What Do Scientologists Believe Now the Xenu Story Has Been Rejected?

Scientology, a religion with a rich history and complex belief system, centers around concepts like spiritual enlightenment and personal growth. However, controversies have often surrounded the organization, particularly in its narratives and the stories it has shared over the years. The Xenu story, for instance, has been a subject of significant debate and criticism. Despite such criticisms, Scientologists continue to emphasize the importance of their practices like auditing and training courses. This article delves into these beliefs and the organization's stance on rejected narratives.

Understanding Scientology's Beliefs

Scientology teachings primarily focus on achieving spiritual freedom and understanding through a process called auditing. This process aims to clear individuals of negative influences from past traumas, known as thetans. Despite the complex and sometimes controversial narratives in its teachings, Scientology's core principles remain a path towards enlightenment and personal growth.

The Xenu Story: A Misunderstood Narrative

The Xenu story is a significant yet often misunderstood aspect of Scientology. This narrative, originally introduced by its founder, L. Ron Hubbard, details a cosmic event involving Mother Star Xenu, billions of dead bodies, and eons of human history. However, it is not a central or widely known narrative within the organization. Many Scientologists, even after years of involvement, may never hear about the Xenu story unless they complete specific stages of training and purchase certain materials.

A prominent member of Scientology, who spent over 25 years in the organization, shared that the Xenu story is a closely guarded secret. According to this source, only a small percentage of Scientologists have ever heard about it, as it is not part of the standard doctrine taught to most members.

Scientology’s Rejection and Internal Controversies

Despite the Xenu story being considered a closely guarded secret, it has not been formally rejected by the Church of Scientology. The organization has maintained that L. Ron Hubbard's writings are gospel, and any narrative he introduced must be accepted. Scientologists are discouraged from seeking information from external sources, such as media or the internet, further reinforcing their reliance on the organization's information channels.

Moreover, even if the Church of Scientology were to make an announcement about any changes or rejections, members would not be aware of it due to the strict control over information. This level of control, coupled with the belief in L. Ron Hubbard's infallibility, ensures that followers remain loyal to both the organization and the teachings presented.

Impact on External Perception

The misunderstanding surrounding the Xenu story and other aspects of Scientology often leads to a negative perception of the organization. Many members, unaware of the complexity and specific nature of the Xenu story, view external criticisms as unfounded. This internal perspective can significantly affect the way Scientologists interact with and perceive information from external sources, leading to a gulf in understanding and communication.

Scientologists rely on the Church's message, which emphasizes overcoming personal and societal challenges, promoting ethical behavior, and fostering community. The organization's focus on public outreach and community service initiatives further reinforces this message, making it challenging for external sources to influence members' perceptions of the organization.

Conclusion

Scientology's beliefs and practices, while complex and sometimes misunderstood, form a path towards spiritual enlightenment and personal growth. The Xenu story, though a subject of controversy, is not rejected by the organization but remains a closely guarded secret within its teachings. The Church of Scientology's strict control over information and adherence to its founder's writings contribute to the organization's insularity and the perceived infallibility of its teachings. As such, understanding Scientology requires an appreciation of both its core beliefs and the specific narratives that shape its unique perspective.