Syftet med detta arbete är att använda en komparativanalys för att påvisa likheter och olikheter hos två ledare för nya religiösa rörelser; den Raeliska rörelsen och Scientologikyrkan. Uppsatsen utgår från en kvalitativ metod där rörelsernas eget material såväl som publicerade texter från forskare som studerat rörelserna studerats. Ledare av olika rörelser tillskrivs ofta en karisma vilket får människor att följa dem. Karisma behöver inte bara vara knutet till en person utan även till föremål som exempelvis texter hen producerat. Processen där följarna till en person med karisma lär sig känna igen och erkänna ledarnas karisma kallas karismatisering. De två begreppen har undersökts av Eileen Barker och uppsatsen undersöker hur dessa processer gestaltats när de två ledarna Raël och L. Ron Hubbard beskrivs av sina respektive rörelser.   Uppsatsen har kunnat visa att de två ledarna tillskrivs unika egenskaper och kunskaper som gör dem till mer än vanliga människor. De två ledarnas beskrivs som utvalda av en högre makt för att kunna leda människor till ett bättre liv och mående. Uppsatsen har kunnat visa att de två ledarna som undersökts tillskrivits karisma av sina rörelser och hur de fått den tillskriven genom de hagiografier som skapats för att beskriva deras liv som unika.

Starting in November of 2016, a documentary series aired on the original network A&E where it continues to capture the attention of thousands of viewers in America. Scientology: The Aftermath, starring the well-known King of Queens and Dancing with the Stars actress Leah Remini and former senior executive of the church of Scientology International and Sea Organization Mike Rinder, aim to reveal the "truth" that hides behind the church of Scientology. The show interviews ex-practitioners who claim their lives have been deeply impacted by the church and who want to assist in revealing the shocking stories of abuse and harassment the church tries to keep secret. The goal of the show, in short, is to not only share the "real" face of Scientology to the public, but to also reach out and assist people who have been affected personally by the church; some have lost their family and friends while others have been followed or monitored by church members. A simple Google search on Scientology brings up multiple news headlines on the church being labeled as a "cult" and "criminal" while magazines in the lines of grocery stores display the downfall on the marriage of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes due to the intensity of the Church of Scientology. Yet Scientology isn’t alone in receiving negative attention from the media. Christian Science has been accused of depriving the ill of needed medical attention which has led to some members becoming severely ill and dying in some cases. Most of these cases are children that were deprived of needed medical assistance due to their parents' religious views. Religious Studies scholar, Mary Bednarowski, adds that due to these circumstances, Christian Science has long experienced harsh criticism. With families and anti-cult movements protesting in the streets, ads, books, and magazines displaying their opposition, and the media labeling these movements as "dangerous", why would people join and remain in these New Religious Movements? What is it that makes these religious movements alluring and what are their adherents benefiting from them?