Scientology Régis Dericquebourg Professor, Sociology of Religion University of Lille III Lille, France I. IS SCIENTOLOGY A RELIGION?   C. PURIFICATION      The practice of Scientology includes a Purification Program. Purification consists of removing from the body all the toxins that weaken the body and impede spiritual progress. Such toxins come from medical drugs, street drugs and exposure to radiation in the atmosphere.5 The program consists of sauna sessions accompanied by running, absorption of vitamins and oil intake. Oil is intended to replace the fat in which toxins are lodged, which gradually disappears during the sauna sessions. The purpose of the program is to make the spirit more active by eliminating medical residues (sedatives, sleeping pills) and drugs which dull the senses. This form of purification by cleansing the organs and tissues is found in certain Hindu traditions in other forms—for example, fasting and flushing of the digestive system.      In the Scientology perspective, purification is meaningful only for its part in achieving higher levels of spiritual awareness.

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