Scientology outline:

Main idea of Scientology-

Origin and founder

Born in 1911 in Tilden, Nebraska, Lafayette Ron Hubbard left George Washington University,
where he was studying civil engineering, after two years. He later launched a successful career
writing stories for “pulp” magazines in the 1930s, ultimately focusing on science fiction.

During world War 2, Hubbard served in the U.S. Naval Reserves, and he later claimed to have
healed himself of several serious war-related ailments using the techniques he explained in his
1950 book “Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health.”

As laid out in “Dianetics,” each human individual has an analytic mind, which (like Freud’s
concept of the conscious mind) is normally in charge of making the daily decisions and
judgments necessary for survival.

In times of stress, pain or other trauma, however, it is the reactive mind (similar to the Freudian
subconscious) that takes over. According to Hubbard’s “mental science,” the lasting scars from
those negative experiences on the reactive mind are known as engrams. To get rid of these
engrams, Hubbard prescribed a new type of therapeutic process called “auditing.

Post-World War II audiences proved receptive to Hubbard’s claims of the healing powers of the
mind, and the book quickly became a bestseller. Dianetics groups spread across the country
and abroad, even as the American Psychological Association and other organizations
questioned Hubbard’s claims regarding the scientific nature of his approach.

In one-on-one meetings with a counselor, or auditor, an individual would answer a series of

questions designed to purge these unconscious memories and allow the analytic mind to regain
control.

In 1952, Hubbard introduced a new aspect of the auditing process: a device he called the
electropsychometer, or E-meter, which measures the strength of a small electrical current that
runs through the body as an individual answers the auditor’s questions.

The introduction of the E-Meter helped mark Hubbard’s transition from Dianetics to Scientology,
a term he said derived from the Latin scio (study) and the Greek logos (knowing). This new
“science of knowledge” employed the principles of Dianetics in a different framework: Rather
than an approach to mental health, Hubbard’s ideas would now become the basis for a new
religious movement.
L. Ron Hubbard began his studies of the mind and spirit in 1923, resulting in a manuscript
entitled “Excalibur” in 1938. It was in this unpublished work that the word Scientology first
appeared to describe what Mr. Hubbard termed “the study of knowing how to know.” He decided
against publishing the book for the fact, “‘Excalibur’ did not contain any therapy of any kind but
was simply a discussion of the composition of life.” Consequently, “I decided to go further.”
That “going further” resulted in Dianetics a subject which was introduced into the much broader
field of Scientology to provide an actual “therapy” easily applied by the man in the street. Thus,
in 1947, he wrote a manuscript detailing the core discoveries of Dianetics. Although not
published at the time, the manuscript was circulated among friends and colleagues, who copied
it and passed it onto others. As copies of the manuscript continued circulating, Mr. Hubbard
began receiving a flood of letters requesting further information. Indeed, he soon found himself
spending all his time answering letters and decided to write a comprehensive text on the
subject—Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health.
Published on May 9th, 1950, it sparked a storm of popular enthusiasm, and immediately hit the
New York Times bestseller list where it remained for 28 consecutive weeks. As such, it was the
biggest selling book on the mind ever written, and remains so today. Contained within was the
discovery of the reactive mind—the hidden source of nightmares, unreasonable fears, upsets
and insecurity.
Yet L. Ron Hubbard never considered Dianetics an end to his research but, rather, a stepping
stone to the discovery and isolation of a long-elusive life source. And indeed, the techniques of
Dianetics provided the means by which practitioners soon began discovering past lives.
Pressing application and research even further came the accomplishment of what is known as
exteriorization—demonstrating the spirit was indeed separable from the body and mind: The
Scientology religion was born.
Thereafter, L. Ron Hubbard delved ever deeper into the spiritual nature of Man, documenting
his discoveries in thousands of recorded lectures, films, articles and books.
While to present those discoveries, he literally circumnavigated the globe and so Churches of
Scientology opened on four continents—headquartered at his long-term residence in southern
England.
Through ensuing years, L. Ron Hubbard continued advancing the subject until his passing in
1986.
His legacy comprises tens of millions of published words, recorded lectures and films, while with
over 250 million copies of his books and lectures in circulation, he has inspired a movement
spanning all continents and all cultures.
Though he originally conceived of Dianetics as a “science of the mind,” Hubbard later adapted
his theories into a more religious approach, calling it the Church of Scientology.Founded in
1954 on Hubbard’s teachings, and now led by David Miscavige, Scientology has spread from its
origins in Southern California throughout the United States and the world, generating a lot of
debate along the way.

Sacred writings/texts
Scientology's "sacred scripture" includes all the writings and taped lectures of its founder, L.
Ron Hubbard. A particularly important part of this scripture are the technical bulletins of
Dianetics and Scientology, known as HCOBs, for "Hubbard Communications Office
Bulletins".These are printed in red ink on white paper and published in a series of bound books
with red covers known as the "red volumes", or "tech volumes". The bulletins set forth the
details of Scientology's religious practices, including most importantly its brand of amateur
psychotherapy known as "auditing", but also such practices as word clearing, clay table
demonstrations, and use of the E-Meter.

These included Dianetics: The Evolution of a Science (1950); Science of Survival (1951); Self
Analysis (1951); History of Man (1952); Scientology: 88 (1952); Scientology 8:80 (1952);
Scientology: 8-8008 (1952); How to Live Through an Executive (1953); Scientology 55 (1954);
The Creation of Human Ability (1955); Scientology the Fundamentals of Thought(1956); The
Problems of Work (1956); and All About Radiation (1957). In the 1960s he added Have You
Lived Before This Life? (1960); Scientology a New Slant on Life (1965); Introduction to
Scientology Ethics (1968); and The Phoenix Lectures (1968).
Dianetics the original thesis
Here is Ron’s first description of Dianetics. Originally circulated in manuscript form to a few
friends, it was soon copied and passed hand-to-hand until it literally circled the globe. But the
resultant word of mouth only fueled the fire. With thousands of letters requesting more
information, Ron concluded the only way to answer all inquiries was with a book. That book was
Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health, now the all-time bestseller on the mind. Find
out what started it all. For here are the bedrock discoveries and equations of Dianetics,
including:

1. The Primary Axioms of Dianetics—axioms upon which the entire subject is built
2. The discovery of the Dynamic Principle of Existence that drives all life forms—SURVIVE!
3. The Four Dynamics by which life is compartmented and which determine one’s survival
4. The discovery and anatomy of the Reactive Mind
5. Engrams, the single source of all irrational behavior
6. The powerful command in every engram which prevented their discovery and handling
before Dianetics
7. The Analytical Mind, its function and operation
8. The first description of the state of Clear, its attributes and potentials
9. And, most important, the Laws of Returning—containing the explanation of both how and
why auditing works

Annotated timeline
May 9, 1950- L. Ron Hubbard published "Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health".

June 7, 1951- Hubbard Dianetic Research Foundation was established in Elizabeth, N.J.

May 1952- The Wichita, Kan., Dianetics training center was moved to Phoenix. Hubbard,
publicly announced the formal establishment of the philosophy of Scientology and the formation
of the Hubbard Association of Scientologists International.

July 1952- "Scientology: A History of Man" was published.

February 1954- Official church of scientology was founded in Los Angeles.

1956- The Scientology church was granted U.S. federal tax-exempt status.

1959- Hubbard moved to England and bought Saint Hill Mansion in Sussex, from which he
directed international operations and expansion until 1967.

1960- Release of the Hubbard Mark II E-Meter, soon followed by the Hubbard Mark III E-Meter.

February 1966- Narconon was founded

1967- Scientology loses its tax-exempt status.

Aug. 12, 1967- The Sea Organization (or Sea Org) officially established.

Dec. 27, 1967- The first Advanced Organization, offering the advanced levels of Scientology to
the public, was established on the Royal Scotman, the flagship of the Sea Organization.

Feb. 22, 1970- Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre in Los Angeles was founded.

October 1993- The IRS settles its 40-year battle with Scientology, recognizing it as a tax-
exempt church.

June 24, 2005- Tom Cruise drew attention to his Scientology beliefs in a combative interview
about antidepressant drugs and psychiatry with "Today" host Matt Lauer. "Psychiatry is a
pseudoscience," he told host Matt Lauer, later saying: "You don't know the history of psychiatry.
I do." As a Scientologist, Cruise doesn't believe in the use of drugs or therapy. Scientologists
publicly oppose the study and application of psychology.

Leaders/clergy members
David Miscavige is the ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion. From his position as
Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center (RTC), Mr. Miscavige bears the ultimate
responsibility for ensuring the standard and pure application of L. Ron Hubbard’s technologies
of Dianetics and Scientology and for Keeping Scientology Working.
Born in 1960, David Miscavige has been a Scientologist for most of his life and is still
remembered as the 12-year-old prodigy who served as the youngest professional auditor at
Saint Hill’s famed Hubbard Guidance Center in England.
The Church of Scientology is formed into an ecclesiastical structure which unifies and aligns a
multitude of diverse religious activities, including not only ministering Scientology religious
services and practices, but proselytization, ecclesiastical management, relay of communication,
production of dissemination materials and many other functions. Thus the Scientology religious
community is united both by common beliefs and practices and an organizational form uniquely
suited to its religious mission.

At the lower levels of this hierarchy are individual field ministers, Scientology religious groups
and Church missions involved in ministering beginning auditing and training. At the upper level
are larger Church organizations that minister the advanced levels of auditing and training
religious services.

Statistics

Scientology statistics

Statistics show that 1 of 12,000 americans can identify themselves as a scientologists, but
that's only in the USA. The world now has over 40,000 members because the number has
decreased on the early 2000s because of religious competition. Scientology is considered
somewhat of a religious body, and not a full religion itself. Although some sources indicate it
being a cult, it's actually not. It doesn’t enforce people to believe in it, but rather it makes the
individual think for itself. Many regions around the world have questioned what Scientology
really is, but America defines it as more of a religious based group.

Beliefs-

Human condition
Scientology, in keeping with its esoteric roots, has a very optimistic understanding of humanity.
Rather than being inherently sinful, humans are, in Scientology's view, basically good. Although
they would not speak of humans as infested with sin or evil, evil has gained a place in human
life and society due in large part to the reactive mind and the engrams that it has deposited in
the unconscious. Upon attaining a state of Clear, the individual is freed from the effects of the
reactive mind, and the essentially good person that he or she is, now becomes manifest.

Ethics and morals

Scientologists believe that by freedom of will, only the individual can control the choices He/she
makes. So it is all up to the individual to know right from wrong.

There are four main codes that Scientologists apply in life. The first, is the Auditor’s Code, which
gives the basic rules an auditor must abide by to ensure excellent auditing results. The second
is the Code of a Scientologist, guidelines which Scientologists agree to follow in order to
achieve the aims of Scientology. There is an ethical code, called the Code of Honor, that
Scientologists follow in their day-to-day activities. L. Ron Hubbard further authored a moral code
called The Way to Happiness, which serves as a common sense guide to better living. This
moral code is used by Scientologists and non-Scientologists alike, and tens of millions of copies
have been distributed in communities world over.

Destiny and afterlife

Scientologist believe that during their time on earth, they must work to improve their spiritual self
using scientology’s methods. The human is actually an immortal spiritual being called a thetan,
but is trapped in a physical body. They believe that they have been through many past lives and
can achieve enlightenment.

Practices-

Places of worship
The first Scientology Church in Los Angeles was founded in 1954 and has grown to over 10,000
churches by 2013. Scientology churches are more modern and do not exhibit god-like figures
since they do not worship or honor a named deity, however, they do have some prominent
cross-like symbols throughout the buildings.

Religious practices
Besides the teachings of their religious books and doctrines, such as Dianetics by Hubbard,
Their practices mainly take place in society. They believe that they can improve their daily lives,
as well as to deal with difficult situations better. They strive to achieve improved human
awareness of their environment.
They also use a method called auditing, which focuses on rebuilding the self-being. They do this
by eliminating any spiritual disabilities, or any disconnection towards a belief/religion, as well as
rebuild the inner self.

Holidays
March 13th the birthday of L. Ron Hubbard

May 9th the initial publication of Dianetics

June 6th anniversary of the maiden voyage of the Freewinds and what that vessel represents in
the development of advanced spiritual levels of enlightenment in Scientology

Second Sunday of September Auditor’s Day, in honor of all auditors

October 2nd the anniversary of the founding of the International Association of Scientologists,
which unites, supports and protects the Scientology religion and Scientologists throughout the
world

December 31st New years Eve

Modern world-

In the world today

Scientologists learn the principles of Scientology in Scientology churches and through
Scientology books and materials and apply those principles out in society. The practice of
Scientology involves the application of those principles to create better conditions in society. It is
a maxim of Scientology that one is as valuable as one is able to help others. All Scientology
services are aimed at improving the ability to help. Thus Scientology not only seeks to improve
society through instilling a moral and ethical compass into people, but also by getting them to do
something positive to help others in society as a practical expression of their religious beliefs.
Scientologists come from all walks of life. They are concerned about social problems and
support numerous social betterment programs, which provide successful drug-abuse
rehabilitation, improve educational standards and help reduce crime and moral decay.
Scientologists know what it means to take responsibility for improving conditions around them.
The humanitarian programs supported by the Church of Scientology and its parishioners are
expanding at an unprecedented rate. Those programs include
● The largest non governmental anti-drug campaign on Earth - a campaign that reaches
tens of millions of youths a year
● The sponsorship of an international drug habilitation and training center in answer to the
worldwide drug crisis
● The largest non governmental Human Rights public information campaign on Earth,
broadly promoting all 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to
educate the public on everyone’s fundamental rights
 ● The support of an international training campus to assist educators with study
Technology
● A scientology Volunteer Ministers program that has initiated volunteer disaster relief
efforts and other assistance on a global scale and whose corps of 203,000 active
members who are on call at any time and any place in the world for any situation. During
2008, the Volunteer Ministers passed a milestone of 11 million people helped
● The sponsorship of an international foundation to help restore morality and brotherhood
of Man

The Church continues to be a relentless voice in the fields of social reform and justice.
Scientologists have brought to light such issues as the enforced drugging of school
children, the dangers of psychiatric brutalities such as electric shock treatment and
lobotomy, and the chemical and biological warfare experiments secretly undertaken
against unwitting American citizens in the 1960s and 1970s. The Church also has
championed the principle of open government and pioneered the use of the Freedom of
Information Act and other access laws around the world to protect the public interest and
eradicate government waste and human rights abuses.
The goal of the Church of Scientology is to improve society through our programs and
activities and the active role we are taking in the world today

The aims of the scientology religion, as stated by Scientology Founder L.Ron Hubbard are:
“A civilization without insanity, without criminals and without war, where the able can prosper
and honest beings can have rights, and where Man free to rise to greater heights”

Religious connections
There are some similarities comparing Scientology with other religions. They have an idea of
being separated from our physical body to a state of enlightenment from our past, similar to
Hinduism’s moksha; being released from the cycle of reincarnation. They also believe humans
are good, but unlike other religions, they do not think of people as sinful or believe in the idea of
evil.

Conflict with other religions

Scientology respects all religions. It shares with other religions the dreams of peace and
salvation. The Creed of the Church states that “all men have inalienable rights to their own
religious practices and their performance.”
On an institutional basis, the Church is well known for its community interfaith work with all
religions. On a personal basis, the moral code Scientologists subscribe to specifically mandates:
“Respect the religious beliefs of others.”
“Tolerance is a good cornerstone on which to build human relationships.”
“When one views the slaughter and suffering caused by religious intolerance
down all the history of Man and into modern times, one can see that intolerance is
a very non-survival activity.”
 “Religious tolerance does not mean one cannot express his own beliefs. It does
mean that seeking to undermine or attack the religious faith and beliefs of another
has always been a short road to trouble.”
“The way to happiness can become contentious when one fails to respect the
religious beliefs of others.”

5 Questions:
1.) How does Scientology compare with other faiths?
2.) What is its understanding of a Supreme Being and the other spiritual aspects of life
which transcends the temporal world?
3.) What are the fundamental practices of the religion?
4.) Is scientology open to just anyone?
5.) What is Scientology's idea of the human condition?

Answer to 1
While Scientology shares common themes with other religions in regards to basic religious
concepts and a mandate to improve society, the most valuable asset Scientology offers is an
actual technology for achieving greater spiritual awareness.

Answer to 2
In Scientology, the concept of God is expressed as the Eighth Dynamic- the urge to towards
existence as infinity. This is also identified as the Supreme Being. As the Eighth Dynamic, the
Scientology concept of God rests at the very apex of universal survival. As L . Ron Hubbard
wrote is Science of Survival.
“No culture in the history of the world, save the thoroughly depraved and expiring
ones, has failed to affirm the existence of a Supreme Being. It is an empirical
observation that men without a strong and lasting faith in a Supreme Being are less
capable, less ethical and less valuable to themselves and society....A man without
an abiding faith is, by observation alone, more of a thing than a man.”

Answer to 3
Although the purely philosophical aspects of L . Ron Hubbard’s works are sufficient in
themselves to apply in everyday existence, only auditing provides a precise route by which
individuals may travel higher states of spiritual awareness. The goal of auditing is to restore
beingness and ability. This is accomplished by: (1) helping individuals rid themselves of any
spiritual disabilities;(2) increasing spiritual abilities.

Answer to 4
Yes, Scientology can be practiced by just about anyone who believes in the religion’s underlying
principles.

Answer to 5
Scientologists believe that humans are basically good and that any form of evil is not present
when the human is born. However, evil does find its way to people. Scientologist work to better
themselves in a spiritual sense so as not to succumb to evil.

SOURCES:

Rastogi, Nina Shen. “Where Do Scientologists Go When They Die?” Slate Magazine, Slate, 11 Aug. 2008,
www.slate.com/news-and-politics/2008/08/where-do-scientologists-go-when-they-die.html.

Village voice. “Scientologists: How Many Of Them Are There, Anyway?” Village Voice, 2018,
www.villagevoice.com/2011/07/04/scientologists-how-many-of-them-are-there-anyway/.

Ezlink.com. “Is Scientology a Religion?” The Scientology / Dianetics Comparative Theology Page, 2018,
www.ezlink.com/~perry/CoS/Theology/barwell2.htm.

Church of Scientology. “Church of Scientology International.” Official Church of Scientology: What Is Scientology?,
2018, www.scientology.org/faq/scientology-and-other-practices/is-scientology-a-cult.html.

Church of Scientology. “What Is Scientology.” Official Church of Scientology: What Is Scientology?, 2018,
www.scientology.org/what-is-scientology/the-practice-of-scientology/auditing-in-scientology.html#slide2.

Charles, Aaron. “Do Scientologists Have Places of Worship?” Synonym, 28 Sept. 2017,
www.classroom.synonym.com/do-scientologists-have-places-of-worship-12086015.html.

Patheos. “Human Nature and the Purpose of Existence.” Patheos, Patheos, 2018,
www.patheos.com/library/scientology/beliefs/human-nature-and-the-purpose-of-existence.