By Hakeem Alexander

(Exercising Your Mind) I have heard a lot of buzz about the Church of Scientology being a “dangeous cult” over the past few years. Especially since I became involved with studying their courses in 2002 when I moved to California from Florida. I had been uncomfortable with them from the start. They used “Big League Sales” techniques to push their literature it seemed. I felt somewhat pressured and urgently pressed to sign up for courses.

I felt a sort of cult-ish feel about the Church even before anyone had mentioned the word to me in regards to Scientology. I experienced the same zealous intensity that I had before felt from many other close minded religious organizations who felt that the only way to salvation, freedom, clarity, or whatever; was their way.

There was a lot of Eastern-Philosophy and Metaphysics integrated into the Scientology literature. Although I did not know much about either at the time. There also seemed to be many similarities to hypnosis, which, according to Scientology is akin to Demonism in Christianity. Scientology basically says that hypnosis implants insanity into human beings in the guise of being helpful.

Of course I later studied Hypnosis as somewhat of an abberated form of rebellion, just as I studied Satanism and fronted as a vocalist for Satanic Death Metal bands in Florida in opposition to my Christian/Catholic upbringing. Interestingly, both Scientology’s founder, L. Ron Hubbard, and the founder of the Satanic Church(1969), Anton Szandor LaVey, were both Hypnotists at one time. This doesn’t confirm that hypnosis is indeed evil and brain-washing; just that it can be used this way. Electricity for example may light-up your Christmas, or shock to death a convicted murderer. It just depends on who is directing it and how it is used.

However, it must be said that I found a lot of useful material within Scientology literature that helped to change my life for the better. Later, as I would become more familiar with Eastern-Philosophy and Metaphysics, I realized why I had found such resolve within Scientology; L. Ron Hubbard had cleverly combined some of these different schools of thought. While I was going to school for Hypnosis, I also gained insight into the incredible similarities shared with hypnotism.

A lot of what the Church of Scientology researched, would be considered “conspiracy theories” by “mainstream” organizations and most people. There was also a lot of “fringe” science research and what is sometimes called “quack” medicine in their files. I got glimpses into orthomolecular medicine, behavioral optometry, and acupressure as favorable natural remedies and negative regard to the Federal Reserve fraud and others while hanging around. “Biological-Psychiatry” was also a big deal when it came to things on their list to “clear” from the planet.

As it turns out, much of what the Church of Scientology has disseminated regarding these subjects, happens to check out as valid. I have come to these conclusions through much independent research. I am currently working towards my Ph.D. from the University of Metaphysical Sciences, I have graduated from “America’s First Nationally Accredited College of Hypnotherapy, and continue to actively study in this vein. Whether or not L. Ron Hubbard gave credit to his sources, he was very well read, and as I have mentioned before, cleverly integrated many useful philosophies.

Much of what I have personally experienced with mainstream medicine, particularly psychiatry, deeply disturbs me. It is inhumane, brutal, and extremely paternalistic. It is not right. There has to be some big changes made to psychiatry as we know it, and one organization that is actually doing something about it, is the Scientology founded Citizen’s Commission on Human Rights(CCHR). The CCHR has been operating since 1969, and I have learned a great deal from them, independently researched and confirmed many of their findings, and received help from them when I most needed it.

From my experience and education, the world I have seen is generally asleep. Conditioned personalities falling in line and suffering helplessly as if pain and dysfunction are supposed to be the norm. I am certainly not a Scientologist, as most religions are generally too rigid and elitist for my liking. I am probably more averse or turned-off to Scientology than I am to other religious organizations because many of the followers are rigidly indoctrinated in a way that often makes them hostile. But I must say, they have done a lot more to open my eyes to reality than many of my other learning experiences, and for that I am grateful, healthier, happier, most confident, and vibrantly alive.

Is the Church of Scientology a cult? Probably, but I don’t care. I don’t care for many of the labels thrown around any more regarding these matters. All I favor are positive, life-affirming results. As long as I find these attributes, it does not matter. If it comes from a cult, I’ll still take what works for me and discard the rest.