Dubliner Mary Johnson, who was a member of the Church of Scientology between 1992 and 1994, is filing claims against the organization in a legal action before the High Court. She states that she sustained emotional damages and posttraumatic stress disorder from the experience, and also claims that she was controlled by a cult. She suffered excessive pressures as a member of the church and faced intimidation and threats when she tried to leave. Her attorney Sean Ryan said in court that evidence will show how she was drawn into the church and subjected to procedures, which brought her under its influence and authority.
Johnson turned to the Church of Scientology after a painful breakup, hoping she would find solace and understanding. Apparently she did not – whether they were indeed abusive or simply didn’t help her is not clear. I am leaning toward the latter, as after all the Church of Scientology has progressed to much more than a cult. This is obvious for an organization with members like John Travolta.
In court attorney Ryan commented that the language of the church consists of religious-psycho-mythical expressions that are completely meaningless. The only meaning they possess is that which the church itself attaches.
Scientology is a complex notion and concept, impossible to explain in a few words. However, the organization unites around several key beliefs. Scientologists believe that people are immortal spiritual beings, defined by the mind-body dualism. The goal is to pass through several stages of purification. Among them are the state of Clear and the state of Operating Thetan (this term means a being). Beings are reborn countless times and have many past lives. Most of the other beliefs overlap with those of general psychology. For example, what is true for you is not true for others, and people can be traumatized by certain events to the extent of personality disorders. Scientologists note the overlap and add an additional clause – “psychology is evil” - to distance themselves from established norms and appear innovative.
Scientology is not exactly a religion, because there is no supreme God at the center of this philosophy. It is not a sect for the same reason. It is a philosophy, which becomes threatening when it transforms into a way of life.
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