Research Paper

Scientology is ranked 2nd amongst all religions. With about 500,000 members, scientology is last in position among the 22 main religions in regards to membership size, though the Church of Scientology has rebuked this number. The Church of Scientology alleges that they have at present more than eight million adherents, although they don’t possess the information to support this. Scientology is based on the fundamental principle that the existence of human beings comes down to on one general denominator: survival. Nonetheless, the purpose of survival is split into the Eight Dynamics (Goldman 22). The foremost dynamic is the desire towards survival as a person. The second dynamic is the desire towards continued existence through reproduction – having and bringing up kids. The third dynamic is desire towards continued existence of a group. The fourth dynamic is the desire towards continued existence of Mankind. The fifth, sixth, seventh, as well as eighth dynamics are the desires to continue to exist through additional life forms, the spiritual universe, the physical universe, and Infinity or a Supreme Being. In scientology, humans are believed to be made up of mind, body, as well as thetan, and are able to do great things. You gain spiritual freedom by the elimination of engrams from the mind. Thetan in scientology is the word used to describe “souls,” while engrams are, as Lewis puts it a mental image picture which is a recording consisting of unconsciousness, pain, and a genuine or fancied danger to survival (Lewis 14).

In regards to genders roles, Hubbard was astonishingly free of gender prejudice in his writings on Scientology. Women and men were welcomed in the same way into Scientology at every level and roles of leadership w...

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...n many religions women’s religious experience is much different from the religious experience had by the men in that same religion, and this is largely due to the difference in roles between men and women. For many, there are specific callings, duties, and jobs for men, but no equivalent exists for women. Instead they are expected to be wives, homemakers, and mothers. In order for us to fully understand what these roles are and the communities they exist in with both Scientology and Islam, we need to continue to take a look at each of those religions. In general, both religions do have one common factor: they are here to improve people’s lives and to guarantee a fulfilled life. Even as details of each one differs in huge proportions, there are resemblances to take from both. But all together, each one has their own individualized perspective on all aspects of life.