Religions and churches, cults and other groups aren't the same things. Some Freezoners view Scn as their religion, some don't. It's mainly a bunch of independent practitioners, some of whom have loose knit (mostly cyber) alliances, some of whom do not.
I remember back in the late 1970s, early 1980s, when the local Org started the whole "Sunday service" thing. I was a snr exec at the time, responsible for putting in the program to get the Sunday service up and running in Div 6.
I remember talking to a friend/Scio about it, and coming right out and saying, "this is so stupid, I guess somebody needs to make us appear more like a CHURCH, huh?" He quietly agreed, but with that "eyes darting left and right", wondering if anyone can hear sort of look. I remember telling another SO executive, "cripes I had no interest in attending any Church before Scn, and I sure don't feel like doing it now". A close GO friend (snr GO exec) said, "it is only for IMAGE; we need it for the stability of our religious status".
Last I remember, the local org would simply shut down the Academy and basic Div 6 courses for one hour, route everybody into one room, and hold a "Sunday service". Appearances, appearances, appearances!
And remember the dumbass minister garb? Geez! I also remember when all Sea Org staff HAD to do the "minister's course". I suppose technically I AM a certified "minister" now, since I did complete the course.
For me I never thought of it as a "Church", but that the entire slant on a "religion" was done for "survival purposes" (tax benefits, etc). I generally resisted and had little affinity for all the "added-inapplicable" components of official Scientology. BARF!!!!
Just give me the auditing, and otherwise FUCK OFF!
Really, I never knew ANYONE who truly considered it their "religion". Sure, there were lots of people who "played along", because INT management and the GO was heavy onto enforcing it, but really, how many truly considered it his or her "religion". I pretty much always looked at is as somewhat of a "spiritual" practice and more of a mental practice.