Doctrine of Exchange
Encyclopedia
The Doctrine of Exchange is a central tenet of Scientology
, which dictates that for spiritual well-being, "anytime a person receives something, he must pay
something back" and balance "inflow" with "outflow". The Church of Scientology
has presented this as the reason why some of its services, such as auditing
(a central practice, and sometimes described as the central practice of Scientology), must never be given away, to members who are at the church, but must be paid for. This is frequently used by the Church as an explanation for the fixed pricing of its many fees.
The Church of Scientology has argued in its requests for tax exemption
that Scientology courses must have fixed fees - a practice that otherwise goes against the prohibition of quid pro quo
transactions in tax-exempt organizations - because of this religious doctrine.
Not all services fall under the Doctrine. The Church has identified some services as examples of services where "no donation is expected from members":
Scientology
Scientology is a body of beliefs and related practices created by science fiction and fantasy author L. Ron Hubbard , starting in 1952, as a successor to his earlier self-help system, Dianetics...
, which dictates that for spiritual well-being, "anytime a person receives something, he must pay
something back" and balance "inflow" with "outflow". The Church of Scientology
Church of Scientology
The Church of Scientology is an organization devoted to the practice and the promotion of the Scientology belief system. The Church of Scientology International is the Church of Scientology's parent organization, and is responsible for the overall ecclesiastical management, dissemination and...
has presented this as the reason why some of its services, such as auditing
Auditing (Scientology)
Auditing was developed by L. Ron Hubbard, and is described by the Church of Scientology as "spiritual counseling which is the central practice of Dianetics and Scientology".-Description:...
(a central practice, and sometimes described as the central practice of Scientology), must never be given away, to members who are at the church, but must be paid for. This is frequently used by the Church as an explanation for the fixed pricing of its many fees.
The Church of Scientology has argued in its requests for tax exemption
Tax exemption
Various tax systems grant a tax exemption to certain organizations, persons, income, property or other items taxable under the system. Tax exemption may also refer to a personal allowance or specific monetary exemption which may be claimed by an individual to reduce taxable income under some...
that Scientology courses must have fixed fees - a practice that otherwise goes against the prohibition of quid pro quo
Quid pro quo
Quid pro quo most often means a more-or-less equal exchange or substitution of goods or services. English speakers often use the term to mean "a favour for a favour" and the phrases with almost identical meaning include: "give and take", "tit for tat", "this for that", and "you scratch my back,...
transactions in tax-exempt organizations - because of this religious doctrine.
Not all services fall under the Doctrine. The Church has identified some services as examples of services where "no donation is expected from members":
- Listening to lectures, whether from fellow parishioners or playings of L. Ron HubbardL. Ron HubbardLafayette Ronald Hubbard , better known as L. Ron Hubbard , was an American pulp fiction author and religious leader who founded the Church of Scientology...
’s lectures on tape - Reading Scientology scripture in the Church library
- Meeting with fellow parishioners
- Receiving counseling (but not auditing) from a Scientology chaplainChaplainTraditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
- Attending Sunday services, sermons, weddings, christeningInfant baptismInfant baptism is the practice of baptising infants or young children. In theological discussions, the practice is sometimes referred to as paedobaptism or pedobaptism from the Greek pais meaning "child." The practice is sometimes contrasted with what is called "believer's baptism", or...
s or funeralFuneralA funeral is a ceremony for celebrating, sanctifying, or remembering the life of a person who has died. Funerary customs comprise the complex of beliefs and practices used by a culture to remember the dead, from interment itself, to various monuments, prayers, and rituals undertaken in their honor...
s