Scientology has been a topic in pop culture since its conception, long before the internet. However, the internet has clearly revolutionized the way we think about media and pop culture. Information and ideas can be shared from all corners of the globe faster than ever. It is only recently that the term "viral" has become a descriptor for something that isn't a disease. The internet has not been kind to Scientology. This new ability to share information and rumours rapidly has only added to the negative press the church receives.
One of the most popular formats for news sharing on the web is satire. Many websites use a very cynical, satirical voice to comment on current events. The Church of Scientology has frequently fallen victim to such websites. Some examples are below - all links can be found in the reference section.
Cracked
Writers for the humour site Cracked typically use sarcastic lists and altered or non-contextual images to bring attention to common complaints of certain topic. In their Scientology article, they bring attention to many of the issues I've presented in this project, while criticizing the church for its potential money-hungry methods. They also mock L. Ron Hubbard personally. Cracked does not feel obligated to present an unbiased opinion, and it is very clear that they've chosen to eliminate the church's perspective on any of these issues(1).
Listverse
The idea behind Listverse is about what you'd expect - it's a website full of lists. This particular list, "Top 10 Evils of Scientology," discusses some of the sensational deaths surrounding the Church of Scientology, and the potential reasons for them. Based on the title, it is clear that the author has a strong bias against Scientology. It is important to keep in mind potential biases when reading any material, but especially when it concerns something as controversial as the Church of Scientology(2).
The Onion
The Onion is a satirical news website - keep this in mind the next time you see an Onion article posted as fact on Facebook. This particular article brings attention to the pop culture roots of Scientology, and the potential humour inherent in a religion based off a book by a science fiction writer. Though Dianetics was not technically a sci-fi novel, the beliefs of Scientologists have a distinct science fiction nature which is parodied in this article(3).
References:
1. Scientology. (2011). Cracked. Retrieved from http://www.cracked.com/funny-144-scientology/
2. Top 10 evils of Scientology. (2008, January 28). Listverse. Retrieved from http://listverse.com/2008/01/28/top-10-evils-of-scientology/
3. Scientology losing ground to new Fictionology. (2005, May 11). The Onion. Retrieved from http://www.theonion.com/articles/scientology-losing-ground-to-new-fictionology,1327/