Part 35

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the Church of Scientology as "a multifaceted transnational corporation, only one element of which is religious".[40] The historian of religion Hugh Urban described Scientology as a "huge, complex, and multifaceted movement".[41]

Government inquiries, international parliamentary bodies, scholars, law lords, and numerous superior court judgments have described Scientology both as a dangerous cult and as a manipulative profit-making business. These institutions and scholars state that Scientology is not a religion.[42][43][44]

Scientology has experienced multiple schisms during its history.[45] While the Church of Scientology was the original promoter of the movement, various independent groups have split off to form independent Scientology groups. Referring to the "different types of Scientology", the scholar of religion Aled Thomas suggested it was appropriate to talk about "Scientologies".[46]

Urban described Scientology as representing a "rich syncretistic blend" of sources, including elements from Hinduism and Buddhism, Thelema, new scientific ideas, science-fiction, and from psychology and popular self-help literature available by the mid-20th century.[47] The ceremonies, structure of the prayers, and minister attire suggested by Hubbard reflect his own Protestant traditions.[48]

Hubbard claimed that Scientology was "all-denominational",[49] and members of the Scientology organization are not prohibited from active involvement in other religions.[50] Scholar of religion Donald Westbrook encountered members who also practiced Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, and the Nation of Islam; one was a Baptist minister.[49] In practice, however, Westbrook noted that most Church members consider Scientology to be their only commitment, and the deeper their involvement became, the less likely they were to continue practicing other traditions.[49]

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