My visit to the church of Scientology (warning: long post)

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Background: I went to the church of Scientology in Farmington Hills, MI for an assignment in religion class. The assignment was to pick a religion that we were not familiar with and attend a service. I grew up catholic, but I'm currently atheist, so I figured checking out Scientology would be great to write a paper on.

I got there early at 10:50am for the 11:30 service. I was waiting for a classmate to arrive, so I decided to go in and check it out. The outside looked like a big office building with a big blue overhang that read "Church of Scientology" with their cross next to it. I found it funny when I saw the little "TM" next to the cross. A guy was at the door and immediately introduced himself and shook my hand. I explained what I was there for and he took me inside to a big office/waiting room with a few desks, a leather couch, and a big TV. He told me to sit on the couch while he looked for a DVD to put in. I started looking around and noticed a wall with about 50 different DVDs for purchase at $20 a piece. There were also pictures of L. Ron Hubbard everywhere.

The movie he put in was a recording of their recent yearly conference where the current president spoke of all the problems in the world and then explained all the great stuff Scientology was doing to help.

My classmate arrived, and watched some of the video with me, then we started reading a few magazines and pamphlets that were in front of us on a coffee table. Let me say that I as astounded at the sheer propaganda I read. The pamphlets all promised salvation and a better life through ScientologyI learned that they also hate the field of psychology when I flipped through a magazine that portrayed every famous psychologist and psychiatrist as evil.

Another one of the pamphlets showed all of the courses that you can buy. They come in a plastic case that looks like a book, contain 2-5 DVDs, a few thin books, and cost between $2,000 and $6000 a piece.

Eventually the minister came in, introduced himself, and then took us to a small room with about 20 chairs, a big TV, a podium, and a big framed portrait of Hubbard right behind it. I felt a little uncomfortable when I realized we were the only 2 people attending this service. A few minutes later 5 members walked in and sat with us, most likely to make us feel more comfortable so we weren't by ourselves. I later found out that this Sunday service was designated for people interested in Scientology and was also the only time listed on their website. I'd also like to note that the atmosphere was pretty laid back, and there is no dress code. I wore a decent long sleeved buttoned shirt with nice jeans just so I didn't look like a slob.

The minister chose a passage he said would help us understand the basics of their beliefs. He opened a large book about twice the dimensions of the bible and began. After 5 minutes of talking, my first thought was "WOW these people are waaaay out there" He said that we have 8 "points" around our bodies that form a box: 2 on the ground, 2 above your head in front and behind you. He then went on to say that the reason you get dizzy when you spin in circles is because those points get all tangled up, and you become undizzy when those points reset to their normal position ( Keep in mind folks, that just because part of the word "Science" is in the name, doesn't mean it has anything to do with it.) They also don't worship any single god, leaving that up to you. They teach ways to gain confidence and learn more about yourself through self discovery, and life experience. I won't go into anymore about that, if you're interested for some reason theres plenty of info online

The service lasted about an hour, and I was happy to be done because it was getting pretty dry after a while. Just as we were about to walk out of the room, the minister stopped us at the door and began elaborating further on what we had just heard. He further confirmed my assumptions that these people believe some crazy stuff. After talking to us for 20 more minutes we started downstairs and towards the door where we were stopped again and given some pamphlets and a DVD on an interview with Hubbard done in the 60's. This also ran $20 but they gave us a brand new copy free from somebody who donated them.

Anyway, despite their crazy ideas and obvious attempts at money grabs, I realized Scientology is just like any other religion. They want to save your soul and it will only cost you your time and tons of money. Lastly, I must say that you don't have to subscribe to a religion in order to believe in yourself or be happy. If you don't think you can handle that on your own, Scientology can "help" you for the cost of about $350,000 paid throughout your lifetime.