Who Invented Scientology?
Scientology was invented by a man named Lafayette Ron Hubbard, better known as L. Ron Hubbard. Born in Montana in 1911, Hubbard attended George Washington University in 1930-32 but dropped out to pursue other interests.
He married and became a writer, writing in genres from western to horror to science fiction. Hubbard developed an interest in exploring and was elected to the Explorer’s Club in 1940. During the winter of 1940–41, Hubbard received licensures as a Master of Steam and Motor Vessels and Master of Sail Vessels.
This lent itself to Hubbard’s service during WWII in naval intelligence in Australia and aboard several vessels near the American coast. The end of the war found Hubbard, a patient at Oak Knoll Naval Hospital in Oakland, California, suffering from war-related ailments.
During this time, Hubbard began thinking about the human condition and decided to undertake a quest to discover a “science of the mind.” From this quest came the invention of Scientology.
In 1950, Hubbard introduced his ideas definitively to the world in his book Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health.
Why Was Scientology Invented?
Hubbard believed the basic principle of human existence is survival. Things that lead to survival are good and pleasurable, while things that are counter-survival will be negative. A normal, analytical mind, he believed, will make good survival decisions.
However, Hubbard contends, when a mind is not working properly, the reactive mind will take over and create negative images called engrams. Bad engrams can even be leftover from past lives.
Hubbard believed people need to confront and eliminate these engrams to return to the way a mind should work, and he created Scientology for this purpose.
Who Is Scientology Intended to Attract?
In an interview with Business Insider, former Scientologist Steve Hall shared that much of the allure of Scientology is the focus on self-inquiry:
“Scientology is a body of know-how that is supposed to enable a person to make rational decisions in life…But it's structured, and it's called auditing. It's done in a safe environment, and the counselor has a code of conduct. The auditor does not tell the person what to think and does not tell them what to say. He guides them on a path of self-discovery. And once you've experienced it, you want more because it helps you become a better person. You're able to open up new lines of communication with people you were afraid to talk to before. The shy kids who can't talk to girls can suddenly get up the nerve; that's the good side.”
Scientology believes that by undergoing certain counseling sessions, rituals and pursuing self-discovery, people can improve themselves. Scientology is beautiful to those who feel mentally or emotionally being held back from realizing their full potential.
Who Are Scientologists and Who Leads the Church of Scientology?
Perhaps the most famous Scientologist is actor Tom Cruise. Other famous adherents include John Travolta, Michael Pena, Kirstie Alley, Catherine Bell, Elisabeth Moss, and dozens more, while just as many celebrities are among the ranks of former Scientologists.
David Miscavige is the leader of the church of Scientology. Born in 1960, Miscavige was reportedly miraculously cured of severe allergies and asthma after a Dianetics session, after which his family joined Scientology in 1971.
At 16, Miscavige left school to join the Sea Org, a religious order that controlled all Scientology management organizations. He rose through the ranks and earned the personal favor of L. Ron Hubbard.
He became the de facto leader of the church in 1980 when Hubbard stopped making public appearances and assumed the official role after Hubbard’s death in 1986.
How Many People Are Scientologists?
Numbers are difficult to produce. Studies from The American Religious Identification Survey in 2008 and The Pew Forum in 2015 lump Scientology in with “new religious movements and other religions” or “other faiths” at about 1.2% and 1.5% of the American population.
A common estimate of how many Scientologists there are in America is around 25,000.
Statistics for other countries are even harder to find. However, Scientology is embraced by well under one percent of the population.
What Are the Top 3 Beliefs of Scientology?
Scientology didn’t start as a religion. Hubbard’s Dianetics was based more on counseling regarding unconscious scars from negative memories. However, Dianetics began to transition into Scientology with Hubbard’s discussion of “thetans,” or human immortal souls.
According to Scientology’s website, Scientology’s top three fundamental truths are these:
1. Man is an immortal spiritual being.
2. His experience extends well beyond a single lifetime.
3. His capabilities are unlimited, even if not presently realized.
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