Dianetics.
Why is it that everyone in Hollywood is a scientologist but you could stand on a street corner for hours before coming across an average person that has even read Dianetics much less claims to be a scientologist? Dianetics, L. Ron Hubbards 1950's era book about past trauma and self-psychotherapy was dismissed as quackery when it was first published but for some reason the popularity of his ideas continues to grow. Far from being accepted as a religion worldwide (though it is in the U.S. legal system) Scientology charges "fixed rate" donations from it's practitioners and has a long history of legal problems related to fraud. Scientology also talks a lot about cosmic beings, thought coaching, and surrender to the church. It also promises exact answers to all of life's questions. Really. Also, I do not think that any of us can forget just how strange Katie Holmes became when she was being guarded by her Scientology handlers early in her marriage to Tom Cruise. At best, Scientology appears to be a strange and virulent cult. At worst, a total sham. Mostly though, when scientologists talk about Scientology, they just sound creepy.
However, they do have a truly exceptional success rate in drug rehabilitation and recovery. Perhaps this explains the Hollywood connection. I would provide more details regarding their rehabilitation program, but trying to navigate their website, which is entirely propagandized, pretty expensive and playing what sounds like Yanni, for real information is nearly impossible. Suffice it to say that while Scientology may be a good thing for some, and even a true resource for those suffering from addiction, it probably does not deserve it's non-profit status.
Mostly though, I find the whole thing really entertaining.
To see pictures of celebrities that are practicing Scientologists and hear what they have to say about it:
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