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The '''Church of Scientology''' is the largest organization devoted to the practice and the promotion of the [[Scientology beliefs and practices|Scientology belief system]]. Many other organizations exist which say they practice the techniques developed by Scientology founder [[L. Ron Hubbard]]; these groups are sometimes collectively called the "[[Free Zone (Scientology)|Free Zone]]". The Church of Scientology asserts that such groups are not practicing true [[Scientology]], but unauthorized variants, and regards itself as the only source of "true" Scientology.
The '''Church of Scientology''' is the largest organization devoted to the practice and the promotion of the [[Scientology beliefs and practices|Scientology belief system]]. Many other organizations exist which say they practice the techniques developed by Scientology founder [[L. Ron Hubbard]]; these groups are sometimes collectively called the "[[Free Zone (Scientology)|Free Zone]]". The Church of Scientology asserts that such groups are not practicing true [[Scientology]], but unauthorized variants, and regards itself as the only source of "true" Scientology.


The Church regards itself as a religious organization, as do a number of scholars, journalists, lawmakers, and governments. However, other observers of the same types have alleged that the Church is an unscrupulous commercial enterprise that harasses its critics and brutally exploits its members.<ref name="The Church's War">{{cite news |first = Richard |last = Leiby |author = Richard Leiby|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/06/AR2005070601351.html |title = Scientology Fiction: The Church's War Against Its Critics — and Truth |work = [[The Washington Post]] |page = C1 |date = [[1994-12-25]]| accessdate=2006-06-21}}.</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Goodin | first=Dan | year=1999-06-03 | url = http://news.com.com/2100-1023-226676.html | title=Scientology subpoenas Worldnet | publisher=CNET News.com | accessdate=2006-05-04}}</ref> While a number of governments now view the Church as a religious organization entitled to the protections and tax relief that such status brings, others have condemned it as a [[pseudoreligion]], a [[cult]], or a [[multinational corporation|transnational corporation]].<ref>[http://www.humanrights-germany.org/issues/eng/relapa96/bonafide.htm Scientology is a Bona Fide Religion Serving Exclusively Religious and Charitable Purposes]</ref><ref>{{Cite paper | author=Hexham, Irving | title=The Religious Status of Scientology: Is Scientology a Religion? | publisher=University of Calgary | date=1978, rev. 1997 | url = http://www.ucalgary.ca/~nurelweb/papers/irving/scient.html | accessdate=2006-06-13 }}</ref><ref name="marburg">{{Cite paper | author= Kent, Stephen | title= Scientology -- Is this a Religion? | publisher=Marburg Journal of Religion | date=July 1999 | url=http://web.uni-marburg.de/religionswissenschaft/journal/mjr/kent.html | accessdate=2006-08-26}} Sociologist Kent, while acknowledging that a number of his colleagues accept Scientology as a religion, argues that "Rather than struggling over whether or not to label Scientology as a religion, I find it far more helpful to view it as a multifaceted transnational corporation, only ''one'' element of which is religious." (Italics in original.)</ref><ref name="Beit-Hallahmi">{{Cite paper | author=Beit-Hallahmi, Benjamin | title=Scientology: Religion or racket? | publisher=Marburg Journal of Religion | date=September 2003 | format=PDF | url=http://web.uni-marburg.de/religionswissenschaft/journal/mjr/pdf/2003/breit2003.pdf | accessdate=2007-02-13}} </ref>
The Church regards itself as a religious organization, as do a number of scholars, journalists, lawmakers, and governments. However, other observers of the same types have alleged that the Church is an unscrupulous commercial enterprise that harasses its critics and brutally exploits its members.<ref name="The Church's War">{{cite news |first = Richard |last = Leiby |author = Richard Leiby|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/06/AR2005070601351.html |title = Scientology Fiction: The Church's War Against Its Critics — and Truth |work = [[The Washington Post]] |page = C1 |date = [[1994-12-25]]| accessdate=2006-06-21}}.</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Goodin | first=Dan | year=1999-06-03 | url = http://news.com.com/2100-1023-226676.html | title=Scientology subpoenas Worldnet | publisher=CNET News.com | accessdate=2006-05-04}}</ref> While a number of governments now view the Church as a religious organization entitled to the protections and tax relief that such status brings, others have condemned it as a [[pseudoreligion]] or [[cult]].<ref>[http://www.humanrights-germany.org/issues/eng/relapa96/bonafide.htm Scientology is a Bona Fide Religion Serving Exclusively Religious and Charitable Purposes]</ref><ref>{{Cite paper | author=Hexham, Irving | title=The Religious Status of Scientology: Is Scientology a Religion? | publisher=University of Calgary | date=1978, rev. 1997 | url = http://www.ucalgary.ca/~nurelweb/papers/irving/scient.html | accessdate=2006-06-13 }} (Italics in original.)</ref><ref name="Beit-Hallahmi">{{Cite paper | author=Beit-Hallahmi, Benjamin | title=Scientology: Religion or racket? | publisher=Marburg Journal of Religion | date=September 2003 | format=PDF | url=http://web.uni-marburg.de/religionswissenschaft/journal/mjr/pdf/2003/breit2003.pdf | accessdate=2007-02-13}} </ref>


==History and controversies==
==History and controversies==
Line 127: Line 127:


== Membership statistics ==
== Membership statistics ==
⚫
{{unsourced|date=February 2007}}
It is difficult to obtain reliable membership statistics for the Church. The Church itself issues only vague figures (without breaking them down by region or country), and public censuses have only recently included questions about religious affiliations.
It is difficult to obtain reliable membership statistics for the Church. The Church itself issues only vague figures (without breaking them down by region or country), and public censuses have only recently included questions about religious affiliations.


The Church has said that it has anywhere from eight million to fifteen million<ref>{{cite book | author=L. Ron Hubbard | title=Final Blackout | publisher=Leisure Books | year=1970 | id=ISBN 0-8439-0003-2}}</ref> members world-wide, and has stated that Scientology is "the [[Fastest Growing Religion|fastest growing religion]] in the world."<ref>[http://www.scientology.org/wis/wiseng/27/27-works.htm "Scientology Works"] at official site</ref> Critics, however, state evidence suggests otherwise. The International Association of Scientologists (IAS) maintains a list of Scientologists world-wide. However, not every active Scientologist is a member of the International Association of Scientologists.
The Church has said that it has anywhere from eight million to fifteen million<ref>{{cite book | author=L. Ron Hubbard | title=Final Blackout | publisher=Leisure Books | year=1970 | id=ISBN 0-8439-0003-2}}</ref> members world-wide, and has stated that Scientology is "the [[Fastest Growing Religion|fastest growing religion]] in the world."<ref>[http://www.scientology.org/wis/wiseng/27/27-works.htm "Scientology Works"] at official site</ref> Critics, however, state evidence suggests otherwise. The International Association of Scientologists (IAS) maintains a list of Scientologists world-wide. However, not every active Scientologist is a member of the International Association of Scientologists.


{{unsourced|date=February 2007}}
* In [[1986]], the New Zealand national census found 189 Scientologists nationwide.
* In [[1986]], the New Zealand national census found 189 Scientologists nationwide.


* In [[1991]], the [http://www.adherents.com/rel_USA.html National Survey of Religious Identification] reported 45,000 Scientology followers in the United States. This survey has been placed as evidence in the case "''Raul Lopez'' v. Church of Scientology Mission of Buenaventura" by Scientology's attorney, Gerald L. Chaleff.
* In [[1991]], the [http://www.adherents.com/rel_USA.html National Survey of Religious Identification] reported 45,000 Scientology followers in the United States. This survey has been placed as evidence in the case "''Raul Lopez'' v. Church of Scientology Mission of Buenaventura" by Scientology's attorney, Gerald L. Chaleff.


⚫
{{unsourced|date=February 2007}}
* In [[1994]], there were 3,400 Scientology Sea Org members, 34,000 lifetime IAS members, and 54,000 yearly IAS members. This produces a total of 91,400 names on the membership lists.
* In [[1994]], there were 3,400 Scientology Sea Org members, 34,000 lifetime IAS members, and 54,000 yearly IAS members. This produces a total of 91,400 names on the membership lists.


{{unsourced|date=February 2007}}
* In [[1995]] IAS membership was estimated at 65,000 active Scientologists world-wide.
* In [[1995]] IAS membership was estimated at 65,000 active Scientologists world-wide.


{{unsourced|date=February 2007}}
* In [[1996]], Australia's national census recorded 1,488 Scientologists nationwide.
* In [[1996]], Australia's national census recorded 1,488 Scientologists nationwide.

{{unsourced|date=February 2007}}
* In [[1998]], the [[Verfassungsschutz|German Office for the Protection of the Constitution]] estimated a total of 5,000 &ndash; 6,000 Scientologists in that country.
* In [[1998]], the [[Verfassungsschutz|German Office for the Protection of the Constitution]] estimated a total of 5,000 &ndash; 6,000 Scientologists in that country.


* In [[2001]], the [[American Religious Identification Survey]] (ARIS) reported 55,000 adults in the United States who consider themselves Scientologists.<ref>[http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0922574.html Self-Described Religious Identification Among American Adults] at [[Infoplease]]</ref>
* In [[2001]], the [[American Religious Identification Survey]] (ARIS) reported 55,000 adults in the United States who consider themselves Scientologists. <ref>[http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0922574.html Self-Described Religious Identification Among American Adults] at [[Infoplease]]</ref>


{{unsourced|date=February 2007}}
* The [[2001]] UK Census contained a voluntary question on religion, to which 48,000,000, 92% of the population, chose to respond. Of those living in England and Wales who responded, a total of 1,781 said they were Scientologists.
* The [[2001]] UK Census contained a voluntary question on religion, to which 48,000,000, 92% of the population, chose to respond. Of those living in England and Wales who responded, a total of 1,781 said they were Scientologists.


{{unsourced|date=February 2007}}
* In [[2003]], the Canadian national census reported a total of 1,525 Scientologists nationwide.
* In [[2003]], the Canadian national census reported a total of 1,525 Scientologists nationwide.


Revision as of 07:00, 15 February 2007

Template:ScientologySeries The Church of Scientology is the largest organization devoted to the practice and the promotion of the Scientology belief system. Many other organizations exist which say they practice the techniques developed by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard; these groups are sometimes collectively called the "Free Zone". The Church of Scientology asserts that such groups are not practicing true Scientology, but unauthorized variants, and regards itself as the only source of "true" Scientology.

The Church regards itself as a religious organization, as do a number of scholars, journalists, lawmakers, and governments. However, other observers of the same types have alleged that the Church is an unscrupulous commercial enterprise that harasses its critics and brutally exploits its members.[1][2] While a number of governments now view the Church as a religious organization entitled to the protections and tax relief that such status brings, others have condemned it as a pseudoreligion or cult.[3][4][5]

History and controversies

The first Church of Scientology was founded in December 1953 in New Jersey by American pulp fiction[6][7] and science fiction author L. Ron Hubbard, his then wife Mary Sue Hubbard, John Galusha and a few others,[8] although "Scientology clubs" had been operating for at least a year before that,[9] and Hubbard had been selling Scientology books and technology by mail order. Soon after, he explained the religious nature of Scientology in a bulletin to all scientologists [10], stressing its relation to the Dharma.

File:Scientologycross.jpg
Official Scientology Cross Symbol

Hubbard's stated claims of Scientology were: "A civilization without insanity, without criminals and without war, where the able can prosper and honest beings can have rights, and where man is free to rise to greater heights, are the aims of Scientology."[11]

In 1979, Hubbard's wife Mary Sue Hubbard along with ten other highly placed Church Executives were convicted in United States federal court regarding Operation Snow White, and served time in a US federal prison. Operation Snow White involved infiltration, wiretapping, and theft of documents in government offices, most notably those of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

The nature and legal status of the Church continue to arouse controversy around the world. The government of Belgium and, until recently, that of Germany, officially regard the Church as a totalitarian cult; in France, a parliamentary report classified Scientology as a dangerous cult; in the United Kingdom and Canada, the Church is not regarded as meeting the legal standards for being considered a bona fide religion or charity. However in 1993 the U.S. Internal Revenue Service recognized the Church as a "non-profit charitable organization", and gave it the same legal protections and favorable tax treatment extended to other non-profit charitable organizations.

A New York Times article asserts that Scientologists paid private investigators to obtain compromising material on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) commissioner and blackmailed the IRS into submission.[12] Six levels of indents down in the eventually leaked "closing agreement," the IRS is contractually required to discriminate in their treatment of Scientology to the exclusion of all other groups.[13]

"The following actions will be considered to be a material breach by the Service: ... The issuance of a Regulation, Revenue Ruling or other pronouncement of general applicability providing that fixed donations to a religious organization other than a church of Scientology are fully deductible."

In a legal case involving a married couple attempting to obtain the same deduction for charity to a Jewish school, it was stated by Judge Silverman:[14]

"An IRS closing agreement cannot overrule Congress and the Supreme Court.
If the IRS does, in fact, give preferential treatment to members of the Church of Scientology—allowing them a special right to claim deductions that are contrary to law and rightly disallowed to everybody else—then the proper course of action is a lawsuit to put a stop to that policy."

To date, such a suit is not known to have been filed.

Hubbard had official control of the Church only until 1966, when this function was transferred to a group of executives.[15] Though Hubbard maintained no formal relationship to Church management, Hubbard remained firmly in control of the Church and its affiliated organizations until the illness that preceded his death in 1986.[16]

In May 1987, David Miscavige, one of Hubbard’s former personal assistants, assumed the position of Chairman of the Religious Technology Center (RTC), a non-profit corporation that owns the trademarked names and symbols of Dianetics and Scientology. Although RTC is a separate corporation from the Church of Scientology International, whose president and chief spokesperson is the Reverend Heber Jentzsch, Miscavige is the effective leader of the Church.

Churches, missions and major Scientology centers

Scientology Centre on Tottenham Court Road in London
Church of Scientology of Hamburg

Scientology churches and mission franchises exist in many communities around the world. Scientology calls its larger centers orgs, short for "organizations." The major Scientology church of a region is known as the local org, e.g., "the New York org", or "the Washington, D.C. org". Members of the public entering a Scientology church or mission are offered a "free personality test" called the Oxford Capacity Analysis by Scientology literature. The test, despite its name and the claims of Scientology literature, has no connection to Oxford University or any other research body. Scientific analysis has also proven that the test is "rigged", in that it is impossible to get a perfect score and that even completely randomized or deliberately contrary sets of answers tend to give almost exactly the same results.[17] The test "results" are used to tell the recipient that Scientology courses and "auditing" would "benefit" them. The churches and people performing the tests get a commission from any fees for future tests. Courses, books and counseling are available for a "fixed donation."

The Church of Scientology also has several major headquarters, including:

Saint Hill, Sussex, England

Main article: Saint Hill Manor

L. Ron Hubbard moved to England shortly after founding Scientology, where he oversaw the worldwide development of Scientology from an office in London for most of the 1950s. In 1959, he bought Saint Hill Manor near the Sussex town of East Grinstead, a Georgian manor house formerly owned by the Maharajah of Jaipur. This became the worldwide headquarters of Scientology through the 1960s and 1970s. Hubbard declared Saint Hill to be the organization by which all other organizations would be measured, and he issued a general order (still followed by the Church today) for all organizations around the world to expand and reach "Saint Hill size." The Church of Scientology has announced that the highest levels of Scientology teaching, OT 9 and OT 10, will be released and made available to church members when all the major orgs in the world have reached Saint Hill size.[citation needed]

Flag Land Base, Fort Harrison Hotel, Clearwater, Florida

Main article: Fort Harrison Hotel

The "worldwide spiritual headquarters" of the Church of Scientology is known as "Flag Land Base," located in Clearwater, Florida. It was founded in the late 1970s, when an anonymous Scientology-founded group called "Southern Land Development and Leasing Corp" purchased the Fort Harrison Hotel for $2.3 million. Because the reported tenant was the "United Churches of Florida," the citizens and City Council of Clearwater did not realize that the building's owners were actually the Church of Scientology until after the building's purchase.[1] Clearwater citizens' groups, headed by Mayor Gabriel Cazares, rallied strongly against Scientology establishing a base in the city (repeatedly referring to the organization as a cult), but Flag Base was established nonetheless.

In the years since its foundation, Flag Base has expanded as the church has gradually purchased large amounts of additional property in the downtown and waterfront Clearwater area. Its relationship with the city government has repeatedly moved between friendly and hostile, but the church has worked with the city to establish better relations. At the same time, it opposed the local St. Petersburg Times and protested actions of the Clearwater police department. Scientology's largest project in Clearwater has been the construction of a high-rise complex called the "Super Power Building," an enormous structure whose highest point, when completed, will be a Scientology cross that will tower over the city.

PAC Base, Hollywood, California

Los Angeles, California, has the largest concentration of Scientologists and Scientology-related enterprises in the world. Scientology has established a highly visible presence in the Hollywood district of the city. The church owns a large complex on Fountain Avenue which was formerly Cedars of Lebanon hospital. It contains Scientology's West Coast headquarters, "Pacific Area Command Base," often referred to as "PAC Base." Adjacent buildings include headquarters of many of Scientology's internal divisions, including the American Saint Hill Organization; the Advanced Organization of Los Angeles; Los Angeles Organization, founded February 18, 1954; and the offices of Bridge Publications, Scientology's publishing arm. The Church of Scientology successfully campaigned to have the city of Los Angeles rename one block of a street running through this complex 'L. Ron Hubbard Way.' The Street has been paved in brick.

Also in Hollywood is Scientology's main Celebrity Centre, which caters to arts professionals. On Hollywood Boulevard, a multi-story building houses the executive offices of the Church of Scientology International and an open-to-the-public exhibition devoted to the life of L. Ron Hubbard. Also in the area are the headquarters of Author Services, Inc. (Hubbard's Literary agency), the Association for Better Living and Education (ABLE), which administers social programs based on Hubbard's writings, (including Narconon and Applied Scholastics), the World Institute of Scientology Enterprises (WISE), which promotes Hubbard's business management techniques and facilitates a network of Scientology-related businesses, and the Citizens Commission on Human Rights, a Scientology-affiliated group that focuses on alleged abuses of psychiatry, and includes a "Psychiatry: An Industry of Death" museum.

Today, the Church of Scientology of Los Angeles is one of the largest Scientology facilities of its kind in the world. Church executives-in-training from every international Scientology organization now apprentice at the LA church before assuming their executive positions.

Gold Base, Gilman Hot Springs, California

Main article: Gold Base

Another headquarters for Scientology is Gold Base, located near Hemet, California, about 80 miles (130 km) southeast of Los Angeles. It is also known as "INT Base". The facility is owned by Golden Era Productions and is the home of Scientology's media production studio, Golden Era Studios.

According to many accounts by journalists and former scientologists, Gold Base is the central headquarters for the entire network of Scientology-related enterprises. Gold Base reportedly contains the headquarters of the Religious Technology Center (RTC),[18] which owns the trademarks and copyrights connected with Scientology and Dianetics.

The existence of Gold Base is not broadly publicized as is the case of the other headquarters mentioned here: the RTC lists a Los Angeles address on their publications and web site. The existence of Gold Base was kept secret, even within Scientology, in the pre-Internet era. The facilities at Gold Base are surrounded by razor wire, floodlights, and video observation cameras.

Trementina Base

Main article: Trementina Base

The Church of Scientology maintains a large base on the outskirts of Trementina, New Mexico whose stated purpose is storage for an archiving project: engraving Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard's writings on stainless steel tablets and encasing them in titanium capsules underground. [2] An aerial photograph showing the base's enormous Church of Spiritual Technology symbols on the ground caused media interest and a local TV station broke the story in November 2005. According to a Washington Post report, the Church attempted to coerce the station not to air the story, to no avail. [3]

Flag ship, Freewinds

Main article: Freewinds

The cruise ship Freewinds is the only place the current highest level of Scientology training (OT VIII) is offered. It cruises the Caribbean Sea, under the auspices of the Flag Ship Service Organization. The Freewinds is also used for other courses and auditing for those willing to spend extra money to get services on the ship.

Sea Org

Main article: Sea Org

The Sea Organization (often shortened to "Sea Org") was founded in 1967 by L. Ron Hubbard, as he embarked on a series of voyages around the Mediterranean Sea in a small fleet of Scientology-crewed cruise ships. Hubbard—formerly a lieutenant junior grade in the US Navy—bestowed the rank of "Commodore" of the vessels upon himself. The crew who accompanied him on these voyages became the foundation of the Sea Org.

"Orgs," such as "Los Angeles Org" are semi-autonomous organizations which staff themselves as they see fit. But the Sea Org is a more dedicated, more elite group within Scientology which exclusively staffs the higher Orgs. Advanced Organization of Los Angeles, for example, is staffed by Sea Org members. While every Org enforces rules and administers disciplinary procedures within its own portion of the larger organization which is the CoS, Sea Org members hold the highest jobs. The Sea Org is frequently characterized as the "elite" of Scientology, both in terms of power within the organization and dedication to the cause. Scientologists seeking to advance within the church are encouraged to join the Sea Org, which involves devoting their full time to Scientology projects in exchange for meals, berthing, and a nominal honorarium, amounting to a vow of poverty. Members sign a contract pledging their loyalty to Scientology for "the next billion years," committing their future lifetimes to the Sea Org. The Sea Org's motto is "Revenimus" (or "We Come Back").

Disciplinary procedures and policies within the Sea Org have been a focus of critics who accuse Scientology of being an abusive cult. During the original Sea Org's Mediterranean tour, Commodore Hubbard is alleged to have applied a variety of physical punishments, including the practice of "overboarding," or throwing offenders over the side of the ship. Former Sea Org members have claimed that past punishments included confinement in hazardous conditions such as the ship's chain locker.[19] Members who violate rules within the Sea Org are sent to perform physical labor in the Rehabilitation Project Force, such as janitorial duties. When rehabilitation is judged to have happened they are then given a Sea Org job again.

Volunteer Ministers

Main article: Volunteer Ministers

The Church of Scientology began its "Volunteer Ministers" program as a way to participate in community outreach projects. Over the past several years, it has become a common practice for the organization to send teams of Volunteer Ministers to the scenes of major disasters in order to provide assistance with relief efforts. According to critics, these relief efforts consist of passing out copies of a pamphlet authored by L. Ron Hubbard entitled The Way to Happiness, and engaging in a method of calming panicked or injured individuals known in Scientology as a "touch assist."

The Volunteer Minister program most heavily promoted by Scientology took place in the immediate aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks, when approximately one thousand Scientologists were sent to New York City to participate in the relief efforts there. Scientologists wearing bright yellow T-shirts emblazoned with the logo "Scientology Volunteer Minister" became a common sight at the World Trade Center site during the cleanup efforts. Critics of Scientology accused the organization of attempting to take advantage of the disaster in order to promote Scientology to the grief-stricken populace in the area. An intercepted email from a Sea Org "Lieutenant" brags of a deliberate plan to prevent the grief-stricken from receiving counseling from non-Scientology sources.[20]

"Due to some brilliant maneuvering by some simply genius Sea Org Members we tied up the majority of the psychs who were attempting to get to families yesterday in Q&A, bullbait and wrangling. [... The survivors] don't know it but they need the Scientologists with LRH's tech to be here right now."

The Scientology Volunteer Ministers were commended by the New York Fire Department for the assistance given at Ground Zero.[21]

In Russia, after the Beslan school hostage crisis tragedy in 2004, the Health Ministry ordered Scientologists out of the area, saying "that various psychological tactics the groups use, including what it called hypnosis, may be harmful not only for adults, but for children that have already suffered severe mental shock."[22][23]

The Scientology Volunteer Ministers helped with disaster efforts in Southeast Asia following the tsunami there. In the immediate aftermath of the 7 July 2005 London bombings their Volunteer Ministers were sighted at one London hospital, offering their services to those affected by the events.[24]

Scientology Volunteer Ministers are regularly dispatched to help with disaster relief efforts following hurricanes where they distribute food and water in addition to delivering "touch assists". In 2005, the group was honored for their efforts by Florida Governor Jeb Bush with a "Points of Light Award" for "exemplary volunteer service to their community".[25][26]

Religious Technology Center (RTC)

Main article: Religious Technology Center

Around 1982, all of the Hubbard's intellectual property was transferred to a newly formed entity called the Church of Spiritual Technology (CST) and then licensed to the Religious Technology Center (RTC) which, according to its own publicity, exists to safeguard and control the use of the Church of Scientology's copyrights and trademarks.

The RTC employs lawyers and has pursued individuals and groups who have legally attacked Scientology or who are deemed to be a legal threat to Scientology. This has included breakaway Scientologists who practice Scientology outside the central church and critics, as well as numerous government and media organizations. This has helped to maintain Scientology's reputation for litigiousness (see Scientology and the legal system).

Legal waivers

Recent legal actions involving the Church's relationship with its members (see Scientology controversy) have caused the church to publish extensive legal documents that cover the rights granted to followers. It has become standard practice within the church for members to sign lengthy legal contracts and waivers before engaging in Scientology services, a practice that contrasts greatly with many mainstream religious organizations. In 2003, a series of media reports examined the legal contracts required by Scientology, which state, among other things, that followers deny any psychiatric care their doctors may prescribe to them.[27]

…I do not believe in or subscribe to psychiatric labels for individuals. It is my strongly held religious belief that all mental problems are spiritual in nature and that there is no such thing as a mentally incompetent person — only those suffering from spiritual upset of one kind or another dramatized by an individual. I reject all psychiatric labels and intend for this Contract to clearly memorialize my desire to be helped exclusively through religious, spiritual means and not through any form of psychiatric treatment, specifically including involuntary commitment based on so-called lack of competence. Under no circumstances, at any time, do I wish to be denied my right to care from members of my religion to the exclusion of psychiatric care or psychiatric directed care, regardless of what any psychiatrist, medical person, designated member of the state or family member may assert supposedly on my behalf.

See also: Introspection Rundown

World opinion of Scientology

Official reports in countries such as Britain, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand have yielded unfavorable observations and conclusions. In Britain, Scientologists were banned from entering the country between 1968 – 1980; more recently, an application by Scientology for charitable status was rejected after the authorities decided its activities were not of general public benefit. In Germany and Russia, official views of Scientology are particularly harsh. It is seen as a totalitarian organization, and is or has been under observation by police and national security organizations.

In Israel, according to Israeli professor of psychology Benjamin Beit-Hallahmi, "in various organizational forms, Scientology has been active among Israelis for more than thirty years, but those in charge not only never claimed the religion label, but resisted any such suggestion or implication. It has always presented itself as a secular, self-improvement, tax-paying business."Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page).

The Church says that in 1994, a joint council of Shinto Buddhist (Yu-itsu Shinto) sects in Japan not only extended official recognition of Scientology, but also undertook to train a number of their monks in its beliefs and practices as an adjunct to their own meditations and worship. This continues, according to Scientology, a long tradition of Eastern faiths of assimilating or adopting elements of other faiths which they find harmonious with their own. This may be a reflection of Hubbard's acknowledgment of a strong Buddhist influence in forming his personal philosophy. However, academic researchers have noted Hubbard's grasp of eastern religions was shallow and often inaccurate.[28]

Finances

Scientologists are expected to attend classes, exercises or counseling sessions, for a set range of fees (or "fixed donations"). Charges for auditing and other church-related courses run from hundreds to thousands of dollars. A wide variety of entry-level courses, representing 8 to 16 hours study, cost under $100 (US). More advanced courses require membership in the International Association of Scientologists (IAS), have to be taken at higher level Orgs, and have higher fees.[29] Membership without courses or auditing is possible, but the higher levels cannot be reached this way. In 1995, Operation Clambake, a website critical of the Church, estimated the cost of reaching "OT IX readiness", one of the highest levels, is US $365,000 – $380,000.[30][31]

Scientologists are frequently encouraged to become Professional Auditors as a way of earning their way up the Bridge. As a Field Auditor, auditors can receive commissions on people referred to Orgs and a 15% FSM commission on completed services.[32]

Critics say it is improper to fix a donation for religious service; therefore the activity is non-religious. The Church points out many classes, exercises and counseling may also be traded for "in kind" or performed cooperatively by students for no cost, and members of its most devoted orders need donate nothing for services. A central tenet of Scientology is its Doctrine of Exchange, which dictates that each time a person receives something, he or she must pay something back. By doing so, a Scientologist maintains "inflow" and "outflow", avoiding spiritual decline.[33]

Membership statistics

It is difficult to obtain reliable membership statistics for the Church. The Church itself issues only vague figures (without breaking them down by region or country), and public censuses have only recently included questions about religious affiliations.

The Church has said that it has anywhere from eight million to fifteen million[34] members world-wide, and has stated that Scientology is "the fastest growing religion in the world."[35] Critics, however, state evidence suggests otherwise. The International Association of Scientologists (IAS) maintains a list of Scientologists world-wide. However, not every active Scientologist is a member of the International Association of Scientologists.

  • In 1986, the New Zealand national census found 189 Scientologists nationwide.
  • In 1991, the National Survey of Religious Identification reported 45,000 Scientology followers in the United States. This survey has been placed as evidence in the case "Raul Lopez v. Church of Scientology Mission of Buenaventura" by Scientology's attorney, Gerald L. Chaleff.
  • In 1994, there were 3,400 Scientology Sea Org members, 34,000 lifetime IAS members, and 54,000 yearly IAS members. This produces a total of 91,400 names on the membership lists.
  • In 1995 IAS membership was estimated at 65,000 active Scientologists world-wide.
  • In 1996, Australia's national census recorded 1,488 Scientologists nationwide.
  • The 2001 UK Census contained a voluntary question on religion, to which 48,000,000, 92% of the population, chose to respond. Of those living in England and Wales who responded, a total of 1,781 said they were Scientologists.
  • In 2003, the Canadian national census reported a total of 1,525 Scientologists nationwide.

Scientology splinter groups

Main article: Free Zone (Scientology)

The Church denies the legitimacy of any splinter groups and factions outside the official organization, and has actively sought out these "rogue" Scientologists and tried to prevent them from using officially trademarked Scientology materials. These independent Scientologists are known as squirrels within the Church, and are classified as suppressive persons ("SPs") — in other words, opponents and enemies of Scientology. Despite the Church bearing considerable legal and social pressure, the number of Scientologists who have broken away from the Church has increased since Hubbard's death. Many groups refer to themselves under the umbrella term of "Free Zone".

Church or business?

From 1952 until 1966, the Scientology was administered by a secular organization called the Hubbard Association of Scientologists (HAS), established in Arizona on 10 September 1952. In 1954, the HAS became the HASI (HAS International). The first Church of Scientology was incorporated on 18 December, 1953 in Camden, New Jersey. This, along with two other groups incorporated by Hubbard at the same time—the Church of American Science and the Church of Spiritual Engineering—were soon abandoned by Hubbard. The Church of Scientology was incorporated on 18 February 1954 in California, changing its name to "The Church of Scientology of California" (CSC) in 1956. In 1966, Hubbard transferred all HASI assets to CSC, thus gathering Scientology under one tax-exempt roof. In 1967, the IRS stripped all US-based Scientology entities of their tax exemption, declaring Scientology's activities were commercial and operated for the benefit of Hubbard. The church sued and lost repeatedly for 26 years trying to regain its tax-exempt status. The war was eventually settled in 1993, after the church paid over $12 million to the IRS and the IRS agreed to make the church a tax-exempt nonprofit organization again.[37] In addition, Scientology also dropped more than fifty lawsuits against the IRS when this settlement was reached. Scientology frequently states its tax exemption is proof the United States government accepts it as a religion. [citation needed]

In other countries, though, the Church is not acknowledged as a bona fide religion or charitable organization, but is regarded as a commercial enterprise. In early 2003, in Germany, Scientology was granted a tax-exemption for 10% license fees sent to the US. This exemption, however, is related to a German-American double-taxation agreement, and is unrelated to tax-exemption in the context of charities law. In several countries, public proselytizing undergoes the same restrictions as commercial advertising, which is interpreted as persecution by the Church.

In Israel, Scientology does not use "Church" as part of its name, possibly because of the Christian connotation of the term in Jewish culture.

Like many other cults and unlike many well-established religious organizations, the Church maintains strict control over its names, symbols, religious works and other writings. The word Scientology (and many related terms, including L. Ron Hubbard) is a registered trademark. The Church takes a hard line on people and groups who attempt to use it in organizations unaffiliated with the official Church (see Scientology and the legal system).

Affiliated organizations

There are many independently-chartered organizations and groups which are staffed by Scientologists, and pay license fees for the use of Scientology technology and trademarks under the control of Scientology management. In some cases, these organizations do not publicize their affiliation with Scientology.

ABLE

Main article: Association for Better Living and Education

Founded in 1989, the Association for Better Living and Education (ABLE) is an umbrella organization that administers four of Scientology's social programs:

CCHR

Main article: Citizens Commission on Human Rights

The Citizens' Commission on Human Rights (CCHR), co-founded with Thomas Szasz in 1969, is an activist group dedicated to exposing "psychiatric abuse," furthering Scientology doctrinal opposition to mainstream psychiatric therapies.

WISE

Main article: World Institute of Scientology Enterprises

Many other Scientologist-run businesses and organizations belong to the umbrella organization World Institute of Scientology Enterprises (WISE), which licenses the use of Hubbard's management doctrines, and circulates directories of WISE-affiliated businesses. WISE requires those who wish to become Hubbard management consults to complete training in Hubbard's administrative systems; this training can be undertaken at any Church of Scientology, or at one of the campuses of the Hubbard College of Administration, which offers an Associate of Applied Science Degree.

  • One of the best-known WISE-affiliated businesses is Sterling Management Systems, which offers Hubbard's management "technology" to professionals such as dentists and chiropractors.
  • Another well-known WISE-affiliated business is e-Republic, a publishing company based in Folsom, California.[38] e-Republic publications include Government Technology and Converge magazines. The Center for Digital Government is a division of e. Republic that was founded in 1999.
  • Internet ISP EarthLink was founded by Scientologist Sky Dayton as a Scientology enterprise. The company now distances itself from the views of its founder, who has moved on to become CEO of SK-EarthLink.

See also

References

  1. ^ Leiby, Richard (1994-12-25). "Scientology Fiction: The Church's War Against Its Critics — and Truth". The Washington Post. p. C1. Retrieved 2006-06-21. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); More than one of |author= and |last= specified (help).
  2. ^ Goodin, Dan (1999-06-03). "Scientology subpoenas Worldnet". CNET News.com. Retrieved 2006-05-04.
  3. ^ Scientology is a Bona Fide Religion Serving Exclusively Religious and Charitable Purposes
  4. ^ Hexham, Irving (1978, rev. 1997). "The Religious Status of Scientology: Is Scientology a Religion?". University of Calgary. Retrieved 2006-06-13. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite journal requires |journal= (help) (Italics in original.)
  5. ^ Beit-Hallahmi, Benjamin (September 2003). "Scientology: Religion or racket?" (PDF). Marburg Journal of Religion. Retrieved 2007-02-13. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  6. ^ Atack, Jon (1990). A Piece of Blue Sky. New York, NY: Carol Publishing Group. ISBN 0-8184-0499-X. {{cite book}}: External link in |title= (help)
  7. ^ Hubbard, L. Ron. "Pulpateer". Church of Scientology International. Retrieved 2006-06-07.
  8. ^ 'Church of American Science' (incorporation papers); 'Church of Scientology' (incorporation papers); 'Church of Spiritual Engineering', (incorporation papers); 18 December, 1953
  9. ^ Remember Venus?, Time, 22 December, 1952
  10. ^ Hubbard, L. Ron (1954) Why Doctor of Divinity? Professional Auditor's Bulletin no. 32, 7 August 1954
  11. ^ "Aims of Scientology by L. Ron Hubbard" at official site
  12. ^ Frantz, Douglas. "Scientology's Puzzling Journey from Tax Rebel to Tax Exempt". The New York Times, March 9, 1997. Reproduced at Lermanet.com.
  13. ^ Closing agreement between Scientology and IRS as reproduced at Operation Clambake
  14. ^ Judge Barry Silverman MICHAEL SKLAR; MARLA SKLAR v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL No. 00-70753 (PDF format) United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, Argued and Submitted September 7, 2001, Pasadena, California, Filed January 29, 2002
  15. ^ Official "Scientology's Founder" FAQ
  16. ^ Marshall, John (1980-01-24). "Hubbard still gave orders, records show". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2006-09-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) (archived at rickross.com)
  17. ^ The Foster Report. Chapter 5, "The Practices of Scientology"; section (a), "Recruitment"; pages 75-76. "... a systematic approach to answering the questions should yield systematic variations in the conclusions derived from an analysis of the test scores ... these two methods [for answering the questions of the test] would be expected to produce different, if not complementary, profiles ... These variations in answering the questions did not seem to affect the Oxford Capacity Analysis as the three methods produced remarkably similar profiles ... when each of two diametrically opposed methods of response produces the same extreme deviant scores as the other and as a third "random" response style, we are forced to a position of scepticism about the test's status as a reliable psychometric device."
  18. ^ Jesse Prince Affidavit at Operation Clambake
  19. ^ Wakefield, Margery. Understanding Scientology, Chapter 9. Reproduced at David S. Touretzky's Carnegie Mellon site.
  20. ^ Intercepted Email from Lt. Simon Hare, according to Operation Clambake.
  21. ^ Transcript of address by Stephan Hittman, Chief Executive Officer of the 9/11 Foundation and Honorary Commissioner of the New York Fire Department at grand opening of Church of Scientology, New York
  22. ^ "Health Ministry Asks Police to Shut Down Church of Scientology in Beslan". MosNews. 2004-10-12. Retrieved 2006-10-21. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  23. ^ "Scientologists Sent Packing from Beslan — Police". MosNews. 2004-10-22. Retrieved 2006-10-21. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  24. ^ "'This isn't ideology, this isn't perverted faith. It is murder' The day a holy war came to the heart of London in the morning rush", The Herald. July 8, 2005. Available through pay archive or Google's cache
  25. ^ http://www.volunteerfloridafoundation.org/index.php Search for "Scientology" to verify award. accessed 2006-10-18
  26. ^ http://www.scientology.org/en_US/news-media/news/2005/050329.html accessed 2006-10-18
  27. ^ Reproduced version of Introspection Rundown Release Contract
  28. ^ Prof. Stephen A. Kent, [http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Library/Shelf/kent/eastern.html Scientology's Relationship With Eastern Religious Traditions
  29. ^ ASHO - Registration Donation Rates, American Saint Hill Organization.
  30. ^ Estimate of Scientology costs at Operation Clambake
  31. ^ Updated prices for 2006 at Operation Clambake
  32. ^ Auditing as a Career, American Saint Hill Organization.
  33. ^ Hernandez v. Commissioner, U.S. Supreme Court
  34. ^ L. Ron Hubbard (1970). Final Blackout. Leisure Books. ISBN 0-8439-0003-2.
  35. ^ "Scientology Works" at official site
  36. ^ Self-Described Religious Identification Among American Adults at Infoplease
  37. ^ "Scientologists and IRS settled for $12.5 million", The Wall Street Journal. December 30 1997. Reproduced at Dave Touretzky's Carnegie Mellon site
  38. ^ "Scientology Inc." at Newsreview.com

External links

Church of Scientology

  • "Welcome to Scientology". Church of Scientology official home page. Church of Scientology.
  • "What is Scientology ?". Common questions answered about Scientology and its activities. Church of Scientology.
  • "The ecclesiastical hierarchy". The ecclesiastical hierarchy of the religion. Church of Scientology.
  • "Scientology Volunteer Ministers". News and activities of the Volunteer Ministers. Church of Scientology.
  • "The Church of Scientology Master Index Page". Master Index Page. Church of Scientology.
  • Scientology is News ; "Scientology Today". News about the Church of Scientology and Photographs ; media information on the Scientology religion. Church of Scientology.
  • Related Scientology ; "ExactScientology.net". Scn. Web directories of links to information on the religion, its technology, people, and community projects, etc.. Church of Scientology.
  • Theology & Practice of a Contemporary Religion. Church of Scientology.

  • Favorable sites

    Critical sites

    Other

    The Ron´s Org´s Committee

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