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Scientology is a body of beliefs and related practices created by American science fiction author L. Ron Hubbard in 1952 as a successor to his earlier self-help system, Dianetics. Hubbard characterized Scientology as a religion, and in 1953 incorporated the Church of Scientology in New Jersey. Scientology teaches that people are immortal spiritual beings who have forgotten their true nature. Scientology promotes spiritual rehabilitation through a type of counseling referred to as "auditing".
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Scientology is a body of beliefs and related practices created by American science fiction author L. Ron Hubbard in 1952 as a successor to his earlier self-help system, Dianetics. Hubbard characterized Scientology as a religion, and in 1953 incorporated the Church of Scientology in New Jersey. Scientology teaches that people are immortal spiritual beings who have forgotten their true nature. Scientology promotes spiritual rehabilitation through a type of counseling referred to as "auditing". Study materials and auditing courses are made available to members in return for specified donations.
A large number of organizations overseeing the application of Scientology have been established, the most notable of these being the Church of Scientology. Scientology sponsors social service programs, some of which have been described as Scientology promotional campaigns. Such programs include a set of moral guidelines expressed in a brochure called The Way to Happiness, the Narconon anti-drug program, the Criminon prison rehabilitation program, the Study Tech education methodology, a volunteer organization, and a business management method.
One oft-discussed aspect of Scientology is its belief that souls ("thetans") reincarnate and have lived on other planets before living on Earth. Former members say that details of this supposed remote extraterrestrial past are not revealed until thousands of dollars have been paid to the Church of Scientology. Another controversial belief held among Scientologists is that the practice of psychiatry is destructive and abusive, and must be abolished.
Scientology is legally recognized as a tax-exempt religion in the United States and other countries,, and the Church of Scientology emphasizes this as proof that it is a "bona fide religion." Even so, Scientology has been widely criticized as a cult that financially defrauds and abuses its members. The Church of Scientology has also been accused of harassing its critics, and has consistently used litigation against them.
Etymology and earlier usage
The word "Scientology" is a pairing of the Latin word scientia ("knowledge," "skill"), which comes from the verb scire ("to know"), and the Greek ????? lógos ("word" or "account [of]").
In 1901, Allen Upward coined "Scientology" "as a disparaging term, to indicate a blind, unthinking acceptance of scientific doctrine" according to the Internet Sacred Text Archive as quoted in the preface to Forgotten Books' recent edition of Upward's book, The New Word: On the meaning of the word Idealist. Continuing to quote, the publisher writes "I'm not aware of any evidence that Hubbard knew of this fairly obscure book."
In 1934, philosopher A Nordenholz published a book that used the term to mean "science of science". It is also uncertain whether Hubbard was aware of this prior usage of the word.
History
Dianetics
Scientology was developed by American science fiction writer L Ron Hubbard as a successor to his earlier self-help system, Dianetics. Dianetics was originally intended to be a new psychotherapy and gave no indication that it would later become the foundation on which a religion would be created.
Hubbard first published his ideas on the human mind in 1948 in a self-published book entitled The Original Thesis that only saw private circulation. The Original Thesis raised sufficient interest in Dianetics in his social networks for him to publish two articles about it in the Explorers Club Journal and the May 1950 issue of Astounding Science Fiction magazine. Two of Hubbard's key supporters at that time were John W. Campbell Jr., editor of Astounding Science Fiction, and Dr. J. A. Winter. Dr. J. A. Winter, hoping to have Dianetics accepted in the medical community, submitted papers outlining the principles and methodology of Dianetic therapy to the journal of the American Medical Association and the American Journal of Psychiatry, but these were rejected.
In May 1950 the book Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health was published. It became an instant bestseller, spending the entire second half of 1950 on the New York Times bestseller list and causing nationwide interest in the subject. Overnight, Hubbard found himself the leader of a growing Dianetics movement, and he established the Hubbard Dianetic Research Foundation in Elizabeth, New Jersey, where he trained his first Dianetics auditors. The following year, Hubbard introduced the "electropsychometer" (E-meter) as an auditing aid. Not too long after its release, Dianetics met with scientific criticism. Newsweek was quoted as saying that "the dianetics concept is unscientific and unworthy of discussion or review." In January 1951 the New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners instituted proceedings against the Hubbard Dianetic Research Foundation for teaching medicine without a license, which eventually led to the organization's bankruptcy.
The Church of Scientology
In 1952, Hubbard built on the existing framework set forth in Dianetics, and published a new set of teachings as Scientology, a religious philosophy. In December 1953, Hubbard incorporated three churches—a "Church of American Science", a "Church of Scientology" and a "Church of Spiritual Engineering"—in Camden, New Jersey. On 18 February 1954, with Hubbard's blessing, some of his followers set up the first local Church of Scientology, the Church of Scientology of California, adopting the "aims, purposes, principles and creed of the Church of American Science, as founded by L. Ron Hubbard." The movement quickly spread, both in the United States and other English-speaking countries such as England, Ireland, South Africa and Australia. The second local Church of Scientology to be established, after the one in California, was in Auckland, New Zealand. Scientology was recognized as a tax-exempt religion in the United States in 1957.
On January 4 of 1963, the US FDA raided offices of the Church of Scientology and seized hundreds of the Church's E-meters as illegal medical devices. The devices have since been required to carry a disclaimer saying that they are a purely religious artifact. In 1966 Hubbard stepped down as executive director of Scientology. In 1967 the IRS removed its tax-exempt status, asserting that its activities were commercial and operated for the benefit of Mr. Hubbard, rather than for charitable or religious reasons.
In 1979, as a result of FBI raids during Operation Snow White, eleven senior people in the church's Guardian's Office were convicted of obstructing justice, burglary of government offices, and theft of documents and government property. In 1981, Scientology took the German government to court for the first time. On January 1, 1982 the RTC was established to oversee and ensure the standard application of Scientology technology.
On the 11th of November, 1982 the Free Zone was established by former top Scientologists in disagreement with RTC. The Free Zone later became known as "Ron's Org" and was headed by former Hubbard Scientology Flagship Apollo Sea Org Captain "Bill" Robertson. The Free Zone Association was founded and registered under the laws of Germany.
In 1982 Scientology was recognised as a religion in Australia. Between 1985 and 1987, Scientology's Freedom Magazine published a nineteen-part series by Colonel L. Fletcher Prouty which became one of the source materials for Oliver Stone film JFK as an exposé of the President's assassination plot. On January 24, 1986, L. Ron Hubbard died at his ranch near San Luis Obispo, California and David Miscavige became the head of the organization.
Starting in 1991, persons connected with Scientology filed fifty lawsuits against the Cult Awareness Network (CAN), a group that had been critical of Scientology. Although many of the suits were dismissed, one of the suits filed against the Cult Awareness Network resulted in $2 million in losses for the network. Consequently, the organization was forced to go bankrupt. In 1996, Steven L. Hayes, a Scientologist, purchased the bankrupt Cult Awareness Network's logo and appurtenances. A new Cult Awareness Network was set up with Scientology backing, which operates as an information and networking center for non-traditional religions, referring callers to academics and other experts.
In a 1993 U.S. lawsuit brought by the Church of Scientology against Steven Fishman, a former member of the Church, Fishman made a court declaration which included several dozen pages of hitherto secret esoterica detailing aspects of Scientologist cosmogony. As a result of the litigation, this material, normally strictly safeguarded and only used in Scientology's more advanced "OT levels", found its way onto the Internet. This resulted in a battle between the Church of Scientology and its online critics over the right to disclose this material, or safeguard its confidentiality. The Church of Scientology was forced to issue a press release acknowledging the existence of this cosmogony, rather than allow its critics "to distort and misuse this information for their own purposes." Even so, the material, notably the story of Xenu, has since been widely disseminated and used to caricature Scientology, despite the Church's vigorous program of copyright litigation.
Recognition as a religion
In December 1993, the Church of Scientology experienced a major breakthrough in its ongoing legal battles when the IRS granted full tax exemption to all Scientology Churches, missions and organizations. The tax-exempt status came after an aggressive Scientology "campaign" against the IRS. In 1991, Mr. Miscavige, the highest-ranking Scientology leader, arranged a meeting with Fred T. Goldberg Jr., the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service at the time.
The meeting was an “opportunity for the church to offer to end its long dispute with the agency, including the dozens of suits brought against the I.R.S.” The committee met several times with the Scientology legal team and "was persuaded that those involved in the Snow White crimes had been purged, that church money was devoted to tax-exempt purposes and that, with Mr. Hubbard's death, no one was getting rich from Scientology."
In August 1993, a settlement was reached; the church would receive its tax-exempt status and end its legal assault on the I.R.S. and its personnel. The church was only required to resubmit new applications for exemption to the I.R.S. exempt organizations division; the division was told "not to consider any substantive matters" because those issues had been resolved by the committee. The secret agreement was announced on Oct. 13, 1993 with the I.R.S. refusing to disclose any of the terms or the reasoning behind their decision. "I.R.S. officials insisted that Scientology's tactics had not affected the decision" and that "Ultimately the decision was made on a legal basis".
Based on the I.R.S. exemptions, the U.S. State Department formally criticized Germany for discriminating against Scientologists and began to note Scientologists' complaints of harassment in its annual human rights reports.
In 1997, an open letter to then-German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, published as a newspaper advertisement in the International Herald Tribune, drew parallels between the "organized oppression" of Scientologists in Germany and Nazi policies espoused by Germany in the 1930s. The letter was signed by Dustin Hoffman, Goldie Hawn and a number of other Hollywood celebrities and executives. Commenting on the matter, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of State said that Scientologists were discriminated against in Germany, but condemned the comparisons to the Nazis' treatment of Jews as extremely inappropriate, as did a United Nations Special Rapporteur.
In 2000, the Italian Supreme Court ruled that Scientology is a religion for legal purposes. In recent years, religious recognition has also been obtained in a number of other European countries, including Sweden, Spain, Portugal, Slovenia, Croatia and Hungary, as well as New Zealand and Taiwan.
Influences
In Dianetics, Hubbard gives credit to Francis Bacon and Herbert Spencer. Hubbard recalled meeting Cmdr. Joseph Cressman Thompson, a U.S. Navy officer who studied with Sigmund Freud, when he was 12 years old, and Scientology's view of the mind has some similarity to the Freudian one.
There are also elements of Eastern religions evident in Scientology, notably the concepts of karma, as present in Hinduism and in Jainism, and dharma. In addition to the links to Hindu texts, Hubbard also tried to connect Scientology with Taoism and, especially, Buddhism. Scientology has also been said to share features with Gnosticism.
Beliefs and practices
Scientology's major teachings were written by L. Ron Hubbard. In the course of creating Scientology, Hubbard presented rapidly changing teachings that were often self-contradictory. For the inner cadre of Scientologists, involvement depends not on belief in a particular doctrine but on absolute, unquestioning faith in Hubbard.
Body and spirit
Scientology has an associated mythology that its believers hold to reflect religious truth, even when such myths may not be historically accurate or scientifically verifiable. In Scientology, the cosmic source or life force is represented by the Greek letter theta (?).
The individual expression of theta is referred to as a "thetan".
This is held to be the true identity of every human being – intrinsically good, all-knowing, non-material, and capable of unlimited creativity.
According to Scientologist mythology, thetans brought the material universe into being in the primordial past, largely for their own pleasure. The universe is thought by Scientologists to have no independent reality, but to derive its apparent reality from the fact that most thetans agree it exists. Scientologists believe that thetans fell from grace when they began to identify with their creation, rather than their original state of spiritual purity. Eventually, they lost their memory of their true nature, along with the associated spiritual and creative powers. As a result, thetans came to think of themselves as nothing but embodied beings.
Thetans are believed to be reborn time and time again in new bodies through a process called "assumption" which is analogous to reincarnation. Scientology shares elements with Hinduism, in that both ascribe a causal relationship between the experiences of earlier incarnations and one's present life. With each rebirth, the effects of the "MEST" universe (matter, energy, space, time) on the thetan are believed to become stronger.
Emotions and the mind
Scientology presents two divisions of the mind. The "reactive mind" is thought to absorb all pain and emotional trauma, while the "analytical mind" is a rational mechanism which is responsible for consciousness. The reactive mind stores mental images which are not readily available to the analytical (conscious) mind; these are referred to as "engrams". Engrams are believed to be painful and debilitating; as they accumulate, people move further away from their true identity. To be saved from this fate and restore the thetan is the Scientologist's basic goal. Dianetic training is the tool through which the Scientologist progresses towards the "Clear" state, winning gradual freedom from the reactive mind's engrams, and acquiring certainty of his or her reality as a spiritual being, or thetan.
Scientology uses an emotional classification system called the "tone scale". The tone scale is a tool used in counseling; Scientologists maintain that knowing a person's place on the scale makes it easier to predict their actions and to assist them in bettering their condition. The scale begins with a ranking of "Body Death" at its lower end and ascends to "Serenity of Beingness" at its highest end, with various other emotional states in between.
Survival and the eight dynamics
Scientology emphasizes the importance of survival, which it subdivides into eight classifications that are referred to as "dynamics". An individual's desire to survive is considered to be the first dynamic, while the second dynamic relates to procreation and family. The remaining dynamics encompass wider fields of action, involving groups, mankind, all life, the physical universe, the spirit, and the Supreme Being. The optimum solution to any problem is held to be the one that brings the greatest benefit to the greatest number of dynamics.
Ethics
Scientology teaches that spiritual progress requires and enables the attainment of high moral and ethical standards. Scientologist ethics stresses rationality over morals; actions are considered "good" if they promote survival across all eight dynamics or realms of action. According to this view, good actions are constructive rather than destructive; they benefit a greater number of people while harming the fewest.
Stephen A. Kent quotes a Scientology dictionary definition stating that "the purpose of ethics is to remove counter intentions from the environment. And having accomplished that the purpose becomes to remove other intentionedness [sic] from the environment." Kent sees this as "a peculiar brand of morality that uniquely benefited [the Church of Scientology] ... In plain English, the purpose of Scientology ethics is to eliminate opponents, then eliminate people's interests in things other than Scientology."
ARC and KRC triangles
The ARC and KRC triangles are concept maps which show a relationship between three concepts to form another concept. These two triangles are present in the Scientology logo. The lower triangle, the ARC triangle, is a summary representation of the knowledge the Scientologist strives for. It encompasses "Affinity" (affection, love or liking), "Reality" (consensual reality) and "Communication" (the exchange of ideas). Scientologists believe that improving one of the three aspects of the triangle "increases the level" of the other two, but "Communication" is held to be the most important. The upper triangle is the KRC triangle, the letters KRC positing a similar relationship between "Knowledge", "Responsibility" and "Control".
Materials
Scientology materials (called "Technology" or "Tech" in Scientology jargon) are structured in sequential levels (or "gradients"), so that easier steps are taken first and greater complexities are handled at the appropriate time. Spiritual development within Scientology is accomplished by studying Scientology materials, an act sometimes referred to as moving along "the Bridge to Total Freedom," or simply "the Bridge." It has two sides: "training" and "processing". Training is education in the religious principles of "auditing." Processing is the actual practice of "auditing."
The Church of Scientology believes in the principle of reciprocity, involving give-and-take in every human transaction. Accordingly, members are required to make donations for study courses and auditing as they move up the Bridge, the amounts increasing as higher levels are reached. Participation in higher-level courses on the Bridge may cost several thousand dollars, and Scientologists usually move up the Bridge at a rate governed by their income.
Auditing
Scientology asserts that people have hidden abilities which have not yet been fully realized. The Church of Scientology says its tenets are not a matter of faith but of testable practice. It is believed that further spiritual awareness and physical benefits are accomplished through counseling sessions referred to as "auditing". Through auditing, it is said that people can solve their problems and free themselves of engrams. Those who study Scientology materials and receive auditing sessions advance from a status of "preclear" to "Operating Thetan".
"Auditing" is a one-on-one session with a Scientology counselor or "auditor." It bears a superficial similarity to confession or pastoral counseling, but the auditor does not dispense forgiveness or advice the way a pastor or priest might do. Instead, the auditor's task is to help the person discover and understand engrams, and their limiting effects, for themselves. Most auditing requires an E-meter, a device that measures minute changes in electrical resistance through the body when a person holds electrodes (metal "cans"), and a small current is passed through them. Scientology asserts that watching for changes in the E-meter's display helps locate engrams. Once an area of concern has been identified, the auditor asks the individual specific questions about it, in order to help them eliminate the engram, and uses the E-meter to confirm that the engram's "charge" has been dissipated and the engram has in fact been cleared. As the individual progresses along the Bridge, the focus of auditing moves from simple engrams to engrams of increasing complexity. At the more advanced OT auditing levels, Scientologists perform solo auditing sessions, acting as their own auditors.
Space opera and confidential materials
The Church of Scientology holds that at the higher levels of initiation (OT levels), mystical teachings are imparted that may be harmful to unprepared readers. These teachings are kept secret from members who have not reached these levels. The Church states that the secrecy is warranted to keep its materials' use in context, and to protect its members from being exposed to materials they are not yet prepared for.
These are the OT levels, the levels above "Clear", whose contents are guarded within Scientology. The OT level teachings include accounts of various cosmic catastrophes that befell the thetans. Hubbard described these early events collectively as "space opera." The material contained in the OT levels has been characterized as bad science fiction by critics, while others claim it bears structural similarities to gnostic thought and ancient Hindu myths of creation and cosmic struggle. J. Gordon Melton suggests that these elements of the OT levels may never have been intended as descriptions of historical events, and that, like other religious mythology, they may have their truth in the realities of the body and mind which they symbolize. He adds that on whatever level Scientologists might have received this mythology, they seem to have found it useful in their spiritual quest.
In the OT levels, Hubbard explains how to reverse the effects of past-life trauma patterns that supposedly extend millions of years into the past. Among these advanced teachings is the story of Xenu (sometimes Xemu), introduced as an alien ruler of the "Galactic Confederacy." According to this story, 75 million years ago Xenu brought billions of people to Earth in spacecraft resembling Douglas DC-8 airliners, stacked them around volcanoes and detonated hydrogen bombs in the volcanoes. The thetans then clustered together, stuck to the bodies of the living, and continue to do this today. Scientologists at advanced levels place considerable emphasis on isolating thetans and neutralizing their ill effects.
The high-ranking OT levels are made available to Scientologists only by invitation, after a review of the candidate's character and contribution to the aims of Scientology. Individuals who have read these materials may not disclose what they contain without jeopardizing their standing in the Church. Excerpts and descriptions of OT materials were published online by a former member in 1995 and then circulated in mainstream media. This occurred after the teachings were submitted as evidence in court cases involving Scientology, thus becoming a matter of public record. There are eight publicly-known OT levels, OT I to VIII. The highest level, OT VIII, is only disclosed at sea, on the Scientology cruise ship Freewinds. It was released in the late 1980s. It has been rumored that additional OT levels, said to be based on material written by Hubbard long ago, will be released at some appropriate point in the future.
There is a large Church of Spiritual Technology symbol carved into the ground at Scientology's Trementina Base that is visible from the air. Washington Post reporter Richard Leiby wrote, "Former Scientologists familiar with Hubbard’s teachings on reincarnation say the symbol marks a 'return point' so loyal staff members know where they can find the founder’s works when they travel here in the future from other places in the universe."
Ceremonies
In Scientology, ceremonies such as weddings, child naming, and funerals are observed. In addition, Friday services are held to commemorate the completion of a person's religious services during the prior week. Ordained Scientology ministers may perform such rites.
Dispute of "religion" status
Scientology is officially recognized as a religion in the United States. However, opinions still differ around the world on whether it is to be recognized as a religion or not. Scientology organizations have often encountered opposition due to their strong-arm tactics directed against critics and members wishing to leave the organization. While a number of governments now view the Church as a religious organization entitled to protections and tax relief, others continue to view it as a pseudoreligion or a cult. The differences between these classifications has become a major problem when discussing religions in general and Scientology specifically.
While acknowledging that a number of his colleagues accept Scientology as a religion, sociologist and professor Stephen A. Kent wrote: "Rather than struggling over whether or not to label Scientology as a religion, I find it far more helpful to view it as a multifaceted transnational corporation, only one element of which is religious" [emphasis in the original]. Kent also holds that the US government sees Scientology not as a religion, but as a charitable organization due to their religious claims. David G. Bromley of Virginia Commonwealth University characterizes Scientology as "a 'quasi-religious therapy' that resembles Freudian 'depth psychology' while also drawing upon Buddhism, Hinduism and Gnosticism." Dr. Frank K. Flinn, adjunct professor of religious studies at Washington University in St. Louis wrote, "it is abundantly clear that Scientology has both the typical forms of ceremonial and celebratory worship and its own unique form of spiritual life." Flinn further states that religion requires "beliefs in something transcendental or ultimate, practices (rites and codes of behavior) that re-inforce those beliefs and, a community that is sustained by both the beliefs and practices," all of which are present within Scientology. Using the synonym of alternative religions, Barrett (1998:237) and Hunt (2003:195) place Scientology in the sociological grouping of personal development movements together with the Neurolinguistic Programming, Emin, and Insight. According to Religious Studies professor Mary Farrell Benarowski, Scientology describes itself as drawing on science, religion, psychology and philosophy but "had been claimed by none of them and repudiated, for the most part, by all."
The Church of Scientology has pursued an extensive public relations campaign for the recognition of Scientology as a religion. The IRS is quoted as saying that "[Scientology is] operated exclusively for religious and charitable purposes." However, It was reported by the New York Times that the Church of Scientology funded a campaign which included a whistle-blower organization to publicly attack the IRS, as well as the hiring of private investigators to look into the private lives of IRS officials.
Scientology as a commercial venture
During his lifetime, Hubbard was accused of using religion as a façade for Scientology to maintain tax-exempt status and avoid prosecution for false medical claims. There have been numerous accounts from Hubbard's fellow science-fiction authors and researchers, notably Harlan Ellison, Neison Himmel, Sam Merwin, Sam Moskowitz, Theodore Sturgeon, Lloyd Arthur Eshbach, and Lyle Stuart, of Hubbard stating on several occasions that the way to get rich was to start a religion. This is referenced, among other places, in a May 1980 Reader's Digest article, which quotes Hubbard, "If a man really wants to make a million dollars, the best way would be to start his own religion."
The Church of Scientology denounces the idea of Hubbard starting a religion for personal gain as an "unfounded rumor." The Church also suggests that the origin of the "rumor" was a quote by George Orwell which had been "misattributed" to Hubbard although according to Linda Edwards author of A Brief Guide to Beliefs, it is a well known fact that Hubbard did write a letter to Orwell saying ",,,the easiest way to make a lot of money, is to start a new religion." Robert Vaughn Young, who left the Church in 1989 after being its spokesman for twenty years, suggested that reports of Hubbard making such a statement could be explained as a misattribution of Orwell, despite having encountered three of Hubbard's associates from his science fiction days who remembered Hubbard making statements of that sort in person. It was Young who by a stroke of luck came up with the "Orwell quote": "...but I have always thought there might be a lot of cash in starting a new religion, and we'll talk it over some time..."It appears in a letter by George Orwell (signed Eric Blair) to a friend Jack Common, dated 16-Feb-38 (February 16, 1938), and was published in Collected Essays, Journalism and Letters of George Orwell, vol. 1. In 2006, Rolling Stone's Janet Reitman writes Hubbard said the same thing to science fiction writer Lloyd Eshbach, a fact quoted in Eshbach's autobiography.
Scientology maintains strict control over the use of its symbols, icons, and names. It claims copyright and trademark over its "Scientology cross", and its lawyers have threatened lawsuits against individuals and organizations who have published the image in books and on Web sites. Because of this, it is very difficult for individual groups to attempt to publicly practice Scientology on their own, independent of the official Church of Scientology. Scientology has filed suit against a number of individuals who have attempted to set up their own "auditing" practices, using copyright and trademark law to shut these groups down.
The Church of Scientology and its many related organizations have amassed considerable real estate holdings worldwide, likely in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Scientology encourages existing members to "sell" Scientology to others by paying a commission to those who recruit new members. Scientology franchises, or missions, must pay the Church of Scientology roughly 10% of their gross income. On that basis, it is likened to a pyramid selling scheme. While introductory courses do not cost much, courses at the higher levels may cost several thousand dollars each.
In conjunction with the Church of Scientology's request to be officially recognized as a religion in Germany, around 1996 the German state Baden-Württemberg conducted a thorough investigation regarding the group's activities within Germany. The results of this investigation indicated that at the time of publication, Scientology's main sources of revenue ("Haupteinnahmequellen der SO") were from course offerings and sales of their various publications. Course offerings ranged from (German Marks) DM 182.50 to about DM 30,000—the equivalent today of approximately $119 to $19,560 USD. Revenue from monthly, bi-monthly, and other membership offerings could not be estimated in the report, but was nevertheless placed in the millions.
Defending its practices against accusations of profiteering, the Church has countered critics by drawing analogies to other religious groups who have established practices such as tithing, or require members to make donations for specific religious services.
In June 2006, it was announced at the Book Expo America that a Dianetics Racing Team had joined NASCAR. The Number 27 Ford Taurus driven by Kenton Gray in that year displayed a large Dianetics logo.
Unlike other religions, Scientology charges precise amounts for its services which may or may not help others deal with their mental or spiritual problems but it most certainly makes it extremely expensive for people to admit their therapy has been anything but a resounding success.
Compatibility with other religions
Scientology states that it is compatible with all major world religions. However, due to major differences in the beliefs and practices between Scientology and especially the largest monotheistic religions, a simultaneous membership in Scientology is not always seen as compatible. Scientology only allows a passive formal membership in a second religion. Members are not allowed to engage in other religious activities or ceremonies. L. Ron Hubbard stated that Jesus and Heaven don't exist.
Recognition in other countries
The level of recognition Scientology has been able to obtain in other nations varies significantly from country to country. Scientology is considered a legitimate religion in such countries as Australia, Kyrgyzstan, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, and Taiwan. Scientology therefore enjoys and regularly cites the legal protections afforded in these nations to religious practice.
In the UK, the former Diocese of Birmingham criticized Scientology denying that it qualified as a religion and regarding it as "little more than a cult." The German government takes the view that Scientology is a commercial, rather than religious organization, and has even gone so far as to consider a ban on Scientology. The German government ordered in 1997 that the activities of Scientology be monitored on the grounds that they come in conflict with freedom and democracy. As of 12 February 2008 the German government in a new ruling continues the same policy. France, Ireland, Luxembourg, Israel, Mexico, the United Kingdom and Belgium have not recognized Scientology as a religion. The Belgian State Prosecution Service has recommended that various individuals and organizations associated with Scientology should be prosecuted. An administrative court is to decide if charges will be pressed.
In New Zealand Scientology is recognised as a religous charity.
In January 1997, during a freezing winter in Germany in which many homeless people died, the Church of Scientology launched a special project to help them. Volunteer Ministers provided the needy with tea and hot soup, clothing and shelter. On January 29, in Stuttgart, the German authorities issued a decree forbidding the Church from helping the needy under penalty of a fine of 1,000 DM. The decree was later cancelled and revised after a public protest.
In 1969, Pastor F. W. Haack was appointed "expert on sects and questions of world view" of the Protestant Church of Bavaria, a post specially created for him. He was one of the most prominent representatives of the Lutheran Church to speak out against Scientology among other 'cults', including Freemasonry and the Gnostic Movement. In 1981, Scientology took the German government to court on the grounds of 'religious freedom' proving not only to be powerful but also increasingly litigious. By 1987, Haack claimed to have fought 58 cases and reported proudly that he had lost only one with two others settled out of court. Scientology among other things distributed a pamphlet portraying Haack as an inquisitor. Haack coined the German word 'Jugendreligionen' to include Scientology among five other 'cults'. Pastor Haack also suggested the name of the new association Müncherner "Elterninitiative" (EI). EI is Germany's counterpart to Britain's FAIR (established on September 1975). Like FAIR it was founded to provide advice and support for those affected by 'cult' (e.g. Scientology) membership in their families.
Some scholars claim that German courts would rule according to the information being fed to them by church 'cult' investigators.
Organization
Scientology is composed of a complex network of corporations, churches, and organizations all geared towards promoting the use and dissemination of Scientology and related materials.
Although "Scientology" is most often used as shorthand for the Church of Scientology, a number of groups practice Scientology and Dianetics outside of the official Church. These groups consist of both former members of the official Church of Scientology, as well as entirely new members. These groups are collectively known as the Free Zone. Capt. Bill Robertson, a former Sea Org member, was a primary instigator in the movement. The Church labels these groups as "squirrels" in Scientology jargon, and often subjects them to considerable legal and social pressure.
Distinct legal entities
Among some of the many interconnected Scientology-related organizations are:
- International Association of Scientologists, the official Scientology membership organization.
- Church of Spiritual Technology, a non-profit organization that owns the copyrights to Scientology books.
- Religious Technology Center, the organization that owns the trademarks and service marks of Scientology. The organization's Chairman is David Miscavige, who, while not the titular head of the Church of Scientology, is believed to be the most powerful person in the Scientology movement.
- Church of Scientology International, which manages all affiliated Scientology organizations worldwide.
- World Institute of Scientology Enterprises, which licenses Hubbard's management techniques for use in businesses.
- Association for Better Living and Education (ABLE).
- The Way to Happiness foundation, which promotes a secular moral code written by Hubbard.
- Applied Scholastics, which promotes the use of Hubbard's educational methodology.
Controversies
Of the many new religious movements to appear during the 20th century, the Church of Scientology has, from its inception, been one of the most controversial, coming into conflict with the governments and police forces of several countries (including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Germany) numerous times over the years.
Reports and allegations have been made, by journalists, courts, and governmental bodies of several countries, that the Church of Scientology is an unscrupulous commercial enterprise that harasses its critics and brutally exploits its members. Time magazine published an article in 1991 which described Scientology as "a hugely profitable global racket that survives by intimidating members and critics in a Mafia-like manner." Some critics of Scientology have recanted under duress. In some cases of US litigation against the Church, former Scientologists appearing as expert witnesses have since stated that they submitted false and inflammatory declarations intended to incite prejudice against Scientology, and harassed key Scientology executives, by advancing unfounded opinions to get a case dropped or to obtain a settlement and vice-versa: Scientology executives have practically done the same thing themselves.
The controversies involving the Church and its critics, some of them ongoing, include:
- Scientology's disconnection policy, in which members are encouraged to cut off all contact with friends or family members considered "antagonistic."
- The death of a Scientologist Lisa McPherson while in the care of the Church. (Robert Minton sponsored the multi-million dollar law suit against Scientology for the death of McPherson. On May 2004, McPherson's estate and the Church of Scientology reached a confidential settlement).
- Criminal activities committed on behalf of the Church or directed by Church officials (Operation Snow White, Operation Freakout)
- Conflicting statements about L. Ron Hubbard's life, in particular accounts of Hubbard discussing his intent to start a religion for profit, and of his service in the military.
- Scientology's harassment and litigious actions against its critics encouraged by its Fair Game policy.
- Attempts to legally force search engines such as Google and Yahoo to omit any webpages critical of Scientology from their search engines (and in Google's case, AdSense), or at least the first few search pages.
Due to these allegations, a considerable amount of investigation has been aimed at the Church, by groups ranging from the media to governmental agencies.
Scientology social programs such as drug and criminal rehabilitation have likewise drawn both support and criticism.
Professor of sociology Stephen A. Kent says "Scientologists see themselves as possessors of doctrines and skills that can save the world, if not the galaxy." As stated in Scientology doctrine: "The whole agonized future of this planet, every man, woman and child on it, and your own destiny for the next endless trillions of years depend on what you do here and now with and in Scientology." On the other hand, the sociologist David G. Bromley has noted that "a number of religious groups had radical and confrontational styles early in their history" and that "Scientology is now becoming less controversial."
Scientology and the internet
In the 1990s Scientology representatives began to take action against increased criticism against Scientology on the Internet. The organization says that the actions taken were to prevent distribution of copyrighted Scientology documents and publications online, fighting what it refers to as "copyright terrorists".
In January 1995, Church lawyer Helena Kobrin attempted to shut down the newsgroup alt.religion.scientology by sending a control message instructing Usenet servers to delete the group. In practice, this rmgroup message had little effect, since most Usenet servers are configured to disregard such messages when sent to groups that receive substantial traffic, and newgroup messages were quickly issued to recreate the group on those servers that did not do so. However, the issuance of the message led to a great deal of public criticism by free-speech advocates. Among the criticism raised, one suggestion is that Scientology's true motive is to suppress the free speech of its critics.
The Church also began filing lawsuits against those who posted copyrighted texts on the newsgroup and the World Wide Web, and lobbied for tighter restrictions on copyrights in general. The Church supported the controversial Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act as well as the even more controversial Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Some of the DCMA's provisions (notably the Online Copyright Infringement Liability Limitation Act) were heavily influenced by Church litigation against US Internet service providers over copyrighted Scientology materials that had been posted or uploaded through their servers.
Beginning in the middle of 1996 and ensuing for several years, the newsgroup was attacked by anonymous parties using a tactic dubbed "sporgery" by some, in the form of hundreds of thousands of forged spam messages posted on the group. Some investigators said that some spam had been traced to Church members. Former Scientologist Tory Christman confessed to having been part of the sporgery project after leaving the Church. She had taken money supplied by the Office of Special Affairs to open up Internet accounts at various ISPs under false names and accounts from which she later saw forged and garbled communications being sent.
On 14 January 2008, a video produced by the Church of Scientology featuring an interview with Tom Cruise was leaked to the Internet and uploaded to YouTube.
The Church of Scientology issued a copyright violation claim against YouTube requesting the removal of the video. Subsequently, Anonymous, a group of internet users who operate individually without any leader or hierarchy, voiced its criticism of Scientology and began openly attacking the Church. Calling the action by the Church of Scientology a form of Internet censorship, participants of Anonymous coordinated Project Chanology, which constisted of a series of denial-of-service attacks against Scientology websites, prank calls, and black faxes to Scientology centers. On 21 January 2008, Anonymous announced its intentions via a video posted to YouTube entitled "Message to Scientology", and a press release declaring a "War on Scientology" against both the Church of Scientology and the Religious Technology Center.
In the press release, the group states that the attacks against the Church of Scientology will continue in order to protect the right to freedom of speech, and end what they believe to be the financial exploitation of church members.
On 28 January 2008, a video appeared on YouTube calling for protests outside Church of Scientology centers on 10 February 2008. On 2 February 2008, 150 people gathered outside of a Church of Scientology center in Orlando, Florida, and small protests were also held in Southern California and other places abroad. On 10 February 2008, about 7,000 people protested in more than 90 cities worldwide, according to a letter Anonymous e-mailed to the press.
Many protesters wore masks based on the character V from V for Vendetta (who was influenced by Guy Fawkes), or otherwise disguised their identities, in part to protect themselves from reprisals from the Church of Scientology.
A second wave of protests were held on 15 March 2008 in cities around the world including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Vancouver, Toronto, Berlin, and Dublin. Group members believed attendance figures to have been between 7,000 and 8,000.
Anonymous held its third protest against Scientology on 12 April 2008.
Scientology and hypnosis
Scientology literature states that L. Ron Hubbard demonstrated his professional expertise in hypnosis by "discovering" the Dianetic engram. Hubbard was said to be an accomplished hypnotist, and close acquaintances such as Forrest Ackerman (Hubbard's literary agent) and A. E. van Vogt (an early supporter of Dianetics) witnessed repeated demonstrations of his hypnotic skills.
The Anderson Report, an inquiry conducted in 1965 for the state of Victoria, Australia, found that the auditing process involved "command" hypnosis, in which the hypnotist assumes "positive authoritative control" over the patient. "It is the firm conclusion of this Board that most scientology and dianetics techniques are those of authoritative hypnosis and as such are dangerous… The scientific evidence which the Board heard from several expert witnesses of the highest repute… which was virtually unchallenged—leads to the inescapable conclusion that it is only in name that there is any difference between authoritative hypnosis and most of the techniques of scientology. Many scientology techniques are in fact hypnotic techniques, and Hubbard has not changed their nature by changing their names."
Auditing confidentiality
During the auditing process, the auditor may collect personal information from the person being audited. Auditing records are referred to within Scientology as "preclear folders". The Church of Scientology has strict codes designed to protect the confidentiality of the information contained in these folders. However, people leaving Scientology know that the Church is in possession of very personal information about them, and that the Church has a history of attacking and psychologically abusing those who leave it and become critics. On 16 December 1969 a Guardian's Office order (G. O. 121669) by Mary Sue Hubbard authorized the use of auditing records for purposes of "internal security." Some former members have said that while they were still in the Church, they combed through information obtained in auditing sessions to see if it could be used for smear campaigns against critics. The Church of Scientology of California responded by stating that the letter which gave Mary Sue Hubbard authority to cull confessional files was not official policy and had been previously canceled. Charges that private information from auditing files has actually been used against individuals have not been upheld in court.
Scientology and psychiatry
The Church of Scientology is one of a number of groups involved in the anti-psychiatry movement, and one of the few organizations that publicly oppose the study and application of psychology in addition to psychiatry, stating that psychiatry was responsible for World War I, the rise of Hitler and Stalin, the decline in education standards in the United States, the wars in Bosnia and Kosovo, and the September 11 attacks. The Church's point of view on these issues is documented mainly by Church groups and magazines such as those published by the Citizens Commission on Human Rights and Freedom Magazine.
Actor Tom Cruise, a well-known Scientologist, has publicly criticized the psychiatric field. In response to Cruise's statements, an editor from the Journal of Clinical Investigation stated that Cruise is "dangerous and irresponsible."
Inflation of member statistics
In 2005, Scientology stated its worldwide membership at 8 million people, and that number included people who took only the introductory course and didn't continue on. In 2007 the Church claimed 3.5 million members in the United States, but according to a 2001 survey published by the City University of New York, 55,000 people in the United States would, if asked to identify their religion, have stated Scientology. It has been estimated by another source outside of Scientology that adherents number under 500,000.
Scientologists tend to disparage general religious surveys on the grounds that many members maintaining cultural and social ties to other religious groups will, when asked their religion, answer with their traditional and more socially acceptable affiliation. Religious scholar J. Gordon Melton has said that the church's estimates of its membership numbers are exaggerated.
Celebrities
Scientology operates a number of churches that are designated "Celebrity Centers". While also open to the general public, they are primarily designed to minister to the large number of celebrity Scientologists. Scientology has attracted several artists and entertainers, particularly Hollywood celebrities. There are eight so-called Celebrity Centres, although Hollywood is the largest. Entertainers – including John Travolta, Kirstie Alley, Lisa Marie Presley, Jason Lee, Isaac Hayes, Tom Cruise, and Katie Holmes – have generated considerable publicity for Scientology.
See also
External links
Official site
Scholarly web pages on Scientology
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