I watched Scientology: The Fundamentals of Thought and here are my findings

THIS is the bizarre tool Scientology is using to convert more followers to its cause. You should buckle up, because it’s kind of crazy.

OPINION:
I RECENTLY wrote an article regarding the public stoush between the Church of Scientology and documentary film maker, Alex Gibney.

The article examined the unconventional methods used by the Church to refute damming accusations made by Mr Gibney in his HBO documentary Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief.

Shortly after the article published, I received an envelope from the Church of Scientology.

This came as little surprise given Scientology is well-known for getting on the front foot when it comes to dealing with its critics, and the media.

Inside the package was a Blu-ray of Scientology: The Fundamentals of Thought, the March 2015 issue of in-house publication Freedom and a Church of Scientology booklet.

A personalised letter, signed by Australian President of the Church of Scientology, Vicki Dunstan, was also included.

The correspondence detailed Scientology’s belief that mainstream media coverage of the religion often led to negative stereotypes.

“I wanted to provide you with some factual information about Scientology,” Ms Dunstan wrote.

“Part of our mission is to keep the news media honest, because when truthful information is corrupted by people with partisan agendas on the platform of news media it threatens democracy.”

To maintain journalistic integrity, I decided I would adhere to the advice in the letter and watch the film.

A visual from the film.

The video in question.

Before discussing my findings, I feel I should express the fact I am an atheist and have been for the majority of my life.

This is despite being baptised and completing Year 12 at a Catholic school.

I have also not seen the Going Clear documentary, so my views on Scientology are objectively shaped.

When I received the video, I assumed this was a beginner’s guide to Scientology.

“In this groundbreaking film, Scientology: The Fundamentals of Thought, you will embark on a remarkable journey, mastering the tools of life as you uncover the most important discovery you will ever make — the knowledge of you,” Scientology wrote on its website.

“Learn and immediately apply the fundamental processes and principles that define the primary architecture of how life works. Achieve a complete understanding of the mind, spirit and life. Recognise what motivates your actions and the actions of others, and unblock the barriers of the extraordinary potential you have locked inside.”

Think that sounds confusing for a beginner’s guide? Well, you’re not alone there.

Having watched the entire documentary, I still feel like I have a better chance of understanding Donnie Darko.

However, do not misinterpret this as a widespread condemnation of the teachings.

For a long time, I have been an ambassador of self-help literature.

I find anything that offers someone the practical means to overcome personal problems and find greater happiness to be a good thing.

Although, after watching the documentary, I can safely say Scientology does not work for me.

A screen capture demonstrating the colourful infographics in the film.

Throughout the entirety of the film, I found the teachings to be nothing more than convoluted mumbo-jumbo softened with colourful infographics, glistening cinematography and mesmerising shots.

As mentioned earlier, I have a history with Catholicism and while I find the messages of the Bible outdated, at least they are easy to understand.

To prove my point, here is an excerpt from the film’s explanation of the “Cycle of Action.”

“An actual Cycle of Action contains then consists of various activities, but each and every one of them is creative,” the narrator explains.

“The Cycle of Action contains an apparency of survival, but this is actually only a continuous creation. Create, create, create.

“The apparent Cycle of Action contains destruction, but the actual Cycle of Action tells us what destruction is.

“Destruction is one of two activities. Destruction is in terms of action, a creation of something against the creation of something else. Create, counter-create.”

The segment then used an ultra-misogynistic example of a man depending on a woman to keep his house in order to push the point.

“A man depends on a woman to keep his house for him. One day he no longer has a woman, he can’t keep house, even though before he married the woman he could keep house.”

Resisting the urge to turn off the television there and then, I persevered, hoping the end of the film would bring closure and understanding.

It wasn’t to be. After an hour-and-a-half, the only thing Fundamentals of Thought could create, create, create in my mind was confusion, confusion, confusion.

Maybe the teachings are actually easy to understand — and I am just not smart enough to join the party? Maybe, maybe maybe.

But then again, I can’t help shake the feeling that the film is nothing more than an iStock slide show with a completely ambiguous narration.

My advice? If you’re curious, watch the film for yourself, then make up your own mind.

Just because the religion doesn’t appeal to me, doesn’t mean it is wrong, wrong, wrong.