The Church of Scientology (Studies in Contemporary Religions, series volume 1) [Paperback]

J. Gordon Melton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 15, 2000

L. Ron Hubbard best-selling science fiction writer, former naval officer, and people's philosopher did not initially intend to found a new religion. But neither did he object when followers organized a church based on his teachings. The resulting movement has attracted millions of adherents from around the globe. Much of Scientology applies common sense solutions to life's perplexities. If a church should be judged according to its good works, then Scientology receives high marks for its addiction treatment, literacy, and civil rights programs. But there is more, including mysticism, mythology, some secrecy, and a healthy dose of what might be termed eccentricity. Some observers wonder how a church that promotes mental and emotional well being, which it does, can itself at times appear to be paranoid or dysfunctional? Dr. Melton explores these questions and the major aspects of the church's hierarchical structure and theology, showing, among other things, that the study of religion is seldom dull.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The literature on Scientology has been characterized by extremes, with exposés such as The Scandal of Scientology (1971) balanced by glowing testimonials written by and for Scientologists. Impartial treatments by outsiders have been rare, making this slim but informative volume all the more welcome. Melton (director of the Institute for the Study of American Religion in Santa Barbara, Calif., and author of the Encyclopedia of American Religions), begins his study with a history of Lafayette Ron Hubbard, a successful Hollywood screenwriter in the 1930s who also churned out voluminous pulp fiction under various pen names. In 1950 Hubbard published his seminal work Dianetics, which Scientologists now consider to be a work of scripture. A movement formed around him, and he was soon embroiled in controversy. In the 1970s, 11 high-ranking members were arrested for what Melton calls "morally questionable or even illegal acts," such as the theft of government files about Scientology. (Melton balances hs discussion of these acts with the observation, often overlooked in anticult propaganda, that the church did not officially authorize their activities, and was angry enough to discipline those involved.) Melton offers a straightforward account of Scientology belief, its emphases on survival and personal growth, and its ongoing commitment to dianetics, or the "science of the mind." The final sections outline church organization and Scientologists' attempts to combat illiteracy and drug use, then discusses the group's critics, its prolonged litigation with the IRS over tax-exempt status, and its possible future as a global religion. This brief introduction covers the bases admirably, presenting the views of Scientologists and their detractors. --Publishers Weekly

About the Author

J. GORDON MELTON is the director in Santa Barbara, California, of the Institute for the Study of American Religion. He is the author of the influential Encyclopedia of American Religions and some twenty other works, co-author of the award-winning Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices, and a frequent contributor to scholarly books and journals on the subject of new religions. This book was praised in the Journal of Church and State as a "crisp, cogent study" by one of the "foremost experts on new and unconventional religions," noting that "few books pack as much information into so little space" or in such an "insightful, objective, and scholarly" way.

Product Details

• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Signature Books (August 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560851392
• ISBN-13: 978-1560851394
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 4.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #158,288 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #13 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Other Practices > Scientology

More About the Author

J. Gordon Melton is the Distinguished Professor of American Religious History at the Institute for Studies of Religion, Baylor University, and the Director of the Institute for the Study of American Religion also based in Waco, Texas.

He is the author of more than 35 books, the great majority reference works or scholarly texts in American religious history, including the "Encyclopedia of American Religions" (eighth edition, 2009), and most recently "Religious Celebrations: An Encyclopedia of Holidays, Festivals, Solemn Observances and Spiritual Commemorations" (2011). He has also written several reference books in Dracula and vampire studies including the award winning "The Vampire Book: The Encyclopedia of the Undead" (third edition 2010).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Melton's work is flawed, September 3, 2005

By 

curious "curious" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Church of Scientology (Studies in Contemporary Religions, series volume 1) (Paperback)

It is very obvious that Melton basically shares materials from Scientology's public relations office. There are factual errors in his work, many ommisions, and a minimizing of major legal actions against Scientology. Melton states that L. Ron Hubbard "never claimed the kind of formal academic credentials which the average scientists or physician possesses..." (pg 58) Wrong! In 1958 Hubbard published "The Problem of Work, Scientology Applied to the Work-a-day World", by "L.Ron Hubbard, C.E, PhD." C.E. is the designation for Chemical Engineer.

Melton glosses over the conviction of Scientologists for infiltrating and and stealing IRS materials by saying "In the end, the actual crimes for which they were convicted were relatively minor." Minor? They were sentences to four to five years in jail.

Melton says nothing about one of Scientology's major losses when, at the conclusion of a trail involving Hubbard, Judge Breckenridge stated "The evidence porrays a man who has been virtually a pathological liar when it comes to his history, background and achievements..."

No mention is made of the major Supreme Court ruling (Hernandez vs. IRS 1989) in which the Supreme Court denied Scientology the right to deducted "fixed donations" for the many courses required for advancement. And no comment is made as to how the IRS could nullify that finding and give Scientology the right to do so.

Nothing said about the 23,000 persons declared to be suppressive persons, people who Hubbard stated "could be tricked, lied to or destroyed."

Finally, look at the footnotes and sources. The vast majority are from Scientology's own material. Only a Scientology would call this material "objective."

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Too Short for any Significant Impact..., January 21, 2007

By 

Book Knurd "You'll Poke Your Eye Out!" (Paradise) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Church of Scientology (Studies in Contemporary Religions, series volume 1) (Paperback)

If you are looking for a book about Scientology that offers an objective understanding of the origins of the church, how the church is structured, and what the faithful believe, then this book might be a good place to start. Melton's book comes close on all three counts, but due to it's abbreviated length, doesn't quite satisfy the need.

There are all manner of information about Scientology found in traditional publications and on the internet. Unfortunately most of the information is decidely pro or anti church. The bulk of the anti information comes from individuals who have had a negative experience with the church and much of the pro information comes from church or the writings of it's founder L. Ron Hubbard. So unless you wade through the agendas found in either sides publications your unlikely to get a solid understanding of what makes this church and it's membership tick.

The one publication that seems to take an objective look at the church and it's surrounding controversy is this book. Regarding most issues addressed, Melton is careful to provide the opinion of the church's opponents as well as the church's take on the issue. It's as balanced as it can get.

Unfortunately the sheer size of the book prevents it from becoming anything but a rudimentary primer on the very basics of the church. 16 of it's 80 paperback size pages are support notes for the author's discussion. And 64 pages is about 300 pages short of a comprehensive study of one aspect of the church let alone it's entire history.

The book takes the reader from the early life of founder L. Ron Hubbard, his writings and the development of Dianetics, through the Dianetics to Scientology evolution, and ends with information about how the church is structured. What it doesn't provide is any kind of understanding about the foundations of the religion, it's dogma or tenets - you will find no mention of Xenu here.

The value of this book is that it's a short, easy to read primer that those interested in exploring Scientology (in a scholarly or spriritual context) will find to be a great, objective place to start.

23 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fair and Balanced, November 30, 2002

By 

Richard J. Brzostek (New England, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Church of Scientology (Studies in Contemporary Religions, series volume 1) (Paperback)

This book presents the topic without a slant. The book discusses (1) an outline of the life of L. Ron Hubbard anchored by the generally agreed upon facts; (2) an introduction to the church's beliefs, practices, and organization; and (3) a synopsis of the major points of controversy.

Unfortunately, this book will not have much of an audience. Some critics will find the book too supportive of Scientology; while Scientologists themselves may support their group's official view, not that of a religious studies researcher.

Having read over a dozen books about Scientology, both critical and non-critical, I was impressed that I managed to learn a few new things from this short book. The book is only 80 pages, but there is a lot of information packed into it.