Overview of Scientology
Scientology is the creation of science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard. Hubbard's departure from the world of science fiction and entrance to spiritual subjects began with his work on Dianetics, originally published in 1950.
Hubbard began work on Scientology in 1952, founding the first church in 1953, and continued until his death in 1986. Scientology was seen as the next logical step after Dianetics and began to build a structure around these ideas. Originally described as a "study of knowledge," by 1960 Hubbard described Scientology as "a religion by its basic tenets, practice, historical background and by the definition of the word 'religion' itself.
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L. Ron Hubbard (b. Lafayette Ronald Hubbard), author of Dianetics and founder of the Scientology Organization |
Today, Scientology is recognized as a religion in only a few countries, most notably the United States, Australia, and Canada. Many other countries have Scientology offices and missions, but are still not recognized as anything more than a charitable or non-profit organization. Other countries have alleged that Scientology is a dangerous cult, and, on December 7th, 2007, interior ministers in Germany declared Scientology to be unconstitutional and began seeking a ban
Beliefs
Scientology does not have a centralized text describing its core beliefs, such as the Bible or Qur'an. Rather, the scriptures of Scientology are contained in at least fifteen books and three thousand audio recordings of lectures. Scientology describes itself as "the study and handling of the spirit in relationship to itself, others and all of life," and states that it "encompasses all aspects of life from the point of view of the spirit."
Scientology holds that man is composed from three fundamental parts: mind, body, and spirit.
Dianetics
The term Dianetics commonly refers to a set of ideas regarding mind, body, and spirit laid out by L. Ron Hubbard in his 1950 book Dianetics: The Evolution of a Science (now in print as Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health). Dianetics is Hubbard's understanding of the relationship between mind, body, and spirit, which states that mental and physical problems are the result of so-called "engrams" in the mind.
The practice of Dianetics is then enacted through a process known as "auditing" in which, with the help of a church-certified auditor and a device known as a "Hubbard Electropsychometer," or E-Meter, the individual confronts their engrams in an attempt to rid themselves of them. During this process, the user holds two cans from the E-Meter in their hands and speaks at length to the auditor in a manner similar to a confession. The auditor then uses the E-Meter to help guide the user through their results and make a diagnosis and recommendations for purging the engrams.
According to Dianetics, after many of these auditing sessions, one may achieve a state known as "clear," in which they are finally rid of these engrams. Hubbard claimed that the effects of being clear included having no neuroses, psychoses, compulsions, or repressions, as well as enjoying a near-perfect memory and up to a 50 point increase in IQ.
Hierarchy
The church is currently headed by David Miscavige, chairman of the board of the Religious Technology Center.
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David Miscavige, Head of The Scientology Organization |
Members of the church go through auditing processes and training in hopes of achieving a state of "clear." Once they have achieved this state, they may go on to become an "Operating Thetan," or OT. While eight levels of Operating Thetan have been released by the church, Hubbard claimed to have written levels up to fifteen. The eight known levels are detailed here.
OT I
"This Solo-audited level is the first step a Clear takes toward full OT abilities, and that first step is a fresh causative OT viewpoint of the MEST
OT II
"By confronting hidden areas of one's existence on the whole track, vast amounts of energy and attention are released. Those on this Solo-audited level experience a resurgence of self-determinism and native ability. OT II unlocks the aberrative factors on the whole track that have allowed the thetan to lose his innate freedom and ability and one achieves the ability to confront the whole track."
OT III - "The Wall of Fire"
"This Solo-audited level goes through what is called the "Wall of Fire" that surrounds a previously impenetrable whole track mystery. What prevents a being from being himself? This level answers that question. Once complete, a being is free of the whole track overwhelm that has trapped him. Here he confronts and eradicates the fourth dynamic engram that has plagued this universe for millennia."
OT III is allegedly where Xenu is revealed to members (See part II).
OT IV
"This level handles the hidden problems and stops in a being's universe caused by the effects of drugs and poisons on the whole track. This is the final polish that rids one of any last vestige of the effects of drugs on the spirit. Ministered at Advanced Organizations or Flag. Approximately 12 1/2 to 25 hours."
OT V
"The Second Wall of Fire consists of 26 separate rundowns and has been described as dealing with "living lightning, the very stuff of life itself." This level addresses the last aspects of one's case that can prevent him from achieving total freedom on all dynamics. An audited level ministered at Advanced Organizations or Flag. Approximately 50 hours."
OT VI
"The training one receives before starting to solo audit on New OT VII is so powerful that it actually constitutes an entire OT level. On Solo NOTs one is dealing with complexities intended to crush one's true power and abilities as a thetan. Solo NOTs auditors acquire a wide range of auditing skills to handle the vast phenomena that can occur on OT VIII. Approximately 3-4 weeks with the new Solo Auditor Course done."
OT VII
"On New OT VII one solo audits at home daily. This is a lengthy level, requiring a considerable amount of time to complete. It is the final pre-OT level, and culminates in attainment of the state of CAUSE OVER LIFE."
OT VIII - "Truth Revealed"
"This Solo-audited level addresses the primary cause of amnesia on the whole track and lets one see the truth of his own existence. This is the first actual OT level and brings about a resurgence of power and native abilities for the being himself."
OT IX-XV
The church acknowledges the existence of these additional levels, but has not yet published their contents and claims them as confidential.
Cleared Theta Clear
After a certain point, Scientologists believe that an individual can achieve a state of "Cleared Theta Clear," in which they attain godlike powers of control over the universe. Hubbard described it as follows:
"A thetan who is completely rehabilitated and can do everything a thetan should do, such as move MEST and control others from a distance, or create his own universe; a person who is able to create his own universe or, living in the MEST universe is able to create illusions perceivable by others at will, to handle MEST universe objects without mechanical means and to have and feel no need of bodies or even the MEST universe to keep himself and his friends interested in existence"
Recruiting & Public Presence
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Free Stress Test with E-Meter |
Scientologists actively recruit new members at their locations worldwide by offering "free stress tests." These tests are conducted with the use of an E-Meter and the assistance of an auditor. At the conclusion of the test, potential members are taken aside and given their results one-on-one.
The results usually indicate some level of severity of problems, and the recruit is then told how Scientology can help them solve these problems, at which point sales of books and other materials are solicited. Individuals who have taken these tests have reported hostility and detainment if they show a lack of interest or wish to leave before the auditor has completed the process.
Most recently, Scientology has been gaining visibility through the Volunteer Ministers program, through which members of the church donate their time to aid in disaster relief efforts. At these locations, they distribute copies of L. Ron Hubbard's The Way to Happiness and offer therapeutic techniques known as "Locationals," "Nerve Assists," and "Touch Assists." The Touch Assist is the most commonly used of these, and is described as "repetitively touching the ill or injured person's body and putting him into communication with the injury," with the idea that the person will then recover having been put into communication with their injuries.
Thanks to enturbulation.org for input
