Richmond Scientology mission holder discusses beliefs

Scientologist offers insight into beliefs Celebration to mark founder's birthday is today in Washington Last Friday marked the birthday of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, who lived from 1911 to 1986. Today, in Washington and worldwide, a birthday celebration takes place. Dr. Mat Pastore, the mission holder for the Church of Scientology Mission of Richmond, which opened in Carytown in 2008, shared insight into a religion sometimes marked by controversy.

Can anyone participate in the D.C. gathering?

Scientologists from D.C. and surrounding areas will meet on Saturday evening in Washington, D.C., for a night filled with music, food, camaraderie, reports on world events concerning Scientology, the expansion of the church, the activities and progress of Scientology's international social-betterment programs, historical insights into the life and works of L. Ron Hubbard, and, of course birthday cake! This event is free and open to the public.

What are the principles of Scientology?

There are numerous basic principles of Scientology, too numerous to address in an interview format. The best way for a person to become familiar with these principles is to read a book by L. Ron Hubbard. One such book, "Scientology: A New Slant on Life," is particularly suitable as an introductory text. Mr. Hubbard's best-selling book is "Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health."

How many adherents do you have in the Richmond area, Virginia and nationwide?

This is a difficult question to answer because many people use Scientology, and consider themselves Scientologists, but don't necessarily visit a church regularly. Having said that, we estimate that we have 3 million members in the USA, about 3,000 in Virginia, and about 100 in the greater Richmond area.

How does the church spread its message?

Anyone interested in finding out about Scientology is welcome to stop by during Mission hours. Currently, meetings held at the Mission include introductory seminars on Dianetics that are conducted on a semiregular basis. As we develop our Mission staff, we will provide additional services including Sunday service, a supervised course room for study of Scientology texts, individual spiritual counseling, marriage counseling, wedding ceremonies, funeral ceremonies, and specific outreach activities such as literacy programs, criminal rehabilitation programs, Volunteer Minister activities, drug-abuse education and prevention programs, and human-rights programs.

What is the name derived from?

The word Scientology is derived from the Latin scio, which means "knowing in the fullest sense of the word," and the Greek logos, meaning "study of." So Scientology translates into "the study of knowing how to know." Scientology itself is defined as "the study of and handling of the spirit in relationship to itself, universes and other life."

Why is there so much negative publicity surrounding Scientology?

I think if one did an actual study of all of the press concerning Scientology, it would be found that the overwhelming majority of what is reported in the world's press is good news and good press. Particularly prominent in the world's media are the social-betterment programs of Scientology in the critical areas of world literacy, worldwide religious freedom, drug-abuse rehabilitation and prevention, criminal rehabilitation, worldwide human rights, the promulgation of a worldwide nonreligious moral code and worldwide disaster response.

What do you have in common with other religions such as Christianity, Islam and Hinduism, etc.?

Since I am not a scholar of other faiths, I hesitate to propose such commonalties. It does seem to me, though, that an agreeable goal of any religious practice would be the increased understanding of the higher creative force through personal spiritual growth and ability. Certainly, Scientology shares this goal with any religious faith which seeks such an understanding.

Is there a belief in God or a higher power?

There is a belief in Scientology of increasing spiritual understanding toward the ultimate creative power or God. The journey to and arrival at that understanding is individual and personal.

Contact Robin Farmer at (804) 649-6312 or .