Scientology
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[edit] Definition
Scientology is a body of beliefs and related practices created by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard (1911–1986), starting in 1952 and was officially registered in the U.S. as a religion in 1953, as a successor to his self-help system, Dianetics.
[edit] Discussion
[edit] Origins
In 1950 Hubbard first introduced Dianetics to the public in the article Dianetics: The Evolution of a Science published in the May 1950 issue of the magazine Astounding Science Fiction. An appropriate place for the enclosed material. In 1950, Lafayette Ronald Hubbard published Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health, spawning a large number of "Dianetics clubs" and training organisations. Hubbard launched a network of Dianetics Foundations, which were to become the basis of the Church of Scientology.
[edit] Core Beliefs
The core 'introductory' belief of Scientology is that Dianetics is a valid scientific technique. So, their first core belief is wrong.
The goal of Dianetics is becoming 'clear'. Once a state of 'clear' is reached, initiates progress along a 'bridge' of advancement and knowledge, gradually discovering hidden truths about themselves and the universe. These 'truths' about the universe are kept secret from the general public and lower-level initiates.
'Clear' means having all your imaginary entities, Thetans, removed from your body. Thetans are souls of long-dead aliens from the time Xenu came to Earth. Xenu is the imaginary overlord of the Galaxy. Galaxies, fortunately, are real.
[edit] Advanced Beliefs
At higher levels of initiation, the 'Operating Theta' or OT levels, Scientologists are introduced to the concept of Space Opera. This is based on the belief that modern science fiction is an unconscious recollection of true events in past lives. Hubbard's collected writings form an alternate history of the universe. The most famous part of this history is the story of Xenu.
According to Hubbard, Xenu was a galactic despot who brought millions of alien prisoners to the planet earth. The prisoners were originally sedated by psychiatrists (using injections of alcohol) under the guise of "income tax inspections." It is noteworthy that two of Hubbard's most hated foes were the IRS and psychiatrists. Once on earth, Xenu imprisoned his captives in volcanoes. The evil overlord then detonated atomic weapons in the volcanoes killing the incapacitated aliens. The aliens' souls, however, left their bodies and found living human hosts to inhabit. The Church of Scientology says that these alien souls have infected mankind throughout history and are the cause of humanity's ills.
[edit] "Clams"
L Ron Hubbard's 1950s book A History of Man describes his theory for how humankind evolved from earlier animals. The theory is laughable, both from the standpoint of both modern paleogenetics and from the standpoint of even the fossil evidence that was already available in Hubbard's own time.
In this "alternative" evolutionary theory, humans can trace their lineage directly back to clams on the seashore. The clam's opening-and-closing shell, Hubbard tells us, evolved to become the human mouth. Thus, so it is claimed in some Scientology literature, you can induce a state of lockjaw in another person by mimicking the action of a clam opening and closing its shell with your hand, as this somehow dredges up the other person's ancient genetic memory of being a clam.
[edit] Create a Religion
L Ron Hubbard was quoted by his wife as saying that he would someday invent a religion.
[edit] Related Articles
[edit] External Links
Scientology Volunteer Ministers
