What is Scientology

QUESTION: What is Scientology?

ANSWER:

Scientology was founded in 1954 by science fiction author L. Ron Hubbard, and the religion is based primarily on Hubbard’s book, Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health (1950). Scientology literally means "the study of truth." It comes from the Latin word "scio" meaning knowing in the fullest sense of the word and the Greek word "logos" meaning study of.

The official website of Scientology,¹ has this to say about the beliefs of the religion:

“Scientology is the study and handling of the spirit in relationship to itself, others, and all of life. The religion comprises a body of knowledge extending from certain fundamental truths. Prime among them being:

• "Man is an immortal, spiritual being. His experience extends well beyond a single lifetime. His capabilities are unlimited, even if not presently realized -- and those capabilities can be realized. He is able not only to solve his own problems, accomplish his goals, and gain lasting happiness, but also achieve new, higher states of awareness and ability.”
• "In Scientology, no one is asked to accept anything as belief or on faith. That which is true for you is what you have observed to be true. An individual discovers for himself that Scientology works by personally applying its principles and observing or experiencing results.”²
• Scientologists believe that man consists of three parts. The first part is the thetan, or spirit, which is the person himself. The second part is the mind, which the thetan uses as a control system between his environment and himself. The third part is the body, which is not the person.