World Affirming Focus on self improvement n Run

World Affirming Focus on self improvement. n Run as a business. n Employs techniques/tools/practical strategies. n No need to believe in a ‘God’. n Allow members to belong to other religions as well. n Some groups deny any religious identity. n

Under The Microscope:

How it Started… n n n The Church of Scientology was founded in 1954 by L. Ron Hubbard (pictured), a former science fiction writer. The word Scientology literally means "the study of truth. " It comes from the Latin word "scio" meaning "knowing in the fullest sense of the word" and the Greek word "logos" meaning "study of. " No mystery or questions of faith – it seeks to prove everything it says.

QUOTE FROM SCIENTOLOGY WEBSITE “And it was also here that Mr. Hubbard, as the leader of a new and dynamic religious movement…”

So What’s It All About? Watch and listen carefully for a brief overview of scientology. . . …how does it sound to you? Does it clearly tick all the boxes so we can place it in the Human Potential Movement category?

Core Beliefs: Human Nature n A human is made up of three parts: the body, the mind and thetan. n The body includes the brain, which is not to be confused with the mind. The purpose of the brain is to carry messages; it is likened to a switchboard. n The mind "consists essentially of pictures. " It is our life experiences, memories, perceptions, decisions and conclusions. n The thetan is the soul, which is the true essence of a human being.

Scientologist’s views on God: ‘Do you believe in God? ’ n “No, not in the sense that there is a higher power outside me. ” n ‘Yes, I believe God is an extra terrestrial spiritual being’ Do you think to be a religion, you have to believe in a God?

So Where’s God? ? Listen carefully to a few ideas from scientologists…

PMI on a PMI Do a PMI under the following heading: A Religion where people can believe different things. n. What might be a plus outcome of this? n. What might be a minus outcome? n. Why is it interesting that Scientology allows this?

A Thetan…? n A thetan is that which is aware of being aware. You don’t have a thetan. You are a thetan. Exteriorization n Scientology teaches that, through a process called exteriorization, a thetan can leave the body but still control the body. This experience results in a person's certainty that he is not identified with his body. A person who is able to practice exteriorization is called an Operating Thetan or OT.

Use The Bridge to Become an Operating Thetan… n The Bridge is an important idea in Scientology. n A person can get to a higher state of existence [be a better more successful person] n They believe there is one bridge with two way traffic - one helps with the subconscious mind of the person - and one helps with conscious or waking life. n The practical method of make the subconscious is called auditing. n The other Bridge that helps develop the conscious or aware part of a person takes the form of a series of qualifications aimed at making a person a better communicator.

Auditing & Engrams n Scientologists believe that negative experiences from this life, (e. g. hearing your mum screaming as she gives birth to you!), and previous lives cause humans to store ‘engrams’. n Engrams cause human dysfunction and difficulty. n Therefore humans must rid themselves of engrams to reach their true potential. n The auditing session is designed to remove engrams

Is Scientology A Religion? Whether Scientology is a "religion" is a matter of debate. Scientology presents itself as a "technology" that leads people to "true spiritual release and freedom. " It does not emphasize particular beliefs about God or other traditional religious topics, yet it calls itself a "Church" and presents many of its teachings in spiritual and religious terms. Scientology is also highly controversial, with many regarding it as a dangerous cult or financial scam.

Is Scientology a religion? Is Scientology, in your view, a religion? Consider, their beliefs, and their practices.