When I think of Scientology I visualize the faces of that religion, especially Tom Cruise, John Travolta and Leah Remini. John Travolta made headlines about a decade ago for the treatment he refused to give his autistic son because it was against Scientology beliefs. Leah Remini has been in the news recently attacking her once beloved religion. Scientology is a very controversial religion, being the youngest of the religions at twenty years old. So what makes Scientology so controversial? Could it be the secrecy around the religion or the fact that many people are now abandoning Scientology and speaking openly about the religion? According to www.religionfacts.com, Scientology was founded in 1954 by Ron L. Hubbard. Scientology “is a way to lead its followers to true liberation and spiritual freedom” (paragraph 3). Scientology is founded on important beliefs, one is that you are an immortal spiritual being, two that your life extends beyond this life and that human beings are relatively good; where their survival depends on unity with the universe (www.scientology.org Parr. 3-4). Scientologists focus on the personal self and the Human as a whole. At first glance of their beliefs, Scientology shares a similarity with Buddhism. As both work on self-improvement as the path to salvation. Both religions are more philosophies to live life by. The two religions separate when you learn more about Scientology. For example, one difference is that Scientologists are expected to pay cash to obtain self-visualization. Another major difference is that Scientologists believe in aliens. After reading www.religionfacts.com/scientology/beliefs.htm, "Xenu, who was a galactic ruler who brought people to earth, detonated...... middle of paper...... Paragraph 3) .To get full disclosure it would take years inside the religion to learn them.That means spending thousands of dollars to get this information.People need to see this religion for what it really is, which is a scam mentally control people to hand over money. Since this religion has the same basis as Buddhism, why not try that religion? Buddhism has been around for centuries. After reading numerous articles on Scientology, none of them cast the religion in the light of good. This religion seems like science fiction, very appropriate given that the founder was a science fiction writer and most of the followers are actors, who themselves play fictional characters, it is difficult to believe that a sane person could join a religion based on the doctrine it preaches. As Ebert and Roeper would say: “I give this religion two thumbs down.”