10.17192/mjr.2010.15.3423 Manca, Terra Terra Manca Alternative therapy, Dianetics, and Scientology Marburg Journal of Religion : Vol 15 No 1 (2010) Philipps-Universität Marburg 2010 Institute for Comparative Cultural Research - Study of Religions and Anthropology 2015-04-28 2015-04-28 en JournalArticle https://journals.uni-marburg.de/0004/2010/109/3423 urn:nbn:de:hebis:04-0004-2010-109-34238 https://doi.org/10.17192/mjr.2010.15.1 https://journals.uni-marburg.de/0004/2010/109/3423/3423.png 1612-2941 application/pdf Since orthodox medicine sets the standard for what is acceptable within the medical arena, some alternative medicines integrate into medicine while others remain separate or face too much scrutiny to continue practicing. In the 1970s, Morely and Wallis (1976) recognized Dianetics and Scientology as a “marginal medicine,” and from the 1960s to 1970s several government organizations worldwide investigated the group. Consequently, Scientology retreated from the medical arena, claiming that it was a religion and establishing boundaries to insulate itself from regulation. Despite Scientology’s attempted retreat, Dianetics and Scientology doctrines and practices continue to reflect concerns and actions that belong to what Tovey and Adams (2001) identify as the social world of alternative medicine. In this article, I outline Scientology’s position within the medical arena, how that position has transformed over time, and Scientology’s isolation from the dominant social world within that arena (specifically scientific medicine). 1612-2941 Marburg Journal of Religion Vol 15 No 1 (2010)