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OT VIII or OT 8 (Operating Thetan Level 8) is the highest current auditing level in Scientology. OT VIII is known as "The Truth Revealed" and was first released to select high-ranking public Scientologists in 1988,[1][2] two years after the death of Scientology's founder, L. Ron Hubbard. OT VIII is only delivered to members of the Church of Scientology in one place—aboard the organization's private cruise ship, the Freewinds. OT 8 is also available in the Scientology Independent Field. There are a few advanced auditors that are able to deliver the level to those who meet the prerequisites.[2]

The original version authored by Hubbard himself created a furor among Scientologists because of several claims he made that "horribly upset" early participants: he would return from the grave and in a messiah like role stop an impending apocalyptic alien invasion by the Galactic Confederacy,[3] implying that the Historical Jesus was a homosexual and a pedophile,[4] apparently identifying himself with the Antichrist,[5] warning that someone attempting this auditing level without being prepared may spontaneously combust,[6] and implying that this was the last OT level Hubbard intended to publish.[7] The Church of Scientology asserts that the version of OT VIII provided in the Fishman Affidavit is a forgery but numerous early participants as well as Mark Rathbun, former Inspector General of the Religious Technology Center (RTC), have confirmed the document is authentic and its copyright is verifiable at the United States Copyright Office.[8]

The revised version the Church currently uses was not authored by Hubbard and instructs participants to repeat the same courses in perpetuity, which is the current church policy. All of the above controversial claims made by Hubbard have been removed.[9] Participants of the revised version described the course as having two parts: a preparatory e-meter drill, followed by a review of Scientology: A History of Man and an examination of previously identified past lives to find out which ones are false. The course includes a claimed affirmation from Hubbard that "now [the participant] knew who he wasn't, and was interested in finding out who he was."[10] The Church of Scientology describes the revised OT VIII as a "Solo-audited level [which] addresses the primary cause of amnesia on the whole track and lets one see the truth of his own existence. This is the first actual OT level and brings about a resurgence of power and native abilities for the being himself."[11]

According to Mike Rinder, the publication of OT VIII was a watershed moment in scientology's history.[12] The response by early participants who balked at its claims and left the organization as a result resembled the response to OT III when it was released.[13] The church revised it into its current form after apologists were not able to stop the wave of departures it was causing. Its publication also coincided with the arrival of the Internet which presented new challenges for the church. Vexatious litigation had been effective at preventing publishers from disseminating information critical of scientology to the public but the World Wide Web made it possible for individuals to publish information without needing a publisher. That information could then be seen by anyone with internet access. Departures accelerated as a result and the church responded by increasingly isolating itself from the public. Rinder also stated that this marked the beginning of the policy of disconnection being used punitively as punishment for scientologists who leave the church. This produced a culture of "captive" scientologists: members that remain not because they are faithful to the tenets but because they fear their families being broken up by disconnection if they leave the church.[14][15]

Background

Main article: Timeline of Scientology

Founder's death

L. Ron Hubbard died from a stroke on January 24, 1986, the church announced to the media.[16][17] He had not been seen publicly since May 1980.[18] Several weeks later his death was announced to parishioners by David Miscavige who stated that Hubbard had completed all of his research into the OT I-VIII levels, but researching the remaining levels (IX-XV) can only be done "outside the body".[19] Because his body had become an "encumbrance" to continuing his research, Hubbard discarded it and would return to the church after completing his research to deliver the remaining OT levels.[20][21] According to Mike Rinder the promise of more OT levels has motivated parishioners to continue retaking the same courses (I-VIII) repeatedly to prepare for the new ones for when Hubbard returns.[22] The last OT level that Hubbard completed before his death was OT VIII which was being collated and would be released to select scientologists starting in the summer of 1988.[23]

Biographies about Hubbard

Two posthumous biographies were published about Hubbard in 1987: Bare-faced Messiah: The True Story of L. Ron Hubbard by Russell Miller and L. Ron Hubbard: Madman or Messiah? by L. Ron Hubbard Jr., Hubbard's son.[24] Miller used previously unpublished information about Hubbard for his book while Hubbard's son relied on his upbringing with Hubbard for his. Both made the same allegation that scientology was a cult and that Hubbard had a Messiah complex with Hubbard Jr. writing that his father had told him that he identified himself with the Antichrist.[25] The church denied these claims. One year later, OT VIII was released.[26]

Synopsis

Original version

Main articles: Operating Thetan and Jesus in Scientology

In a posthumous prophecy that has been withheld intentionally until after death, Hubbard claims that 80 million years ago a group of aliens that exist outside spacetime have a plan to take over the universe by activating an inserted genetic implant that will allow for the enslavement of the universe via telepathic mind control. The implant will be activated during the return of the galactic confederacy which is "rapidly approaching". All world religions, except for "Original Buddhism", are participating in a conspiracy with the aliens to telepathically enslave the universe. Hubbard claims the Second Coming in the Book of Revelation is referring to this event. He portrays his mission as fulfilling "the Biblical promise represented by the Antichrist" where an "arch-enemy of Christ" will emerge and stop the galactic confederacies' return. Hubbard then describes the Historical Jesus as being "a lover of young boys and men" – implying that he was a homosexual and a pedophile[27] – and claims "the sainted figure [he] has been made out to be" is due to the R6 Implant. Hubbard then writes "I will return not as a religious leader but a political one" and "halt a series of events designed to make happy slaves of us all." Hubbard warns that someone attempting this auditing level without being prepared may discover what it means to 'spontaneously combust'". Hubbard also wrote that with the release of OT VIII "all the data is now available" implying to many early participants that this was the last OT level Hubbard intended to publish.[28][29][30][31]

Forgery allegations and admission of authenticity

Main article: Fishman Affidavit

The Church of Scientology initially verified authenticity of the document when they sued Steven Fishman for copyright infringement of the OT VIII materials. Since infringement only exists if the document is authentic, they unintentionally established authenticity with their lawsuit against Fishman.[32] They dropped the suit afterwards and claimed they were forgeries and unsuccessfully tried to prevent others from seeing the publicly available court documents, but they were eventually posted to the internet by scientology critic Arnie Lerma in August 1995. Church of Scientology lawyers asserted again that the Fishman OT VIII documents posted by Lerma are forgeries, yet they sued to have them taken down and during the copyright battle over Lerma's web pages. The Church of Scientology's attorney Kendrick Moxon identified the "Antichrist" document as copyrighted material establishing their authenticity.[2][33] George White, a public Scientologist who had received OT VIII in the summer of 1988, also asserts the document is authentic (and states that the course cost him US$28,000 at the time).[2] Frank Oliver, a former operative with Scientology's Office of Special Affairs, reports having discovered the document in the church's archives.[2] Lawrence Wollersheim, a notable defector, claims they are genuine: "Two sets of defectors, at different times in different parts of the world, came out with those documents", he says. "I've been working with defectors for fifteen years. I have never dealt with anyone as afraid of having their identity revealed as the people who came out and verified those documents."[34]

Current version used by the church

On March 24, 2008, WikiLeaks obtained and placed the complete set of OT levels on their site, including the current "revised" version of OT VIII not previously publicly available.[9] The Church of Scientology again verified the authenticity of these documents when they threatened legal action for copyright infringement if they were not removed. WikiLeaks refused, thus making all 612 pages of the OT materials that many scientologists spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to see through the church available for free on WikiLeaks.[9][35] The year prior, the church launched "The Basics" program to sell "revised" versions of Hubbards books to parishioners which were identical to the originals except for changes in punctuation. Parishioners were encouraged to purchase the same books repeatedly which resembles how the church encouraged retaking the same OT courses before WikiLeaks made the OT materials available for free.[36]

Revisions made by the church

Jesse Prince, former second-in-command of Scientology's Religious Technology Center, wrote that OT VIII was revised after early participants were "horribly upset" by the content.[37][2] The OT VIII section has two parts: "original" and "new". The original section is identical to the Fishman version while the subsequent "New" section is completely redacted and virtually unrecognizable when compared to the original that Fishman produced.[9]

The revised version is dated 1991, which is three years after the initial roll out of OT VIII and states "It is not the original nor is it a perfect record" and claims "any differences are extremely minor (if at all)." The author writes "What is presented here are reconstructions of those materials by people who have trained and delivered them before leaving that organization. If the original materials should become available at a future date, a revision of this volume will done to include them." The document also includes a legal disclaimer that reads "In the absence of the original materials, the following are presented on an 'as is' basis and are used at your own discretion. No warranty is conferred or implied."[9]

The author of the revised edition does not identify themselves but since it was written five years after his death, the current edition of OT VIII could not have been authored by L. Ron Hubbard.[38]

The author states that the purpose of this auditing level is to learn the secret of the relationship between "the Supreme Being" and the Thetan. Both are infinite but the Thetan is unable to perceive its infinite identity due to confusions and distortions caused by the MEST. The purpose of this OT level is to remove those impediments and thus know one's identity from origin to infinity. The author states that anyone who is not "flat" on the previous OT levels should continue to retake them (presumably at full price) until they are. The author also states that this information is to remain confidential from "squirrels" or scientologists not in the church.[9]

Legacy

Similarities with science fiction apocalyptical genre

Main articles: Space opera in Scientology and Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction

In a 1968 lecture, Hubbard acknowledged similarities between his teachings and the science fiction sub-genre space opera. Hubbard said: "This planet is part of an earlier federation and passed out of its control due to losses in war and other such things. Now, this larger confederacy, this isn't its right name, but we have often called it and referred to it in the past as the Marcab Confederacy. And it has been wrongly or rightly pointed to as one of the tail stars of the Big Dipper, which is the capital planet of which this planet is. Now, all this sounds very space opera-ish and that sort of thing, and I'm sorry for it, but I am not one to quibble about the truth."[39]

The Church of Scientology has denied claims that their religion is based on science fiction.[40][41][42] However, with the release of OT VIII, all three cardinal Incidents of the churche's esoteric scripture have elements found in science fiction literature with which Hubbard was familiar as a science fiction writer.[43][44] Scientology's creation myth (Incident I), origin of man myth (Incident II), and their doomsday prophesy (Incident III), share the key distinction from other religions in that instead of divine intervention, there is alien intervention.[45][full citation needed] Hubbard's Incident III was clearly modelled on the Book of Revelation, which he references in the original version of OT VIII: the prophet's discovery of these events are a revelation, there is a sense of urgency that the apocalypse will be soon, the savior dies first, then the calamity begins, then the savior returns to stop it. The alien civilizations that Hubbard describes resemble modern human civilization but possess advanced technology that enables them to perform supernatural feats such as telepathy.[46] This is a common motif in science fiction and was popularized by the Star Trek franchise which was in syndication at the time.[47][48]

References

  1. ^ Rathbun, Mark C. (16 March 2011). "Truth Revealed about OT VIII".
  2. ^ a b c d e f Ortega, Tony (24 June 2014). "UP THE BRIDGE: We finally reach 'OT 8' — but was its first version really a hoax?". tonyortega.org. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  3. ^ Hubbard wrote: "Some eighty-odd million years ago Earth time (it actually dates at 78,395,042 but dates are & bit superfluous with this material) plans were drawn by a group outside the MEST universe for the eventual takeover of a good portion of this universe." Fishman Exhibit, OT VIII.
  4. ^ Hubbard wrote: "For those of you whose Christian toes I may have stepped on. let me take the opportunity to disabuse you of some lovely myths. For instance, the historic Jesus was not nearly the sainted figure has been made out to be. In addition to being a lover of young boys and men. he was given to uncontrollable bursts of temper and hatred that belied the general message of love, understanding and other typical Marcab PR." Fishman exhibit. OT VIII
  5. ^ Hubbard wrote: "My mission could be said to fulfill the Biblical promise represented by this brief anti-Christ period." Fishman exhibit. OT VIII
  6. ^ Hubbard wrote: "There is some danger, but with OT VII thoroughly complete It is not nearly so great as the danger witnessed by assorted unfortunates who happened to stumble into this area in their sleep or in moments of reverie or anaten, experiencing an hitherto mysterious phenomenon known as "spontaneous combustion". Fishman exhibit; OT VIII
  7. ^ Hubbard wrote: "So there you have it. The secret that I have kept close to my chest all these years. Now you too are part of this secret and I no longer have to shoulder the burden alone or live with the possibility of body death before all the data could be released." Fishman Exhibit; OT VIII
  8. ^ markrathbun.blog https://markrathbun.blog/2011/03/16/truth-revealed-about-ot-viii/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  9. ^ a b c d e f "Church of Scientology collected Operating Thetan documents – WikiLeaks".
  10. ^ Pattinson v. Church of Scientology et al., US District Court for the Central District of California, 1998
  11. ^ Church of Scientology International. "Classification, Gradation and Awareness Chart". Retrieved 2008-03-22.
  12. ^ "First 5,000 OT VIII's". www.mikerindersblog.org. Retrieved 2022-09-09.
  13. ^ "More OT VIII Folly". www.mikerindersblog.org. Retrieved 2022-09-09.
  14. ^ "OT VIII". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2022-09-09.
  15. ^ Voice, Village (2011-08-16). "Ed Bryan, OT VIII, Demonstrates the Power of Scientology's Highest Levels". The Village Voice. Retrieved 2022-09-09.
  16. ^ Lindsey, Robert; Times, Special To the New York (1986-01-29). "L. RON HUBBARD DIES OF STROKE; FOUNDER OF CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-09-19.
  17. ^ Sappell, Joel; Welkos, Robert W. (1990-06-24). "The Mind Behind the Religion : Chapter Four : The Final Days : Deep in hiding, Hubbard kept tight grip on the church". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2022-09-19.
  18. ^ "30 years ago today: 'L. Ron Hubbard discarded the body he had used in this lifetime' | The Underground Bunker". tonyortega.org. Retrieved 2022-09-19.
  19. ^ The Death of LRH: What was David Miscavige really thinking?, retrieved 2022-09-19
  20. ^ escapingscientology.com http://escapingscientology.com/bonus-material/miscavige-announces-lrhs-death/. Retrieved 2022-09-19. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  21. ^ "David Miscavige's IAS speech, 8 October 1993". www.cs.cmu.edu. Retrieved 2022-09-19.
  22. ^ Augustine, Jeffrey (2014-08-18). "The Church of Scientology's Great Big Lie About the Death of Founder L. Ron Hubbard". The Scientology Money Project. Retrieved 2022-09-19.
  23. ^ Nededog, Jethro. "How Scientology leader David Miscavige rose to power, according to insiders". Business Insider. Retrieved 2022-09-19.
  24. ^ scicrit (2014-06-22). "Inside the Church of Scientology: An Exclusive Interview with L Ron Hubbard Jr". Scientology Books and Media. Retrieved 2022-09-19.
  25. ^ Sterbenz, Christina. "Founder of Scientology's son said his dad drugged him and thought of himself as the Antichrist". Business Insider. Retrieved 2022-09-19.
  26. ^ Grey, William (1988-04-02). "Review of R. Miller, 'Bare-Faced Messiah: The True Story of L Ron Hubbard' (1988)". The Canberra Times.
  27. ^ According to biographer Russ Miller in Bare-Faced Messiah: A biography of L. Ron Hubbard, this claim comes directly from Hubbard time practicing theosophy
  28. ^ "Fishman Exhibit: OT VIII, Part 2". www.cs.cmu.edu. Retrieved 2021-04-17.
  29. ^ "Fishman Exhibit: OT VIII, Part 2". cs.cmu.edu. US District Court, Central District of California Fishman Case No 91-6426 HLH (Tx). Retrieved 1 August 2016. By the time you read this I will no longer be occupying the body and identity that you have known as Ron.
  30. ^ "Fishman Exhibit: OT VIII, Part 2". cs.cmu.edu. US District Court, Central District of California Fishman Case No 91-6426 HLH (Tx). Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  31. ^ "What Christians Need to Know about Scientology". www.cs.cmu.edu.
  32. ^ "Church of Scientology International v. Fishman and Geertz". www.cs.cmu.edu. Retrieved 2021-04-17.
  33. ^ "Scientology vs. the mayor: The full Gabe Cazares interview from 1997's Secret Lives | The Underground Bunker".
  34. ^ Prendergast, Alan (1995-10-04). "Stalking the Net". Denver Westword News. Village Voice Media. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  35. ^ Metz, Cade (2008-04-08). "Scientology threatens Wikileaks with injunction". The Register. Retrieved 2008-04-10.
  36. ^ "Pervasive pitch: Scientology book and lecture series, 'The Basics,' unleashes a sales frenzy". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2022-09-19.
  37. ^ "xenu-directory.net" (PDF).
  38. ^ https://file.wikileaks.org/file/scientology-ot-levels.pdf. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  39. ^ "SOURCE CODE: Actual things L. Ron Hubbard said on this date in history | The Underground Bunker".
  40. ^ "Cruise Sees No Scientology in 'War of the Worlds'". ABC News. Retrieved 2021-04-23.
  41. ^ Yahr, Emily. "How Scientology controls John Travolta and Tom Cruise, according to 'Going Clear'". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2021-04-23.
  42. ^ Mahjouri, Shakiel (2018-01-06). "'Star Trek' Actress Kirstie Alley Slams Journalist Over Scientology: 'Go On With Your Hateful Self'". ET Canada. Retrieved 2021-04-23.
  43. ^ "Scientology and Science Fiction". Wall Street Journal. 1997-05-01. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2021-04-23.
  44. ^ Whitney, Harvey AK (May 1995). "Is Scientology Science Fiction?". Journal of Pharmacy Technology. 11 (3): 89–122. doi:10.1177/875512259501100301. ISSN 8755-1225.
  45. ^ Shermer, Michael (22 April 2021). [The Real Science behind Scientology "The Real Science behind Scientology"]. Scientific America. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  46. ^ "Why Do Scientologists Accept the Xenu Story?". The Village Voice. 2012-07-21. Retrieved 2021-04-23.
  47. ^ "Xenu's Paradox: The Fiction of L. Ron Hubbard and the Making of Scientology". Longreads. 2017-02-01. Retrieved 2021-04-23.
  48. ^ "The Road to Xenu, Chapter 8: "Star Trek for Real"". www.cs.cmu.edu. Retrieved 2021-04-23.
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