Scientology is a religion that offers a precise path that leads to a complete and certain understanding of one's true spiritual nature and one's relationship with oneself, family, groups, humanity, all forms of life, the material universe, the spiritual universe and the Supreme Being. L. Ron Hubbard created Scientology in 1952; who then in 1953 defined Scientology as a religion. That same year he created the first Church of Scientology in Camden, New Jersey. Scientology means “Knowing”. Scientology focuses on the spirit, not the mind or body, and firmly believes that man is much more than a product of his environment, his environment or his genes. Scientology includes a body of knowledge coming from certain foundations; man is an immortal spiritual being, his experiences extend beyond life and his capabilities are unlimited. Fundamentally, Scientology believes that man is good and that his salvation is based on himself and his relationship with the universe. Hubbard claimed to have discovered certain natural laws of the spiritual universe, claiming that they could be used to predict and control human behavior and phenomena in a manner similar to the way that natural laws codified in the physical sciences could be used to predict and control phenomena in the physical world. Scientology believes that spirituality and thought are an energy existing in its universe. This is called “Theta”. It is also separate and distinct from the physical universe of Matter, Energy, Space and Time (MEST), and that “Theta” is older and created the “MEST”. It is believed that people are called “Thetans”, who are a “thought unit” of the spiritual universe. Thetans interact with the physical universe (MEST), usually inhabiting a human…paper…environment that is not a harmful cult or religion. I am very convinced that this religion is much darker than it is portrayed. During my research I tried to delve deeper into the religion, but I found myself at a bit of a standstill, especially when I entered their website. The Church of Satan claims to be very secretive, you must be a member or registered member to gain any knowledge. They encourage you to read and understand the Satanic Bible before you even think about joining. For me this is a red flag. Again, I don't think the Church of Satan or Satanism is a religion...it's more of a cult that dark and disturbed people join. After you try to join, they also state that you must be a legal adult, meaning that you are 18 or over with no strings attached. For me this is another red flag. I personally don't know anyone who has been part of the Church of Satan, nor do I want to know anyone.