard gave when Moskowitz claims Hubbard made the statement and that Hubbard never made the "start his own religion" statement. The Kyle and Klein affidavits have clashed with an affidavit from Moskowitz in a German court of law and the case was dismissed when the Moskowitz affidavit was produced.
but germany and scientology have a huge history with each other. It primarily stems from how integrated not only their persona and thinking, but their economy as well is based on pharmaceuticals (see Merck). In fact german officials openly declared that scientology was a threat to their democracy and that security forces are "keeping an eye on them".
at one point the church was banned, all churches were closed and many documents as well as e-meters were confiscated. If there is any place in the world where there is true religious persecution going on against scientology, it is in germany.
Quote: 2. Do scientologists really believe in the alien xenu that created them? What do they base this on?
no they dont believe the alien xenu created them. Scientologists believe that as a thetan you are billions of years old.
Quote: 3. Why do they charge money to gain more knowledge of the belief system?
It is all the same price mostly. there isnt some gradient of cost. Like I showed before, OT8 is 10k. things vary in prices, and there is no set amount that one person is going to pay to get to OT8. Scientologists dont really talk about "OMG OT3 was so expensive".. but more like "OMG, OT3 changed my life, it was amazingly worth it". so they seem content with the exchange.
Quote: 4. Also, just give me a general run down of the belief system, as if some joe schmo came up to you and asked what christianity was.
well, there is just so much, so I will just hit a few key things about it. if you notice the Scientology cross hass 8 points to it, which symbolize what they call the 8 dynamics of life. which is interesting in that it seems Timothy Leary might have modeled his 8 circuit model of consciousness after them. Seeing as how R.A.W. was so intrigued by L Ron and his relationship with Aleister Crowley. (OMG IT GETS SO DEEP!) but anyway...
Quote: The first dynamic, self, is the effort to survive as an individual, to be an individual and to fully express one’s individuality.
The second dynamic is the urge toward existence as a future generation. It has two components: sex and the family unit, including the raising of children.
The third dynamic is the urge to survive as a member of a group. A company, a political party, a church or a social organization are all examples of the third dynamic.
The fourth dynamic is the urge for survival of man as a species. All of the races of man together constitute the fourth dynamic.
The fifth dynamic is the urge to survive for all life forms — animal or vegetable and anything directly and intimately motivated by life.
The sixth dynamic is the urge for survival of the physical universe and reflects the drive of the individual to enhance the survival of all matter, energy, space and time –the component parts of the physical universe.
The seventh dynamic is the urge toward existence as a spiritual being.
The eighth dynamic is the urge toward existence as infinity. This is also identified as the Supreme Being. Thus, this dynamic can be called the infinity, or God, dynamic.
those are the 8.
then there is the ARC triangle, which you can also find on their cross. It stands for Affinity, Reality, Communication, and it is a tech that is often used by scientologists. they posit that any relationship with something is based on how much you like them (affinity), how much reality you have in common, and how well you can communicate... and that by increasing any one side, you will ultimately increase the other two.
also, one of the biggest milestones for a scientologist, is becoming Clear. which basically means that you have erased all of your engrams and no longer have a reactive mind. reactive mind: that part of the mind which works on a totally stimulus-response basis, which is not under a person’s volitional control, and which exerts force and the power of command over his awareness, purposes, thoughts, body and actions. but the highest state attainable is OT, which stands for operating Thetan. Operating Thetan: a state of being above Clear, in which the Clear has become refamiliarized with his native capabilities.
there really is so much more, it just helps if you guys ask me certain specific questions.
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