The word scientology most literally means, “study of the truth.” I don’t know about you, but “hello, all humans have reincarnated alien souls” doesn’t sound too truthful to me.

Let me lay a little groundwork for you here. Lafayette Ronald Hubbard pioneered this unusual religion in 1953, spurred from his earlier theories of “Dianetics,” an alternative form of psychotherapy. Dianetics centered on reincarnation and the soul.

Dianetics also used a new tool called the “electrometer,” an electronic device that is said to measure whether or not a person has been relieved of the bad spiritual feeling attached to his sins after confessing. The electrometer is produced by the Church of Scientology, can only be used by Scientologist professionals, and is criticized for its utter lack of scientific or medicinal backing.

After gaining support for his books, Hubbard took some time to himself, realized a whole bunch of things, and started a religion. Yes, a religion. Naming it Scientology, he gathered the supporters of Dianetics and started to develop.

I appreciate the aims of Olivia’s Scientologist friends, I really do. Freedom, finding yourself, equality; how could these goals sound bad? Hubbard’s ideas serve as inspirational motivation, but that is no ground for religion.

Contrary to their claims, Scientology isn’t all about enhancing the individual. In order to receive the spiritual rehabilitation of “auditing,” the focal point of the religion, a participator in the Church must pay a hefty donation.

Money is extracted from the followers in other ways as well. One of the main beliefs of Scientology is that human souls, or “thetans,” are reincarnations of extraterrestrials, or aliens. The details are held hostage by the head scientologists. Those in the religion who want to know the secrets must pay even more money, usually thousands of dollars. What a supportive little family.

Even as I type these words, a shiver goes up my spine, and I check the dark windows for faces. I take breaks in my work and find myself idly searching for “bodyguard” on Google. For I venture onto a notorious path — a path that many the unfortunate foot has trodden upon.

Although Scientology is a far-fetched idea, its creators have no patience for criticism. In 1971, Paulette Cooper wrote The Scandal of Scientology. That winter, the Church of Scientology sued her for $300,000. In February of the next year, the Church ordered Terry Milner, the Deputy Guardian for Intelligence United States, to “handle” Cooper properly. Milner then told his group to “attack” Cooper from all sides and initiate “wide-scale exposure” of her sex life.

Her phone number was scrawled across public walls, death threats were mailed to her house, and her neighbors were informed that she had a venereal disease. A woman then stole a stack of stationary from her house, disguised as a solicitor. The stationary made its way to the Church of Scientology in the form of two (faked) bomb threats. The Church brought the matter to court, and as Cooper’s fingerprints clearly stood out on the threats, she was put on trial. Luckily, they dropped the charges after discovering that the Church staged the threats.

The Church’s next official mission was to find a way to get Cooper into a mental institution or jail so she would stop “fighting back.” They jovially named this mission Operation Freakout.

The operation had three initial steps. First, a woman would call an Arab diplomat in New York, imitating Cooper. Next, a forged letter from Cooper would be sent to the Arab building. A Scientologist would then impersonate Cooper, and publicly threaten the President and Secretary of State, at which point the Church would report this threat to the FBI.

Thankfully, Operation Freakout was never put into effect, as the police discovered the Church stealing from government offices, and later found evidence of the entire Freakout plan.

I’m sure many Scientologists are kind, smart, and eye-catching (oh hey, Tom). As Olivia will tell you, many Churches of Scientology allow people to make their own decisions. Sure, there are nice people everywhere, but the operations aren’t the only things about this religion that freak me out.

Paying ridiculous amounts of money to learn secrets that aren’t even scientifically backed? Targeting and harassing those who dare to venture from the belief system? This is not a religion; this is a cult. Olivia: go ahead, become a Scientologist, but when you’re broke, defiled and wanted by the FBI, don’t come crying to me.

Note: This is merely an opinion, and does not reflect the views of its author.

Click here to read “A Day in the Life of a Scientologist”