Editorial: Why the spotlight on Scientology?

By Randy Sly
2/12/2010
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Our focus on the Church of Scientology did not come by pulling an arbitrary name out of a hat; they are, frankly, in the news.

So, in addition to belief, our concerns about Scientology involve behavior. Some have stated in the comments section that, as Catholics, we should address our own bad behavior. At Catholic Online, we have. Furthermore, that does not preclude us from looking at others. (Above photo - Scientology's leader David Miscavige)

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WASHINGTON, D.C. (Catholic Online) � Regular readers of Catholic Online will have noticed that the Church of Scientology has been in our cross-hairs several times this past year. Personally, I have written a dozen articles on the subject.

Our focus on Scientology did not come by pulling an arbitrary name out of a hat at an editorial meeting, nor did it come because any of us are ex-Scientologists.

They are, frankly, in the news. Whether it�s the renunciation of affiliation by a celebrity member, conviction of fraud by the French courts, harassment of defectors or depositions regarding forced abortions that have shown up on the web, the spotlight has been turned on.

These are not isolated occurrences. The activities of this group, founded by Science Fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, have increasingly been in the headlines in recent years regarding a variety of issues.

Scientology is not new news. Major newspapers and news networks have, from time to time, covered stories regarding problems with organization. Books have been written both for and against dianetics and Scientology. Most of the world had heard about it but few really understood it.

In June 2009, however, the St. Petersburg Times wrote an extensive three-part series on Scientology that brought a number of issues concerning beliefs, practices and the actions of the group with respect to its members or former members.

The spotlight, at that point, grew brighter. The world of Scientology, which before had been primarily the focus of expatriates and groups like Anonymous, were now being brought into the mainstream of attention.

While Catholic Online was one of the few Catholic voices to cover Scientology, a hard-hitting article appeared this week in America Magazine�s online edition, entitled "Scientology at the Dock."

In this piece, Father John Coleman, S.J., who served as a Professor of Social Values at Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles until last year, took a careful look at the organization and its recent track record. Fr. Coleman�s concerns mirrored those of Catholic Online, when he stated, "Recent allegations about Scientology rely less on the organization�s belief system� The recent attacks on Scientology focus mainly on its behaviors."

"I suspect with so much smoke," Coleman writes, "somewhere there must be a real fire. While the organization hates the term, it is a totalitarian �cult.� It just may also be criminal."

As Catholics, there is no doubt that we take issue with the system of belief embraced by the Church of Scientology. No amount of good works can offset the fact that the group proposes doctrines that are irreconcilable with Christianity. From a Catholic perspective, they are not a legitimate religion.

Catholics certainly must respect individuals who are involved with scientology because we respect the dignity of every human person. However, the teaching of the Organization is a different matter. In addition, allegations concerning their practices and treatment of members are certainly appropriate to examine if human dignity is allegedly disregarded and human freedom is not respected.

I was recently offered an invitation to visit a Scientology Church in Washington, D.C.. Whatever I might find during such a visit could never alter the fact that the truth claims found within the teaching of Christianity and the claims of Scientology cannot be somehow glossed over. We can never simply "agree to disagree" concerning the claims of our Christian faith and the claims of Scientology.

However, Scientology does now claim to be a religion. They are most certainly not a Christian religion or community so the use of the word ecumenism in reference to any relationship between us is inappropriate. Perhaps, such a dialogue might be viewed as "interreligious dialogue"?

As Pope Benedict XVI, then Cardinal Ratzinger, wrote in "Dominus Iesus" concerning "interreligious dialogue."

Inter-religious dialogue, therefore, as part of her evangelizing mission, is just one of the actions of the Church in her mission ad gentes. ("to the nations") Equality, which is a presupposition of inter-religious dialogue, refers to the equal personal dignity of the parties in dialogue, not to doctrinal content, nor even less to the position of Jesus Christ — who is God himself made man — in relation to the founders of the other religions.

Catholic Online is, by intention, a Catholic news organization. We are compelled to explore and explain the belief systems of such groups as well as underscore the areas where they depart from orthodox Christian faith as revealed in Sacred Scripture and Tradition and taught by the ...

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1 - 10 of 58 Comments

none
2 years ago
This comments colum deserves a new post.
I am one of many poor suckers who grew up in scientology. I am different only because I escaped.
Scientology is simply a disease of the soul, a malformation caused by poverty of spirit. For this I blame Rome, all Christians and all respectable faiths.
But make no mistake. Scientology is crime, sin, hatred and contempt of all that is good.
Scientology is willful evil clothed in as many layers as they need to convince each individual target.
Curu
3 years ago
Jeff's ignorance of both Anonymous and Scientology are very telling. Obviously he doesn't care enough about the subject to educate himself and is using this as an opportunity to criticize the Catholic Church.

If he new ANYTHING about Scientology he would not come to their defense. The "Church" of Scientology imprisons people, coerces staff to have abortions, purposefully separates families and coerces divorces, practices draconian shunning, underpays and overworks their most dedicated adherents, uses child labor, has protected CHILD MOLESTERS, discourages medical and psychiatric medication which has lead to many many deaths, is obsessed with money and many people have committed suicide because of the ensuing debt. They harass and use all means legal and illegal to silence their critics. The organization and the beliefs it's based on are totalitarian, xenophobic, racist and homophobic and almost purposefully designed to destroy the family unit. It is a CULT.

Scientology, especially in the hands of current management, is NOT benign and never has been. The founder, L. Ron Hubbard, was a conman, tax dodger, stealer of valor, occultist and bigamist with a disgust for other religions and races. Individual Scientologists may be good people and the lower level beliefs might be benign, but taken as a whole the "Church" of Scientology cannot and should not be considered or treated like a benevolent and charitable religion.

And Jeff, the misdeeds of one group do not absolve the misdeeds of another nor bar them from making legitimate comments and criticisms.

Google "Operation Freak Out", "Operation Snow White" and Lisa McPherson before you defend this group again.
Bulbajer
3 years ago
Maks, I agree.
Anon
3 years ago
Scientology is the religion of Satan.

The biggest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.
Maks
3 years ago
Jeff, the issue is not and has never been with Scientology's beliefs. The issue, instead, has been with the abuses of the Church of Scientology. The only violence has been by Scientologists against the Anonymous protesters. At least one protester has sued as a result in Nashville, as covered by WSMV. The other many abuses by the Church of Scientology are disturbing in their number, consistency of accounts, and nature. I find the comments about child molestation shocking in their hypocrisy, considering the prominent position Wally Hanks held in the Church of Scientology.
Jeff
3 years ago
The Pope exonerated the Catholic church for not protecting the Jews during WW II. So why is Catholic On Line not protecting Scientology from suppressive and nazi type groups and ideologies like anonymous-(you know, the one's who wear those Guy Fawkes terrorist masks and scare little children while hacking Oranizational computers)? And why does Catholic On Line attack a religion when the Catholic Church heirarchy supported in the past perveted Fathers of the church?
From all indications, the Pope wants us all to honor and not attack other religions, unless Catholics On Line is a Catholic splinter group--yes, I'm suspicious of this web sites intentions.
Bulbajer
3 years ago
Lisa McPherson, thank you very much.
Lisa McPherson
3 years ago
There are multiple groups of scientologists that have broken away from the core church, give out the teachings for free and make no real secret of them. They are called "freezoners" and they are mercilessly harrassed by the cult.
Bulbajer
3 years ago
Dave, I agree that the Church of Scientology is responsible for many abuses. Very bad abuses. That is why I have an honest question which I can't seem to find an answer to: are there any Scientologist organizations or movements, such as break-away groups, that are not connected with the Church of Scientology? Thanks everyone.
Barbara
3 years ago
I have been reading on 'The Church of Scienctolgy' web site. The way in which they present their opinions, by the bombarding a person with questions, is they are hoping to appeal to a persons sense of reason and intellect. The tactics used, by The Church of Scientolgy, seems to me that they are indeed a brainwashing dangerous cult. Thank You for the eye opening article Randy!

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