Richard Dawkins View Of Scientology

There has always been a fascination with finding the answers to all of the ultimate questions, whether it is the origin or the purpose and destiny of an individual. However, majority of religious and non-religious groups believe that they hold the answers to such questions. But sometimes the answers given are not enough and the individual will turn to other beliefs until they are satisfied with the given answer. Some Catholics convert to a cult and turn to Science or Atheism for their answers to the ultimate questions when they do not accept the answer to the questions or when their faith has been questioned due to a negative event: death of a loved one, natural disasters or an unfair event, in their life while fundamental Muslims do not convert
The answers to majority of the ultimate questions such as why are we here, in Atheism are free for the individual’s own interpretation as there is no exact answer (McGrath, Stewart, & Dennett, 2008). As well as converting to Atheism, a Catholic may enter the Church of Scientology. Classified as a cult, Scientology gives an individual a sense of purpose as well as providing a pathway for greater freedom and addressing the needs of the individual’s spirit (Church of Scientology International, 2012). The appeal of Scientology is generally spread amongst those who are struggling with their own personal identities as Scientology can offer an answer to every ultimate question. This can be seen in a quote given by L. Ron Hubbard, “Scientology has answers to these questions, good answers that are true, answers that work for you” (1956). Scientology believes that an individual’s purpose in life is to acknowledge one’s spiritual existence and to maintain a relationship with God (Hubbard, Scientology: The Fundamentals of Thought, 1956). John Travolta, a previous Catholic, joined Scientology in 1975 due to a co-worker giving him the book Dianetics and finding that the principles worked for him. In a later interview, Mr Travolta stated that Scientology had given him stability and the tools to handle life issues and problems (s). Furthermore, it is found that religious people such as Catholics are more inclined to turn away from their faith and convert to either a Cult such as Scientology or Atheism as they have questioned the authenticity of the answers given for the ultimate questions and believe that there are more benefits, physically and mentally, in converting to either a Cult or