The Church of Scientology is a group of interconnected corporate entities and other organizations dedicated to the practice, administration, and dissemination of Scientology. This belief system is variously defined as a cult, a business, or a new religious movement. Founded by L. Ron Hubbard in December 1953, the movement has faced numerous controversies. It has been described by various government inquiries, international parliamentary bodies, scholars, and courts as both a dangerous cult and a manipulative profit-making business.
The Church of Scientology International (CSI) is considered the “Mother Church” and oversees other Scientology centers. Its international headquarters are located at the Gold Base in Riverside County, California. All Scientology management organizations are exclusively controlled by members of the Sea Org, a paramilitary organization for the “elite, innermost dedicated core of Scientologists”. David Miscavige is the highest-ranking Sea Org officer and is referred to as its captain.
History
L. Ron Hubbard founded the first Church of Scientology organization in December 1953 in Camden, New Jersey. By then, the Hubbard Association of Scientologists International (HASI) had been operating since 1952, and Hubbard had been selling Scientology books and technologies. In 1953, he explored the “religion angle,” and soon after, he announced the religious nature of Scientology. The first Church of Scientology was inaugurated in Los Angeles in 1954.
Hubbard’s vision for Scientology was a civilization without insanity, criminals, or war, where individuals could prosper, honest beings could have rights, and humanity could ascend to greater heights. After establishing the Church of Scientology, Hubbard formulated its “creed,” emphasizing freedom of religious expression, the idea that mental healing is inherently religious, and that physical healing belongs to the spiritual domain.
Although Hubbard officially controlled the organization until 1966, he remained its guiding force even after transferring his formal responsibilities to a group of executives. In 1986, following Hubbard’s sudden death, David Miscavige assumed the position of “chairman of the board” of the Religious Technology Center (RTC), effectively becoming the leader of Scientology.
In the subsequent years, the Church of Scientology introduced various programs and initiatives. In 1996, the “Golden Age of Tech” was launched, emphasizing the precise following of Hubbard’s teachings. This was followed by the “Golden Age of Knowledge” in 2005, which focused on Hubbard’s milestones in Dianetics and Scientology research. The second phase of the Golden Age of Tech was released in 2013, rooted in Hubbard’s original work.
Structure and Organization
The Church of Scientology is a complex entity made up of interconnected corporate organizations and groups dedicated to the practice, administration, and dissemination of Scientology. Here’s a brief overview of its structure and organization:
- Church of Scientology International (CSI): This is the “Mother Church” and is responsible for guiding other Scientology centers. Its international headquarters are located at the Gold Base in Riverside County, California.
- Church of Spiritual Technology (CST): This organization owns all the copyrights of the estate of L. Ron Hubbard.
- Sea Org: All Scientology management organizations are controlled by members of the Sea Org, a legally nonexistent paramilitary organization for the “elite, innermost dedicated core of Scientologists.” David Miscavige, the highest-ranking Sea Org officer, is effectively the leader of Scientology.
- Local Centers: Every Scientology center is a separate corporate entity set up as a licensed franchise with its own board of directors and executives. Larger centers are known as “orgs” (short for “organizations”), and the major Scientology organization of a region is known as a central org.
- Gold Base: Located in Riverside County, California, this is the headquarters of the Religious Technology Center and the home of Scientology’s media production studio, Golden Era Studios.
- Trementina Base: Located in New Mexico, this base is used for storing Hubbard’s writings on stainless steel tablets encased in titanium capsules underground.
- Freewinds: A cruise ship that was the only location where the highest level of Scientology training (OT VIII) was offered.
- Ideal Orgs: These are larger Scientology centers that have been renovated to become “Ideal Orgs.” The Church of Scientology has been purchasing and renovating buildings around the world for this purpose.
- Publishing and Production: The Church has several entities for this, including Golden Era Productions, Scientology Media Productions, Bridge Publications, and New Era Publications.
- Affiliated Organizations: There are many independently chartered organizations and groups staffed by Scientologists. These organizations pay license fees for the use of Scientology technology and trademarks.
Functions and Operations
The Church of Scientology, founded by L. Ron Hubbard, operates as a multifaceted organization with a complex structure dedicated to the practice and dissemination of Scientology beliefs and practices. At its core, the Church’s primary function is to provide spiritual guidance and services to its adherents, based on the teachings of Hubbard. This includes auditing, a form of spiritual counseling, and training courses on various aspects of Scientology doctrine.
The Church of Scientology International (CSI) serves as the “Mother Church” and oversees the guidance of other Scientology centers globally. Its headquarters, located at the Gold Base in Riverside County, California, acts as the epicenter for global operations. Another pivotal entity, the Church of Spiritual Technology (CST), holds the copyrights of Hubbard’s works, ensuring the preservation and propagation of Scientology teachings.
A unique aspect of the Church’s operations is the Sea Org, a paramilitary organization that controls all Scientology management organizations. Members of the Sea Org commit to the Church for a billion years, reflecting their belief in reincarnation and eternal service to the Scientology mission.
On a local level, individual Scientology centers, known as “orgs,” offer courses, auditing sessions, and community events. These centers are franchise-like entities, each operating semi-autonomously but under the broader guidelines set by the central Church.
Controversy
The Church of Scientology has been a subject of numerous controversies since its inception. Various government inquiries, international parliamentary bodies, scholars, law lords, and superior court judgments have described the Church of Scientology as both a dangerous cult and a manipulative profit-making business.
In 1979, several executives of the organization were convicted and imprisoned for multiple offenses by a U.S. Federal Court. The Church itself was convicted of fraud by a French court in 2009, a decision that was upheld by the supreme Court of Cassation in 2013. The German government classifies Scientology as an unconstitutional sect, while in France, it is considered a dangerous cult. However, in some countries, the Church has attained legal recognition as a religion.
The Church’s aggressive stance against its critics, its litigious nature, and its treatment of members have also been subjects of criticism and legal battles. The Church’s disconnection policy, where members are encouraged to cut ties with friends or family members critical of the Church, has particularly drawn criticism.
Furthermore, the Church’s Sea Org, a paramilitary organization that controls all Scientology management organizations, has been criticized for its treatment of members, with allegations ranging from forced labor to human rights abuses.
Impact on Ufology
The Church of Scientology’s relationship with Ufology (the study of unidentified flying objects or UFOs) is complex and stems primarily from the teachings of its founder, L. Ron Hubbard. Within Scientology doctrine, there are references to extraterrestrial civilizations and intergalactic events, most notably the story of Xenu, an interstellar warlord who, according to Scientology teachings, brought billions of his people to Earth 75 million years ago, only to destroy them and trap their essences.
This narrative, which is introduced to adherents at the advanced Operating Thetan Level III (OT III), has drawn attention from Ufologists and the general public alike. While some Ufologists see parallels between Hubbard’s teachings and other extraterrestrial narratives, others criticize the Church for commercializing and misrepresenting the UFO phenomenon.
The Church’s secretive nature regarding its upper-level teachings, combined with its aggressive stance against critics, has further fueled speculations and controversies in the Ufology community. Some believe that the Church’s teachings offer insights into the broader UFO phenomenon, while others view them as purely symbolic or as a distraction from more credible UFO reports.
Conclusion
The Church of Scientology is a controversial religious movement founded by L. Ron Hubbard in the early 1950s. Rooted in Dianetics, Hubbard’s self-help system, Scientology claims to offer techniques for improving one’s life and attaining spiritual enlightenment. The Church has a structured hierarchy and a unique lexicon, with teachings centered on the concept of the Thetan, or the spiritual self. While it has been recognized as a religion in some countries, it has faced criticism and legal battles over its practices, treatment of members, and its aggressive stance against critics. Despite controversies, it has attracted a global following, including several high-profile celebrities, and has established a significant presence with churches, missions, and affiliated organizations worldwide.