Scientology is a body of beliefs and related practices created by American author L. Ron Hubbard.^[1][2][3] Hubbard developed Scientology teachings in 1952 as a successor to his earlier self-help system, Dianetics.^[4] Hubbard later characterized Scientology as an "applied religious philosophy" and the basis for a new religion with the first Church of Scientology being established in December 1953.^[5][6]

The major organization promoting Scientology is the Church of Scientology, a hierarchical organization founded by Hubbard,^[7] while independent groups using Hubbard's materials are collectively referred to as the Free Zone. Whereas the Church of Scientology promotes Scientology's spiritual rehabilitation philosophy and techniques,^[5] other Scientology organizations promote Scientology morals, ethics, detoxification, education and management. Strict control of these organizations is maintained by Religious Technology Center, the organization that owns the trademarks and service marks of Scientology and licenses the use of these trademarks and service marks to compliant organizations.^[8]

Scientology and the organizations that promote it have remained highly controversial since their inception. Former members, journalists, courts and the governing bodies of several countries have described the Church of Scientology as a cult and an unscrupulous commercial enterprise, accusing it of harassing its critics and abusing the trust of its members. Scientologists have successfully litigated most legal actions against their Church, ensuring their right to practice, but still face opposition in many countries.^[5]

Prime among the Scientology tenets is the belief that man is an immortal spiritual being (termed a thetan) that has lived many lifetimes and has unlimited capabilities; and that these capabilities can be realized.^[4][9][10] Scientology argues that no one in Scientology is asked to accept anything as belief or on faith; and that an individual discovers for himself if Scientology works by personal observation and experience.^[10] Most controversial among the Scientology beliefs contained in the Scientology higher levels unknown to Scientologists in lowers levels is that the thetan is currently trapped on planet Earth in a body and that before its arrival on Earth, the thetan lived among extraterrestrial cultures. It is believed in Scientology that while the thetan was in contact with these extraterrestrial cultures he was subjected to a series of mental implants to make him more manageable and keep him trapped in a "meat body".^[11]

Origin and definition

Hubbard established Scientology's doctrines during a period from 1952 until his death in January 1986, establishing the basic principles in the 1950s and 1960s. It was originally secular, Hubbard stating in 1952 that "Scientology would be a study of knowledge."^[12] The following year he began to characterize Scientology's beliefs and practices as a religion, and by 1960 he was defining Scientology as "a religion by its basic tenets, practice, historical background and by the definition of the word 'religion' itself."^[13] In 1969 he wrote that "It is fundamentally an applied religious philosophy."^[14] Hubbard recorded his doctrine in archived writings, audio tapes and films.^[15][16][17]

The Church of Scientology defines scientology as "the study of truth."^[18] The word itself is a pairing of the Latin word scientia ("knowledge," "skill"), which comes from the verb scire ("to know"), and the Greek λογος lógos ("reason" or "inward thought" or "logic" or "an account of").

Although today associated almost exclusively with Hubbard, the word "scientology" predates his usage by several decades. An early use of the word was as a neologism in an 1871 book by the American anarchist Stephen Pearl Andrews presenting "the newly discovered Science of the Universe".^[19] Philologist Allen Upward used the word "scientology" in his 1901 book The New Word as a synonym for "pseudoscience,"^[20] and this is sometimes cited as the first coining of the word.^[6] 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 ("Scientologie, Science of the Constitution and Usefulness of Knowledge").^[21] 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"^[22] (from epistemology). Whether Hubbard was aware of these earlier uses is unknown.

The term "Scientology" and related terms are trademarks held by the Religious Technology Center which grants the mother church of the Scientology religion, the Church of Scientology International (CSI), the right to use the trademarks and to license their use to all other Scientology churches and entities. Other organizations that promote the use of related techniques, developed by or based on the works of L. Ron Hubbard, are the World Institute of Scientology Enterprises and the Association for Better Living and Education.^[23][24]

Influences

Hubbard often acknowledges his philosophical forerunners and influences. In Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health, the seminal "Book One" of Dianetics and Scientology, he states that:

"There are just so many pieces in any puzzle."

Hubbard credits Francis Bacon and Herbert Spencer, along with "a very few more" for having put together parts of the answer. Hubbard also recalls a meeting with Cmdr. Joseph Cressman Thompson,^[25] a U.S. Navy officer who studied with Sigmund Freud.^[26] Hubbard claims that he was introduced to Freudian analysis at the age of 12 by Thompson during a trip from Seattle to Washington D.C. via the Panama Canal.^[26] However, in Hubbard's diaries from this time, nothing of the sort is mentioned, absent of references to Freudian theories or mention of anyone tutoring him in this field.^[27]

Hubbard later gave his opinion on Sigmund Freud: “I think that was Freud’s great contribution that something could be done about the mind... He was the first man that ever stood up and said: 'there is hope for it'... Now there was a great humanitarian."^[26] However, there are discrepancies between Scientology as a religion and Psychoanalysis.^[28] Hubbard acknowledged the influence of Alfred Korzybski's General Semantics.^[29] Scientology also reflects the influence of the Hindu concept of karma and dharma as well as the psychological theories of Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung and William Sargant^[30] but according to its founder, it is neither psychology nor psychiatry. During The Phoenix Lectures Hubbard stated that Scientology depended on his having known something of the Vedas^[31] and has called the Vedas Scientology’s earliest ancestor: "And we find Scientology’s earliest, certainly known ancestor in the Veda."^[32] Hubbard also gave recognition to the Tao Te Ching, the Dharma and Gautama Buddha as forerunners to Scientology.^[33] The late Bryan R. Wilson Reader Emeritus in Sociology at the University of Oxford and President of the International Society for the Sociology of Religion, wrote of Scientology: "it is clear to me that Scientology is a bona fide religion and should be considered as such.".^[34] 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 the ancient, heretical offshoot of Christianity known as Gnosticism."^[35] 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."^[36]

In Scientology, Bergson's "elan vital" becomes life energy represented by the Greek letter 'theta'(θ) existing independent of Matter Energy Space Time (MEST). Hubbard writes: "Theta, we could say, comes from the universe of theta, which is different from the MEST universe".^[37] According to Gnostic doctrine, "life" is by nature "alien" to this world. Hans Jonas writes: "The concept of the alien Life is one of the great impressive word-symbols which we encounter in gnostic speech, and it is new in the history of human speech in general".^[38] Hubbard writes: "...Scientology is a gnostic faith in that it knows it knows".^[39]

History

In 1953, The Church of Scientology was incorporated in Elizabeth, New Jersey by L. Ron Hubbard. This was preceded by the writing of Dianetics and the creation of a number of Dianetics-related organizations. The reasons he created the organization are unclear, but it has been suggested that, among other purposes, Hubbard intended to make money from the organization^[40]. The organization was recognized as a tax-exempt religion in the United States in 1957, but ten years later in 1967 the IRS removes its tax exempt status asserting that its activities are commercial and operated for the benefit of Mr. Hubbard, rather than charitable or religious reasons. On January 4th 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.^[41]. 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. On January 24th, 1986, L. Ron Hubbard dies at his ranch near San Luis Obispo, California and David Miscavige becomes the head of the organization. In December of 1993, the IRS of the United States grants full religious recognition and tax exemption to all Scientology Churches, missions and social betterment groups in that country.

Beliefs

Scientology's beliefs and related techniques comprise 18 basic books,^[42] and 3,000 recorded lectures. There is no single Scientology book that is the equivalent of the Bible or the Qur'an, but the study of Scientology is achieved through the chronological study of its basic books and lectures.^[43]

Scientology describes itself as "the study and handling of the spirit in relationship to itself, others and all of life,"^[44] and "encompasses all aspects of life from the point of view of the spirit" — including "auditing"^[45] and training in morals, ethics, detoxification, education and management.^[46]

Prime among Scientology's beliefs is "that man is a spiritual being whose existence spans more than one life and who is endowed with abilities well beyond those which he normally considers he possesses."^[47] Scientology believes man to be basically good, that his experiences have led him into evil, that he errs because he seeks to solve his problems by considering only his own point of view, and that man can improve to the degree he preserves his spiritual integrity and remains honest and decent.^[48] According to the Church, the ultimate goal is: "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."^[49]

The Church of Scientology declares that the goal of Scientology is to achieve "certainty of one’s spiritual existence and [of] one’s relationship to the Supreme Being,"^[50] and says that Scientology's tenets are not a matter of faith but of testable practice: "That which is true for you is what you have observed to be true."^[51]

The exact nature of all of existence is said to be stated in Hubbard's Scientology and Dianetics Axioms.

Other beliefs of Scientology are:^[52]

• A person is an immortal spiritual being (termed a thetan) who possesses a mind and a body.
• The thetan has lived through many past lives and will continue to live beyond the death of the body.
• Through the Scientology process of "auditing," people can free themselves of traumatic incidents, ethical transgressions and bad decisions which are said to collectively restrict the person from reaching the state of "Clear" and "Operating Thetan." Each state is said to represent the recovery of native spiritual abilities and to confer mental and physical benefits.
• A person is basically good, but becomes "aberrated" by moments of pain and unconsciousness.
• Psychiatry and psychology are destructive and abusive practices.^[53]

Members study Scientology and receive auditing sessions to advance from a status of preclear to Operating Thetan.^[54][55]

The Bridge to Total Freedom

Scientology practices (called "Technology" or "Tech" in Scientology jargon) are structured in sequential levels, reflecting Hubbard's belief that rehabilitation takes place on a "gradient", that is, easier steps are taken first and only then greater complexities are handled; for example, the negative effects of drugs must be addressed before other issues can be successfully tackled. Scientologists follow a sequence of courses that culminate in esoteric, advanced strata. This is described as a passage along "the Bridge to Total Freedom," or simply "the Bridge," in which each step promises a little more personal freedom in some particular area of life. Hubbard first developed the basic axioms then he went into experimentation and finally, he developed the therapy and proof of application by means of a self described "spiritual Technology". As he says, ..."One might here use an analogy of bridge engineering".^[56] The Bridge is the Classification Gradation and Awareness Chart.^[57]

Scientologists believe that man is composed of three distinguishable parts: mind, body and spirit.^[58]

The thetan (spirit) is described in Scientology as having no mass, no wavelength, no energy and no time or location in space except by consideration or postulate. The spirit, then, is not a thing. It is the creator of things

— 1956, Professional Auditor's Bulletin 85^[59]

The spirit, represented with the Greek letter 'theta' (θ),^[60] is the true form of man and can exist exterior to and/or independent from a body.^[61] The mind in Scientology is described as a bank of mental image pictures^[62] that give the spirit experience and knowledge and that store the spirit’s "postulates." Scientologists subdivide the mind^[63] into the analytical or conscious mind, which is "totally accessible to the spirit,"^[64] and the reactive or subconscious mind, which "unknowingly affects the spirit" and is said to operate "on an irrational, stimulus-response basis."^[65] Scientology describes the physical body as "a carbon-oxygen machine" of which the spirit is the engineer. Illnesses and injuries to the body are said to be relieved through the use of "assists."

Dianetics

Dianetics is a sub study of Scientology that deals with the reactive mind, the "bank" of traumatic experiences known as engrams which are said to inhibit success and happiness.^[66]

ARC and KRC triangles

The Scientology symbol contains two triangles which Hubbard called the "ARC triangle" and the "KRC triangle", respectively.^[67] The points of the lower triangle are said to represent Affinity (emotional responses), Reality (an agreement on what is real) and Communication. Scientologists believe that improving one aspect of the triangle increases the level of the other two.^[67] The points of the upper triangle represent Knowledge, Responsibility and Control.^[67] Many auditing processes and training routines aim at increasing an individual's ability to gain knowledge of, take responsibility for and exert control over external and internal elements. The objective environment is there as an agreement; everyone who is sane enough agrees it is there. The subjective environment is the sole responsibility of the individual himself as he is the only one who is aware that it is there. These two environments may not actually agree.^[68] Therefore, a therapy which asks man to adapt to the environment rather than adapt the environment to man is a slave philosophy and is unworkable simply because it is not true.^[69]

Tone scale

The tone scale characterizes human mood and behavior by various positions on a scale from −40 ("Total Failure") to +40 ("Serenity of Being"). Positions on the tone scale are usually designated by an emotion, but Hubbard said the tone scale could also indicate health, mating behavior, survival potential or ability to deal with truth. According to Scientology, lower positions on the tone scale indicate more intricate problems and greater difficulties in solving them for lack of communication. According to Hubbard, communication is the universal solvent and a person will climb from the bottom to the top by improving his ability to communicate. The higher the person’s tone is the better the person’s communication is; the lower the tone is the worse the communication is. A hi-tone person would be serene and a low tone would be a failure.^[70]

The Dynamics

Scientology and Dianetics state that the basic principle of existence is to survive^[71] and that man survives across the eight dynamics of Self, Family and Sex, Group, Humanity, Life, the Universe, Spirituality and the Supreme Being or Infinity.^[72] Actions are considered "good" if they promote survival across all eight dynamics or realms of action.^[73]

Morals and Ethics

Scientologists follow The Way to Happiness, which defines morals as "a code of good conduct laid down out of the experience of the race to serve as a uniform yardstick for the conduct of individuals and groups"^[74] but warns that "over time, morals can become outmoded, burdensome, and so invite revolt."^[75]

Scientology states that there is no absolute right or wrong but that right and wrong are actually a gradient from right to wrong. An action must contain construction which outweighs the destruction it contains in order to be considered good. "Good is any action which brings the greatest construction to the greatest number of dynamics while bringing the least destruction. "An 'absolute wrongness' would be the extinction of the universe and all energy and the source of energy. . . . An 'absolute "rightness"' would be the immortality of the individual himself, his children, his group, mankind and the universe."^[76]

Scientology defines ethics as "the actions an individual takes on himself to ensure his continued survival across the dynamics. It is a personal thing that an ethical person does by his own choice."^[77] "Ethics actually consists of rationality toward the highest level of survival for the individual, the future race, the group, Mankind and the other dynamics taken up collectively. Ethics are reason. Man's greatest weapon is his reason."^[76] According to Scientology, various ethical states or "conditions" represent one's degree of success and delineate a sequence of steps to improve that condition of existence.^[78] From best to worst, these "conditions" are Power, Affluence, Normal, Emergency, Danger, Non-Existence, Liability, Doubt, Enemy, Treason and Confusion. Scientologists are expected to use statistical measurement to assess "measurement of survival potential,"^[79] where a downward trend could identify an 'emergency condition' and an upward trend could identify a 'affluence condition'.^[80] According to The Scientology Handbook, the Scientology method of statistics can and should be applied to individuals, groups and organizations inside and outside of Scientology.^[81]

Prof. Stephen A. Kent quotes Hubbard as pronouncing that "the purpose of ethics is to remove counter-intentions from the environment. Having accomplished that, the purpose becomes to remove other intentionedness from the environment." Kent interprets 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."^[82]

For example, in Scientology it is considered a high crime to accept for processing: people who are terminally ill, people who have an extensive history of psychiatric treatment, people who have been denied processing on the grounds that it might affect the safety and security of the organization and people who are members or ex-members, or in families of members or ex-members of media, police spy organizations and government spy organizations or any other federal agency in any country. ^[83]

Exteriorization

In 1952, Hubbard reported he was able to stand as a unit of life independently of the physical body. This singular event marks the beginning of Scientology as a religion.^[84] In the fall of 1952, he added Creative Processing to Self-Analysis, a book that had been published the previous year. He writes, "...In reviewing these lists, many people, imagining various things, will suddenly get a complete reality on being 'outside' their bodies. This is not imaginary. And it is not bad. It is actually desirable".^[85] In 1960, the Creative Processing version was replaced in broad distribution by Self Analysis, as it was originally published and continues to be published to this day. ^[86]

Exteriorization as it is known in Scientology is to "be three feet back of your head".^[87] Hubbard is very emphatic about the fact that it should not be mixed up with the projection of the astral body;^[88] if it is, a great deal of difficulty would ensue. ^[89]

Past lives, "Secret" Levels and Extraterrestrial beings

In Dianetics, Hubbard proposed that the cause of "aberrations" in a human mind was an accumulation of pain and unconscious memories of traumatic incidents, some of which predated the life of the human. He extended this view further in Scientology, declaring that "thetans" have existed for tens of trillions of years (several orders of magnitude greater than what mainstream science generally estimates the age of the universe to be). During that time, Hubbard says, they have been exposed to a vast number of traumatic incidents, and have made a great many decisions that influence their present state. Hubbard's 1958 book Have You Lived Before This Life contains descriptions of past lives given by individual Scientologists during auditing sessions. According to an early lecture of Hubbard's, it is, as a practical matter, both impossible and undesirable to recall each and every such event from such vast stretches of time.^[90] As a result, Hubbard's three-decade development of Scientology focused on addressing only "key factors."

According to Hubbard, some past traumas may have been deliberately inflicted in the form of "implants" used by extraterrestrial dictatorships such as Helatrobus to brainwash and control the population. Hubbard's lectures and writings include a wide variety of accounts of complex extraterrestrial civilizations and alien interventions in earthly events, collectively described by Hubbard as "space opera." There is a huge Church of Spiritual Technology symbol carved into the ground at Scientology's Trementina Base that is visible from the air.^[91] 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."^[92]

Scientologists who have achieved the State of Clear may continue onto the Upper or OT (Operating Thetan) Levels. These levels are available by invitation only after a review of the candidate's character, ethics and contribution to the aims of Scientology.^[11] Individuals who have read these materials may not disclose what they contain without jeopardizing their standing in the Church.^[11] Presently, there are eight such levels, OT I to VIII.^[93] Church management has promised to release a ninth OT level once certain expansion goals are met.^[94] The OT VIII designation is only granted at sea, on the Scientology ship, the Freewinds, which was established to provide a "safe, aesthetic, distraction-free environment" for this purpose.^[95]

The organization says that it enforces confidentiality. Excerpts and descriptions of these materials were published online by a former member in 1995 and then circulated in mainstream media.^[11] This occurred after the teachings were submitted as evidence in court cases involving Scientology, thus becoming a matter of public record.^[96][97] In the previously confidential OT levels, Hubbard explains how to reverse the effects of past-life trauma patterns that supposedly extend millions of years into the past.^[96]

Among these advanced teachings, one episode revealed to those who reach OT level III 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 blew them up with hydrogen bombs. Their souls then clustered together, stuck to the bodies of the living and continue to do this today. Hubbard called these clustered spirits "Body Thetans," and advanced-level Scientologists place considerable emphasis on isolating these alien souls and neutralizing their ill effects.^[98]

Practices

Auditing

The central practice of Scientology is "auditing," a one-on-one session with a Scientology counselor or "auditor." 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 states that it helps locate an area of concern.^[99]

In the auditing process, the recipient (referred to as a "preclear" or PC) discloses specific traumatic incidents, prior ethical transgressions and bad decisions, which, in Scientology theory, collectively restrict the preclear from achieving his or her goals and lead to the development of a "reactive mind." In one form of auditing, the auditor asks the preclear to respond to a list of questions in strict order. The preclear is "a willing and interested participant who understands the questions" and what is going on.^[100] Auditors are not to suggest, interpret, degrade or invalidate the answers.^[101] Scientologists state that benefits from auditing include improved IQ, improved ability to communicate and enhanced memory.^[102]

During the auditing process, the auditor may collect personal information from the person being audited. Auditing records are referred to within Scientology as "PC (preclear) folders" and are stored securely when not being added to during auditing sessions.^[103] Auditors promise never to use secrets divulged in a session for punishment or personal gain,^[100] however reports suggest this is the purpose of maintaining these files.^[104]

Training

Training is the supervised process of learning and applying Scientology and auditing, is considered as important as auditing,^[105] and follows a checklist that indicates which of Hubbard's writings and lectures are to be studied. The student must demonstrate mastery of each topic in turn to get a pass in the checklist item.^[105] Getting well trained depends exclusively on an implicit obedience to L. Ron Hubbard Ethics, Technology and Administration; otherwise, the person undergoing training will get into a lot of unnecessary hassle.^[106]

Scientology training consists of Academy Levels 0-IV and New Era Dianetics, also termed Academy Level V. The first five levels take two weeks each on a 40-hours-per-week schedule.^[107] Level VI, the Saint Hill Special Briefing Course, is done at special advanced organizations and comprises 16 individual checklists, each requiring an average of three to four weeks of study, and covering in total 12,000 pages of materials and 450 lectures.^[108]

Silent birth and infant care

Stemming from his belief that birth is a trauma that may induce engrams, Hubbard stated that the delivery room should be as silent as possible^[109] and that words should be avoided because any words used during birth might be reassociated by adults with their earlier traumatic birth experience.

Hubbard also wrote that the mother should use "as little anesthetic as possible."^[110] In the 1960s Hubbard gave certain dietary recommendations,^[111] writing that breastfeeding should be avoided if the mother is smoking, drinking or is lacking good nutrition herself.^[112] Hubbard described common replacement formulas as "mixed milk powder, glucose and water, total carbohydrate" and offered as an alternative to commercial products what he called the "Barley Formula" made from barley water, homogenized milk and corn syrup.^[113] Hubbard said that he "picked it up in Roman days,"^[114] referring to the use of barley.^[115] Hubbard crafted the barley formula to, in his words, provide "a heavy percentage of protein"^[114] and called it "the nearest approach to human milk that can be assembled easily."^[116] Although the formula is still popular with many Scientologists, health practitioners advise that it is an inappropriate replacement due to the absence of important nutrients like Vitamin C,^[117] the lack of which causes scurvy.

Ceremonies

The Church of Scientology provides Sunday services and social ceremonies for marriage, birth and death that are performed by an ordained Scientology minister.^[118][119] Most, if not all, of the actual ceremonies used were written by L. Ron Hubbard and are collected in the book, Ceremonies of the Church of Scientology.^[120]

At a funeral service, the minister speaks directly to the departing spirit and grants forgiveness for anything the deceased has done so he can begin life anew.^[118]

We do not contest your right to go away. Your debts are paid. This chapter of thy life is shut. Go now, dear [deceased], and live once more in happier time and place.^[119]

Membership

The Church has an official membership system, the International Association of Scientologists, but IAS membership is not what the Church means by 'member.' Estimates of Scientology adherents worldwide vary considerably.^[121] 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.^[122] In 2007 the Church claimed 3.5 million members in the United States,^[123] 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^[124] Scientologists tend to disparage such 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.^[121] Religious scholar J. Gordon Melton has said that the church's estimates of its membership numbers are exaggerated.^[125]

Organizations

Scientology is composed of a complex network of corporations, churches and organizations all geared towards promoting the use and dissemination of Scientology and related techniques.

The Church of Spiritual Technology is a non-profit organization that owns the copyrights to Scientology books. The Religious Technology Center (RTC) holds trademarks over the words Dianetics and Scientology.^[127] Scientology organizations must license the right to use Scientology and related techniques from this organization. Its stated purpose is to maintain Scientology pure per the writings of L. Ron Hubbard.^[128] The RTC'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.^[129] The Church of Scientology International is the mother church of Scientology and manages all affiliated Scientology organizations worldwide.^[130]

The first Church of Scientology was incorporated in Camden, New Jersey as a non-profit organization in 1953. The Scientology missions directory reports over 300 missions,^[131] delivering basic Dianetics and Scientology services in 50 countries worldwide.^[132] A Scientology Mission is considered a church when it has reached the size required to administer all courses and auditing required for delivering the state of "clear."^[133] Overall there are 142 churches in 28 countries established worldwide.^[134] Scientology's "Advanced Organizations" are churches specialized in the delivering of higher training levels.^[135] Those organizations are located in Los Angeles; Clearwater, Florida;^[136] Great Britain; Sydney, Australia; Copenhagen; and the cruise ship Freewinds.^[137]

The World Institute of Scientology Enterprises (WISE) licenses Hubbard's management techniques for use in businesses.

The Association for Better Living and Education (ABLE), a non-profit organization with the stated purpose of reversing social decay, has four subdivisions:^[138]

• Narconon manages a number of drug treatment centers worldwide and was founded by William Benitez in 1966.^[139] Benitez was an inmate who found a book by Hubbard in the Arizona State Prison library and got himself and other inmates off drugs.^[140]
• Criminon manages drug rehabilitation programs for inmates.
• The Way to Happiness foundation promotes a secular moral code written by Hubbard.
• Applied Scholastics promotes the use of Hubbard's educational methods.

Scientologists take part in a number of social reform and charitable activities:

• Activities to reform the field of mental health according to the theories of Hubbard (Citizens Commission on Human Rights);
• A political action committee (Citizens for Social Reform), to promote social programs with U.S. legislators;
• A campaign directed to implement the group's interpretation of the 1948 United Nations document "The Universal Declaration of Human Rights" (with particular emphasis on religious freedom).^[141]
• Started in 1993, the Drug-Free Marshals is a youth drug-education and prevention program. Providing free literature and information about drugs, they claim to have "sworn in" 3.1 million people as "Marshals" who pledge to remain drug-free and to encourage their peers to do the same.^[142]
• Another Scientology anti-drug campaign is the No to Drugs - Yes to Life campaign, geared toward the public at large.^[143]
• Freedom Magazine, Scientology’s journal that is mailed to politicians and public figures, addresses issues that concern the Church of Scientology.
• The Scientology Volunteer Ministers dedicate their time to help in disaster relief efforts and other charitable causes. Over the weekend, Scientology churches set up tents in towns and cities in their area and Volunteer Ministers provide one-on-one attention to people who visit.

Scientology splinter 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 official Church. Some groups are breakaways from the original Church while others have started up independently. The largest such group -- an informal "network" rather than an organization -- is known as the Free Zone, founded in 1982 by former Sea Org Capt. Bill Robertson (1935 - 1991). ^[144]

The Church labels these groups as "squirrels" in Scientology jargon, and often subjects them to considerable legal and social pressure.

Outreach

Scientologists believe they are obliged to work towards making the benefits of Scientology available to all people without haranguing^[145] anyone, with the first and second pledges of "The Code of a Scientologist" being, respectively:

1. "To keep Scientologists, the public and the press accurately informed concerning Scientology, the world of mental health and society."
2. "To use the best I know of Scientology to the best of my ability to help my family, friends, groups and the world."

They believe that this is done with, "no effort...to be authoritarian," but critics argue that Scientology insists it be approached in only one way:^[145]

• "To study Scientology one should scan quickly through the basics...One should continue to do this until he [sic] feels some friendliness to the subject...and only when one has achieved this, he should then study all the basic principles".

Celebrities

Scientology has attracted several artists and entertainers, particularly Hollywood celebrities. Hubbard saw to the formation of a special church which would cater to artists, politicians, leaders of industry, sports figures and anyone with the power and vision "to create a better world."^[146] 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. Former Scientologists say that celebrity practitioners get more attention than non-celebrity practitioners. For example, former Scientologist Maureen Bolstad noted that a couple of dozen Scientologists including herself were put to work on a rainy night through dawn planting grass in order "to help Tom impress Nicole (Kidman)."^[147]

Andre Tabayoyon, a former Scientologist and Sea Org staffer, testified in a 1994 affidavit that money from non-profit Scientology organizations and labor from those organizations (including the Rehabilitation Project Force) had gone to provide special facilities for Scientology celebrities, which were not available to other Scientologists.^[148] "A Sea Org staffer was taken along to do personal cooking for Tom Cruise and Miscavige at the expense of Scientology non-profit religious organizations. This left only 3 cooks at Gold Base to cook for 800 people three times a day. . . . Apartment cottages were built for the use of John Travolta, Kirstie Alley, Edgar Winter, Priscilla Presley and other Scientology celebrities who are carefully prevented from finding out the real truth about the Scientology organization. . . . Miscavige decided to redo the meadow in beautiful flowers; tens of thousands of dollars were spent on the project so that Cruise and Kidman could romp there. However, Miscavige inspected the project and didn't like it. So the whole meadow was plowed up, destroyed, replowed and sown with plain grass."^[149] Diana Canova, who experienced Scientology both before and during her period of TV stardom, expressed it in a September 1993 interview: "When I started, I wasn't in television yet. I was a nobody—I'd done some TV, but I was not one of the elite, not by a long shot—until I did Soap. Then it became…I mean, you really are treated like royalty."^[150]

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^[153] and Germany) numerous times over the years.^{[154][155][156][4][157][156][158][159][160][161][162][163]}

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.^[154][155] Some critics of Scientology have recanted under duress.^[164] 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, ^[165] and harassed key Scientology executives, by advancing unfounded opinions to get a case dropped or to obtain a settlement.^[166]

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.^[167] Belgium, France, Ireland, Luxembourg and the United Kingdom have not recognized Scientology as a religion.^[168] Scientology has also not been recognized as a religion in Israel or Mexico. The Belgian State Prosecution Service has recommended that various individuals and organizations associated with Scientology should be prosecuted.^[169][170] An administrative court is to decide if charges will be pressed.^[169][170]

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."^[171][172]
• 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 Lisa Mcpherson. On May 2004, the estate of Lisa McPherson and the Church of Scientology reached a settlement that to this day has remained confidential).^[173]
• 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.^[174]
• Scientology's harassment and litigious actions against its critics encouraged by its Fair Game policy.^[174]
• 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.^[175]

Due to these allegations, a considerable amount of investigation has been aimed at the Church, by groups ranging from the media to governmental agencies.^[154][155]

Although Scientologists are usually free to practice their beliefs, the organized church has 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 view it as a pseudoreligion or a cult.^[176][177] The differences between these classifications has become a major problem when discussing religions in general and Scientology specifically.^[122]

While acknowledging that a number of his colleagues accept Scientology as a religion, sociologist 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[sic] element of which is religious."^[178][179]

Scientology social programs such as drug and criminal rehabilitation have likewise drawn both support and criticism.^{[180][181][182][183]}

Auditing confidentiality

In some instances, former members have claimed the Church used information obtained in auditing sessions against them.^{[184][185][186]} The Church maintains that its auditing records are kept confidential. On 16 December 1969 a Guardian's Office order by Mary Sue Hubbard authorized the use of auditing records for purposes of "internal security."^[187]

Supporters of Scientology assert that no actual violation based solely upon use or revelation of auditing records has been documented^[188] and such a violation of their Auditing Code is a high crime per Scientology justice codes.^[189] "The Court refers to GO 121669 for justification for abolishing the clergyman-penitent privilege. Yet nowhere does the program call for a) external dissemination of the preclear folder or b) use of information against anyone. To cause preclear folders or preclear folder information to be released from the care and control of authorized Church ministers is to cause the destruction of its parishioners' religious freedom and would be a severe violation of Church ecclesiastical policies." (Declaration of Reverend Ken Hoden)^[188]

However, a California court ruling recorded that "The practice of culling supposedly confidential [counseling folders or files] to obtain information for purposes of intimidation and/or harassment is repugnant and outrageous." The court found that former members of the church knew that their confidential data might be used by "the Church or its minions" for "intimidation or other physical or psychological abuse" and noted: "The record is replete with evidence of such abuse."^[190]

Supporters of Scientology responded by stating: "Guardian's Office policy letter written by Mary Sue Hubbard had allegedly authorized the practice of culling information from counseling folders. Any such directive is not part of the Scientology scriptures and was long ago canceled. The Guardian's Office was disbanded by current Church management when it was found to have veered wildly off Church policies as laid down by Mr. Hubbard."^[191]

Scientology as a religion

Scientology states that it is fully compatible with all existing major world religions and that it does not conflict with those religions or their religious practices. However, due to major differences in the beliefs and practices between Scientology and especially the major monotheistic religions a simultaneous membership in Scientology is seen as not compatible with the major world religions. For its part, Scientology only allows a passive formal membership in a second religion. Parishioners are not allowed to engage in other religious activities or ceremonies. ^[192] Additionally, the highest level yet-revealed Scientology scriptures portray religious figures such as Jesus as fictitious implants. Hubbard also writes: "...People get to such a level of identification with Christ that they will run the Crucifixion complete with somatics and, indeed, there are several instances in history where on the holiday of the Crucifixion, persons spontaneously bleed from the 'thorns'."^[193]"Scientology can demonstrate that it can attain the goals set for man by Christ, which are: wisdom, good health and immortality,"^[194]

The Church pursues an extensive public relations campaign for the recognition of Scientology as a bona fide religion.^[195] This conflicts with the founder's own statements in The Creation of Human Ability: A Handbook for Scientologists: "Scientology has opened the gates to a better World. It is not a psycho-therapy nor a religion. It is a body of knowledge which, when properly used, gives freedom and truth to the individual." Scientology does have "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" which are elements that a religion must contain.^[122] Scientology is considered a legitimate religion in such countries as Australia, Italy,^[196] Kyrgyzstan,^[197] New Zealand,^[198] Portugal,^[199] South Africa,^[200] Spain,^[201][202] Sweden,^[203] Taiwan,^[204] and thus enjoys and regularly cites the legal protections afforded in these nations to religious practice. Other countries, mostly in Europe, have regarded Scientology as a potentially dangerous cult, or at least have not considered local branches to meet the legal criteria for being considered religion-supporting organizations. In Germany, the Verfassungsschutz was ordered in 1997 to monitor the activities of Scientology allegedly on the grounds that they are directed against freedom and democracy. As of 12 February 2008 the German government in a new ruling continues the same policy. ^[205]

Although its religious status is often controversial, the Church of Scientology itself, on the other hand, holds that many of these issues were laid to rest by the recognition in 1993 by the United States Internal Revenue Service of being "operated exclusively for religious and charitable purposes."^[206][207]

Scientology as a cult and hypnosis

Allegations of Scientology's cult status may be attributed to its unconventional creation by a single authoritative and charismatic leader.^[208] According to the psychologist William James, "...Religion, in short, is a monumental chapter in the history of human egotism... Religious thought is carried on in terms of personality, this being, in the world of religion, the one fundamental fact."^[209] Referring to the fact that a group did not develop the technology of Scientology but that it is his own personal contribution, L. Ron Hubbard writes: "...This point will, of course, be attacked as "unpopular", "egotistical" and "undemocratic". It very well may be. But it is also a survival point."^[210]

Like Dr. Milton H. Erickson, M. D., founder of the American Society of Clinical hypnosis and widely recognized as the world's foremost medical hypnotist who went on to influence the development of NLP, L. Ron Hubbard demonstrated his professional expertise in hypnosis by going on to discover the Dianetic engram. He writes: "...Hypnotism is a laboratory tool...Finding out the basic reason hypnotism was a variable helped to discover the source of insanity."^[211]

Allegations of Hypnosis

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."^[212] Hubbard was an accomplished hypnotist, and close acquaintances such as Forrest Ackerman (Hubbard's literary agent) and A. E. van Vogt (an important early supporter of Dianetics) witnessed repeated demonstrations of his hypnotic skills.^[213]. Licensed psychotherapists alleged that auditing sessions amount to mental health treatment without a license. The Church disputes these statements and said that its practice leads to spiritual relief. According to the Church, the psychotherapist treats mental health and the Church treats the spiritual being. 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.

Status by Country

France

In France, the Church of Scientology was categorized as a sect (or cult) in the report of the National Assembly of France in 1995.^[214] A more recent government report in 2000 categorized the church as an "absolute sect" and recommended that all its activities be prohibited.^[215] The United States has no such classification in its legal system.^[122] In 2008, it was reported that the Church was facing court action for "organised fraud". In a case dating back to 1998, a woman who said she was approached by Scientologists in a Paris street and offered a free personality test, claims that she handed over more than €20,000 for courses, books, illegally prescribed drugs and an E-meter.^[216] There is a possibility that the organization could face expulsion from France ^[217].

Germany

The federal government of Germany, as well as its states, have to a greater or lesser degree and for varying periods since 1997 placed Scientology and Scientologists under surveillance by its intelligence agency based on Scientology's anti-democratic tendencies.^[218] No criminal or civil charges have been brought as a result of this surveillance. On a Federal level, Scientology lost a complaint against continued surveillance by the federal Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz because the court gave its opinion that there are indications that Scientology is pursuing anti-constitutional activities. As of April 2007 the case was pending in appeal.^[219][220] In Berlin, the court prohibited the use of paid undercover agents.^[221] In Saarland, surveillance was stopped by the court as inappropriate because there is no local branch of Scientology and few members.^[222] As of 6 May 2008, the Church of Scientology in Germany dropped the legal battle to prevent surveillance of its activities by the Verfassungsschutz after the North Rhine-Westphalia Higher Administrative Court in Munster refused to hear an appeal on a ruling OK'ing the intelligence services for monitoring the activities of the Church of Scientology. The Scientology organization has now added a declaration on human rights and democracy to its bylaws.^[223]

Cult Awareness Network

The Cult Awareness Network received more complaints concerning Scientology than any other group. They therefore listed the Church of Scientology at the top of their cult list, until they went into bankruptcy from suits initiated by Scientology (1996). Ultimately, they were bought in Bankruptcy Court by the Church of Scientology (1997), which now operates the new Cult Awareness Network as a promotional arm of the church.^{[224][225][226][227][228]}

Treatment of Critics

On 12 May 2007 Journalist John Sweeney of BBC Panorama made highly critical comments regarding Scientology and its teachings, and further reported that since beginning an extensive investigation he had been harassed, surveilled, and investigated by strangers. Sweeney wrote, "I have been shouted at, spied on, had my hotel invaded at midnight, denounced as a "bigot" by star Scientologists and chased round the streets of Los Angeles by sinister strangers. Back in Britain strangers have called on my neighbors, my mother-in-law's house and someone spied on my wedding and fled the moment he was challenged." In another passage, "He [Scientology representative Tommy Davis] harangued me for talking to […] heretics. I told him that Scientology had been spying on the BBC and that was creepy." And in another passage, "In LA, the moment our hire car left the airport we realized we were being followed by two cars. In our hotel a weird stranger spent every breakfast listening to us."^[229][230]

The Church of Scientology called John Sweeney's documentary (first aired 14 May 2007) into question and produced its own documentary in which it claimed to have documented 154 violations in the BBC's and OfCom's guidelines.^[231]

The Church documentary also claimed that the BBC had organized a demonstration outside a Church building in London in order to film it, following which e-mailed anonymous death threats had been made against the Church. The BBC described these allegations as "clearly laughable and utter nonsense" whilst representatives of the picket group stated that the BBC had simply turned up to a scheduled picket date that was part of an ongoing protest since 1996.^[232] Sandy Smith, the BBC program's producer, commented that the Church of Scientology has "no way of dealing with any kind of criticism at all."^[233]

Scientology as a commercial venture

The Church of Scientology and its many related organizations have amassed considerable real estate holdings worldwide, likely in the hundreds of millions of dollars, as well as a large amount of other funds from the practice of auditing.^[174] Hubbard was accused in his lifetime of adopting a religious façade for Scientology to allow the organization to maintain tax-exempt status and to avoid prosecution for false medical claims.^[234] 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,^[213] of Hubbard stating on various occasions that the way to get rich was to start a religion.^[235] 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."^[236]

The Church says that "One individual once claimed L. Ron Hubbard made such a comment during a lecture in 1948. The only two people who could be found who attended that very lecture in 1948 denied that Mr. Hubbard ever made this statement" and that therefore it is an "unfounded rumor." The Church's statement does not address any of the other individuals who have stated that they personally heard Hubbard make such a statement, some saying that he said it on multiple occasions. The Church also suggests that the origin of the "rumor" was a quote by George Orwell which had been "misattributed" to Hubbard. However, Robert Vaughn Young, who left the Church in 1989 after twenty years, said that he had discovered the Orwell quote, and 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.^[154]

Scientology pays members commissions on new recruits they bring in, encouraging Scientology members to "sell" Scientology to others.^[174] In addition, Scientology franchises, or missions, pay the church roughly 10% of their gross income.^[237] On that basis, it is often likened to a pyramid selling scheme.^[238] Charges for auditing and other Church-related courses run to tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars.^[239][240] 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, without any affiliation or connection to the Church of Scientology. Scientology has sued a number of individuals who attempted to set up their own "auditing" practices, using copyright and trademark law to shut these groups down.

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.^[241] 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—e.g. "The Ups and Downs of Life", "Hubbard's Key to Life", "Intensive Auditing", etc.—ranged from (German Marks) DM 182.50 to about DM 30,000—the equivalent today of approximately $119 to $19,560 US dollars. Revenue from monthly, bi-monthly, and other membership offerings could not be estimated in the report, but was nevertheless placed in the millions.

In June 2006, it was announced at the Book Expo America a dianetics Racing Team joined NASCAR. The Number 27 Ford Taurus driven by Kenton Gray displays a large dianetics logo.^[242][243]

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, claiming that psychiatry was responsible for World War I,^[244] the rise of Hitler and Stalin,^[245] the decline in education standards in the United States,^[246] the wars in Bosnia and Kosovo,^[247] and the September 11 attacks.^[248] 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.

Scientology and the Internet

In the 1990s Scientology representatives began extensive operations to deal with growing allegations against Scientology on the Internet. The organization states that it is taking actions to prevent distribution of copyrighted Scientology documents and publications online by people whom it has called "copyright terrorists."^[249] Critics say that the organization’s true motive is to attempt to suppress the free speech of its critics.

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 on the grounds that:

(1) It was started with a forged message; (2) not discussed on alt.config; (3) it has the name "scientology" in its title which is a trademark and is misleading, as a.r.s. is mainly used for flamers to attack the Scientology religion; (4) it has been and continues to be heavily abused with copyright and trade secret violations and serves no purpose other than condoning these illegal practices.^[251]

In practice, this rmgroup message had little effect, since most Usenet servers are configured to disregard such messages when applied 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.

The Church also began filing lawsuits against those who posted copyrighted texts on the newsgroup and the World Wide Web, and pressed for tighter restrictions on copyrights in general. The Church supported the controversial Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act. The even more controversial Digital Millennium Copyright Act was also strongly promoted by the Church and some of its 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 for several years after, 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. Although the Church neither confirmed nor denied its involvement with the spam, some investigators said that some spam had been traced to Church members. Former Scientologist Tory Christman, after she left the Church, confessed to having been part of the sporgery project, taking money supplied by the Office of Special Affairs to open up Internet accounts at various ISPs under false names, accounts from which she later saw forged and garbled communications going out.^[252]

In early 2008, another protest against the Church of Scientology was organised by the Internet-based group Anonymous, which originally consisted of users of the English speaking imageboards 4chan and 711chan.org, the associated partyvan.info wiki, and several Internet Relay Chat channels.

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.^{[253][254][255]} The Church of Scientology issued a copyright violation claim against YouTube requesting the removal of the video.^[256] In response to this, Anonymous formulated Project Chanology.^{[257][258][259][260]} Calling the action by the Church of Scientology a form of Internet censorship, members of Project Chanology organized a series of denial-of-service attacks against Scientology websites, prank calls, and black faxes to Scientology centers.^[261] On 21 January 2008, Anonymous announced its goals and 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.^{[260][262][263]} 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.^[264] A new video "Call to Action" appeared on YouTube on 28 January 2008, calling for protests outside Church of Scientology centers on 10 February 2008.^[265][266]

On 2 February 2008, 150 people gathered outside of a Church of Scientology center in Orlando, Florida to protest the organization's practices.^{[267][268][269][270]} Small protests were also held in Santa Barbara, California,^[271] and Manchester, England.^[272][268] On 10 February 2008, about 7,000 people protested in more than 93 cities worldwide.^[273][274] Many protesters wore masks based on the character V from V for Vendetta (who in turn was influenced by Guy Fawkes), or otherwise disguised their identities, in part to protect themselves from reprisals from the Church of Scientology.^[275][276] Anonymous held a second wave of protests on 15 March 2008 in cities all over the world, including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Vancouver, Toronto, Berlin, and Dublin. The global turnout was estimated to be between 7000 and 8000.^[277] Anonymous held its third protest against Scientology on 12 April 2008.^[278][279] Named "Operation Reconnect", it aimed to increase awareness of the Church of Scientology's disconnection policy.^[253]

Tax exempt status

Scientology has had tax exempt status with the United States IRS since 1993. The tax exempt status emerged after a scientology "campaign"^[280] against the IRS. In 1991, Mr. Miscavige, a scientology leader, walked in to see Fred T. Goldberg Jr., the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service at the time, without an appointment. He was seen and allgedly offered to halt the lawsuits scientology had against the IRS in exchange for tax exempt status. To this end, Goldberg allegedly ordered tax analysts to ignore multiple court precedence and other substantive issues during the review of the decision. ^[280]

Scientific criticism

A 1971 ruling of the United States District Court, District of Columbia (333 F. Supp. 357), specifically stated, "the E-meter has no proven usefulness in the diagnosis, treatment or prevention of any disease, nor is it medically or scientifically capable of improving any bodily function."^[281] The following disclaimer or similar statements have appeared in Scientology publications in reference to the E-Meter: "By itself, the E-meter does nothing. It is an electronic instrument that measures mental state and change of state in individuals and assists the precision and speed of auditing. The E-Meter is not intended or effective for the diagnosis, treatment or prevention of any disease"^[282] and that it is used specifically for spiritual purposes. Therefore: "...Ownership or use of the E-Meter is strictly limited to duly ordained ministers of the Church of Scientology and ministers in training and is otherwise absolutely prohibited."^[283]

Professor Richard Dawkins, author of The God Delusion, has described Scientology as "gullibiligy" and its statements as "purely made-up."^[284] Since Scientology, in contrast to other religions except Buddhism, does not deal directly with the existence of a Supreme Being and The God Delusion advocates atheism, this is what Dawkins has to say, "...One religion that was intelligently designed, almost in its entirety, is Scientology, but I suspect that it is exceptional."^[285]

See also

• List of Scientology organizations
• Scientology and Werner Erhard
• Scientologie, Wissenschaft von der Beschaffenheit und der Tauglichkeit des Wissens
• Destructive cult
• Symbols of Scientology
• Scientology filmography
• Scientology in popular culture
• Scientology In Australia
• Space opera in Scientology doctrine

Notes

References

External links

Template:Wikinewshas

Primary sources

Works related to Scientology at Wikisource Template:Wikileaks cat

Critical resources

• Operation Clambake An archive of articles and other materials about Scientology, mostly critical
• Scientology Lies A comprehensive collection of articles, activist resources, summaries of court cases, and links to other sites, mostly critical
• XENU TV An archive of Scientology-related video or audio programs
• Lermanet.com Over 10 years of original news and articles on Scientology by critic Arnie Lerma
• Articles dating back over 30 years on Scientology
• Scientology Victims Testimonies Video testimonies of people who were victimized by Scientology organization

Official Church of Scientology sites

• Church of Scientology home page
• "What is Scientology?" A description of Scientology with FAQ (by the Church of Scientology)
• Scientology Handbook (Training Manual for Scientology Volunteer Ministers)
• Church of Scientology theology page

Freezone

• International Freezone Association

Broadcast Media

• Scientology, Hollywood and the path to Washington - The Religion Report ABC Radio National discussion (transcript and audio) examines how the cult uses Hollywood celebrities to get what it wants in Washington with sociologist of religious cults, Professor Stephen A. Kent of the University of Alberta in Canada.