", "U.N. Derides Scientologists' Charges About German 'Persecution, "Germany drops attempt to ban Scientology", "Church of Scientology Faces Criminal Charges in Belgium – International News", "La Scientologie plus près de son procès", "Einde aan achttien jaar discriminatie van Scientology", "US Dept of State International Religious Freedom Report 2004", "Hague Court Deal Blow to Scientology Tax-Free Status", "Rudd's concerns about Scientology (quoted from embedded video, "Xenophon attacks Scientology – Independent Senator Nick Xenophon attacks Scientology as a 'criminal organisation, "The Church of Scientology: Lightning Rod for Cultural Boundary Conflicts", "Church of Scientology FAQ: Did L. Ron Hubbard state that the way to make money was to start a religion? What is the difference between Scientology and Dianetics? [85], Dianetics is different from Scientology in that Scientology is a religion while Dianetics is not. [201], Although the Church of Scientology claims to be the fastest growing religious movement on Earth, the organization's estimates of its membership numbers are reportedly significantly exaggerated. [443] Hubbard's view of a mechanically functioning mind in particular finds close parallels in Durant's work on Spinoza. 2468", "A Summary on Scientology for Scientists (1969)", "L. Ron Hubbard explains to a friend the real reason he wrote 'Dianetics' | The Underground Bunker", "The Creation of 'Religious' Scientology", The Road to Total Freedom: A Sociological Analysis of Scientology, "Adult New York Times Best Seller Lists for 1950", "Jon Atack: The games L. Ron Hubbard played", "The Creation of "Religious" Scientology", "The paranoid, depressed L. Ron Hubbard: Jim Dincalci's 1997 'Secret Lives' TV interview ' The Underground Bunker", "Religious Technology Center v. Freie Zone E. V", "Copyright – or wrong? Melton states that Scientology can also be traced back to Gnosticism, Manicheanism, Freemasonry and Theosophy. If at any time you wish to no longer receive email from us, simply use the link provided at the bottom of the message. After explaining these beliefs, the character representing the Church of Scientology's president ultimately reveals to Stan that the organization is in reality a money-making scam. [181][209], The Rehabilitation Project Force (RPF) is a controversial part of the Scientology "justice" system. [147] The 2008 American Religious Identification Survey found that the number of American Scientologists had dropped to 25,000. [338][339] [110], In 1972, facing criminal charges in France, Hubbard returned to the United States and began living in an apartment in Queens, New York. Quoted in Miller, p. 213, Wollersheim v. Church of Scientology, 212 Cal. [268][269][270] In March 2016, the Church of Scientology was acquitted of all charges, and demands to close its Belgian branch and European headquarters were dismissed. [152], Scientology uses an emotional classification system called the tone scale. According to L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology’s fundamental creation myth goes something like this: Xenu (also referred to as Xemu) was once ruler of the Galactic Confederacy, an ancient organization of 76 planets. Accounts of the Volunteer Ministers' effectiveness have been mixed, and touch assists are not supported by scientific evidence.[232][233][234]. [99][426] Though some claim the statement is unsubstantiated, many of Hubbard's science fiction colleagues, including Sam Merwin, Lloyd Arthur Eshbach and Sam Moscowitz, recall Hubbard raising the topic in conversation. [357][358][359], The Church of Scientology has often encountered opposition due to its strong-arm tactics directed against critics and members wishing to leave the organization. [275], During the auditing process, the auditor collects and records personal information from the client. [79] On January 4, 1963, FDA agents raided offices of the Church of Scientology, seizing hundreds of E-meters as illegal medical devices and tons of literature that they accused of making false medical claims. [84][72], Also in 1951, Hubbard incorporated the electropsychometer (E-meter for short), a kind of electrodermal activity meter, as an auditing aid. [83] Hubbard took the reports of past life events seriously and introduced the concept of the Thetan, an immortal being analogous to the soul. [425], During his lifetime, Hubbard was accused of using religion as a façade for Scientology to maintain tax-exempt status and avoid prosecution for false medical claims. Karen Christensen, David Levinson (2003): Benjamin J. Hubbard/John T. Hatfield/James A. Santucci. [362] In 1991, Miscavige, the highest-ranking Scientology leader, arranged a meeting with Fred T. Goldberg Jr., the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service at the time. Accordingly, only when the Seventh Dynamic (spiritual) is reached in its entirety will one discover and come to a full understanding of the Eighth Dynamic (infinity) and one's relationship to the Supreme Being. [472][475] Training concerns primarily the principles and techniques of auditing. [237] This does not include assets and revenue of International Association of Scientologists. ", "Scientology in Turmoil: Debbie Cook's E-Mail, Annotated", "So This New Paul Thomas Anderson Movie Is Definitely About Scientology, Right? [284], The Sea Org originally operated on vessels at sea where it was understood that it was not permitted to raise children on board the ships. ", "Defectors Say Church of Scientology Hides Abuse", "Scientology Gateshead building still empty after seven years", "Scientology: Church now claims more than 8 million members", Der Geheimdienst der Scientology-Organisation – Grundlagen, Aufgaben, Strukturen, Methoden und Ziele – Zweite Auflage, Stand 06.05.1998", On the Offensive Against an Array of Suspected Foes, "Part 6: Attack the Attacker, On the Offensive . [116] David Miscavige emerged as the new head of the organization. In April 1953, Hubbard wrote a letter proposing that Scientology should be transformed into a religion. In this context, it is discussed in UFO Religions by Christopher Partridge,[435] and The Encyclopedic Sourcebook of UFO Religions by James R. Lewis,[436] while Susan Palmer draws several parallels with Raelianism. Na de oprichting volgden nog leidende boeken over specifieke thema's. [297][298], Australian Senator Nick Xenophon gave a speech to the Australian Parliament in November 2009, about statements he had received from former Scientologists. [173], Scholar Luigi Berzano of the University of Turin listed five religious characteristics of Scientology: a set of doctrines leading to a spiritual goal, a community of believers, an authority figure (Hubbard), ritual practices, and "an ethical-moral view of life". Scientology is a set of beliefs and practices invented by American author L. Ron Hubbard, and an associated movement. Volunteer Ministers sometimes travel to the scenes of major disasters in order to provide assistance with relief efforts. ", "Juliette Lewis Explains Why Scientologists Can Celebrate Christmas", "Updated: Scientologists in Haiti: Volunteers or Vultures? [62][78], Some practitioners of Dianetics reported experiences which they believed had occurred in past lives, or previous incarnations. These teachings are kept secret from members who have not reached these levels. In 1981, Scientology took the German government to court for the first time.[115]. Passas, Nikos, and Manuel Escamilla Castillo. According to Roy Wallis, "Scientology emerged as a religious commodity eminently suited to the contemporary market of postwar America." [226], Former silent-screen star Gloria Swanson and actors Tom Cruise and John Travolta have spoken publicly about their commitment to Scientology, as has actress and musician Juliette Lewis.[223][227][228]. [465][466] Scientology is further defined as "the study and handling of the spirit in relationship to itself, universes, and other life". [101] The second local Church of Scientology to be set up, after the one in California, was in Auckland, New Zealand. [110] These materials were first disseminated on the ships, and then propagated by Sea Org members reassigned to staff Advanced Organizations on land. [413], According to the Encyclopedia of Religious Controversies in the United States, "even as Scientology raises questions about how and who gets to define religion, most scholars recognize it as a religion, one that emerges from and builds on American individualism and the spiritual marketplace that dominated 1950s America. [326] Subsequently, the group Anonymous voiced its criticism of Scientology and began attacking the Church. [322], On January 14, 2008, a video produced by the Church of Scientology featuring an interview with Tom Cruise was leaked to the Internet and uploaded to YouTube. [417], Frank K. Flinn, adjunct professor of religious studies at Washington University in St. Louis wrote, "it is abundantly clear that Scientology has both the typical forms of ceremonial and celebratory worship and its own unique form of spiritual life. Eggenberger, Nicole (September 10, 2013). [44] After reassignment to a naval facility in Monterey, California, Hubbard became depressed and fell ill. In 1978, a number of Scientologists, including L. Ron Hubbard's wife Mary Sue Hubbard (who was second in command in the organization at the time), were convicted of perpetrating what was at the time the largest incident of domestic espionage in the history of the United States, called "Operation Snow White". Kent, Stephen A. [98], In December 1953, Hubbard incorporated three Church of Scientology organizations – a "Church of American Science", a "Church of Scientology" and a "Church of Spiritual Engineering" – in Camden, New Jersey. [158][159] It features high-dose dietary supplements and extended time in a sauna (up to five hours a day for five weeks). [148] Accordingly, those who study Scientology materials and receive auditing sessions advance from a status of Preclear to Clear and Operating Thetan. [415], Bromley and Cowan noted in 2008 that Scientology's attempts "to gain favor with new religion scholars" had often been problematic. [461][462] However, Hubbard wrote that hypnosis is a "wild variable", and compared parlor hypnosis to an atom bomb. [107][108] According to Lindholm, for the inner cadre of Scientologists in that period, involvement depended not so much on belief in a particular doctrine but on unquestioning faith in Hubbard. Hubbard apparently did not realize that the islands belonged to US-allied Mexico, nor that he had taken his vessel into Mexican territorial waters. [174][176] There are eight publicly known OT levels, OT I to VIII. The initial episode drew 2.1 million viewers. ", harvnb error: multiple targets (3×): CITEREFKent2001 (. https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-is-scientology.html [136], Scientology presents two major divisions of the mind. The foundation soon entered bankruptcy, and Hubbard lost the rights to h… [286], A former high-ranking source reports that "some 1,500 abortions" have been "carried out by women in the Sea Organization since the implementation of a rule in the late 80s that members could not remain in the organization if they decided to have children". Hubbard, L Ron. [215] The organization owns the copyrights to all Scientology materials and the bulk of Hubbard's estate. [253][254][255][256], Stephen A. Kent, a professor of sociology, has said that "Scientologists see themselves as possessors of doctrines and skills that can save the world, if not the galaxy. [183], Scientology asserts some people are truly malevolent, and Hubbard taught 20 percent of the population were suppressive persons, which includes some hopelessly antisocial personalities who are the truly dangerous individuals in humanity: "the Adolf Hitlers and the Genghis Khans, the unrepentant murderers and the drug lords". Del Rey told Hubbard that what he was reprimanded and removed from on. [ 453 ] in 1973, state laws banning Scientology were overturned in Victoria, South Australia and Western.... Lisa McPherson in 1995 protests have followed since then in cities around the immortal soul the... Used a coat hanger and self-aborted her child for fear of punishment, '' said Senator Xenophon commission those. These issues in the same lineage of supernatural religious movements such as new thought these issues the... Help are the OT levels, OT VIII, is a `` structure. More advanced OT levels, the legal status of Scientology International, Responsibility and Control old meeting... [ 183 ] when faced with possible indictment in the United states, Hubbard stepped...: Hypnotism plants, by positive suggestion, one or Another form of insanity [ 267 [! ] for example, a Scientologist: 3 Scientology was granted tax exempt status in 1993 of engrams development... 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