Public interest in Scientology has risen to new heights during recent years because some famous followers have been voicing their beliefs in high-profile situations. Even so, few students are clear on what Scientology is.

When asked what she thought of Scientology, Ashley Ferrell, a junior in criminology and sociology said, “What is that? It almost sounds like some sort of religion.”

Taken from Greek and Latin roots, the word Scientology literally means “the study of truth.” And according to John Baker, executive director of the Church of Scientology in Columbus, Scientology is a religion.

J. Gordon Melton, managing director of the Institute for the Study of American Religion in Santa Barbara, Calif., said there are certain criteria that a belief system must adhere to in order to qualify as a religion.

Melton said a religion must answer three questions: Where we come from, why are we here and where are we going?

Scientology has these three questions covered.

Baker said Scientologists believe we come from spiritual beings separate from our bodies, we are here solely to survive and we are going to leave the bodies we now inhabit and pick up others.

Melton also said a religious institution must create and sustain a community of believers.

According to the Dianetics Information Center, an online Web site dedicated to educating the public and helping them find churches, there are more than 8 million Scientologists who attend one of more than 3,000 churches, missions and groups in more than 120 countries.

Melton said all religions must have a behavioral code. Scientology follows several moral codes that Baker outlined, including not supporting the enslavement of any person or injustice against innate human rights. Baker uses Melton’s criteria to legitimize Scientology as an official religion.

Lafayette Ronald Hubbard formed the religious philosophy of Scientology in 1951. However before this, he was an accomplished writer. Hubbard emerged as a popular author in the 1930s, known mainly for his science fiction works.

Hubbard was also an extensive traveler, logging more than a quarter of a million miles by the time he was 20. It was during these travels that Hubbard claimed to have researched “into the mind and life.”

In May 1950, he published “Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health.” The book has since sold more than 17 million copies worldwide.

In the book Hubbard outlines his core belief that man is neither mind nor body, but rather a spiritual being. He also described four dynamics which, along with four others added later, Scientologists believe drive a person’s actions. These dynamics include the urge to survive as oneself, through family and sex, in various groups or communities, as mankind and through other life forms, the physical universe, the spiritual universe and God.

Baker said the Church of Scientology serves to, “give people the tools and technology to change their conditions for the better.”

One way the church changes conditions is through community services. Baker said the Church of Scientology runs the nations largest drug rehabilitation treatment program, which boasts an 80 percent success rate. The group also has criminal rehabilitation programs, follows human rights agendas, holds seminars and teach courses in technology and business studies.