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THE TRUTH ABOUT SCIENTOLOGY'S BELIEFS

The Voice (UK paper) had some accurate things to say about Scientology

As the British church community struggles to cope with declining attendance, alternate forms of worship are presenting more options to those seeking their paths to enlightenment.

In a world where religion is being discussed more honestly and openly, literature like The Da Vinci Code, once considered sacrilegious, is helping to broaden the average man's interpretation of Christianity while the church struggles to maintain theological control.

The UK is a melting pot of religions with traditional forms like Islam, Hinduism and Sikhism competing with traditional Christianity. But even with the wide spread of religious forms available, people are still searching for that special deity.

One religion that is gaining rapidly in popularity, thanks largely to the slate of celebrities it attracts, is Scientology.

Famed composer, musician and former South Park actor Isaac Hayes says: "Scientology is the gateway to eternity", declaring himself as a fully-fledged follower of founder L Ron Hubbard. However, the Shaft singer is not alone; Hollywood favourites such as Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, Kelly Preston, John Travolta, Kirstie Alley, and Priscilla and Lisa-Marie Presley are also members of the sect, created in 1952 by science fiction author Hubbard.

These popular Scientologists all declare that they have found 'the path to happiness and total spiritual freedom.'

It then goes on to say

Since its launch, Scientology has attracted at least 10 million followers and is estimated to make £250m a year from its members. Research has shown that this new found 21st century religion, or as some say 'cult', has expanded more in the last five years than in the preceding 50. With an estimation of three meeting places opening per day around the world including Africa and the Caribbean, Scientology is one of theworld's fastest growing religions.

Meaning the "study of truth", Scientology presents itself as a religious non-profit organisation dedicated to the rehabilitation of the human spirit and providing counselling and rehabilitation programs. It claims to be able to save people from addictions, arthritis, depression, learning disabilities, mental illness, cancer and other problems. And messengers, who represent the religion, seem to be constantly looking for new individuals to save.

and then finally....

no religion in history has spread as fast or as far in as short a time as Scientology and it is practiced in more than 30 languages in 159 countries on every continent.

And with celebs such as Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, and their new baby Suri as members, it could be safe to say that numbers will soon be on the rise again.