L Ron Hubbard
Lafayette Ron Hubbard who died in January 1986, wrote 78 science fictions books. In the end, it appears he came to believe them. He had called Satanist, Aleister Crowley, ‘my good friend.’ In 1950 he issued ‘Dianetics, The Modern Science of Mental Health’ to the medical faculty. This produced a violent reaction and so he withdrew the material, but reissued it a few months later, this time calling it a ‘religion’.
The religion of Scientology actually began in 1951 but the first Church of Scientology was founded in Los Angeles in 1954. The international headquarters of Scientology is still in Los Angeles with the British headquarters in East Grinstead.
Hubbard was born in Nebraska on 13 March 1911 and in his younger years travelled extensively with his father who was in the US Navy. His varied literary career began in 1933 but he is best known for his science fiction writings.
Development
In July 1968 the British Government imposed immigration restrictions on any non-British students wanting to become involved in Scientology. After intense lobbying of MP’s the ban was lifted in July 1980. More recently further concessions have been made.
Today there are probably some 600-700,000 adherents in over 100 countries worldwide. It claims to have over 2,000 churches worldwide and an international staff of over 12,000. It has been very active in Europe, especially the eastern part. Massive advertising has been taken out in the Baltic States. An L. Ron Hubbard Library has been established in Russia’s oldest university. Also, probably because of their money, the ‘Church’ has been invited to help the Albanian government in defining new policies.
Main Beliefs
GOD
The Church has no dogma concerning God. Although Scientology affirms the existence of a Supreme Being, its practice does not include the worship of such… The practice of Scientology is to bring one to a new state where he can reach his own conclusions concerning the nature of God or a Supreme Being. Thus, like many Eastern religions, salvation in Scientology is attained through personal spiritual enlightenment. – Reference Guide, p.9.
MAN
Scientologists believe that man is basically good and that he is seeking to survive. His survival however depends upon him achieving brotherhood with the universe.
Man consists of mind, body and thetan. Thetans were originally uncreated gods now incarnated into human lives. They are basically good but handicapped by the existence of the engram.
The engram is:
a complete recording, down to the last accurate detail, of every perception present in a moment of partial or full “unconsciousness.” – Reference Guide, p.3.
REINCARNATION AND PAST LIVES
Reincarnation is not part of Scientology but they do believe in past lives. It is said that often during auditing people experience their past life. Auditing then helps you deal with the problems of past lives as well as present.
SALVATION
There is no dealing with ‘sin’ but through auditing – enrolling in Scientology courses and having sessions with a Scientology auditor – you are freed from the physical and emotional pain of this life and past lives.
FUTURE LIFE
When someone dies there are any number of rebirths until the individual has confronted all their traumas in the life they are now living and all previous lives. As such they become an immortal spirit that transcends matter, energy, space, and time. The spirit is then free to escape the cycle of birth and death and become one with God.
Fuller notes are available to order in booklet form from Reachout Trust
