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Scientology |
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This article or section has multiple issues. Please help improve the article or discuss these issues on the talk page.
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 The Scientology Symbol is composed of the letter S that stands for Scientology and the ARC and KRC triangles, two important concepts in Scientology |
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| Formation | 1953 |
|---|---|
| Type | Religious / Commercial |
| Headquarters | Church of Scientology International, Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Chairman of Religious Technology Center | David Miscavige |
| Website | www.scientology.org |
Scientology is a body of beliefs and related practices created by American science fiction author L. Ron Hubbard.1 Hubbard developed Scientology teachings in 1952 as a successor to his earlier self-help system, Dianetics.2 Hubbard later characterized Scientology as an "applied religious philosophy" and the basis for a new religion with the first Scientology church being established in New Jersey, December 1953.345 A commonly held belief among Scientologists is that psychiatry and psychology are destructive and abusive practices.67
Scientology advocates that people are immortal spiritual beings (or thetans) which have lived many lifetimes.8 Scientologists believe that the primary purpose of existence is survival. One controversial aspect of Scientology beliefs is the idea that thetans lived among extraterrestrial cultures before becoming trapped in bodies on Earth.9 It is believed that thetans were brainwashed by these extraterrestrial cultures as a means of population control. The belief of extraterrestrial origins is not taught to new members, but is only presented after members have advanced through the ranks of Scientology.
There are a large number of organizations overseeing the application of Scientology, many of which are separate legal entities.10 These organizations have remained highly controversial since their inception. Most notable of these organizations is the Church of Scientology, whose primary concern is to uphold the belief system of Scientology. Former members, journalists, courts, and authorities in multiple countries have described Scientology as a cult 111213141516 and an unscrupulous commercial enterprise. Critics claim that the organization has a history of harassing its critics and abusing the trust of its members.141617181519 Scientology has consistently litigated most actions which it has perceived to be threatening. One major litigation point is that of copyright infringement.2021
The Church of Scientology upholds the notion that individuals can discover for themselves whether Scientology works through personal observation and experience rather than blind faith.8 The Church promotes a type of counseling called "auditing" as a means of spiritual rehabilitation.3 Scientology runs several promotion campaigns through closely related organizations1022 in the form of a set of moral standards, an anti-drug program, an education methodology, a volunteer organization and a business management method.
Hubbard first published his psychological writings in "Terra Incognita: The Mind", which appeared in the 1949 Winter/Spring issue of the Explorers Club Journal. At this time he offered his findings on the mind to both the American Medical Association and the American Psychiatric Association, but both organizations rejected them.23
In April 1950, Hubbard and several others established the Hubbard Dianetic Research Foundation in Elizabeth, New Jersey to coordinate work related to Hubbard's forthcoming publication, Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health. The book became widely popular, and brought in a sizable revenue. However, in January 1951 the New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners instituted proceedings against the Hubbard Dianetic Research Foundation in Elizabeth for teaching medicine without a license, which eventually lead to the organization's bankruptcy.24
Because of a sale of assets resulting from the bankruptcy of the research organization, Hubbard no longer owned the rights to the name "Dianetics".25 In 1952, Hubbard built on the existing framework set forth in Dianetics, and published a new set of teachings as "Scientology, a religious philosophy."citation needed In 1953, The Church of Scientology was incorporated in Elizabeth, New Jersey by L. Ron Hubbard. Hubbard recorded his forthcoming doctrine in archived writings, audio tapes and films.26
Scientology was recognized as a tax-exempt religion in the United States in 1957, but ten years later in 1967 the IRS removed its tax exempt status, asserting that its activities were commercial and operated for the benefit of Mr. Hubbard, rather than for charitable or religious reasons. In December of 1993, however, the IRS would later grant full tax exemption to all Scientology Churches, missions and organizations.
On January 4th of 1963, the US FDA raided offices of the Church of Scientology and seized hundreds of the Church's E-meters as illegal medical devices. The devices have since been required to carry a disclaimer saying that they are a purely religious artifact.27.
In 1979 as a result of FBI raids during Operation Snow White, eleven senior people in the church's Guardian's Office were convicted of obstructing justice, burglary of government offices, and theft of documents and government property. On January 24th, 1986, L. Ron Hubbard died at his ranch near San Luis Obispo, California and David Miscavige became the head of the organization.
The word, "Scientology" is said to be a pairing of the Latin word scientia ("knowledge," "skill"), which comes from the verb scire ("to know"), and the Greek λογος lógos ("reason" or "inward thought" or "logic" or "an account of").
Although today associated almost exclusively to describe Hubbard's works, the word "Scientology" predates his usage by several decades. An early use of the word was as a neologism in an 1871 book by the American anarchist Stephen Pearl Andrews presenting "the newly discovered Science of the Universe".28 Philologist Allen Upward used the word "scientology" in his 1901 book The New Word as a synonym for "pseudoscience,"29 and this is sometimes cited as the first coining of the word.4 In 1934, the Argentine-German writer Anastasius Nordenholz published a book using the word positively: Scientologie, Wissenschaft von der Beschaffenheit und der Tauglichkeit des Wissens ("Scientologie, Science of the Constitution and Usefulness of Knowledge").30 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"31 (from epistemology). Whether Hubbard was aware of these earlier uses is unknown.citation needed
In dianetics, Hubbard gives credit to Francis Bacon and Herbert Spencer.citation needed Hubbard also recalls a meeting with Cmdr. Joseph Cressman Thompson, a U.S. Navy officer who studied with Sigmund Freud.citation needed Although Hubbard claimed that he was introduced to Freudian analysis by Thompson at age 12, no mention is made in his diary of anyone tutoring him in the field.32
Hubbard acknowledged the influence of Alfred Korzybski's General Semantics.33 Scientology also reflects the influence of the Hindu concept of karma and dharma as well as the psychological theories of Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung and William Sargant34 but according to its founder, it is neither psychology nor psychiatry. During The Phoenix Lectures Hubbard stated that Scientology depended on his having known something of the Vedas35 and has called the Vedas Scientology’s earliest ancestor: "And we find Scientology’s earliest, certainly known ancestor in the Veda."36 Hubbard also gave recognition to the Tao Te Ching, the Dharma and Gautama Buddha as forerunners to Scientology.37 The late Bryan R. Wilson Reader Emeritus in Sociology at the University of Oxford and President of the International Society for the Sociology of Religion, wrote of Scientology: "it is clear to me that Scientology is a bona fide religion and should be considered as such.".38 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."39 Dr. Frank K. Flinn, adjunct professor of religious studies at Washington University in St. Louis wrote, "it is abundantly clear that Scientology has both the typical forms of ceremonial and celebratory worship and its own unique form of spiritual life."40
In Scientology, Bergson's "elan vital" becomes life energy represented by the Greek letter 'theta'(θ) existing independent of Matter Energy Space Time (MEST). Hubbard writes: "Theta, we could say, comes from the universe of theta, which is different from the MEST universe".41 According to Gnostic doctrine, "life" is by nature "alien" to this world. Hans Jonas writes: "The concept of the alien Life is one of the great impressive word-symbols which we encounter in gnostic speech, and it is new in the history of human speech in general".42 Hubbard writes: "...Scientology is a gnostic faith in that it knows it knows".43
Scientology asserts that people have hidden abilities which have not yet been fully realized.44 The Church of Scientology claims its tenets are not a matter of faith but of testable practice.45 It is believed that further spiritual awareness and physical benefits are accomplished through counseling sessions referred to as "auditing".46 Through auditing, it is said that people can solve their problems and free themselves of ethical transgressions and bad decisions.47 Those who study Scientology materials and receive auditing sessions advance from a status of "preclear" to "Operating Thetan".4849
French sociologist Regis Dericquebourg describes Scientology as a belief system of "regressive utopia," in which the person seeks to return to a once-perfect state by using a variety of highly controlled, meticulous and rigorous processes.47
Scientology and Dianetics state that the basic principle of existence is to survive.50 Scientology states that humans survive within a classification which it refers to as "the eight dynamics": "Self", "Family and Sex", "Group", "Humanity", "Life", the "Universe", "Spirituality", and the "Supreme Being" or "Infinity".51 Actions are considered "good" if they promote survival across all eight dynamics or realms of action.52
Scientologists believe that people are composed of three distinguishable parts: mind, spirit, and body.53 Dianetics is the branch of Scientology which describes Hubbard's theories on the body, mind, and spirit.
The mind in Scientology is described as a "bank of mental image pictures"54 that give the spirit experience and knowledge. It is accepted by Scientologists that traumatic experiences (or engrams) inhibit success and happiness in life.citation needed Scientologists subdivide the mind into the analytical or conscious mind, which is and what is referred to as the reactive mind.citation needed
The spirit, represented with the Greek letter 'theta' (θ), is thought to exist exterior to and/or independent from a body.citation needed In 1952, Hubbard reported he was able to stand as a unit of life independently of the physical body.2 Hubbard called the phenomenon "exteriorization".
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."citation needed
Scientology defines ethics as "the actions an individual takes on himself to ensure his continued survival across the dynamics."55 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.citation needed Scientologists are expected to use statistical measurement to assess "survival potential", where a downward trend could identify negative effects and an upward trend could identify positive effects.citation needed
Prof. Stephen A. Kent quotes Hubbard as pronouncing that "the purpose of ethics is to remove counter-intentions from the environment. Having accomplished that, the purpose becomes to remove other intentionedness from the environment." Kent interprets this as "a peculiar brand of morality that uniquely benefited [the Church of Scientology]. . . . In plain English, the purpose of Scientology ethics is to eliminate opponents, then eliminate people's interests in things other than Scientology."56
In the book Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health, Hubbard proposed that emotional duress in an individual's life is caused by an accumulation of unpleasant memories and traumatic incidents, some of which predated the life of the human. In Scientology, he further stated that spirits (or "thetans") have existed for tens of trillions of years (several orders of magnitude greater than the scientifically accepted estimate of the age of the universe). During that time, Hubbard says that thetans have been exposed to a vast number of traumatic incidents and have made a great many decisions that influence their present state. According to Hubbard, thetans were conditioned by extraterrestrial dictatorships such as Helatrobus in an attempt to brainwash and control the population. Hubbard describes these early events collectively as "space opera."
Scientologists who have advanced to a state of "Clear" may continue onto the higher OT (or "Operating Thetan") Levels. 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.57 Among these advanced teachings 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 detonated hydrogen bombs in the volcanoes. The thetans then clustered together, stuck to the bodies of the living, and continue to do this today. Scientologists at advanced levels place considerable emphasis on isolating thetans and neutralizing their ill effects.58
The high-ranking OT levels are made available to Scientologists only by invitation, after a review of the candidate's character and contribution to the aims of Scientology.47 Individuals who have read these materials may not disclose what they contain without jeopardizing their standing in the Church.47 Excerpts and descriptions of OT materials were published online by a former member in 1995 and then circulated in mainstream media.47 This occurred after the teachings were submitted as evidence in court cases involving Scientology, thus becoming a matter of public record.5759 Presently, there are eight OT levels, OT I to VIII.60 Church management has promised to release a ninth OT level once certain expansion goals are met.61 The OT VIII designation is only granted at sea, on the Freewinds, a Scientology ship.62
There is a large Church of Spiritual Technology symbol carved into the ground at Scientology's Trementina Base that is visible from the air.63 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."64
Scientology's beliefs are contained within 18 books and 3,000 recorded lectures.citation needed Scientology has no single book that is similar to the Bible or the Qur'an. Scientologists believe that L Ron Hubbard's works explain the nature of existence.citation needed
Scientology materials (called "Technology" or "Tech" in Scientology jargon) are structured in sequential levels (or "gradients"), such that easier steps are taken first and greater complexities are handled at the appropriate time; for example, the negative effects of drugs must be addressed before other issues can be successfully tackled. Progression in the study of Scientology materials is described as a passage along "the Bridge to Total Freedom," or simply "the Bridge." Scientologists believe that with each step along the so-called "bridge", one uncovers a little more personal freedom in a particular area of life. Hubbard is quoted as saying, "One might here use an analogy of bridge engineering".65
The central practice of Scientology is "auditing," a one-on-one session with a Scientology counselor or "auditor." Most auditing requires an E-meter, a device that measures minute changes in electrical resistance through the body when a person holds electrodes (metal "cans"), and a small current is passed through them; Scientology states that it helps locate an area of concern.66
In the auditing process, the recipient (or "preclear") discloses specific traumatic incidents, prior transgressions and bad decisions to the person auditing. In one form of auditing, the auditor asks the recipient to respond to a list of questions in strict order. Auditors are not to suggest, interpret, degrade or invalidate the answers.67 Scientologists state that benefits from auditing include improved IQ, improved ability to communicate and enhanced memory.68
During the auditing process, the auditor may collect personal information from the person being audited. Auditing records are referred to within Scientology as "preclear folders" and are stored securely when not being added to during auditing sessions.69 The Church of Scientology claims that it will never to use secrets divulged in a session for punishment or personal gain, although some critics suggest otherwise.70
Scientologists who train to become auditors follow checklists indicating which of Hubbard's writings and lectures are to be studied.71 Students Training consists of 16 individual checklists, each requiring an average of three to four weeks of study, and covering 12,000 pages of materials and 450 lectures.72
In Scientology it is considered a high crime to audit people who:73
Stemming from his belief that birth is a trauma that may induce engrams, Hubbard stated that the delivery room should be as silent as possible74 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."75 In the 1960s Hubbard gave certain dietary recommendations,76 writing that breastfeeding should be avoided if the mother is smoking, drinking or is lacking good nutrition herself.77 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.78 Hubbard said that he "picked it up in Roman days,"79 referring to the use of barley.80 Hubbard crafted the barley formula to, in his words, provide "a heavy percentage of protein"79 and called it "the nearest approach to human milk that can be assembled easily."81 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,82 the lack of which causes scurvy.
The Church of Scientology provides Sunday services as well as social ceremonies for marriage, birth, and death that are performed by an ordained Scientology minister.8384 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.85 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.8384
Scientology is composed of a complex network of corporations, churches, and organizations all geared towards promoting the use and dissemination of Scientology and related materials.
Among some of the many interconnected Scientology-related organizations are:
Although "Scientology" is most often used as shorthand for the Church of Scientology, a number of groups practice Scientology and Dianetics outside of the official Church. Some groups are breakaways from the original Church while others have started up independently. The largest such group -- an informal "network" rather than an organization -- is known as the Free Zone, founded in 1982 by former Sea Org Capt. Bill Robertson (1935 - 1991). 93
The Church labels these groups as "squirrels" in Scientology jargon, and often subjects them to considerable legal and social pressure.
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, Canada96 and Germany) numerous times over the years.97989921499100101102103104105
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.9798 Some critics of Scientology have recanted under duress.106 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, 107 and harassed key Scientology executives, by advancing unfounded opinions to get a case dropped or to obtain a settlement.108
The German government takes the view that Scientology is a commercial, rather than religious organization, and has even gone so far as to consider a ban on Scientology.109 Belgium, France, Ireland, Luxembourg and the United Kingdom have not recognized Scientology as a religion.110 Scientology has also not been recognized as a religion in Israel or Mexico. The Belgian State Prosecution Service has recommended that various individuals and organizations associated with Scientology should be prosecuted.111112 An administrative court is to decide if charges will be pressed.111112
The controversies involving the Church and its critics, some of them ongoing, include:
Due to these allegations, a considerable amount of investigation has been aimed at the Church, by groups ranging from the media to governmental agencies.9798
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.117 The differences between these classifications has become a major problem when discussing religions in general and Scientology specifically.118
While acknowledging that a number of his colleagues accept Scientology as a religion, sociologist Stephen A. Kent wrote: "Rather than struggling over whether or not to label Scientology as a religion, I find it far more helpful to view it as a multifaceted transnational corporation, only one element of which is religious." [emphasis original]119120
Scientology social programs such as drug and criminal rehabilitation have likewise drawn both support and criticism.121122123124
In some instances, former members have claimed the Church used information obtained in auditing sessions against them.125126127 The Church maintains that its auditing records are kept confidential. On 16 December 1969 a Guardian's Office order by Mary Sue Hubbard authorized the use of auditing records for purposes of "internal security."128
Supporters of Scientology assert that no actual violation based solely upon use or revelation of auditing records has been documented129 and such a violation of their Auditing Code is a high crime per Scientology justice codes.130 "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)129
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."131
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."132
The Cult Awareness Network received more complaints concerning Scientology than any other group.133 They therefore listed the Church of Scientology at the top of their cult list, until they went into bankruptcy from suits initiated by Scientology (1996). Ultimately, they were bought in Bankruptcy Court by the Church of Scientology (1997), which now operates the new Cult Awareness Network as a promotional arm of the church.134135136137138
In 2005, Scientology stated its worldwide membership at 8 million people, and that number included people who took only the introductory course and didn't continue on.118 In 2007 the Church claimed 3.5 million members in the United States,139 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.140 It has been estimated by another source outside of Scientology that adherents number under 500 thousand.141
Scientologists tend to disparage general religious 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.141 Religious scholar J. Gordon Melton has said that the church's estimates of its membership numbers are exaggerated.142
Not too long after its release, Dianetics was met with scientific criticism. Newsweek was quoted as saying that "the dianetics concept is unscientific and unworthy of discussion or review."143
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."144 The following disclaimer or similar statements have appeared in Scientology publications in reference to the E-Meter: "By itself, the E-meter does nothing. It is an electronic instrument that measures mental state and change of state in individuals and assists the precision and speed of auditing. The E-Meter is not intended or effective for the diagnosis, treatment or prevention of any disease"145 and that it is used specifically for spiritual purposes. Therefore: "...Ownership or use of the E-Meter is strictly limited to duly ordained ministers of the Church of Scientology and ministers in training and is otherwise absolutely prohibited."146
Professor Richard Dawkins, author of The God Delusion, has described Scientology as "gullibiligy" and its statements as "purely made-up."147 Since Scientology, in contrast to other religions except Buddhism, does not deal directly with the existence of a Supreme Being and The God Delusion advocates atheism, this is what Dawkins has to say, "...One religion that was intelligently designed, almost in its entirety, is Scientology, but I suspect that it is exceptional."148
Professor of sociology Stephen Kent says "Scientologists see themselves as possessors of doctrines and skills that can save the world, if not the galaxy,".47 As stated in Scientology doctrine: "The whole agonized future of this planet, every man, woman and child on it, and your own destiny for the next endless trillions of years depend on what you do here and now with and in Scientology."47
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. 149 Additionally, the highest level yet-revealed Scientology scriptures portray religious figures such as Jesus as fictitious implants. Hubbard also writes: "...People get to such a level of identification with Christ that they will run the Crucifixion complete with somatics and, indeed, there are several instances in history where on the holiday of the Crucifixion, persons spontaneously bleed from the 'thorns'."150"Scientology can demonstrate that it can attain the goals set for man by Christ, which are: wisdom, good health and immortality,"151
The Church pursues an extensive public relations campaign for the recognition of Scientology as a bona fide religion.152 This conflicts with the founder's own statements in The Creation of Human Ability: A Handbook for Scientologists: "Scientology has opened the gates to a better World. It is not a psycho-therapy nor a religion. It is a body of knowledge which, when properly used, gives freedom and truth to the individual." Scientology does have "beliefs in something transcendental or ultimate, practices (rites and codes of behavior) that re-inforce those beliefs and, a community that is sustained by both the beliefs and practices" which are elements that a religion must contain.118 Scientology is considered a legitimate religion in such countries as Australia, Italy,153 Kyrgyzstan,154 New Zealand,155 Portugal,156 South Africa,157 Spain,158159 Sweden,160 Taiwan,161 and thus enjoys and regularly cites the legal protections afforded in these nations to religious practice. Other countries, mostly in Europe, have regarded Scientology as a potentially dangerous cult, or at least have not considered local branches to meet the legal criteria for being considered religion-supporting organizations. In Germany, the Verfassungsschutz was ordered in 1997 to monitor the activities of Scientology allegedly on the grounds that they are directed against freedom and democracy. As of 12 February 2008 the German government in a new ruling continues the same policy. 162
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."163164
Allegations of Scientology's cult status may be attributed to its unconventional creation by a single authoritative and charismatic leader.165 According to the psychologist William James, "...Religion, in short, is a monumental chapter in the history of human egotism... Religious thought is carried on in terms of personality, this being, in the world of religion, the one fundamental fact."166 Referring to the fact that a group did not develop the technology of Scientology but that it is his own personal contribution, L. Ron Hubbard writes: "...This point will, of course, be attacked as "unpopular", "egotistical" and "undemocratic". It very well may be. But it is also a survival point."167
Scientology literature claims that L. Ron Hubbard demonstrated his professional expertise in hypnosis by "discovering" the Dianetic engram. He writes: "...Hypnotism is a laboratory tool...Finding out the basic reason hypnotism was a variable helped to discover the source of insanity."168
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."169 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.170. Licensed psychotherapists alleged that auditing sessions amount to mental health treatment without a license. The Church disputes these statements and said that its practice leads to spiritual relief. According to the Church, the psychotherapist treats mental health and the Church treats the spiritual being. Using the synonym of alternative religions, Barrett (1998:237) and Hunt (2003:195) place Scientology in the sociological grouping of personal development movements together with the Neurolinguistic Programming, Emin, and Insight.
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.14 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.171 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,170 of Hubbard stating on various occasions that the way to get rich was to start a religion.172 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."15
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.97
Scientology pays members commissions on new recruits they bring in, encouraging Scientology members to "sell" Scientology to others.14 In addition, Scientology franchises, or missions, pay the church roughly 10% of their gross income.173 On that basis, it is often likened to a pyramid selling scheme.174 Charges for auditing and other Church-related courses run to tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars.175176 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.177 The results of this investigation indicated that, at the time of publication, Scientology's main sources of revenue ("Haupteinnahmequellen der SO") were from course offerings and sales of their various publications. Course offerings—e.g. "The Ups and Downs of Life", "Hubbard's Key to Life", "Intensive Auditing", etc.—ranged from (German Marks) DM 182.50 to about DM 30,000—the equivalent today of approximately $119 to $19,560 US dollars. Revenue from monthly, bi-monthly, and other membership offerings could not be estimated in the report, but was nevertheless placed in the millions.
In June 2006, it was announced at the Book Expo America a dianetics Racing Team joined NASCAR. The Number 27 Ford Taurus driven by Kenton Gray displays a large dianetics logo.178179
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,180 the rise of Hitler and Stalin,181 the decline in education standards in the United States,182 the wars in Bosnia and Kosovo,183 and the September 11 attacks.184 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.
Actor Tom Cruise, a well-known Scientologist, has publicity criticized the psychiatric field.185 In response to Cruise's statements, an editor from the Journal of Clinical Investigation stated that Cruise is "dangerous and irresponsible."186
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."187 Critics say that the organization’s true motive is to attempt to suppress the free speech of its critics.
In January 1995, Church lawyer Helena Kobrin attempted to shut down the newsgroup alt.religion.scientology by sending a control message instructing Usenet servers to delete the group on the grounds that:
(1) It was started with a forged message; (2) not discussed on alt.config; (3) it has the name "scientology" in its title which is a trademark and is misleading, as a.r.s. is mainly used for flamers to attack the Scientology religion; (4) it has been and continues to be heavily abused with copyright and trade secret violations and serves no purpose other than condoning these illegal practices.189
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.190
In early 2008, another protest against the Church of Scientology was organised by the Internet-based group Anonymous, which originally consisted of users of the English speaking imageboards 4chan and 711chan.org, the associated partyvan.info wiki, and several Internet Relay Chat channels.
On 14 January 2008, a video produced by the Church of Scientology featuring an interview with Tom Cruise was leaked to the Internet and uploaded to YouTube.191192193 The Church of Scientology issued a copyright violation claim against YouTube requesting the removal of the video.194 In response to this, Anonymous formulated Project Chanology.195196197198 Calling the action by the Church of Scientology a form of Internet censorship, members of Project Chanology organized a series of denial-of-service attacks against Scientology websites, prank calls, and black faxes to Scientology centers.199 On 21 January 2008, Anonymous announced its goals and intentions via a video posted to YouTube entitled "Message to Scientology", and a press release declaring a "War on Scientology" against both the Church of Scientology and the Religious Technology Center.198200201 In the press release, the group states that the attacks against the Church of Scientology will continue in order to protect the right to freedom of speech, and end what they believe to be the financial exploitation of church members.202 A new video "Call to Action" appeared on YouTube on 28 January 2008, calling for protests outside Church of Scientology centers on 10 February 2008.203204
On 2 February 2008, 150 people gathered outside of a Church of Scientology center in Orlando, Florida to protest the organization's practices.205206207208 Small protests were also held in Santa Barbara, California,209 and Manchester, England.210206 On 10 February 2008, about 7,000 people protested in more than 93 cities worldwide.211212 Many protesters wore masks based on the character V from V for Vendetta (who in turn was influenced by Guy Fawkes), or otherwise disguised their identities, in part to protect themselves from reprisals from the Church of Scientology.213214 Anonymous held a second wave of protests on 15 March 2008 in cities all over the world, including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Vancouver, Toronto, Berlin, and Dublin. The global turnout was estimated to be between 7000 and 8000.215 Anonymous held its third protest against Scientology on 12 April 2008.216217 Named "Operation Reconnect", it aimed to increase awareness of the Church of Scientology's disconnection policy.191
Scientology has had tax exempt status with the United States IRS since 1993. The tax exempt status emerged after a scientology "campaign"218 against the IRS. In 1991, Mr. Miscavige, a scientology leader, walked in to see Fred T. Goldberg Jr., the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service at the time, without an appointment.218 He was seen and allgedly offered to halt the lawsuits scientology had against the IRS in exchange for tax exempt status. To this end, Goldberg allegedly ordered tax analysts to ignore multiple court precedents and other substantive issues during the review of the decision.218
On 12 May 2007 Journalist John Sweeney of BBC Panorama made highly critical comments regarding Scientology and its teachings, and further reported that since beginning an extensive investigation he had been harassed, surveilled, and investigated by strangers. Sweeney wrote, "I have been shouted at, spied on, had my hotel invaded at midnight, denounced as a "bigot" by star Scientologists and chased round the streets of Los Angeles by sinister strangers. Back in Britain strangers have called on my neighbors, my mother-in-law's house and someone spied on my wedding and fled the moment he was challenged." In another passage, "He [Scientology representative Tommy Davis] harangued me for talking to […] heretics. I told him that Scientology had been spying on the BBC and that was creepy." And in another passage, "In LA, the moment our hire car left the airport we realized we were being followed by two cars. In our hotel a weird stranger spent every breakfast listening to us."219220
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