Creation of 'Religious' Scientology

Kent, Stephen A.

doi:10.1558/rsth.v18i2.97

Cited by 8 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…However, not all researchers from the 1980s and 1990s reached this level of camaraderie with the Scientologists they sought to study. One example is Stephen A. Kent, a sociologist at the University of Alberta, who has produced a sizable body of work on Scientology (see, e.g., Kent, ), not to mention an impressive archive on alternative religions at his campus in Edmonton. Most recently, Kent and Raine () published the edited interdisciplinary volume Scientology in Popular Culture : Influences and Struggles for Legitimacy.…”

Section: Scientology Studies: Then and Nowmentioning

confidence: 99%

Scientology Studies 2.0: Lessons learned and paths forward

Westbrook

2019

Religion Compass

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The academic study of Scientology traces to at least 1958, when L. Ron Hubbard granted an interview to new religions scholar and librarian J. Stillson Judah in Washington, DC. Since then, relations between the Church of Scientology and academics have at times been strained yet, | INTRODUCTIONFor many, the Church of Scientology is associated with a science fiction writer named L. Ron Hubbard , celebrity adherents, esoteric scriptures, allegations of abuse, claims of "brainwashing" and "cult" status, a pay-as-yougo theology, an episode on the American TV show South Park, and a slew of anti-Scientology books and documentaries (especially over the last decade). In a 2008 Gallup poll (Jones), 52% of Americans surveyed had a "total negative" view of Scientologists. This was the highest of all religious groups surveyed, ahead of both Muslims and atheists, respectively. Only 7% of Gallup respondents reported a "total positive" view of Scientology, with 37% indicating that they were "neutral" on the topic. This perception in the popular culture is, to a large extent, a reflection of the literature about the Church of Scientology that has influenced the popular imagination since the 1950s.

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Section: Scientology Studies: Then and Nowmentioning

confidence: 99%

Scientology Studies 2.0: Lessons learned and paths forward

Westbrook

2019

Religion Compass

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“…Scientology, as a religious practice, draws heavily from L. Ron Hubbard's concept of Dianetics. First published in an article for Astounding Science Fiction , Dianetics was initially promoted as a scientific self-help system (Kent 1999). Dianetics suggests that the mind is comprised of two sections, the reactive mind and the analytical mind.…”

Section: Understanding Scientologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Here, Scientology requires increasing level of “donations” to progress through these levels. The Church's justification for this practice is that higher levels require more advanced ministers, and are therefore more expensive (Scientology 1998; Kent 1999; Melton 2009).…”

Section: Understanding Scientologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hubbard. However, its characterization as a cult stemmed from its implementation of several contentious practices, including: forced labor; brainwashing; and the excommunication of ex-members (Kent 1999). Many of these controversial practices were linked to Scientology's fraternal religious order, “Sea Org” (organization).…”

Section: Understanding Scientologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sea Org incorporates an alternate family structure, which often sees parents distanced from their children and raised separately by the church itself. According to Kent's (1999, 6) report, parents, working 100 hour weeks, did not see their children for two-to-three days at a time as: “… devotion to the Scientology cause often appears to take priority over the needs of children.”…”

Section: Understanding Scientologymentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Church of Scientology: Legitimacy through Perception Management

Halupka

2014

Politics and Religion

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In 1967 the Church of Scientology's tax-exempt status was revoked on the basis that it failed to meet the criteria outlined in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service. Between its loss, and eventual reacquisition in 1993, the Church of Scientology employed a number of political based tactics in an attempt to legitimize itself to the public sector. This article explores these tactics in relation to the religion's use of perception management. The article argues that the processes of both legal recognition and legitimization draw upon each other in a new faith's transition to mainstream theology. In this, the Church employed perception management in attempt to influence both processes. In exploring this, the paper contributes to our understanding of role that public legitimacy plays in a new faith's development.

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L. Ron Hubbard and Scientology Studies

Westbrook

2022

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This Element surveys the history and practice of Scientology studies over the past sixty years and offers resources for scholars and students moving forward. Section 1 reviews the history of academic research on the subject from 1958 to the present day. Section 2 draws on the author's fieldwork with the Church of Scientology to illuminate how founder L. Ron Hubbard (1911–86) is viewed among contemporary members. Section 3 considers Hubbard's influence and legacy in terms of the church sites and institutions that exist today in connection with the soteriological 'Bridge to Total Freedom.' Section 4 introduces English-language archival resources and their strengths. Section 5 proposes some open areas for Scientology researchers. Finally, glossaries of terms and appendices are included with major dates in Hubbard's life and Scientology research and bibliographical information for major archival collections in North America.

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Creation of 'Religious' Scientology

Abstract: .

Cited by 8 publications

References 3 publications

Scientology Studies 2.0: Lessons learned and paths forward

Scientology Studies 2.0: Lessons learned and paths forward

The Church of Scientology: Legitimacy through Perception Management

L. Ron Hubbard and Scientology Studies

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