Scientology's War With Psychiatry

I've always tried to keep an open mind when I stumble upon any articles about Scientology. I've heard and read the jokes, the ridicules, and the biting criticisms about the religion. TV shows like South Park, The Colbert Report, and many others have poked fun at the Church of Scientology and continue to do so despite the amazing amount of lawsuits that have been filed by the organization. I try to keep an open mind, yes; but what bothers me is the long-standing crusade the Church has embarked on in its goal to eradicate psychiatry completely.

Why would the Church of Scientology wish to destroy an institution that has been an integral part in making lives better for a long time already? And what makes their members think that they have the right of the matter when it comes to our mental health?

Perhaps it's better if we go straight to the heart of the matter. When did this disillusionment with psychiatry originate and on what grounds?

First, let's discuss shortly the history of Scientology in order for us to establish the critical parameters needed to make an informed decision.

The Church of Scientology was founded in 1954 by fantasy writer Ron L Hubbard who also created Dianetics 3 years prior. Dianetics is a scientific model dealing with mental health. Ron L Hubbard wrote more books about Dianetics and even went around the world to give lectures. As Ron L Hubbard pondered further on his scientific model, making meticulous paradigms shifts in the process, Dianetics eventually evolved into Scientology.

It is also baffling how a scientific model can suddenly turn into a religion. Sure, Scientology has made it clear that their methods are aimed to help people live a happier life. But to discredit psychiatry in almost all its aspects regardless of its positive results to the general mental health of the population is downright boorish. What Scientology could have done is offer an alternative mode of therapy for maladjusted individuals, or at least have its efficiency in treating mental problems tested by trained scientists.

It has already been established in the field of mental science that maladaptive behavior in its many forms is the result of a chemical imbalance in the brain. Scientologists have refuted this fact time and time again, notwithstanding the objective results that have already been collated by the scientific and medical community.

Granted, any organization has every right to refute the findings of the scientific community, but that right should be nullified if there are no tangible facts to back it up. Any attempts to falsify facts that are backed up by research lay to waste all the work done by our hardworking scientists. This practice is dangerous since blind followers won't be inclined to seek help from quarters that can truly alleviate their psychological problems.

It's frustrating that the Church of Scientology, despite its controversies, is still considered a religion in the United States. We're still fortunate that psychiatry has stood its ground and has refused to be toppled by Scientology's underhanded machinations.