Scientology
Un article de Vev.
Modèle:Pp-semi-vandalism Scientology is a body of beliefs and related practices initially developed by L. Ron Hubbard in 1952 as an outgrowth of his earlier self-help system, Dianetics.<ref name="history"> History of Scientology's expansion
. Church of Scientology
. Retrieved on 2007-07-18. </ref> Hubbard later characterized Scientology as an "applied religious philosophy" and the basis for a new religion.<ref name="history"/> Scientology encompasses a spiritual rehabilitation philosophy and techniques, and covers topics such as morals, ethics, detoxification, education and management.
The first Church of Scientology was founded in 1953.<ref>'Church of American Science' (incorporation papers); 'Church of Scientology' (incorporation papers); 'Church of Spiritual Engineering,' (incorporation papers); 18 December, 1953.</ref>
Dianetics and Scientology are claimed as trademarks of the Church of Spiritual Technology which are licenced for a fee to organizations that promote the use of Scientology and related techniques.<ref> Organizations of the Scientology Religion
. Church of Scientology
. Retrieved on 2007-11-27. </ref> Other organizations that promote the use of Scientology’s related techniques are the World Institute of Scientology Enterprises and the Association for Better Living and Education.
Scientology and the organizations that promote it have remained highly controversial since their inception. Journalists, courts and the governing bodies of several countries have stated that the Church of Scientology is a cult and an unscrupulous commercial enterprise that harasses its critics and abuses the trust of its members.<ref name="The Church's War"> Leiby , Richard
. " Scientology Fiction: The Church's War Against Its Critics — and Truth " , The Washington Post , 1994-12-25 , p. C1 . Retrieved on 2006-06-21 . </ref><ref> Goodin , Dan
(1999-06-03)
. Scientology subpoenas Worldnet
. CNET News.com
. Retrieved on 2006-05-04. </ref><ref name="faqoppose"/><ref name="TimeVenus">"
Remember Venus? " , Time Magazine , 1952-12-22 . Retrieved on 2007-07-20 . </ref><ref name="The Thriving Cult of Greed and Power"> Behar , Richard . " The Thriving Cult of Greed and Power " , Time Magazine , 1991-05-06 , p. C1 . Retrieved on 2007-07-16 . </ref> Scientology officials argue that most negative press has been motivated by interest groups and that most of the controversy is past history.<ref name="faqoppose"> Why do some people oppose Scientology? . Frequently Asked Questions . Church of Scientology
. Retrieved on 2007-11-27. </ref><ref> What was the Guardian’s Office and does it still exist?
. Frequently Asked Questions . Church of Scientology
. Retrieved on 2007-11-27. </ref><ref> Why has the German government tried to portray Scientology as controversial?
. Frequently Asked Questions . Church of Scientology
. Retrieved on 2007-11-27. </ref><ref> The story behind the controversy
. Freedom Magazine . Church of Scientology
. Retrieved on 2007-11-27. </ref><ref>Marburg Journal of Religion: Framing Effects in the Coverage of Scientology versus Germany: Some Thoughts on the Role of Press and Scholars</ref> The U.S. State Department has commented negatively in their annual International Religious Freedom Reports on countries that discriminate against Scientologists and their religious freedoms.<ref> Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
(2007-09-14) . International Religious Freedom Report 2007 . Germany . U.S. Department of State
. Retrieved on 2007-11-14.
“The Basic Law (Constitution) provides for religious freedom, and the Government generally respected this right in practice with some exceptions.”
</ref>
Sommaire |
Origin and Definition
; Sappell, Joel
(1990-06-24) . Church Scriptures Get High-Tech Protection . Los Angeles Times
. Retrieved on 2007-11-27. </ref>
The Church of Scientology defines scientology as "the study of truth."<ref>Church of Scientology (website accessed 4/12/06)</ref> 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"). In a lecture given on July 19 1962 entitled "The E-meter," Hubbard said:Suzie and I went down to the library, and we started hauling books out and looking for words. And we finally found 'scio' and we find 'ology.' And there was the founding of that word. Now, that word had been used to some degree before. There had been some thought of this. . . . But we found that this word 'scientology,' you see—and it could have been any other word. . . .
Although today associated almost exclusively with Hubbard, the word "scientology" predates his creation by several decades. Philologist Allen Upward used the word "scientology" in his 1901 book The New Word as a synonym for "pseudoscience,"<ref>Allen Upward: The New Word, pp 139, 149 & 156</ref> and this is sometimes cited as the first coining of the word.<ref name="Blue Sky">Modèle:Cite book</ref> 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 ("Scientology, Science of the Constitution and Usefulness of Knowledge").<ref>Dr. A. Nordenholz. Welcome to the Scientologie Home Page</ref> 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"<ref>'Hubbard, 'Scientology Fundamentals 1956 (website accessed 04/13/06)</ref> or from epistemology. Whether Hubbard was aware of these earlier uses is unknown.
Influences
The Church of Scientology presents Hubbard's work as completely original, reflected in the fact that Scientologists refer to Hubbard himself as "Source." Scientology recapitulates and builds on ideas Hubbard introduced in Dianetics, an earlier system of self-improvement techniques laid out in his 1950 book, Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health. Hubbard recalls a meeting with Cmdr. Joseph Cressman Thompson,<ref>LRH early studies</ref> a U.S. navy officer who studied with Sigmund Freud.<ref name="Freud">[Hubbard, Scientology classic lecture: The Story of Dianetics and Scientology]</ref> Hubbard, himself the son of a navy officer, met Thompson at the age of 12 during a trip from Seattle to Washington D.C. via the Panama Canal. Thompson introduced him to Freudian analysis,<ref name="Freud"/> and 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."<ref name="Freud"/>
In 1945 Hubbard was for several months in contact with Aleister Crowley's Ordo Templi Orientis chapter in Los Angeles, a group headed by Jack Parsons.<ref>Modèle:Cite book</ref> In a 1952 lecture series Hubbard recommended a book of Crowley's and referred to him as "Mad Old Boy"<ref>Philadelphia Doctorate Lectures, Lecture #40 titled "Games/Goals", 12 December 1952: About "Limitations on self and others": "Old Aleister Crowley had some interesting things to say about this. He wrote a Book of the Law. He was a mad old boy.... You'd be surprised though that Crowley, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, Aristotle—all the boys practically along the line—they all talked about the same thing."</ref><ref>Lecture #45 titled "Development of Scientology: Characteristics of a Living Science", 13 December 1952: About "Life Science":"[A]n awful lot of men have fallen on their faces in the last century trying to hit this track. Amongst them were Nietzsche; amongst them were Aleister Crowley. They were all trying to hit this track and they were overshooting, undershooting, round and round.</ref> and as "my very good friend."<ref>L. Ron Hubbard, "Conditions of Space/Time/Energy" Philadelphia Doctorate Course cassette tape #18 5212C05</ref> This regard was not mutual, with Crowley considering him a "lout" who was "playing [a] confidence trick."<ref>Modèle:Cite book</ref><ref> Early History of the OTO
. Retrieved on 2007-11-06.
</ref><ref>Modèle:Cite book</ref>
Hubbard acknowledged the influence of Alfred Korzybski's General Semantics, which was referenced in science fiction fandom of the 1940s.<ref>Hubbard, "Terra Incognita: The Mind," The Explorers Journal, winter 1949 / spring 1950 (on the bridge between cybernetics and general semantics)</ref> Scientology also reflects the influence of the Hindu concept of karma, as well as the psychological theories of Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung and William Sargant. Sociologist 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." During The Phoenix Lectures Hubbard admitted that Scientology depended on his having known something of the Vedas.<ref>Lecture: Scientology: Its General Background part 1, track 7 by L. Ron Hubbard "For to say...that a Westerner such as myself should suddenly develop all you need to know...is an incredible and an unbelievable and an untrue statement, had the information of the Veda not been available to me."</ref> Hubbard called the Vedas Scientology’s earliest ancestor: "And we find Scientology’s earliest, certainly known ancestor in the Veda."<ref>Hubbard, Lecture: Scientology: Its General Background part 1, track 7</ref> Hubbard also gave recognition to the Tao Te Ching, the Dharma and Gautama Buddha as forerunners to Scientology.<ref>Hubbard, Lecture: Scientology: Its General Background part 1, 2 and 3</ref>
Texts, Lectures and Beliefs
Scientology's beliefs and related techniques comprise 15 basic books,<ref>Bridge Publications: The Basics</ref> and 3,000 recorded lectures.<ref>ReligiousTolerance.org: About Scientology</ref> There isn’t a 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.<ref>Bridge Publications: The Basics: Introduction</ref>
Scientology describes itself as the "the study and handling of the spirit in relationship to itself, others and all of life,"<ref> Introduction to Scientology
. Retrieved on 2006-05-04.
</ref> and "encompasses all aspects of life from the point of view of the spirit" — including "auditing"<ref>The practice of Scientology</ref> and training in morals, ethics, detoxification, education and management.<ref>web site: What is Scientology: foreword</ref>
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."<ref>Doctrine of the Scientology Religion</ref> 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.<ref>Scientology: Its background and origins</ref> 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."<ref>Introduction to the Scientology Religion p. 2</ref>
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,"<ref>Doctrine of the Scientology Religion p. 2</ref> and claims 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."<ref name="dogma">[http://www.scientology.org/en_US/religion/index.html Introduction to Scientology</ref>
The exact nature of all of existence is said to be stated in Hubbard's Scientology and Dianetics Axioms.
Other beliefs of Scientology are:
- 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 "abberated" by moments of pain and unconsciousness.
- Psychiatry and psychology are destructive and abusive practices.<ref>"psychiatrists and psychologists . . . can cure nothing and cannot change anyone for better or worse and, as a result, have to kill 'difficult patients.' . . . Anyone who disagrees with their planned totalitarian rule is pronounced 'insane.' He is seized quietly, conveyed to a prison, tortured and usually permanently injured or killed." Hubbard, "How To Win An Argument" (1969). Retrieved May 9 2006</ref>
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"; for example, that the negative effects of drugs must be addressed before other issues can be addressed. 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.
Scientologists believe that man is composed of three distinguishable parts: mind, body and spirit.<ref>The Parts of Man</ref>
The spirit, represented with the Greek letter 'theta' (Ɵ),<ref>The Parts of Man</ref> is the true form of man and can exist exterior to and/or independent from a body.<ref>The thetan</ref> The mind in Scientology is described as a bank of mental images<ref>How the mind works.</ref> that give the spirit experience and knowledge and that store the spirit’s "postulates." Scientologists subdivided the mind<ref>The Parts of the mind</ref> into the analytical or conscious mind, which is "totally accessible to the spirit,"<ref>Glossary of Scientology and Dianetics Terms</ref> and the reactive or subconscious mind, which "unknowingly affects the spirit" and is said to operate "on an irrational, stimulus-response basis."<ref>The Reactive Mind</ref> 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."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
Dianetics
Dianetics is a substudy of Scientology that deals with the reactive mind, the "bank" of traumatic memories known as engrams which are said to inhibit success and happiness.<ref> What is Dianetics?
. Retrieved on 2006-05-03.
</ref>
ARC and KRC triangles
The Scientology symbol contains two triangles which Hubbard called the "ARC triangle" and the "KRC triangle", respectively.<ref name="symbol">Scientology Symbol</ref> 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. The points of the upper triangle represent Knowledge, Responsibility and Control. 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 elements.
Tone scale
The tone scale attempts to characterize 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 convoluted problems and greater difficulties in communication.
Scientology and Dianetics state that the dynamic principle of existence is to survive<ref>"[B]arest necessity'. . . is not survival. Survival is a gradient scale, with infinity or immortality at the top, and death and pain at the bottom." Hubbard, Introduction to Scientology Ethics, pp. 11, 19</ref> and that man survives across the "eight dynamics of Self, Family and Sex, Group, Humanity, the Animal Kingdom, the Physical Universe, Spirits and God or Infinity".<ref>Book: Introduction to Scientology Ethics, 2007 edition, p. 12</ref> The "dynamics," represented by the Scientology cross, must be considered equally<ref>Hubbard, Introduction to Scientology Ethics, 2007 ed., p. 12</ref>
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"<ref>Introduction to Scientology Ethics, 2007 ed., p. 25</ref> but warns that "over time, morals can become outmoded, burdensome, and so invite revolt."<ref>ScientologyEthics.org</ref>
Scientology states that there is no absolute right or wrong but that right and wrong are actually a gradient from right to wrong.<ref>Hubbard, Introduction to Scientology Ethics, 2007 ed,; Gradient Scale of Right and Wrong, p. 15</ref> An action must contain construction which outweighs the destruction it contains in order to be considered good.<ref>ibid, p. 21</ref> "Good is any action which brings the greatest construction to the greatest number of dynamics while bringing the least destruction."<ref>ibid, p. 15</ref> "An 'absolute wrongness' would be the extinction of the universe and all energy and the source of energy. . . . An 'absolute right' would be the immortality of the individual himself, his children, his group, mankind and the universe."<ref>ibid, p. 16</ref>
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."<ref>http://www.scientologyethics.org/scientology-ethics.htm</ref> "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."<ref>ibid, p. 18</ref> 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.<ref>ScientologyEthics.org, The Conditions of Existence</ref> 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,"<ref>http://www.scientologyethics.org/page06.htm</ref> where a downward trend could identify an 'emergency condition' and an upward trend could identify a 'affluence condition'.<ref>Hubbard, Introduction to Scientology Ethics, 2007 ed., Statistics Trends and Stats Interpretation, p. 85</ref> 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.<ref>ScientologyEthics.org Statistics: The Measurement of Survival</ref>
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." What this translates to, according to Kent, is "a peculiar brand of morality that uniquely benefitted [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."<ref name="Kent">Modèle:Cite journal</ref>
Past lives and "Secret" Levels
Modèle:Seealso 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.<ref>20th ACC, 7 August 1958, Lecture #19 "The most basic rock of all"</ref> 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.<ref>Coordinates of Trementina Base Modèle:Coord</ref> 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."<ref>Leiby, Richard Scientology church’s mark inscribed in N.M. desert scrub, published November 29 2005 in the Free New Mexican (website accessed 04/15/06)</ref>
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.<ref name="inside"> Reitman , Janet
. " Inside Scientology: Unlocking the complex code of America's most mysterious religion " , Rolling Stone , 2006-02-23 , p. 4 . Retrieved on 2007-07-22 . </ref> Individuals who have read these materials may not disclose what they contain without jeopardizing their standing in the Church.<ref name="inside"/> Presently, there are eight such levels, OT I to VIII.<ref name="gradechart"> Scientology Large Classification Gradation and Awareness Chart (image) . Church of Scientology
. Retrieved on 2007-07-22. </ref> Church management has promised to release a ninth OT level once certain expansion goals are met.<ref> OT Levels
(HTML) . Xenu.net . Operation Clambake
. Retrieved on 2007-05-28. </ref> 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.<ref>Description of purpose of the freewinds</ref>
Despite the organization's claims to confidentiality, excerpts and descriptions of these materials were published online by a former member in 1995 and then circulated in mainstream media.<ref name="inside"/> This occurred after the teachings were submitted as evidence in court cases involving Scientology, thus becoming a matter of public record.<ref name ="DoubleCrossed"> Ortega , Tony
(1999-12-23) . Double Crossed . Phoenix New Times . Village Voice Media
. Retrieved on 2007-09-16. </ref><ref name="Loss"> Hines , Matt
(2003-09-08) . Scientology loss keeps hyperlinks legal . CNET
. Retrieved on 2007-09-16. </ref> 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.<ref name ="DoubleCrossed"/>
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.<ref>Modèle:Cite journal Another link: Carnegie-Mellon University</ref> Scientologists have argued, however, that published accounts of the Xenu story and other teachings are presented out of context for the purpose of ridiculing their religion.<ref name="inside"/>
Practices
Auditing
The central practice of Scientology is "auditing," a one-on-one session with a Scientology counselor or "auditor." Most auditing uses an E-meter, a device that measures minute changes in electrical resistance through the body when a person holds metal cans and a small current is passed through them; it supposedly helps locate an area of concern.<ref>US Patent and Trademark Office [1] Device for Measuring and Indicating Changes in the Resistance of a Human Body; Inventor: Lafayette R. Hubbard; expired patent issued 6 December 1966</ref>
In the auditing process, the practitioner (referred to as a "preclear" or PC) discloses specific traumatic incidents, prior ethical transgressions and bad decisions, which are said to 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 supposed to be "a willing and interested participant who understands the questions" and what is going on.<ref name="auditorscode"> The Auditors' Code, Rule 19
. What is Scientology Auditing? . Church of Scientology International
. Retrieved on 2007-02-26. </ref> Auditors are not to suggest, interpret, degrade or invalidate the answers.<ref>Scientology Auditing and Earlier Practices</ref> Scientologists claim that benefits from auditing include improved IQ, improved ability to communicate and enhanced memory.<ref>Scientology "Success Stories"</ref>
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 said to be stored securely when not being added to during auditing sessions.<ref>Modèle:Cite paper</ref>Auditors promise never to use secrets divulged in a session for punishment or personal gain.<ref name="auditorscode" />
Training
Training is the supervised process of learning and applying Scientology and auditing, is considered as important as auditing,<ref name="training">[2] A description of Scientology training</ref> 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.<ref name="training"/>
- Scientology Zero deals with the Scientologist's immediate surroundings, the world and society, for the general public.
- Scientology One deals with "essential data about living and life, applicable to anyone" who could be considered a Scientologist in the broadest sense — those who have read some Hubbard books, and have applied things learned in them.
- Scientology Two is obtaining and applying Scientology training and course materials in an "Org."
- Scientology Three covers attaining Clear and preparation for Operating Thetan (OT) levels.
- Scientology Four deals with OT levels and Saint Hill Special Briefing Course (SHSBC) materials.
- Scientology Five is the use of Scientology tech applied to the highest global sociopolitical echelons.<ref>Validity magazine (Church of Scientology), issue 362</ref><ref>Hubbard, Dianetics and Scientology Technical Dictionary, 1st ed.</ref>
The first five levels take two weeks each on a 40-hours-per-week schedule.<ref>[3] Academy Auditors Training</ref>The highest level 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.<ref>[4] The Saint Hill Special Briefing Course</ref>
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<ref name="CoSFAQ"> Church of Scientology
(2006)
. Scientology Newsroom
. Retrieved on 2006-08-07. </ref> 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."<ref>Hubbard, Dianetics, quoted in SilentBirth.org. Accessed 2007-06-15</ref> In the 1960s Hubbard gave certain dietary recommendations,<ref>University of Miami: statement on Hubbard's infant diet</ref> writing that breastfeeding should be avoided if the mother is smoking, drinking or is lacking good nutrition herself.<ref>"The Auditor", No. 6, 1965, article "Healthy Babies"</ref> 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.<ref>Hubbard, "Barley Formula For Babies," HCO Bulletin, 28 April 1991R Issue I</ref> Hubbard claims that he "picked it up in Roman days,"<ref name="New Mother">Hubbard, Processing a New Mother, HCO Bulletin, 20 December 1958</ref> referring to the use of barley.<ref>The Auditor Nr. 6, 1965, "Healthy Babies". Quote: "Roman troops marched on barley. Barley is the highest protein content cereal"</ref> Hubbard crafted the barley formula to, in his words, provide "a heavy percentage of protein"<ref name="New Mother" /> and called it "the nearest approach to human milk that can be assembled easily."<ref name="Handbook">Modèle:Cite book</ref> 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,<ref>Pub Med</ref> the lack of which causes scurvy.
Ceremonies
The Church of Scientology has social ceremonies for marriage, birth and death that are performed by an ordained Scientology minister.<ref>http://theology.scientology.org/eng/pdf/scientology-04-religious-practice.pdf</ref> 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.<ref>http://theology.scientology.org/eng/pdf/scientology-15-true-religion.pdf</ref><ref>http://www.scientology.org/wis/wiseng/41/41-books.htm</ref> 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.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.<ref> 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.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.<ref>http://theology.scientology.org/eng/pdf/scientology-04-religious-practice.pdf</ref>
[modifier]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.<ref name="adherents">Breakdown of Worldwide Religions By Adherents</ref> In 2007 the Church claimed 3.5 million members in the United States,<ref>Kansas City Star March 17, 2007; article reprinted at rickross.com</ref> 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<ref>Kosmin, Barry A. et al American Religious Identification Survey</ref> Although 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,<ref name="adherents"/> religious scholar J. Gordon Melton has said that the church's estimates of its membership numbers are exaggerated.<ref> Jarvik , Elaine
(2004-09-18) . Scientology: Church now claims more than 8 million members . Deseret News. Retrieved on 2007-08-01.
“If the church indeed had 4 million members in the United States, he says, "they would be like the Lutherans and would show up on a national survey" such as the Harris poll”</ref>
[modifier]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.
Image:Flag Service Org.jpgOne of the main buildings of the FLAG Scientology complex in Clearwater, FloridaImage:Tampa Org.jpgChurch of Scientology of Tampa, FloridaImage:Freewinds starboard.jpgThe Scientology cruise ship FreewindsThe 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.<ref>Religious Technology Center Web Site</ref> Scientology organizations must licence 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.<ref>What is Scientology: Religious Technology Center</ref> RTC is headed by David Miscavige a man believed to be the most powerful person in Scientology.<ref>The Man Behind Scientology by Thomas C. Tobin, St. Petersburg Times, October 25, 1998</ref> The Church of Scientology International is the mother church of Scientology and manages all affiliated Scientology organizations worldwide.<ref>Official Scientology web site: The Church of Scientology International</ref>
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,<ref name = "mission_dir">List of Scientology Missions </ref> delivering basic Dianetics and Scientology services in 50 countries worldwide.<ref>Scientology Missions</ref> 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."<ref>Churches, Missions and Groups</ref> Overall there are 142 churches in 28 countries established worldwide.<ref name = "org_dir"> Directory of Church of Scientology</ref> Scientology's "Advanced Organizations" are churches specialized in the delivering of higher training levels.<ref>Advanced Organizations</ref> Those organizations are located in Los Angeles; Clearwater, Florida;<ref>Scientology's town, St Petersburg Times, July 18, 2004</ref> Great Britain; Sydney, Australia; Copenhagen; and the cruise ship Freewinds.<ref>Church of Scientology Flag Ship Service Organization</ref>
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:<ref>Able Web Site</ref>
- Narconon manages a number of drug treatment centers worldwide and was founded by William Benitez in 1966.<ref>Origins of the Narconon Program</ref> Benitez was an inmate who found a book by Hubbard in the Arizona State Prison library and got himself and other inmates off drugs.<ref>Description of the Narconon program</ref>
- 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).<ref>Youth for Human Rights</ref>
- 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. <ref> Drug-Free Marshals
. Church of Scientology. Retrieved on 2007-07-30. </ref>
- Another Scientology anti-drug campaign is the No to drugs - yes to life campaign, geared toward the public at large.<ref> Foundation for a Drug-Free World
. Church of Scientology. Retrieved on 2007-07-30. </ref>
- 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.
[modifier]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 Church labels these as "apostates" (or "squirrels" in Scientology jargon) and often subjects them to considerable legal and social pressure. These groups avoid the name "Scientology" so as to keep from being sued, instead referring to themselves collectively as the Free Zone. Such groups include Ron's Org and the International Freezone Association, among others.
[modifier]Scientology and 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."<ref>CC International in Hollywood</ref> There are eight so-called Celebrity Centers, although Hollywood is the largest. Entertainers — including John Travolta, Kirstie Alley, Jason Lee, Isaac Hayes, Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes and James Packer<ref>http://www.fatherbob.com.au/father_bob/2006/07/philanthropy.html</ref> — have generated considerable publicity for Scientology. Former Scientologists say that celebrity practitioners get more attention than noncelebrity 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."<ref>"We were told that we needed to plant a field and that it was to help Tom impress Nicole … but for some mysterious reason it wasn't considered acceptable by Mr. Miscavige. So the project was rejected and they redid it." Hoffman, Claire
; Christensen, Kim . " Tom Cruise and Scientology " , Los Angeles Times , 2005-12-18 . Retrieved on 2006-11-14 . </ref>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."<ref>Affidavit of Andre Tabayoyon, 5 March 1994, in Church of Scientology International vs. Steven Fishman and Uwe Geertz</ref> 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|Modèle:Interpolation]] 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."<ref>Affidavit of Andre Tabayoyon, 5 March 1994, in Church of Scientology International vs. Steven Fishman and Uwe Geertz, contradicted in sworn declaration of staffer James Hall, 11 April 1994</ref> 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."<ref>John H. Richardson. Catch a Rising Star. Premiere Magazine/September 1993</ref>
[modifier]Controversy and criticism
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<ref> Morgan , Lucy
. " Abroad: Critics public and private keep pressure on Scientology " , St. Petersburg Times , 1999-03-29 . Retrieved on 2007-09-07 . "Canada's highest court in 1997 upheld the criminal conviction of the Church of Scientology of Toronto and one of its officers for a breach of trust stemming from covert operations in Canadian government offices during the 1970s and 1980s." </ref> and Germany) numerous times over the years.Reports and allegations have been made, by journalists, courts, and governmental bodies of several countries, that the Church of Scientology is an unscrupulous commercial enterprise that harasses its critics and brutally exploits its members.<ref name="The Church's War"> Leiby , Richard
. " Scientology Fiction: The Church's War Against Its Critics — and Truth " , The Washington Post , 1994-12-25 , p. C1 . Retrieved on 2006-06-21 . </ref><ref> Goodin , Dan(1999-06-03) . Scientology subpoenas Worldnet . CNET News.com. Retrieved on 2006-05-04. </ref> 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,<ref name="Vicki Aznaran Affidavit"> 19 May 1994 Affidavit by Vicki Aznaran, former Scientologist and litigant against the Church of Scientology</ref> and harassed key Scientology executives, by advancing unfounded opinions to get a case dropped or to obtain a settlement.<ref name="Affidavit of 29 April 2002 of Stacy Brooks"> Stacy Brooks affidavit recanting earlier affidavits</ref>
Germany classes Scientology as a business, rather than a religious organization, and has even gone so far as to consider a ban on Scientology.<ref>"
Germany moves to ban Scientology " , CNN.com . Retrieved on 2007-12-07 . (English) </ref>Belgium, France, Ireland, Luxembourg and the United Kingdom have not recognized Scientology as a religion.<ref>Understanding the German View of Scientology German Embassy, Washington, D.C.</ref> Scientology has also not been recognized as a religion in Israel or Mexico. A recent judicial investigation in Belgium is now in the process of prosecuting Scientology.
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."<ref>Scientology web site: What is "disconnection"?</ref><ref name="unperson"> Robert Farley
. " The unperson " , St. Petersburg Times , 2006-06-24 , pp. 1A, 14A . Retrieved on 2007-06-24 . </ref>
- The death of a Scientologist Lisa McPherson while in the care of the Church.
- Criminal activities committed on behalf of the Church or directed by Church officials (Operation Snow White, Operation Freakout)
- Fair Game policy that encouraged the abuse of critics.
- Conflicting claims 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.<ref name="Behar"/>
- Scientology's harassment and litigious actions against its critics.<ref name="Behar"/>
- 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.<ref>
Matt Loney ; Evan Hansen . " Google pulls anti-Scientology links " , CNet , 2002-03-21 . Retrieved on 2007-05-10 . </ref>Due to these allegations, a considerable amount of investigation has been aimed at the Church, by groups ranging from the media to governmental agencies.<ref name="The Church's War"> Leiby , Richard
. " Scientology Fiction: The Church's War Against Its Critics — and Truth " , The Washington Post , 1994-12-25 , p. C1 . Retrieved on 2006-06-21 . </ref><ref> Goodin , Dan(1999-06-03) . Scientology subpoenas Worldnet . CNET News.com. Retrieved on 2006-05-04. </ref>
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.<ref>Scientology is a Bona Fide Religion Serving Exclusively Religious and Charitable Purposes</ref><ref> Modèle:Cite paper</ref>
While acknowledging that a number of his colleagues accept Scientology as a religion, sociologist Stephen A. Kent<ref>http://www.cesnur.org/testi/melton98.htm</ref><ref>http://www.cesnur.org/testi/kent.htm</ref> wrote: "Rather than struggling over whether or not to label Scientology as a religion, I find it far more helpful to view it as a multifaceted transnational corporation, only one element of which is religious." (Italics in original.)<ref>Modèle:Cite paper</ref> <ref name="marburg">Modèle:Cite paper</ref>
Scientology social programs such as drug and criminal rehabilitation have likewise drawn both support and criticism.<ref> Gianni , Luke
. " wrote: "Rather than struggling over whether or not to label Scientology as a religion, I find it far more helpful to view it as a multifaceted transnational corporation, only one element of which is religious." (Italics in original.)<ref>Modèle:Cite paper</ref> <ref name="marburg">Modèle:Cite paper</ref>Scientology social programs such as drug and criminal rehabilitation have likewise drawn both support and criticism.<ref> Gianni , Luke
. " Scientology does detox—David E. Root, M.D " , local stories > 15 minutes , Sacramento News & Review , 2007-02-22 . Retrieved on 2007-05-06 . </ref><ref> Seifman , David(2007-04-21) . Local Pols Cruised in Free to Tom Gala . New York Post. Retrieved on 2007-11-27. </ref><ref> Monserrate Defends Detox Program
. The Politicker . New York Observer (2007-04-20). Retrieved on 2007-11-27. </ref><ref> Etter , Lauren
(2007-01-19) . Program for prisoners draws fire over Scientology . Wall Street Journal . Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved on 2007-11-27. </ref>
[modifier]Auditing confidentiality
In some instances, former members have claimed the Church used information obtained in auditing sessions against them.<ref>Modèle:Cite book</ref><ref>Modèle:Cite journal</ref><ref> Prince, Jesse
(1999) . Affidavit of Jesse Prince . Estate of Lisa McPherson v. Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization, Inc., case no. 97-01235. Retrieved on 2006-06-13. </ref> The Church maintains that its auditing records are kept confidential, although on 16 December 1969 the organization authorized the use of auditing records for purposes of "internal security."<ref>Modèle:PDFlink format)</ref>
Supporters of Scientology assert that no actual violation based solely upon use or revelation of auditing records has been documented<ref>[5]</ref> and such a violation of their Auditing Code is a high crime per Scientology justice codes.<ref>Hubbard, Introduction to Scientology Ethics</ref> "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)<ref>[6]</ref>
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."<ref>http://www.gerryarmstrong.org/50grand/legal/a1/breckenridge-decision.pdf PDF document of court findings, pp. 7-8</ref> 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."<ref>http://www.gerryarmstrong.org/50grand/cult/fls-rpt-corr-breckenridge.html Scientology statement about the court ruling</ref>
[modifier]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.<ref name="bruce_23">Steve Bruce: Cathedrals to cults: the evolving forms of the religious life. In: Paul Heelas (Hrsg.): Religion, Modernity, and Postmodernity, Blackwell, Oxford 1998, pp. 19-35, 23</ref>
The Church pursues an extensive public relations campaign for the recognition of Scientology as a bona fide religion.<ref> The Bonafides of the Scientology Religion
. Church of Scientology. Retrieved on 2007-07-21. </ref> Scientology is considered as a legitimate religion in Spain,<ref>Spanish court rules Scientology can be listed as a religion</ref><ref>Cienciología entre las «entidades religiosas»</ref> Taiwan,<ref> Taiwan Yearbook 2006
. Taiwan Government Information Office (2006). Retrieved on 2007-08-31. </ref> Tanzania, Zimbabwe, South Africa,<ref name="MARRIAGE"> Scientology Marriage Officers Approved in South Africa
. CESNUR (2000-04-11). Retrieved on 2007-07-21. </ref> Australia, Sweden,<ref> Decision of March 13, 2000 registering Scientology as a "religious community" in Sweden
. CESNUR (2000-03-13). Retrieved on 2007-07-21. </ref> New Zealand,<ref> Scientology gets tax-exempt status
. New Zealand Herald (2002-12-27). Retrieved on 2007-08-01.
“the IRD said the church was a charitable organisation dedicated to the advancement of religion”</ref> 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.<ref>Scientology and Germany. Understanding the German View of Scientology</ref>
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."<ref>"Recognition was based upon voluminous information provided by the Church regarding its financial and other operations to the Internal Revenue Service." IRS press release Dec. 31, 1997 Church of Scientology & IRS Confidentiality. Retrieved Aug 13th 2007</ref><ref> Dahl , David
; Vick, Karl(1993-10-24) . IRS examined Scientology dollars, not dogma . St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved on 2007-08-31. </ref>
[modifier]Hypnosis and Scientology as a cult
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."<ref>Report of the Board of Enquiry into Scientology (PDF format) by Kevin Victor Anderson, Q.C. Published 1965 by the State of Victoria, Australia, p. 155</ref> 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.<ref name="Bare-faced Messiah"> Modèle:Cite book</ref> (See Scientology and hypnosis). Licenced psychotherapists alleged that auditing sessions amount to mental health treatment without a licence, but the Church disputes these allegations, and claims to have established 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.
In France, the Church of Scientology was categorized as a sect (or cult) in the report of the National Assembly of France in 1995.<ref>National Assembly of France report No. 2468</ref> A more recent government report in 2000 categorized the church as an "absolute sect" and recommended that all its activities be prohibited.<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/635793.stm</ref>
The Cult Awareness Network famously received more complaints concerning Scientology than any other group, and therefore listed them at the top of their cult list. Until they went into bankruptcy from suits initiated by Scientology, and were then bought out by the Church of Scientology, who now operates the new Cult Awareness Network as a promotional arm of the church.<ref> Keller , Rod
. " CAN " , alt.religion.scientology, Week In Review , Operation Clambake , August 2 1998 , pp. Volume 3, Issue 17 . Retrieved on 2007-10-28 . </ref><ref> Ross , Rick
. Cult Awareness Network . Rick A. Ross Institute. Retrieved on 2007-10-28. "The so-called "reformed Cult Awareness Network" is "operated by the Foundation for Religious Freedom." According to the IRS/Scientology agreement this foundation is a "Scientology-related" entity"</ref><ref> Staff
. " From the Editor " , New CAN: Cult Awareness Network , 2001 , pp. Volume I, Issue 2 . Retrieved on 2007-10-28 . </ref><ref> Goodman , Leisa, Human Rights Director, Church of Scientology International . " A Letter from the Church of Scientology " , Marburg Journal of Religion: Responses From Religions , 2001 , pp. Volume 6, No. 2, 4 pages . Retrieved on 2007-10-28 . </ref><ref name="cnn96"> Knapp , Dan . " Group that once criticized Scientologists now owned by one " , CNN , Time Warner , December 19, 1996 . Retrieved on 2007-10-29 . </ref>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 anti-democratic tendencies.<ref>Report of the German federal Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz intelligence agency</ref> 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.<ref>Administrative court of Cologne, finding on 11 November 2004, file number: 20 K 1882/03 http://www.justiz.nrw.de</ref><ref>Upper administrative court of Saarland, finding on 29. March 2001, file number: 6 K 149/00 (overruled in revision by same court in 2005)</ref> In Berlin, the court prohibited the use of paid undercover agents.<ref>Administrative court of Berlin, finding on 13. December 2001, file number: 27 A 260.98</ref> In Saarland, surveillance was stopped by the court as inappropriate because there is no local branch of Scientology and few members.<ref>Upper administrative court of Saarland, finding on 27. April 2005, file number: 2 R 14/03</ref>
Allegations of Scientology's cult status may be attributed to its unconventional creation by a single authoritative and charismatic leader.<ref>Modèle:Cite paper</ref>
On May 12, 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, brain-washed ... and chased round the streets of Los Angeles by sinister strangers. Back in Britain strangers have called on my neighbours, 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."<ref>John Sweeney. Row over Scientology video. BBC News. May 14, 2007</ref><ref>BBC Panorama</ref>
The Church of Scientology called John Sweeney's documentary (first aired May 14, 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.<ref>BBC Panorama Exposed (Church-owned site)</ref>
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.<ref>http://www.daisy.freeserve.co.uk/stolgy_31.htm</ref> 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."<ref>http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/0,,2079185,00.html</ref>
[modifier]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.<ref name="Behar" /> 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.<ref>Modèle:Cite journal</ref> 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,<ref name="Bare-faced Messiah"/> of Hubbard stating on various occasions that the way to get rich was to start a religion.<ref>http://www.don-lindsay-archive.org/scientology/start.a.religion.html</ref> 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."<ref>Reader's Digest, May, 1980</ref>
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.<ref name="The Church's War" />
Scientology pays members commissions on new recruits they bring in, encouraging Scientology members to "sell" Scientology to others.<ref name="Behar">Behar, Richard Scientology: The Thriving Cult of Greed and Power, Ruined lives. Lost fortunes. Federal crimes. Scientology poses as a religion but really is a ruthless global scam—and aiming for the mainstream Time Magazine, May 6 1991 courtesy link, (accessed 04/20/06)</ref> In addition, Scientology franchises, or missions, pay the church roughly 10% of their gross income.<ref name="Man In Control"> Sappell , Joel
; Welkos, Robert W. . " The Man In Control " , Los Angeles Times , 1990-06-24 , p. A41:4 . Retrieved on 2006-06-06 . </ref> On that basis, it is often likened to a Pyramid selling scheme.<ref> West , L. J., M.D.(July 1990) . Psychiatry and Scientology. Retrieved on 2007-05-16. </ref> Charges for auditing and other Church-related courses run to tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars.<ref>Cooper, Paulette Scandal of Scientology, Chapter 19, Tower Publications, NYC, 1971</ref><ref>Modèle:Cite paper</ref> 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.<ref>Zur Frage der Beobachtung der Scientology-Organisation durch die Verfassungsschutzbehörden (in German) (PDF format)</ref> 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 of 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.<ref>Modèle:Cite journal</ref><ref>DIANETICS RACING TEAM TO JOIN NASCAR CIRCUIT, Bridge Publications, 2006</ref>
[modifier]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,<ref>Criminals & psychiatry. July 29, 1980</ref> the rise of Hitler and Stalin,<ref>Book review of Psychiatrists: The Men Behind Hitler</ref> the decline in education standards in the United States,<ref>http://www.cchr.org/educate/e_sr.htm</ref> the wars in Bosnia and Kosovo,<ref>An Anatomy of Today's Terrorism; PsychAssault.com CCHR's Latest Website</ref> and the September 11 attacks.<ref>Thomas G. Whittle and Linda Amato. The continuing search for answers: Behind the Terror - A proble into masterminds of death and violence</ref> 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.
[modifier]Scientology versus 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."<ref>Modèle:Cite book</ref> Critics say that the organisation'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.<ref>cmsg rmgroup alt.religion.scientology</ref>
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.<ref>"The Secret Project to Spam the Internet"</ref>
[modifier]Scientific criticism of Scientology beliefs
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."<ref>Modèle:Cite paper</ref> Scientology now publishes the following disclaimer in its books and publications: "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 any diagnosis, treatment or prevention of any disease"<ref>Scientology's official description of the E-meter</ref> and that it is used specifically for spiritual purposes.
Professor Richard Dawkins, an avowed atheist and prominent critic of religion, has described Scientology as "gullibiligy" and its claims as "purely made-up."<ref>"The gullible age," The Times, 5 August 2007</ref>
[modifier]See also
[modifier]Notes
<references />[modifier]General references
- Scientology: Cult of Greed and power—Time Magazine article on Scientology
- Spirituality through therapy: Scientology, teaching that divinity lies within, appeals to our pop gods
- Modèle:Cite paper
- Modèle:Cite paper
- Modèle:Cite book
- Modèle:Cite book
</div>
[modifier]External links
Modèle:Portal Modèle:Sisterlinks
[modifier]Scientology web links
- Church of Scientology official home page
- Church of Scientology International - News Site
- Official Church site about L. Ron Hubbard
- Scientology Handbook (Training Manual for Scientology Volunteer Ministers)
- What is Scientology? A description of Scientology and its activities and answers to FAQs (by the Church of Scientology)
- Theology & Practice of Scientology
- Religious scholars "What Religious Scholars Say About Scientology"
- Scientology Volunteer Ministers
[modifier]Critical links
- "Scientology: Inside the Cult" (video)
- "Operation Clambake - The Inner Secrets Of Scientology"
- "Secrets of Scientology"
- "Rick A. Ross Institute"
- Scientology at "The Rotten Library"
- Through the Door, survey interviews of over 200 former Scientologists
- Scientology—is this a Religion? Stephen A Kent, 1979
- "Scientology Lies.com"
- Lermanet.com
- XENU TV
- Site on Scientology and L. Ron Hubbard
[modifier]Other links
- International Freezone Association
- Beliefnet site on scientology.
- Links about Scientology on dmoz Open Directory Project
- "Inside Scientology", Rolling Stone; 02/23/06 article on Scientology
- Life Positive Scientology: The Doctrine of Clarity
- Scientology: A Religion in South Africa by David Chidester, University of Cape Town, South Africa
- Center for Studies in New Religions
- Scientology at Virginia Tech
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