POSTED RESPONSE TO A COLUMN BY THE DAILY TELEGRAPH'S DAMIAN THOMPSON
I think it fitting to avoid using the term Church of Scientology.
'Church' does carry the connotation of Christianity or at least part of the Western tradition of Monotheism.
We don't call Masonic lodges churches, and there are aspects of Scientology which resemble the Masons, crossed with Science Fiction.
Scientology, according to published revelations by former members, believes at the highest level that a space alien came to earth ages ago.
Again, according to revelations and published reports, the basic, 'grassroots' operation of Scientology involves giving people 'audits' with some sort of electric gizmo in return for rather large contributions.
As you work your way up through 'levels,' much like the Masons, there are various secrets or revelations, including the ultimate one about the space alien.
It seems best to put to name it as Scientology, the name it always went by before it got tax-free status from the U.S. government.
