Here is a factual description of Scientology. I compiled this myself and because I have been a Scientologist for the past 36 years I do know something about it.
Scientology is an applied religious philosophy. When I say "applied" I mean you actually use it in your life to change or improve existing conditions. It is a very practical religion.
All religions if you learn about them have a basic philosphy, but they also have certain dogma, rituals and observances, and a certain faith or belief is required. There is nothing wrong with this, but Scientology is not that kind of religion. It does not intrude on anyones faiths of beliefs particularly in the area of God , the Supreme Being, or the Infinite. This area is left totally up to the indivdual, which is why you can be a practicing Jew,for example and still use and apply the priniciples of Scientology in your life. It does not conflict. If anything it will enhance your understanding of your chosen religious practice.
You can have no specific religious beliefs and still benefit from using it.
And it is only true for you according to your own observation and experience with it.
It is a non denominational religion . The dictionary definition that applies:
Religion: The spiritual or emotional attitude of one who recognises the existence of superhuman power or powers.
The most basic principle of Scientology is that YOU are your own immortal soul, that this is not a "thing" you HAVE but what YOU actually are.
The whole purpose of Scientology is to increase an individual's understanding and awareness of himself. and lifeAnd thereby his native abilities .
When you do this the sphere and zone of his positive influence increases and moves outward into his life, his family ,his friends, his groups and mankind which he is part of.
How this result is achieved is the "technology" of Scientology, which was developed by L.Ron Hubbard after his extensive research and the discoveries he made, about the human spirit. The basic religious philosophy and knowledge of Scientology is very old, going back 10,000 years at least to the Veda or Vedic Hymns from the East. L. Ron Hubbard researched and made new discoveries about the human spirit. He developed technology from these discoveries to apply to increase spiritual awareness and ability.
He completed his research before his death in 1986 and left all of his results and copyrights
to the Church of Scientology along with most of his considerable personal estate, when he died.
He published a book in 1951 to communicate the basic principles he discovered called: " Scientology The Fundementals of Thought"
There are currently over 10 million Scientologists in more than 163 countries world wide. However we are a new religion, only 53 years old.
The true story of Scientology as a religion goes like this:
1. A philosopher developes a philosophy about life and death.
2. People find it interesting.
3. People find it works.
4. People pass it along to others.
5. It grows.
This is just an overview.
L. Ron Hubbard explained fully the theology and technologies of Scientology in more than 500,000 pages of writings, including dozens of books and over 2,000 tape-recorded public lectures.
The rumours that circulate about it change over time. Some are dug up and recirculated depending on what gets picked up but the hidden agenda is the same. Because of the workabilty of Scientology technology to help mankind and improve the conditions of life it gets attacked by those that thrive on mankind's miseries.
Regarding psychology, the use of drugs to resolve non physical (mental) problems and psychiatric lables like ADHD. The answer is simple. It's not that Scientology doesn't "believe" in them. It is simply that if you actually observe their overall long term effect on life and society,,,, they simply do not work and in many cases create more harm than good.
The Church of Scientology has created and sponsors many successful secular programs that help ALL sectors of society including other religious organizations confronted with these problems within their parishes and among their parishoners.
Funds donated to the International Association of Scientologists
are channelled into the many non religious , secular social betterment programs that Scientology supports :
International Volunteer Ministers Program. (Disaster Relief)
Youth for Human Rights (Youth education on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights United Nations 1945)
Citizens Commission on Human Rights (Psychiatric Abuse)
Applied Scholastics Education Programs (Programs for Literacy and Eduvcation)
Narconon Drug Education and Rehabilitation Programs (Drug Addiction)
"The Way to Happiness" Foundation ( Booklet of common sense morale precepts used in many areas and countries world wide.)
Criminon. Criminal Rehabilitation Programs.(In prisons and with Probation)
These are all international programs.
Scientology is a new religion, only 53 years old. It does not have hundreds of years of accumulated wealth and property like other religions. It must operate and establish itself in the world according to the economics of today's society.
However the "richer" we get, the more we can do for out fellow man.
Scientology gives exchange in abundance for every dollar (or currency) it receives.It is mankind that profits from the funds, and those who donate do so because they know this.
Hope this helps to answer your question.