Scientology - Religion or Cult?

There was an interesting documentary on BBC One's Panorama last night.  Reporter John Sweeney followed up his 2007 exposé on Scientology by speaking with former members.  We are all aware of the stories which are circulating about this group which is regularly described as a cult.  Numbered among its members are many actors and actresses who use their influence to gain converts.   Its critics point out that Scientologists tend to target people in the arts seeing them as a means to gaining respectability and, the critics maintain, hefty donations.  When I was a student studying English Litt, many of my friends warned me to avoid the Dianetics centre in Dublin, a missionary outpost for Scientology in Ireland, which tried to entice University students to take personality tests - the first step in formation in the Scientology system.  A few years ago the Irish media did a series of programmes investigating the group's beliefs, recruitment methods and treatment of members.

There is no doubt that Scientology raises a number of serious questions.  As a Catholic priest I personally believe the group is best avoided and does indeed have more in common with cults than mainstream religions.  As the Father Director of an association seeking to pray for, help and support people in theatre, cinema and the arts, I am concerned about the influence and tactics the group has used to bring vulnerable young men and women under their mantle.  I am aware of various Christian groups who make it their business to pray for these young people and try to keep them out of Scientology's reach, while interceding for those who are members of the group, and I think that is an important apostolate for those in the arts and media.  

That said, I  believe in religious freedom, and if someone wants to believe the ideas of L. Ron Hubbard as the basis of a faith let them off, but I would defend their right to hold that faith.  I am also aware that secularists will try to undermine religious freedom by starting with the cult-like religious groups and if victory is won there, move on to mainstream religions.  With the Scientologists it is their tactics that worry me.  One strange tactic is their seeming to home in on Catholics.  Perhaps, with little by way of catechetical formation in these times, Catholics are easy prey for such strange ideas.  But looking at the line up of prominent Scientologists, many of them were Catholics: Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes and John Travolta for example.  We must pray - this is one for St Genesius, not only the patron of actors, theatre and cinema, but also a patron of converts.  Having read this post you might just say a prayer to him for those enticed away from Christ and his Gospel. 

Prayer to St Genesius

Holy St Genesius,
martyr for Christ,
by the grace of the Holy Spirit
through your acting
you came to discover
the truth of the Christian faith.
In your first profession of that faith
you were baptized through the shedding
of your blood,
offering your life for the praise and glory
of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Pray for those who dedicate their lives
to the theatrical and cinematic arts.
Like you may they find the presence
of the Lord in their work
and generously open their hearts
to his teaching,
living it in the midst of the challenges
and demands of their calling.

In this novena, I remember most especially…., commending him/her to your care.

Let us pray:Eternal Father, in your love you call all men and women to come to know you and to share in your divine life. Through the intercession of your martyr, Genesius, who responded so generously to the grace of conversion, grant that the same grace may be given to those who as yet do not know you, and may be renewed in those who do. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.