Ever since its introduction into society, the internet has played a crucial role in the development of religion. The internet offers many beneficial services for all religions. It is a technology that can be used to spread religious beliefs, to practice religious rituals, and to congregate with other people who share similar or contrasting beliefs. However, the internet can also serve as a tool that negatively affects a religion. The Church of Scientology is no exception when it comes to the impact of the internet. The relationship that Scientology has with the internet is very prominent. The controversy that has been surrounding Scientology since it originated in 1952 has followed its transformation over to the internet. The internet's main influence on the Church of Scientology, which has been heavily debated, is the impact on the Church's credibility in terms of its beliefs and practices.

Scientology

"Scientology is the study and handling of the spirit
in relationship to itself, others and all of life."

"A civilization without insanity, without criminals and without war,
where the able can prosper and honest beings can have rights,
and where man is free to rise to greater heights,
are the aims of Scientology."

Scientology was first introduced in 1952 under the provisions of science-fiction author, L. Ron Hubbard. The beliefs and practices of Scientology are based on the set of ideals and beliefs created by Hubbard, termed Dianetics. The Church of Scientology was established and defined as a religion by Hubbard in 1953. Throughout the 1950's and 60's Scientology expanded rapidly through the United States and also went international.

Founder: L. Ron Hubbard

L. Ron Hubbard (March 13, 1911 - January 24, 1986, was the sole founder of the Church of Scientology and is responsible for the religion's fundamental beliefs and practices. Although best known for his work in Dianetics and Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard was also a science-fiction auther, although not highly acclaimed. Hubbard serviced in World War II as a Junior Lieutenant, most noted for being in charge of a cruise vessel. Hubbard married three times and had three children. L. Ron Hubbard spent most of his life dedicated to the Church of Scientology and was considered to be a very controversial public figure. Followers of Scientology were the majority of his supporters, while the rest of the public negatively characterized him. It is claimed that L. Ron Hubbard, at the time of his death, was worth over two-hundred million dollars.

Basic Beliefs of Scientology

The basic beliefs of the Church of Scientology are derived from the following certain fundamental truths that must be accepted in order to gain the full experience Scientology offers:

Man is an immortal, spiritual being.
Man has unlimited capabilities.
Man's existence is not limited to one lifetime.
Man is capable of achieving eternal happiness; as well as new, higher states of awarness and ability.
Man consists of three parts:
1. Spirit - Known as the "thetan" in Scientology, the spirit is the most important part of man and it is definition of an individual
2. Mind - The mind operates as the control system for the spirit in relationship to its surroundsings.
3. Body - The body, considered by Scientologists, is not what defines an individual but is the operating vehicle for the spirit.
There are Eight Dynamics to Existence that, through the understanding of each one, increases the survival of an individual's spirit:
1. SELF
2. FAMILY
3. GROUP SURVIVAL
4. MANKIND
5. LIFE FORMS
6. INFINITY
7. SPIRITUAL
8. PHYSICAL UNIVERSE

These truths, that are required by the Church of Scientology, are heavily influenced by the concepts of Dianetics, set forth by the founder of Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard. With these truths as the basis for understanding the processes of life, an individual's goal is to achieve complete spiritual freedom, which brings infinite capabilities and eternal happiness.

Dianetics

Dianetics was introduced to the public in 1950 by L. Ron Hubbard in his literature piece, "Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health". Dianetics is a set of ideals and beliefs that are constructed around the relationship of the mind, body, and spirit. The basic concepts of Dianetics addresses the subconscious mind and how it holds a person's ability and intelligence back. A person's ability is inhibited by what the mind and body percieves as painful experiences. These experiences are known as engrams Hubbard claims that under the basic principles of Dianetics, all psychosomatic ills and human abberations can be cured. To cure these ills and abberations, riding them from the spirit of an individual, is the main goal of life, as implied by the theory of Dianetics. The process of of bringing the spirit to an ultimate level of freedom consists of the main practices and rituals performed by the Church of Scientology.

Practices of Scientology

The goal of the practices of Scientology is to bring an individual to a state of true spiritual release and freedom. To obtain this state, and individual must seperate itself from all psychosomatic ills and abberations. In the realms of Scientology, this can be done through the process of auditing, which is the main practice of the Church.

Auditing & the E-Meter

The process of auditing is the central practice of members of the Church of Scientology. It is the process in which one attempts to improve their awareness and increase their capabilities by eradicating their undesired and painful experiences from their subconscious. The first step in auditing is using the E-Meter to locate areas inside the body that the spirit experiences pain and distress. The E-Meter, which has no physical effect on the human body, measures the changes of the mental state of an individual. The measurement is also known as the thetan level. The highest level is called the Operating Thetan and that is achieved when the spirit of an individual is completely free of engrams. After measuring the levels of stability of the mind and spirit, the auditor, or "one who listens", proceeds with a session of questioning and analysis, focusing on the areas of distress found through the E-Meter. The confidentiality of the session between the auditior and the practitioner is of high importance.