Scientology as a whole is misunderstood, and misinterperated by the general public, especially with all the media attention lately. To define it as a cult, while technically true is frowned upon by scientologists because its insulting their beliefs and their lifestyle. I could think of just as many arguments to show that Christianity/Catholicism is a cult, which religious people would immediately frown upon. Works both ways.
A lot of people turn to Scientology not for the 'religious' aspect of it, but for its program called Dianetics. Dianetics is basically a self help program which scientologists use to try and help people with problems in their lives.
I may come across that I'm defending Scientology, but I'm 100% not. I don't agree with any of their practices, or their methodology in teaching it to its members - nor do I agree with their tax exemption and their corruption. I've watched several documentaries on Scientology recently, the BBC Panorama one with John Sweeny is very good and gives a good outline of the lengths the 'church' goes to in certain situations.
The thing which makes me laugh is when religious people bash the religious side of the church of Scientology. If you are allowed to believe in a god that lives in the sky and can perform unexplainable phenomena and crazy miracles that defy science then why can't scientologists can believe in Xenu their god that came to earth in a spaceship 75 million years ago. Both stories are equally as far fetched and ridiculous in my opinion
- Mark