There’s more to Scientology than Tom Cruise’s antics on “Oprah.” Cal Poly students will have the opportunity to learn about the controversial religion from a leading Scientology’s spokesperson tonight.
Rev. Lee Holzinger from Santa Barbara will give a presentation and answer questions about the Church of Scientology at 7 p.m. in the Science Building North, room 215. The speech will focus on how aScientologists see the world and what makes Scientology distinct from other religions.
Holzinger is a leader of the Santa Barbara Church of Scientology and has been involved with the religion for more than 30 years. He will also describe Scientology’s origins and specific beliefs shared by its members.
“I think the presentation is well timed after all the recent debate over Scientology,” said religious studies program adviser Stephen Lloyd-Moffett.
Scientology has been the subject of intense controversy since its inception as a religion in 1952 by American science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard. But in recent years, it has gained more notoriety by becoming popular with celebrities including Tom Cruise, John Travolta and Isaac Hayes.
The religion is based on the idea that people are immortal, spiritual beings known as Thetans who lived on other planets in the past but have now been reincarnated in human bodies.
Scientologists discover their inner spirituality through one-on-one “auditing” sessions with counselors. During these sessions, an “E-Meter” is used to locate troubled areas of the human psyche by pinpointing changes in electric currents running through the body.
These teachings are hard for some people to accept.
“It would be hard for this presentation to change my mind about Scientology,” said architectural engineering junior Dan Loesch. “I’ve heard that Scientologists need to donate a lot of money and in return learn about spaceships.”
Holzinger wants to explain these concepts as well as clear up other misconceptions people have about the religion.
“There are a lot of people who criticize Scientology but don’t know much about it,” said Lloyd-Moffett. “People should understand what the religion is all about before they judge.”
San Luis Obispo is a historically significant location for Scientology. According to Lloyd-Moffett, L. Ron Hubbard spent his last 10 years of life on a ranch in Creston, a community located in San Luis Obispo County. He died at the age of 74 in 1986 at Sierra Vista Medical Center in San Luis Obispo.
Theisms, a student club associated with the religious studies minor, is hosting the presentation. Each quarter Theisms brings in speakers from different religions to talk about their beliefs.