Is Scientology a Religion?
Is Scientology a religion? In order to answer the question, I use the substantial definitions that today many scholars (among them Aldo Natale Terrin, in his recent volume on Scientology) call “polythetic,” in that they put together several specific, common characteristics i...
| Published in: | The journal of CESNUR |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
[2018]
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| In: |
The journal of CESNUR
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| Further subjects: | B
L. Ron Hubbard
B Scientology B Scientology as Religion B Scientology and Theology B Defining Religion B Gnosticism |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (kostenfrei) |
| Summary: | Is Scientology a religion? In order to answer the question, I use the substantial definitions that today many scholars (among them Aldo Natale Terrin, in his recent volume on Scientology) call “polythetic,” in that they put together several specific, common characteristics in a set of dimensions. We find in Scientology, firstly(especially in the Dianetics volume),a complex set of doctrines, beliefs and behaviors, which the faithful must observe in order to reach thestate of clear. Secondly, we find a community organized around certain beliefs and practices, common to all Scientology members. The third characteristic defining religion is the presence of a recognized authority, in this caseL. Ron Hubbard, the sole master of the truth, understood as a doctrine with a practical, effective side that can be verified. The fourth characteristic is the community dimension around the “Sunday service,” comparable with the liturgical services of Protestant churches. The fifth characteristic is an ethical-moral view of life, based on promoting rationality at the service of the greatest good for the greatest number of “dynamics.” The sixth featureis the presence of God, identified in Scientology as the “Eight Dynamic,” whose essence is not yet well known. |
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| ISSN: | 2532-2990 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: The journal of CESNUR
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.26338/tjoc.2018.2.2.2 |