Its members believe that man can commit no sins, and that there is no heaven or hell. They recognise no angels, do not pay homage to anyone, and say that they can create miracles anytime they want. They also rely on mysterious symbols, some similar to those used by the Freemasons. The Church of Scientology once existed only as a distant oddity that Nairobians read or heard about, but our inquiries indicate a growth in membership in the last few years. There is also increased distribution of books and various literature to lure fresh recruits. Their main book, Dianetics — the equivalent of the Bible — is sold at Sh800. Others include Problems of Work and The Way to Happiness (sold at Sh450 each), Tools of the Workplace and Ethics and the Condition (sold at Sh200 each). Although the Church of Scientology in the city operates its activities in absolute secrecy, its main mission is said to be around Kinoo, in the outskirts of Nairobi. The other prominent ones are in Kisii, opened in 2011, and the Migori mission that started last year. Despite critics describing it as a despicable mind-control and dangerous cult that the government has flatly refused to register as a religious organisation, members who spoke to The Nairobian say the expansion is impressive. The Church of Scientology is said to have been registered as a Non-Governmental Organisation. “Some people preach in their churches and call us dangerous. We wonder who we have caused harm,” John Omenta, one of the founders of the church in Kenya, told the writers during an earlier interview. The Church of Scientology came to Kenya in 2008 when its first mission was opened in the second floor of a building located between two churches on Ngong Road. Due to public uproar after some Nairobians called it a devil worship institution, the mission was closed for some time. The organisation later bought land and built a new mission on Waiyaki Way in Kinoo. Since then, the controversial church has resurfaced with more people willing to join. Efforts to contact those listed as officials of the Nairobi Mission were unsuccessful while in the Kisii Mission we were told there are 35 members. However, a member, who did not want to be named, told us it is a conservative estimate. “We have grown to over 300 members. And that is just in this branch,” he said, adding that most people come for ‘therapy’. It is not only in Kenya where Scientology is treated cautiously. Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Russia and the United Kingdom are some of the countries that have rejected its applications for tax exemption or the status of a religious outfit. Instead, they have termed it as a commercial enterprise or a dangerous cult. There have also been claims of fraud and unlawful exercise of medicine. Critics also accuse the church of brainwashing members through its Rehabilitation Project Force that is said to degrade participants. Senior officials of the church have sometimes been accused of subjecting members to physical violence. Science fiction author L Ron Hubbard founded the Church of Scientology in Los Angels in the 1950s. Hubbard said that human beings contained the souls of immortal creatures known as Thetans that were responsible for making the universe. He said dark forces known as the Engrams had invaded the world and thus individuals would be cleansed and enlightened through an intense therapy of the mind known as Dianetics.
Posted on: Fri, 19 Jul 2013 10:31:51 +0000
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