What makes a religion? Two-thousand years of tradition? A "holy" document proving one thing or another? Maybe it's just getting enough rich people to accept the doctrines and suggest to poor people that they idolize the rich people.
Some would argue the latter, and use the Church of Scientology as the premier example. From Tom Cruise to John Travolta to, allegedly, Will Smith, Scientology has used those with fame and fortune to pass on their message.
And what an idea... Today, the church that promises it is not faith-based but rather science-based (read Dianetics for "proof" of this) is, in its own words and statistics, "the fastest growing church in the world."
But is it a church? If it's based on science but not faith, does that not make it the polar opposite of religion, much like evolution is, to some, the polar opposite of the Bible's Adam and Eve story?
And yet, it is the Church of Scientology, benefiting from many tax write-offs as a direct result of that distinction. Some say it's neither science nor religion, but rather a cult.
The first definition that comes up when one searches "cult" on Dictionary.com reads: "cult: a particular system of religious worship, esp. with reference to its rites and ceremonies."
Vague isn't it? By that definition, Catholicism is a cult...and Judaism...and Buddhism...and Islam.
So what makes Scientology different from all of these other religions? Is it simply that it's only been around for 50 years? Is Scientology merely the new Mormonism? The Kwanzaa to Christian's Christmas?
I don't believe it is any of these things that makes Scientology different. To be frank, if you read a couple Scientologist manuscripts, you'll find all it really is, is an intense "self-help religion," preaching things your psychologist could tell you for a couple hundred bucks an hour.
On paper it's fairly harmless and rather appealing. It's what you won't find on paper that's scary. The celebrities whose careers take rampant turns upon converting (I'm looking at you and Battlefield Earth, Travolta, and you, Jenna "Dharma & Greg" Elfman, and your now D.O.A career); The countless mysterious cases of devout Scientologists dying of natural causes at the hands of their fellow "self helpers."
They're harshly against the use of any kind of drug, pharmaceutical or recreational. (For more information, check out TheUnfunnyTruth.ytmnd.com - but bring with you a grain of objective salt).
Unfortunately, "good ole" religions have little moral superiority to stand on, aside from thousands of years of ritual. Remember all those priests who were accused of sexual harassment and molestation? (If not, watch the documentary Deliver Us From Evil).
When Jesus preached the platform of what would become the Christian belief system, many of his followers, himself included, were executed and persecuted for their beliefs. For hundreds of years, the Jewish people's capitalistic traditions have resulted in the death and persecution of millions.
Religion, or rather any kind of belief system, is scary to those who don't understand it, and even many of those who do "understand" it. Is it then simply time for Scientology to become legitimate?
Perhaps. However, noting that we live in a world that does not take time into consideration, it seems that the "science-based religion" needs to be open about its actual intentions. Then those fearful of its mystery won't make the same mistake, solving a dilemma with violence, that we've been making since Cain murdered Abel.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
