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According to texts published by the Church of Scientology and its web page pertaining primarily to its founder, L. Ron Hubbard, always referred to as L. Ron by Scientologists, experienced early in his life the many facets of the human mind. At the age of 12, he learned from Commander Joseph C. Thompson, who was the first military official to study under Sigmund Freud in Vienna, Austria, the theory of psychoanalysis.
Hubbard was also influenced by his many world journeys to exotic locales, thus gaining an appreciation for Eastern philosophies rooted in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism. His studies in mathematics, engineering, and nuclear physics at George Washington University generated a scientific background to his beliefs in the human mind, although his studies did not earn him a degree. As a naval officer during World War II, he suffered injuries that left him blind and crippled. During his recovery, he once again examined Freudian psychoanalytical theory and Eastern philosophies. He credits the eventual cure of his disabilities to his findings about the human mind during this time, findings that became the central elements of a religious doctrine he later called Dianetics. 2
An article on Dianetics was featured in the May 1950 issue of the popular magazine Astounding Science Fiction. The appearance of the article, coupled with the publication of Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health prompted a popular interest, particularly by those seeking an alternative to expensive sessions of psychotherapy, in the doctrine of Hubbard. In response to public demand, he founded the Hubbard Dianetic Research Foundation in late 1950. 3
The biography of L. Ron Hubbard portrayed officially by the Church of Scientology is often ridiculed by critics for alleged inaccuracies. For example, sociologist Roy Wallis cites court transcripts contradicting claims of Hubbard's status as a George Washington University student in his book The Road to Total Freedom. In an unusual twist, Wallis' book includes an appendix written by sociologist-and Scientologist-Jerry Simmons, which refutes much of what Wallis claims.
There are, in fact, many who have challenged the accuracy of the official bibliography. One doesn't have to look very hard on the Internet for examples. Paulette Cooper, a well-known Scientology apostate published her book entitled The Scandal of Scientology on-line. It devotes a full chapter to identifying claimed discrepancies and accuracies in the official biography. 4
The Church of Scientology often retaliates against what it says are false claims about Mr. Hubbard's biography. For example, in response to a series of articles published by the Boston Herald (whose link was unavailable at the time of the creation of this web page), they distributed a pamphlet entitled The Boston Herald: Merchant of Sensationalism. 5 This rebuttal claims to address the inaccuracies of the articles-particularly those pertaining to the life of L. Ron Hubbard and the beliefs of Scientology.
Upon the publication in 1950 of Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health, its author, L. Ron Hubbard, found an increasing interest by the public in his doctrine. Public interest in learningmore about dianetics and auditing prompted Hubbard to establish the Hubbard Association of Scientologists International (HASI) in Phoenix, Arizona. In August 1952, the first Journal of Scientology was published to introduce techniques of auditing to cities around the United States. The publication also kept members of HASI informed about its organization. The following month, Hubbard went to England to lecture on dianetics. Meanwhile, efforts in California to inform about dianetics prompted the formation of the first Church of Scientology in Los Angeles in 1954. 6 Also around this time, there was expansion of Scientology in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the cities of Tel Aviv and Cairo. Due to the increasing interest around the world, Hubbard moved to Washington, D.C. in July 1955 and established the Founding Church of Scientology and the first Academy of Scientology. 7 Washington, D.C. also became the home to a distribution center where Scientology materials could be printed and then shipped around the world.
Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health, a doctrinal book by founder L. Ron Hubbard and published in 1950, is the primary sacred text of Scientology. At the same time, members considered the numerous writings and lectures on dianetics, personal achievement, and human evaluation by Hubbard to be sacred as well. Sacred texts and symbols are protected by the Religious Technology Center, whose main purpose is to keep the doctrines and symbols identical to those originally conceived by Hubbard. 8 The Church has often resorted to litigation in order to keep "Operating Thetan" materials secret and under its sole control. The court battles are primarily against Internet sites who publish these materials (see section on Current Events). The OT doctrines could be considered the most sacred scriptures in Scientology.
Negative sentiments are typically implied when the concepts "cult" and "sect" are employed in popular discourse. Since the Religious Movements Homepage seeks to promote religious tolerance and appreciation of the positive benefits of pluralism and religious diversity in human cultures, we encourage the use of alternative concepts that do not carry implicit negative stereotypes. For a more detailed discussion of both scholarly and popular usage of the concepts "cult" and "sect," please visit our Conceptualizing "Cult" and "Sect" page, where you will find additional links to related issues.
There are multiple levels in which an individual can gain membership to the Church of Scientology, thus making it difficult to generate an exact number of members. One can simply attend a Dianetics lecture, experience an auditing session, or pledge eternal allegiance to the prestigious Sea Organization, which includes over 5,000 members who occupy high staff positions in individual churches. 10 The number of Scientologists who have progressed beyond Clear and far along the OT- level "Bridge" is similarly small. An estimate of the magnitude of Scientology membership centers around 8 million, with over 3,000 churches established throughout the world. 11 The number of Scientologists is most likely inflated, but if those who have had contact with Dianetics and Scientology over the past 50 years were incorporated in the estimate, the total would almost certainly be in the millions.
The Church of Scientology offers many services to its members and nonmembers. The basic level of Scientology includes IHELP, an organization that helps field auditors minister outside the realm of the Church. The next level is SMI, Scientology Mission International, a mission effort by Scientologists to provide primary Dianetic and Scientology services. Churches, referred to as Class V organizations, conduct religious services and administer courses. Thirteen Celebrity Centres are located throughout the world and they provide all Class V services, alongside programs geared specifically towards artists. 12 Basic auditing courses, as well as upper level training services, are provided in Saint Hill Organizations and Advanced Organizations. 13 The Flag Service Organization offers all religious services and a few upper-level courses. 14 The Flag Ship Service Organization is reserved for advanced Scientologists. The management of the Church of Scientology finds its place in the Church of Scientology International, headquartered in Los Angeles, CA. 15 Perhaps the most important organization in the Church is the Religious Technology Center, which ensures that Dianetic and Scientology doctrine is being taught truthfully and how Hubbard intended. 16 At the time this web page was created, the Church of Scientology, as a whole, is lead by David Miscavige. 17
Scientology also controls a diverse group of organizations that advance its interests, either overtly or covertly. These include Narconon, a drug-abuse treatment program, Criminon, which aims to rehabilitate criminals, WISE (the World Institute of Scientology Enterprise), which promotes Scientology's applicability in the business world, the CCHR (Citizen's Commission on Human Rights) that fights psychiatry (one of Scientology's avowed enemies),and the Cult Awareness Reform Group (an anti-CAN group).
In the doctrine of Dianetics, 18 there is believed to be two components of the human mind: the Analytical and the Reactive. 19 The Analytical mind, similar to the concept of "ego" coined by Sigmund Freud, is the part of the mind that one knowingly utilizes, and one is consistently, consciously aware of this part of the mind. However, beneath the Analytical is the Reactive mind. During moments of troubling emotional and physical pain, the Analytical mind shuts down and the Reactive mind takes control of the functions commonly associated with the Analytical. During this time of stress, the Reactive mind takes note of all the details happening, even though the individual may not be consciously aware.
These "recordings" of the Reactive mind are called "engrams," which Hubbard defined as a complete recollection of every perception occuring during unconsciousness. 20 Due to the unconscious nature of these engrams, an individual may not remember the traumatic experience. Nevertheless, the engram remains firmly placed in the mind of the individual. The inability to attain full human potential is considered to be the result of undeleted engrams. The personal therapy called " auditing" allows an individual to explore engrams, during which time the engrams are relived and then inactivated. An " auditor," considered a minister or minister-in-training in Scientology, conducts the auditing sessions and simply listens to the "preclear," a term associated with the individual receiving the auditing. 21 Just the auditor and preclear are in a quiet room with an E-meter (electropsychometer), which measures the energy of the mind created when it "pictures" an engram. 22 The preclear focuses on the engram with the help of a process question from the auditor. 23
The objective of auditing sessions is for an individual to be free of any engrams. When this occurs, the individual is said to be " Clear" and the Analytical mind can now function without the effects of the Reactive mind and its engrams. 24 Thousands of individuals have become Clear, thus gaining a greater understanding of their human potential. According to the Scientology document " The Bridge To A Better Life," a clear witnesses "...the highest state of awareness as a spiritual being." 25
Scientology brought a new focus to the doctrine of Hubbard, a focus that extended Dianetics into the realm of religious movements. 26 Hubbard advocated that man was neither a mind nor a body. The main concept of man's existence is the soul, a spiritual being. Hubbard called the soul " thetan", derived from the Greek letter meaning "thought." 27 In the words of sociologist William Bainbridge, a thetan is "analogous to the Christian notion of soul. All humans actually are thetans, immortal spiritual entities possessing virtually infinite powers." Individuals do not have thetans; they are considered thetans. Without thetan, there would be no mind or body. Hubbard believed that thetan was the backbone of creation and life.
Scientologists believe that the levels of Scientology beyond "clear" allow an individual to progress up the "bridge of total freedom"; freedom from physical constraints of their material bodies and the material universe, which Scientologists call MEST (Matter, Energy, Space, and Time). Scientologists who progress up the OT (Operating Thetan) Bridge may "know...immortality and freedom from the cycle of birth and death," according to " The State of Operating Thetan," a Church document. 28 Thus, the individual's goal in Scientology is to come into full awareness of his existence as a being who transcends MEST. Scientology, in sum, is a religious movement that professes to guide the journey of the individual towards a state of transcendent near-perfection.
As Scientologists progress up the Bridge, they learn the details of Hubbard's cosmology, which articulates a many-trillion-year history similar to the "galactic space opera" of Hubbard's prolific science-fiction efforts. Operating Thetan Level III ( NOT a link to the actual document, but rather to an independent summary of it), which details how, when, and why humans came to Earth, is a good sample of this cosmology. 29
The symbol for Dianetics is shaped like the Greek letter delta, with yellow stripes symbolizing life and four green panels, representing four subdivisions of the urge for man's survival. The Eight Dynamics of Scientology continue Hubbard's examination into the importance of survival. The Eight Dynamics (in order) are Self, Creativity, Group Survival, Species, Life Forms, Physical Universe, Spiritual Dynamic, and Infinity. 30 Each of these pertains to the role of survival of each of these components. The Eight Dynamics transcend throughout all of nature, including animals and vegetation, and beyond.
Without a doubt, Scientology is one of the most controversial new religious movements in the modern world. Few other groups have been investigated and accused of wrongdoing at various times by so many government agencies (including the Internal Revenue Service, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation). Also, few other groups have received as much negative publicity as Scientology.
Significantly, much of this negative publicity comes from its legal battles with critics. In recent years, legal battles have focused on criticspublishing Scientology's sacred texts on the Internet. In 1999 a lawsuit involving copyright-infringement was settled between the Church and Boulder, Colorado-based F.A.C.T. NET, Inc. 31 The suit included more than 1,900 copyright infringements and both sides have accumulated nearly $7 million in legal fees during the four year battle, according to an April 1 Denver Post article. F.A.C.T. NET, Inc. agreed to cease posting any works by L. Ron Hubbard or any Scientology organization on their site. Additionally, the Internet service must hand over any produced CD-ROM discs and other materials to the Church.
Update
At our request, the Church of Scientology International prepared an update on the status of their litigation against parties accused of copyright infringement. Their reply, Briefing Re: The Church of Scientology and the Internet (June 30, 2000) is reproduced here in its entirety.
Prior to this ruling, the Church of Scientology maintained its fierce aggressiveness against those publishing "sacred" texts on Internet sites. In September 1998, the Church was awarded $3 million dollars as the result of a lawsuit filed by the Church against Grady Ward, who will have to pay the Church of Scientology $200 per month and no longer post the texts on the Internet. Although Ward was never a member of Scientology, the Church does not stop their lawsuits with nonmembers of the Church. In San Jose, California, the Church filed a lawsuit against former Scientology minister Dennis Erlich, claiming that he participated in the publication of sacred texts on the Internet service Netcom On-Line Communication Services.
Aside from Scientology's Internet battles over the distribution of secret Upper Level OT materials, another recent controversy has been the treatment of the death of Lisa McPherson, a Scientologist who was allegedly mistreated while in the care of Scientologists prior to her death in December 1995. In November 1998, criminal charges were filed against the Church. Affidavits filed with those charges claim that, in the 17 days prior to her death, McPherson was nursed by fellow Scientologists in a room at Scientology's Fort Harrison Hotel. 32 Also, the family of Lisa McPherson has filed a wrongful death lawsuit in 1997 against the Church. The family has lead protests outside Fort Harrison Hotel.
The Church pleaded innocent to these charges. 33 and aggressivelyattacked those responsible for bringing the charges. The St. Petersburg Times claims that Scientologists toned down their rebuttal to the protests,particularly during a December 1998 protest. 34 Scientologist offensives in that case were the Times claims were "just verbal."
The Church battled a court order to release notes from auditing sessions with Lisa McPherson. 35 The attorney representing the McPherson family in the wrongful death lawsuit requested the records be released. Church attorneys contend that the case could be tried without the auditing records and, furthermore, the records should be kept private. Auditing records, they claim, are as private as Catholic confessionals.
In a rare St. Petersburg Times interview with David Miscavige, the leader of the Church of Scientology spoke about the death of Lisa McPherson, among other things, and how he felt that critics of Scientology could not have been happier with the developments of this story. 36 The family and supporters of Lisa McPherson created a webpage, where one could learn the latest about the case, albeit from an anti-Scientology view.
On February 22, 2000 the medical examiner ruled that Lisa McPherson's death was accidental. The medical examiner had ealier ruled that the cause of death was "undetermined." Four months later, the State Attorney General dropped the criminal charges against the Church of Scientology.
In 1993, the Church of Scientology gained tax-exempt status as a religion in the United States after a long-running legal battle with the Internal Revenue Service. However, the Church's ability to gain status as a religion in other nations around the world has not been as successful, particularly in Europe (link broken). 37 High-ranking officials with the Church have been arrested in countries such as France and Italy.
The Church of Scientology has faced its greatest opposition in Germany, where, according to the Associated Press, German Chancellor Helmut Kohl's government believes Scientology is a threat to Germany's democracy. Also, the Church is considered an enterprise and German Scientologists are prohibited from public jobs and under close surveillance. The United States Department of State issued a highly critical report summarizing problems of religious freedom in Germany. 38
Numerous commissions have been organized in Germany, not only to investigate Scientology but other religious movements as well. The German government classifies these groups as possible "sects and pyscho-groups." The commissions continue to investigate Scientologists in Germany. A final report on cults by the German commission created by the Bundestag was issued in June 1998. 38 Prior to the release of this report, six German professors issued an essay condemning the German State for "once more taking part in the defamation of and discrimination against religious and ideological minorities." 40 The professors cite bias among the members of the Enquiry Commission and inadequacies in the commission's interim report.
The Church of Scientology has utilized its high-profile membership of celebrities to gain the support of members of Congress in its battle against the treatment of Scientologists in Germany. A total of 34 celebrities, not all of whom are members of the Church, signed a letter sent to Chancellor Kohl protesting the treatment of Scientologists in Germany. 41 There are also numerous court decisions, 42 on all levels of German courts, proclaiming that Scientology should be recognized as a religion in accordance with Article 4 43 of the German Constitution.
In the past, action against perceived "threats" to Scientology has even been extra-legal. In 1980, Scientologists from the para-military Guardian's Office, including L. Ron Hubbard's wife, were convicted and sent to federal prison after infiltrating, bugging, and stealing thousands of Scientology-related documents from federal agencies, foreign embassies, and other organizations critical of Scientology in Washington, D.C. 44 Scientology often coordinates litigation and harassment of its most vocal critics through its Office of Special Affairs, the "enforcement" arm of the movement that succeeded the old Guardian's Office. Scientology's harassment of critics and apostates (which has in many cases only made them fight harder) is the logical extension of a doctrine formulated by Hubbard in the 1960s, which he called " Fair Game." 45 Very simply, this doctrine declares that enemies of the Church "May be deprived of property or injured by any means by any Scientologist without any discipline of the Scientologists. May be tricked, sued or lied to or destroyed" (from Hubbard's original Hubbard Communications Office Policy Letter). Though the Church officially states that it no longer advocates "fair game," its actions continue to prove otherwise.
Scientology: Applied Religious
Philosophy
This is the official web site of the Church of Scientology. A history of Scientology
and its founder, L. Ron Hubbard, are given, along with statistics on church membership.
Focus is also placed on the role of Scientologists around the world. There is a
bookstore containing Scientology texts and links to other Scientology web sites.
http://www.scientology.org
Scientology Members Online
In March of 1998, members of the Church of Scientology were encouraged to create
individual web sites, complete with a major emphasis on their success with the Church.
Over 15,000 Scientologists have uploaded web sites onto the Internet. The sites give
personal information about the member and his/her favorite links to other Scientology-
related web sites.
http://on-line.scientology.org
L. Ron Hubbard Homepage
The many facets of the life of Scientology founder, L. Ron Hubbard, are presented,
alongside letters and journals written by Hubbard. Hubbard's life as a humanitarian,
philosopher, and yachtsman are explored, as well as other traits. There is a link to a
bookstore where one can visit his works. This page is also a jumping off point to other
sites related toL. Ron Hubbard.
http://www.lronhubbard.org
Leisa Goodman's Homepage
Leisa Goodman is the Director of Media Relations for the Church of Scientology
International in Los Angeles, CA. Her web site highlights Church publications and
Scientology's Freedom magazine. There is no information on Scientology's
doctrines but there is a link to the home page.
http://www.theta.com/goodman
Scientology Codes and Creeds
Taken from "What is Scientology?" an official publication of the Church,
the information on this web site provides answers to frequently asked questions
about the beliefs of Scientology. The codes and creeds of Scientology are presented.
http://www.lib.ox.ac.uk/internet/news/faq/archive/scientology.users.codes_and_
creeds.html
Scientology's Freedom Magazine
Published by the Church of Scientology, it provides information on Scientology itself
and other issues pertaining to "public interest," as stated on the opening page. The
publication is presented for foreign countries, including England, France, Italy, and
Germany, as well. Also, there are multiple issues for the United States, including a
Los Angeles publication.
http://www.freedommag.org
Citizens Commission on Human Rights
This site presents an argument against psychiatry, a debate lead by the works of L.
Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology. There is one specific link to an article about
the feelings of Scientologist towards psychiatrists and the "abuse" they inflict,
according to Scientologists.
http://www.cchr.org
New Era Dianetics
Changes by L. Ron Hubbard to his original Dianetics doctrine prompted the rise of
New Era Dianetics. This site devotes time to explaining these "expanded Dianetics,"
focusing on auditing and attaining the state of Clear. One can access the Dianetics
home page and other related sites.
http://www.neweradianetics.org.uk
Scientology Missions International
Scientology Missions International is located throughout the world and one can find
a mission close to him/her using the site's global locator. One can also find information
about L. Ron Hubbard and his letters and journals relating to his discoveries of
Dianetics. There is also basic information about the goals and objectives of
Scientology.
http://www.smi.org
About Scientology Auditing
Auditing is a fundamental practice of Scientologists and this site devotes itself to
telling about the practice of auditing and its relationship to Scientology as a whole.
The site is maintained by the Church in the same fashion as its homepage.
http://www.auditing.org
German Court
Decisions Favoring Church of Scientology
This site gives excerpts from German court opinions in favor of Scientology.
Scientology is engaged in a long-running battle with German officials over gaining
recognition as an official religion. The excerpts on this site come from decisions that
rely upon Article 4 of the German Constitution in finding that Scientology deserves to
be considered a religion.
http://www.religioustolerance.org/scie_pos.htm
PURIFICATION Body Detoxification Program
Scientologists advocate lifestyles free from all types of drugs. The Church
administers a program, Narconon, which helps drug addicts overcome their habit.
Narconon is church-affiliated but also helps people from outside the church. This
site focuses on Narconon, along with articles promoting the benefits of a drug-free
lifestyle.
http://mobileminister.com/purif
Scientology
Profile on Religioustolerance.org
Part of the overall religious tolerance web site, this page gives an unbiased view of
Scientology. Beliefs, practices, programs, and important dates are among the
information presented in an abbreviated, outlined format. Also, a documentation is
presented of the numerous battles engaged in by the Scientologists with groups in the
United States and countries around the world.
http://www.religioustolerance.org/scientol.htm
The
Scientology Story (
Los Angles Times series)
Between June 24-29, 1990, the Los Angeles Times printed a six-part series on the
Church of Scientology. Its authors, Joel Sappell and Robert W. Welkos, explored the
founding of the Church, L. Ron Hubbard, and Scientology's present-day battles with
outsiders. Each day a new topic was addressed and there are individual links to each
day's story.
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Library/Shelf/la90/la90-0.html
Inside the Church of Scientology
Inside the Church of Scientology is a five part Boston Herald investigative
report. While the series contains a lot of information, much of the intrepretation
of the information draws from the perspective of some of the nastiest of Scientology
critics.
http://www.bostonherald.com/scientology/
"Scientology is
Refused Registration as a Charity in England"
This news story on the ruling of the Charity Commission of England and Wales on
December 9, 1999 apears on the Cesnur web site.
http://www.cesnur.org/testi/charity.htm
Karin Spaink's Homepage
Karin Spaink, the creator of this web page, is one of the persons sued by the
Church of Scientology for copyright infringement.
http://www.xs4all.nl/~kspaink
An Introduction to Scientology
Although this site first claims to be an introduction, further investigation proves
that this site offers extensive links and articles about Scientology, ranging from
practices to current events. Some parts of the site are factual and unbiased towards
Scientology; however, most of the links are to sites considered anti-Scientology.
http://www.modemac.com/cos
Operation Clambake - The Inner Secrets
of Scientology
Operation Clambake is a web page devoted to the negative aspects of Scientology. The
site is well-organized into diverse categories, from articles about the Church and the
court to personal accounts of Scientology to links to other anti-Scientology sites.
This site also attempts to bring humor to the battle against Scientology with links to
cartoons and parodies.
http://www.xenu.net
FACTNet International Homepage
According to the "Fight Against Coercive Tactics Network," this site is a "non-profit
news source, referral service, and archive protecting freedom of mind from harms caused
by psychological coercion." FACTNet's web site contains a daily newswire and
information about cults and coercion. It does focus on other religious movements
besides Scientology.
http://www.factnet.org
German Scientology News
The heated debate over Scientology in Germany is the main topic of this web site
maintained by an individual not affiliated with any other Scientology organization.
There are documents translated from German into English. The point of this web site is
to offer information about Scientology's presence in Germany and give the details
without fear of being sued.
http://www.cisar.org
Scientology: Cult of Greed and Power
The greed present in the Church of Scientology is the focus of this web page. There
are links to other anti-Scientology sites listed here and stories from ex-Scientologists.
There are books archived on this site that the Church has tried to ban from publication.
This site is consistently under construction so it changes frequently.
http://www.entheta.net
NOTS Scholars
Homepage (Scientology)
An excellent page that contains detailed, informative summary and review of the New
Operating Thetan Scientology scriptures. This site has a link to obtain the actual
scripture from the Swedish parliament, who has been given permission by the Swedish
Supreme Court to make the documents public.
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/NOTs/index.html
Watchman Expositor
Articles on Scientology
Multiple articles, categorized in numerous volumes, about topics ranging from
Scientology's Internet wars to the controversial death of Lisa McPherson make up this
site. The articles generate a counter-cult argument against the Church. The Watchman
Fellowship is a major evangelical counter-cult organization.
http://www.watchman.org/scienta.htm
Lisa McPherson Memorial Page
Lisa McPherson was a Scientologist whose death has prompted numerous civil suits
claiming that the Church abused her and ignored her fatal symptoms. This site is
mirrored on
http://www.lisamcpherson.org and contains such interesting articles as
McPherson's autopsy report. There is also a link to the page on
http://www.freedommag.org that presents the Scientology side of the McPherson
story.
http://www.lisamcpherson.org/
Critical Information
about Scientology
Jeff Jacobson, a critic of the Church of Scientology, gives personal experiences with
Scientologists and research he has conducted on the group. He offers a copy of the text
of his book on Hubbard's discoveries. There are also links to various Scientology-
related web pages, particularly to those pertaining to the conflicts Scientology has
been engaged in in recent years.
http://www.primenet.com/~cultxpt/cos.htm
NOTs on the Net
This web page focuses on the issue of Operating Thetan materials appearing on the
Internet and Scientology's fight to remove the sacred texts. There are brief synopses
of lawsuits initiated by the Church against those sites having to do with the sacred
materials being posted for all to see. Some synopses have links to a more detailed
description of the case.
http://www.modemac.com/nots
Extracts and Analysis of Scientology Scriptures
The title of this site sums up what it offers viewers. Specifically, there are
excerpts from lectures and writings of L. Ron Hubbard and an interesting extract from
the Church's official publication
What is Scientology?, complete with comments in parentheses claiming lies present
in the text.
http://starbase.neosoft.com/~dcs/posts/pulpindx.html
Social Control in
Scientology
This site presents a book, primarily published on the Internet, written by Bob Penny,
who is one of the founders of FACTNet, a group crusading against coercive tactics of new
religious movements. The text focuses on the destructive nature of Scientology and the
group's ethics.
http://www.demon.co.uk/castle/xenu/scs.html
The Church of Scientology vs. the Net
The primary focus of this site is the ongoing war between Scientologists and the
Internet. There are links to developing events in the battle. There are also news
articles and links to other anti-Scientology sites.
http://www2.thecia.net/users/rnewman/scientology/home.htmll
The Web Page of
Total Freedom
Written under anonymity, the author of this site, a auditor in the Church, agrees
with some aspects of Scientology but focuses more on what he disagrees with-primarily
the Religious Technology Center. However, one must move deeper into the site to see the
author's dislikes because the page begins with definitions of Scientology terms and
appears to be a scholarly site.
http://www.igs.net/~michaelv/scnreform.htm
Books
Articles
Created by
Laura Chamblin
For Soc 257: New Religious Movements
Spring Term, 1999
Last Modified: 24/03/01
Originally created by Craig W. Hirsch. Portions of his research and writing have been retained in this page. Hirsh's original page is available in the Religious Movement Archives.