A modern religion known for its unique cosmology, celebrity followers, and complex legal history.
Religion: Scientology
Founder: L. Ron Hubbard
Current Leader: David Miscavige
Founded: 1953
Location: Worldwide, but headquarters in Los Angeles, California, USA
Size: Estimated between 100,000 to 200,000 members globally
Offshoots: Free Zone or Independent Scientologists
Other Names: Church of Scientology
Website: scientology.org
Scientology, an international movement that traces its roots back to the mid-20th century, is a subject of both intrigue and controversy. It was established on the teachings of L. Ron Hubbard, a prolific writer who transitioned from producing popular fiction to developing a set of beliefs he initially called Dianetics, before evolving these ideas into what is now known as Scientology. The Church of Scientology was officially founded in 1954, grounded in the belief that humans are immortal spiritual beings, or “thetans”, enduring across multiple lifetimes.
L. Ron Hubbard’s early pursuits ranged from writing for pulp magazines to explorations that saw him awarded as a Master of Sail and Motor Vessels. His experiences during World War II, particularly his time recovering from war-induced ailments, significantly shaped his developing ideas about the human mind and spirit. This period led to the formulation of Dianetics, which sought to address human suffering through a methodical approach to eradicating “engrams”, painful memories stored in the subconscious mind, believed to hinder an individual’s ability to achieve their full potential. The process known as “auditing” is central to this practice, utilizing a device called the E-meter to help individuals uncover and confront these engrams.
Hubbard’s theories quickly captured the imagination of post-war America, leading to the expansion of Dianetics into the religious framework of Scientology. This new belief system emphasized the concept of humans as thetans and introduced the goal of achieving a state of “Clear”, where individuals are considered free from the negative impacts of past traumas. Scientology further elaborates on the journey beyond “Clear”, towards higher states of existential understanding and capabilities, referred to as Operating Thetan levels.
David Miscavige, a pivotal figure within Scientology since the early 1980s, ascended to its leadership following Hubbard’s death in 1986. Miscavige, who had joined the Sea Org, a religious order within Scientology, at a young age, was instrumental in guiding the organization through various challenges and controversies, including legal battles and disputes over its religious status. Today, he remains a central figure in Scientology’s governance and global outreach.
Scientology claims millions of adherents worldwide, a figure that includes numerous celebrity followers, which has helped to increase its visibility and influence, especially in Hollywood. The organization operates thousands of churches, missions, and affiliated groups across the globe, emphasizing its core teachings and practices, including auditing sessions, to help individuals realize their spiritual potential. Despite its claim of millions of followers, external estimates suggest the number of practicing Scientologists may be significantly lower.
Scientology has been embroiled in a range of controversies and criticisms over the years. The organization has faced scrutiny for its secretive practices, aggressive response to criticism, and the financial demands placed on its members. Allegations of abusive practices towards members, particularly those working within its Sea Org religious order, have been reported, including claims of physical and psychological abuse, forced labor, and coerced separation from family members. The church’s practice of “disconnection,” in which members are encouraged or required to sever ties with non-Scientologist friends and family members, has been particularly controversial.
Legal battles have also been a significant aspect of Scientology’s history, involving lawsuits against critics, ex-members, and journalists who have attempted to expose alleged malpractices within the church. The organization has been accused of exploiting legal systems to silence dissent and protect its interests. Furthermore, Scientology’s tax-exempt status as a religious organization in the United States, granted by the IRS in 1993 after years of dispute, has been a subject of contention, with critics arguing that the church operates more like a business than a non-profit religious organization.
Additionally, the church’s approach to mental health, including its outspoken criticism of psychiatry and conventional mental health practices, has drawn condemnation from medical professionals and mental health advocates. Scientology’s teachings categorically reject psychiatry, attributing the profession’s practices to a variety of social ills and personal tragedies.
image via Wired
