Scientology: The blending of my two favorite things...science + religion ( magic).

Little known fact: I love religion. A lot. I have an entire del.ici.ous account devoted to articles about religion. Serious ones. And today I began a summer class at NYU about the history of religious art. But I often give off the opposite impression because I tend to poke fun at fanatical beliefs rather than examining their purpose and meaning. So I just want everyone to know that, hey, I understand we’re all just metaphorically smoking some pot and searching for our purpose. And Jesus is a great way to find that stairway to heaven. Bad me for poking fun. Thus, in the spirit of spring and resurrection, and my mom telling me she thinks I'm going to hell, today marks the beginning of a more intellectual discussion of religion. Well, sort of. As much as can be expected.

So what better way to begin this shitshow than a religion that blends my two most favorite things: science and religion. Enter Scientology…

In case you missed it, science has become more than just wack theories and has turned its focus from curing AIDS to challenging traditional religious beliefs. An example: creationism v. evolution. Religions have now found themselves in a sensitive position, trying to keep the faith alive with a balancing act between “science” and traditional beliefs by putting stock in interpretive ideas such as intelligent design. They also have to fight against the more new age-y religions that have gained popularity in the past 20 years—religions that offer more varied solutions to people’s search for redemption. An example: Thetans (spirits) willed themselves into being and created the universe. That would be you, my darling little Scientology boo boo boo.

I know what you're thinking. Tom Cruise. John Travolta. Chef. The greatest South Park ever made. Space invaders. Volcanoes. But these are the same things that could turn Ron Hubbard’s religion into the greatest story ever told.

Time lends validity to religion. So does persecution. The Christians have the Romans, the Mormons have the current American population, the Jews have everybody. The Scientologists have Trey Parker. The magical antics of Jesus seem much more possible when they happened 2000 years ago in a far away land. Like Oz. Sure Jesus turned water into wine, but those same advocates swear that he sure as hell didn’t cross the Atlantic after his resurrection to play some b-ball with the Native Americans and teach them a little something-somethin about Christianity. Probably because they weren’t Jewish. (Mormonism is an issue for a different time…)

Scientology introduces an entirely different concept to religion, if not a new concept to life, that challenges and threatens traditional beliefs. It is a theme that comes up repeatedly in our culture. It’s the point of the new Indiana Jones. The very awesome Andromeda Strain on A&E. What is it? Aliens. Hahahaha. No, seriously. In our society it is becoming easier to believe willed spirits and aliens perpetuating the human race than a God. At least Aliens come from somewhere, even if that somewhere is as abstract to us as where a God comes from. Why can’t spirits be dumped into a volcano in Hawaii? I have no idea, I didn’t make the religion rules. And neither did you.

It definitely strikes the “NOT normal” button in our minds, but frankly the story of Scientology’s fruition is about as important as the Virgin Birth—which to some may be very important, and to others not at all. The actual religion is about being in control of your body and your thoughts. It involves intense meditation and learning to solve your own problems. They are often criticized and called a cult, but so are Catholics.

The definitive beliefs of scientology are fairly shrouded, perhaps because of their persecution and labeling as a cult, or perhaps because you have to pay to play. But many of us have been spoon fed only half truths about a religion many people find solace in, and we judge because it offers answers we consider strange.

We probably shouldn’t do that so much. Check out more information about Scientology:
Official Web site
youtube channel
Wikipedia (grain of salt people)
religioustolerence.org
bonafidescientology.org (sponsored by the church)

Recent articles:
Cult Friction
Rolling Stone (2006)
I Smell Pussy (this may not be serious...)