Scientology

Scientology is recognized as a constitutionally protected religion in the United States and Australia, but not in most European countries.

Table of contents

1 Origins of Scientology 2 Beliefs and practices 3 The Church of Scientology 3.1 Independent Scientology groups 4 Controversy and criticism 5 Scientology vs. the Internet 6 Quotes 7 See also 8 External links 8.2 Official Scientology sites 8.3 Other pro-Scientology sites 8.4 Current news and discussions 8.5 Critical sites 8.6 Other

Origins of Scientology

Scientology was expanded and reworked from Dianetics, an earlier system of self-improvement techniques originally set out in the 1950 book, . By the mid-1950s, Hubbard had relegated Dianetics to being a minor sub-study of Scientology, although it is still promoted and delivered by Scientology organizations. The chief difference between the two is that Dianetics is explicitly secular, focused on the individual's present life and dealing with physical problems, whereas Scientology adopts a more overtly religious approach focused on dealing with spiritual issues spanning multiple past lives as well as the present day. Hubbard was repeatedly accused of adopting a religious facade for Scientology in order for the organization to maintain tax-exempt status and avoid prosecution for false medical claims; these accusations have dogged the Church of Scientology to the present day.

The word "scientology" has a history of its own. Although nowadays associated almost exclusively with Hubbard's work, it was coined by the philologist Alan Upward in 1907 as a synonym for "pseudoscience." [1] In 1934, the Argentine-German writer Anastasius Nordenholz published a book using the word positively: Scientologie, Wissenschaft von der Beschaffenheit und der Tauglichkeit des Wissens, or Scientology, Science of the Constitution and Usefulness of Knowledge. [1] Nordenholz's book is a study of consciousness, and its usage of the word is not greatly different from Hubbard's definition, "knowing how to know". However, it is not clear whether Hubbard was aware of these earlier usages. The word itself is a pairing of the Latin word scio ("know" or "distinguish") and the Greek λόγος lógos ("reason itself" or "inward thought"). It seems plausible that Hubbard's meaning derived, like that of Nordenholz, from a simple translation of these root words.

Beliefs and practices

Scientology's doctrines were established by Hubbard over some 33 years from 1952 through to his death in January 1986, issued in the form of thousands of lectures, bulletins, policies, books and pamphlets. Most of the basic principles of Scientology were set out during the first 15 years of its existence, with Hubbard devoting much of his later life to the more esoteric upper levels (or "Advanced Technologies") of the Scientology belief system.

The central beliefs of Scientology are that a person is an immortal spiritual being (referred to as a thetan) who has a mind and a body, but is neither of these, that the person is basically good, and is seeking to survive. For details, see Scientology beliefs and practices.

The Church of Scientology

The Church of Scientology was first incorporated in the United States as a nonprofit organization in 1953. Today it forms the center of a complex worldwide network of corporations dedicated to the promotion of L. Ron Hubbard's philosophies in all areas of life.

The Church of Scientology has been, and remains, a highly controversial organization. Countries have taken markedly different approaches to Scientology. The United States government regards Scientology as protected under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution; other countries, notably in Europe, have regarded Scientology as a potentially dangerous cult and have significantly restricted its activities at various times. In Germany for instance, they are not seen as a religion by the government but as a financial organization. Scientology has also been the focus of criticism by anti-cult campaignerss and has aroused controversy for its high-profile campaigns against psychiatry and psychiatric medication.

For more detailed information on the Church of Scientology and the , see those articles.

Independent Scientology groups

Although "Scientology" is most often used as shorthand for the Church of Scientology, a number of groups practice Scientology and Dianetics outside of the fold of the official Church. Such groups are invariably breakaways from the official Church and usually argue that it has corrupted L. Ron Hubbard's principles or has otherwise become overly domineering. The Church takes an extremely hard line on breakaway groups, labeling them "apostates" (or "squirrels" in Scientology jargon) and often subjecting them to considerable legal and social pressure. Breakaway groups avoid the name "Scientology" so as to keep from being sued, instead referring to themselves collectively as the Free Zone.

Free Zone groups are extremely heterogeneous in terms of doctrine--very unlike the official Church. Some Free Zoners practice more or less pure Scientology, based on Hubbard's original (Church-published) texts and principles but without the supervision or fee system of the official Church. Others have developed Hubbard's ideas into radically new forms, some of which are barely recognizable as being related to Scientology.

Controversy and criticism

Of the many new religious movements to appear during the 20th century, Scientology has been one of the most controversial almost since its inception. The Church of Scientology has come into conflict with the governments of several countries (including the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany) numerous times over the years. Critical arguments against Scientology, as well as accusations of cult behavior, can be found in the article . This section includes examinations of:

• Criminal activities by the Church of Scientology and its members
• Claims of "brainwashing" and mind control
• Scientology's disconnection policy
• Accusations of L. Ron Hubbard starting a religion to make money
• Deaths of Scientologists
• Scientology's actions against critics and enemies

Probably the most extensive undertaking of Scientology to address the growing exposure of what Scientology actually is and what it is about is Scientology's efforts to undermine and halt freedom of speech on the Internet. In 1995 Scientology attempted to silence the discussions taking place on the alt.religion.scientology newsgroup, an act that resulted in thousands of Internet users around the world taking a closer look at Scientology.

Scientology's response was to issue a statement insisting that their assault against free speech is actually an assault against hate speech, making numerous claims about hate and violence. The history of the ongoing Internet conflict is examined in the Wikipedia entry Scientology vs. the Internet.

Quotes

"Much of Scientology applies common sense solutions to life's perplexities. If a church should be judged according to its good works, then Scientology receives high marks for its addiction treatment, literacy, and civil rights programs. But there is more, including mysticism, mythology, some secrecy, and a healthy dose of what might be termed eccentricity. Some observers wonder how a church that promotes mental and emotional well being, which it does, can itself at times appear to be paranoid or dysfunctional? Dr. Melton explores these questions and the major aspects of the church's hierarchical structure and theology, showing, among other things, that the study of religion is seldom dull."

-- Gordon J. Melton 1

"It doesn't give me displeasure to hear of a virgin being raped. The lot of women is to be fornicated." -- L. Ron Hubbard, "Affirmations."

"Somebody some day will say 'this is illegal'. By then be sure the orgs say what is legal or not." -- L. Ron Hubbard, HCOPL 4 January 1966

Don't ever tamely submit to an investigation of us. Make it rough, rough on attackers all the way." -- L. Ron Hubbard, HCOPL 25 February 1966

"Having viewed slum clearance projects in most major cities of the world may I state that you have conceived and created in the Johannesburg townships what is probably the most impressive and adequate resettlement activity in existence." -- L. Ron Hubbard, Letter to South African Apartheid Government, 1960

"THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN CONTROL PEOPLE IS TO LIE TO THEM. You can write that down in your book in great big letters. The only way you can control anybody is to lie to them." -- L. Ron Hubbard, Technique 88

"They smell of all the baths they didn't take. The trouble with China is, there are too many chinks here." -- L. Ron Hubbard (Diary)

"If anyone is getting industrious trying to enturbulate [sic] or stop Scientology or its activities, I can make Captain Bligh look like a Sunday-school teacher. There is probably no limit on what I would do to safeguard Man's only road to freedom against persons who ... seek to stop Scientology or hurt Scientologists." -- L. Ron Hubbard, 15 August 1967

"People attack Scientology; I never forget it, always even the score. People attack auditors, or staff, or organisations, or me. I never forget until the slate is clear." -- L. Ron Hubbard, The Manual of Justice

"So we listen. We add up associations of people with people. When a push against Scientology starts somewhere, we go over the people involved and weed them out. Push vanishes." -- L. Ron Hubbard, The Manual of Justice

"The purpose of the suit is to harass and discourage rather than to win. The law can be used very easily to harass, and enough harassment on somebody who is simply on the thin edge anyway, well knowing that he is not authorized, will generally be sufficient to cause his professional decease. If possible, of course, ruin him utterly." -- L. Ron Hubbard, A Manual on the Dissemination of Material, 1955

"There are men dead because they attacked us." -- L. Ron Hubbard

"Bluntly, we are out to replace medicine in the next three years." -- Hubbard College Reports, 13 March 1952

See also

• List of articles about Scientology

Official Scientology sites

• Church of Scientology home page
• Dianetics
• Online Text: Scientology Handbook
• Online Text: What is Scientology?
• Online Text: Scientology: Theology and Practice of a Contemporary Religion
• Scientology News Media
• Scientology's Freedom Magazine

• Information on Scientology by CESNUR
• Religious Tolerance Site
• "The Church of Scientology"
• Religious Status of Scientology

• Religion News Blog: Scientology News Tracker
• alt.religion.scientology (Google link to Usenet newsgroup)

• Operation Clambake: http://www.xenu.net or http://www.clambake.org
• FACTNET online archive on Scientology + Dianetics: http://www.factnet.org/Scientology/dianetics.html
• Online Text: Heber Jentzsch
• Apologetics Index entry on Scientology
• Australian Critics of Scientology Resource Collection
• Audio of Heber Jentzsch
• Scientology Volunteer Ministers
• Scientology's Narconon front
• Hubbard's Navy Record
• Scientology homicides

• "Ron the War Hero" - discussion of L. Ron Hubbard's Navy record and Scientology's take on it
• "Bare-Faced Messiah: a Hubbard biography

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