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Overview of Scientology

The Scientology Organization — A Brief History

L. Ron Hubbard (b. Lafayette Ronald Hubbard), author of Dianetics and founder of the Church of Scientology (CoS), has been famously quoted for saying — among many other things — the following:

“Writing for a penny a word is ridiculous. If a man really wants to make a million dollars, the best way would be to start his own religion.” — *Reader’s Digest reprint, May 1980, p.1

A Science Fiction writer throughout the 1940s, L Ron Hubbard sought to find other means to create himself a fortune, other then the “penny per word” writing he was currently doing. With some collaboration from various sources Dianetics - a form of psychotherapy, was created. Ironically, this was first published in an article written by Hubbard in a magazine known as Astounding Science Fiction. Soon after Hubbard was to open the Hubbard Dianetic Research Foundation in America and release the book, Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health.
Further reading on the truth of Dianetics:
For comparison, CoS sites concerning Dianetics:

As a successor to Dianetics, Hubbard bought forward the concept of Scientology. Hubbard later pushed Scientology as an “applied religious philosophy” and the basis for a new religion. The practice and promotion of the Scientology belief system is organized via the Church of Scientology, the first church of which was founded in 1953. Despite the death of its founder in 1986, the organisation continues to survive & now has a successor, David Miscaviage. The organization continues to thrive, and most notably has a firm foothold in the Hollywood circles with many well known celebrities not just joining the organization but also actively pushing their ethics onto the media, work collegues and even their wives.

The CoS has been repeatedly in and out of the public eye & media spotlight. From the near borderline claims from L Ron Hubbard as to what Dianetics & Scientology is capable of helping people with (curing Leukemia for example) to tax fraud & murder investigations.

Most notorious, and perhaps most publically known, is the organizations tendency to silence its critics through harrassment & the policy of “Don’t ever defend, always attack” This concept, along with its Fair Game policy is quickly gaining known noriety through different mediums. Most notably of course is the internet.

Further reading on the truth of Scientology & other related CoS incidents:
  • “E Meter” An electronic device manufactured by the Church of Scientology used as an aid by Dianetics and Scientology counselors and counselors-in-training in some forms of auditing.
  • “Auditing” Auditing is a procedure that was originated by author L. Ron Hubbard as the central practice of Dianetics and further refined by him as he developed Scientology.
  • “Fair Game policy” The term Fair Game is used to describe various aggressive policies and practices carried out by the Church of Scientology towards people and groups it perceives as its enemies.
  • “Operation Freakout” Operation Freakout, also known as Operation PC Freakout, was the name given by the Church of Scientology to a covert plan intended to have the author Paulette Cooper imprisoned or committed to a mental institution.
  • “Operation Snowwhite” Operation Snow White was the Church of Scientology’s name for a project during the 1970s to purge unfavorable records about Scientology and its founder L. Ron Hubbard.
  • “Lisa McPherson” died of a pulmonary embolism while under the care of the Flag Service Organization (FSO), a branch of the Church of Scientology. Related site, “Lisa McPherson Memorial”
  • “Operation Clambake” Information on the CoS in respect and honour to all victims, and those who dare to stand up for them.

Overview of Scientology

Scientology is the creation of science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard. Hubbard’s departure from the world of science fiction and entrance to spiritual subjects began with his work on Dianetics, originally published in 1950.

Hubbard began work on Scientology in 1952, founding the first church in 1953, and continued until his death in 1986. Scientology was seen as the next logical step after Dianetics and began to build a structure around these ideas. Originally described as a “study of knowledge,”1 by 1960 Hubbard described Scientology as “a religion by its basic tenets, practice, historical background and by the definition of the word ‘religion’ itself.”2

Today, Scientology is recognized as a religion in only a few countries, most notably the United States, Australia, and Canada. Many other countries have Scientology offices and missions, but are still not recognized as anything more than a charitable or non-profit organization. Other countries have alleged that Scientology is a dangerous cult, and, on December 7th, 2007, interior ministers in Germany declared Scientology to be unconstitutional and began seeking a ban3, the first such action against Scientology since its founding. Despite this, the church claims approximately eight to fifteen million members worldwide and states that it is the fastest growing religion in the world.4

Beliefs

Scientology does not have a centralized text describing its core beliefs, such as the Bible or Qur’an. Rather, the scriptures of Scientology are contained in at least fifteen books and three thousand audio recordings of lectures. Scientology describes itself as “the study and handling of the spirit in relationship to itself, others and all of life,”5 and states that it “encompasses all aspects of life from the point of view of the spirit.”6

Scientology holds that man is composed from three fundamental parts: mind, body, and spirit.7

Dianetics

The term Dianetics commonly refers to a set of ideas regarding mind, body, and spirit laid out by L. Ron Hubbard in his 1950 book Dianetics: The Evolution of a Science (now in print as Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health). Dianetics is Hubbard’s understanding of the relationship between mind, body, and spirit, which states that mental and physical problems are the result of so-called “engrams” in the mind.

The practice of Dianetics is then enacted through a process known as “auditing” in which, with the help of a church-certified auditor and a device known as a “Hubbard Electropsychometer,” or E-Meter, the individual confronts their engrams in an attempt to rid themselves of them. During this process, the user holds two cans from the E-Meter in their hands and speaks at length to the auditor in a manner similar to a confession. The auditor then uses the E-Meter to help guide the user through their results and make a diagnosis and recommendations for purging the engrams.

According to Dianetics, after many of these auditing sessions, one may achieve a state known as “clear,” in which they are finally rid of these engrams. Hubbard claimed that the effects of being clear included having no neuroses, psychoses, compulsions, or repressions, as well as enjoying a near-perfect memory and up to a 50 point increase in IQ.8

Hierarchy

The church is currently headed by David Miscavige, chairman of the board of the Religious Technology Center.

Members of the church go through auditing processes and training in hopes of achieving a state of “clear.” Once they have achieved this state, they may go on to become an “Operating Thetan,” or OT. While eight levels of Operating Thetan have been released by the church, Hubbard claimed to have written levels up to fifteen. The eight known levels are detailed here.

OT I

“This Solo-audited level is the first step a Clear takes toward full OT abilities, and that first step is a fresh causative OT viewpoint of the MEST9 universe and other beings.”

OT II

“By confronting hidden areas of one’s existence on the whole track10, vast amounts of energy and attention are released. Those on this Solo-audited level experience a resurgence of self-determinism and native ability. OT II unlocks the aberrative factors on the whole track that have allowed the thetan to lose his innate freedom and ability and one achieves the ability to confront the whole track.”

OT III - “The Wall of Fire”

“This Solo-audited level goes through what is called the “Wall of Fire” that surrounds a previously impenetrable whole track mystery. What prevents a being from being himself? This level answers that question. Once complete, a being is free of the whole track overwhelm that has trapped him. Here he confronts and eradicates the fourth dynamic engram that has plagued this universe for millennia.”

OT III is allegedly where Xenu is revealed to members (See part II).

OT IV

“This level handles the hidden problems and stops in a being’s universe caused by the effects of drugs and poisons on the whole track. This is the final polish that rids one of any last vestige of the effects of drugs on the spirit. Ministered at Advanced Organizations or Flag. Approximately 12 1/2 to 25 hours.”

OT V

“The Second Wall of Fire consists of 26 separate rundowns and has been described as dealing with “living lightning, the very stuff of life itself.” This level addresses the last aspects of one’s case that can prevent him from achieving total freedom on all dynamics. An audited level ministered at Advanced Organizations or Flag. Approximately 50 hours.”

OT VI

“The training one receives before starting to solo audit on New OT VII is so powerful that it actually constitutes an entire OT level. On Solo NOTs one is dealing with complexities intended to crush one’s true power and abilities as a thetan. Solo NOTs auditors acquire a wide range of auditing skills to handle the vast phenomena that can occur on OT VIII. Approximately 3-4 weeks with the new Solo Auditor Course done.”

OT VII

“On New OT VII one solo audits at home daily. This is a lengthy level, requiring a considerable amount of time to complete. It is the final pre-OT level, and culminates in attainment of the state of CAUSE OVER LIFE.”

OT VIII - “Truth Revealed”

“This Solo-audited level addresses the primary cause of amnesia on the whole track and lets one see the truth of his own existence. This is the first actual OT level and brings about a resurgence of power and native abilities for the being himself.”11

OT IX-XV

The church acknowledges the existence of these additional levels, but has not yet published their contents and claims them as confidential.

Cleared Theta Clear

After a certain point, Scientologists believe that an individual can achieve a state of “Cleared Theta Clear,” in which they attain godlike powers of control over the universe. Hubbard described it as follows:

“A thetan who is completely rehabilitated and can do everything a thetan should do, such as move MEST and control others from a distance, or create his own universe; a person who is able to create his own universe or, living in the MEST universe is able to create illusions perceivable by others at will, to handle MEST universe objects without mechanical means and to have and feel no need of bodies or even the MEST universe to keep himself and his friends interested in existence”12

Recruiting & Public Presence

Scientologists actively recruit new members at their locations worldwide by offering “free stress tests.” These tests are conducted with the use of an E-Meter and the assistance of an auditor. At the conclusion of the test, potential members are taken aside and given their results one-on-one.

The results usually indicate some level of severity of problems, and the recruit is then told how Scientology can help them solve these problems, at which point sales of books and other materials are solicited. Individuals who have taken these tests have reported hostility and detainment if they show a lack of interest or wish to leave before the auditor has completed the process.

Most recently, Scientology has been gaining visibility through the Volunteer Ministers program, through which members of the church donate their time to aid in disaster relief efforts. At these locations, they distribute copies of L. Ron Hubbard’s The Way to Happiness and offer therapeutic techniques known as “Locationals,” “Nerve Assists,” and “Touch Assists.” The Touch Assist is the most commonly used of these, and is described as “repetitively touching the ill or injured person’s body and putting him into communication with the injury,” with the idea that the person will then recover having been put into communication with their injuries.13

Affiliated Organizations

The Church of Scientology is composed of over one hundred fifty separate organizations and corporations. The following is intended as a brief introduction to the nature and roles of some of the more prominent and commonly mentioned of these.

Church of Spiritual Technology

The Church of Spiritual Technology is responsible for maintaining and licensing copyrighted material of the estate of L. Ron Hubbard. While registered as a non-profit organization, the church has no members or clergy. Doing business as L. Ron Hubbard Library, the Church of Spiritual Technology also owns Author Services, Inc. which publishes Hubbard’s works.

Religious Technology Center

The Religious Technology Center controls the use of trademarks and copyrights of Scientology owned by the Church of Spiritual Technology. According to the RTC website, “RTC stands apart as an external body which protects the Scientology religion and acts as the final arbiter of orthodoxy” and its stated purpose is “to protect the public from misapplication of the technology and to see that the religious technologies of Dianetics and Scientology remain in proper hands and are properly ministered.”14

Citizens Commission on Human Rights

Founded in 1969, the Citizens Commission on Human Rights exists to fight “human rights crimes” by the psychiatric profession. They claim that psychiatry and psychiatrists are guilty of involuntary commitment, child medication, psychosurgery, and racism.15

CCHR is actively involved in campaigns and litigation against pharmaceuticals such as Prozac and Ritalin, claiming that the diseases they seek to treat do not exist in the first place. Additionally, CCHR operates an exhibit known as “Psychiatry: An Industry of Death” which holds that psychiatry has for years been pursuing a “master plan” of world domination, that Adolf Hitler (and consequently the Holocaust) was central to this plan, and that it is responsible for the deaths of Ernest Hemingway, Del Shannon, Billie Holiday, Kurt Cobain, and many others16.

Sea Organization

Sea Organization, also known as Sea Org, was established in 1968 by L. Ron Hubbard. Members of Sea Org are largely found in the management of the Church of Scientology, and the organization is structured in a similar fashion to the US Navy. Members of Sea Org must sign a one billion year contract, in accordance with Scientology’s beliefs in reincarnation.17

Sea Org operates the controversial Rehabilitation Project Force (RPF), a rehabilitation program for Sea Org members who have violated policy or failed to live up to church expectations.

World Institute of Scientology Enterprises

The World Institute of Scientology Enterprises (WISE) exists to educate business leaders in management techniques created by L. Ron Hubbard and founded heavily in Scientology’s scriptures. Their stated goals are “an ethical, sane and prosperous civilization” and “returning to business the values and ethical standards upon which it was founded: honesty, integrity, craftsmanship, rewards for productivity, commitment to the prosperity of entire communities and nations.”18

Cult Awareness Network

The Cult Awareness Network (CAN) was originally founded in 1978 after the Jonestown murder/suicide incident. CAN had long been critical of what it viewed as fringe religious groups, most notably Landmark Education and Scientology. In 1996, after being driven into bankruptcy court by numerous lawsuits, CAN was purchased by Gary Beeny, a prominent Scientologist. While CAN is not directly owned by Church of Scientology, it is still operated by Scientologists.

Narconon

Narconon is a drug-rehabilitation program present largely in the United States and Western Europe operated by the Church of Scientology, which should not be confused with the unaffiliated programs Narcotics Anonymous or Nar-Anon. Narconon has come under heavy criticism for offering their services to government institutions such as schools and prisons, as legal precedent holds it is inappropriate for a government organization to give funds for services rendered to a religious organization.19

Criminon

Criminon is a criminal rehabilitation program founded on the teachings of L. Ron Hubbard and operated by Criminon International, a non-profit, public-benefit corporation. Criminon’s materials and techniques are additionally licensed and used by “Second Chance.”

Flag Service Organization

The Flag Service Organization, or Flag Organization, is responsible for the training of OT levels VII and VIII, the highest levels within the Church of Scientology.

Further information can be viewed at www.xenu-directory.net

Free Zone

A number of smaller groups have splintered off from Church of Scientology International, wishing to practice the religion separately from the official, central church. These groups are loosely identified under the common name “Free Zone.” Many members of these organizations have stated that they feel the Church of Scientology International has “strayed from Hubbard’s teachings.”20

Church of Scientology International has pursued these splinter groups through litigation, attempting to claim copyright and trademark infringements, as well as trying to have scientologie.org, a central information site for these groups, removed from the internet.21

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