To evaluate any organization it is essential to begin at the beginning, look at the vision and mission statements, the reasons for founding the organization and then evaluate based upon the service to community. Religions, organizations, churches, cults, and other groups that come together under a common belief, a shared interest is going to come under scrutiny by those who do not share in the belief or interest. Fear is the driving force for all scrutiny and criticism, a fear of the unknown.
Somewhere there is an article yet to be uncovered today that reflects a conversation between L. Ron Hubbard and a friend in which he was quoted as saying "I bet I can create a religion that people will follow." This is supposed to be the birth of Scientology. Whether this conversation is truth or fiction does not matter, out of the science fiction writings and his life the basics of Scientology and Dianetics were created. L. Ron Hubbard was an author, a writer of fiction and non-fiction, his books span the same basics of self-help as many others such as Steven Covey, Neale Donald Walsch, Vernon Howard, and Dale Carnegie to mention only a view.
Scientology is an organized belief system set with laws that work for those who believe. Just as any religion when one believes in the essence of the religion then their life is improved. As that person believes so be it, this is the basics of all self-help mastery. The center is self-love, help others and live a life free of hate and crime. The cult or religion itself is never at fault for the insanity of its members, just as with the religious zealots there are those who give an organization a bad name.
Evaluating Scientology or any religion or cult one must first begin with an open mind, examine the facts and then remain unbiased in the evaluation. This article is the scientific endeavor, not an emotional or belief oriented culmination, neither for nor against. It is the scientific mind that is able to review and learn from any religion, cult or organization seeking to adapt change into the world it is residing in. Social change occurs because someone stood up and said this is how we can change, give it a try. Rather than ask questions about that suggestion or idea there are those who out of fear choose to destroy. There is a history of violence this world has conducted in the name of God, love and freedom. What one does not understand or fears s/he will attempt to destroy, it is inevitable.
Reading over the materials for Scientology, searching the internet, there is a great growth for this organization over the past decade or more. Scientology has grown into an international organization with churches in several countries, has created social changes and helped thousands to turn their life around. Why is these seen as a bad thing?
Our world is has continued to inspire both love and hate, the need for growth and change. Out of chaos comes peace, hope and social change, because it seems no matter how much it hurts to run head first into that brick wall, the human race keeps on doing it. L. Ron Hubbard comes into the scene with an idea and begins publishing books about how to change the way one thinks, creating the basics for Dianetics and a world religion, Scientology. The pen is mightier than the sword. Rather you agree with the concept, vision, or ideals matters not, Scientology will not affect you unless you ask. Regardless of the opposition or whether it was founded on a bet or a joke by the man responsible, it is here and growing. Scientology is affecting a chance in the social structures of the communities it settles into. It would seem to that the more negative the publicity the more curious the population and thus an increase in membership.
Scientology is founded on the principle that the man or woman can gain a clear understanding of self to effect a change as to improve life quality. As history has demonstrated again and again when one person affects this self-growth it brings a ripple effect, whereby it affects the community and may eventually bring a change to the world. In the interests of the individual one takes what is required for self and leaves the rest, thus if there is some aspect to Scientology s/he does not believe or need it is left. The introduction to Scientology states that it is non-authoritarian; each individual is allowed personal beliefs and expression.
Resources
What is Scientology http://www.whatisscientology.org/html/Foreword/forew ord.html
Shaping the World, L Ron Hubbard http://lron.hubbard.org/
L. Ron Hubbard http://www.lronhubbard.org/profile/cont.htm