Couldnt find a direct answer: The Church of Scientology says that Scientology is concerned with "the study and handling of the spirit in relationship to itself, others and all of life."[9] By contrast, Dianetics is more narrowly focused on getting rid of the reactive mind, the "bank" of traumatic memories known as engrams which are said to inhibit one's success and happiness.[10] Scientology also covers topics such as ethics and morality (The Way to Happiness), drug and chemical residues as they relate to spiritual wellbeing (the Purification Rundown), communication, marriage, raising children, work-related problems, education (Study Technology), and the very nature of life (The Dynamics). Scientology practices are structured in sequential series or levels, reflecting Hubbard's belief that rehabilitation takes place on a step-by-step "gradient"; for example, that the negative effects of drugs must be addressed before other issues can be "handled". Scientologists follow a sequence of courses that culminate in the esoteric advanced strata of Scientology's teachings. This is described as a passage along "the Bridge to Total Freedom", or simply "the Bridge," in which each step of the Bridge promises a little more personal freedom in some particular area of life

Scientology? It's an ideology that was created by the sci-fi author L. Ron Hubbard. And other than that, and something about using Vinegar Enemas for body purification, I know nothing of this religion. Nor do I really want to.

There is a whole section on Scientology here on AB (http://www.answerbag.com/c_view/118).

Scientologists do not believe in any gods, but do believe that individuals can obtain immortality. Their beliefs are based on the writings of sci-fi writer L. Ron Hubbard. Scientology claims that each person has one or more alien souls ("body thetans") inside or around them, which cause unhappiness, physical pain and any mental diseases. The Co$ will help you remove those body thetans and raise your soul to its highest "operating thetan" level (your own soul is also a thetan) in exchange for "donations."

The short answer is: they're based on the fanciful writings of a hack science fiction author.

The repair manual of the 1947 Hudson Roadster.

I belive it was R.L Hubbard's book Dianetics

Omar, this has been asked an answered so many times. You may want to go to "search for answers", although I 'm sure someone will be happy to answer you tonight, also.

It was based on a bet that L. Ron Hubbard could not start a successful new religion based on Aliens... or, um, something like that. Didn't you and I have this conversation, OmarFW?

hmm, a pyramid scam to get ALOT of money out people. But alot of religions do the same, it's just scientology is even more fictional then xtianity

They believe that if you understand how life works, then you can use the information to create a better life. There is quite a lot of evidence in Scientology to demonstrate that the universe is a created thing. So most Scientologists would say yes, they believe there was a Creator who did the job. But Scientology doesn't tell you what God's opinions about things are or what he wants you to do. It's believed that if you keep growing in awareness and responsibility, one day you will probably find out.

No. The lower echelons truly believe that the church will eventually impart to them the tools to save the world. OT-3s and above either believe in Lord Xenu and his strange space opera, or are so invested that they say they do, but live false lives. The Hierarchy doesn't but they know a great scam when they see one and are not about to give it up. The links below might help anser this question: A former Scientologist tells his story: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Piece_of_Blue_Sky The Story: http://www.clambake.org/archive/books/apobs/contents.htm Another former Scientologist with links to her site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tory_Christman Kids who grew up in Scientology and now speak out: http://www.exscientologykids.com/index.html Arnie Lerma, Early Scientologist: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arnaldo_Lerma Gerry Armstrong, Former Scientologist http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerry_Armstrong_(activist) Co$ vs. Gerry Armstrong http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Scientology_v._Gerald_Armstrong Gerry Armstrong Site http://www.gerryarmstrong.org/50grand/introduction.html More unethical and illegal Scientology activities: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Freakout http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Scientology#Illegal_activities http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology_controversies http://www.youtube.com/user/xenutv1 http://www.hollywoodinterrupted.com/.../...scientology.phtml Scientology Agents, including LR Hubbard's wife, break into Federal offices in Wahsington, DC., get caught and do time, afterwhich the "church" gets tax exemption: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Snow_White http://www.lermanet.com/scientologynews/washingtonpost/raids-070977.htm http://www.xenu-directory.net/news/clearwatersun19820509.html http://www.skepticfiles.org/mys2/fear.htm http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Cowen/essays/nytimes.html More Scientology Shit Deep Sixed Long Ago: http://www.xenu.net/archive/go/legal/legal.htm Scientology Murders: http://www.whyaretheydead.net/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_McPherson 1Suppressive Person Order, aka SP Declare (Co$ Internal Documents): http://www.xenu-directory.net/practices/sp.html An Actual SP Declare: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPLbKky8hko 2Co$ Fair Game Policy (Co$ Internal Documents) http://www.xenu-directory.net/practices/fairgame.html http://www.fairgamed.org/fairgame.htm Fair Game Related: The Purpose of a Lawsuit (Co$ Internal Documents) http://www.fairgamed.org/lawsuit.htm Co$ Fair Game in Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_Game_(Scientology) Fair Gamed: Wollersheim, Anderson and Armstrong: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_Game_(Scientology)#Lawrence_Wollersheim.2C_1980 Michael Flynn gets Fair Gamed http://www.gerryarmstrong.org/50grand/cult/scientology-fair-games-flynn.html Paulette Cooper gets Fair Gamed http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Freakout Lawrence Wollersheim gets Fair Gamed http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Wollersheim 3Sea Organization (Sea Org) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_Org 4Flag Land Base, Clearwater http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Scientology#Flag_Land_Base.2C_Clearwater.2C_Florida 5PAC (Pacific Area Command) Base, Los Angeles http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Scientology#PAC_Base.2C_Hollywood.2C_California 6Gold Base http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Scientology#Gold_Base.2C_Gilman_Hot_Springs.2C_California 7Rehabilitation Project Force http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rehabilitation_Project_Force http://www.xenu-directory.net/practices/rpf.html http://www.lermanet.com/cos/enggulag.html http://www.solitarytrees.net/pubs/skent/brain.htm http://www.lermanet.com/scientologyscandals/sobobaescape.htm http://www.lermanet.com/exit/gold-base-captives.htm Children’s RPF http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW8ZqGSkXjI An Ex-Scientologist Message Board: Anonymous can’t think all this shit up, folks! http://www.forum.exscn.net/showthread.php?t=622 Office of Special Affairs (OSA): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Office_of_Special_Affairs Film Footage: 1. The Un-funny Truth about Scientology http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCGP-0545EU 2. Co$ Core Beliefs (This is NOT a Joke): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bzcGK9xqEU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOdF_3RIXJ4 Short Version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cm9UKw1TkuU Why Scientologists Can’t Talk About It: Former Scientologist Steven Fishman Talks About Scientology. Part I: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6812164614976718979&hl=en Part II: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtXDYH0PSK0 Part III: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4563367674902062954&hl=en Part IV: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1839870989487824169&hl=en Part V: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-777802371238427975&hl=en Part VI: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1123139866401185152&hl=en Part VII: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6634315750150016620&hl=en From A Mainstream News Source (The good stuff starts around marker 3:30): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fB87IJT78M8 A Third Generation Scientologist Speaks Out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuSEC8g03vY 3. Co$ Commandeers the Cult Awareness Network (CAN): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mehdjwaS48 4. Anonymous Global Protests (Soundtrack is 404 due to copyright violation): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOyA787_7cI 5. Investigative Reporter Gets Inside the Co$ (25 min.): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rD9bCdHqU3s One Result of the Co$ Recruiting Technique (The Co$ “Personality Test“): http://glosslip.com/2008/04/15/breaking-daughter-of-norwegian-parliment-took-life-after-taking-scientology-personality-tests/ Canadian Broadcasting Corporation News Clip On Scientology, 1968: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjwD7UbZhso 6. Son of Co$ Founder Accuses Father of Fraud: Part I http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyp37GuFDyk&feature=related Part II http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jy4SxZJu8nE&feature=related The Global Fight Against the Church of Scientology: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Chanology http://project-chanology.blogspot.com/ SUPPORT ANONYMOUS WHEREVER AND WHENEVER YOU CAN! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anonymous_(group )

Most church members (or cult members, if you prefer. It's all the same to me) would tell you that "God" is left up to the individual. The "8th dynamic" (the 8 dynamics being a person's endeavors toward life. 1st is self, 2nd is family, sex, etc, 3rd is groups, 4th is mankind...you get the idea) is the "God" or "infinity" dynamic. People are left to make up their own minds but their opinions are DEFINITELY formed and affected by their auditing, particularly on the OT levels as I think Sarge explained earlier. The way I would put it is: "Scn'ists (usually)don't worship deities. They think it would put them "at effect.". "