The Origin of Scientology and Its Founder

Scientology

The second half of the 20th century was the time when new, alternative religious movements sprang to life and started their triumphant parade across the world, attracting millions of people to their allegedly innovative concepts of faith and salvation. This religious expansion, unpredicted and unexpected in the middle of the century, the diversity of schools and teachings, as well as their significant impact on the lives of many people are a phenomenon that demonstrates a high potential of such theories and practices. Their evolution was facilitated by spiritual requirements of people who were seekers of new ideas and formats of faith. These people distrusted traditional religions and were often disillusioned and disappointed by orthodox tenets and concepts; they wanted to find more updated and socially adapted religious teachings. Scientology is a dramatic example of a new religion of this kind, and its analysis provides an insight in the complex, controversial, and sometimes perplexing domain of today’s religious and spiritual practices. Officially recognized as religion in the USA, Scientology was denied this status in European countries, for example, the UK, Germany, France, and others. Investigating an impact of this popular religious practice on individuals, groups, and communities is significant for understanding the effects, possible implications, and hazards it has in store for society.

The Origin of Scientology and its Founder

Scientology, a religious teaching defining its major purpose as “the study and handling of the spirit in relationship to itself, universes, and other life” (Hubbard 5) emerged in the first decade following World War II. It reflected certain aspirations and challenges of a new period of social progress in the post-war world. Unprecedented technological advances during the years of the war enhanced further scientific and technological developments, and these were transforming the world people lived in, their mentality, and lifestyle. Pervasive changes in social reality and new trends influenced the world views of people. Technology, on the one hand, was often looked upon as a form of panacea that would secure the bright future for mankind. On the other hand, the imminent threat of a new war in which atomic or nuclear weapons could be used was a major hazard for mankind’s existence. Scientology arose as a kind of spiritual response at this stage of social development; this religious teaching proclaimed itself to be “precise and exact, designed for an age of exact sciences” (Hubbard 6). Therefore, the origin of Scientology should be attributed to the culture of the new technological era; its birth-place is the United States of America, the heart and citadel of the new age of technological progress and gross mass consumption. Nowadays, Scientologists claim to have millions of their members in 165 countries across