Clearwater’s Cult: Scientology“There is a cancer at the core of Scientology and that has notchanged.”(Childs, 2009) That was an editorial quote from the Truth Rundown St.Petersburg Times series. Scientology is protected in the US by the 1
st
amendmentgiving them legal immunity to be considered a religion, Scientology should not beconsidered a religion because Scientology is a dangerous cult designed to scampeople out of their money and break up families. The Definition of a religion is a specific fundamental set of beliefs andpractices generally agreed upon by a number of persons. The term “Religion” canbe used when referring to the individual or group practices and goes by severaldifferent names, such as “faith” or “belief system”. Another example that showsthe definition of a religion is a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practicesgenerally agreed upon by a number of persons is the first amendment. The firstamendment states “Congress shall make no laws respecting the establishment of religion.” This grants religion the legal immunity to create and establish their set of beliefs. (Convention, 2008)“If you want to make a little money, write a book. If you want to make a lot of money, create a religion,” that was a quote from the founder of Scientology L. RonHubbard. Scientology should not be considered a religion because Scientology is ascam designed to take money from innocent families. Scientology is not for thefinancially weak with costs ranging from 16.95$ for the
Dianetics
handbook, to220,000$ required donation to take a two-year, 16-course upper-level trainingprogram called the Saint Hill Special Briefing Course. Another example of whyScientology should not be considered a religion is because Scientology is a scamdesigned to take money from innocent families is the cost per week to take theirbeginning auditing sessions on Dianetics through the church. The most important reason Scientology should not be considered a religion isbecause Scientology is a dangerous cult. According to the Scientology doctrine,people who criticize the Church of Scientology practices or policy are criminals.Critics of these policies, former members, or people in the church who fall out of favor with the church are declared “Suppressive Persons” (SP). The following is anexcerpt regarding SPs from
HUBBARD COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE POLIC LETTER-October 18, 1967ENEMYSP Order. Fair game. May be deprived of property or injured by any means by any Scientologist without any discipline of the Scientologist. May betricked, sued or lied to or destroyed.LRH:jpCopyright ©1967by L. Ron Hubbard
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