Topic Proposal for Essay 1: Is Scientology a Cult?

Claim: Scientology is a cult, not a religion.

Reasons: a cult is a “religious devotion directed toward a particular figure or object” and a group that society views to “impose excessive control over members” (The Concise Oxford English Dictionary), there is a large amount of devotion directed toward the group’s founder (science-fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, the group brainwashes and controls its members, and it costs its members large sums of money.

Warrants: the reasons previously listed are characteristic of a cult.

This argument deserves attention because the organization of Scientology is becoming more and more powerful. They are starting to gain more members in general, but also more celebrity members such as Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, and John Travolta. The “religion” seems to be becoming a fad in Hollywood and in the general public. There are new Scientology centers popping up everywhere, and anyone thinking about getting involved in this community or are exposed to Scientology should question what the organization’s real motives are.

Through this argument I want to reach anyone a part of, thinking to join, or influenced by the Organization of Scientology. It is important for everyone to understand how the organization lowers the individual’s self-esteem and confidence in order to take advantage of them.

The main argument I anticipate on encountering is that Scientology has also been very charitable to different communities over the years. This is just part of the organizations image to try to help people better their lives. It is an effort to build trust with unstable people in order to take advantage of them.