How did you first get involved with the church?
I was born into it.
How often have/did you felt segregated because of the public view of Scientology?
Quite a lot. There is an ongoing "them vs us" mentality going on. Moreover, before the internet age it was quite easy for the church to simply cut its members off from the media. From my own times as an adult I remember times when I was outside in civilian garb and I usually didn't try to let people know I'm a scientologists.
What are your feelings about the claim that Scientology is a "cult"?
Scientology is a cult, a church and a con. It is all these things at the same time wraped into one package.
While in the church did you face judgment from Christians, Muslims, or others from "mainstream" religions? If so please explain how you felt or what events happened?
As a teenager I used to act as a recruiter (not my ideal career path, but I did as I was told) in an area that was mostly Christian. I seen all sorts of reactions. From curious: "Please tell me more", through "'That's not what I believe, but I have no problem with you", through "Get lost", ending with the usual combination of: "You are going to hell / go f#*k yourself / God will punish you / I hope you die of AIDS".
Violence was rare, though I remember being attacked at least once. I was talking to someone, then a different guycame up to me from behind, punched me in the head and the ran away.
Later on I got promoted to a position that was almost entirely "internal".
Several advocate groups exist that firmly believe Scientology should be banned. What is your opinion on these advocates?
I believe that the tax-exemption should be lifted. I believe the US authorities should launch a more thorough investigation of "Church of scientology international, Inc." and possibly have it dissolved if found guilty of ccriminal activities.
I do not believe Hubbard's books should be banned. I do not believe that individuals outside the church should be banned from engaging in auditing or other scientology practices. The focus should on pursuing the crimes and human rights abuses of CSI and its other legal entities. Not on thought-policing the public.
What is your view on religion?
I do not find it rational to speak about "religion in general". I can evaluate a specific religion and its actions in a specific place and a specific time period. I wouldn't put all religions into one bag.
Religions vary greatly from one another. They have many benefits, but also many dangers, negative influences and in extreme cases can be used to promote violence, criminal activity and disruption of society.
Why do you believe Scientology faces more criticism than other "intense" or "flashy" religions such as Mormonism, Catholicism, etc?
Certainly more than Catholicism or other mainstream Christian religions - and for good reasons.
Amongst the public not intimately familiar with scientology, I've heard a lot of very negative views about Mormonism or Jehova's witnesses, usually more negative than the opinions on Scientology.
Most people's view on scientology is: "Oh, it is a fake religion for rich Hollywood people to drain them from money." Its not seen as a widespread danger to "ordinary people" in the same way Mormonism is.
I had a fun chat with a co-worker (who had no idea I was ever a scientologist) and I once jokingly told her: "That's as likely as me joining scientology", to which she at once replied: "They would not accept you in the first place, even if you tried. They just want rich and famous people like Tom Cruise"
If you could change how the public sees Scientology, what would you change?
I would de-emphasize the "space opera/UFO cult" elements, as these play little role in the daily life of scientologists (most did not even reach that level of knowledge yet).
I would emphasize instead the psychological control techniques and the confess-your-sins inducing practices. “Confessionals”, “Security Checks”, “Overt/Withhold Writeups” and “False Purpose Rundowns”.
I would also stress the stories of regular people rather than just Cruise and Travolta.
Is Scientology just like any other religion?
It has elements of christian beliefs such as a clergy/monastic order and confession of sins. It has elements of dharmic religions, such as the belief in reincarnation and meditation practices.
But, it does not offer its teaching for free and stresses financial contributions and payments more than any other religion I have seen. It is very money-grubbing to its members, while being very penny-pinching to its clergy and staff.
It also has the negative elements in common with cults, such as opressive social control, isolation of members from the public and manipulation through guilt.
Were you raised into Scientology or did you find Scientology later in life?
Was raised in it.
Suggestions to you:
Combine the first and last question, doesn't make sense to have them separate. I'm surprised your thesis supervisor didn't notice this.
If its an academic paper, rather than just some grade exercise for a single class, then I would advise against using data with no IP checks.
Possible Trolls and church-insiders may spoil your results.