Page 38 - 2011 - The 'X' Chronicles Newspaper - January 2011

Dead Space 2 is an attack on Scientology L. Ron Altman: Why religious tracts were handed out to the gaming the classes. In the game, you find documents on Dead Space 2 is a direct press, with the lesson inside being to keep your Unitologists, including notes on their body safe and healthy for the time of attack on Scientology convergence. These are pretty specific words, willingness to pay for the religion, and how much time and effort should be invested with but they must have been picked just because they sound like something that would exist in an them vs. the opportunity for economic payout. http://arstechnica.com established religion... right? While religions are never afraid to ask for This is from a series of lectures and a money in the form of collection plates, The mythology of Dead Space is book called "The Unification Congress." Here's donations, or tithing, Scientology requires centered on a religion called Unitology. The how this material is described: "This book direct and substantial payout from its members church actively recruits members, solicits delineates the exact, but previously unknown, for them to continue to receive new money from its followers, and worships an alien anatomy and formulas for perfect information, materials, and guidance in the artifact called "the Marker," with an aim to communication. The magic of the church. By linking these classes, study bring about the "convergence" or "unification." communication cycle is the fundamental of materials, and monetary payments to the It's a large part of a Dead Space world, which auditing and the primary reason auditing hierarchy of the church, it sends a message that spans DVDs, games, and books. It's also works." Auditing is one of Scientology's central one has to pay to continue to be an active uncomfortably close to another, real-world rituals, which has a member of the church focus member of the community. religion. their attention on a practitioner, using a machine With a low ranking in unassertiveness, a "We never really approach that called an "E-reader." high tolerance for ambiguity, and low cultural discussion with the intention of poking fun at a disillusionment—this guy simply wasn't a good particular religion, or sort of making a social Beings from the stars fit for Unitology. The game has a good grasp on statement about something that's going on right Unitologists worship the Marker, an the attributes cults and predatory churches look now," Wright Bagwell, the creative director of alien artifact that was originally discovered by a for to create unquestioning followers. The most Dead Space 2, told MTV. "For us, Unitology's scientist who was later revered as a sort of important thing they're looking for comes at the purpose in the story represents people's illogical prophet. Unitologists believe that human life end: a lack of awareness of group influence on thinking about things they don't understand. It may have come from space, and that by individuals. was never really intended to be a jab at any worshipping the Marker they can achieve Unitology also counts politicians, particular religion." That particular religion is eternal life. celebrities, and other individuals of power as Scientology, and he claims most of us think It's said that Scientologists also believe members of the church as a way to gain there's a link because the "names are very that life on Earth was seeded by extra-terrestrial mainstream acceptance in the face of skeptical similar." That's not exactly accurate; the latest intelligences, except followers of the real-life governments. It's also made clear that although game in the series presented a pointed, ongoing religion seem oddly uncomfortable going on the the rich and powerful are Unitologists, anyone attack on Scientology and its leadership. Let's record about those beliefs. from any background, at any age, is welcome. take a look. The existence of Xenu is a controversial This is a powerful message, especially when topic for those inside and outside the church, delivered by powerful people. Everyone should The books but Scientology has had troubles escaping the pitch in before Convergence. In Dead Space 2, players fight through a science-fiction trappings of the church's church dedicated to Unitology, complete with beginnings, and the writing and teaching of L. Why this matters advertisements for multiple books with the Ron Hubbard. In this cleverly edited video, Dead Space may seem to simply be a teachings of the church. Images of these books someone takes a look at the subject by mixing survival horror game about fighting aliens and are specific, with a very well conceived look in together an interview clip, scenes from a zombies and all sorts of baddies, but the subtext terms of coloring, fonts, and overall style. We've popular episode of South Park, and Mr. is about a group of people who sign up for a pulled a screenshot from the game to show you Hubbard's own words. church that presents itself one way, while its what we mean. leaders are using them for both profit and Scientology is unique in that there is no Ranking From the Dead Space wiki entry on darker, violent purposes. In the game, Unitology single, strong "bible" of teachings and wisdom. Unitology: is a profit-based religion that wants to use its The words of L. Ron Hubbard are published in It is mentioned that they require followers, who have total faith in the system, to a series of books, lectures, and supplemental members to contribute huge sums of money to bring about the end of the world. Its leader is materials that are sold to Scientologists to allow the church in order to move up in rank within it. presented as a caring man with ideas ahead of them to study the teachings of the church. There are two ranks above that of the average his time, although in reality he was something In 2009 Scientology rolled out an follower, and a suspected third. Two of these much different. updated series of books and materials for sale, possible ranks have been confirmed as being The points made about blindly with great fanfare. "And so it is that all "Vested" and "Overseer," the latter being the following your religious leaders are powerful, materials of the Scientology religion, containing higher. The speculated third and possibly but by mirroring so much of the belief system the answers that all humankind has sought for highest rank is "Enigma." This speculation is and aesthetics on Scientology it changes into a centuries, are now available in many languages, based on a video transmission in which the direct attack on a very large, very powerful many formats, and forever, for the benefit of recipient is addressed as "Enigma Lange" after religion. It's understandable that members of the all," the church announced. "Indeed, here is the the author addresses himself by inserting his development team don't want to make this long-hoped-for goal of total knowledge." rank within the church before his last name. The explicit—especially against an organization that Scientology puts great importance on Church of Scientology likewise organizes its has proven itself so resilient to attack and so the sale of this material, just as Dead Space followers into different levels, with extensive relentless in its response—but the fact that this presents the Church of Unitology as heavily cost being borne by those practicing the religion part of the game exists at all is fascinating. What pushing its own books. Take a look at both to go through the classes and rituals needed to other game has created an entire world that screenshots to see the similarity in the aesthetics "level up." seems designed to mock a worldwide religion? of the books in question, and the science-fiction "The OT levels contain the very "It was really just an observation about what can styles of the covers. The look of Unitology was advanced materials of L. Ron Hubbard's happen to anybody who is fanatical and illogical clearly lifted wholesale from Scientologist texts researches and it is here the person achieves the about their beliefs..." Bagwell continued in his and products ultimate realization of his own nature and his interview with MTV. "That's the commentary relationship to life and all the dynamics," we're making [with Unitology]. In this complex, Unification Scientology states. "Abilities return as he futuristic world, people are looking for ways to One of the core beliefs of Unitology is advances up through the OT levels and he simplify their lives and put their faith in the idea of "unification," when everyone's recovers the entirety of his beingness." something that they don't have to think too bodies and minds will be brought together as These ranks are a very easy way to confer much about." The people behind the game had a one. It's talked about in the book, and at E3 prestige to members who are willing to pay for clear beef to pick with Scientology. []