The Church of Scientology RELS 225 Cults and New Religious Movements

Scientology Probably the most controversial NRM in the world Legal actions against them Ontario search warrant in the 1970’s In Europe for direct government interference. Can’t get a German contract Security can open their mail, wire-tap, investigate bank records Why controversial? Successful Highly bureaucratic ($300 million / year in the US) The Church of Scientology is one of the most controversial new religious movements. The church has been involved in many major legal cases involving its tax-exempt status, its claim to be a religion, and its perceived threats to traditional medicine. James A. Beverley, Religions A-Z (Nashville, TN: T. Nelson, 2005), 205.

The Church of Scientology (40:31) Religion or Cult?

Controversy tax-exempt status claim to be a religion perceived threats to traditional medicine Refusing medical help Lisa McPherson case in the 1990’s http://www.lisamcpherson.org/ First criminal charges

Lafayette Ronald Hubbard Born in Tilden, Nebraska Conventional life, except father was in Navy. Bright, eclectic guy; sailor, explorer, charter, photographer, glider pilot, Navy, roving lost intellect, restless. G.W. university – Nuclear physics. Dropped out. Wounded in WW2. hospitalized (shell-shocked). Veterans admin not helping. Indiana Jones? Or Fantasy world? “You can’t make money writing” You need to start a religion.

Lafayette Ronald Hubbard Influenced by Jack Parsons, disciple of occultist Aleister Crowley Observing things on the astral plane? Rituals. As govemment agent? Or not? Had read Freud, developed interest in subconscious, and learned psychoanalysis in the Navy. First non-fiction book was 1950 Dianetics. Claimed a cure for anything. All illness is psychosomatic. In 1954, asserted legal control over the movement’s technology. In 1956, Scientology: The foundations of thought was published.

Lafayette Ronald Hubbard 1966: Guardian’s Office (GO) founded, to protect the church 1970s: illegal activities, leading to: 1977 FBI raid. Hubbard’s wife went to jail 1980s: restructured 1986: Hubbard died

David Miscavige

Engrams Engram: unconscious sensory impressions Reactive Mind = Unconscious mind; has corrupted files. Analytical Mind = conscious mind. Doesn’t make mistakes. Unlike psychotherapy, Scientology is pragmatic; the analytical mind can dispel engrams. Each person has 100’s of past lives, yielding engrams.

Auditing Hubbard’s true genius Structured form of questioning and listening Hundreds of exercises / tests to break down your basic understanding of who you are and how you can change them. Very first self-help Simultaneously patient and practiser Helping others.

Status Clear Operating Thetan (OT) Higher levels The status of “clear” means having no basic engrams. Operating Thetan (OT) A Thetan is a static immortal. Thetans got bored and created universes. Enthralled by their games, they were absorbed into them, and became lost in MEST. They forgot who they were. Escaping from MEST (reminiscent of Q from Star Trek) is the quest of the OT. Higher levels Pay-per-use organization: To reach these, one can pay for courses, or render services in lieu of payment.

Promises Freedom from fears New creative capacity Improved physical health Improved appearance Peace of mind

Concept of divine No doctrine of God. 8 dynamics. Gnostic divine spark Urge to exist as Self Sex Group Humankind Animal Universe Spiritual Infinity = God Gnostic divine spark

Human Lost thetans Anti-virus to recover hidden capacity Objective: Become cause, not effect. Go exterior (not limited by body)

Death Thetan will be reincarnated

Good life Non-prescriptive No ethics Extremely litigious; not open to being studied. 30-year legal case with IRS War with psychiatry; medicine, IRS.