But despite its success, it is often misunderstood. Ron hubbard, the source and founder of scientology. Church of scientology, philosophical religion founded by lafayette ronald hubbard, 191186, b. As a person trained in religious studies, i find the debate about scientology s alleged religious nature to be an interesting and important one. The shift from dianetics to scientology included a focus on humans as immortal souls thetans, in scientology terminology that are trapped.
Controversy continues to rage around scientology, due mostly to the totalitarian and abusive nature of its practices. Petersburg times has a long history of scientology coverage. He is also the author of over a hundred articles and book chapters. Articles about scientology best overall introduction and overview articles. The workability of the drug treatment programs run through narconon, the criminon courses that inmates take i have seen their successes, they would mail them to me and i would see that they were doing great with the material. A new book delves into scientology lawrence wrights going clear. Scientology book author reveals churchs inner workings. Scientology is also americas most controversial religion. Scientology is a religion, rules supreme court a woman who wants to marry in a church of scientology chapel has won a battle in the uks highest court. Written in january 1969, a summary on scientology for scientists provides an overview of not only the difficulties in scientific research as applied to the humanities, but how l. In the united kingdom, for example, a longstanding ruling that the church was not a religious organization was just overturned in 20. Scientology is a religion, rules supreme court telegraph.
List of books and articles about scientology online research. Please participate by editing the article, and help us assess and improve articles to good and 1. Ron hubbard 19111986, was a popular science fiction writer who envisioned dianetics as an alternative to traditional therapy. Inside scientology is journalist janet reitmans incredible booklength. Why cant we read the scientology book going clear in the uk. Scientology is a compilation book about the church of scientology and the new religious. Nov 05, 2014 urban had been publishing research on scientology and other new religions since the 1990s. This book is within the scope of wikiproject religion, a project to improve wikipedia s articles on religionrelated subjects.
Decision of march, 2000 registering scientology as a religious community in sweden article from le monde. This really was an eye opener and the whole setup is a lot worse than i imagined. Urban defines scientology by the transparency of the institutions adoption of religious trappingsscientology is a selfconscious attempt to make a religion, that is, a concerted effort to use. Hubbard wrote a selfhelp book that explored the relationship between body and mind called dianetics in 1950. Inside scientology it is the most controversial religion in america, and the most mysterious.
Intimately related to the religious question are human rights questions. Inside scientology is journalist janet reitmans incredible book length. Scientology, at its core, is a selfhelp religion started by writer l. It explains why scientology is a religion, why some oppose it and why most support it. This 20th century religion is cloaked in mystery for many. Although a celebrity cult of the rich and famous, scientology intimidates and controls its rankandfile members. In the 1960s, scientology was expanding fast enough that it.
We should be allowed to scrutinise and criticise it. This may be because some doctrine is reserved for the. The religious movement known as scientology originated in the united states with the 1950 publication of dianetics. Today scientology boasts over 700 centers in 65 countries and is one of the wealthiest of the new religions. It was published in march 2009 by oxford university press. David miscavige, chairman of the church of scientology internationals religious technology center and the ecclesiastical leader of the church, dedicates a. Going clear, lawrence wrights book on scientology the new. Scientology seems to always come under the media microscope. News about religious cults, including commentary and archival articles published in the new york times. Hubbard initially developed a program of ideas called dianetics, which was distributed through the dianetics foundation.
It is the most important collection of articles on scientology published so far in any language. A history of a new religion, published by princeton university press in 2011, explores the history of the church and asks how scholars should approach controversial religious groups. I like everyone else i suspect have seen documentaries and read various articles on scientology over the years. The story of americas most secretive religion reitman, janet on. Scientology poses as a religion but really is a ruthless global scam and aiming. Scientology, hollywood and the prison of belief looks at the. The church of scientology is a recognized religious nonprofit in the united states, but it has run into trouble in many other countries. Scientology is a set of religious beliefs created by science fiction writer l. Drawing on ideas from buddhist and hindu religious philosophy, science fiction, and western concepts in psychology and science, l. In recent years, the church became the focus of an hbo documentary, going clear, based on an investigative book by the pulitzer. Scientology, hollywood and the prison of belief looks at the world of the controversial church and the life of its. Jun 10, 2009 summary the church of scientology is a controversial new religion developed by l. Its followers believe theyre on a mission to save the universe but detractors call it a cult. Scientology religion article about scientology religion by.
All are available for purchase on click book images for details. Scientologists sometimes use a dating system based on the books publication. It is rooted in elements of buddhism, hinduism and a number of western philosophies, including aspects of christianity. Scientology and its discontents the chronicle of higher. Scientology is a compilation book about the church of scientology and the new religious movement scientology, edited by james r. Ron hubbards religious organization used freedom of information act requests to find dirt on the cia and the military. Religionfacts does not necessarily endorse the contents of these books. Hubbard initially developed a program of ideas called dianetics, which was.
Ron hubbard in the 1954, the church of scientology is by definition a cult, both regarding its religious beliefs and its behaviors and practices, especially those involving the coercion and isolation of members. F ew of the controversial new religious movements have received as much negative publicity or been investigated by so many government agencies, including the internal revenue service, the food and drug administration, and the federal bureau of investigation, as has. They claim 500,000 new converts per year the church of scientology,40th anniversary booklet, p. When i was first asked to pass judgment on the religious nature of scientology i conducted a small random sample survey of people participating in the activities of the church of scientology in vancouver, b. Ron hubbard, scientology is a religion that offers a precise path leading to a complete and certain understanding of ones true spiritual nature and ones relationship to self, family, groups, mankind, all life forms, the material universe, the spiritual universe and the supreme being. He always refers to scientology respectfully as the church. Ron hubbard as an extension of his earlier psychological theories of dianetics. The modern science of mental health 1950 first set forth the basis of his philosophy, offering an alternative path to overcoming physical and mental stress. Scientology, hollywood, and the prison of belief, makes clear that scientology is. The book is a look inside the world of scientology and the life of its founder, l. Scientology is a body of religious beliefs and practices first described in 1950 and organized as. How scientology and the cia waged war 40 years ago the. Dec 11, 20 scientology is a religion, rules supreme court a woman who wants to marry in a church of scientology chapel has won a battle in the uks highest court. The handbook of scientology groups the collection of twentyfour essays into seven parts, focusing on introductory essays, scientology and marketplace religion, controversy, media treatments, sex and gender, disaffiliation and schisms, and the legacy of scientologys founder and sourcel.
On august 19, 2009, tommy davis, the chief spokesperson for the church of scientology international, received a letter from the film director and. Hubbard wrote one of scientologys sacred texts, dianetics. It should not be, however, the only issue over which we evaluate the germanamerican debate over scientology s religious claims. Scientology is a body of religious beliefs and practices first described in 1950 and organized as a movement in may 1952 by american author l. The full body of knowledge that comprises the scientology religion is contained in more than forty million spoken and written words on the subjectall by l. Jun 20, 2019 david miscavige, chairman of the church of scientology internationals religious technology center and the ecclesiastical leader of the church, dedicates a church in auckland, new zealand, in 2017. Scientology is probably one of the most successful new american faiths to have emerged in the past century. Former members of scientologys sea org say the religious order pressured them to have abortions they did not want. Nov 10, 2005 the following is an overview of the basic beliefs of scientology. Ron hubbard produced a religion that sees all human beings as. Urban, a professor of religious studies at ohio state university, provides a fascinating account of how a healing practice called dianetics came to.
The evolution and history of scientology raises serious and fundamental questions about freedoms and protections of religion and even what or who defines a religion. The church of scientology cos claims to have over 8 million members with 2,318 churches and missions, in 107 countries. In addition to lewis, other contributors to the book include j. In 1952, he expanded upon the success of dianetics by creating scientology. Wright, who won a pulitzer for his book the looming tower about the history of alqaida. List of books and articles about scientology online. For that, one should turn to the church of scientology, hugh urbans slim, thoughtful investigation of scientology as a uniquely american religious phenomenon, one whose history has a great deal. Mar 22, 2017 scientology is probably one of the most successful new american faiths to have emerged in the past century. Hubbard then incorporated the church of scientology in 1953. Exscientology member sues church and its leader alleging. A collection of handselected books on church of scientology, chosen on the basis of apparent usefulness and quality.
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