Scientology

Founded by L. Ronald Hubbard in 1954, The Church of Scientology considers his teachings, including the popular book Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health, as its essential texts. Scientology teaches that the human mind is often restricted by its subconscious thoughts (the "reactive mind") and needs to be freed from negative thoughts (called "engrams") under the direction of a counselor (called an "auditor") in order to release its everlasting spirit ("thetan"). Once all of the engrams have been removed, the Scientologist is able to live spiritually free, a state called the "Clear." The Church of Scientology functions through its autonomous churches and through missions. The breadth and scope of the religion is vast, and includes nearly 8,000 Churches of Scientology, Missions, and related organizations with over 20,000 full time staff in 164 countries, all unified by a common religious goal. Each church is locally governed and licensed to teach Scientology using its standardized materials and methods. In a few countries, the Church has been forced to litigate the issue of its religiosity, either affirmatively or in response to alleged criminal activities. The Church has prevailed in most of these cases, and its religious bona fides have been recognized in most contexts. Some of these decisions, including decisions by the Cassation Court in Italy and the High Court in Australia, have established the standards regarding religious recognition that all religions must meet.

Contributors : Jacob N. Kinnard, Kathleen A. Mulhern

Scientology ("knowing about knowing"), a new religion founded in 1954, was based upon the evolving thought of American writer L. Ron Hubbard.

Scientology emerged in the midst of the dramatic spread of western esotericism and eastern religions that flourished in post-World War II western cultures.

The founder of Scientology was 20th-century author and former U.S. Naval officer L. Ron Hubbard, who spent much of his early adult life considering the human predicament and its remedy.

Scientology considers all of L. Ron Hubbard's writing on Scientology, including books, articles, and correspondence, as sacred scripture.

Scholars are just beginning the task of understanding Scientology, and the high level of controversy surrounding the church has shaped their views.

Scientology experienced rapid growth through the last decades of the 20th century, but did so amid intense controversy.

In its relatively short existence, Scientology has experienced a small number of schisms but none that has been able to survive for more than a few decades.

As a new religion, Scientology has not participated in the alignment with governments that has impacted the history of older religious traditions, but it has nevertheless been able to become socially active.

In the 1960s, Scientology began to spread across Europe but encountered significant resistance from the cult awareness movement and conservative governments.

Scientology emerged in the middle of the 20th century, and from its beginning had to deal with the realities of a pluralistic religious culture, the globalization of information, and intense controversy.

Scientologists build their sacred narrative around themes of accomplishment and success, of their founder, of the church as a whole, and of individual members.

Scientology, a modern scientific/technological version of the esoteric tradition, has abandoned the notion of most supernatural beings and sees God emerging as the endpoint of human spiritual development.

Humans are basically good and eternal beings that, freed of accumulated encumbrances, can live creative lives while simultaneously working to free others from their encumbrances.

Both personal and social suffering and evil are traced to the encumbrances attached to the mind and spirit of individuals in this life and the eons of past existence.

Scientologists believe that they will return to an embodied existence after they end this present life and will be able to continue to work for the goals of Scientology of freeing the planet.

Scientologists believe that the world emerged billions of years ago and was populated with thetans who have lived numerous past lives prior to their present existence.

For Scientologists, there are no sacred spaces as such; however, the career of the founder is honored with a shrine-like office in each church facility, and the facilities for upper level training are transformed into palatial settings for the most committed church members.

Rites and ceremonies were secondary considerations for Scientology, which developed liturgies for weddings and funerals as needed. Meanwhile, holidays have been designated to commemorate important dates in the church's evolution.

There is no personal deity in Scientology, so worship and devotion are practically non-existent, replaced with diligence in spiritual practice and striving for moral uprightness.

The church has a variety of symbols and insignia, the most prominent being an eight pointed cross.

Scientology initially developed with lay leadership but soon saw the need for a professional clergy, and now is led by ministers who are trained to deliver Scientology to the members and take the lead in ritual occasions.

Scientology is organized around missions and churches that are designed to deliver Scientology to the general public.

L. Ron Hubbard authored both a moral code to promote positive conduct and discourage destructive actions, and a more detailed system of ethical conduct to which Scientologists are expected to adhere.

Concerned about the pervasive problems of modern society, the Church of Scientology has developed a set of programs to reform society.

In general, men and women are treated equally in Scientology, though the church has not engaged in a thorough discussion of gender issues