The Origin of Scientology: Turning Science Fiction Into Religion For Profit [1 ed.]

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The Origin of Scientology Turning Science Fiction Into Religion for Profit

Gerald Charles Tilley, PhD

The Origin of Scientology Turning Science Fiction Into Religion for Profit

California Biblical University Press P.O Box 1520 Tustin, CA 92781 Copyright 2020 by Gerald C. Tilley All Rights Reserved Published in the U.S.A.

Table of Contents Introduction: Made In America Origins of the Word "Scientology" The Organization of Scientology Science Fiction As Religion A Culture of Intimidation and Fear Fair Game The Guardian's Office Brainwashing The Sea Org Rehabilitation Project Force Children of Scientology Leaders Celebrity Centers Corporate Structure Fighting the IRS Scientology's Founder Criminal Activities The IRS Surrenders Syncretism and Scientology From Science Fiction Religion to Personal Fantasy Theory and Practice of Dianetics Problems With Hubbard’s Claims Become Clear Opposition to Dianetics Metamorphosis Scientology Statistics A Scientology Church Service Thetans Reincarnation and Evolution Special Scientology Organizations

5 8 9 11 15 18 21 22 23 25 27 29 29 31 33 40 42 43 46 48 51 53 55 60 61 61 64 67 70 72 79 81 83 85

Celebrity Centers and Celebrities The Scientology Creed and Other Beliefs Hubbard’s Doctrine of Man Opposition to Scientology Anonymous Summary/Conclusion Endnotes Appendix A: The Nicaean Creed Appendix B: The Scientology Creed by LRH

87 106 107

Introduction: Made In America How do you introduce an international business conglomerate that functions like a coercive cult, claims the legal protections of religion, began as a simplified form of psychotherapy and originated as the imaginings of a science fiction writer? It can prove to be difficult. This is the contradictory puzzle of the entity known as Scientology. Wikipedia introduces Scientology as, "a body of beliefs and related practices created by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard (1911-1986), beginning in 1952 as an expansion of his earlier system, Dianetics."[1] Later in this publication we shall see why Scientology has been designated as, "one of the most controversial new religious movements to have arisen in the 20th century."[2] In contrast to most religions originating in America, Scientology did not begin as a quasi or pseudo-Christian cult.[3] Instead, it began as a very popular form of peer-therapy based upon L. Ron Hubbard's book, Dianetics.[4] Hubbard was openly cynical and negative toward the Christian faith and toward all religion. He originally indicated that Dianetics had nothing to do with religion, but that his teachings and therapy were solely based upon science. However, about two years later, Hubbard began to transform his business ventures into a new religion. Using the same book, Dianetics as its introductory text, he created the Church of Scientology. Hubbard, as founder of this alleged religion, began to develop his own clergy, religious symbols and beliefs. We will examine the process and causes of this transformation. This book will also examine Hubbard's claims about his own life, as well as claims about the efficacy of Dianetics and Scientology. His motives will be explored and exposed. His methods and tactics used to accomplish his purposes will also be revealed. These methods include occasionally masquerading as a form of Christianity. This pretense of

similarity to Christianity is in complete contradiction to the origins and actual teachings of Scientology. Hubbard's true attitudes toward Judaism and Christianity are revealed in such writings as the following: "The Vedic theories persisted until the early A.D.'s when a new cult arose in the Middle East … and proposed that animals had been created suddenly from mud by a Creator and that this had included man."[5] Hubbard's dismissive comments continued: "Considerable turmoil resulted from the introduction of Darwinian theories as these were in direct contrast with the existing superstition."[6] Hubbard declares the Biblical explanation of creation to be a rather recent cultic superstition. The written explanation in the Bible of God having directly created the world and all living things, including man, actually dates back to at least 1400 B.C. That account appears to have been based upon even earlier writings. The Biblical account precedes Hubbard's speculations by nearly 3500 years. The fact is that many cultures have ancient traditions of creation. The Genesis creation account does not include the confused mythological elements of most of the other early creation accounts. This is strong evidence that it has been preserved and is based upon ancient knowledge of origins.[7] The Biblical writings assert that direct creation by God to be the original and true explanation for the origin of the universe. The Bible also explains that though humanity originally knew the truth about God and creation, they came to prefer their own speculations and imaginings.[8] Hubbard continues this human preference. Scientology has turned to religion and mimicking of the external features of some Christian churches. These externals have been added to a variety of other concepts including eastern religious ideas. These external changes and inclusions do not reflect any actual change of thinking or belief in the

organization. Since taking "the religious angle," as Hubbard put it, Scientology can be considered to have become a cult. The scholar, Robert Morey has an excellent definition from the Christian perspective of what we mean by the term 'cult.' "A cult is a religious organization founded by and built upon the teachings of a religious leader whose authority is viewed as being equal to or greater than the Bible and whose teachings are in opposition to the doctrines of biblical and historic Christianity."[9] By this definition Scientology would definitely qualify as a cult. Every religion and cult have some proclaimed source of authority for is teachings that reveal its worldview. Scientology gains its sense of authority from the teachings and lectures of L. Ron Hubbard. His writing has acquired the status of scripture for the adherents of Scientology. Another major difference between most religions, cults, and Scientology is that the study of the brief history of Scientology is more significant and revealing than the organization's teachings themselves. Related to the importance of its history is the frequency of news articles on Scientology. The articles are nearly always negative press. The news is of someone being bilked out of their money by this organization, charges of Scientology being involved in fraud or brainwashing, death at one of their facilities, or someone breaking away from the cult. Major sources for this study include L. Ron Hubbard's books, Dianetics and Scientology: a History of Man; Scientology websites; the book, Beyond Belief by former Scientologist and niece of present Scientology leader David Miscavige; Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief by Lawrence Wright and Hugh Urban's recent history, The Church of Scientology.[10] Urban is a professor of Religious Studies at Ohio State University and neither a Scientologist nor an anti-Scientologist.

He is a historian of religions. Urban's purpose in his book is not to extol nor trash Scientology but, "to trace the complex, tangled and often torturous history of how this controversial movement came to describe itself and eventually become recognized as a "religion" in the United States – at least in the eyes of the Internal Revenue Service and the State Department – though notably not in the eyes of many other governments."[11] Hugh Urban's special interest in religious studies is, "”in the role of secrecy in religion – that is, the complex question of why some religious groups choose to keep certain aspects of their beliefs and practices hidden from outsiders, and in turn, what are the larger social, political and cultural effects of that secrecy."[12] Urban indicates that Scientology is among the most extreme examples of secrecy in religion as revealed in, "highly confidential levels of advanced training, its intense control of information and its long history of surveillance and espionage against the U.S. government."[13] Scientologist frequently complains about the negative media portrayals presented about the organization. A Wikipedia article on Scientology documents that much of the criticism of Scientology has been self-inflicted. Scientology has been harshly criticized for many of its practices. These include alleged brainwashing and exploiting its members in various ways. Scientology has been shown to have used psychological abuse, harassment, character assassination and horrendous lawsuits against its perceived enemies.[14] Urban criticizes much of the writing on Scientology as clearly biased rather than objective. Most publications consist of scathing exposes by ex-members and cult watch groups. Many scholars seem to forget that biased spokespersons are not automatically wrong, nor deceiving in what they present. Many persons who are biased still make accurate presentations and assessments of the facts.

Most of the positive portrayals of Scientology are based on church spokesmen and scholars attempting to counter sensationalistic attacks by presenting a positive view of the church.[15] Urban attempts to approach the study of any religion with "sympathetic respect and an effort to take its claims seriously" but also "to ask difficult, critical questions …"[16] You will soon discover that Hubbard loved acronyms. "In Scientology, almost every division, building, office, department or base was identified by an acronym. Even the job positions/posts and the courses we took used them. L. Ron Hubbard himself went by the acronym of his initials, LRH."[17] This book will frequently use Hubbard's acronym after introducing the term or organization it represents. This includes often using his initials instead of his full name.

Origins of the Word "Scientology" A Dictionary Definition of Scientology is: "Scientology: a religious system based upon self improvement and promotion through grades of esp. self knowledge."[18] A self-definition at the beginning of Hubbard's Scientology: A History of Man states, "Scientology is defined as the study and handling of the spirit in relationship to itself, universes and other life. Thus the mission of the Church of Scientology is a simple one: to help the individual regain his true nature, as a spiritual being, and thereby attain the awareness of his relationship with his fellowman and the universe."[19] The above definition was coined after the transformation of Scientology from an alleged science into a religion. Though L. Ron Hubbard, the creator of the cult claimed to have coined the term "scientology," It was actually used first in English by the satirist Allen Upward in 1910 or earlier.[20] He used the word to describe pseudoscientific nonsense masquerading as fact.[21] One might suggest that there are reasons to accept that definition as still valid today.

There is another usage of the term Scientology prior to Hubbard's. It was in a book published in 1937 by a German Social Psychologist titled Scientology, Science of the Constitution and Usefulness of Knowledge.[22] Psychologist, Dr, Anastasius Nordenholtz used the term in promotion of the racial theories of Adolf Hitler. Norenholtz defined scientology as the "system of knowledge and knowing."[23] Hubbard's definition is an equivalent to that of Norenholtz. LRH stated the meaning of Scientology as "knowing about knowing, or science of knowledge."[24] The Scientology organization is said to have unsuccessfully sought to suppress Norenholtz's book.[25] Contrary to the evidence, the organization still claims that LRH originated the term Scientology. An explanation at a Scientology website states that “The Word Scientology, conceived by L. Ron Hubbard …” The site later adds that Hubbard's earliest studies resulted, “in a manuscript entitled Excalibur in 1938. It was in this unpublished work that the word Scientology first appeared …” [26]

The Organization of Scientology Scientology was launched by L. Ron Hubbard in the early 1950's. An official Scientology website, scientology.org states that the spiritual headquarters, or Flag for Scientology is at Clearwater, Florida. The site states that the complex began in 1975 with one building and now consists of about fifty buildings over a nine-mile area. The International Headquarters, called Gold Base is in Riverside County, California. This location is said by several former members to have been kept secret from most Scientologists.[27] "Located in Hemet, California, about two and a half hours from L.A. the Int Base was shrouded in mystery to the point that its actual location was kept secret even from family members of those who worked there. Only people who received special clearances were allowed to go there."[28]

The leader’s explanation is that the extreme secrecy and security is essential to protect the Int (International) base from enemies who hate Scientology because it helps people.[29] Does that make sense? Scientology has become the religion of Hollywood's celebrity elite. However, in the earliest texts Scientology is not defined by Hubbard as a religion at all. He stated: "Scientology' is a new word which names a new science. It is formed from the Latin word scio which means know … It is formed from the Greek word logos, which means the word or outward form by which the inward thought is expressed and made known. Thus Scientology means knowing about knowing or science of knowledge."[30] As mentioned, most information about Scientology is extremely critical or else glowingly supportive. Even many scholars of religion have sought to place Scientology in a favorable light – no easy task! This relative scarcity of reliable information is due to extreme secrecy of the cult in regard to the church and founder, a tight security system, and its aggressive litigation against its critics[31] and former members. Scientology is the most litigious religion of all religions in the U.S., greatly exceeding even the Jehovah's Witnesses.[32] The complex hierarchy of esoteric teachings also contributes to the shortage of information as does a deliberately complex structure of interrelated agencies and organizations. A few of Scientology's legal battles have benefited all of us by hindering the erosion of religious liberty. Most of its lawsuits, however, have been instigated as malicious attacks against exscientologists and perceived enemies of the organization.[33]

Science Fiction As Religion Hubbard, a popular Science fiction writer in the 1930's and 40's, originated Scientology in the early 1950’s. Hubbard produced the initial form of his new "science of the human mind" in 1948. He later published this as Dianetics: The Original Thesis. Prior to that he had stated at a New Jersey Science Fiction convention, "Writing for a penny a word is ridiculous. If a man really wanted to make a million dollars, the best way would be to start his own religion."[34] The following year he published Dianetics: A Modern Science of Mental Health. The great success of Dianetics launched Hubbard into his new career. Dianetics is now entry level reading for converts. He promoted the book through three long excerpts published in the periodical Astounding Science Fiction, May & October 1950, and January 1951.[35] One might consider that a suitable venue for new false religion! However, Dianetics was not promoted as Science Fiction nor as religion. It was promoted as "a radical breakthrough for mankind. Dianetics was said to be comparable to 'the discovery of fire and superior to the wheel and arch.'"[36] Another author observed that though not presented as fiction, the initial audience in view was that to which his fictional stories appealed. Dianetics, that author claims and, "its language was clearly tailored to the science fiction fan."[37] Hubbard's promise was similar to the Charles Atlas bodybuilding advertisements in the same magazine. The promise was that Dianetics would transform a normal brain into its optimum, thus advancing the process of human evolution.[38] According to Hubbard, "The proposition on which Dianetics was originally entered was evolution."[39] He declared the goal of Dianetics was to create a new man with superhuman abilities. [40] Fellow Science fiction writer Jack Williamson stated the purpose as, "to liberate the superman trapped inside us."[41] Williamson was not a believer in Hubbard's creation. He was

very skeptical, calling it a, "'wonderfully rewarding scam' and a kind of 'lunatic revision of Freudian psychology.'''[42] The influence and debt of Hubbard and Scientology to the widely available work of Freud, Jung, Rank and other psychotherapists is quite obvious in Dianetics. Hubbard said he had mastered Freudian psychoanalysis and pointed out many similarities between it and Dianetics. He claimed, of course, that more adequate solutions were provided by Dianetics than in psychoanalysis.[43] Medical and psychiatric organizations and practitioners were very critical. For example, an L.A. psychiatrist said in part that dianetics was "… a clever scheme to dip into the pockets of the gullible with impunity. The dianetic auditor is but another name for the witch doctor exploiting a real need with phony methods."[44] Hubbard and the church he was soon to establish quickly became fierce critics of the field of psychiatry.[45] According to Hubbard, Publisher's Weekly indicated that 55 thousand copies of Dianetics sold the first two months and nationwide more than 750 Dianetics groups were established. [46] Dianetics became a fad on college campuses and among middle class America. His first book on Scientology came out in 1951 and his church was incorporated Feb 18, 1954 in California. Within a few decades Scientology was claiming six million adherents.[47] Dianetics was immediately a best seller and spawned Dianetics clubs. Hubbard named his process of therapy auditing. Thousands were meeting to audit one another individually or in groups. In the initial phase it proliferated as a kind of grassroots movement sprouting groups all over the U.S. and U.K. These groups practiced the methods Hubbard set out on their own. In April 1950 Hubbard launched the Hubbard Dianetics Research Foundation in New Jersey in an effort to manage and gain control of the spreading movement. Soon he established a second foundation in L.A.[48]

Look magazine published an article critical of Dianetics in the December 5, 1959 issue. The article stated that students were standing in line to hand Hubbard $500 for a one-month course "which converts them into professional auditors," while even larger crowds are eagerly paying $200 for the 15 lecture short course or $25 to start their auditing with one of these 'professionals.'[49] Auditing was $25 an hour in the early days. Dianetics was popular because it was practicable anywhere by anyone who had access to the book, was inexpensive and apparently great fun at social gatherings.[50] Hubbard is quoted as saying, "Education, medicine, politics and art, and indeed all branches of human thought, are clarified with dianetics."[51] Hubbard soon created a more structured and hierarchical movement giving him more control. This became his Church of Scientology. Scientology has developed from its origins as a quickly popular form of therapy into one of the world's wealthiest and possibly one of the largest 'religious' organizations in just a few decades. Initially, no specific claims that Dianetics had anything to do with religion had been made by Hubbard. His early lectures were very critical of institutional forms of religion. Instead, he leaned significantly upon Freud, Otto Rank and popularized versions of psychoanalysis. He was extremely astute at marketing so that his new therapy quickly reached a massive audience.[52] Hubbard stated that religion was outside the domain of Dianeics: "Dianetics is a science; as such, it has no opinion about religion, for sciences are based upon natural laws, not on opinions."[53] Hubbard was especially critical of Christianity. He explained that organized religion is primarily about lying and control rather than freedom. He said that through deceiving and manipulating people into guilt and fear by the ideas of sin they can be dominated.[54] He wrote religion "is always different than truth. It has to be. Because the only way you can control a people is to lie to them …."[55] He appears to have known about the way to control

people from his own practices! He ridiculed the idea that there was "a mysterious and awesome being."[56]A major criticism Hubbard made of Christianity was that it made people into victims.[57] Hubbard's cynical attitudes and criticisms of religion need to be kept in mind as you continue. The criticism and rejection of religion changed before long. Hubbard found that religion had many advantages for him and his organization. It began to evolve into the Church of Scientology.[58] Determining the reasons for this reversal are complex. There are various people including his own son and other science fiction writers who remember Hubbard stating that starting a religion was the way to make money. One writer said this occurred in New York City during lunch just months prior to publishing Dianetics. He quotes Hubbard saying "I'd like to start a religion. That's where the money is."[59] Other writers who knew Hubbard in the 1940's confirmed this. This was certainly a major reason but not the only one for altering Scientology into a religion. Hugh Urban sees the reversal of Hubbard's position on religion and transition to a religion differently. He States, "the transition, from Dianetics to Scientology and the birth of a new religion is far too complex to be reduced to a simple money-making or tax evasion scheme of which Scientology is often accused."[60] It is true that the transition into an apparent religion was complex. That is partly because Hubbard was not always certain of the path, not because his motives were unclear. Urban quoted Hubbard's exact words as to his intentions, then Urban seems to attempt to avoid the obvious implications of those statements. Perhaps he is overcompensating for the facts he presents in his effort to be impartial. Though Hubbard increasingly sought to pursue what he designated as the "religious angle,"[61] this transition was rather erratically pursued. It was chosen by Hubbard, not out of spiritual concerns but as a political, legal and financial

expedience.[62] Urban wrote, " Scientology is also unique in that we can trace the genealogy of its self conscious attempt to make itself appear more like a religion and to fit more closely into the accepted definitions of religion in modern America."[63] A colleague arguing with Urban in regard to Scientology said, "it might be better described as a 'simulacrum of a religion,'that is, a self-conscious mimicry of the outward trappings of religion in order to obtain the legal benefits, privileges and protections that come along with that status."[64] They are both saying that Scientology has been modified so as to appear to be a religion. They agree that this has been done for the benefits of that status, though its true aims are not religious. Hubbard definitely saw the advantages and perhaps the necessity of switching to a religious organization to preserve the movement. The FDA and American Medical Association were exerting pressure because of his claims that physical healing resulted through the methods of Dianetics. A federal court ruled that Hubbard's medical claims were bogus.[65] Stephen Kent argues that Hubbard's erratic turns to religion correspond exactly with the crucial points at which his movement was most threatened by medical authorities and government agencies.[66] The outward transformation into the guise of a religion in the West is strangely contrasted with its presence in Israel. According to Israeli professor of psychology Benjamin BeitHallahmi, "in various organizational forms, Scientology has been active among Israelis for more than thirty years, but those in charge not only have 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.[67] Here we see a clear example of the chameleon-like characteristics of Scientology. It is presented as a religion when convenient or necessary. It is definitely not presented as a religion when that is more convenient and more profitable.

A Culture of Intimidation and Fear Jenna Miscavige Hill, niece of the present head of the organization, is a former Scientologist. At the beginning of her expose of Scientology she wrote, "Talking about Scientology is hard--not just because the memories that it stirs up or because Scientology itself is a complex and layered religion – but because in the past Scientology's practices have made it difficult for anyone to criticize or talk about life in the church."[68] The sub-title of Jenna's book gives insight into what she means: "My Secret Life Inside Scientology and My Harrowing Escape." Additional explanations by others follow: "A long list of scholars, journalists, former members, and ordinary college students have reported being harassed and threatened for writing critically about Scientology."[69] New York Times columnist Joe Nocera has recently written a response to what he calls, "Alex Gibney's fine new HBO documentary about Scientology, 'Going Clear: The Prison of Belief.'" Nocera wrote, "It is virtually impossible to tell the story of Scientology without getting into the issue of intimidation. As the film notes, going on the offensive against its critics is part of its doctrine, handed down by its founder, L Ron Hubbard. 'It is the antithesis of turn the other cheek,' says Marty Rathbun, a former high-ranking official, who left the church in 2004 and since has been subjected to Scientology harassment, as the film documents"[70] Scientology is infamous today for its practice of "multiple, simultaneous lawsuits and legal threats to challenge and silence its critics."[71] Richard Behar wrote that while researching to write his article on Scientology for Time magazine, the church had threatened, harassed and sought to discredit him. After publication of his article Scientology brought a libel suit against him and Time Warner for $416 Million. All charges in the suit were ultimately dismissed but it had cost Time-Warner $3.7 million in legal fees.[72] Behar

concluded that, "Strange things seem to happen to people who write about Scientology."[73] As the Time-Warner case reveals, Scientology has discovered that legal processes can be used as weapons. We shall find those weapons used not only against individuals and the media, but also against organizations. Scientology has even used lawsuits as a tactic, against agencies of the U.S. Government. In 1955 Hubbard explained clearly his strategy: "The purpose of the suit is to harass and discourage rather than to win. The law can be used very easily to harass and enough harassment on somebody who is simply on the edge anyway … will generally be sufficient to cause his professional decease. If possible of course ruin him utterly."[74] Scientology has been attacked and criticized by anti-cult groups, media and even government agencies such as the FBI, FDA and IRS. These attacks have designated Scientology as a mind-bending cult and an intricate con game swindling many out of their money.[75] The IRS is said to have proven that millions of dollars had been skimmed from the church by Hubbard during the early 1970's.[76] Scientology counters the criticisms by claiming it, "is a legitimate religious movement that has been misrepresented, maligned and persecuted by media witch-hunters and McCarthy-style government attacks."[77] Scientology also claims that it has been the victim of, "'vituperative rumor, innuendo and allegation all of which resulted in a hostile environment for the church' and undermine the very ideal of religious freedom."[78] The Commemorative Edition of the introductory text of Scientology, Dianetics, claimed (in 1985) Scientology to be the "fastest growing religious philosophy in the world. …"[79] This same claim has been made by Islam and other movements. The post-World War II era in which Scientology began and prospered in the U.S. was also a time of the flourishing of

Christian denominations. In addition, it was an era of occultism, magic, UFO religions, neo-paganism, and the importation of forms of Eastern Religions.[80] Plurality was beginning to become a pronounced reality. In the midst of this expanding religious marketplace, Scientology promoted itself as the "Philosophy of a New Age." It incorporated most of the popular alternative religious ideas including reincarnation, psychic phenomenon, and alternative medicine with what was alleged to be a 'scientific' basis.[81] The 1960's counterculture was fascinated with Buddhism, Hinduism, yoga, and the occult. Other new religions were also appearing, such as the Unification Church, Hare Krishna (ISKCON), Transcendental Meditation, the Peoples Temple, Esalen, The Children of God, etc. During the decade of the 1960's, new departments of religious studies proliferated in American Universities. At that same time influential journals of religious studies were established. It should not be surprising that in the environment of increasing interest in Eastern religions and alternative spiritualities that the study of religion in the universities took a comparative and pluralistic[82] attitude toward religion. Of course, a pluralistic view was the preference of many scholars who were, and are biased against Judaism and Christianity. The beginnings of Scientology corresponded to the "Cold War" era and the fears of communism. Hubbard, afraid of communist and other opposition groups infiltrating Scientology, developed intricate systems of what was described as "ethics" to detect and eliminate PTS "potential trouble sources" and SP's, "suppressive persons." SP's were those within the organization who might be a threat to its functioning and success.[83] Hubbard used a series of interrogations along with a device similar to a lie detector known as the E-meter to ferret out possible threats to his structures. Anyone who questioned the authority of Hubbard, or who revealed classified information to inappropriate persons, or sold Scientology materials below the set price were included as

SP's[84] SP's were also defined as anyone practicing Scientology outside the official organization, talking negatively about Scientology or anyone asking for their money back.[85] Urban's book verifies that, "Scientology has a documented history of extremely problematic behavior ranging from espionage against government agencies to shocking attacks on critics of the church and abuse of its own members."[86] In 1959, Hubbard wrote in his Manual of Justice, "People attack Scientology; I never forget it, always even the score."[87] An example of this evening the score was the experience of Roy Wallis who wrote the first serious academic work on Scientology, published in 1976. Posing as a university student interested in Wallis's work, a Scientologist tried to get him to admit to drug use. Letters were soon sent out to Wallis's colleagues and friends suggesting he was homosexual (1970's). [88]

Urban wondered how the church would react to his research and writing. He also found some ex-Scientologists he interviewed were worried he might be gathering information on them to report to the organization as a covert Scientologist![89] Such concerns of ex-Scientologists confirm the atmosphere of intimidation and fear generated by this organization.

Fair Game In 1965 Hubbard pronounced the strategy of "Fair Game." What he advocated was that any enemy of Scientology (SP), "could be fought using any and all means at one's disposal. Not subject to any rights, the SP is simply 'fair game.' By Fair Game is meant without rights for self, possessions or position."[90] In other words, to be classed as an enemy of Scientology is, in their eyes to forfeit any rights or protection, that U.S. law provides. In a letter of October 1967, Hubbard was even more explicit. Persons designated as fair game, he wrote, "May be

deprived of property or injured by any means by any Scientologist without any discipline of the Scientologist. May be tricked, sued or lied to or destroyed In other words, any action taken against a designated enemy of Scientology, no matter how brutal, is sanctioned by the organization. This even includes action that results in the death of their opponent. One year later use of the phrase "fair game" officially ceased but Hubbard made it clear that only the use of the term was cancelled, and that was because "It causes bad public relations."[91] Hubbard was not concerned about the fair and just treatment of persons. His concern was merely about the public perception of his organization. The various methods of intimidation and revenge were to continue unchanged. In this and many other ways LRH shows a complete lack of personal integrity. Former president of Scientology's Religious Technology Center, Vicki Aznaran, in a lawsuit against an enemy of the church in 1994 stated: "In reality, the purported cancellation of fair game is at most a matter of semantics. Enemies of Scientology are treated as fair game."[92] In actuality there was to be no change of practice; targeting enemies was to continue as aggressively as before.[93] Surprisingly, nearly two decades after the term was officially abrogated, the church argued in court that fair game was, "'defensible as a religious practice' and 'that fair game was a 'core practice of Scientology' and therefore protected as 'religious expression.'"[94] Thus, Scientology continued to defend the right to legally use any weapon they chose against their enemies. One scholar of religion has likened Scientology to a pit bull. If you attack it, it will come after you.[95] Another scholar compared Scientology's practice of fair game in their lawsuit against Gerald Armstrong to the exclusion of

former members of a religious community as in the Old Testament book of Leviticus and St. Paul's epistles."[96] The lack of perception or careful analysis by some scholars of religion can be quite shocking. If you are not aware of the vast difference between Scientology practices and the Biblical references, read Leviticus and Paul's letters. Examining those passages will readily show you that these are not comparable practices. In these writings various reasons are given for excluding someone from the corporate worship or fellowship with other believers. No harassment or attempts to ruin or destroy the persons is involved. Those admonitions in the Bible were not the equivalent of attempting to destroy someone's reputation, health, or career, sue them into bankruptcy or intimidate them into silence. An extreme example of Scientology's aggressive tactics was its relentless lawsuits against the Cults Awareness Network. Cynthia Kisser, former director of the Cult Awareness Network stated that no organization had caused more pleas for help from the network than Scientology.[97] In 1991 she said: "Scientology is quite likely the most ruthless, the most classically terrorist, the most litigious and the most lucrative cult the country has ever known. No cult extracts more money from its members."[98] Scientology reacted with equally aggressive rhetoric; accusing the Network of criminal activities such as cult deprogramming and comparing it to the KKK and Nazis.[99] Scientology's Freedom magazine labeled the CAN as "the Serpent of Hatred, Intolerance, Violence and Death, and attacked it with over fifty lawsuits.[100] The CAN internet site, now part of Scientology, acknowledges its role in the destruction of the original CAN. One lawsuit involved the kidnapping and attempts to deprogram a person from a church designated as a cult by CAN. The court awarded damages. This financial cost, "plus a large number of additional

civil cases brought against it by the Church of Scientology International drove CAN into bankruptcy."[101] These tactics assisted in driving the network to bankruptcy. After destroying the Cult Awareness Network, Scientology bought the rights to the name, help line number and trademark. [102] It now uses the Network to advocate religious toleration. Scientology, is of course, no longer presented by the Network as a cult. All files on cults were reluctantly turned over to "the Foundation for Religious Freedom," a Scientology organization. [103] CAN has been renamed by Scientology as The Foundation for Religious Freedom.[104] Stacy Young, former Scientologist who had been assigned to destroy CAN said the organizations' focus was, "what have you done this week to get rid of CAN … and discredit the leaders of CAN?"[105] Intentions went even further. Garry Scarff testified that he was instructed to go to Chicago and arrange a staged car accident to kill Cynthia Kisser, the Executive Director of CAN.[106] This organization claims to be a church and has tax exempt status?

The Guardian's Office Another example of the extreme tactics of Scientology involves their own intelligence branch organized under the direction of Hubbard's third wife Mary Sue in 1966. Originally labeled The Guardian's Office or GO, it had, by the late 1970's infiltrated many U.S. government and private agencies placing Scientologists within them. It also performed "a series of 'brazen, systematic and persistent burglaries'" of these organizations.[107] The infiltrated agencies included the IRS, FTC, Drug Enforcement Administration, Justice, Treasury, and Labor Departments, foreign embassies and consulates, The Better Business Bureau, and the American Medical Association.[108] The GO initiated a series of actions against Paulette Cooper whose 1971 book The Scandal of Scientology was a devastating

attack on the dangers of this cult. The primary aim of the GO in this case, according to a document revealed in court was "to get PC [Paulette Cooper] incarcerated in a mental institution or jail, or at least hit her so hard that she drops the attack."[109] Court records show the GO had three separate schemes to destroy her. One involved imitating Cooper's voice and making threats by telephone to Arab Consulates in New York. The second was to mail a threatening letter that appeared to be from Cooper to an Arab Consulate and third, a Scientologist field staff person was to impersonate Cooper at a laundry mat and make threats against the President and Henry Kissinger, then Secretary of State.[110] FBI raids of Scientology offices uncovered these schemes in 1977.The church settled out of court with Cooper. The leader of the GO Jane Kember and an associate were sent to prison. Despite the outcome of this plot, journalists and scholars were reluctant to closely monitor or report on Scientology for several decades.[111] Thus the harassment and intimidation was successful. As Hubbard had said, the objective was not to win, but to harass, intimidate and discourage.[112] "In the case of Scientology, it seems clear that church offices such as the GO did in fact engage in massive, widespread – and really quite astonishing – covert criminal activities."[113] Though recounting such actions, Urban seems to somewhat minimize their significance. He mentions such Scientology practices as being somewhat understandable originating in the climate of spying, espionage, surveillance and fears of the cold war and communist menace. If Scientology were a secretive political organization dedicated to the overthrow of the U.S. government, such practices would be understandable though still deplorable. Espionage and other covert activities would be normal for that type of group. Such practices are not understandable, nor acceptable emanating from an organization that claims to be a religion! Frequently, the goals and actions of Scientology disqualify its claims to be a religion.

Brainwashing Another aspect of the cold war era in which Scientology began was a national concern over brainwashing. A widely read book on the Chinese practice of brainwashing and extensive anti-cult writings fueled the concern that some alternative religions might be practicing the same thing right here in the U.S.[114] Anxiety about brainwashing and similar practices grew because of the counterculture's promotion of nontraditional practices. These nontraditional practices included experimentation with drugs, the sexual revolution, including confused gender roles, and a variety of alternative living arrangements. The new religions, and the anti-war movement were other nontraditional practices of the time. One result of these practices was the launching of anti-cult groups. Widespread anxiety about alternative religious groups also spread after the murder spree of the Charles Manson Family in 1969 and the mass suicide in 1978 of the Peoples Temple[115] which had moved from the San Francisco bay area to Guyana, South America.[116] Scientology frequently was the center of these anxieties, and not without reason. As Urban informs us: "With its long hours of auditing, its elaborate hierarchy of levels of training and its pervasive system of surveillance, Scientology has long been attacked with the charge of brainwashing. For critics the entire trajectory of Scientology … is often seen as a systematic, if rather gradual process of mind alteration."[117] You might wonder whether people would remain within Scientology if it were actually true that the organization abuses its own people. Indoctrination and brain washing are deviously effective means of retaining control over otherwise intelligent people. In Beyond Belief it is explained how despite the children and youth of Scientology leaders being exploited and abused, they and their parents usually remain within the organization.

"Much of this indoctrination was aided by the extreme separation that existed between us and the outside world. Except for a few rare occasions we were completely isolated from non-Scientologists and had no interaction with anyone of a different faith."[118] Jenna went on to say that they had been led to believe that outsiders, whom they called wogs, were ignorant and unenlightened. They were to be avoided. The youth and children were raised and educated separate from any nonScientologists. They were mostly separated even from their own parents.[119] "Questioning attitudes and nonconforming behavior was kept in check through threats, punishments and humiliation in front of the group."[120] The combination of isolation, rigid control and absence of parents during their growing up years combined with the indoctrination they received made it difficult to question the validity of Scientology. Most American scholars of religion criticize calling any group a 'cult.’ Alternatively, there are authors who point out that some groups by their practices, actions and attitudes are dangerous and do not deserve the protections, privileges and benefits accorded to a religion. An example of these latter scholars is Stephen Kent. This Canadian sociologist argues that the illegal activities and human rights violations of Scientology are obvious. He goes on to say that it is ludicrous to defend such actions as an aspect of religious freedom.[121]

The Sea Org A highly disciplined, elite, inner organization of Scientologists is the Sea Organization (Sea Org). This group is charged by many outsiders with cult activities and brainwashing. The Sea Org originally accompanied Hubbard onboard his fleet of ships. He had shifted temporarily to sea-based operations due to the hindrances he experienced by many governments beginning in the mid-1960's to mid-1970's.

Within Scientology it was said he had moved to a ship basis so as to research Scientology's spiritual component without interruption or outside hindrance. It was also speculated this move to International waters was to avoid scrutiny and accountability to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.[122] Hubbard was under serious attack and criticism in various countries and in 1968 he had been deported from the U.K. as an undesirable alien.[123] For several years he operated from the ships stationed in international waters.[124] In 1975, the Sea Org became land based in Clearwater, Florida. Its members lived and ate there communally and maintained the naval style uniforms and terminology.[125] The Org is described by the church as a "'religious order for the Scientology religion' comparable to other 'fraternal religious orders."[126] Some scholars of religion have agreed that the Org functions not unlike "Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic monastic orders, Tibetan Buddhist monks"[127] and so on. The Org bears little actual resemblance to genuine fraternal religious orders, however. A different perspective is given by some scholars and exScientologists who liken the Sea Org's intense surveillance and absence of freedom to a totalitarian system. Sea Org,"members had to work grueling hours, seven days a week--with minimal time off to spend with families--often for as little as fifteen to forty-five dollars per week."[128] The Sea Org resembles several groups in Hubbard's science fiction novels. Members of the Sea Org were required to be on duty at least fourteen hours a day. Parents had one hour off in the evening to be with their children. They then had to return to complete their night hours.[129] Later, the nightly family hour essentially ended. Parents had only late Saturday night and Sunday morning to be with their children. Sea Org members were not allowed to become new parents. They were demoted to non-Sea Org assignments if the woman became pregnant.[130] Children were seen as a distraction limiting productivity and causing parents emotional

involvement to be divided. Families and children were not central to Scientology as they normally are in a genuine religion.[131] Former public relations officer, Robert Vaughn Young was a member of the church for twenty-two years. The Org in his experience was like, "the incessant invasive surveillance of the Thought Police narrated in George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-four: privacy of any kind was highly suspected, while members were 'subject to routine and unannounced inspection regardless of whether it is day or night or if a member is awake, asleep, in the bedroom or the bathroom.'"[132] You were not allowed to talk about possibly leaving the Sea Org or even talking about or hearing that someone was considering leaving. These were considered Suppressive Acts. "Suppressive Acts could cause you to be declared a Suppressive Person, an SP. If this happened you were considered evil, and people who were still Scientologists had to disconnect from you in every way, or they would be considered SP's too."[133]

Rehabilitation Project Force Even more troubling is the Rehabilitation Project Force or RPF. Disciplinary programs on the Sea Org ships developed into this church agency. These agencies were later created at major Scientology centers and were to take disciplinary action against members who deviated from requirements of the Sea Org. Supporters justify the activities as similar to those enforced by monastic orders. Critics and ex-members say there is no resemblance but is more like "an usually brutal prison or even a 'Chinese ideological Re-Education Center.'"[134] Jenna Miscavige wrote that, "The worst punishment the church dealt out, RPF was a type of reprogramming to bring people back into line."[135] Her own mother, a high-ranking Scientology

official was subjected to this punishment for having an affair with another high ranking official. Jenna, then twelve, was harshly interrogated for hours in an effort to discover if she knew about her mother's offense. Jenna's father, also high up in Scientology, justified this treatment of his daughter.[136] Former leader, Gerald Armstrong believes that the RPF program is the strongest evidence refuting Scientology's claim to be a religion and of how the organization has manipulated the protections of religion to hide its actual destructive activities. He wrote: "The RPF is something Germany and every other government should look at because the citizens of every country are being assigned to these U.S. based gulags in violation of basic human rights. People assigned are not free to leave but are held, guarded and must sign lists of their 'crimes' culled from their pc folders[137]before they are routed out. Until … the organization abolishes its RPFs, freedom of religion in the U.S. is a lie. The U.S. has created a freedom for unholy corporations to persecute individuals for religious reasons. The U.S. has allowed its Constitutional guarantee of religious freedom to be perverted by money-motivated corporate lawyers."[138] The practices of the RPF's sound like the abuse of brain washing inflicted upon American prisoners during the Korean war. The motivation for such abusive treatment by Scientology is somewhat different than when used by the Chinese Communists back then but the practices are much the same. Nancy Many, ex-Sea ORG and Office of Special Affairs officer has recounted her abusive treatment in the RPF at Clearwater while five months pregnant. This included forced to sleep in a dirty parking garage, eating leftovers of others, manual labor and threats of worse treatment.[139] These harsh treatments are part of attempts to regain the disaffected member’s ideological commitment or failing that to keep them quiet, destroy their credibility, make them liable to lawsuits etc., if they do leave.

The punishments of confinement, hard labor, physical maltreatment, intense ideological study, and forced confessions sound very similar to treatment of U.S. prisoners during the Korean war. These techniques used by Scientology agencies definitely qualify as attempts to brainwash.[140] Urban seems to side with the majority of religion scholars who debunk the idea of brainwashing as bias against the methods of newer religions. Those scholars see these methods of Scientology as similar to those of all religions. Comparing the actual methods and practices of Scientology with those of Biblical Christianity easily shows claims of similarity to be mistaken. [141] There is no comparison of the practices of historic Christianity in confirmation or training classes with the practices of Scientology. The ease at which many leave a church or switch churches is one primary evidence of the difference between a cult's indoctrination and the Christian faith. No deprivation, torture, harassment, or threats of retaliation are faced by one who decides to leave a Christian church. The religion scholars making such comparisons are either very ignorant of the actual practices of the Christian churches or very biased. There are no genuine parallels in the Christian faith with the mistreatment of people by Scientology. There has been, however, some similar treatment of those who exit some of the other pseudo-Christian cults. Hubbard believed very strongly in the possibility of brainwashing and wrote extensively about it. He suggested brainwashing is much easier to accomplish than most people, including those involved in practicing it, realized.[142] He said, "Brainwashing is a very simple mechanism. One gets a person to agree that something might be a certain way and then drives him, by introverting him and through self-criticism, to the possibility that it is that way."[143] Hubbard alleged that it was non-Scientologists who were brainwashed and that auditing and the E-meter were the

deprogramming tools necessary for regaining our true selves. Scientology is presented as a powerful means of "thought Reform" that could radically transform a person.[144] When Hubbard declared Scientology to be a religion, some within it became concerned, especially in California, "that it had become 'cultish.'"[145] As Scientology began to acquire great wealth from the money extracted from members for its services, cult accusations grew.[146]

Children of Scientology Leaders The children of Scientology leaders were probably the worst treated of all Scientology adherents. They were obviously being groomed for their intended roles as obedient adult followers of the teachings of LRH. These children were separated from their parents and living at 'the Ranch' in Southern California. The children and youth were exploited as free labor. They worked before breakfast and afterward until noon at the Ranch. After lunch and cleanup, they studied regular school subjects until dinner. After dinner and cleanup, Scientology studies began.[147] The children had already experienced a twelve-hour day before those studies. Each course period was ended with three cheers to LRH facing his picture on the wall.[148] "With the newly implemented regimentation the Cadet Org became like a military boot camp, with grueling drills, endless musters, exhaustive inspections and arduous physical labor that no child should have to do. From the moment we woke up to the time we went to bed there was little downtime; the only real break we'd get was seeing our parents Saturday nights and Sunday mornings. Between drills, chores duties, posts and studies we were scheduled to the minute."[149] Though her uncle was the head of Scientology Jenna was not given special treatment or spared the rigorous discipline. As she neared seven, Jenna graduated to cadet which was considered a Sea Org member in training. These children were expected to manifest the same loyalty to Scientology as adult

members and signed the same billion-year contract to serve Scientology that their parents had signed. She signed because she was asked and it was her duty and because she knew if she, "became a full-fledged Sea Org member and was ethical and compliant, I would have a job at the Int Base, and I'd see my parents more than once a week."[150] The temperature made no difference as to the children's work. They were told only their bodies were young, but their spirits had lived millions of years. For any complaints, criticism or questioning there was immediate disciplinary action.[151] Those failing room inspection were subject to, "… being ordered to Pigs Berthing, which meant spending the night on an old mattress in the shell of the Big House, which was filled with bats."[152] One of Jenna's friends told of being kept awake all night by the swooping and shrieking bats. After uniform, hygiene and room inspections were completed, the children went through a period of parroting back quotes of LRH in unison. This chanting drill continued until everyone said the quote perfectly. The policies were all memorized by this means. Jenna said that looking back she sees this was designed to teach them not to question or think for themselves but to accept what they were taught without any doubts.[153] After the unison chanting was over everyone had a post. This was an assigned duty that was performed until breakfast.[154] Breakfast was 8:30-9:00 Then came more work projects until 12:45. Jenna wrote that they worked more than 35 hours a week.[155] They were told their work was payment for being able to live at the Ranch. The children knew not to write anything about their actual treatment to anyone. Their weekly reports to their parents and all mail, incoming and outgoing, was read by the adult supervisors before leaving the Ranch or before being given to the kids.[156]

Celebrity Centers

Large sums of money resulted from quite a number of actors and musicians attracted to Scientology through the introduction of "Celebrity Centers." These centers were used to recruit and develop positive publicity through using celebrities. Scientology gained accelerated growth and corresponding commercial success due to the involvement of these popular icons. [157] An article in the New Yorker stated that, "… the church from its inception, has depended on celebrities to lend it prestige."[158]

Corporate Structure From the beginning Scientology's corporate structure has been deliberately complex and difficult to comprehend. Robert Vaughn Young former Scientologist explained, "It is a labyrinth of corporate shells that, like a hall of mirrors, was designed to baffle all but the initiated."[159] Former president and chairman of the Religious Technology Center board of directors, Vicki Aznaran was also very direct. She said, “corporations of Scientology are a carefully contrived sham and shell structure intended to confuse and divert litigants, the courts and the IRS.”[160] There are a myriad of Scientology organizations allegedly independent but actually very interconnected. The Religious Technology Center is the real center of power. Urban lists fourteen examples of the various Scientology corporations and mentions there are many others. He then draws the following conclusion: "As such, Scientology is perhaps best understood not simply as 'a religion' but rather as an extremely complex 'multi-faceted transnational organization,' of which religion is one--but only one--aspect."[161] Whatever we call this conglomerate, as Urban notes, "Scientology had an explicit financial motive and structure right from the very outset … At times Hubbard was very blunt about

the fact that Scientology, though it may be a 'religious philosophy' is also very much a moneymaking enterprise. 'Our campaign is to sell Scientology' he frankly announced in 1957, … We are in the business of Scientology.'"[162] Even clearer were the instructions and demands that all orgs efficiently bring in revenue in a now infamous policy letter of March 9, 1972. Hubbard wrote: "The governing policy of finance is to: A. make money. B. Buy more money made with allocations for expense. J. Make money. K. Make more money L. Make other people produce so as to make money. A small sack of beans will produce a whole field of beans. Allocate only with that in mind and demand money be made."[163] Such letters can be easily supported with others similar to it. This promotes crass materialism and greed, not a religion or spiritual practice. To facilitate this accumulation of wealth, a multitude of courses, levels and grades have been created and organized into what is called "The Bridge to Total Freedom."[164] The Bridge had two parts or sides. One was auditing, the other was training, where one learned how to audit others. "Under this road map for Scientologists in their journey to spiritual freedom, everyone had to start at the bottom and move up one level at a time."[165] This is promoted as "the only road to total spiritual freedom." [166] This statement is a variation of other organizations claims to be the only true church and the only source of salvation. It is an amazingly expensive road. Once you became Clear, you discovered there were additional spiritual levels to scale (and pay for). These were called Operating Thetan or OT levels. Each level on the Bridge had to be done by everyone and the levels had to be done in order. LRH warned that doing them out of order was dangerous and could even cause death. Therefore no one could share information with anyone below them.[167]

Thus, protecting the secrets was a means of protecting the cash flow. [168] Former Scientologists have said, "the typical Scientologist must spend several years and about $100,000 in auditing before they find out in OT III that they are filled with alien souls that must be removed by further even more expensive auditing."[169] The author of this study you are presently reading looked over several Scientology books and spoke with a Scientology advocate at a local fair. The Scientologist declared that Scientology was not a religion. This might seem strange since Hubbard went to great lengths to make it appear to be a religion. Scientology is also called a religion on its official website.[170] However, the Scientology evangelist undoubtedly knew that the "religious angle," as Hubbard put it, was only for appearances. The leaders claim it to be a religion and church because that gives them tax exempt status. It also provides legal protections from the government and freedom from regulation by medical and psychological organizations.

Fighting the IRS Scientology had been given tax exempt status in 1956, which was revoked in 1967 after extensive IRS auditing of the organization. Scientology fought with the IRS for twenty-six years until 1993 to regain this status as tax exempt.[171] This is "the longest case of litigation in IRS history."[172] The leaders of Scientology were so determined to reacquire tax exempt status because in this cult everything centers on money. This battle included thousands of lawsuits by Scientology, and a great many illegal activities. Illegal activities included infiltrating IRS and other government offices, breaking into IRS offices, stealing mountains of documents, and having private investigators follow senior IRS officials.[173] Troubles with the IRS caused Hubbard to begin to claim the freedom of religion protection of the First Amendment. He

issued a "Press Policy Letter February 5, 1969 which was clear that the contents were merely for the public image of the organization. This Scientology code revision expressly claims that Scientologists work for the freedom of religion and speech. [174]

Scientology won the war. The embattled IRS decided the huge expense, and time consumed, were no longer worth the fight. Even the terms of the settlement with the IRS were secret until leaked to the Wall Street Journal four years later.[175] Shortly after wringing the admission of tax-exempt status as a religion from the IRS; it was also recognized as a religion by the US State Department.[176] Ironically, now the U.S. State Department criticizes Germany and other nations for not granting Scientology recognition as a legitimate religion.[177] Could this be due to the number of Scientologists who have acquired positions within the agency? Another factor is that John Travolta and other celebrity Scientologists began lobbying the State Department regarding the organization's treatment in European nations.[178] Travolta even got President Clinton to agree to help in regard to Germany. National security adviser, Sandy Berger was assigned by Clinton to work on this.[179] Since defeating the IRS, seven other nations have succumbed to Scientology pressures to be recognized as a bona fide religion.[180] There are good reasons that other governments have been less convinced that Scientology is a genuine religion. Germany regards Scientology with deep suspicion of being a totalitarian organization rather than a church. France and other countries have labeled it a dangerous cult and as recent as 2009, guilty of fraud.[181] It is considered a commercial enterprise in Switzerland, and a non-profit in Norway. Continued controversy over Scientology's legal status is common.[182] Prior to Australia caving in to Scientology's demands, the report of investigations into Scientology by the State of

Victoria, Australia was extremely condemning. Kevin Victor Anderson, reporting the findings stated: "There are some features of Scientology which are so ludicrous that there may be a tendency to regard Scientology as silly and its practitioners as harmless cranks. To do so would be to gravely misunderstand the tenor of the board's conclusion … Scientology is evil; its techniques evil; its practice a serious threat to the community, medically, morally and socially; and its adherents sadly deluded and often mentally ill."[183] Anderson continued, "Scientology is a delusional belief system based upon fiction and fallacies and propagated by falsehood and deception."[184] He concluded that it was completely obvious that Scientology "'does not remotely resemble anything even vaguely religious' but is in fact a sinister cult."[185] According to the article on Scientology in Kingdom of the Cults, Scientology qualifies as a religion because it has its own scriptures (the writings of L. Ron Hubbard), it promotes a worldview and seeks enlightenment of a spiritual nature.[186] This conclusion is based upon assuming that the statements of the organization in regard to being a religion can be taken at face value. This would require ignoring Hubbard's own statements and admissions as to his actual motives. It would also require ignoring Scientology's history and many of its practices. Evaluating Scientology's teachings in light of the Biblical scriptures, indicates that Scientology would be a false religion, if it were to be accepted as an actual religion. Just as Jesus did, we can declare that a religion is false without denying a person's right to believe it and follow it. In Ephesians 5:11 the Apostle Paul declared that believers are to expose the deeds of darkness. This organization is one of exceptional darkness and deception deserving of thorough exposure.

Scientology's Founder A Scientology website begins with this statement: "As any understanding of a religion includes an understanding of its

founder, we present a brief chronology of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard." [187] Just as it has been difficult in the past to acquire reliable information on Scientology itself, it has also been difficult to obtain realistic and reliable information about the founder. Hubbard's books often give this sort biographical sketch which is also in his Scientology Dictionary: "[He traveled] extensively in Asia as a young man … He studied science and mathematics at George Washington University, graduating from Columbian College. He attended Princeton University and Sequoia University … Crippled and blind at the end of the war, he resumed his studies of philosophy and by his discoveries recovered so fully that he was reclassified in 1949 for full combat duty. It was a matter of medical record that he has been twice pronounced dead and that in 1950 he was given a perfect score on mental and physical fitness reports.[188] According to Scientology Hubbard served in all five theatres of the war, and was a much-decorated war hero. This is false as most of his service was spent ashore in the US on training and administrative duties. Hubbard claimed to have been the lone survivor from the sinking of the USS Edsall prior to the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The ship, however was not sunk until five months after the Pearl Harbor attack. Hubbard further claimed to be in the jungle of Java when the attack came. According to Naval records he was actually in training in New York.[189] Posted to Australia briefly, he was soon returned to the U.S. as "not satisfactory for independent duty assignment." Hubbard was criticized for "assuming unauthorized authority" and trying to impress as to his importance.[190] Hubbard's alleged war record has increased over time. In 1968 he showed sixteen medals he said were awarded for his military service. Only months later Scientology listed his awards as being 21.

In 1974 Hubbard claimed the total to be 28 but that seven were awarded secretly. A 1994 biography of Hubbard give the total as 29.[191] A picture of the alleged medals, includes two that were not even created until after Hubbard's military service had concluded.[192] Hubbard's navy records indicate he was actually given only four campaign medals and two for marksmanship. Scientology says Hubbard was in command of a squadron of small lightly armed vessels called corvettes. This is also false. Hubbard claims he was seriously wounded, crippled and blind, but that he, "worked his way back to fitness, strength and full perception in less than two years, using only what he knew and could determine about man and his relationship to the universe."[193] According to his actual war records, these claims of serious injury in the war are completely fabricated by Hubbard. He was never wounded. His vastly exaggerated biography has been thoroughly discredited. by many including Russell Miller's Bare-Faced Messiah: The True Story of L. Ron Hubbard. Formerly highranking ex-scientologist Bent Corydon's L. Ron Hubbard, Messiah or Madman? also destroys the credibility of Hubbard's pretenses. Scientology continues to present Hubbard's fantasies concerning himself as if they are true.[194] Millar showed that while Hubbard claimed to have been traveling in Asia, he was in High School in the U.S. Medical records show Hubbard was never blinded, crippled or even wounded in WWII. He had never been treated for being wounded and did not receive a purple heart. Having been pronounced dead twice was of course complete fiction.[195] Perhaps he was trying to outdo Jesus? Hubbard was on two occasions briefly in charge of different anti-submarine vessels in U.S. coastal waters. On both occasions he was relieved of command by his superiors for "lacking in the essential qualities of judgment, leadership and

cooperation."[196] In the earlier situation Hubbard was relieved of command before the ship was even launched. [197] In the second case, the assessment of incompetence was based upon his errors in judgment including shelling a Mexican Island.[198] In addition, after dropping depth charges for about 24 hours off the Oregon coast, Hubbard claimed to have sunk one or possibly two Japanese submarines. An official investigation concluded there were no subs. Japanese war records also indicated they had no subs in that area at the time.[199] After a Board of Inquiry into his actions, Hubbard spent three months in a naval hospital being treated for a duodenal ulcer. [200] Hubbard's letter to his family stated this hospital stay was due to injuries from an enemy shell that exploded when he heaved it overboard.[201] Out of the hospital, Hubbard was assigned to be navigation officer on a U.S. cargo ship. As American troops were closing in on Japan casualties on our ships were mounting from kamikaze attacks. Hubbard requested and received a transfer to the school of Military Government being held on the Princeton University campus. While there he lied to a group of other science fiction writers and friends about having survived the sinking of four ships and having been wounded numerous times.[202] Hubbard spent the last seven months of active duty in the hospital for an apparent recurrence of his duodenal ulcer, not war injuries.[203] Hugh Urban interviewed Gerald Armstrong, who had been authorized to assist in writing the official church biography of Hubbard. Armstrong left the church as the result of discovering that the vast majority of what Hubbard had said about his life was untrue.[204] Armstrong told of being hit with many lawsuits, being physically attacked, driven off the freeway in LA and threatened with assassination for leaving the church.[205] At the 1984 suit between The Church of Scientology v. Gerald Armstrong,

Armstrong presented a huge amount of evidence regarding Hubbard's life. Hubbard's military career became public because of this suit by Scientology. Following is the decision by Judge Paul Breckenridge Jr.: "The evidence portrays a man who has been virtually a pathological liar when it comes to his history, background and achievements. The writings and documents in evidence additionally reflect his egoism, greed, avarice, lust for power, and vindictiveness and aggressiveness against persons perceived by him to be disloyal or hostile. At the same time it appears that he is charismatic and highly capable of motivating, organizing, controlling, manipulating and inspiring his adherents."[206] Hubbard did spend two years at George Washington University where he was on academic probation for very poor grades, as he admitted. He spent three months at the Princeton School of Military Government which was located on the Princeton University Campus. He failed the exams at the conclusion of the course. Hubbard did not attend Princeton University as he had claimed. His PHD was from Sequoia University, a diploma mill closed down by the state of California in 1958.[207] There is no evidence of his alleged degree from Columbian College. At times he referred to himself as a nuclear physicist and engineer though he failed the only class he had in those subjects.[208] His grades in mathematics were never higher than D. Not exactly a stellar report! Even Hubbard's son, L Ron Hubbard Jr. said that,"Better than 90 percent of what my father has written about himself is untrue."[209] Hubbard's personal life also raises questions about his integrity. During the war he had several affairs and asked one of the women to marry him though he was already married.[210] After WWII Hubbard moved to Pasadena, befriended and became a resident in the rooming house of John Whiteside Parsons. Parsons was both one of the leading rocket scientists of his time and an ardent disciple of Aleister Crowley (18751947), the infamous British occultist. Crowley is certainly one

of, if not the most important figure in the twentieth century revival of magic, the occult and neo-paganism.[211] Parsons had been initiated and immersed into Crowley's most secret rituals. Hubbard became a close friend and partner in Parson's esoteric magical rites. He served as Parson's scribe and according to Parson's March 2-3, 1946 account, involved in channeling. Parsons wrote a letter to Crowley commending Hubbard for his working knowledge of the rituals of the occult Occult practices are of course condemned in the Bible (Lev. 19:31; Deut. 18:9-14; 2Kings 21:6; Isa. 8:19). Hubbard and Parson formed a business partnership with Parson's former girlfriend, Betty. Crowley warned that Hubbard was planning to betray Parsons in the business deal. That is exactly what happened. Hubbard stole all of Parsons money and his girlfriend as well.[212] The London Sunday Times published an article in October 1969 documenting Hubbard's links to Parsons and Crowley. The article suggested there might be a connection with Scientology. The church threatened legal action and received an out of court settlement. In December, 1969 the Times published the Church's explanation. Hubbard's connection to Parson's occult group is admitted and justified. It is claimed by Scientology to have been an infiltration of the group on orders of Naval Intelligence in order to break it up.[213] Hubbard's bigamous marriage to the group leader's girlfriend would have been an outstanding conclusion to that mission! No evidence has ever been shown by the church or independent research to verify the claim of Naval Intelligence hiring Hubbard.[214] Such declarations are very unlikely in view of his actual war record. They do fit with Hubbard's self-magnifying fiction. Scientology has come up with a creative explanation for Hubbard's stealing of Parson's money. The claim is that by

tying up the money used to fund the occult group's activities Hubbard broke up the group.[215] Scientology rejects the truth of Hubbard's actual involvement in the occult. However, it was suggested by critics including Hubbard's son, that he was deeply involved in the occult and at one point saw himself as Crowley's modern successor.[216] Hubbard's son has stated that his father decided to be Crowley's successor when the latter died in 1947. He also said that the seed and origin of Dianetics and Scientology originated from that decision.[217] Crowley had asserted that spiritual progress was like any other science, that one needed to progress through a series of rituals and teachings to achieve 'cosmic consciousness.'[218] As Lawrence Wright mentions, LRH's "Bridge to Total Freedom" bears great similarity to Crowley's thinking.[219] That there is any link between Crowley and religious ideas of Hubbard are vigorously denied by the church. Though they never met, Hubbard does mention Crowley briefly in one of his lectures as "my very good friend."[220] Some similarities between Scientology and the occult are also found in Eastern religions and in science fiction.[221] Hubbard's second marriage (1946) occurred over a year before the first was dissolved. He had pretended to be a bachelor to woo his second wife Sara Northrup (Betty) whom he had met at the occult meetings. She had been Parsons girlfriend and Parsons blamed Hubbard for taking her from him.[222] Sara had at first, repeatedly refused to marry Hubbard. She finally consented after he threatened to kill himself unless she agreed. [223]

According to Lawrence Wright, Sara saw Hubbard as a brokendown war hero she could save.[224] That marriage did not go well. Hubbard had begun beating her when her father died. It appears that her grief triggered anger in him because she could not provide all he needed from her.[225] Hubbard had experienced writer's block for some time and feared he would

never write again. Sara had been developing plots and actually writing some of his stories.[226] They had temporarily moved back to Port Orchard, Washington, where Hubbard's parents and other wife lived. Hubbard's son finally told Betty his parents were still married. Ron convinced her he was getting a divorce. They soon left for Hollywood. On the way Hubbard was arrested for failing to make payments on the house trailer they were living in.[227] Living in Georgia, Hubbard began to write letters of his making great discoveries in regard to the human mind. He was writing or planning to write a book that would detail this information. Hubbard and Sara next moved to Washington D.C. A few weeks later Hubbard applied for a license to marry Ann Jenson. The next day the application was cancelled at Ann's request. Did she discover Ron was already married and had committed bigamy before as Lawrence Wright surmises?[228] She apparently disappears from Hubbard's life. Ron and Sara move to New Jersey. Sara sued Hubbard for Divorce in early 1951. The microfilm copy of the case mysteriously vanished from the court records but a St. Petersburg Times reporter found the original in storage at the courthouse. This twenty-eight-page complaint charged Hubbard not only with bigamy but also beatings, strangulation, kidnapping and fleeing to Cuba with their child. In addition, she had claimed that he counseled her to commit suicide if she really loved him."[229] Urban sees Hubbard as neither "a philosopher-saint" as portrayed by his church nor as the "charlatan-madman" as presented by much of the media.[230] Rather Urban considers him as more of a combination cultural innovator and American entrepreneur.[231] It seems difficult to accept the validity of this assessment from the facts Urban himself presents. It is important to remember that Urban has stated that his remarks about Hubbard and the church do not stem from antagonism or preconceived ideas in opposition to the religion. He is attempting to remain neutral relying upon careful analysis

and a fair presentation of the facts. Perhaps there is also the element of feeling intimidated by Scientology's attitudes and actions against perceived opponents. It is difficult to get an accurate picture of Hubbard, because of his imaginative and bogus autobiography. Adding to the difficulty is that most other information is either adoringly naive or scathingly critical. Former Scientologist and intended official biographer, Gerald Armstrong declared Hubbard to be "a mixture of Adolph Hitler, Charlie Chaplin and Baron Munchhausen."[232] Jim Dincalci, who later served Scientology as Hubbard's medical officer listed Ron's traits as "Paranoid personality. Delusions of grandeur. Pathological lying."[233] To Scientologists he is the heroic explorer of mysteries from the ends of the earth to those of the human mind.[234] Hubbard is reported by friends and enemies alike as having great charisma and being a great storyteller. Even his fiercest critics acknowledged that Hubbard had an "almost inexplicable charismatic power."[235] The novelist Gore Vidal met Hubbard when Scientology was just getting started in the 1950's. "'He exuded evil, malice and stupidity,' Vidal recalls, 'but perfectly amiable to talk to.'"[236] Hubbard's productivity as a writer both before his career as religious founder and during the early years of Scientology was amazing. He did not always publish under his own name. Urban lists fifteen of the many different pseudonyms Hubbard used for himself.[237]

Criminal Activities The alleged goal of Scientology as a religion, is to make the world a better place. However, since at least 5,000 Scientologists were caught in serious criminal activity that would seem contrary to their espoused purpose and to the practices of any genuine religion.[238]

Hubbard's final years were spent in hiding (1980-86), because of, "having been named as an unindicted coconspirator following FBI raids on Scientology headquarters and the arrest of his wife, Mary Sue."[239] In 1977, Mary Sue Whipp Hubbard, Ron's third wife, gained worldwide notoriety when arrested as the mastermind of a covert operation planned against various U.S. government agencies.[240] The charges were infiltrating government agencies, burglarizing, bugging, wiretapping and the theft of classified government documents.[241] Eleven Scientologists all initially pled innocent until they saw the comprehensive evidence against them, over thirty thousand documents. They then changed their plea to guilty of one charge to avoid stronger penalties.[242] Mary Sue and four other leaders were given five-year prison sentences and fined ten thousand dollars each.[243] The other six were given lesser sentences. The Washington D.C. District Court sentencing memorandum stated that the criminal activities: "primary purpose was to secure exemption from taxation and to protect Scientology's founder Ron Hubbard." It continued, "The standards of human conduct embodied in such practices represent no less than the absolute perversion of any known ethical system."[244] Yet even more outrageous was the attempt of Scientology to use the claim of religious freedom to prevent the FBI and courts from investigating these crimes. The sentencing memorandum continues: "It defies the imagination that these defendants had the unmitigated audacity to seek to defend their actions in the name of 'religion.' That the defendants now attempt to hide behind the sacred principles of freedom of religion, freedom of speech and freedom of privacy–which principles they repeatedly demonstrated a willingness to violate with impunityadds insult to the injuries which they have inflicted."

"the defendants … and their unindicted co-conspirators, as well as their organization, considered themselves above the law. They acted as if they had carte blanche to violate the rights of others, frame critics in order to destroy them, burglarize private and public offices and steal documents outlining the strategy of individuals and organizations that the Church had sued. These suits were filed by the church for the sole purpose of financially bankrupting its critics and in order to create an atmosphere of fear so that critics would shy away from exercising the First Amendment rights secured to them by the Constitution." [245] Scientology's response to the incriminating evidence of their criminal actions and the devastating judgments of the court was to mount a massive legal war against the IRS. Wining the status of a tax-exempt religion was seen as the primary goal and solution to all of Scientology's self-inflicted problems. This status as a religion was necessary, as Marty Rathbun, a former top leader in the organization said, "if you have religious recognition, you're treated differently in the courts, there's some level of almost immunity, First Amendment immunity."[246] Rathbun was given the task of aggressively overwhelming the IRS. This became a nationwide, he said, with "literally 2,700 suits at one point."[247] Hubbard's marriage to Mary Sue, his third wife, lasted the rest of his life. Hubbard died of a stroke on January 24, 1986, at 72 years of age. Hubbard had been in hiding for about six years to avoid prosecution. His seclusion was explained to Scientologists as due to his work "on new groundbreaking research."[248] LRH had always been respected within Scientology as a charismatic researcher, philosopher and storyteller. "By the time of his death, he had become almost godlike, a charismatic figure who'd developed the path to salvation for all Scientologists."[249]

"Scientologists announced that L. Ron Hubbard decisively 'discarded the body' to move into the next level of research, outside his body. How this new research would become available to planet earth is left unsaid."[250] The day after LRH's death, Dave Miscavige, who was soon to emerge as the new ruler of Scientology, explained that Hubbard had decided to "'discard' his body because 'it had become an impediment to the work he now must do beyond its confines.'" [251]

The IRS Surrenders In late 1991, five years after Hubbard's death, the war finally ended. Scientology had won, saving untold millions in taxes and gaining the public relations benefit in the world-wide campaign for acceptance as a religious entity. All Scientology organizations were granted tax exempt status beginning in 1993. Scientology apparently agreed to pay $12.5 million and drop all lawsuits. The IRS dropped payroll taxes and penalties and audits of 13 Scientology entities and committed to not audit Scientology for any year prior to 1993.[252] The heir to Hubbard's throne and corporations is David Miscavige. As the Chairman of the Religious Technology Center, he runs Scientology. He was elated when the IRS capitulated and said this news would be quickly carried to all foreign countries and could be used as powerful argument to convince other suppressive governments to grant religious status to the organization. He stated, "Those battles have been held in place by suppressive governments just quoting the IRS. The line has been. 'You are an American Religion. If the IRS doesn't recognize you, why should we?' The answer is - They do. And now, you better as well."[253] The argument of non-recognition since the U.S. didn't even accept the validity of Scientology as a religion made sense. The

methods used to gain that recognition, however, gave even greater reason to reject the religious claims of Scientology. Note, however, the arrogant and belligerent attitude of Miscavige! It is claimed that according to IRS records Scientology spent about $13 million to preserve Hubbard's writings and lectures on steel discs and nickel plates and that these records are held in a vault at a remote New Mexico site officially called a 'Welcome Center."[254] However, that may not be the only records stored there. Margery Wakefield, a formerly high-ranking Scientologist said the 43-acre site is known as the "CST" or "Church of Spiritual Technology." She said the church holds damaging video and audiotapes of top celebrity members which reveal their most intimate secrets. These records were compiled from the hours and hours of auditing. "The church holds these tapes as an insurance policy, and the vault in New Mexico is one of the places where they're kept. If … were ever to defect the church could drag these tapes out of the vault and use them." said Wakefield.[255] She said this site was built to house the most sensitive Scientology materials and has elaborate high-tech security protecting it.

Syncretism and Scientology Syncretism means the attempt or practice of combining, especially inconsistently, differing schools of thought or belief. [256] Scientology is extremely syncretistic. It is strange that Hubbard merged Eastern ideas with the use of a "cross", ministerial collar and the claim to be a church. But this blend of Eastern religion with what appeared to be western science had a great appeal especially to young Americans.[257] Hubbard's own fertile imagination and creativity certainly lead him to attempt to combine all the disparate religious ideas he had studied into something new.[258]

The desire to gain more control over the movement he had created would have been a strong motivation for such a man. He was now creating in reality what he had previously only created in print; a world of his own making, while at the same time fulfilling his desire for wealth and power. Some of Hubbard's early followers were unhappy with the shift to religion. The leader of the very successful Philadelphia Dianetics office indicated that this shift seemed like a descent into mystical nonsense: "Beginning in 1953, the joy and frankness shifted to pontification. The fact-filled 'engineering approach to the human mind' faded out of sight, to be replaced by a 'Church of Scientology' in which Hubbard ordained ministers … resembles nothing so much as a temporate zone voodoo, in its elasticity, unexplainable procedures and mindless group euphoria."[259] A former Scientologist who had led an org in Michigan expressed the dismay and worry he and others had felt as his org transitioned from a totally secular basis with no mention of religion into one that outwardly seemed to be religious. They were afraid people would be repelled. Leaders were instructed to begin reading basic references on world religions.[260] The religious reading would be to familiarize themselves with appropriate information and terminology should such become essential. These leaders were also reassured that nothing essential would change. Dianetics was highly syncretic: Hubbard's new religion was to become even more so. Urban argues that Scientology reflects and embodies the characteristics and paradoxes of American culture following WWII: "Perhaps more than any other modern movement, Scientology combines religion and secular culture, faith in science and technology with faith in spiritual development, and tremendous material wealth with claims to religious status."[261] Following is an overview of the digression or transformation of Hubbard's creation into the guise of a religion.

One can find many ideas from Hubbard’s science fiction works showing up in Scientology. An example is his hero, ‘ol doc Methuselah,’ who fought the enemies of disease, old age and injustice wherever found. This elite soldier of light was dedicated to the preservation of humanity. Methuselah has morphed in Scientology into what Hubbard calls an Operating Thetan. Quoting Urban: "Indeed, the goal of Scientology itself is the state of Operating Thetan, in which the spiritual self or thetan is liberated from the bonds of the physical universe and is free like Methuselah-to travel to any corner of the universe."[262] "Ole Doc Methuselah" was the hero of a series of Hubbard's science fiction stories.[263] This confirms what William Bainbridge indicated. He explained that there is evident continuity between Hubbard's science fiction super heroes and the imagined super humans in Scientology as well as in other new religions. Hubbard stated that his concern was to find what was workable through exploring the methods of Eastern mystics, Sioux medicine men hypnosis, psychoanalysis, faith healing, magic, experimentation with drugs, etc. He said that almost anything worked some of the time.[264] In 1954 he wrote, "Everybody and everything seemed to have a scrap of the answer. The cults of all the ages, all the world seem, each one, to contain a fragment of the truth. How do we gather and assemble the fragments?"[265] He claims to have succeeded at finding and assembling these fragments of truth. What would his religious beliefs be like if it were actually true that he had found and united all the truth found from every source in this world? What teachings would be held and proclaimed if a religion or faith contained no human errors? Would such a complete portrayal of reality bear any resemblance to Scientology or any other man-made religion? [266]

Referring to his commitment to use whatever worked - Hubbard applied that also to pushing his followers to use whatever worked to sell Dianetics and his other publications. These tactics included sales tricks, pressure, control and demands that his followers produce sales.[267] It is claimed by Scientology that sales of its books worldwide exceed 90 million. However, even these figures are manipulated in order to increase the apparent popularity and appeal of Scientology. "In reality, Scientology buys massive quantities of its own books from major retail chains to propel the titles into bestseller lists."[268] An official statement about Scientology as a religion, asserts: "Developed by L Ron Hubbard, Scientology is a religion that offers a precise path leading to a complete and certain understanding of one's true spiritual nature and one's relationship to self, family, groups, Mankind, all life forms, the material universe, the spiritual universe and the Supreme Being."[269] As Hubbard began to make religious claims, he argued that Scientology had most in common with Eastern religions. It had no affiliation or correspondence with Christianity to which he had an aversion.[270] Buddhism and forms of Hinduism were then spreading throughout the U.S. The result is that the Scientology movement combined Hubbard's version of psychoanalysis with elements of Hinduism, Buddhism, the occult and science fiction. He had produced a new product for the religious market.[271] A shrewd businessman, Hubbard identified and catered to a new potential clientele emerging in the late 1940's and early 1950's.[272] Hubbard presented the ancient Veda of Hinduism as the earliest ancestor of Scientology in his Phoenix lectures of 1954.[273] In a 1960 bulletin Hubbard wrote "Scientology's closest spiritual ties with any other religion are with Orthodox (Hinayana) Buddhism with which it shares an historical lineage."[274]

Hubbard suggested that dhyana or meditation, the key Buddhist concept, was the same as Scientology and that the goal of Clear in Dianetics was the same as the Buddhist goal of enlightenment.[275] Urban writes in his scholarly assessment of Scientology: "From the 1950's onward, Scientology began to adopt ever more elements drawn from Eastern religions, alternative spiritualities and science fiction, such as the notion of an eternal spirit, reincarnation, past life memories, supernatural powers, and a vast 'space opera' history of the universe."[276]

From Science Fiction Religion to Personal Fantasy Scientology's magazine Advance! spoke of a Buddhist root and of the religious validity of Buddhist cults centered on a second Buddha (Meitreya). It spoke of Hubbard as a second Buddha,[277] a Meitreya figure.[278] Hubbard was being presented in the magazine as a second Buddha. Scientology incorporates the Meitreya cult syndrome.[279] It appears that LRH has begun to believe his own hype. In fact, Hubbard wrote a poem in reference to the alleged prediction of a future Buddha figure in which he claims to be that person. The poem begins asking the question: "Am I Metteyya?" and answers "I come to bring you all that the Lord Buddha would have you know …"[280] The entire poem clearly indicates that Hubbard is proclaiming himself to be this Buddha figure. On the other hand, Hubbard clearly distinguishes between the final goals of the two systems. There is a significant contrast in Scientology with Buddhism's goal of eliminating all individual identity into the universal oneness of Nirvana, Scientology claims to be able to liberate the person into complete individual autonomy to do or be whatever he or she wishes. Along this line Hubbard wrote in 1952 the Scientologist

does not seek, as do Hindu and Buddhist holy men to become, "one with the universe but maintains his own individuality" and "he becomes more and more an individual capable of creating and maintaining his own universe."[281] In the late 1970's a highly secret program called the "Messiah Project" is said to have been devised by Hubbard. The most complete account available is that of Nancy Many, then a highranking Scientologist. She indicates she was assigned by Hubbard to develop some surveys to identify what it was that people wanted in a messiah. The next phase of her responsibilities was, "to market Hubbard as just that kind of messianic figure. The goal, she writes, was precisely 'to create the image of L. Ron Hubbard as the next messiah, like Christ, Mohammed or Buddha. … the direction Hubbard wanted to go with the organization was that of his being the next spiritual messiah, the next savior of mankind.'"[282] The surveys are said to have identified nine key qualities of a Messiah and that the plan was to initiate an “aggressive campaign that would create L. Ron Hubbard's messianic image across the world." Nancy Many concludes: “Hubbard truly did believe he was as great as Jesus, Buddha and Mohammed. … [H]e also had plans and programs in place and in motion to create that image of himself"[283] The evidence is not certain why the project was apparently dropped in the early 1980's. Perhaps Hubbard's need to go into hiding to avoid his arrest and imprisonment had something to do with it. The imprisonment of some leading Scientologists, including Hubbard's wife, had convinced him that it was not the right time to promote himself as messiah. It seemed wiser to disappear than face possible retribution for the crimes of which he was responsible. He had been labeled by the court an unindicted co-conspirator in the case against Scientology.

Theory and Practice of Dianetics Despite the evidence from his own life to the contrary, Hubbard taught that mankind is basically good. He taught that the ultimate instinct for all people is survival.[284] His simplified explanation of the mind is that it is comprised of three main elements, the analytical mind, the reactive mind and the somatic mind.[285] The analytical mind, Hubbard said, is like a perfect computer, never making a mistake.[286] Any error in the analytical mind's computations or decisions is due to insufficient or erroneous data.[287] The actual person, one's identity, is part of the analytical mind.[288] The villain in the human individual is the reactive mind. The reactive mind, in contrast to the analytical, works completely on the basis of stimulus/response. It is the sole source of a person's aberrations or problems.[289] This mind retains mental images of past experiences identified with pain and trauma called ‘engrams.’ The term ‘engrams’ was coined by a French physiologist in 1904.[290] Every person is said to possess a reactive mind containing engrams.[291] An engram could have originated as emotional or physical pain including even birth. The engram included every sensory perception associated with the painful experience. These included the words, sights, smells emotions, words or anything else linked in the reactive mind with the painful experience[292]. Quoting Hubbard, "The reactive mind is the entire source of aberration. It can be proved and has been repeatedly proven that there is no other, for when that engram bank is discharged, all operate on his optimum pattern."[293] By discharged is meant that through Dianetic therapy all the engrams have been resolved or removed. In other words, for Hubbard there is no inborn sin nature; all human problems are the consequence of painful experiences recorded in the reactive mind as engrams. Also, once the engram has been

resolved there are supposedly no lingering effects of those prior traumas. It is immediately obvious how appealing the promise of this process would be. When the record (unresolved engram) is stimulated by something in the present, the person reacts not by rational thought but by an automatic response to that record or engram. Engrams are stored in the Reactive mind and are the cause of all psychosomatic ills and all other aberrations.[294] Engrams can precipitate any disease.[295] Hubbard's list of psychosomatic ills is extensive. "Arthritis, dermatitis, allergies, asthma, some coronary difficulties, eye trouble, bursitus, ulcers, sinusitis etc., form a very small section of the psychosomatic catelogue."[296] Other aberrations include "everything that can be found in any list of mental ills: psychoses, neuroses compulsions repressions"[297] All irrational, evil and wrong behavior is considered [298] [299] psychosomatic and the result of engrams. LRH wrote [300] that these all can be cured only by Dianetic therapy. The somatic mind, which regulates and maintains bodily functions, is directed by the analytical and reactive minds.[301] The somatic mind was defined in Dianetics as "that mind which, directed by the analytical or reactive mind, places solutions into effect on the physical level."[302] The somatic mind is more recently renamed the Genetic Entity or GE. "It is actually a composite of all cellular experiences"[303] including past lives and deaths. He taught that the GE departs from a body later than the theta (spirit).[304] Human problems originate when the reactive mind interrupts the analytical mind, which otherwise would manage a person's life perfectly. [305] When the reactive mind disrupts the analytical mind a moment of unconsciousness is said to have occurred though the body may still be awake and animated.[306] During this unconsciousness, the reactive mind takes in a detailed image like a movie, from the sensory organs. In that state anything experienced by the senses is recorded. This is called an engram.[307] This engram is stored and becomes the

basis for reacting to a recurrence of the stimulus. The stimulus can be any of the sensory data that was stored during the traumatic incident. These engrams are the cause of insanity, anger, inefficiency and illness. These undesirable responses to life can be eliminated by ridding the reactive mind of all engrams, which is the goal of Dianetics.[308] When all engrams are said to have been removed the person is proclaimed 'clear.' This person is supposed to be free of reactions to the former stimulus because no engram exists to stimulate the reaction. The method of therapy in Dianetics is called auditing. The auditor questions the patient, called a pre-clear or PC, in order to identify an engram to be resolved.[309] In other words the process is to identify past traumatic events in order to free the individual from any and all present effects of those events.[310] Through this process engrams are said to be traced all the way back to pre-birth trauma.[311] The process, like standard psychotherapy, seems to work. Both present members and the most cynical ex-Scientologists recount having had feeling of peace, a sense of awakening, freedom, clarity, joy; "positive experiences, insights and realizations achieved through auditing."[312] Hubbard asserted that a clear individual, "… can be tested for all psychoses neuroses, compulsions and repressions (all aberrations) and can be examined for any autogenetic (self-regulated) diseases referred to as psychosomatic ills. These tests confirm the clear to be entirely without such ills or aberrations. additional tests of his intelligence indicate it to be high above the current norm."[313] Hubbard's claims included not only these psychological benefits but also that the 'clear' sees themselves in an entirely new way receiving intellectual and physical well-being as well. Dianetics explains regarding the 'clear': "His physical vitality and health are markedly improved and all psychosomatic illnesses have vanished … His personality is

heightened and he is creative and constructive."[314] Jenna Miscavage Hill explained that, "When you were Clear, the goal of Dianetics, you no longer had psychosomatic illnesses, neuroses, or psychoses. You also experienced a giant lift in IQ and had perfect recall of your past. You were free of what LRH called your reactive mind."[315] John Campbell, editor of Astounding Science Fiction magazine, was a key figure in the world of science fiction and an early advocate of Dianetics. In his 1950 letter he enthusiastically reported, "Fifteen minutes of Dianetics can get more results than five years of psychoanalysis. … We've broken homosexuals, alcoholics asthmatics, arthritics and [316] nymphomaniacs." Hubbard expounded further on the expectations for a clear. Eyesight would be improved, ear ringing would cease the IQ increased, they would not get colds, calculating skills would be greatly accelerated and marriages would be saved.[317] Through the auditing process each engram would be addressed and, resolved one at a time. Finally, the mind would be cleared of them all which would deliver the clear from the reactive mind. [318]

A current Scientology website explains, "Clear is the name of a state achieved through auditing and describes a being who no longer has his reactive mind, the hidden source of irrational behavior, unreasonable fears, upsets and insecurities. Without a reactive mind, individuals regain their basic personality, self-determination and, in essence, become much, much more themselves."[319] Combining all the various claims made for those who become Clear, we could expect those persons to be virtually perfect in character and ethics. They would be in perpetually excellent health, be extremely high achievers and be very happy people. As we shall see these expected results do not seem to come to fruition. Returning to the Scientology website explanation of Clear:

"The full glory of the state of Clear has no comparable description in any writings existing in our culture. It is a goal Man has dreamed of achieving for more that 2500 years, yet the state of Clear is far above anything anyone even conceived of previously. Indeed, that one could become something far higher and better than a human being, personally and in a single lifetime, is a brand new concept."[320] It is true that man has dreamed of achieving such a state for millennia. The alleged results and goal of becoming Clear are also actually quite old. While several earlier religions and the New Age teachings have similar concepts,[321] the ultimate goal of exceeding merely human limitations is as old as man. This desire enticed the first humans at the beginning of our race. See Genesis chapter 3 in the Bible for the origin of these ideas.

Problems With Hubbard’s Claims Become Clear Quoting from the Scientology website again: "The state of clear does exist today and is attainable by all. Thousands upon thousands of Scientologists all over the world are Clear and more achieve this state with every passing day." [322]

The supposed state of Clear is only attainable by those with sufficient wealth to pay for the extensive auditing and courses Scientology requires. It will be seen next that there are very significant reasons to question the validity of this triumphant statement. Problems soon began to arise with Hubbard's claims for the efficacy of Dianetics. Publicity became seriously detrimental to Hubbard's cause when in August 10, 1950 he presented the first of his 'first,' Clears at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Hubbard announced that because of Dianetics, physics student, Miss Sonya Bianca, had perfect recall of every moment in her life. When questioned by the audience she failed to recall basic physics formulas and could not remember the color of

Hubbard's tie she had seen moments earlier.[323] She also failed to recall what she had for breakfast that morning.[324] The audience, estimated at 4 to 6 thousand, began to leave as other questions were given. Hubbard's embarrassed attempts to explain the debacle were unconvincing to reporters or spectators.[325] Forgetfulness due to anxiety in the face of pressure would not explain the failures. According to LHR, a clear would have no engrams to cause anxiety. Further bad press resulted from domestic problems. Hubbard had declared that Dianetcs would save marriages. He also declared that his second wife Sarah was Clear. That means he declared her perfectly healthy, completely rational with optimal psychological and physical well-being. But she sued for divorce after having Hubbard "pronounced 'hopelessly insane' by doctors she had consulted.[326] Scientology's second claim to have a 'first' clear was in February 1966. Van Gordon informs us that this, however, throws doubt upon the entire story. The reason for doubt is because Hubbard had written that he had cleared fifty people in the 1954 January issue of The Journal of Scientology.[327] Van Gorden also informs us another doubt arose because critics felt it strange that Hubbard never claimed to be Clear himself until several years after Dianetics had been published. [328]

What is clear is that LRH would say whatever seemed necessary in order to achieve his purposes. Scientology clearly remains committed to that practice today.

Opposition to Dianetics The first concerted efforts against Dianetics were taken in September 1950 by the American Psychological Association. A unanimous resolution was adopted by the 8,000 members stating there was a lack of the kind of empirical evidence necessary for establishing the scientific validity of Hubbard's claims.[329] Humanist Psychologist Eric Fromm said Dianetics has no respect for and no understanding of the complexities of personality. Fromm further stated that Hubbard had filled Dianetsics with "oversimplified truths, half-truths and plain absurdities."[330] LRH dismissed such critics as being threatened by his new perspective on the human mind.[331] Hubbard’s essay in Astounding Science Fiction declared Dianetics would cure colds, arthritis and all psychosomatic illness. The book asserted that the 'clear' do not get colds. Urban informs us that, "it was precisely these claims to physical healing that would attract the attention of the FDA and other government agencies and eventually lead Hubbard to pursue the 'religion angle.'"[332] In January 1951 The Hubbard Dianetic Research Foundation Inc. was accused of operating a school for curing disease without a medical license by the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners. Two of Hubbard's people were arrested for running an unlicensed school and practicing medicine without a license in March 1953. Others were also were arrested throughout the early 1950's for practicing medicine without a license.[333] Twenty-one thousand tablets of Hubbard's alleged anti-radiation sickness drug Dianezene were seized and destroyed by the FDA in 1958. The FDA claimed "they were falsely labeled for the treatment of real illness."[334] In addition to the Dianezene, a critical look began to be taken by the FDA at Hubbard's ambitious claims for the healing potential of his E-meter. This device will be explained shortly.[335]

By April 1951, these negative public relations nearly brought Dianetics to financial ruin and created a crisis of authority in the movement.[336] This was less than a year after publication of Hubbard's best seller, Dianetics. A third problem caused by Hubbard was his 1951 introduction into the movement of teachings about past lives. Other leaders who had hoped to preserve a credible scientific basis and reputation for the movement were appalled.[337] Hubbard apparently believed his auditing work had brought up issues in patients that could not be explained as having happened in this lifetime. He assumed they must therefore have suffered trauma in previous lives. Carl Jung's concept of the "collective unconscious" might be an alternative explanation. Another explanation might be drug induced hallucinations. At any rate, Hebrews 9:27 states, "It is appointed for men to die once and after this judgment." This contradicts the ideas of past lives as well as reincarnation. Originally only dealing with this life, Scientologists now claim that engrams from past lives must be cleared also. This of course leads to the need for much more extensive auditing. Scientology's "infinite spiritual component and its journey into past lives was designed to keep people coming back indefinitely."[338] If the individual survived the death of the physical body and lived many lives, some form of reincarnation would be required. Belief in past lives opened up the door to the belief in the spirit.[339] This resulted in LRH introducing the concept of the thetan. The thetan is said to be the actual personality or spirit that is immortal and lives on through countless lives. Hubbard broke with Dianetics in 1952 and founded the Hubbard Association of Scientologists in Phoenix. That year he also married his third wife, Mary Sue Whipp, who later became one of the most important and successful of Scientology's organizers.[340] At first, Scientology was a separate organization, but when Hubbard regained control of the Hubbard Dianetic

Research Foundation in 1954, he included Dianetics as an introductory element of Scientology.[341] Hubbard began to use a device known as the E-meter (electropsychometer) to assist in auditing. This device was invented by an early collaborator with Hubbard, Volney Mathison. It became and still is a central aspect of auditing. It works similar to a lie detector but is asserted to be much better. It is believed to monitor responses to questions enabling the auditor to discover the existence of patient’s engrams.[342] When Mathison and Hubbard split up, Hubbard made minor changes in the meter, likely so that he could claim it was his own creation or at least not the same as Mathison's. This machine was promoted by Hubbard as "never wrong" and far superior to Freud's inadequate techniques.[343] Hubbard applied his revised e-meter to a tomato plant and said it was so sensitive it could even detect the pain of the plant which led him to the deduction that "tomatoes scream when sliced."[344]

Metamorphosis With the increasing scrutiny of the FDA, the explicit emphasis became the spiritual and religious nature of the E-meter. On October 20, 1962 Hubbard sent out a policy letter titled “Religion.” This notice stressed making it clear to the FDA the E-meter was not a medical nor diagnostic device but an inherently religious one and that a copy of this letter was to be made available to all attorneys defending the movement.[345] Notice this is a total reversal of the original claims Hubbard made for Dianetcs and for the E-meter. Hubbard altered the statements merely to get government regulatory agencies off his back. It is clear that Hubbard was completely lacking in sincerity and integrity. In fact, Hubbard later explained why Dianetics ceased and was replaced by Scientology. He wrote that in, "'some areas, mainly the US, it was illegal to heal or cure anything'; as a result, Dianetics as a healing practice was

gradually replaced by Scientology as a spiritual practice, which would be outside the scrutiny of government agencies such as the FDA and able to operate freely without interference by the medical establishment …"[346] This is one of Hubbard's true motives for establishing the religion - to evade government interference and regulation. Prior consideration has been given to the financial motive. Scientology was at first presented as a new science having nothing to do with religion. Hubbard's inclusion of a spiritual component to his teachings was the first step in turning Scientology into a religion. The designation as a religion provided a variety of benefits. A huge benefit was that, "Suddenly, the claims of dubious science that had surrounded Dianetics were irrelevant: if Dianetics was part of religious practice, it didn't need to be proven scientifically." [347]

As Hubbard began to pursue the "religion angle" and the metamorphosis of his organization from science into a religion; Hubbard began to claim the protections of the first amendment as to the freedom of religion from government intervention and regulation.[348] Urban, as the cautious scholar, indicates in a less assertive way that the gradual shift to a clearly religious identity for Scientology "seems to have been in response to various legal and political challenges in the early 1950's."[349] Was Hubbard toying with the idea of creating a religious identity for Scientology or just toying with his readers when he wrote of Scientology auditing in April 1953 as, "perhaps allied with religion, perhaps a mystical practice and possibly just another form of Christian Science or plain Hubbardian nonsense."[350] A few weeks earlier in 1953 Hubbard wrote a letter to Helen O'Brien, then head of the Hubbard Association of Scientologists in the U.S. He had told her that the "religious angle" would be able to combat psychoanalysis as well as make money. This letter was evidence in the case of The Church of Scientology v.

Gerald Armstrong in 1984 and the church never contested its authenticity.[351] In December 1953 Hubbard incorporated three new organizations called churches in Camden, New Jersey. These were the Church of American Science, the Church of Scientology and the Church of Spiritual Engineering. In 1954 he opened a church in California and the following year incorporated 'the Founding Church of Scientology' in Washington, D.C. This latter was to function as the, "parent church for the propagation of the religious faith known as Scientology."[352] It is clear that protection from the U.S. government and the medical establishment were major motives in taking the 'religious angle.' Also, in 1954 Hubbard dissolved his Association of Scientologists (HAS) and explicitly defined its replacement (the HASI) as a religious fellowship which ran the 'churches' incorporated under its umbrella.[353] Hubbard began to introduce explicitly religious terms and practices later in 1954. He introduced into Scientology terms such as minister and Dr. of Divinity. He established the requirement of wearing of clerical collars, an official wedding ceremony, christenings and Church services. Hubbard emphasized that the leaders of Scientology were to conform to the accepted image of a religious minister.[354] A policy letter in March 1957 shows Hubbard's stipulations for ministerial qualifications and ordination were clearly made primarily to assure tax exemptions.[355] His ministers were told to wear a cross and, "should be prepared and able to explain to Christian ministers that Scientology stands for the same basic principles as did Jesus Christ."[356] In other words, they were instructed to lie to Christian ministers. They were to pretend to be in agreement with the Christian faith despite Hubbard's complete opposition to Christian teaching. His people were further told that, "'The way

to handle a minister of some other church' includes agreeing that Jesus Christ was the Savior of Mankind and that 'the Bible is a holy work.'"[357] Hubbard is saying his leaders are to deliberately deceive the ministers of various churches. They are to tell those ministers that Jesus was the Savior even though that is in complete contradiction to the religious views presented in Scientology. Not only is Scientology being fraudulently presented as a religion, but it is also deceptively being portrayed in these situations as Christian. Nancy Many was clearly told when joining Scientology that the religious element was merely for legal purposes and attendance at religious events was not required.[358] In the late 1960's and early 1970's a renewed emphasis upon Scientology as a religion was necessary because of trouble with the IRS and various other governments. Hubbard had created the church creed and in a policy letter titled "Religion" decreed that all staff must prominently display clerical collars, the cross and Scientology Creed. Soon, another policy letter decreed that all promotional and church literature must state Scientology to be a religion and conflicting statements "corrected."[359] At this time Scientology launched a new magazine titled, Advance. The magazine was primarily devoted to religion including comparing major world religions with Scientology. The comparisons not surprisingly, "in each case concluding that Scientology is the ultimate fulfillment of the spiritual quest embodied in every one of these faiths."[360] A current Scientology website calls Scientology "one of the world's great religions."[361] Another development in the 'religionization' process was Hubbard's writing of, The Background to the Religion of Scientology and Ceremonies of the Church of Scientology. This was the standard reference text for his ministers and chaplains. [362] The purpose was to lend further support to the pretext of Scientology being an actual religion.

It is claimed the Scientology cross is borrowed from Christianity and that it is patterned after a sand-casting Hubbard dug up at an ancient Spanish mission in Arizona.[363] This eight-pointed cross, a cross with four flame bursts is strikingly similar to that used by the occult leader Aleister Crowley and the occult group he had been a member of, the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.[364] Hubbard's explanation was that the eight points of the cross were symbolic of the eight dynamics or urges that all humans have to survive.[365] Hubbard postulated that, "The dynamic principle of existence is survival."[366] He added "It is the single and sole purpose."[367] There are untold numbers of heroic actions throughout history that would seem to invalidate Hubbard's assertions.[368] He explains his alleged dynamics of survival in his book, Dianetics. The following footnote relating to that explanation shows how crucial this is to Hubbard's thinking: "dynamic principle of existence: survival. The goal of life can be considered to be infinite survival. Man, as a life form can be demonstrated to obey in all his actions and purposes the one command 'Survive!' No behavior or activity has been found to exist without this principle. It is not new that life is surviving. It is new that life has as its entire dynamic urge only to survive." [369]

Though there are now supposedly eight sub-divisions of this survival dynamic, only four are explicitly developed in Dianetics.[370] In Dianetics Hubbard writes as if the four dynamics he explains account for all of human behavior.[371] These dynamics are (1) The urge of the individual for his own survival. (2) The urge of the individual toward survival through procreation (includes copulation and raising of progeny). (3) The urge of the individual towards survival for the group or the group for survival of the group. (4) The urge of the individual and group and mankind toward survival of mankind.[372] Two of the other dynamics are, "the urge to survive as a spiritual being and the urge to survive as 'Infinity' or 'the Supreme Being also called the 'God dynamic.'"[373]

While this sounds suspiciously like the old lie of humans becoming gods, Hubbard was reluctant to speak about this dynamic and stated that the science of Scientology did not "intrude into the dynamic of the Supreme Being."[374] He made this statement, however, prior to the transition of his science into "a religious philosophy." In response to grumblings about his turn to religion Hubbard made it clear it was a pragmatic and legal decision not a spiritual or philosophical concern. He said that as Scientology had no actual connection with medicine or psychiatry, "We can only exist in the field of religion."[375] He assured all his people that the religious angle in no way would affect or alter the operation of Scientology.[376] Auditing became known as the confessional and the auditor called a minister.[377] The black clergy garments, white collar and three-inch cross dangling from the neck could cause Scientology 'ministers' to be mistaken for ministers of some Christian groups. It is clear, however, from their theology as well as their motives and actions as an organization that Scientology has no genuine connection with Christianity.[378] In 1974 Hubbard produced the book, Scientology: A World Religion Emerges in the Space Age. This was to establish that Scientology was not only a religion but also the twentieth century's first new major religion. Hubbard wrote "Men are looking for new answers in the Age of Space and are finding them in the religion of Scientology."[379] The book includes a series of definitions of religion, followed by showing that Scientology has historic roots in Hinduism and Buddhism. Then comes the teachings, practices, symbols and scriptures, of Scientology. Its scriptures are the writings and speeches of Hubbard. These articles are followed by ministerial requirements and the charitable services said to be performed by Scientology. The most significant section of the book is a detailed discussion of religion, the U.S. Constitution, the courts and the Bill of Rights.

Included are assertions of Scientology's obvious status as a religion.[380] It is also interesting that Hubbard's earlier statements hostile and dismissive of religion such as those in his 1952 text A History of Man, were temporarily edited out of post 1971 editions of his writings. Later, after obtaining the legal status of a religion they were, for the most part added back into his works.[381]

Scientology Statistics It has been said by someone that statistics don't lie, but liars use statistics. This would definitely apply in the present case. Scientology has claimed to be the fastest growing religion on the planet.[382] Islam and Jehovah’s Witnesses have made the same claim. Worldwide membership in Scientology was claimed to be eight million in 2004.[383] A current Scientology website claims over eight million adherents in, "more than 5,100 churches, missions and related organizations groups and activities that span the globe … in more than 100 countries in over 30 languages."[384] Religion scholar J. Gordon Melton states that the figures are greatly exaggerated. According to him, the number represents anyone who has ever bought a Scientology book or taken an introductory course. He said that 99% of those people never return or become a part of Scientology.[385] Statistics indicate an apparently large drop in Scientology followers in both the U.S. and England.[386] A 2001 survey by the City University of New York found only 55,000 people in the U.S. who would identify themselves as Scientologists. Some estimates in 2014 were that there were between one and two hundred thousand Scientologists in the world.[387] Scientology discounts the accuracy of such statistics stating that many Scientologist retain ties with other religious groups and when questioned about religious affiliations give the culturally more acceptable response. [388]

This arouses a question: If Scientology is so effective at meeting one's needs and bringing happiness, why would people prefer to be identified as belonging to some other group which has apparently failed to do so? If Scientology was so wonderful and people had received such great benefits from it, would they not be eager to identify themselves as Scientologists? The explanation for the apparent low number of Scientologists does not convince.

A Scientology Church Service A Deseret News reporter, Elaine Jarvic, visited a Scientology service in Salt Lake City. She was told the membership was two to three hundred. Her account of the order of service follows: The service began with the reading of the Scientology Creed written by Hubbard and a short article on integrity also by Hubbard. These were followed by a sermon read from The Background, Ceremonies and Sermons of the Scientology Religion. This book was written by Hubbard. "After the sermon comes the heart of the Sunday service -'group processing' … " [389] That Sunday the exercise was one also written by Hubbard. The Scientology minister in Salt Lake City explained to a reporter that there were two differences between psychotherapy and Scientology. One was the intricate chart Hubbard created known as the "Bridge to Total Freedom." This chart gives the alleged steps and process, available only through Scientology, to bring an individual total freedom. [390] Hubbard had titled this chart "The Classification, Gradation and Awareness Chart."[391] The main difference between psychology and Scientology mentioned by the minister was that auditing is spiritual counseling through which you can get immediate results by applying the technology.[392]

Thetans LRH redefined and reoriented Scientology from an alleged science into the appearance of a religion. In addition, he changed his perspective of the human being as more than physical and psychological. He began to present man as a spiritual being. He further claimed to have discovered and isolated the human spirit scientifically in July 1951. He declared this to be the true self, our true identity, a potentially unlimited spiritual self he named the Thetan.[393] Hubbard wrote: "Probably the greatest discovery of Scientology and its most forceful contribution to the knowledge of mankind has been the isolation description and handling of the human spirit.

Accomplished in 1951 in the month of July, in Phoenix, Arizona, it was established along scientific rather than religious or humanitarian lines that the thing which is the person, the personality, is separable from the body and mind at will."[394] In addition to the glowing self-congratulation, this suggestion of out of body experiences is exactly what Hubbard meant. These supposed entities (thetans) Hubbard alleges to have existed as pure consciousness with no connection to the physical. It required no physical organs or senses but communicated by telepathy. These thetans can supposedly move a physical object by sending energy toward it. Thetans are said to have no mass, no wave length and no location; are immortal with capabilities vastly beyond that previously predicted.[395] So, one might ask, how did Hubbard supposedly find it? We are not told how this amazing discovery occurred. We are expected to take Hubbard's word for it by faith alone. This is despite Scientology claims that "Scientology is not a dogmatic religion in which one is asked to accept anything on faith alone."[396] Many of LRH's assertions must be taken by faith alone, or not at all.[397] According to early Scientology the thetan (our spirit) was a godlike entity that no longer recognized its unlimited potential but could be freed to do so.[398] Once the thetan is clear and becomes an Operating Thetan or OT, they again can act independent of the body and leave it at will. This is called exteriorization.[399] The process of rediscovery of one's unlimited potential can come about only through the auditing process of Scientology. David Bromley's take on Hubbard's cosmology indicates that thetans were these "godlike celestial entities possessed their own distinctive individuality and created and controlled their own 'Home Universes.'"[400] Thetans supposedly had infinite power originally but somehow got absorbed into this universe. The present MEST universe of

matter, energy, space and time is portrayed as both an illusion and a trap from which man is perpetually seeking to escape. The Thetan is said to be trapped in a vegetable- like physical or MEST body.[401] Here on earth we have nearly, "forgotten our true spiritual nature and have been deluded into identifying with our MEST bodies."[402] "Earth is a sort of prison."[403] If the MEST universe were an illusion, the solution would be to work at destroying or removal of the illusion. Instead, Scientology focuses upon auditing to free the person from traumatic experiences that are part of the alleged illusion. We are those supposed thetans. If we previously had unlimited godlike capabilities, how were we deceived and trapped? These assertions of LRH hint at as well as distorting the biblical truth of the fall of man in Genesis 3. For this alleged entrapment of thetans to have happened, there must be someone or something much more powerful or wiser than these supposed gods. Otherwise, it could not have occurred. Hubbard went on to list the ways thetans can be trapped: "How can you trap a thetan? By curiosity, by giving him awards and prizes (of an implant), by retractor screens, by mock ups, by ornate buildings which he will enter unsuspectingly only to be 'electroniced down', by many such means the thetan is reduced from KNOWING to a colonist, a slave, a MEST body.” Hubbard continued: "All theta traps have one thing in common: They use electronic force to knock the thetan into forgetting, into unknowingness, into effect." [404] Although Hubbard attempts to explain how godlike beings could be controlled by lesser beings, his explanations don't really explain. God-like beings or spirits would not be conned through their curiosity, by being given prizes and awards and deprived of their infinite powers by electronics! Such beings as thetans could create anything they desired and who or what could deceive them? Someone or something must be wiser and more powerful than the thetans!

In contrast to Hubbard's claim that our goal is to escape from our body, the Bible shows the goal is to redeem and transform the body. "We groan within ourselves waiting eagerly for the redemption of our body." (Rom. 8:23). "For our citizenship is in heaven from which we eagerly await for a Savior, The Lord Jesus Christ who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory …" (Phil. 3:20-21). (See also 1Cor. 15:42-53; 2Cor. 5:2-4). Hubbard's thinking that our goal is to escape the body is reminiscent of Gnostic teaching which preceded Christianity. After the rise of the Christian faith there were efforts by Gnostics to combine with and alter the Christian faith. This began to occur later in the first and early in the second century A.D. This was the origin of the so-called Gnostic gospels. Some contemporary writers and religion scholars attempt to pass off these Gnostic writing as the original, or at least a genuine alternative form of Christianity. Urban shows he has been influenced by contemporary advocates of Gnosticism when he states that the dominant Christian churches eventually considered Gnostic teachings to be heretical. [405] Actually, Gnostic distortions of Christianity were considered heretical as soon as they began. Gnostic teachings were contrary to the original teachings of Christianity so they were rejected. Some aspects of early Gnostic re-imaginings of Christianity are refuted in the New Testament itself.[406] It is still considered heretical by historic Christianity despite attempts to make it seem as a genuine alternative form of Christianity. Old heresies never die, they just get reincarnated. Scientology is partially a merging of Gnostic thinking with Eastern mysticism and Science Fiction imagining.

Reincarnation and Evolution In lectures Hubbard soon introduced the idea of the reincarnation of thetans in various forms and many lifetimes. A History of Man published by Hubbard in 1952, claims to inform

us of mankind's last seventy-six trillion years.[407] An extensive amount of time is focused in that book upon our prehistory or evolution including our past experiences as seaweed, jellyfish and clams.[408] He claims that physical symptoms experienced by subjects during auditing verify these stages in our evolution. Hubbard also declared that the experiences in the ocean as jellyfish and clams can still be "restimulated" today and allegedly still affect us.[409] Hubbard wrote "You will be amazed to find the Clam sufficiently advanced as a cellular somatic mind to have postulates, to think thoughts."[410] He also explains that as clams we had emotions including sadness and anxiety. Hubbard reports many accounts of supposed past lives discovered through the auditing process. At least one subject admitted that his own accounts may have been the result of his past drug use instead of past lives.[411] After WWII there was widespread interest in other planets, space travel and many claimed to have been visited by aliens. Many writers and religious leaders drew upon this interest including Hubbard. In his early sociological study of Scientology, Wallis found science fiction readers were the most likely to be members of the church in those early days.[412] Many have noted parallels between Hubbard's early religion and his earlier science fiction writings. In a 1952 lecture Hubbard said that his audience's past lives involved many different adventures on other planets over millions of years including having been animals.[413] The wildness or weirdness of Hubbard's claims seems to have been one of the major factors drawing people to the cult in the 1950's.[414] Early lectures and Scientology testimonies claimed the liberated thetan had many remarkable powers. This is not only the optimal physical and psychological prowess promised in Dianetics but superhuman or,

"'paranormal' abilities such as the power to see through walls, telepathy, 'remote viewing' or seeing events from distances outside the body and even the ability to rearrange molecules in order to fix broken appliances such as coffeemakers and air conditioners. Scientology publications such as Advance and Source include numerous success stories from individuals who acquire powers both miraculous and mundane: some recount being able to prevent rain from falling, while others claim to be able to remotely shut off a neighbors annoying noisy sprinkler system. Others report the power to heal sick goldfish …"[415] When the thetan has become an operating thetan, through Scientology, it is liberated, has regained its former powers; is back to its original status. As such it can create its own universe and populate it with heavenly beings, make this universe disappear or reappear, do anything and be anything it wills.[416] Hubbard said the operating thetan, "would be able to be anywhere as a finite point or be everywhere as a generalized area … could be anything at all.[417] These are incredible claims but can they be verified as actually true? Or are we back into the arena of science fiction masquerading as facts again? Why do some who have been designated as operating thetans leave Scientology? Have they proven for themselves that they were duped because they cannot do as promised? The individual operating thetan would thus be a literal god. As pointed out in Hubbard's cosmology this thetan would be greater than the God who created this MEST or illusory universe. You might wonder how, if thetans were greater than the God Who created this universe; how were these billions deceived into worshipping Him. The thetans are said to have been deceived by mainstream religion into worshipping this lesser God. How would mere religion deceive the gods?[418] Hubbard states that what passes for God for this MEST universe is far from the greatest of Gods. [419] Many of Hubbard's assertions are irrational and

contradictory. If these assertions are believed, it is certainly on the basis of faith alone. Scientologists have found such ideas of unlimited power and knowledge appealing. A former member of Hubbard's staff, Cyril Vosper said, "I thought it would give me total control over my own life … He was saying that you and everyone else, with the use of Scientology … could become a god. And we were all, if you like, fallen gods."[420] This shows us that Scientology proves to be a complex and convoluted space age version of the devil's lie in Genesis 3, "You shall be as God's." Though being popularized today, that statement is still a lie. Hubbard often created new terms and or new definitions of terms for his religion. Scientology often has new terms defined in its articles and three thousand such terms are in their technical dictionary. In fact, each of the five Scientology books consulted had a statement in the front urging that one should never skip over words that are not understood. The reader is informed that footnotes give the meaning of the word as used in that text and referring the reader to the glossary at the back of the book.[421] All special Scientology words used in the book plus other words which might not be familiar to the reader are defined. This admonition to never skip over unfamiliar words is by far the best idea in all of Scientology! You may be wondering whether Hubbard believed any of this, or perhaps did he come to believe it like some people who use propaganda or disinformation can sometimes come to believe their own fabrications. Or, was he merely inventing the entire thing much as he invented his science fiction? The answer may not be simple and easy to determine. There is, however, this acknowledgement in his Philadelphia Doctorate Course: "Now, all of this of course is--I'm just kidding you mostly. I don't believe that you've been in the universe seventysix trillion years … I don't believe any of these things and I don't

want to be agreed with about them. … All I'm asking is that we take a look at this information, and then go through a series of class-assigned exercises. … [Let's see if we can't disagree with this universe, just a little bit."[422] Is the Scientology religion merely Hubbard's indication of his dissatisfaction with this universe we are in and an imaginative attempt to postulate one he would like better? Whatever motives were primary, the organizational structure of Hubbard's church made it run with far greater efficiency and success than his Dianetics organization ever had. The structure noticeably has more in common with a multi-national corporation than a church.[423] Hubbard frequently used the term as well as the practice of "franchising" new churches. Roy Wallis added this insight, "Hubbard was well aware of the value of corporate structures as weapons in the control of both his movement and its environment. A complex corporate structure maximizes the difficulty of surveillance or investigation of the movements affairs."[424] Utilizing the methods of American marketing techniques along with its complex corporate structure turned Scientology into one of the most powerful and lucrative organizations in the U.S.

Special Scientology Organizations Scientology has numerous specialized programs to extend its reach into society. Most of these groups attempt to obscure their existence as Scientology organizations. "To recruit wealthy and respectable professionals, Scientology works through a web of consulting groups that hide their ties to the cult."[425] Sterling Management System is one example. This company promises to dramatically increase the income of health-care professionals offering them expensive seminars and courses. "Sterling's true aim is to hook customers for Scientology."[426] Robert Geary, A dentist who attended a Sterling seminar could

not have imagined the extreme high-pressure sales tactics with which he was confronted.[427] Apparently giving into that sales pressure, he was charged $130,000 over the next five months for auditing. He declared that his bank was called to increase his credit limit and Scientologists also forged his signature on a $20,000 loan application.[428] Narcanon is the name of a Scientology drug rehabilitation program. Tom Cruise a leading spokesman, advocate and financial backer of Scientology asserts that the only successful drug rehabilitation program is that of Narconon.[429] The program claims to have a recovery rate of 75% but according to former leaders such claims are completely bogus. Scientology is preying upon desperate families according to two former executives of the Narcanon program. They were interviewed on television April 5, 2013 following the earlier report on NBC News "Rock Center" of three deaths at Narcanon's Oklahoma facility. Lucas Catton, President at the Oklahoma location until he resigned in 2004 and the former Executive Director at the Michigan facility, Eric Tenorio, said that Narcanon is basically a recruitment center for Scientology, luring in people with false claims and hiring staff from recent college graduates with no actual training in drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Tenorio showed official looking certificates declaring him to be a “Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor" which he said were purchased for himself and his staff for several thousand dollars with no courses, no training, no tests. The certificates were obtained from the "Pita Group Inc." created by a contractor of the Narcanon facility in Oklahoma. The contractor, Kent McGregor denied these claims stating they required 20 hours of training and two years of experience to receive the CADC certificate. Ternorio said, "Its absolutely fraud. The three to six month program consists of the study of eight books based upon the writings of L Ron

Hubbard, and among other things, five hours a day in the sauna for thirty days and mega doses of Niacin." [430] Catton said “Narcanon preys upon vulnerable people. That's part of the sales techniques.” One of the major focuses of the facilities is to bring in as much money as possible by any method including lying, misrepresenting who you are to potential clients; “anything to bring in the money.” In 2011 the Oklahoma facility took in $10.88 million.[431] The Association for Better Living and Education presented Narconon a check for $200,000 in 1989 at a ceremony near Newkirk, Oklahoma. This turned out to be nothing but a deceptive publicity ploy. That association is also part of Scientology.[432] Van Gorden, reminds us that though drug rehabilitation is extremely important, it is not the same as salvation which can only be found through Jesus Christ and the biblical scriptures. [433] As Peter declared, "There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12). There is no salvation nor relationship with the true God of creation and the Scriptures through Scientology. Scientology also has a criminal rehabilitation program, called Criminon. If it were actually what it claims to be, it would be an appropriate program for those five thousand Scientologists who had been involved in the illegal activities against the government referred to earlier in this study! This too is a recruitment and money scam. Scientology claims this is a non-profit program with training for correction officers, with workshops and correspondence programs for incarcerated criminals. The claim is that it restores a sense of dignity and prepares the imprisoned to reenter civilian life as productive members. The claim is that using the teachings of LRH, Criminon cuts the 80% recidivism rate to 0% and completely eliminates cell-block violence. It is further declared that “The program is so successful; in many

cases it is mandated nationally across entire prison systems.”[434] It is impossible to validate the truthfulness of any of these claims. Independent experts have stated there are no scientific studies to indicate the effectiveness of the methods or program. [435] A related program called “Second Chance” denies its affiliation with Scientology through the legal fiction of “licensing” Scientology materials. There is also, "The Way To Happiness Foundation" promoted as a "non-religious" moral education program that promotes Hubbard's religious teachings throughout. It has distributed over three and a half million copies of a Hubbard booklet on morality to public school children. Another 'front organization' is "Applied Scholastics" which sought to install a tutorial program by Hubbard into especially minority populated public schools.[436] The Citizen's Commission on Human Rights is a Scientology organization at war with the Psychiatric Profession, a major competitor in the field of therapy and an early critic of Dianetics and Hubbard. HealthMed runs a series of clinics which promote a grueling regimen of saunas, vitamins and exercise developed by Hubbard to cleanse the body; which sounds like the program at Narconon as well as Criminon. These and other organizations are front groups for Scientology. Some of them enable Scientologists to covertly carry out activities that are illegitimate or illegal for non-profit organizations.[437] "As Van Gorden points out, Such organizations and programs often become part of the process of leading the unwary into the false teachings of Scientology.[438] Though Scientology continually denies its true goals, each of these groups are used to acquire adherents and finances for the cult.

Celebrity Centers and Celebrities

We have previously referred to the infatuation of many in Hollywood with Scientology and the Celebrity Centers catering to the famous and influential. The first of these centers was established in Los Angeles in 1969 and has been followed by many others in major cities. This connection between the rich and famous with Scientology was not by chance. " … the Church of Scientology has fixed itself in American culture and beyond as a legitimate religion and belief system, gaining popularity through Hollywood endorsements …"[439] A deliberate strategy was developed in order to attract and use these people. An initial attraction, of course, is that the basic philosophy of Scientology promising to unleash an incredible potential locked up inside. This greatly appealed to these people just as it had earlier appealed to science fiction fans. Even the huge sums of money required to tap into these secrets of one's potential appealed to them. Hubbard’s strategy included designating celebrities as special targets of Scientology. In his 1955 Ability magazine, Hubbard gave a list of celebrities as "quarry" to be won to Scientology. [440] None of those specifically listed were apparently won, but the strategy of targeting and courting the rich and famous has proven an effective and continued strategy. "… the church from its inception, has depended on celebrities to lend it prestige." [441]

The organization explains this focus as working with the people who have the vision to make the world a better place.[442] In reality it exploits the 'star power' of these individuals to obtain finances and endorsements for Scientology and its products. The organization acquires much positive publicity and huge sums of money from these people. In 2007 for example, the top five celebrity contributors to Scientology gave a total of $17 Million.[443] Despite special perks and being catered to, some celebrities have defected in recent years. The three wives of Tom Cruz are notable examples but there have been others.[444] Actress Leah Remini left after thirty years and having given the organization

millions of dollars.[445] She has sought to expose the chicanery, greed and abuse of the organization through her book, Troublemaker, and a TV cable series “Scientology and the Aftermath.”[446] The Emmy-award winning series has shown what an evil organization Scientology proves itself to be. After being a member for 35 years, film director and screen writer Paul Haggis resigned from Scientology. He "spoke out against everything the Church stood for calling his former religion a cult."[447] More recently he said he was a fool for being a Scientologist and that he wishes he had helped to expose Scientology years before the recent documentary "Going Clear."[448] One event that proved to be a wakeup for Haggis was an interview of Tommy Davis May 8, 2008 on CNN. Davis, formerly senior VP of the Scientology Celebrity Centers, was then a chief spokesman for Scientology. Davis had denied the policy of 'disconnection' in which Scientology members are to separate from friends and family who criticize the organization.[449] The interviewer had asked Davis what disconnection was. Asked a second time Davis again denied the existence of such a policy. Haggis wrote in his resignation letter, "We all know such a policy exists. I didn't have to search for verification--I didn't have to look any further than my own home."[450] A few years ago, Haggis's wife had been ordered to disconnect from her parents over something supposedly done by them when they resigned from Scientology. Paul said that seeing Davis lie so easily made him wonder what else he had lied about.[451] Friends in Scientology have seen Haggis's resignation as an act of public betrayal. They no longer return his phone calls. He is now experiencing the reality of the policy of disconnection himself. His former friends in Scientology have cut him off.[452] When Leah Remini left Scientology in 2013 the organization responded with insults, name calling and vigorous attempts to discredit her. She has since published Troublemaker: Surviving

Hollywood and Scientology. This recounts her thirty years in the cult which began at age eight. She recounts that upon deciding she must leave, she was “terrified that her husband. Mom and other family members would have to “disconnect” from her—a practice of cutting off contact from someone declared hostile to Scientology … she informed them of her plans, and they, also disillusioned with the church, quickly agreed to join her.”[453]

The Scientology Creed and Other Beliefs We have referred to various beliefs of the Scientology organization throughout this study. Now we look at them in a more organized and comprehensive way. An organization's source of authority gives insight into that group’s worldview. For Scientology, the writings and lectures of L. Ron Hubbard, are their authority. Their scriptures are his writings beginning with his book Dianetics.[454] We have already discovered a great deal about the many sources and influences on Scientology's beliefs. Hubbard said "The Veda, the Tao, the Dharma, all mean knowingness" or the same thing as Scientology.[455] He considers them as forerunners of his religious philosophy. A major source of stated Scientology beliefs is the "Scientology Creed" which Hubbard wrote shortly after forming his church in 1954.[456] Urban's response to Hubbard's creed is to say that it is, "reminiscent of the Christian Nicene Creed, …"[457] Not so much! Hubbard's creed is vastly different from the Nicene Creed, rather than reminiscent of it. The major difference is that the Nicene Creed is all about God and the Scientology creed is all about man. The resemblance or reminiscence is rather faint! See Appendix A & B to make your own comparison of the two creeds. The Scientology Creed can also be found at official Scientology websites.[458]

Hubbard claimed Scientology, "does not conflict with other religions or religious practices as it clarifies them and brings understanding of the spiritual nature of man."[459] In actuality Scientology does conflict with many other religious beliefs and practices. This publication has cited examples from Hubbard’s writings that contradict other religions. His religious statements not only frequently contradict each other but also especially contradict the monotheistic religions. Scientology contradicts the Christian view of God, Jesus, humanity, salvation, creation, the origin of the Bible and the end of history. Hubbard discredits the origin of the Bible; claiming that the New Testament parables of Jesus were found in many other places including the much earlier Egyptian Book of the Dead. This claim shows that either LRH had never read the Book of the Dead, or more likely, was again attempting to deceive his readers and followers. The Book of the Dead is an ancient funerary collection of magic spells, hymns and instructions which were intended to help the dead find their way through obstacles in the underworld to the afterlife.[460] There is no similarity in that writings to the teachings and miracles of Jesus or to the New Testament documents. Usually, LRH makes assertions we are expected to believe on faith in him. Van Gorden says "Typical of Hubbard's writings, no evidence or source is provided in support of his claims."[461] This is because he cannot support the vast majority of his claims. In this case of the parables, he gave an alleged source for his claims but that source does not support his contentions. It has nothing to do with his statements. This same practice also typical of most critics of the Bible. We are expected to believe their assertions without evidence and disbelieve the Bible despite the evidence supporting it. In John 8:31-32 Jesus said, "If you continue in my words, then you are truly my disciples and you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free." The second half of that statement contains words that are frequently quoted and misapplied in

order to teach things that are not what Jesus was talking about. Ignoring the context, men appear as if they have Jesus authority for their ideas. Those ideas may or may not be true. Hubbard puts it this way "Know thyself … and the truth shall set you free." There is truth in this altered and incomplete statement but not the truth to which Jesus was referring. Jesus says in verse 36 of that same chapter that Hubbard misquotes: "If the Son shall set you free you shall be free indeed." This reveals that the truth Jesus was referring to was Himself (see also Jn. 14:6). Truth in Scientology for the individual can sometimes be subjective and based upon individual experience. Hubbard wrote "What is true for you is what you have observed yourself."[462] And, "Truth is relative to environments, experience and truth."[463] Again, "Goodness and badness, beautifulness and ugliness are alike considerations and have no other basis than opinion."[464] LRH is declaring that there are no moral absolutes.[465] Hubbard, like many other false teachers is a relativist[466] when it suits him. He is saying that each person is the judge of what is right, good and true for himself. LRH does not actually believe that to be true, however. We can say he does not believe it because if anyone within Scientology disagreed with him, they were labeled a suppressive person, subject to punishment or expulsion. Anyone outside Scientology who criticized LRH was in danger of being attacked verbally, if not by litigation. Hubbard's word and decisions were considered absolute by him and within Scientology. LRH was the one person who could decide what was true, right and good for himself and for everyone else. A Supreme Being, God and gods are mentioned in Scientology but it never specifies which, if any of them are to be worshipped or believed in. The Scientology Catechism asks and answers, "What is the Scientology concept of God? We have no dogma in Scientology and each person's concept is different … Each

person attains his own certainty as to who God is and exactly what God means to him. The author of the universe exists. How this is symbolized is dictated by your early training and conscience.[467] In regard to the being or person of God Hubbard also taught, "although the existence of the Supreme Being is affirmed in Scientology, His precise nature is not delineated, since the Church holds that each person must seek and know the Divine Nature in and for himself."[468] This is telling us that one's early training and personal beliefs about God are more important than anything Scientology could have to say about the Creator. It doesn't matter what you believe. Any concept of God or gods is acceptable and considered of equal value. In other words, one's beliefs in regard to God are unimportant in Scientology. This is a convenient way of attempting to not offend anyone. It also infers that all contradictory beliefs and concepts of God can somehow be true, which is complete nonsense. The other implied option, mentioned previously, is that none of the various concepts of God are actually important. We can assume the second of these options to be valid within Scientology as LRH intended his organization to merely have the appearance of a religion. In contrast to this indifference as to the nature of God, Stephen Evans wrote, that a key question was "… whether it is reasonable to believe in a God and if so what kind of a God should be believed in."[469] Many of the various concepts of God are mutually exclusive. They could all be wrong, including the idea there is no God. They cannot all be true. If most or all of the concepts of God are false that would be important to know. If one of the concepts of God really is true that is very important indeed, because it would mean all other concepts are false.[470] It is also important because everything else in life flows out of one's concept and attitudes in regard to God. No genuine religion could be unconcerned with the true

nature of God unless it is completely devoid of the nature of man. In regard to the misconception that any perspective about God is acceptable, C.S. Lewis informs us regarding truth, "There are a dozen views about everything until you know the answer. Then there is never more than one."[471] The Scientology Articles of Incorporation (2.h) inform us, "Believing that Man's best evidence of God is the God he finds within himself … the Church of Scientology is formed to espouse such evidence of the Supreme Being and Spirit as may be knowable to Men." Sometimes, as above, Hubbard seems to equate God with the human spirit. Occasionally he seems to be advocating monotheism. Then again, more often he advocates polytheism. LRH apparently sees no contradiction in espousing such divergent views. But there is a difference between truth and error and such contradictory teachings cannot all be true. As the Apostle Paul wrote: "Professing to be wise they became fools … For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator who is blessed forever." (Romans 1:25) This of course is consistent with the fact that Scientology is arranged merely to appear as a religion in order to make money and avoid the scrutiny of government agencies in that pursuit. It also is a very popular stance to take in modern America. A religion that lets you decide what God is like is a very popular but misleading idea. The illusion is that we can choose what we like from the religious smorgasbord available. It is the pretense that truth can be created by our desires or preferences. In his Preface to Christian Reflections, a book of essays by C.S. Lewis, Walter Hooper wrote, "The contemporary preoccupation with 'individual freedom' and 'rights' has deceived many of us into imagining that we can make up our own theology …"[472] In Hubbard's Hymn of Asia is recorded,

"There is no argument here against the existence of a Supreme being or any devaluation intended. It is that among the gods, there are many false gods elected to power and position … There are gods above other gods, and gods beyond the gods of the universes."[473] In that hymn he also stated "There can be love for Gods" and "Behave Obey Be Courteous To Gods Lord Buddha and myself and to your leaders …"[474] Notice that Hubbard has here elevated himself to the status of godhood. Scientology's conception of God is primarily that of Hinduism, which is polytheism.[475] In Hubbard's Phoenix lectures he stated both, "The god the Christians worshipped is certainly not the Hebrew god. He looks much more like the one talked about in the Veda" [476] and he added, "The Christian god is actually much better characterized in the Vedic Hymns [Hindu] than in any subsequent publication, including the Old Testament."[477] Hubbard appears to have mistaken the Hindu triad of three primary gods as the source of the biblical Trinity. He also ignores the clear identification of Christian teaching in the New Testament with the God of Israel and the Hebrew scriptures. In another writing he stated that, "some people have been cross with me for my lack of cooperation in believing in a Christian Heaven, God and Christ. I have never said I didn't believe in a Big Thetan but there was certainly something very corny about Heaven …"[478] If you remember, Hubbard claimed that the Operating Thetan regained the powers that rendered him back to godhood. He said, "A pre-clear is a precise thing, part animal, part pictures and part God."[479] In Hubbard's evolutionary view man can evolve into a place "very high and godlike."[480] The Bible is very clear in both Testaments that there are no other genuine gods; there never were and never shall be any but Yahweh, the eternally Self-existent One. "Before me there was no God formed and there will be none after me. I, I am the

Lord: there is no savior besides Me."(Isaiah 43:10-11). "Thus says the Lord, … I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God besides Me." Isa. 44:6 (See also Deut. 4:35, 39; 1Cor. 8:6; Eph. 4:6; 1Tim. 2:5). The Bible also indicates an infinite gulf exists between the being and nature of God and man. No man has ever achieved godhood, nor is it possible. Neither are we part God or evolving into godhood. (Numbers 23:19; Isaiah 43:10-11; 45:5-6; Hosea 11:9). An implant is said to be a false concept forced upon a theta. How could anything be powerful or intelligent enough to foist a false concept upon such gods of infinite power and knowledge? Never-the-less, this is Hubbard's teaching. More than a million years ago it is said that "Christ" was such an implant. Hubbard, who generally demeaned Christ, wrote, "You will find … the Christ legend as an implant in preclears a million years ago."[481] Where will we find that? Despite claims that nothing is based upon faith alone in Scientology, Hubbard neglects to inform us how he supposedly knows the above declaration or how it could have been discovered. The statement makes assumptions about Christ contrary to the actual evidence we do have in the biblical Scriptures. "Scientology is not a dogmatic religion in which one is asked to accept anything on faith alone.”[482] In contrast to that declaration, Hubbard continually makes assertions and even wild speculations with no evidence nor logic supporting it. We are expected to take his statements as true on faith alone, because there is nothing to support them! The uniqueness of Jesus as the Messiah is attacked subtly by Hubbard by redefining the meaning of the word. Hubbard stated, "Now the Hebrew definition of Messiah is one who brings Wisdom--a Teacher. Messiah is from 'messenger' … Now here

we have a great teacher in Moses. We have other Messiahs, and then we arrive with Christ …"[483] Contrary to Hubbard's assertions, the Hebrew word for messenger in the Hebrew scriptures is always 'maiak' which is translated only as angel, messenger and twice as ambassador in the Old Testament. The Hebrew word mashiach is always translated in the English Bible as 'annointed,' 'annointed one,' or 'Messiah.'[484] and comes from the root to rub or anoint. The word Hubbard confuses Messiah with is not even conveying the same concept. Messiah and Christ are the same titles in the two languages, Hebrew and Greek. By this error Hubbard shows he is completely ignorant of the Hebrew language. It also reveals that Hubbard assumes whatever he wants to be true. He makes up the 'facts' he needs. Scientology suggests, contrary to all the evidence, that Christ may have believed in reincarnation: "There is much speculation on the part of religious historians as to the early education of Jesus of Nazareth. It is believed by many authorities that Jesus was a member of the cult of the Essenes, who believed in reincarnation …"[485] There were many wild claims, assumptions and assertions made after the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in the midtwentieth century. Many religion professors and skeptics assumed the scrolls would destroy the basis for believing the Christian faith to be historically valid. Some even wrote books making those claims. Now that the furor has died down and the scrolls have actually been translated, we know what is in them. There is no similarity between the teachings of this extremely legalistic sect and Jesus’ teachings, and no reason to think He was ever a part of it.[486] An authority on the Scrolls, Hershall Shanks wrote, "It is clear that the scrolls have not fulfilled the extravagant expectations

that their discovery first aroused … Jesus is not in the scrolls. Nor is the uniqueness of Christianity in doubt."[487] Neither is there is any valid reason to assume Jesus held to or taught reincarnation. That was not a concept of Biblical Judaism nor of the Christian faith. (See Hebrews 9:27; 2Corinthians 5:5-10). Hubbard assumes superiority to both Jesus and Buddha, claiming to be an OT VIII while he says the evidence shows neither of them were OT. "They were just a shade above clear." [488] The extent to which humans can deceive themselves and each other is amazing. In reality, Jesus is so vastly superior to Hubbard and all of creation that there is no means of comparison.

Hubbard’s Doctrine of Man In Dianetics Hubbard declared, "Man is good. Take away his aberrations and with them go the evil of which the scholastics and the moralists are so fond."[489] This was later reiterated by him in the Scientology Creed thus, "We of the Church believe that man is basically good."[490] Hubbard completely denies the evidence of history and of his own life that man is a mixture of both good and evil. Sin in Hubbard's teaching is merely the result of the enron, the traumatic events in one's memories. Rather than needing a Savior, one only needs to have these memories erased through Dianetic therapy. But the Bible says "For in your sight no man living is righteous." (Psalm 143:2), "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Rom. 3:23), and "For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom. 6:23). You may or may not know about the increasing scientific evidence that is making evolution itself less and less credible. One of the areas of science proving evolution to be impossible is the amazing complexity of the cell. Scientists in The

Intelligent Design Movement have been publishing extensive information about this complexity. Each cell of the body is like a tiny factory. Science has proven that all the intricate chemical elements of the cell's components must be present simultaneously. If all these elements are not present at the same time, the proteins and other components cannot form. There is no time or opportunity for these various elements to evolve. A list of scientific books by scientists in the Intelligent Design movement and a legal expert are given in the next endnote. They show Darwin to have been wrong and evolution to be scientifically impossible.[491] As mentioned earlier Hubbard believed in a variation of evolution. He claimed the photon converter was the first stage of life. Its main function was the conversion of light from energy. Hubbard taught that because the photon converter had nothing to do at night is why we need to sleep[492] He also wrote that people who are vegetarians are so out of reaction to being repeatedly eaten by animals when in their different reincarnations. He said thetans were about eighty trillion years old and report to implant stations when their present body dies. There they get a 'forgetter implant' and then are shot down into a new body just before its birth. He added thetans had been known to fight each other over a new body. Who gives them the forgetter? Who does the shooting? How would they then be able to fight over a new body if they are put into one when their old one dies? LRH seems confused. This information contradicts his earlier declaration that escaping the body was the perpetual goal of humans in order to become free. He also wrote that thetans can be frozen in ice and dumped into the ocean from a flying saucer, assuring us all this is real in his History of Man.[493] Hubbard has said these are spirits, having no location and no volume. So how could they be frozen? His science fiction obviously has overflowed into and began dominating his

religious pretensions. More of this is too ridiculous to be worth typing out. In 1951 Hubbard said that the start of actual manhood or humanity as such began with the Pithdown [Piltdown] man. This had been heralded as the transition between man and ape. In 1953, forty years after its alleged discovery scientists declared the fossil to be a deliberate hoax, a fraud.[494] Someone had skillfully combined an artificially aged human skull with an orangutan's mandible. It is now said to be approximately 1,000 years old.[495] So Hubbard's explanation of the origin of man, as man, has proved to be as imaginary as his science fiction writings. He also bought the now discredited theory that the human embryo passes through the entire process of the evolution of life from the single cell through each stage, finally becoming human. "… such remarkable evidence as the fact that a human being, growing from zygote to adult, evolutes through all the forms which the whole species is supposed to have evolved through." [496]

It is no surprise that Hubbard completely rejected the biblical portrayal of human nature. His reaction was that, "It is despicable and utterly beneath contempt to tell a man he must repent, that he is evil."[497] As Van Gorden points out in Matthew 4:17 and 7:11, Jesus did just that. Would you be more likely to believe Jesus or Hubbard? Which of the two proved to have integrity? Salvation, according to LRH, is like that espoused by Buddhism. He taught the goal of human life is to escape the endless cycle of birth and rebirth. What Buddha and Hubbard teach concerning what one is escaping to, is however, completely opposite. Also, according to Scientology one's supposed reincarnations include those having taken place on other planets and in other galaxies. The path to this deliverance from the cycle of rebirth is contrary to the other Scientology process of auditing in order to erase all one's engrams and regain a godlike state.[498]

Opposition To Scientology The internet has made it more difficult for Scientology to maintain its secrets and keep control over its documents. As Urban points out, at the same time the U.S. government was beginning to accept Scientology as a religion, the leaking of key secret materials on the internet was exposing the lack of credibility of Scientology pretenses.[499] Many Scientology documents have been leaked or hacked and are available online. The organization has taken a very aggressive response to such happenings. They have frequently brought major lawsuits against newsgroups over confidential materials posted online. Its Religious Technology center is dedicated to protecting its copyrighted materials.[500] The battle continues on the basis of two conflicting claims. Scientology claims religious rights and copyright protection while its opponents claim the rights of free speech. Scientology uses the words "terrorist tactics" to express its attitude toward those who place its documents online; saying these are violations of the rights of a legitimate religious body. Ex-Scientologist Larry Wollersheim says Scientology is "'an authoritarian political organization structured on the concept of Nazism' that needs to be exposed."[501] He won a settlement from the organization in court exposing some secret documents in the process. An even more severe criticism is that of Andreas Heldal-Lund who has an anti-Scientology website Xenu.net. "Scientology is a vicious and dangerous cult that masquerades as a religion." [502] She also said that perusing the secret materials of Scientology reveals that they are kept secret to deceive the public as to the actual nature of the organization. The extreme and aggressive efforts of Scientology to silence its critics and stop the flow of its secrets have largely backfired, igniting much greater dissemination than had they ignored the problem.[503]

A primary example of the is the Scientology lawsuit against exScientologist Stephen Fishman for libel. Fishman alleged that he had been brainwashed by the organization into committing mail fraud in order to pay for his auditing, and that he had also been ordered by the church to kill his psychiatrist. During the trial Fishman submitted extensive documentation of the organization's secrets including up to OT VIII. From apparent Hubbard HCO Bulletins from the 1980's, the OT VIII materials included blasphemous statements by Hubbard about Jesus and to quote Urban, "more surprising still, it also identifies Hubbard both as the future Buddha Maitreya/Metteyya and as Lucifer, the light bearer and anti-Christ(!)"[504] The writing quotes Hubbard as saying that in the Bible's book of Revelation the anti-Christ, the arch-enemy of Christ is shown to briefly reign, and that: "This anti-Christ represents the forces of Lucifer (literally, the 'light bearers' or 'light bringer'). Lucifer being a mythical representation of the forces of enlightenment, the Galactic Confederacy. My mission could be said to fulfill the Biblical promise represented by this brief anti-Christ period. During this period there is a fleeting opportunity for the whole scenario to be effectively derailed, which would make it impossible for the mass Marcabian landing (Second Coming) to take place."[505] This is a claim that the second coming of Christ could possibly be prevented and that it may be Hubbard's role to attempt to fulfill this possibility. That mere humans or any other creatures could prevent the ultimate plan and purpose of God from completion is ludicrous. David quotes God as saying despite all the intentions and armies of man, God will install His Son as king of the earth when He wishes to do so (Psa. 2; Isaiah 46:1011). Solomon wrote "There is no wisdom and no understanding and no council against the Lord (Prov. 21:30).

These writings of Hubbard also present Lucifer/Hubbard as the desirable winner; 'the good guy.' Interestingly, Scientology's Religious Technology Center (RTC) at first claimed all Operating Thetan materials including these statements as copyrighted materials. Later however, they amended the claim to exclude the OT VIII materials claiming they are forgeries. However, the material sounds like Hubbard's fantasies and it corresponds to other writings known to be his. Many of Hubbard's critics, including ex-Scientologists, believe these writings verify that Hubbard was still involved in Aleister Crowley's occultism.[506] It is likely that when the RTC realized how delusional these writings were and how they reflected upon Scientology and Hubbard, they decided it was best to deny their origin. Copies of these materials were placed in Los Angeles court files accessible to the public for two years. Scientology members alternated checking out the files and keeping them each day until the closure of the clerk's office in an effort to protect the secrecy of the documents.[507] Despite this effort, the documents were soon on the internet.

Anonymous In fact, the greatest enemy Scientology faces today, other than its own practices, is the decentralized Internet alliance calling itself, "Anonymous". This hacking and activist group has in the past, among other projects, targeted Master Card, and protested against the Rapid Transit System of San Francisco for shutting down cellular service. They have also held rallies around the world against Scientology regarding its "aggressive protection of its secrets."[508] From what we know of Scientology it should be obvious why the opponents do not want it to be known who they are. Urban has included a picture of Anonymous members protesting Scientology. They are all wearing masks to protect their identity. One sign says "RELIGION IS FREE; SCIENTOLOGY IS

NEITHER."[509] I happened to see one of these demonstrations in Tustin, California at what was then a Scientology complex of building. This was about eight or ten years ago. The participants were wearing masks and carrying placards denouncing Scientology. This unstructured, faceless group not only challenges Scientology's legitimacy as a religion but has devoted its energies to revealing the church's deceptions and secrets.[510] The catalyst for them to take on Scientology was its apparent threat to the free flow of information on the Internet. After the leak of a confidential Scientology video featuring Tom Cruise in January 2008, Scientology threatened litigation against You Tube and so the video was quickly removed but it had already spread to many other Internet sites.[511] Anonymous seems to have seen the church's use of intimidation against You Tube as a dangerous precedent they did not want to spread. They apparently saw it as an attack upon free speech and the free flow of information on the internet. In addition to its cyber war against the organization, Anonymous has picketed and protested at Scientology sites around the world, including on numerous occasions, the center that was in Tustin, California. Responding to an anonymous member saying "The Internet is Serious Business", Urban put it this way, "Scientology immediately became a kind of icon for all the bullying corporate powers that try to squelch the free circulation of knowledge in cyberspace." [512] A video by Anonymous appeared on You Tube and on many other sites shortly thereafter titled "Message to Scientology." A scathing critique and promise to destroy the organization are presented by an electronically masked voice.[513] In part the video states: "Over the years we have been watching you, your campaign of misinformation, your suppression of dissent, your litigious nature, all of these things have caught our eye. … Anonymous

has therefore decided that your organization should be destroyed. For the good of your followers, for the good of mankind, and for our own enjoyment, we shall proceed to expel you from the internet and systematically dismantle the Church of Scientology in its present form … You will not prevail forever against the angry masses of the body politic. Your methods, hypocrisy and the artlessness of your organization have sounded its death knell. You cannot hide; we are everywhere. We cannot die; we are forever. We're getting bigger everyday-and solely by the force of our ideas … If you want another name for your opponent, then call us Legion, for we are many."[514] This is quite a serious threat. One wonders, however, whether it is realistic to believe that Scientology, an organization with such amassed wealth, can realistically be brought down by Anonymous or any other group of citizens. It has certainly not succeeded thus far.

Summary/Conclusion Jesus said “Beware of the false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits …” (Matt. 7:15-20). Jesus was saying that there will be those who outwardly seek to appear as genuine prophets or spiritual leaders but their true motives are to mislead and exploit. He twice states in that passage that the results of these misguided and deceptive leaders will at some point reveal their true intentions. So, what have we discovered that exposes Scientology to be a false system and its founder a false prophet? The written and recorded words of LRH expressing his intentions; the distortions of his own biography; the distortions of reality among his teachings; the methods and tactics used against the government and those who are seen as opponents; the obvious lying among the leadership; the severe punishment, abuse and exploitation of insiders who dissent or disobey and the exploitation of the young; the hostile actions including lawsuits

against high ranking officials and long-time members who finally see how they have been used; these all reveal that Scientology is not a legitimate or genuine religion. It is frequently difficult to tell if one is reading Hubbard's science fiction or his religious pretensions; they are largely the same. The claims of Scientology must be evaluated and judged on the same basis as other truth claims including the Christian Faith. If one should attempt to find any historical, archaeological or anthropological evidence to support Scientology they are bound to come up empty-handed - there is none. When Scientology is evaluated on the basis of consistency, reason, logic and scientific knowledge, it fails the tests. Examining its origins, we find extensive alterations from a pseudo-science to the pretensions of being a religion. It is clear that this transformation was for financial gain, to escape scrutiny and regulation by governments and the Health Professions. It is a for-profit multinational conglomerate of corporations. Considering the methods used against the U.S. Government to obtain tax exempt status; it is obviously not a legitimate religion. The use of lawsuits, intimidation and harassment against its former members and the media, would qualify it as more like a terror organization than a religion. For each of these reasons Scientology must be rejected as a gigantic hoax and complete fiction. One can hope its perversion of the legal protections of religion do not result in the further erosion or destruction of those protections for genuine religions. Scientology consists of unverifiable claims, assertions and speculations. In contrast, the Christian faith is based upon verifiable historical events and persons. Its claims can be evaluated not merely by subjective experiences but objective facts. There are hundreds of books giving evidence as to the

validity and trustworthiness of the Hebrew-Christian scriptures. A few will be listed at this endnote.[515]

Endnotes [1]

[3] Collins Cobuild. Advanced Dictionary of American English. Harper Collins Publishers, 2007. p. 1045. The prefix quasi means "being in many ways like something else without actually being that thing." p. 1059. Use of the prefix pseudo "indicates that something is not the thing it is claimed to be." Most made in America religions can be labeled as quasi or pseudo-Christian cults. This means in some ways they give the appearance of being Christian or may claim to be Christian but definitely are not. [4] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." In Walter Martin. The Kingdom of the Cults. Rev. Ed, Hank Hannegraaff (Gen. Editor). Bethany House Publishers, 1997. p. 370. Walter Martin was considered a cult expert. [5] L. Ron Hubbard. Scientology: The History of Man. Bridge Publications, 2007. p. 38. Vedic refers to early Hindu scriptures which espouse an early form of evolutionary beliefs. [6] L. Ron Hubbard. Scientology: The History of Man. p. 38. [7] Moses account in Genesis does not include the superstition and mythology in Egyptian cosmology (or that of other early creation accounts). This fact despite Moses upbringing and education in Egypt indicates another source for his information. This would seem to require either prior accurate accounts or Divine revelation. [8] See Genesis chapters 1-2; Matthew 19:4; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Romans 1:18-32. [9] Robert Morey. How To Answer a Mormon. Christian Scholars Press, 1986. p. 12. [10] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology: A History of a New Religion. Princeton University Press, 2011. [11] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 3. [12] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 5. [13] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 5 [14]

[15] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. pp. 6-7. [16] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 7. [17] Jenna Miscavige Hill w/Lisa Pulitzer. Beyond Belief: My Secret Life Inside Scientology and My Harrowing Escape. pp. 14-15. [18] Dorling Kindersley Illustrated Oxford Dictionary. Dk & Oxford University Press, 1998. p. 737. [19] L. Ron Hubbard. Scientology: The History of Man. inside front cover. [20] In the section 'Etymology and Earlier Usage," it is stated the Upward coined the term in 1901. [2]

[21]

Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 64. Referencing Allen Upward. The New Word: An Open Letter Addressed to the Swedish Academy in Stockholm on the Meaning of the Word Idealist. Kennerly, 1910. p. 149. [22] Referencing Scientologie, Wissenschaft von der Beschaffenheit und der Tuglichkeit des Wissens.

[23]

George Malko. Scientology: The New Religion. Dell Publishing, 1970. pp. 116-119. Referenced by Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." in The Kingdom of the Cults p. 374. Also, Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. Endnote, p. 231. [24] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." in Walter Martin. The Kingdom of the Cults. p. 377. Citing L. Ron Hubbard. Dianetics and Scientology Technical Dictionary. American St. Hill Organization, 1975. p. 369. [25]

[26] Accessed May, 2015. [27]

Janet Reitman. Inside Scientology:The Story of America's Most Secretive Religion. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2011. p. 318. [28] Jenna Miscavige Hill w/Lisa Pulitzer. Beyond Belief: My Secret Life Inside Scientology and My Harrowing Escape. Harper Collins, 2013. p. 29. [29] Jenna Miscavige Hill w/Lisa Pulitzer. Beyond Belief. pp. 29-30. [30] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 64. Citing Hubbard. "What Is Scientology?" The Technical Bulletin of Dianetics and Scientology. 1952. p. 269. [31] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. "Acknowledgements." n.p.# [32] Jehovah's Witnesses, also known as, The Watchtower Society are sometimes mistakenly identified as a Christian denomination. They, however, deny basic essentials of the Christian Faith as do other psuedo-Christian cults. These denials include the Triune nature of God, the Deity of Jesus Christ, salvation by grace alone (Eph. 2:8-9) and the Divine origin and inspiration of the Bible. This cult is also very litigious. [33] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 369. [34] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." Citing Time. April 5, 1976. pp. 57, 371. [35] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 374. [36] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 43. Citing Harriet Whitehead Renunciation and Reformulation: A Study of Conversion in an American Sect. Cornell University Press, 1987. p. 52. [37] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 43. Referencing George Pendle. Strange Angel: The Otherworldly Life of John Whiteside Parsons. Harcourt, 2005. p. 272. [38] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 43. [39] L. Ron Hubbard. Dianetics. p. 58. [40] L. Ron Hubbard. Dianetics. p. 200. [41] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. pp. 43, 45. Citing Jack Williamson. Wonder's Child: My Life In Science Fiction. Bluejay Books, 1984. p. 186. [42] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 46. [43] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 45. Referencing Hubbard. "A Critique of Psycho-analysis." Certainty 9. No. 7. 1962. p. 4. [44] Albert Q. Maisel. "Dianetics: Science or Hoax?" Look Magazine. Dec. 5, 1950.

[45] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 45. [46] Publisher's Weekly. September 16, 1950. Referenced by Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." in Walter Martin. The Kingdom of the Cults. p. 374. [47] Kurt Van Gorden. “Scientology.” p. 371.

[48]

Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. pp. 52-53. Referencing Harriet Whitehead. "Reasonably Fantastic: Some Perspectives on Scientology, Science Fiction and Occultism." in I.I. Zaretsky & M.P. Leone (Ed). Religious Movements in Contemporary America. Princeton University Press, 1974. p. 578. [49] Albert Q. Maisel. "Dianetics: Science or Hoax?" Look Magazine. Dec. 5, 1950.

[50] Albert Q. Maisel. "Dianetics: Science or Hoax?" [51] Albert Q. Maisel. "Dianetics: Science or Hoax?" [52] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 21. [53] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 57. Citing L. Ron Hubbard. "Dianetics and Religion." The Technical Bulletins of Dianetics and Scientology. Scientology Publications, 1950. Vol. 1. p. 38. [54] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 57. [55] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. pp. 57-58. Citing Hubbard. Technique 88: Incidents on the Track Before Earth. Golden Era Productions, 2007. pp. 183, 185-186.

[56]

Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 58. Citing Hubbard. Technique 88: Incidents on the Track Before Earth. [57] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 58. Citing Hubbard. HCO Bulletin, July 18 1959. The Technical Bulletins of Dianetics and Scientology. Vol. 3. p. 494. [58] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 3. [59] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 58. Writer and Publisher Lloyd Eshbach in Over My Shoulder: Reflections on a Science Fiction Era. Oswald Train, 1983. p. 125. Claims that plans for the new Religion were written shortly thereafter in John W. Campbell's kitchen in New Jersey. [60] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 59. [61] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 19. [62] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. pp. 21, 58-59. [63] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 16. [64] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. pp. 16-17. [65] Richard Bihar. "Scientology: A Dangerous Cult Goes Main Stream." Reader's Digest. p. 89. [66] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 85. Referencing Stephen Kent. "Scientology's Relationship with Eastern Religious Traditions."Journal of Contemporary Religion. Vol. 11, No. 1. (1996). p. 22. [67]

[68] Jenna Miscavige Hill. Beyond Belief. n.p.# [69] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 2. [70] Joe Nocera. “Scientology's Chilling Effect.”

[71] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 148. [72] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. pp. 148-149. See Richard Behar. “The Thriving Cult of Greed and Power." Time. May 6, 1991. pp. 50-57. & "Time Takes a

Critical Look at Scientology." St. Petersburg Times. April 30, 1991. p. 3B. Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 1. Cites Richard Behar. "The Scientologists and Me." Time, May 6, 1991. p. 57. [74] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 148. TBDS. Vol. 2. p. 157. [75] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 1. [76] Richard Behar. "Scientology: A Dangerous Cult Goes Mainstream." Reader's Digest. October 1991. p. 89. Condensed from Time. [77] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 2. Citing Church of Scientology. "Press View the FBI Raid." 1977. p. 1. &"Church Claims U.S. Campaign of Harassment." LA Times. Aug. 29, 1978. p. A1. [78] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 2. [79] L. Ron Hubbard. Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health. Bridge Publications. 1950, 1985. p. 500. [80] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. pp. 14-15. Referencing historians of American religion Robert S Ellwood. The Fifties Spiritual Marketplace: American Religion in a Decade of Conflict. Rutgers University Press, 1997. & Wade Clark Roof. Spiritual Marketplace. Princeton University Press, 2001. [81] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 15. [82] Pluralism is the existence within a society of a variety of different and even competing beliefs. Often the concept is used to imply or assert that the various beliefs are all of equal validity or significance. It is defined as a social doctrine that allows people of differing beliefs to participate on an equal basis though maintaining their separate group identities. Newbury House Dictionary of American English. Monroe Allen Publishers, 2004. p. 718. [73]

[83]

Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 106. See Hubbard. “Letter to the Attorney General.” May14, 1951. FBI, No. 62-94080: Hubbard. "Security Risks Infiltration." HCO Policy Letter. October 30, 1962. OEC. Vol. 5. p. 359. [84] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 106. See Hubbard. Manual of Justice. 1-10; Hubbard. Introduction to Scientology Ethics. 1; MMDT, 179. [85] Jenna Miscavige Hill w/Lisa Pulitzer. Beyond Belief. p. 150. [86] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 7. [87] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 11. Citing L. Ron Hubbard. HCO Manual of Justice. Hubbard Communications Office, 1959. p. 1. [88] L. Ron. Hubbard The Science of Survival. Cited in Lawrence Wright. "The Apostate: Paul Haggis vs. the Church of Scientology." LRH originally designated homosexuals as perverts, covertly hostile and as some of the most dangerous, wicked people. The remarks have been deleted from recent editions of the book. [89] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 12-13. [90] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 108. Hubbard. "Ethics, Suppressive Acts, Suppression of Scientology and Scientologists, the Fair Game Law." HCO Policy Letter. December 23, 1965. See MMTD. 196, 509. [91] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 109. Hubbard. “Cancellation of Fair Game.” HCO Policy Letter. October 21, 1968.

[92]

Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 109. Declaration of Vicki Aznaran. April 4, 1994. Church of Scientology International v. Fishman. No. CV.91-6426 (CD Cal. 1994). [93] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 109. [94] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 109. Jon Atack. "General Report on Scientology." [95] Elain Jarvic. “Scientology: Church Now Claims More Than 8 Million Members." Referencing a statement by Dr. J. Gordon Melton. [96] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 109. Church of Scientology of California v. Armstrong. No. C420153 (Cal. Super. Ct. 1984), 4080. [97] Richard Behar. "Scientology: A Dangerous Cult Goes Mainstream." Reader's Digest. p. 88. [98] Richard Behar. "The Thriving Cult of Greed and Power." Time. May 6, 1991. pp. 50-57. [99] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 149. [100] Ron Russell. "Scientology's Revenge." Los Angeles Sun Times. Sept. 9, 1999. & Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 149. [101]

[102]

The name, phone number and all assets were sold to Scientology by the Bankruptcy Court, The U.S. 7th District Court of Appeals upheld the sale on July 30, 1998. [103] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 150. [104]

This Scientology website declares, "… we are extremely pleased to continue our work repairing the damage of the old CAN. We provide people with factual information and reconcile families. The old CAN only fomented disharmony." You might call the Scientology operated phone number to see whether you get reliable information on Scientology and other cults (800-556-3055). [105] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. pp. 149-150. S. Young. Interview with Sixty Minutes. "Cult Awareness Network." [106] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 150. Declaration of Graham E. Berry. Re: Deposition Testimony of Garry Scarff, Church of Scientology International v. Fishman. No. CV91-6426(CD. Cal. 1994).

[107]

Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. pp.109-110 Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. pp. 110-111. Sentencing memorandum. United States of America v. Jane Kember, 487 F Supp. 1340 (D.D.C., 1980). No. 78-401 (2) & (3), 20-21. Also, Robert Gillette & Robert Rawtch. "Scientology: A Long Trail of Controversy." Los Angeles Times. August 27, 1978. p. A1; "Mystery of the Vanished Ruler." Time. January 31, 1983. [109] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 111. Sentencing memorandum. United States of America v. Jane Kember. 23. [110] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. pp. 111-112. Sentencing memorandum. United States of America v. Jane Kember. 23. [108]

[111]

Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. pp. 111-112. Sentencing memorandum. United States of America v. Jane Kember. 33. [112] Richard Bihar. “Scientology: A Dangerous Cult Goes Mainstream." Reader's Digest. p. 92. [113] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 117. [114] Brainwashing is a term for mind control, that is getting persons to change their thinking and beliefs through extreme methods such as prolonged deprivation, interrogation & suggestion excessive over scheduling, and other forms of torture. [115] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 118. "Ministry of Terror."

[116] "Ministry of Terror." [117] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 122. See Brian Ambry. "Brainwashing Manual Parallels in Scientology." (2001) at:

[118] Jenna Miscavige Hill. Beyond Belief. p. 50. [119] Jenna Miscavige Hill. Beyond Belief. pp. 25, 43, 47-50. [120] Jenna Miscavige Hill. Beyond Belief. p. 50. [121] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. pp. 121-122. Stephen Kent. "Scientology: Is This a Religion?" Marburg Journal of Religion. 4, No. 1. (1999). [122] Jenna Miscavige Hill w/Lisa Pulitzer. Beyond Belief: My Secret Life Inside Scientology and My Harrowing Escape. p. 8. [123] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. pp. 122-123. [124] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 379. [125] Jenna Miscavige Hill w/Lisa Pulitzer. Beyond Belief: My Secret Life Inside Scientology and My Harrowing Escape. p. 9. [126] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology p. 123. Citing "The Sea Organization." 2010. [127] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 125 [128] Jenna Miscavige Hill w/Lisa Pulitzer. Beyond Belief. p. 9. [129] Jenna Miscavige Hill w/Lisa Pulitzer. Beyond Belief. p. 14. [130] Jenna Miscavige Hill w/Lisa Pulitzer. Beyond Belief. p. 27. [131] Jenna Miscavige Hill w/Lisa Pulitzer. Beyond Belief. pp. 28-29. [132] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 125. Susan Rain. "Surveillance in a New Religious Movement." Religious Studies and Theology. 28. No. 1. (2009). p. 84. & Young. "On Lack of Privacy." [133] Jenna Miscavige Hill. Beyond Belief. p. 150. [134] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 126. Defended by Melton. "Contemporary Ordered Religious Community. Criticized." Jon Atack. A Piece of Blue Sky. p. 206. [135] Jenna Miscavige Hill. Beyond Belief. p. 166. [136] Jenna Miscavige Hill. Beyond Belief. pp. 167-170.

[137]

"pc folders" refers to the records the church maintains on each member from the extensive auditing they have had in which the members acknowledged any previous wrong doings, emotional struggles, mistakes etc. These are used against the individual if they should attempt to leave or disobey the organization's authorities. [138] Hugh Urban. The Church of Scientology. pp. 126-127. Citing Gerry Armstrong. "Gerry Armstrong Describes Experiences on the RPF." Scientology 1999. [139] Hugh Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 127. Nancy Many. My Billion Year Contract: Memior of a Former Scientologist. Xlibris. 2009. pp. 89-99, 108. See Laurie Goldstein. "Defectors Say Church Hides Abuse." New York Times. March 8, 2010. [140] Hugh Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 127. Stephen Kent. "Brainwashing in Scientology's Rehabilitation Project Force." 1997. [141] Hugh Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 128. The comparison of methods with Christianity would easily prove the statement to be invalid. [142] Hugh Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 128. Hubbard. All About Radiation. Bridge Publications, 1989. [143] Hugh Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 118. Citing Hubbard. All About Radiation. (1957). p. 101. See MMTD. p. 55. [144] Hugh Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 129. Hubbard. All About Radiation. pp. 103104. & Hubbard. Creation of Human Ability. Bridge Publications, 2007. p. 352. [145] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 119. [146] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. pp. 119-120. [147] Jenna Miscavige Hill. Beyond Belief. pp. 65-69. [148] Jenna Miscavige Hill. Beyond Belief. p. 72. It didn't matter what room we were in; there was a portrait of LRH in every one, including every dormitory. This felt weird, as if he was watching me wherever I went." [149] Jenna Miscavige Hill. Beyond Belief. p. 49. [150] Jenna Miscavige Hill. Beyond Belief. p. 49. [151] Jenna Miscavige Hill. Beyond Belief. p. 63. [152] Jenna Miscavige Hill. Beyond Belief. p. 53. [153] Jenna Miscavige Hill. Beyond Belief. p. 54. [154] Jenna Miscavige Hill. Beyond Belief. pp. 54-55. [155] Jenna Miscavige Hill. Beyond Belief. p. 58-59. They planted hundreds of trees and on the hills, ground cover. "When we weren't planting, constructing rock walls or moving debris, we frequently pulled weeds to keep the Ranch safer in case of brushfires." [156] Jenna Miscavige Hill. Beyond Belief. p. 76. [157] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 121. [158] Lawrence Wright. "The Apostate: Paul Haggis vs. the Church of Scientology"

[159] Hugh Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 130. Referencing Robert Vaughn Young. "Scientology From Inside Out." Quill. Vol. 81, No. 0. (1993). Reproduced online at

[160] Hugh Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 130. Citing Declaration of Vicki Aznaran. April 4, 1994. Church of Scientology International v. Fishman. No. CV.91-6426. (C.D. Cal. 1994).

[161]

Hugh Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 131. Referencing Stephen Kent. "Scientology: Is This a Religion?" [162] Hugh Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 132. Hubbard. "The Radiation Picture and Scientology.” 1957. TBDS. Vol. 3. p. 47. [163] Hugh Urban. The Church of Scientology. pp.132-133. Hubbard. "Income Flows and Pools.” MS. p. 413.

[164]

Jenna Miscavige Hill w/Lisa Pulitzer. Beyond Belief. p. 18. [166] Hubbard. Scientology: The History of Man. On the dust cover inside back page. [167] Jenna Miscavige Hill w/Lisa Pulitzer. Beyond Belief. pp. 18-19. [168] I cannot help but think of the lyrics made famous by Peter, Paul and Mary: "If religion were a thing that money could buy, the rich would live and the poor would die." But contrary to the teachings of Scientology, reality, truth and spiritual freedom are not something that can be bought. They are freely given gifts from God. John 3:16; Romans 5:15-17; 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9. [169] Toney Ortega. “Scientology's Crushing Defeat”" Village Voice. June 30, 2008. Cited in footnote 37. [170]

The site begins: "Learn More About the Scientology religion, its beliefs and practices." [171] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 3. [172] Citing J. Gordon Melton. Encyclopedic Handbook of Cults in America. Garland Pub., 1992. p. 13. [173] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. pp. 23, 156-157."Most of these covert operations by the GO have been extensively documented by the FBI and in court." See Urban's footnote p. 246. [174] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 157. Hubbard "Press Policy Code." HCO Policy Letter. February 5, 1969. [175] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 23. [176] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 3. [177] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 23. [178] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 175. [179] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 175. Referencing Stephen A. Kent. "Hollywood's Celebrity Lobbyists and the Clinton Administration's Foreign Policy Toward German Scientology." Journal of Religion and Popular Culture. Vol. I, (2002). Travolta quoting Clinton in Josh Young. "Bill Clinton's Grand Seduction." George. March 1998. pp. 106, 138. [180] These other nations are Australia, New Zealand, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, and The Netherlands. [181] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 17. [165]

[182]

Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology p. 146. Citing Kevin Victor Anderson. Report of the Board of Inquiry Into Scientology. State of Victoria, Australia. 1965. Prefatory note. [184] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 146. Anderson. Report of the Board of Inquiry Into Scientology. Chapter 30. [185] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 146. Anderson. Report of the Board of Inquiry Into Scientology. Chapter 31. [186] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." Walter Martin. The Kingdom of the Cults. p. 370. [187]

In this case it is certainly enlightening to recognize the personality and character of the founder, as the organization has taken upon itself his qualities and practices. [188] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 371. Citing. Scientology Abridged Dictionary. American Saint Hill Association, 1970. pp. 36-37. [189] Lawrence Wright. Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood and the Prison of Belief. Alfred A. Knopf, 2013. pp. 34-35. [190] Lawrence Wright. Going Clear. p. 35. [191] Church of Scientology. 40th Anniversary. Bridge Publications, 1994. [192] Lawrence Wright. "The Apostate: Paul Haggis vs. the Church of Scientology." The New Yorker. February 14, 2011. Cited at: [183]

[193]

Hubbard. Dianetics Today. Church of Scientology of California Publications Organization. 1975. Cited at:

[194]

[195] Russell Miller. Bare-Faced Messiah: The True Story of L. Ron Hubbard. Penguin Books, 1987. Referenced by Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." In Walter Martin. The Kingdom of the Cults. p. 372. [196] See the documentary film based upon the book: Going Clear: Hollywood and The Prison of Belief. By Pulitzer Prize winning author Lawrence Wright. The film has been attacked by Scientologists as not being a documentary. However, it consists of interviews of ex-Scientologists including those who had held high positions in the organization. It also includes an interview with L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology's founder, now deceased. The book and film expose Hubbard's lies about his military career, Scientology's covert operations and crimes against the U.S. Government, etc. It is a thoroughly documentary presentation. Another criticism is that the film only presents one side. This is because current Scientologists refused to be interviewed. The film is valuable, accurate, and very enlightening. [197] Lawrence Wright. Going Clear. p. 35. [198] See the documentary film based upon the book: Going Clear: Hollywood and The Prison of Belief. By Lawrence Wright. The example was one of several situations mentioned in the film where Hubbard showed a lack of judgment and leadership capabilities. [199] Lawrence Wright. Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood and the Prison of Belief. p. 38.

[200]

Lawrence Wright. Going Clear. p. 39. Ibid. [202] Ibid. [203] Joel Sappel & Robert W. Welkos. "The Mind Behind the Religion." Chapter 2. “Creating the Mystic: Hubbard's Image Was Crafted of Truth, Distorted by Myth.” June 25, 1990. Accessed from a Los Angeles Times series on Scientology: [204] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 9. [205] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 9. In addition to extensive interviews by Urban, Armstrong also made allegations against the church as sworn testimony in court. [206] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 32. Citing the Decision: “Church of Scientology v. Gerald Armstrong.” Superior Court of the State of California, No. C421053. June 22, 1984. 8. [207] Bent Corydon. L. Ron Hubbard: Messiah or Madman? Barricade Books, 1992. Referenced by Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology" pp. 372-373. Also, Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 32. [208] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 32. [209] Dennis Wheeler. "Son of Scientology." News-Herald. July 7-13, 1982. Cited by Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. pp. 26, 225. [210] Lawrence Wright. Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood and the Prison of Belief. p. 40. [211] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 40. [212] Ibid, pp. 40-41 [213] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. pp. 41-42. Letter from Scientology to the Sunday Times. December 28, 1969. [214] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 373. & Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 42. [215] Lawrence Wright. Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood and the Prison of Belief. p. 48. [216] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 42. [201]

[217]

Lawrence Wright. Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood and the Prison of Belief. p. 45. [218] Ibid. [219] Ibid. [220] Ibid. [221] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 42. [222] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 373. [223] Lawrence Wright. Going Clear. p. 48. [224] Ibid. [225] Ibid, p. 49. [226] Ibid. [227] Ibid.

[228]

Ibid, p. 58. Bent Corydon. L. Ron Hubbard: Messiah or Madman? Barricade Books, 1992. Referenced by Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." pp. 372-373. [230] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 20. [231] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 20. [232] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 54. Citing Russell Miller. "The Messianic Con Man." Toronto Star, January 16, 1988. [233] Lawrence Wright. Going Clear. p. 50. [234] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 54. [235] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 54. Referencing Jon Atack. A Piece of Blue Sky: Scientology, Dianetics and L. Ron Hubbard Exposed. Carol. 1990. p. 181. [236] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. pp. 30, 226. Referencing Russ Baker. "Clash of the Titans: Scientology vs Germany." George. April, 1997. [237] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 34. Citing: "L. Ron Hubbard: Founder of Dianetics and Scientology." 2010. [238] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 378. [239] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 10. [240] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." In Walter Martin. The Kingdom of the Cults. p. 373. [241] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 378. People's Weekly. August 14, 1978. p. 23. Also, Christianity Today. December 7, 1979. [242] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 378. [243] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 378. Referencing: Readers Digest. May, 1980. p. 91. [244] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 169. Charles F.C. Ruff, et al. "Sentencing Memorandum. of the United States of America." United States of America v. Jane Kember. U.S. District Court. District of Columbia Criminal. No. 78-401 (2) & (3). [245] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. pp. 169-170. Ruff, et al. Sentencing Memorandum. [246] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 171. Marty Rathbun. Interview:

[247] Ibid. [248] Jenna Miscavige Hill w/Lisa Pulitzer. Beyond Belief. pp. 15-16. [249] Ibid, p. 16. [250] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 374. In Walter Martin. The Kingdom of the Cults. [251] Jenna Miscavige Hill w/Lisa Pulitzer. Beyond Belief. p. 19. [252] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 172. [253] Ibid, p. 173. [229]

[254]

August 26, 2013. p. 35. This headline is very misleading, claiming: "Celebrity Files Found Inside Scientology Fortress." The facts are that several ex-Scientologists are

reported as asserting that the church has recordings of its famous converts auditing sessions securely stored there for possible use should any of them plan to defect. [255] Margery Wakefield. Interview in: "Scientology's Secret Celebrity Files." National Inquirer. August 26, 2013. p. 34. [256] D.K. Illustrated Oxford Dictionary. "Syncretistic." Dorling Kindersley & Oxford University, 1998. p. 842. [257] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 86. Referencing statements in Stephen A. Kent. From Slogans to Mantras: Social Protest and Religious Conversion in the Late Vietnam War Era. Syracuse University Press, 2001. p. 105. [258] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 59. [259] Ibid, Citing Helen O'Brien. Dianetics in Limbo: A Documentary about Immortality. Whitmore. 1966. p. vii. [260] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 164. [261] Ibid, p. 60. [262] Ibid, p. 36. [263]

Stories published from 1947-50 now combined into a book. [264] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. pp. 28-29. Referencing: Dianetics. 2007 Edition. p. 14. [265] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 55. Citing L. Ron Hubbard. "The Circuit Case." The Technical Bulletins of Dianetics and Scientology. Scientology Publications, 1954. Vol. 2. p. 20. [266] It is the conviction of the author of the present book that such a religion or more exactly, that presentation of reality would be a modern distillation of the truths presented in the New Testament Scriptures of the Bible. [267] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. pp. 55-56. [268] Richard Behar. "Scientology: A Dangerous Cult Goes Mainstream." Readers Digest. p. 90. [269] "What is Scientology?" [270] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 82. [271] Ibid, pp. 28, 29. [272] Ibid, p. 29. [273] Ibid, p. 83. [274] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 83. Citing Hubbard. "Religious Philosophy and Religious Practice." HCO Bulletin. June 21, 1960. TBDS, Vol. 6. p. 195. [275] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. pp. 83-84. Referencing Hubbard. "Mission Into Time." p. 21. [276] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 3. [277] Dictionary search definition "one who has achieved a state of perfect spiritual enlightenment, thereby attaining nirvana." [278] "meitreya" – The one "who is to appear as a Buddha 5000 years after the death of Guatama. A Sanscript word referring to a

future Buddha in their eschatology. Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." In: Walter Martin. The Kingdom of the Cults. p. 370. [280] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 84. Citing Hubbard. Hymn of Asia. Golden Era Productions, 2009. n.p.#. [281] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 85. Citing Hubbard. Scientology 8_8008. Bridge Publications, 2006. p. 48. [279]

[282]

Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. pp. 138-39. Citing Nancy Many. My Billion Year Contract: Memoir of a Former Scientologist. Xilbris, 2009. p. 165. [283] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 139. Citing Nancy Many. My Billion Year Contract. 166-167. Also, see: Gerry Armstrong. "The Way To Happiness." Scientology v. Armstrong. February 11, 2010 [284] LRH. Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health. Bridge Publications, 2nd Edition, 1985. Commemorative Issue, 1986. pp. 11, 21, 24. It is important to note that different editions vary in page numbers for specific information. [285] LRH. Dianetics. p. 46, 51. [286] LRH. Dianetics. p. 52. "The analytical mind … is a perfect computer. It never makes a mistake. It cannot err in any way so long as a human being is reasonably intact (unless something has carried away a piece of his mental equipment)." [287] LRH. Dianetics. pp. 54, 56. [288] LRH. Dianetics. p. 51. [289] LRH. Dianetics. pp. 46-47, 55, 61. [290] LRH. Dianetics. p. 47. Daniel Schacter. Stranger Behind the Engram. Lawrence Erlbaum Assoc., Pub. 1982. p. 186. Referenced by: Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology". In: Walter Martin (Ed.). The Kingdom of the Cults. p. 374. [291] LRH. Dianetics. p. 59. [292] Jenna Miscavige Hill w/Lisa Pulitzer. Beyond Belief. p. 17. [293] LRH. Dianetics. p. 61. [294] LRH. Dianetics. pp. 47, 59-60, 460-461. [295] LRH. Dianetics. p. 112. [296] LRH. Dianetics. p. 104. [297] LRH. Dianetics. pp. 59-60. [298] LRH. Dianetics. pp. 47, 453. [299] LRH. Dianetics. pp. 59-60. Speaking of an engram Hubbard wrote: "What can it do? It can give a man arthritis, bursitis, asthma, allergies sinusitis, coronary trouble, high blood pressure, and so on, down the while catalogue of psychosomatic ills, adding a few more which were never specifically classified as psychosomatic, such as the common cold." [300] LRH. Dianetics: pp. 104 "And the word cured is used in its fullest sense. See pp. 102, 105, 120. [301] LRH. Dianetics. p. 46. [302] LRH. Scientology: The History of Man. p. 217. [303] LRH. Scientology: The History of Man. p. 19. [304] LRH. Scientology: The History of Man. p. 19. [305] LRH. Dianetics. p. 66.

[306]

LRH. Dianetics. p. 82. LRH. Dianetics. p. 83. [308] LRH. Dianetics. p. 14. [309] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 46. [310]

[311] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 46. [312] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 47. [313] LRH. Dianetics: p. 14. [314] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p 47. Citing: Dianetics. 2007 edition. p. 227. [315] Jenna Miscavige Hill w/Lisa Pulitzer. Beyond Belief. p. 17. [316] Jack Williamson. Wonder's Child: My Life in Science Fiction. Bluejay Books, 1984. pp. 184, 182, 186. [317] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 376. Referencing Dianetics. pp. 17-18, 122, 125, 228, 411. [318] Jenna Miscavige Hill w/ Lisa Pulitzer. Beyond Belief. p. 17. [307]

[319]

Accessed May 21, 2015.

[321] Though the term and process are new, As Hubbard had acknowledged, the Buddhist concept of enlightenment is very similar to the goal of becoming Clear. Also, the Rosicrucian and Mormon concepts of becoming gods as well as the New Age teaching that we are gods shows the idea is ancient and prevalent among humanity rather than original with Scientology. [322]

[323] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 377. [324] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 61. [325] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 377. [326] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. pp. 61, 231. "Wife Accuses Mental Health Expert of Torturing Her." Times Herald. April 24, 1951. [327] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 377. [328] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 377. [329] As reported in: Publishers Weekly. September 16, 1950. p. 1124. [330] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." pp. 376-377. Citing: Paul Sann. Fads, Fallacies and Delusions. Crown Publications, 1967. p. 114. [331] Jenna Miscavige Hill w/Lisa Pulitzer. Beyond Belief. p. 16. [332] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 48. [333] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 62. [334] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 62. Referencing: Roy Wallis. Road to Total Freedom: A Sociological Analysis of Scientology. Columbia University Press, 1976. p. 190. [335] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 62. [320]

[336]

Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 61. Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 61. [338] Jenna Miscavige Hill w/Lisa Pulitzer. Beyond Belief. p. 18. [339] Jenna Miscavige Hill w/Lisa Pulitzer. Beyond Belief. p. 17. [340] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 64. [341] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 64. [342] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 49. [343] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 50. [344] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. pp. 51-52. Picture of the e-meter checking the tomato plant. p. 27. [345] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. pp. 62-63. [346] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 63-64. Referencing: Hubbard. "Dianetics Use." HCO Bulletin. April 24, 1969. Also, see: Kent. "Scientology's Relationship. p. 31. & HCO Policy Letter. "Legal Statement Concerning Dianetics and Medical Practice Laws." Hubbard stresses maintaining clear distinction between the science of Dianetics and the religion of Scientology as the basis for resolving problems arising from medical practice laws. [347] Jenna Miscavige Hill w/Lisa Pulitzer. Beyond Belief. pp. 17-18. [348] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p..157. [349] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. pp. 64-65. [350] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 65. Citing: Hubbard. “Associate Newsletter.” April 23, 1953. p. 315. [351] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 65. Letter from Hubbard to O'Brien, April 10, 1953. Evidence in the Church of Scientology of California v. Armstrong. No. C 420153 (Cal Super. Ct. 1984). [352] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 65. Certificate of Incorporation of the Founding Church of Scientology. Washington, DC. July 21, 1955. [353] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 66. [337]

[354]

Ibid. Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 159. Hubbard. "Ministerial Ordination." March 20, 1957. OEC. Vol. 5. p. 281. [356] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 66. Referencing: Hubbard. Ceremonies of the Founding Church of Scientology. Hubbard Communications, 1959. pp. 4, 9. [357] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 232 (note). Hubbard. "The Scientologist." The Technical Bulletins of Dianetics and Scientology." March, 1955. Vol. 2. p. 158. [358] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 163. Nancy Many. My Billion Year Contract. p. 189. [359] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. pp.163-164. Hubbard. "Religion." HCO Policy Letter. February 12, 1969. OEC. Vol. 6. p. 119. Hubbard. "Scientology Is a Religion." HCO Policy Letter. March 6, 1969. OEC, 5. pp. 289-290. [355]

[360]

Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 165. Many issues feature a cover story on a major religion, including Judaism, Jainism, Shinto, Buddhism and American Native religion. For example: Advance. July, 1975 & September/October 1976. [361]

[362] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 164. Hubbard. HCO Policy Letter. October 27, 1970. OEC. Vol. 5. p. 294. [363] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 377. Referencing: Hubbard. Dianetics and Scientology Technical Dictionary. American St. Hill Organization, 1975. p. 371. [364] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 67. Referring to an additional writing by Urban: "The Occult Roots of Scientology?" Nova Religio. See his additional references. p. 228. [365] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 67. [366] Hubbard. Dianetics. Commemorative Edition. 1985. p. 43. [367] Hubbard. Dianetics. Inside front cover listing the basic axioms of Dianetics. [368] Throughout history men and women have spontaneously acted on another's behalf risking or giving their lives in the process. Often these people have risked their own survival without forethought or prior intention. At other times the risk has been taken after deliberate thought or planning. Such risk has also been taken for animals so the dynamic is not the survival of the individual nor of the human race. [369] Hubbard. Dianetics. p. 3. Footnote #7. [370] Hubbard. Dianetics. pp. 38-45 [371] Hubbard. Dianetics. pp. 39-40. [372] Hubbard. Dianetics. pp. 38-40, 44-45. [373] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 67. [374] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 67. [375] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 68. [376] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 68. Referencing: Hubbard. "Religion." HCO Policy Letter. October 29, 1962. The Organization Executive Course. American Saint Hill Organization. Vol. 5. p. 282. [377] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 165. [378] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 377. [379] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 165. Hubbard. Scientology: A World Religion Emerges In the Space Age. Church of Scientology Information Service. p. xvi. [380] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. pp. 165-166. [381] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 166. [382] Cited from David Bromely and Douglas Cowen. Cults and New Religions: A brief History. Blackwell Publishing LTD, 2008.

[383]

Elain Jarvic. "Scientology: Church Now Claims More Than 8 Million Members." Deseret News. September 20, 2004. [384] Accessed June, 2015.

[385]

Elain Jarvic. “Scientology: Church Now Claims More Than 8 Million Members.” She quotes Melton. [386]

[387] Referencing Janet Reitman. "Inside Scientology." Rolling Stone. March 31, 2014. [388]

[389] Elain Jarvic. "Scientology: Church Now Claims More Than 8 Million Members." [390] Elain Jarvic. "Scientology: Church Now Claims More Than 8 Million Members." [391]

[392] Elain Jarvic. “Scientology: Church Now Claims More Than 8 Million Members.” [393] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. pp. 68-69. [394] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 69. Hubbard. "The Parts of Man." 1956. TBDS. Vol. 2. p. 428. Also reprint of Hubbard. Science of Survival. Bridge Publications, 2007. pp. 4-5. [395] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 69. Referencing: Hubbard. DSTD. p. 431. & Hubbard. Scientology: A History of Man. American Saint Hill Organization. 1968. p. 73. [396] The Scientology site claims: "Scientology is not a dogmatic religion in which one is asked to accept anything on faith alone." Not true. We are constantly required to accept teachings completely on the basis of LRH assertions alone. [397] Faith is trust or reliance upon, therefore faith is only a valid as the reliability and credibility of the object of that faith. Is LRH a credible object of faith? [398] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 69. [399] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 378. [400] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. pp. 69-70. Referencing: David Bromley. "Making Sense of Scientology: Prophetic, Contractual Religion." In: James R. Lewis (ed). Scientology. Oxford University Press, 2009. p. 91. [401] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 70. [402] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. pp. 75-76. [403] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 76. Citing: Hubbard. Technique 88. p. 292. [404] Hubbard. Scientology: A History of Man. p. 113. [405] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 70. [406] Contrary to the claims of some writers and scholars, Gnostic writings were not suppressed or hidden because they presented the true picture of the Christian faith and a merely human Jesus. They were rejected for being written too late, for their false teachings and for being fraudulent. By fraudulent is meant, the writings were alleged to have been written by prominent Christians who had died decades and sometimes centuries before the Gnostic writings. In addition, the Gnostic writers do not portray a merely human Jesus but a Jesus and his disciples doing fantastical and ridiculous miracles. Read the alleged Gospel of Thomas and others Gnostic writings. You will see their obvious inferiority, their mythological qualities and see through the hype of modern writers who attempt to pass such writings off as alternative Christian gospels.

[407]

L. Ron Hubbard. Scientology: A History of Man. Bridge Publications, 2007. p. 3. Hubbard. Scientology: The History of Man. p. 45. [409] Hubbard. Scientology: A History of Man. pp. 46-47. [410] Hubbard. Scientology: A History of Man. p. 47. [408]

[411]

Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. pp. 72-73. Hubbard. Have You Lived Before This Life. Hubbard Association of Scientologists Int'l. 1958. p. 89. According to Hubbard's former personal physician, Jim Dincalci, The History of Man was largely the result of Hubbard giving his son large amounts of amphetamines. (Urban. p. 233). The speed got L. Ron Jr. talking about early earth situations, when he was a clam, etc. (interview in Secret Lives. L. Ron Hubbard. Channel 4. November 19, 1997). [412] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 73. Referencing: Roy Wallis. The Road to Total Freedom. p. 56. [413] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 74. Referencing: Hubbard. Technique 88. “Incidents On the Track Before Earth.” Golden Era Productions, 2007. p. 341. Also: Hubbard. Mission Into Time. 1973. p. 69. [414] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. pp. 73-74. Referencing: Jack Williamson. Wonder's Child. p. 185. [415] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 79. Referencing: "OT Adventures." Source. 50 (1985) p. 13. & "OT Phenomena." Advance. 33. (July 1975) p. 8. OT means an operating thetan (Urban. p. 81). [416] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 81. Referencing: Hubbard Phoenix Lectures: Freeing the Human Spirit. Golden Era Productions. 2007. p. 373. & The Philadelphia Doctorate Course. Golden Era Productions. 2001. p. 6. [417] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 81. Citing: Hubbard. The Philadelphia Doctorate Course. p. 6. [418] Pagan gods were able to be deceived, even by humans, but that is because such gods only existed in the minds and writings of humans. Humans created them. The Biblical concept of God includes that He knows all that could possibly be known, including our thoughts before we think them. He has never been deceived, manipulated nor mistaken. [419] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. pp. 81-82. Hubbard. Philadelphia. p. 14. & "Mightier Than Apollo." Source. June/July 1979. p. 13. [420] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 82. Citing: Cyril Vosper, interview in "Secret Lives: L Ron Hubbard." [421] For example: Dianetics. "Important Note" & "Footnotes and Glossary" in front of Table of Contents. n.p.# [422] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 87. Citing: Hubbard. Philadelphia. p. 4. [423] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 88. Referencing: James Phelan. "Have You Ever Been a Boo Hoo?" Saturday Evening Post. March 21, 1963; Wallis. Road to Total Freedom. p. 124; Bryan R. Wilson. "Scientology: An Analysis and Comparison of Its

Religious Systems and Doctrines." Scientology: Theology and Practice of a Contemporary Religion. Bridge Publications, 1998. p. 132. [424] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 235. note. Citing: Roy Wallis. Road to Total Freedom. p. 128. [425] Richard Behar. “Scientology: A Dangerous Cult Goes Mainstream.” Readers Digest. p. 90. [426] Ibid. [427] Ibid. [428] Ibid. [429] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 143. "Cruise Credits Scientology for His Success." Access Hollywood. May 25, 2005. [430] Internet report of the interview by Anna Schecter, Rock Center with Brian Williams.

[431] Ibid. [432] Richard Behar. Scientology: A Dangerous Cult Goes Mainstream." Readers Digest. pp. 90-91.

[433]

Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 379.

Accessed December 2, 2020. [435] Erin Neff. “Lawmakers shy away from prison project.” Los Vegas Sun. 02.14.2003. Originally retrieved June 16, 2009. Cited in [436] Richard Behar. "The Thriving Cult of Greed and Power." Time. May 6, 1991. Referenced by Biblical Discernment Ministries. [437]

[438] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 379. [439] "7 Stars Who Quit Scientology." The Hollywood Reporter.

[440] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 140. Hubbard. "Project Celebrity." Ability minor 2. 1955. p. 2. [441] Lawrence Wright. "The Apostate: Paul Haggis vs the Church of Scientology."

[442] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. pp. 140-141. [443] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 141. [444] "7 Stars Who Quit Scientology." The Hollywood Reporter.

[445] Jess Cagle. (Ed). “Escape From Scientology.” People Magazine. November 16, 2015. pp. 4, 44-53. [446] Zoe Haylock. “Scientology and the Aftermath.”

[447] "7 Stars Who Quit Scientology" The Hollywood Reporter.

[434]

[448]

Andrew Nodell. "Paul Haggis:I Was A 'Fool' For Being A Scientologist." New York Post. June 11, 2015. p. 6. [449] Lawrence Wright. "The Apostate: Paul Haggis vs the Church of Scientology." [450] Lawrence Wright. "The Apostate: Paul Haggis vs the Church of Scientology." [451] Lawrence Wright. "The Apostate: Paul Haggis vs the Church of Scientology." [452] Andrew Nodell. "Paul Haggis: I Was A 'Fool' For Being A Scientologist." New York Post. June 11, 2015. p. 6. Paul said that he "would keep in touch with former friends still involved with the church if they were willing, but since his split, they’ve cut him off." [453] Johnny Dodd. “I’ve Been Given a Second Chance at Life.” People Magazine. p. 53. [454] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology". p. 379. [455] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 380. [456]

Written by LRH shortly after founding the Los Angeles church, February 18, 1954. It "succinctly states what Scientologists believe." [457] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 67. [458]

[459] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 380. Citing: Hubbard. “Volunteer Minister's Handbook.” Church of Scientology. 1976. p. xiv. [460]

The writings are more accurately translated "The Book of Coming Forth By Day." You can read the entire text on the internet at the 1st reference here. [461] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 380. Phoenix Lectures. No. 9. p. 27.

[462]

Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 381. Citing: Hubbard. Technical Bulletins. Scientology Publications. 1976. Vol. 4. p. 208. [463] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 381. Citing: Hubbard. Axioms and Logics. American St. Hill Organization. 1973. p. 68. [464] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 381. Cites: Hubbard. Axioms and Logics. p. 5. [465] LRH and all those who claim to believe that morals are relative or vary according to culture, time, situations etc. are inconsistent. They profess great moral outrage when serious criminal acts are committed and deem it always (absolutely) morally wrong to cheat, lie to, or exploit them. [466] A relativist is one who teaches or believes that moral and ethical values are not absolute (not always true and applicable) but relative, i.e. they vary according to the culture, persons and situations and time. [467] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 381. Staff of Scientology. "The Scientology Catechism." What is Scientology. Church of Scientology of California. 1979. p. 200. [468] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 381. Hubbard. Scientology 8-8008. ASHO. 1967. p. 3. [469] Stephen Evans. Philosophy of Religion. Inter-Varsity Press, 1982. p. 31.

[470]

Richard Purtill. Thinking About Religion. Prentice Hall Inc., 1978. p. xiii. "If any set of religious beliefs is justified, the importance of knowing that can hardly be exaggerated. If no set of religious beliefs is justified that in itself would be a vitally important fact. Such questions deserve the most serious and careful thinking." [471] C.S. Lewis. That Hideous Strength. Collier Books. 1962. p. 72. [472] Walter Hooper (ed). "Preface." Christian Reflections. William B. Eerdmans. 1967. p. ix. [473] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 382. Citing: Hubbard. Hymn of Asia. Church of Scientology of California Publications Organization. 1974. [474] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 382. Citing: Hubbard. Hymn of Asia. [475] Polytheism means many gods. Judaism and Christianity in contrast are monotheistic, which means the belief there is only one God. [476] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 382. Hubbard. Phoenix Lectures. pp. 27, 31. [477] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 382. Hubbard. Phoenix Lectures. pp. 27, 31. [478] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 382. Hubbard "Heaven." Hubbard. Communication Office Bulletin. May 11, 1963. p. 1. [479] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 382. Citing: Hubbard. Scientology Clear Procedure. Issue One ASHO. 1969. p. 21. [480] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 382. Hubbard. History of Man ASHO,.1968. p. 38. [481] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 383. Hubbard. Professional Auditor's Bulletin. 31. Quoted by Kevin Anderson. Report of the Board of Inquiry Into Scientology. Australia Parliament Government Printer, 1965. [482]

[483] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 383. Phoenix Lectures. pp. 27-28. [484] Robert L. Thomas. (Gen Ed). New American Standard Exhaustive Concordance. Holman Bible Publishers, 1981. pp. 1549, 1556. [485] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 383. Staff. Scientology A World Religion Emerges in the Space Age. Church of Scientology Information Service. 1974. p. 13. [486] For example, The Essenes taught they were to hate all who were not part of their own sect. Richard Wolff. The Son of Man. pp. 26-27. Referencing the Essenes, Manual of Discipline, which was one of the Dead Sea Scrolls. In contrast, Jesus taught his followers were to love their enemies. Matthew 5:43-46. [487] Hershall Shanks. The Mystery and Meaning of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Random House, 1998. p. xvii. [488]

Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 383. Hubbard. Certainty Magazine. Vol. 5. p. 10. Quoted by Anderson. Report. p. 150. [489] Hubbard. Dianetics. p. 21. [490] Hubbard. Dianetics. p. 11. The Nature of man. Also p. 21. [491] Michael Denton. Evolution a Theory in Crisis. Adler & Adler, 1986. Philip E. Johnson. Darwin On Trial. Intervarsity Press, 1993. Michael J. Behe. Darwin's Black Box: The Biochemical Challenge To Evolution. The Free Press. 1996. Werner Gitt. In the Beginning Was Information. Master Books. 2006; Dembski, William A. Intelligent Design.

InterVarsity Press, 1999. Ross, Hugh. Why the Universe Is the Way It Is. Baker Books, 2008. Also see Thomas Woodward. Doubts About Darwin: A History of Intelligent Design. Baker Books. 2003. Woodward, Thomas. Darwin Strikes Back. Baker Books. 2006. [492] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 384. [493] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 385. Hubbard. History of Man. pp. 20, 43, 64-66. [494] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 385. [495] Natural History Museum online:

Also see Wikipedia. "Piltdown man." [496] Hubbard. Dianetics. p. 28. This theory was apparently begun by Ernst Haeckel known as 'Ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny.' Haeckel meant that the individual goes through the entire evolution of the species prior to becoming a human, i.e., from single cell, invertebrate, fish, reptile etc. He supported his theory with what has been proven to have been faked drawings. See: Elizebeth Pennisi. "Haeckel's embryos: Fraud Rediscovered." Science Magazine. Vol. 277, No. 5331. Sept. 5, 1997. p. 1435. [497] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 385. Hubbard. Auditor's Bulletin. 31. [498] Kurt Van Gorden. "Scientology." p. 385. Hubbard. Science of Survival. AHOS. 1973. Vol. 2. p. 255. [499] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 183. [500] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 178. "The Guarantor of Scientology's Future." Religious Technology Center. 2008. [501] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 179. Mark Fearer. "Scientology's Secrets." Internet World Magazine, 1995. p. 350. Ex-Scientologist Larry Wallersheim won his suit against Scientology in 1985. Urban. pp. 103, 137-138, 183-185. [502] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 179. Heldal-Lund. "What is Scientology?" and "Some Copyright Considerations." Operation Clambake & [503] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 180. Mark Fearer, Scientology's Secrets." p. 351. [504] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 186. Richard Behar. "The Thriving Cult of Greed and Power" & The Church of Scientology International v. Fishman. No. CV. 916426. (CD). Cal. (1994). Reproduced online at Karen Spank, “The Fishman Affidavit.” 1995.

[505] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 186. The Church of Scientology International v. Fishman. No. CV. 91-6426. (CD). Cal. (1994). Online at Karen Spank, “The Fishman Affidavit.”

[506] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. pp. 186-187. See Jon Atack. A Piece of Blue Sky. pp. 89-102. [507] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 187. Ann Brill and Ashley Packard. "Silencing Scientology's Critics On the Internet: A Mission Impossible." Communications and the Law. 19. No. 4 (1997). pp. 9-10. See pp. 1-23.

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Michael Sherer. "The Geeks Who Leak." Time. June 24, 2013. p. 26. Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 181. [510] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. pp. 3, 23, 24. [511] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. pp. 180, 190-191. [512] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 191. Chris Landers. "Serious Business." Baltimore City Paper. April 2, 2008. [513] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 191. [514] Hugh B. Urban. The Church of Scientology. p. 191. "Message to Scientology.” 515 This list could easily be expanded many times by past and current presentations of evidence confirming the Bible's historicity, and the accuracy and the reliability of the biblical text: Gleason L. Archer. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction. Moody Press, Rev. 1994; Ellis R. Brotzman. Old Testament Textual Criticism. Baker Books, 1994; F.F. Bruce. The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable? IV Press, 1960; Simon Greenleaf. The Testimony of the Evangelists: The Gospels Examined By the Rules of Evidence. Kregel Classics, 1995, reprint; John W. Haley. Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Whitaker House, 1992. Reprint; Walter C. Kaiser Jr. The Old Testament Documents. InterVarsity Press, 2001; Werner Keller. The Bible As History. Trans. William Neil. William Morrow & Company.1957; Jack P. Lewis. Archaeological Backgrounds To Bible People. Baker Book House. 1971; Neil R. Lightfoot. How We Got the Bible. Baker Books, 3rd ed. 2003; Eta Linnemann. Historical Criticism of the Bible. 1990. Kregal Publications, 2001; Josh McDowell. New Evidence That Demands A Verdict. Thomas Nelson Pub., 1999; I. Howard Marshall. Luke: Historian and Theologian. Zondervan, 1971; Steven Masood. The Bible and the Qur'an: A Question of Intergrity. Reprint. Authentic Media, 2007; Henry M. Morris. The Remarkable Record of Job. Master Books, 1988; J.B. Phillips. The Ring of Truth. A Translators Testimony. Hodder & Stroughton, 1967; J. Randal Price. Secrets Of The Dead Sea Scrolls. Harvest House Publishers, 1996; J. Randle Price. The Stones Cry Out. Harvest House, 1997; Hershel Shanks. The Mystery and Meaning of the Dead Sea Scrolls. 1998. Random House, 1999; Robert Dick Wilson. A Scientific Investigation of the Old Testament. Moody Press, rev. 1959. [509]

Appendix A: The Nicene Creed We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit, he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son, he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Appendix B: Scientology Creed (by L. Ron Hubbard) We of the Church believe: That all men of whatsoever race, color or creed were created with equal rights; That all men have inalienable right to their own religious practices and their performance; That all men have inalienable rights to their own loves; That all men have inalienable rights to their sanity; That all men have inalienable rights to their own defense; That all men have inalienable rights to conceive, choose, assist or support their own organizations, churches and governments; That all men have inalienable rights to think freely, to talk freely, to write freely their own opinions and to counter or utter or write upon the opinions of others. That all men have inalienable rights to the creation of their own kind; That the souls of men have the rights of men; That the study of the mind and the healing of mentally caused ills should not be alienated from religion or condoned in nonreligious fields; And that no agency less than God has the power to suspend or set aside these rights, overtly or covertly. And we of the church believe: That man is basically good; That he is seeking to survive; That his survival depends upon himself and upon his fellows and his attainment of brotherhood with the universe; And we of the church believe that the laws of God forbid man: To destroy his own kind; To destroy the sanity of another; To destroy or enslave another's soul; To destroy or reduce the survival of one's companions or one's group; And we of the church believe that the spirit can be saved and that the spirit alone can save or heal the body.

Other Books by Professor Gerald Charles Tilley The Uniqueness of the Christian Faith. 3rd Edition. This volume explains more than a dozen ways historic, biblical Christianity is unique and does not fit in the same category as the world religions. The Absurdity of Atheism. 2nd Edition. This book shows that science, history and human reason prove atheism to be absurd. Irrational and dishonest methods and attempts to justify atheism are exposed. The Origin of the LDS (Mormon Religion). 2nd Edition. Historical background of the early 1800’s, the lives of Joseph Smith and his family and the early history of the religion and its alterations. Paul’s Letter to the Colossian Church. Examines arguments regarding Paul’s authorship and studies the Greek text for non-language experts. The Two Faces of Islam. Most of the world knows Islam as a violent religion that persecutes opponents. In the U.S. Muslim advocates claim Islam is a religion of peace and reconciliation. Which is true? The Bible: An Introduction. 2nd Edition. Presents the purpose of the Bible, and writings included and excluded; Provides some of the evidence for the authenticity, historicity and reliability of the biblical scriptures. It also defines many biblical theological terms. Defending the Christian Faith Volumes 1-2. A variety of essays presenting evidence in support of the biblical Christian Faith and refuting many arguments against this Faith. Is Jesus Christ Alive? Consider the Evidence for His Resurrection. This is an extensive presentation of biblical and other historical evidence as to why Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior, the Son of God who is alive today.

You Can Trust The Old Testament! Deals with many claims about errors in the Old Testament from both historical, textual and logical perspectives. It shows the critics are often not critical enough of their own presumptions and often not careful readers of the text they criticize. Includes archeological evidence validating the biblical text.

Two Non-Christian Religions: Freemasonry & The New Age. Shows that despite frequent claims to the contrary, both of these movements are religions, and in fact, they both anticipate absorbing and replacing all other religions. The Origin of Religion. Investigates evidence in regard to various theories regarding the cause and origin of religion. Presents evidence from around the world showing that monotheism was the original. The Persecuting Church: Reform, Heresy & Martyrdom. Examples of the once persecuted Church becoming the persecutor; altering biblical truth and opposing those seeking to reform and renew the Church. The Protestant Reformations of the 16th Century.

Many of the persons involved in several different Protestant Reformations of the 16th century that led to separate movements.

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