Introduction
There are few groups in the country - and truly in the world – that inspire more confusion and outrage than the Church of Scientology. Here in Saint Paul where I live, the church has a chapter built on the site of the old Science Museum that gives me those same emotions every time I drive by it. Founded by American science fiction author L. Ron Hubbard in 1954, the movement has been a lightning rod for controversy ever since[a1]. (What is the Scientology? Why was it formed? What purposes did the founder decide to form it?) While the church has been protected and given largely the same religious freedoms that other more well-established groups like Christians and Muslims have, it was not always this way. For example, until as recently as 1993, the Church of Scientology had not been granted tax exempt status by the IRS, which is customary for religious organizations[a2]. At some point in their quest for mainstream acceptance, the church had successfully convinced the appropriate governing bodies that they were indeed legitimate, and not what they had been and should be considered; a dangerous and persistent cult, capable of wide-scale consumer fraud[a3]. (The writer prematurely gives a conclusion that the Church of Scientology should be considered dangerous and cultic without giving a reader full details of the church to relate with. Please consider elaborating on the journalist’s questions of who, what, why, when, where and how to make your argument right and accurate.)
Main Concerns to the Public
The church has been allowed to operate with very little in the way of interference now for quite some time[a4]. Of all the concerns that are raised by this, the main concerns to the public are the massive risks they face as potential members of the organization[a5]. First and foremost, there are vast financial burdens that come with each successive stage in the ascension to complete understanding of the church doctrines. There are also numerous detailed accounts of behavior within the Church that resembles brainwashing and has led parishioners to separate from their families, leaving them torn apart. Thirdly, the church poses a great risk to all consumers through its skilled use of media manipulation[a6]. (This paragraph introduces the main topics as a summary, which creates a good flow to the argument. However, the first and the second paragraph have not yet introduced the thesis statement in a succinct manner to enable the reader understand fully the main aim of the argument. In later paragraphs, it is noted that the student argues against the Church of Scientology, but this should have been the basis of the argumentative essay. The student should have concluded the first or the second statement with a sentence like “This argumentative essay seeks to establish the activities of the Church of Scientology, and to explain the negative contributions it makes to the society”.)
Costs of Membership
The costs of membership have fluctuated over the years. To undergo a process known as “auditing” (or clearing away your baggage under oath with a member of the church) one has to pay out the nose. “The fees were $500 for 25 hours in 1969. In 1979 a "Solo Audit Course" cost 83,692.87, while the price of special aids to Clears was $250 per hour; in 1991 auditing costs $1,000 per hour[a7].” These auditing services are all offered so that parishioners can ascend through the ranks in a manner of speaking, learning more and more about church doctrines as they go, many of which are incredibly secretive. These practices have left members bankrupt, homeless, or dead more times than need counting. One of the most infamous cases that inspired action was the case of Noah Lottick, who committed suicide by jumping from a 10th story hotel window, “clutching $171 in cash, virtually the only money he hadn't yet turned over to the Church of Scientology[a8].”
Lawsuits and Image Manipulation
Multiple people have filed lawsuits against the Church of Scientology, and many have won or settled out of court to recoup their losses, however the group is very litigious themselves, quick to sue any person or entity who would misrepresent their image, and so they often have their day in court, literally speaking[a9]. The image that Scientology portrays is very carefully constructed as well and has led to conflict with those who would expose them for who they really are. For example, internet hacker group Anonymous pursued action against the church after an indoctrination video posted to their YouTube page featuring Tom Cruise was pulled off the internet[a10]. While they claimed they would bring about an end to the church altogether, Anonymous never managed to advance past harmless pranks; “local chapter sites for the Church of Scientology have been defaced, and in some cases denial of service attacks have also prevented access to the same sites[a11]. Real-world attacks have included fax-spamming those same offices.” Tom Cruise is one example (and perhaps the most notable example) of the celebrities that the church has on retainer to contribute to their image[a12]. There are policy letters dating back to 1976 that involve L. Ron Hubbard and his desire to “rehabilitate” celebrities to spread the gospel and further their image. The image being that the church numbers counts over 10 million members, when the [actual] [a13] figure is closer to 100,000[a14]. The church would also have people believe that they[a15] are battling a worldwide conspiracy against Scientology, and therefore use celebrities to help promote this idea.
Cult-like Behavior and Dangerous Nature
Perhaps the worst offense the church commits with each member is the separation of the parishioners from their family members. In a process referred to within the church as “disconnection”, non-believers, or “suppressive people” in your life are to be shunned and treated as obstacles to one’s spiritual growth[a16]. This is another indicator of cult-like behavior. In fact, when the label of Cult is applied to the church, the shoe fits quite well.[a17] According to Skeptic Magazine[a18], included in the list of traits of a typical cult is “In-Group/Out-Group Mentality: Polarization of members and nonmembers into "us V. them". This suits the church very well. Perhaps most extreme is the punishment that misbehavior within the church brings. A makeshift detention facility in Riverside County, California known colloquially as “The Hole” is where many who would dare transgress from within are sent[a19]. This facility, with spiked fences around the perimeter and cots for sleeping quarters has been compared to a North Korean death camp[a20]. The savage treatment by the church of its own members is textbook cult behavior.
Counterarguments
There are of course, those who will disagree and will[a21] maintain that regardless of its practices, the church should still be considered another church under the umbrella as Christianity and Judaism. Many would advocate that these religions and their services are kept alive by money from the pockets of their faithful[a22]. While this is true, the fact of the matter however, is that while donations are accepted in the church, the money comes from regular participation in church practices. No other religion doles out its tenets at an hourly rate[a23]. There are also those who would claim that Scientology is entitled to its religious freedoms and more specifically its tax-exempt status, such as Monique Yingling, former primary tax counsel for the church, who writes: “The church did not engage in a "ruthless battle to win a religious tax exemption" rather, it simply worked continuously to demonstrate that it should be treated the same as other religious denominations[a24].” What Yingling neglects to mention is that the landmark decision was reached in part because Scientology leader David Miscavige had hired multiple private investigators to blackmail senior-most IRS officials to the point that they caved[a25].
Conclusion
Scientology fits every descriptor of a cult snugly. Whether they are a cult or a legitimate religious organization; however, ultimately does not matter. The fact remains that they are dangerous. They have destroyed the lives of individuals, families and communities and perpetrate all of their crimes under direct watch in broad daylight. There truly is not enough time or energy one can spend to chronicle the extent of the misdeeds the church has committed, or how bizarre the story gets[a26].
Bibliography
[a27]Behar, Richard "The Thriving Cult of Greed and Power." Time 6 May 1991: 50. Print. http://ndcproxy.mnpals.net/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true"db=aph"AN=9105061216"site=ehost-live
This article is a scathing critique of the CoS that was the first glimpse at the church's practices for many. It covers all manner of the church's branches from its book publishing to its legal retainers. Very useful for factual information.
Passas, Nikos and Manuel Castillo Escamilla. "Scientology and its 'Clear' Business." Behavioral Sciences " the Law 10.1 (1992): 103-116. Print. http://ndcproxy.mnpals.net/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true"db=aph"AN=16400868"site=ehost-live
The article goes into detail about the business of Scientology, how it makes its money and is profitable. The tactics are described as consumer fraud. The article continues to explain the tenuous set of characteristics that allow the church to remain a religious organization.
Shermer, Michael. "Is Scientology a Cult?" Skeptic
2011: 16-17. Print. http://ndcproxy.mnpals.net/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true"db=aph"AN=70698128"site=ehost-live
This article sets out to define what a cult is and apply that definition to Scientology. The article is opinionated but informative.
Yingling, Monique. Where bad arguments against Scientology's tax exemption go to die: courts of law. 1 February 2018. Web page. .
The Church of Scientology's tax counsel provides an opinion on the church and its public image. This is in response to an article posted in the times. This makes for a good counterpoint to other sources.
Vamosi, Robert. Anonymous hackers take on the Church of Scientology. 25 January 2008. Web Page. .
The article provides a brief overview on the back and forth the CoS and Anonymous had over the Tom Cruise video[a28] , useful for their background[a29]
[a1]Citation needed; credit the source of this information.
[a2]Cite source of this information.
[a3]Missing thesis: what is the general argument here? What do you intend to make of this argument? Without a thesis statement, an argument will automatically lack boundaries; which is the case here. Please consider coming up with a clear and consistent thesis at the end of this paragraph.
[a4]Restructure this sentence, it is not coherent.
[a5] [a5]Restructure this sentence, it is not coherent. As well, it does not clearly introduce risks exposed to members mentioned in subsequent section of this paragraph. Consider making the paragraph effective and sentence-wise transitional.
[a6]Missing in-text citation. Consider adding sources appropriately.
[a7]This information is important in contextualizing your argument. However, it lacks citation making it ineffective. Add citation!
[a8]Good argument. You effectively give examples of how the Church of Scientology has negatively impacted on lives of its members while giving a contextual instance that a church member commits suicide over auditing finance requirement by the church. But, citation is needed to credit source of this information.
[a9]In-text citation needed!
[a10]In-text Citation needed!
[a11]This sentence is not accurately clear.
[a12]Expound on this curt statement. How did the church hold him? What was his purpose? It is important in giving a wider scope to your argument.
[a13]Consider using effective and precise words when it comes to using figures to make your argument.
[a14]In-text Citation needed!
[a15]Not clear at all! Consider restructuring this sentence while using accurate words to point out your posit.
[a16]In-text citation needed here!
[a17]Not necessary. The purpose of this sentence is served by the preceding sentence. There is no need for overemphasize.
[a18]Please include page number.
[a19]Effective argument. But, consider adding in-text citations.
[a20]Good argument. It effectively brings out the problems and risks the church subjects its members to.
[a21]Inappropriate. Consider reconstructing this sentence in order to bring out your point accurately.
[a22]Add in-text citation.
[a23]Good argument. Adds to your point that the church extorts and exploits its members.
[a24]Please consider adding in-text citation at the end of a quote or sentence containing information extracted from a source.
[a25]Please explain the connection between your point and the example you are giving. In this instance, you’re trying to argue that Monrique Yingling failed to consider contribution of David Miscavige’s blackmail in denial of tax exemption. The question is how is the example and your point related?
[a26]Consider concluding your argument with an engaging summary that wraps up important points that support your position in the argument pose. This conclusion is short and points out position, that the church of scientology is detrimental to its members, instead of giving reasons to that position.
[a27]Indicate as Works Cited.
[a28]The Works Cited are not arranged in alphabetical order making it difficult to follow in-text citations against Works Cited.
[a29]Please maintain uniformity in your work. Ensure that font size and spacing is uniform. Here, some references are typed on single space and others on double. As well, ensure your font size is 12.
