History of Scientology

Scientology is a modern religious movement founded by L. Ron Hubbard in the early 1950s. Its history is deeply intertwined with Hubbard’s development of his earlier self-help system called Dianetics, and it has grown into a global religious organization known for its controversial practices and celebrity involvement. The Church of Scientology, which claims millions of adherents worldwide, has been the subject of much debate, scrutiny, and legal action throughout its existence.

Origins of Scientology: Dianetics (1950)
Scientology has its roots in Dianetics, a self-help system that L. Ron Hubbard first introduced in 1950 with the publication of his book, Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health. Dianetics proposed that the mind was divided into two parts: the analytical mind, which is logical and processes information, and the reactive mind, which stores negative experiences or “engrams” that cause irrational behavior and mental distress.

Hubbard claimed that through auditing, a process that involves recalling and re-experiencing past traumas to clear the mind of engrams, individuals could achieve a state called Clear, where they would be free from the influence of the reactive mind.

The success of Dianetics led to the creation of the Dianetics Foundation, which quickly grew in popularity, with many people flocking to study Hubbard’s methods. However, the foundation faced financial difficulties, and by 1952, it had collapsed, prompting Hubbard to revise and expand his ideas.

The Birth of Scientology (1953)
In 1952, Hubbard introduced the concept of Scientology, which he described as a religion that built upon the principles of Dianetics but went further by addressing the spiritual nature of human beings. While Dianetics focused on mental health and the physical brain, Scientology explored the soul (referred to as the thetan) and its relationship to the physical world.

Hubbard claimed that thetans were immortal spiritual beings that had lived through countless past lives. Scientology practices, particularly auditing with the use of an E-meter (a device that measures the electrical resistance of the skin), were designed to help thetans regain their spiritual freedom and abilities by removing the influence of past traumas and emotional baggage.

In 1953, Hubbard officially established the Church of Scientology in Camden, New Jersey. He began to organize the movement as a formal religious institution, and in 1954, the first Church of Scientology was incorporated in Los Angeles, California. By framing Scientology as a religion, Hubbard sought protection from potential legal issues and tax liabilities, as religious organizations in the U.S. are generally tax-exempt.

Expansion and Controversy (1950s–1960s)
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Scientology expanded rapidly, establishing centers in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. During this period, Hubbard continued to write prolifically about Scientology, developing a complex system of teachings and practices. The “Bridge to Total Freedom” became a central concept in Scientology, outlining a path of spiritual progression through various levels of training and auditing.

However, as Scientology grew, so did its controversies. Governments and medical professionals began to criticize Hubbard’s claims, especially his rejection of psychiatry and psychology, which he viewed as harmful and corrupt professions. Hubbard and Scientology advocated against the use of psychiatric drugs and treatments, positioning themselves as an alternative.

In 1963, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) raided the Church of Scientology offices, seizing E-meters and accusing the church of making false medical claims. The FDA later ordered the church to label E-meters with a disclaimer stating that they had no proven therapeutic value.

Legal battles and investigations into Scientology’s practices increased in the 1960s, with several countries, including the United Kingdom and Australia, launching inquiries into the church. In Australia, Scientology was banned in several states, though these bans were later lifted.

The Sea Organization and Hubbard’s Seafaring Years (1967–1975)
In 1967, facing mounting legal pressure and controversy, Hubbard established the Sea Organization (Sea Org), an elite group of Scientologists who signed billion-year contracts to serve the church. Sea Org members, who lived communally, were tasked with helping Hubbard run the church and its growing operations.

During this period, Hubbard moved Scientology’s headquarters to sea, living on a fleet of ships with Sea Org members. He sailed around the Mediterranean and the Caribbean on a ship called the Apollo. This period allowed Hubbard to avoid legal authorities while continuing to develop his teachings and strengthen his control over the church.

The Sea Org became the church’s most dedicated and secretive unit, overseeing the highest levels of Scientology management. It continues to play a central role in church operations today.

Scientology’s Growth and Legal Battles (1970s–1980s)
In 1975, Hubbard returned to the United States and established a new headquarters in Clearwater, Florida, which became the spiritual headquarters of Scientology, known as Flag Land Base. From there, the church continued to expand, acquiring properties and launching public campaigns to recruit new members.

The 1970s and 1980s were marked by both growth and legal troubles for Scientology. One of the most notorious events occurred in 1977, when the FBI raided Church of Scientology offices in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., as part of Operation Snow White. The raid uncovered evidence of an elaborate espionage operation in which Scientology members had infiltrated government agencies, including the IRS and Department of Justice, to steal documents and destroy negative information about the church.

As a result of Operation Snow White, 11 senior Scientology officials, including Hubbard’s wife Mary Sue Hubbard, were convicted and imprisoned. Hubbard himself was named an unindicted co-conspirator, and he went into seclusion in 1980 to avoid further legal trouble. He lived in hiding until his death in 1986.

The Leadership of David Miscavige (1986–Present)
After Hubbard’s death in 1986, David Miscavige, who had been a close aide to Hubbard, took over as the leader of the Church of Scientology. Under Miscavige’s leadership, the church continued to grow and aggressively defend itself against critics, launching legal battles against government agencies, former members, and the media.

One of Miscavige’s key achievements was securing tax-exempt status for the Church of Scientology in the United States. After years of battling the IRS over its tax-exempt status, the church reached a settlement with the IRS in 1993, recognizing it as a religion and granting it tax-exempt status. This was a major victory for the church, allowing it to grow its financial resources and influence.

During Miscavige’s tenure, Scientology has also cultivated relationships with high-profile celebrities, particularly Tom Cruise and John Travolta, who have become some of the church’s most prominent public faces. Celebrities have played a key role in promoting Scientology, and the church operates special Celebrity Centres to cater to them.

Criticism and Controversy
Throughout its history, Scientology has been embroiled in controversies over its aggressive treatment of critics, its handling of internal discipline, and its financial practices. Former members have accused the church of abuse, coercion, and exploitation, including allegations of forced labor within the Sea Org, disconnection from family members, and harsh punishment in the church’s internal disciplinary program known as the Rehabilitation Project Force (RPF).

Documentaries such as “Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief” (2015), based on Lawrence Wright’s book, and Leah Remini’s series, Scientology and the Aftermath (2016–2019), have brought increased public attention to these allegations, sparking further investigation and criticism of the church.

Scientology has consistently denied these allegations, stating that its practices are misunderstood or misrepresented by former members and the media. The church is known for its litigious nature and has taken legal action against many of its critics.

Scientology Today
Today, the Church of Scientology remains active and continues to claim millions of adherents worldwide, though independent estimates suggest the number may be much smaller. The church operates numerous centers and facilities globally, with its spiritual headquarters in Clearwater, Florida, and administrative headquarters in Los Angeles.

Despite ongoing controversies, legal battles, and public scrutiny, Scientology has maintained a significant presence in the religious and cultural landscape, with a core group of devoted followers.

Advertisement:

No products found.

We get commissions for purchases made through links on this website. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.