Surely there's no way scientologists wouldn't know their religion was made up by a science fiction writer, so?

Question

why do they persist with their "belief" in it? Is it simply a case of wanting to have somewhere to belong? And could this be the reason why people of all sorts of "faiths" keep their faith regardless of how bizarre or implausible it is; to have somewhere to belong?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

I'd rather belong to an insane asylum. At least then you're medicated.

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Yes, and you get to have your own crazy ideas instead of having to adopt someone else's.

Answer 2

L Ron Hubbard was a prolific writer in many genre. Science Fiction was only about 17% of his total written works. He researched and submitted his thesis on Dianetics as early as 1938. His writings for pulp fiction were done to research his work into the field of the mind. Scientology came about in 1953 when he realized / rediscovered that we were spiritual beings whose experiences spans many lifetimes. Scientology is the study of knowledge in this area and life.

Answer 3

Of course they know. Every church member and every independent non church Scientologist knows about Hubbard's early writing career and his background (though his background in occultism is sanitized/barely hinted at). So what? I don't give a crap who created what. I'm interested in ideas.

I am a Scientologist and a former Church of Scientology member and this doesn't bother me at all. And let me tell you something, I'm a former Christian, too, and I've done a LOT of reading about various other religions. They all were made up by science fiction writers from where I sit. Only thing I found in Scn was that the techniques and theories are based on what a person experiences and feels for himself. I wasn't told to have faith in some deity I could not see.

Answer 4

Well everyone has their own beliefs and opinions. But it is true that Scientology was made up by a science fiction writer.

Answer 5

I like how this claim can be applied to other religions and their 'holy' books.

Answer 6

Belonging is a big part.