The world’s foremost experts in the fields of comparative religion, history of religion, religious studies and sociology agree that Scientology is a world religion. Because of their interest in major and emerging world religions, distinguished scholars have published numerous studies, opinions and papers testing Scientology against a list of world-religion norms by which they judge any religion. Although these experts and scholars proceed from their unique cultural background and method of analysis, they have all independently concluded that Scientology possesses the requisite elements and characteristics of a bona fide religion.

RELIGIOSITY, GENERAL

SCIENTOLOGY, SOCIAL SCIENCE AND THE DEFINITION OF RELIGION

by James A. Beckford, Ph.D.

In this brief article from 1980, Professor James A. Beckford examines the ways in which Scientology amply satisfies traditional social-scientific definitions of religion. These include functional definitions (those that focus attention... Find out more

SCIENTOLOGY A NEW RELIGION

by M. Darrol Bryant, Ph.D.

In this article, originally published in 1999, Professor M. Darrol Bryant presents an analysis and review of Scientology as a new religion in its historical, social, cultural and, of course, theological contexts. This includes comparisons with other religions,... Find out more

IS SCIENTOLOGY A RELIGION?

by Dean M. Kelley

In this report from 1996, legal scholar and Methodist minister Dean M. Kelley addresses the question of “whether Scientology is a religion in a legal sense,” including according to criteria then acknowledged by the Internal Revenue Service in the United... Find out more

SCIENTOLOGY: A RELIGION IN SOUTH AFRICA

by David Chidester, Ph.D.

In this article from 1995, Professor David Chidester provides a scholarly examination of the Church of Scientology—its beliefs, rituals, ethics, experiences, organization and history—in the South African context. There are numerous Churches in South Africa,... Find out more

SCIENTOLOGY: ITS COSMOLOGY, ANTHROPOLOGY, SYSTEM OF ETHICS AND METHODOLOGIES

by Régis Dericquebourg, Ph.D.

In this article, originally published in 1999, Professor Régis Dericquebourg affirmatively answers the question “Is Scientology a Religion?” through a systematic examination of its cosmology, theology, anthropology, system of ethics, ceremonies, organization,... Find out more

SCIENTOLOGY: THE MARKS OF RELIGION

by Frank K. Flinn, Ph.D.

What is a religion? How—objectively and subjectively—do we know one when we see it? In this article from 1999, Professor Frank K. Flinn lists three marks, or characteristics, of religion: beliefs or doctrines about the nature of life; religious... Find out more

SCIENTOLOGY AND CONTEMPORARY DEFINITIONS OF RELIGION IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES

by Alejandro Frigerio, Ph.D.

In this article, originally published in 1999, Professor Alejandro Frigerio addresses the question of whether and in what ways Scientology counts as a religion, by surveying various contemporary definitions at play in the social sciences. As Dr. Frigerio... Find out more

SCIENTOLOGY: A TRUE RELIGION

by Urbano Alonso Galan, Ph.D.

In this article, originally published in 1999, Dr. Urbano Alonso Galan outlines—“in an objective and scientific view of the matter”—four aspects that demonstrate Scientology’s rich and inherent religious nature: philosophy and doctrine, ritual,... Find out more

SCIENTOLOGY: ITS TRUE NATURE

by Harri Heino, Ph.D.

In this article from 1995, Professor Harri Heino considers, in his capacity as a Finnish scholar of religion, whether the Church of Scientology qualifies as a religious denomination. Its true and inherent nature, he unequivocally concludes, is decidedly... Find out more

IS SCIENTOLOGY A RELIGION?

by Alan W. Black, Ph.D.

Is Scientology a religion? Yes, without a doubt, as Scientologists themselves attest on the basis of the benefits they receive from the Church’s... Find out more

SCIENTOLOGY: A WORSHIPPING COMMUNITY

by Lonnie D. Kliever, Ph.D.

In this article, Professor Lonnie D. Kliever examines and answers two questions: (1) Is Scientology a religion, and (2) Are Scientology Churches places of worship? “I am convinced by reason of my professional training and scholarly research,” Dr. Kliever... Find out more

BRIEF ANALYSES OF THE RELIGIOUS NATURE OF SCIENTOLOGY

by J. Gordon Melton, Samuel Hill, Gary Bouma, Irving Hexham

Emerging in the early 1950s, the Scientology religion since its inception has drawn much interest over the years from religious scholars around the world.

This study contains four brief analyses from the hundreds of existing studies published on... Find out more

RELIGIOUS PHILOSOPHY, RELIGION AND CHURCH

by Gerhardus Cornelius (G.C.) (Pippin) Oosthuizen, Th.D.

In this article from 1977, Professor G. C. Oosthuizen of South Africa offers an analysis of Scientology in comparison with other religious traditions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism, Judaism and Christianity. He brings to bear his perspective... Find out more

THE RELIGIOUS NATURE OF SCIENTOLOGY

by Geoffrey Parrinder, Ph.D.

In this piece from 1977, Professor Geoffrey Parrinder discusses the religious nature of Scientology, based on his own academic study and visits to Church sites in England such as Saint Hill Manor, which is now preserved as an L. Ron Hubbard... Find out more

SCIENTOLOGY: ITS HISTORICAL MORPHOLOGICAL FRAME

by Dario Sabbatucci

In this article from 1983, Professor Dario Sabbatucci puts the history and theology of Scientology in morphological context with reference to Buddhism, Christianity, Christian Science, Bahá’í and Hinduism. In this regard, Dr. Sabbatucci focuses his... Find out more

SCIENTOLOGY: A WAY OF SPIRITUAL SELF-IDENTIFICATION

by Michael A. Sivertsev, Ph.D.

In this article from 1995, Dr. Michael A. Sivertsev describes the process by which Scientologists come to self-identify as such, in spiritual and religious terms, in societies (such as in his homeland of Russia) that have experienced periods of secularization.... Find out more

SCIENTOLOGY AND RELIGION

by Christiaan Vonck, Ph.D.

In this article from 1996, Dr. Christiaan Vonck analyzes the religious nature of Scientology on the basis of its teaching and practices. When examining Scientology, he sees points of comparison with other religious systems, including Christian Science,... Find out more

SCIENTOLOGY: AN ANALYSIS AND COMPARISON OF ITS RELIGIOUS SYSTEMS AND DOCTRINES

by Bryan Ronald Wilson, Ph.D.

In this piece originally published in 1999, Professor Bryan Ronald Wilson systematically analyzes Scientology’s religious systems and doctrines and places them in comparative context with Buddhism, Hinduism, Christian Science, Judaism, and Catholic and... Find out more

THE CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY

by Juha Pentikäinen and
Marja Pentikäinen

In this joint report, Drs. Juha and Marja Pentikäinen of Finland describe “five dimensions of religion”—cognitive, emotional, behavioral, social, and cultural—and examine and evaluate the senses in which these are reflected in their case... Find out more

RELIGIOSITY, COMPARISONS BETWEEN SCIENTOLOGY AND OTHER RELIGIONS

SCIENTOLOGY A COMPARISON WITH RELIGIONS OF THE EAST AND WEST

by Per-Arne Berglie, Ph.D.

Scientology is a new religion. In fact, it was the only major world religion to emerge in the twentieth century and in only sixty years Scientology has expanded from its American origin points to take root throughout the world—with new... Find out more

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SCIENTOLOGY AND OTHER RELIGIONS

by Haji Muhammad al-Qaaim Safa Sawada

In this study from 1996, Haji Muhammad al-Qaaim Safa Sawada examines Scientology theology, scriptures and ceremonies—first in their own right and then in comparison with other religious traditions, namely indigenous Japanese religions, with which... Find out more

SCIENTOLOGY AND ISLAM AN ANALOGOUS STUDY

by Haji Muhammad al-Qaaim Safa Sawada

In this study, Haji Muhammad al-Qaaim Safa Sawada compares Scientology and Islam, enhanced by his perspective as a Muslim living in Japan. Numerous parallels between the two religions are presented, including an affirmation of the spiritual... Find out more

RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION, TOLERANCE AND DIVERSITY

SOCIAL CHANGE AND NEW RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS

by Bryan Ronald Wilson, Ph.D.

In this article, originally published in 1995, Professor Bryan Ronald Wilson surveys social challenges facing new religious movements, in particular the problem of intolerance. As a new religion becomes older, it tends to attain a greater degree of acceptance... Find out more

RELIGIOUS TOLERATION & RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY

by Bryan Ronald Wilson, Ph.D.

In this article from 1995, Professor Bryan Ronald Wilson surveys methodological issues that arise in defining a religion, especially when problematized by the fact that new religions, such as Scientology, emerged in the modern era to meet modern spiritual... Find out more

RELIGIOUS PRACTICES; CONGREGATIONAL SERVICES

THE CONGREGATIONAL SERVICES OF THE CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY

by Bryan Ronald Wilson, Ph.D.

In this legal statement from 2002, Professor Bryan Ronald Wilson evaluates whether the Church of Scientology’s congregational services merit the label of religious worship and compares them with other traditions. He concludes that Scientology services... Find out more

SEA ORGANIZATION LIFESTYLE

THE SEA ORGANIZATION AND ITS
ROLE WITHIN THE CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY

by Frank K. Flinn, Ph.D.

L. Ron Hubbard founded the Sea Organization in 1967 to assist with advanced research operations and supervise Church organizations around the world.... Find out more

APOSTATES

THE RELIABILITY OF APOSTATE TESTIMONY ABOUT NEW RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS

by Lonnie D. Kliever, Ph.D.

In this article from 1995, Professor Lonnie D. Kliever briefly surveys the history of apostasy in various religious traditions and then examines the unreliability of apostates (ex-members) of new religious movements. “I am convinced by reason of my own... Find out more

APOSTATES AND NEW RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS

by Bryan Ronald Wilson, Ph.D.

In this article from 1994, Professor Bryan Ronald Wilson briefly describes the history of apostasy—for instance in Roman Catholic and Protestant Christian churches—as a means to compare and contrast contemporary understandings of apostasy with respect... Find out more
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