Note: first published last December 3, 2007 under Anthony's column Vibes and Visions in the Life section of The Daily Tribune.
New knowledge has constantly created an impact in our current civilization. For years, fresh or reinvented belief systems have risen and been propagated in different parts of the world. Humans, being natural seekers of truth, are normally enticed by these new thinking and beliefs. Most of these were and are being introduced by highly charismatic individuals, who have done a lot of homework to come up with attractive packages, and people are inspired to join them for various reasons, personal or otherwise. One of these new thoughts, philosophies, or religions, as they may be called, has been making waves in many advanced countries, originally from the United States. Most of its converts are popular and famous personalities.
Maybe it will reach our country, and knowing the Filipino mentality, the promise of a perfect life, may lead many to embrace it, sooner or later.
The Church of Scientology is a belief system founded by L. Ron Hubbard in 1952. Its main objective is to uplift the human spirit. It holds many common beliefs of different religions and known philosophies. In Scientology, it is considered that man is a spiritual being, more than flesh and blood — a very different view from prevailing scientific view of man as a material object, a complex combination of atoms and molecules and stimulus response mechanisms.
Scientology believes that man is basically good, and that man’s experiences on earth, including things he cannot understand and can’t be explained, have led him to do evil deeds. This evil trait is never in man’s nature. In this sense, man often mistakenly seeks to resolve problems only in consideration of his own interests, and thus causes troubles and imbalances to him and to others as a consequence.
In this regard, Scientology brings one to a point where he is capable of sorting out factors in his life and solving his own problems in a comfortable way. Simultaneously, while they try solving their own issues and problems, these processes increase their abilities to achieve their goals and create better relationships with other people.
(Based on my own beliefs, however, which I firmly hold as reality, this is what’s wrong with the world today. As we seek the betterment of ourselves, we destroy others and the world itself. This is because our approach is not based on the natural law of the universe, but rather against the basic law of life and its existence.)
The main thrust of Scientology is to seek and develop man’s full potential and be able to control matter, energy, space and time. In the process (it is called “Dianetics,” a form of therapy), followers undergo several phases of training and are ranked based on their current “spiritual growth,” the basis of which is their worth in society. The highest level of rank is 40.0, meaning the believer is already capable of command and control over physical aspects (molecules, matter, energy) on earth.
Scientology believes in a Supreme Being (like all other religions), but a Being that is infinite and contained in all things on earth and of the universe.
To me, Scientology is a new religion, having developed a workable technology in achieving a happier life while being able to exist in spirituality. It seems to have the answers to many spiritual questions that other religions cannot and have left unanswered via scientific methodology.
In Scientology, the basic belief is that man is made up of three basic compositions. First is the Body, which is made up of atoms and molecules, whether alive or dead (in science, man is plain matter). Second is the Mind, a picture-processing of material things based on actual vision of facts and scenarios, and not of thought. Third and the most important is that man is made of Thetan. Thetan is neither a thing nor a thought, but the Creator of things — a “godlike abilit” within man. This is not the mind, but this is the one that controls the brain or the mind, to have power and control over all matter and energy on earth and the universe. To achieve this, man needs to work on the “Eight Dynamics of Life,” to gain the highest level of Scientology.
The eight dynamics
1. Self. This dynamic believes in the preservation of oneself and his possessions. It does not include other individuals, not even one’s immediate family. It urges one to survive by oneself to be effective to the whole existence of others as well.
2. Creativity. This dynamic is creation for future generations — building a family for the future of mankind, the world and the universe, incidentally making sex a compelling mechanism for future survival.
3. Group survival. One is urged to survive through a group of individuals with the same belief of surviving as one, regardless of number. The group can be made up of friends and family, company, social groups, religion or even one nation, if possible.
4. Species. All the nationalities of the world is considered the species of mankind. All men and women are considered the fourth dynamic. Survival is the key.
5. Life forms. One is urged to survive to help all kinds of life forms: animals, vegetation and aquatic life forms, in the interest of life itself.
6. Physical universe. One is urged to survive the four components of the physical universe, made of matter, energy, space, and time, by the same component combined or individually.
7. Spiritual. One is urged to survive to become a spiritual being. One’s ability to create and destroy is defined, for the survival of the life-force, the seventh dynamic, when one is spiritual indeed.
8. Infinity. One is urged to look for the existence of the Infinity, God. It embraces the “allness,” the oneness of all.
Controversies
To date, Scientology is involved in several controversies. Some of them are ongoing:
1. Many are questioning their disconnection policy, when members are encouraged to cut off contact with family members and friends.
2. There are pending cases against the church about members who died while in their care.
3. Criminal activities committed by officers of the church.
4. The so called “fair game” policy, wherein members are allowed to abuse their critics.
5. There are cases of harassment they practiced against critics and ex-members.
Debates continue on whether Scientology can be considered a religion or just a commercial enterprise.
Many of the components in the book of Scientology are not new. It is actually a consolidation of different beliefs all over the world, over time. Always remember, being a member of any group or belief system would lead to nothing if one doesn’t live and work hard for the actual application of the said belief.
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