Scientology on Interfaith Voices

This week on the Interfaith Voices radio program the subject is greatly centered on the Church of Scientology, the American-born new religion based on the writings and teachings of science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard.

I've always been a bit skeptical of any organization that is so very secretive about their soteriology and, even more importantly, requires a rather substantial fee (not a voluntary donation) for furtherance on its path. I have nothing against Scientologists as individuals, only the seemingly avaricious and esoteric tenor with which many Scientology institutions apparently operate. I'm interested in learning more about this religion and the good it may be doing, but perhaps Scientology as a whole could be more forthright about their history, beliefs, and practices and less profiteering in their effort to help others live better lives.

As a progressive Christian in the Unity tradition I believe that all religious traditions and spiritualities have good within them and contain value for some people (though not all). All religious perspectives are, to use the famous metaphor, pathways winding in unique ways up the same mountain of Life and Reality, working their way toward the summit. Each path has its own environment with its own twists and turns, and each of these pathways will term the summit differently, though its nonetheless the same summit. Thus, as all is interconnected and valued in Oneness I cannot say that the tenets of Scientology are inherently dubious or false -- it contains good and truth. But, if Scientology adherents engage in practices that hinder people's spiritual growth through greed, inequality, exploitation, etc. (as with any other religion) I must denounce those practices, not necessarily Scientology itself.

Anyway, since Scientology is certainly surrounded by controversy and heated debate, this week's Interfaith Voices program should give us some more perspective (from both Scientology and non-Scientology angles) on this rather new and intriguing religion.

Listen at Interfaith Voices.