Narconon, Scientology, and the Battle for Legitimacy
This article provides an historical description and analysis of Scientology’s controversial drug treatment program, Narconon. Following scholarship by sociologist Terra Manca on Scientology’s pseudo-medicine, I argue that Scientology initially claimed its program to be part of its religion, but even...
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| Published in: | Marburg Journal of Religion |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Philipps-Universität Marburg
2017
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Online Access |
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| Summary: | This article provides an historical description and analysis of Scientology’s controversial drug treatment program, Narconon. Following scholarship by sociologist Terra Manca on Scientology’s pseudo-medicine, I argue that Scientology initially claimed its program to be part of its religion, but eventually dropped this claim as it attempted to get Narconon programs and teachings established in communities. I show, however, the intimate association between Scientology and Narconon courses, and present some of the evidence that the program lacks scientific validity—especially its Purification Rundown. |
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| DOI: | 10.17192/mjr.2017.19.6495 |