Scientology wasn't always a religion, it originally started out as a pseudoscience, a self-help fad based on the popularity of Freudian psychoanalysis in mid-20th century America.

http://www.solitarytrees.net/pubs/skent/creation.htm

Even Elron himself initially didn't claim it was a religion, as he stated himself in "Dianetics" (1950). It would be curious to see if subsequent editions of his book still contain this passage.

"The first contribution of dianetics is the discovery that the problems of thought and mental function can be resolved within the bounds of the finite universe, which is to say that all data needful to the solution of mental action and Man's endeavour can be measured, sensed and experienced as scientific truths independent of mysticism or metaphysics."

The religion of Scientology has more to do with US Tax Law and exploitation of Constitutional Law than with God's Law.

One of my current undeveloped plots for a potential science fiction novel involves a post apocalyptic world in which Scientology is one of the few remaining organized groups still inhabiting a Mad Max America. I'm thinking of maybe a stuggle for power between them, the Klan, the Mormons, right wing militias, skinhead gangs, and the United Hip-Hop BloodCrip Brothers of the Hood.

Or maybe I'll have them all declare a truce and join forces to repel an invasion of the Mexican Drug Cartels.

It still needs a lot of work.