Claire Dawson
The Church of Scientology has a stated policy of not diagnosing or treating the sick. Scientologists are advised to seek conventional medical treatment for illnesses and injuries, including prescription drugs, and rely on the advice and treatment of physicians. However, the church also believes in a purification program, which involves physical exercise, large doses of vitamins, and hours in the sauna. There have been reports of the church advising members to stop taking psychiatric medication, and the church's beliefs have no basis in institutional science.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Use of medical doctors | Scientologists seek conventional medical treatment for illnesses and injuries and use prescription drugs when physically ill. |
| Use of hospitals | Scientologists rely on the advice and treatment of physicians and are advised to seek and obtain the needed examination and treatment of a qualified medical professional. |
| Belief in science | The church considers itself scientific and believes that all religious claims can be verified through experimentation. |
| Belief in medicine | Scientologists believe in a purification program that involves physical exercise, large doses of vitamins, and hours in the sauna. |
| Belief in the mind-body connection | The Church of Scientology believes that "Man is basically good, that he is seeking to survive, (and) that his survival depends on himself and his attainment of brotherhood with the universe." |
| Belief in the power of auditing | Auditing sessions help Scientologists overcome the debilitating effects of traumatic experiences, and they believe that Clears (those who have been cleared of false information and memories of traumatic experiences) are healthier and experience less stress. |
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What You'll Learn
Scientologists seek conventional medical treatment
The Church of Scientology has a firm policy of not diagnosing or treating the sick. Scientologists believe that medical doctors are trained to deal with the physical aspects of illness and injury and, as such, they do seek conventional medical treatment for illnesses and injuries. They use prescription drugs when physically unwell and rely on the advice and treatment of physicians.
Scientologists believe that people have innate, yet suppressed, power and ability. These abilities can be restored if cleared of engrams, which form a reactive mind responsible for unconscious behavioural patterns and discomforts. Clears are "optimal individuals" who have been cleared of false information and memories of traumatic experiences. Clears are said to be healthier, less stressed, and have better communication skills than non-Scientologists.
The Church of Scientology believes that "Man is basically good, that he is seeking to survive, (and) that his survival depends on himself and his attainment of brotherhood with the universe". The church considers itself scientific, although this belief is not based on institutional science. Scientologists believe that all religious claims can be verified through experimentation and that their religion was derived through scientific methods. However, the "science" of Dianetics has never been accepted by the scientific community.
Scientology has been questioned in the media, particularly in relation to the Travoltas, a famous family of Scientologists. Their son, Jett, died of a seizure at the age of 16, and it was revealed that he had been suffering from seizures for many years. It was reported that Jett had been on medication for his seizures but was taken off it by his parents as it was causing organ damage. An ex-Scientologist, Tory Christman, shared a similar story, saying that the church told her to stop taking medication for her epileptic seizures, which resulted in her having grand mal seizures.
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They use prescription drugs
The Church of Scientology has a firm policy of not diagnosing or treating the sick. Scientologists are advised to seek and obtain the necessary examination and treatment from qualified medical professionals for illnesses and injuries. They do use prescription drugs when physically ill and rely on the advice and treatment of medical doctors. However, they do not take street drugs or mind-altering psychotropic drugs. They believe that drugs have extremely damaging effects on a person—physically, mentally, and spiritually. Drugs are believed to decrease awareness and hinder abilities.
Scientologists believe that the real reasons for unwanted conditions are located and handled so that the individual no longer needs or desires drugs. Drugs are seen as a way to escape unwanted emotions, pains, or sensations. They believe that drugs dull people and make them less aware, while Scientology’s aim is to make people brighter and more alert. Drugs are essentially poisons, and the amount taken determines their effect. A small amount acts as a stimulant, a larger amount as a sedative, and an even larger amount can be fatal.
Despite the claims of psychiatrists that drugs are a “cure-all”, Scientologists believe that, at best, drugs only mask what is really wrong and, at worst, they cause harm. The real answer, they believe, is to handle the source of one’s troubles—and that is done through Scientology.
There have been instances where critics have questioned the Church's stance on prescription drugs. In one instance, the Church allegedly told an epileptic member to stop taking her medication, resulting in her suffering grand mal seizures. In another instance, John Travolta's son, Jett, was reportedly taken off a psychiatric pharmaceutical drug, which was causing organ damage, and soon after passed away from a seizure. However, a spokesperson for the Church stated that they do not get involved in medical decisions.
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The Church of Scientology does not diagnose or treat the sick
This is not to say that Scientology does not have its own beliefs and practices regarding health and well-being. Scientology describes itself as the study and handling of the spirit in relation to itself, others, and all of life. Scientologists believe that people have innate, yet suppressed, power and abilities. These abilities can be restored by clearing the person of "engrams", which are believed to form a reactive mind responsible for unconscious behavioural patterns and discomforts. Clears, or those who have been cleared of false information and memories of traumatic experiences, are believed to be healthier, less stressed, and have better communication skills than non-Scientologists.
Scientologists also believe in a purification program that involves periods of physical exercise, large doses of vitamins, and hours in the sauna. This program has been reported to be used by some prominent Scientologists, such as Kelly Preston, John Travolta's wife, to treat her son.
It is important to note that the Church of Scientology's beliefs and practices are not based on institutional science. While the church considers itself scientific and believes that its doctrines were discovered through scientific methods, these claims have been disputed by scholars and are not accepted by the scientific community.
Despite seeking conventional medical treatment, there have been instances where ex-Scientologists have claimed that the Church advised them to stop taking medication prescribed by medical professionals. For example, Tory Christman, an ex-Scientologist, recalled that the Church told her to stop taking medication for epileptic seizures, which resulted in her experiencing grand mal seizures.
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Scientologists believe in a purification program
The theory behind the purification program is that toxins, drugs, and radioactive particles are stored in body fat and can be released through sweating. However, there is no evidence to support the efficacy of this program, and clinicians have warned that it can be dangerous, potentially causing heatstroke, brain injury, heart problems, organ failure, and even death. Some participants have been hospitalized as a result of taking part in the process.
Despite the lack of scientific evidence and potential risks, some Scientologists defend the purification program. Kelly Preston, John Travolta's wife, reported using the program to treat her son. The Church of Scientology promotes it as an introductory service, and celebrity Scientologist Tom Cruise co-founded the New York Rescue Workers Detoxification Project, which provides purification rundowns for public-sector employees exposed to toxins after the September 11, 2001 attacks.
While Scientologists believe in the purification program, they also seek conventional medical treatment for illnesses and injuries. They use prescription drugs when physically ill and rely on the advice and treatment of physicians. The Church of Scientology does not diagnose or treat the sick but advises its members to seek qualified medical professionals for physical conditions. Independent of medical treatment, Scientologists may then address any accompanying spiritual trauma connected to their condition.
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They believe in a 'spiritual technology' to advance their goals
The Church of Scientology believes that its methods are scientific and based on experimentation. According to the church, Scientology is a "spiritual technology" that advances its goals with certainty and precision. This belief, however, is not accepted by the wider scientific community.
Scientologists believe that L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology, discovered the "existential truths" that form their doctrine through research. Hubbard is said to have created a "spiritual technology" to advance the goals of Scientology. The underlying claim is that Scientology is "exact" and will work 100% of the time when properly applied to an individual who sincerely desires to improve their life.
Scientology is described as the study and handling of the spirit in relation to itself, others, and all of life. It believes that people have innate power and abilities that are suppressed and can be restored by clearing them of "engrams". These engrams form a reactive mind responsible for unconscious behavioural patterns and discomforts. Clears, or optimal individuals, are those who have been cleared of false information and memories of traumatic experiences, allowing them to adapt to the world more naturally and successfully. They are believed to be healthier, less stressed, and have better communication skills than non-Scientologists.
While the Church of Scientology does not diagnose or treat the sick, its members do seek conventional medical treatment for illnesses and injuries. They use prescription drugs and rely on the advice and treatment of physicians. After receiving medical treatment, a Scientologist then addresses any accompanying spiritual trauma connected to their physical condition.
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Frequently asked questions
Scientologists seek conventional medical treatment for illnesses and injuries and use prescription drugs when physically ill. They also rely on the advice and treatment of physicians. However, the Church of Scientology does not diagnose or treat the sick.
Doctors are considered to be trained professionals who deal with the physical aspects of illness and injury. Scientologists are advised to seek the examination and treatment of qualified medical professionals.
Yes, in addition to seeking medical treatment, Scientologists may also undergo a purification program that involves physical exercise, large doses of vitamins, and hours in the sauna. They also believe in auditing, which helps them overcome the effects of traumatic experiences.
