Vol. 7, No. 3, 1990

Articles on Scientology

Rick Branch

According to the Basic Dictionary of Dianetics and Scientology, "There are about 52 levels of awareness from Unexistence up to the state of Clear. By level of awareness is meant that of which a being is aware.

"A being who is at a level on this scale is aware only of that level and the others below it. To get a case gain such a person must become aware of the level next above him," (p. 19).

Thus, begins the journey in the religion of Scientology.

The central premise of this organization is, "That man is basically good," and "That his survival depends upon himself and upon his fellows, and his attainment of brotherhood with the Universe," (Scientology: A World Religion Emerges in the Space Age, Church of Scientology, p. 51).

If man is truly good, as Scientology postulates, then why all the apparent evil? This is the result of engrams.

"The engram is a moment of `unconsciousness' containing physical pain or painful emotion and all perceptions and is not available to the analytical mind as experience," (Dianetics, p. 39).

It is the engram, which is considered by Scientology, "...to be the sole source of human aberration and psychosomatic illness," (Scientology: A World Religion Emerges in the Space Age, p. 49).

Hence, it becomes obvious that to eliminate the engrams is equivalent to ridding mankind of all human aberration. How is this accomplished? Enter, L. Ron Hubbard's, E-Meter!

Used in counseling sessions, called Auditing, the E-Meter is, "An electronic instrument for measuring mental state and change of state in individuals...," (Basic Dictionary of Dianetics and Scientology, p. 13). This instrument has been likened to a lie-detector.

As the prospective member of Scientology begins to accept the theology of the group, they are introduced to a new form of Ethics. It is at this time, the individual begins to be caught in, what has for many, becomes an endless maze.

Concerning these new found ethics, the book Scientology: A World Religion Emerges in the Space Age, explains, "Thus, any ethical decision or computation considered `right action' would at the same time enhance survival for the maximum area of life... expanding and refining the doctrine of `the greatest good for the greatest number' to include all sectors of existence," (p. 79).

The idea of the "greatest good for the greatest number" raises some very serious ethical questions.

First, who is to decide what the greatest good is? Second, what is the greatest good? Fin¬ally, and perhaps most importantly, who will make the decision to put the one who decides these questions in charge?

Under the heading, The Aims Of Scientology, is found an interesting statement. "We may err, for we build a world with broken straws. But we will never betray your faith in us so long as you are one of us," (Scientology: The Fundamentals of Thought, L. Ron Hubbard, p. 114; emphasis mine).

What happens when the adherents cease to be "one of us?"

In discussing this very issue, William J. Peterson explains, "Scientology has a warped code of ethics. In the Scientology code are such statements as `Never fear to hurt another in a just cause,' and `To punish to the fullest extent of my power anyone misusing or degrading Scientology to harmful ends,'" (Those Curious New Cults, p. 95).

Thus, the questions raised above as to who will determine the "greatest good" has perhaps been answered - Scientology!

NOTE: The idea of "greatest good," as appears to be taught by Scientology, has been debated for centuries, and was popularized by the English philosopher, Jeremy Bentham, in his philosophical concept of `Utilitarianism' (About Philosophy, R.P. Wolff, pp. 56-68).