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The “Church” of Scientology
The Strange World Created by L Ron Hubbard
Meet L. Ron Hubbard
March 13, 1911 – January 24, 1986
• Born, Tilden NB, Raised Helena MT
• Conflicting stories on upbringing
• Attended George Washington U, 1930’s
• Less than stellar naval career
• Writer: Pulp Fiction and Sci Fi
• Multiple marriages & bigamy
• Died at ranch in Creston, CA
L. Ron Hubbard’s Dianetics
• Introduced – 1949
• Before: Hubbard involved in the Occult and “Thelema” with Aleister Crowley
• Hubbard and Jack Parson collaborate
• Brain records every experience and event in a person's life
• Bad = engrams
• “Auditing” – state of “Clear”
• Helps physical condition
Beginnings of Scientology Hubbard Association of Scientologists International - 1952
Church of Scientology incorporated – 1953
First Church of Scientology – Los Angeles, 1954
Official control to Executive Board – 1966
Hubbard remained in actual control until his death – 1986
After his death – David Miscavige took control
Beginnings of Scientology
David Miscavige
Structure of Scientology Land Base – Clearwater, Florida
West Coast Headquarters – Los Angeles
Celebrity Center – Hollywood
Golden Era Productions – Media production, LA
Distribution Center – 185,000 sq. ft., LA
Many affiliated organizations (see next slide)
Structure of Scientology Some of the Affiliated Organizations Narconon – Drug and Rehabilitation
Criminon – Offender Rehabilitation
Applied Scholastics – Promote Scientology study materials
Way to Happiness Foundation – LRH Moral Code promo
World Institute of Scientology Enterprises - management
Statistics on Scientology Scientology Claims 8 Million Members (2005) Included 3.5 million in United States (2007)
Number included those who only took introductory course
City University of New York survey – 55,000 in U.S. (2001)
Recent estimate by American Religious Identification Survey – 25, 000 in U.S.
Worldwide estimate by observers – 100,000 – 200,000
Goal of Scientology - LRH "A civilization without insanity, without criminals and
without war, where the able can prosper and honest beings can have rights, and where man is free to rise to greater heights, are the aims of Scientology."
Sea Organization:Scientology’s “Monks and Nuns”
• Founded in 1967 as sea unit by LRH
• Made himself “Commodore” of the fleet
• Called “Fraternal organization”
• Seen as similar to a religious order
• Only for the most dedicated
• They lead elite & advanced sections
• Members sign “billion year contract”
• Rehabilitation Project Force (RPF)
Beliefs of Scientology Basic belief: People are immortal spiritual beings who
have forgotten their true nature.
Man is basically good, that he is seeking to survive, (and) that his survival depends on himself and his attainment of brotherhood with the universe.”
“Bridge to Total Freedom”
Auditing – method of spiritual rehabilitation
The E Meter
• Used in auditing
• Measures areas of stress and other impediments
• Often used to invite people into Scientology
The Story of Xenu• Ruler of Galactic Confederacy
• About to be deposed as ruler
• Eliminated excess Population
• Kidnapped population taken to Earth
• Destroyed here
• Dis-embodied spirits = Thetans
• Clusters inhabited remaining bodies
• This is who we are today
Beliefs of Scientology
Scientology’s Controveries Most controversial religious movement of the 20th Century
Scientology condemns all psychiatric and psychological approaches
Faced scrutiny for many of its practices Brainwashing techniques
Slave-like treatment of its members
Control of lives – personal and professional Ex: Sea Org members discouraged from having children
Children are removed at early age so they return to duty
Scientology’s Controveries “Attack the Attacker” strategy
Fair Game: Enemies of Scientology = “suppressive persons” “may be deprived of property or injured by any means...May be tricked, sued or lied to or destroyed". (taken from HCOPL Oct. 18, 1967 Issue IV, Penalties for Lower Conditions
Trademark and Copyright Lawsuits are plentiful
Disconnection, Forced Abortions & Human Trafficking
Preferential Treatment of Celebrities
Scientology’s Controveries Demonstrations and internet
attacks agains Scientologyby group called “Anonymous
Many countries called upon to outlaw Scientology
FBI called upon to investigate strange happenings including death, human trafficking, etc.
Scientology Celebrities
Including: Kirstie Alley - Anne Archer - Catherine Bell - Sony Bono -Stephen Boyd - Jeff Conaway - Chick Corea - Tom Cruise - Isaac Hayes - Geoffrey Lewis - Judy Norton Taylor - Priscilla Presley - Kelly Preston
- Lee Purcell - Giovanni Ribisi - John Travolta - Greta Van Susteren
Meet a Former Scientologist
The “Church” of Scientology
The Strange World Created by L Ron Hubbard