SCIENTOLOGY CHURCH CEREMONIES

	Scientology ministers perform many of the same ceremonies and services as ministers, priests and rabbis of other faiths. Scientology wedding ceremonies, similar in form to those in other religions, draw upon Scientology scriptural concepts which bring heightened spiritual significance to the union.

Scientology ministers perform many of the same types of ceremonies and services that ministers, rabbis and priests of other religions perform. Each Sunday, the Church’s Chaplain, or another minister, conducts a service for members of the Church, which is open to nonmembers as well. At this service, the minister speaks about a topic related to an important Scientology principle or practice and discusses how it can be applied in daily life. A typical Scientology sermon may address the simple fact that a person is a spiritual being, certain of the Axioms of Scientology, or perhaps the Creed of the Church.

Scientology holds that man determines his own spiritual future through his actions towards others as well as his observance of the rules of conduct as expressed in the Creed of the Church. Consequently, the Sunday sermon often encourages conduct constructive on all dynamics. This message is presented within the framework of Scientology Scripture, and its relevance to everyday life is explained. Thus, the sermon may also be comforting and spiritually uplifting for non-Scientologists, who are always welcome to attend.

On Fridays, church services are held to celebrate and acknowledge those who have completed a church service in the preceding week.

In addition, Scientology congregations celebrate weddings and naming ceremonies for the newborn (similar to christenings in the Christian church) with their own formal ceremonies and mark the passing of their fellows with funeral rites. These services draw on Scientology’s rich scriptural material to convey the relevance of these significant occasions from the special perspective of the beliefs of those involved in the ceremony.

The Chaplain often conducts these ceremonies, although any ordained Scientology minister is empowered to officiate. These services, which address the spirit in accordance with the religion’s teachings, impart a special quality to these occasions.