The main focus is to enable people to improve their own lives through knowledge of everything. Scientologists believe that man is basically good and that because of this he is able to, though his own actions, be a “good” person through controlling his own life…and making it be what HE believes is right.

The Church of Scientology has eight dynamics, according to Religion Facts:
1. Self – the urge to survive as an individual.
2. Creativity – the urge to survive through family.
3. Group survival – the urge to survive through a group such as a nation, team, community, race, etc.
4. Species – the urge to survive through the survival of the human species.
5. Life forms – the urge for life itself.
6. Physical universe – the urge of the universe to survive.
7. Spiritual dynamic – the urge for the survival of the life source.
8. Infinity – the urge to exist as infinity or God.

Yes, it’s all quite complex, but just based on those facts, it doesn’t seem to be too outrageous…right?

If you’re looking for some of the more quirky accusations, there are plenty.

In 1991, The Times referred to Scientology as “The thriving cult of greed and power.” Since then, it’s impossible to say it’s gotten any better.

Still, from all of my research, it’s REALLY difficult to find anything off of the Church of Scientology’s official Web site that could confirm anything. There’s talk about placenta eating, murder, kidnapping and money obsession. The truth about these ideas isn’t anywhere to be found. There are many people accusing scientologists of doing these things and then there are many scientologists refuting these ideas. It’s a classic game of he said, she said.

So, what to make of it?

Here’s what I’ve decided: It sounds a whole lot like a cult. Any organization or religion that is as private as the Church of Scientology is not helping its cause. The concept of “innocent until proven guilty” isn’t going to fly for this.

I was born in Georgia and grew up in a small Florida town consisting of predominately white people. It wasn’t a racist area, but definitely a place with very little diversity. Upon moving to a larger city while in high school, I was amazed by the diversity of the people that surrounded me. I was even more amazed by people’s pride in their respective cultures.

One piece of culture that I became especially engrossed in was the Asian tea culture. Having been a fan of Southern sweet tea for years, the tea culture was not only delicious, but also engrossing. The fact that many countries in Asia have festivals surrounding tea (because it’s a part of their daily lives) is so fascinatingly foreign to me.

What would the American equivalent of tea be? Coffee? I think it’s safe to say that America doesn’t have anything like this, something so deeply rooted in our culture, and I think it’s sad. Here, we don’t have many traditions to unify us all other than a lack of tradition. But is that enough?

The Japanese have conducted tea ceremonies since the 9th century C.E. According to Japanese Lifestyle, matcha, which is powdered green tea, was enjoyed not only by Buddhist monks but also samurai warriors. By the 16th century, tea was drank throughout all social levels in Japan. A main historical figure of the tea ceremony named Sen no Rikyu introduced the concept of “ichi-go-ichi-e.” This statement means “one time, one meeting,” which is the attitude that remains associated with tea ceremonies today.

Everything about the ceremony and the host must be perfect. The host will prepare for several days to present and on the day of the ceremony he or she will wear a kimono. The guest will purify themselves by cleansing their hands and mouths with water minutes before the ceremony. After being welcomed to the tea room or outside garden, guests remove their shoes and enter. Typically, a light meal is served along with some sake before the tea. The ceremony is meant to be peaceful and sensuous.

Kim Pham, a local tea specialist and co-owner of Kaleisa Tea Lounge in Tampa has been trained in Japan to perform the Chanoyu ceremony and performed it a few years ago at the Polk Museum of Art. I was fortunate enough to attend. Although I had heard about the ceremony before I saw it, it was more beautiful than the descriptions online or the videos I had seen on YouTube.

“The performance is the process of preparing tea but it has a deeper meaning,” Pham told the Polk Museum of Art. “The principles of harmony, respect, purity and tranquility are integral to the lives of ones who follow the art of Chanoyu.”

After experiencing a cultural event like that, I can’t help but think about my American culture and what it entails. Our celebrations come around once or twice a year, and to celebrate, we just put on our red, white and blue outfits, drink and watching fireworks.

Are we wrong for not incorporating more of our history into our present? Or is our history rooted in our diversity? Perhaps American society incorporates too many other cultures to narrow it down. We’re still young, maybe once America defines herself we can define our traditions.