Church of Scientology Overview

Group Name: Church of Scientology

Founder: L. Ron Hubbard

Current Leader: David Miscavige

Date Founded: 1953

Locations: Worldwide, with major centers in the United States (Los Angeles, Clearwater, FL), Europe, Australia, and various other countries.

Characteristics:

• Group endorses non-orthodox theology: Yes, Scientology’s teachings, based on L. Ron Hubbard’s writings, are distinct from mainstream religious beliefs and focus on concepts such as thetans (immortal spiritual beings), engrams (past traumas), and auditing (a form of spiritual counseling).

• The Leader is an infallible authority: Yes, L. Ron Hubbard is considered an infallible source of wisdom, and his writings are the foundation of Scientology. David Miscavige, as the current leader, is also seen as having unquestionable authority.

• Leadership seeks control over members’ activities, behaviors, and finances: Yes, the Church of Scientology is known for its extensive control over members’ lives, including their activities, behaviors, and finances, through practices like auditing and the ethics system.

• Requires unquestioning faith and allegiance to the leader or group: Yes, members are expected to demonstrate complete loyalty and faith in Hubbard’s teachings and the church’s leadership, with dissent being strongly discouraged.

• Suppression of Critical Thinking: Yes, questioning the church’s doctrines, practices, or leadership is discouraged, and critical thinking is suppressed through strict adherence to Hubbard’s writings and church policies.

• Intimidation, fear, and shame are used to control members: Yes, there are numerous reports of the use of intimidation, fear, and shame to control members, including through practices like “disconnection” (severing ties with critics) and “fair game” (targeting enemies).

• Isolates or shuns former members, leading to loss of family connections and support: Yes, the practice of disconnection requires members to cut ties with former members and critics, often leading to the loss of family connections and support networks.

• Allegations of financial abuse and lack of transparency: Yes, there have been many allegations of financial exploitation, with members required to make large financial contributions for auditing, courses, and other church services, often leading to significant debt.

• Allegations of sexual misconduct: Yes, there have been allegations of sexual misconduct within the church, although these claims vary in detail and substantiation.

Narrative:

The Church of Scientology, founded by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard in 1953, is known for its distinctive beliefs and practices. It teaches that humans are immortal spiritual beings (thetans) trapped in a physical existence and that through the process of auditing, they can achieve spiritual enlightenment and freedom from past traumas (engrams).

Scientology’s theology is non-orthodox and focuses heavily on Hubbard’s extensive writings, which are considered infallible by followers. The current leader, David Miscavige, has maintained and enforced these teachings, solidifying the church’s hierarchical and authoritarian structure. Members are expected to demonstrate unwavering faith in the leadership and doctrines of Scientology.

The church has been widely criticized for its control over members’ lives, including their activities, behaviors, and finances. Members are often required to make significant financial contributions for services, which has led to numerous allegations of financial abuse. The church’s policy of disconnection, which mandates cutting ties with critics and former members, often results in the isolation of members from their families and support networks.

Reports of intimidation, fear, and shame being used to control members are common, and there have been various allegations of sexual misconduct within the organization. Despite these controversies, the Church of Scientology continues to maintain a significant presence worldwide, attracting followers through its promises of spiritual advancement and personal improvement.