Why is Katie Holmes scared? What is Scientology?

Religion is no trivial matter. It can make people fall in love, start wars, cause riots and of late it is said to be the reason behind the split of one of Hollywood’s most high profile couples; Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. Tom Cruise, a staunch believer of the ideology of Scientology stirred up a public debate with reports that he wished to send his six-year-old child, Suri to a Scientology boot camp. Now, for all of us who aren’t acquainted with this religion and its ideologies here are some facts: [caption id=“attachment_365542” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“AP”] [/caption] 1. Scientology is a modern religion founded in 1952, by pulp fiction author L. Ron Hubbard. 2. Hubbard developed a set of doctrines and rituals that still form the guidelines on which the Church of Scientology in Camden, New Jersey work. 3. The basic premise of this religion is that man is an immortal and spiritual being and his experiences transcend beyond a single lifetime and he has infinite capacity although it isn’t realised. 4. Scientology propagates a spiritual rehabilitation by a type of counselling known as auditing, in which practitioners aim to consciously re-experience painful or traumatic events in their past in order to free themselves of their limiting effects. Auditing courses are available in exchange for specified donations. 5. Scientology beliefs revolve around the thetan, the ultimate being of the cosmic source, or life force, named after the Greek letter theta. Those who follow Scientology also believe in rebirth and use the term ‘assumption’ for reincarnation. 6. It is said that Scientology believes in Xenu, the dictator of the “Galactic Confederacy” who, 75 million years ago, brought billions of his people to Earth in DC-8-like spacecraft, stacked them around volcanoes and killed them using hydrogen bombs. Scientology holds that their essences remained, and that they form around people in modern times, causing them spiritual harm. 7. Scientology, being a modern religion, addresses many recent lifestyle problems and sponsors a variety of programs such as anti-drug programs and prison rehabilitation programs. 8. According to Scientology’s disconnection policy, members are asked to cut off all contact with friends or family members who do not follow this religion. 9. Celebs such as John Travolta, Kirstie Alley, Lisa Marie Presley, Nancy Cartwright, Jason Lee, Isaac Hayes, Edgar Winter, Tom Cruise, Chick Corea and Leah Remini have greatly publicised Scientology. 10. The Church of Scientology is extremely controversial and is infact called a cult that financially defrauds its members, charging exorbitant fees for its spiritual services.