Scientology Religion - Background, Theology and Religious Practice (original) (raw)

Scientology is a truly unique contemporary religion—the only major religion to emerge in the twentieth century. Scientology is fully developed, by definition of religion, in its theology, religious practice and organization. The breadth and scope of the religion include more than eleven thousand Churches of Scientology, missions and related organizations in countries all over the world.

Millions of Scientologists around the world sincerely believe in the religious tenets and practices of Scientology. For every one of these individuals, Scientology is their religion and fulfills their deepest spiritual needs.

This is the most important test of any true religion of the world—indeed, it is the test used by the United States Supreme Court and high courts in many other countries.

Nevertheless, if an individual relies on secondary sources, then courts, scholars and governmental agencies around the world have repeatedly determined that Scientology is bona fide in all respects. This website provides an overview of these international recognitions and expertises. As Scientology addresses the spirit and the relationship of humanity to the universe and the Supreme Being, it can be nothing other than a religion in the fullest sense of the word.

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VIDEOSReligious Scholars, Government Representatives and Dignitaries on the Church of Scientology, Its Religious Purpose and Its Social Betterment Activities

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From its beginnings the Church of Scientology has recognized that freedom of religion is a fundamental human right. In a world where conflicts are often traceable to intolerance of others’ religious beliefs and practices, the Church has, for more than fifty years, made the preservation of religious liberty an overriding concern.

A vital component to preserving this fundamental human right is an understanding of the right to freedom of religion or belief and its meaning under universal human rights principles and international human rights law.

In this regard, a new Church of Scientology booklet, What is Freedom of Religion?, is designed to inform the public regarding the detailed and complex nature of the right to freedom of religion for believers and religious organizations of every faith.

Religious Recognitions

Scientology is accepted as a religion throughout the world and its religious bona fides have been unequivocally recognized. See key international religious recognitions of the Church of Scientology.

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Religious Expertises

The world’s foremost experts in the fields of comparative religion, history of religion, religious studies and sociology agree that Scientology is a world religion.

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Background & Beliefs

Scientology follows a long tradition of religious practice. Its roots lie in the deepest beliefs and aspirations of all great religions, thus encompassing a religious heritage as old and varied as Man himself.

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Scientology, Social Science and the Definition of Religionby James A. Beckford, Professor of Sociology, University of Warwick, England Social Change and New Religious Movementsby Bryan R. Wilson, Emeritus Fellow in Sociology, Oxford University The Church of Scientologyby Juha Pentikäinen, Marja Pentikäinen, University of Helsinki, Finland The Relationship Between Scientology and Other Religionsby Fumio Sawada, Eighth holder of the secrets of Yu-itsu Shinto, the oldest religion in Japan; President, Ahlul-Bait Center The Religious Nature of Scientologyby Geoffrey Parrinder, Methodist minister, Professor, Comparative Study of Religions, University of London Religious Philosophy, Religion and Churchby G.C. Oosthuizen, Professor of Science of Religion, University of Durban-Westville, Natal, South Africa Scientology a New Religionby M. Darrol Bryant, Department of Religious Studies, Renison College, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada Apostates and New Religious Movementsby Bryan R. Wilson, Emeritus Fellow in Sociology, Oxford University Scientology: An Analysis and Comparison of its Religious Systems and Doctrinesby Bryan R. Wilson, Emeritus Fellow in Sociology, Oxford University The Reliability of Apostate Testimony About New Religious Movementsby Lonnie D. Kliever Ph.D., Professor of Religious Studies The Sea Organization and its Role Within the Church of Scientologyby Frank K. Flinn Ph.D. Adjunct Professor in Religious Studies Brief Analyses of the Religious Nature of Scientologyby J. Gordon Melton, Baylor University, Samuel Hill, Gary Bouma, Irving Hexham Congregational Services of the Church of Scientologyby Bryan R. Wilson, Emeritus Fellow in Sociology, Oxford University **Is Scientology A Religion?**by Alan W. Black, Associate Professor of Sociology, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia **Is Scientology a Religion?**by Dean M. Kelley, National Council of Churches Religious Toleration & Religious Diversityby Bryan R. Wilson, Emeritus Fellow in Sociology, Oxford University Scientology A Religion In South Africaby David Chidester, Professor of Comparative Religion, University of Cape Town, South Africa Scientology: A True Religionby Urbano Alonso Galan, Professor of Philosophy and Theology, Gregorian University of Rome Scientology: A Way of Spiritual Self-Identificationby Michael Sivertsev, Moscow Academy of Sciences Scientology: A Worshipping Communityby Lonnie D. Kliever, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas Scientology and Contemporary Definitions of Religion in the Social Sciencesby Alejandro Frigerio, Professor of Sociology, Catholic University of Argentina, Buenos Aires Scientology and Islam an Analogous Studyby Fumio Sawada, Eighth holder of the secrets of Yu-itsu Shinto, the oldest religion in Japan; President, Ahlul-Bait Center Scientology and Religionby Christiaan Vonck, Rector, Faculty for Comparative Study of Religion, Antwerp, Belgium Scientology: A Comparison with Religions of the East and Westby Per-Arne Berglie, Professor of History of Religion, University of Stockholm Scientology Its Cosmology, Anthropology, System of Ethics and Methodologiesby Régis Dericquebourg, Professor of Sociology of Religion, University of Lille III, France Scientology – Its Historical-Morphological Frameby Dario Sabbatucci, Professor of History of Religions, University of Rome Scientology: Its True Natureby Harri Heino, Professor of Theology, University of Tampere, Finland Scientology: The Marks of Religionby Frank K. Flinn, Adjunct Professor of Religious Studies Washington University

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Landmark Victories for Religious Freedomand the Church of Scientology

Belgian Court Dismisses All Charges in Baseless Case Against the Church of Scientology in Landmark Victory... On 11 March 2016, in a landmark decision, the First Instance Court of Brussels found in favor of defendants and completely dismissed all charges against the Church of Scientology of Belgium… UK Supreme Court Issues Landmark Decision Regarding the Scientology Religion On 11 December 2013, the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom issued a unanimous, landmark ruling declaring that the Chapel at the London Church of Scientology must be recognized as a place of religious worship under UK law. National Church of Scientology of Spain Officially Recognized as World Religion The Church of Scientology is officially recognized as a religion in Spain. On 31 October 2007, the National Court in Madrid issued a unanimous landmark decision affirming the right to religious freedom in Spain by recognizing that the National Church of Scientology of Spain… Church of Scientology IRS Tax Exemption Church of Scientology International (CSI)—the Mother Church of the Scientology religion—and more than 150 affiliated Churches, missions and social-reform organizations in the United States were recognized as fully tax-exempt religious organizations by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), America’s federal tax agency, in October 1993. 1983 Australian High Court Decision: Church of Scientology The Australian High Court’s decision regarding the Scientology religion in Church of the New Faith v. Commissioner of Payroll Tax (1983) is recognized as a landmark legal decision, establishing the standard for the definition of religion and religious charities in both Australia and New Zealand, and, indeed, throughout the Commonwealth of Nations.

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CHURCHES OF SCIENTOLOGYAround the World

At the forefront of the greatest era of expansion in Scientology history stand new Churches of Scientology opening in major cities and cultural centers world over.

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