Introduction
For a long time different scholars have tried to exploit the true dimension of religion. The fact is religion cannot be compared to an objective thing, like a clock or a chair. Geertz (1966) observed religion as “a system of symbols which acts to establish powerful, pervasive, and long-lasting moods and motivations in men by formulating conceptions of a general order of existence” (Geertz, p90 1966). With reference to chapter four of Religion as a Cultural System by Geertz’s (1966), the paper will exploit the role of symbols including the scientology cross in the Church of Scientology.
Role of Symbols in the Cult of Scientology
The Church of Scientology was founded by Ron Hubbard, a science fiction writer, in the 1950s. The main purpose of the cult is to make money, although it practices several mind-control techniques on its believers to have a control over their money. The church is based on psychotherapy and dianetics concepts that other religions view as mind-weakening tools (Lewis, 2009). Just like other cults, the Church of Scientology uses various symbols to signify certain beliefs. According to Geertz (1966) symbols play a significant role in any cult or religion. They have different meanings. Unlike other symbols, religious symbols have distinctive functions. They are used to persuade believers that there is a direct connection between their ethos (how they ought to live) and their worldview.
The Scientology cross is a good example of a symbol used in the Church of Scientology. It communicates many messages and has several meanings. Generally, the cross has been observed to be a symbol that explains a basic fact about how the world works. The cross appears to be like the Christian cross at the first glance, but has an additional central pointed star. The eight-pointed cross is a representation of eight dynamics. Among the dynamics is the urge to survive in the world as well as the urge to survive towards the existence of self and through creativity. Furthermore, according to a page in Scientology’s website, “As a matter of interest, the cross as a symbol predates Christianity” (Redding, p8 2015). It is meant to create the atmosphere of religion.
Symbols and rituals also make motivations and moods appear uniquely realistic. They are important in shaping the way a believer engages in everyday experience. From Geertz’s (1966) understanding, there is no contradiction between common sense and religious belief. Instead, religious symbols appear to be the foundation of common sense. They synthesize the ethos of people, including moral and aesthetic style, quality of life, character, and the tone. In chapter four, the author comments by asserting that a view of the world is rendered emotionally convincing when it is presented as a picture, image, or a symbol. An operating thetan symbol of the Church of Scientology is a good example that exemplifies that role. Thetan is a term used by the cult to mean the soul. The symbol signifies the state of transcendence from the material world to the spirit world. It develops a spiritual feeling among the believers (Redding, 2015).
Cultural patterns in religion are perceived by Geertz (1966) as models or sets of symbols that relate to each other and among other entities. According to him, symbols function as a model for reality. The sea organization symbol of the Scientology cult communicates the reality behind Hubbard’s ideas of science. The laurel on the symbol represents Hubbard’s victorious achievement in the field of science while the star symbolizes a rising spirit. The founder of the cult uses the symbol to grant himself the ideological heft and formalize his ideas (Urban, 2011).
Conclusion
There exist varied symbols worldwide that exhibit different meanings. Religious symbols play a fundamental part in Scientology. Geertz (1966) asserted that symbols establish pervasive and powerful moods and motivations among believers and as such, they remain to be significant in the picture of religion. In the cult of Scientology, the cross sends the message of creates the mood for religion and encourages the believers to survive in the psychical world. The dianetics symbol stands for growth and life. The operating thetan symbol develops the pervasive mood of spirituality or enlightenment among the believer. The sea organization symbol represents the founder’s achievement as well as the rising spirit.
References
Geertz, C. (1966). Religion as a cultural system. Anthropological Approaches to the Study of Religion, 1-46.
Lewis, J. R. (2009). Scientology. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Redding, D. (2015). The Symbols of Scientology: A Design Analysis. Magnetic State Design Studio.Bottom of Form
Urban, H. B. (2011). The church of scientology: A history of a new religion. Princeton: Princeton University Press.Bottom of Form
