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