It’s tricky writing about scientology because we know that the church can be aggressive in defending its reputation.  So let me not waste any time criticising this extraordinary institution.

From personal knowledge I know that scientology’s message carries great weight among its followers.  So it may be more interesting and less sensitive to try to assess what it is that the followers find so appealing.

Scientology has managed to establish itself as a charitable organiser (a ‘church’).  But at no time have I been exposed to what is generally regarded as a religious diagnostic: God, Jesus, Moses, Allah, Buddha, Hindu Gods and the like.

So the religious aspect may be more appropriately defined as ‘way of life’ which strikes home in terms of the Latin word ‘religio’ and what the organisation expects from its followers.  The trouble is that this association is linked with money: lots of it or at least disproportionate amounts of money.

If you find yourself attracted to the basic scientology concept, you may readily get into its ‘audit’ clutches.  Each stage of learning more about the system towards the ultimate objective of ‘going clear’ will cost you money and you will soon be parted from lots of, perhaps most of, your assets.  It’s hardly surprising that the church is wealthy and so readily able to defend itself against its critics.  I think it might be wiser to stay clear rather than aiming to ‘go clear’.