The basis of scientology is eight dynamics, which address the core issues of human survival from the perspective of man as a spirit. The eight dynamic is God, and adherents are free to interpret God according to their own understanding (Weldon, 1993)
The method is strikingly similar to the same method by which Adam Weishaupt toward the end of the 18th century attempted to gain access to the sins of the members of his secret society, the Illuminati. Weishaupt, brought up in the Jesuit universities, used the idea of "confession" as a form of control over his subordinates (Jones 9)
I could also introduce it by noting Hubbard's now notorious admission (cited in numerous letters and interviews in Russell Miller's Bare-Faced Messiah as well as in science-fiction writer Lloyd Arthur Eshbach's autobiography Over My Shoulder and reported by investigative journalist Eugene Methvin in 1980) that "Writing for a penny a word is ridiculous. If a man really wants to make a million dollars, the best way would be to start his own religion" (Lindsay; Methvin)
The mind goes from a rational state to an irrational one as the delusional contents of the subconscious mind are brought to the surface and are assumed to be valid. (Rashleigh-Berry) While Cruise, Scientology
Its current large and worldwide membership is the only vehicle that the religion needs to continue operating in the foreseeable future. By promoting themselves as a religion rather than a science, the members of scientology are giving people just enough hope for a spiritual awakening to keep new members continually coming in (Cooper)
At this point, some scientologists go crazy, while others are so thoroughly assimilated by the religion that there is little hope of getting them back from it. Some critics of scientology call the religion a cross between the Moonies and the Mafia (Touretzky)
In addition to receiving funds from selling auditing services, and receiving monetary donations from its various members, Scientology has been known to resort to participating and running front groups and financial scams. For example, Scientology was involved in consulting through the Sterling Management Systems, formed in 1983, targeted health professionals such as dentists, chiropractors, podiatrists, and veterinarians, offering them courses and seminars, at a cost, that Sterling claimed could help these health professionals increase their revenues (Behar)
Initial auditing fees can range from $15 and grow to be thousands of dollars as higher spiritual levels are reached and cleared. Furthermore, Scientology trains its followers to audit others, thereby bringing the organization more money (Cooper)
In 1989, an unidentified body was found in the hotel's basement. The cause of death was attributed to carbon-monixide poisoning and it was later revealed that the boiler room was used for Scientology's Rehabilitation Project Force (Gormez)
The universal definition of a cult contends that a cult is "any group which has a pyramid type authoritarian leadership structure with all teaching and guidance coming from the person/persons at top. The group will claim to be the only way to [spiritual salvation] and will use thought reform or mind control techniques to gain control and keep their members" (Groenveld)
Scientology also employs techniques that allow the church to control its members. It is believed that many people that are drawn into cults like Scientology are victims of "seduction syndrome" and are in trying to figure out who they are as an individual or spiritually (Wakefield)