Troublemaker
Dianetics
Beyond Belief
Going Clear
Scientology
Inside Scientology
Religion Explained
Penguin Handbook of the World's Living Religions
| Adherents | 70,000 or several million, depending on the source |
|---|---|
| Beliefs | God(s) not specified; reality explained in the Eight Dynamics |
| Practices | Auditing, progressing up various levels until "clear". Focus on education and drug recovery programs. |
| Texts | Writings of Hubbard, such as Dianetics and Scientology |
| Symbols | S with two triangles; Scientology cross |
The Church of Scientology was founded in 1954 by L. Ron Hubbard, a former science fiction writer. The organization doesn't present itself as a religion, but as a technology that leads people to true spiritual release and freedom.
Scientology does not emphasize particular beliefs about God or other traditional religious topics, yet it calls itself the "Church" of Scientology and presents many of its teachings in spiritual and religious terms.
Scientology has attracted several high-profile celebrities, most famously Tom Cruise and John Travolta, but is also highly controversial, with some regarding it as a dangerous religious cult or deceptive financial scam.
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Books on Church of Scientology
Hand-selected books on Church of Scientology available for purchase at online bookstores. full article → -
Glossary of Church of Scientology
Definitions of terms related to Church of Scientology. full article → -
History of Scientology
## What is the story of the Scientology faith? The Church of Scientology was founded in 1954, based on the teachings of an American author named L... full article → -
Scientology Beliefs
Scientology focuses on psychological technologies that people can use to make their lives better, calling itself an "applied religious philosophy... full article → -
Scientology Ethics
Scientology's ethical system is based on reason, not divine revelation. L. Ron Hubbard defined evil or unreasonable behavior (the two terms are synonymous) as that "which brings about the destruction of individuals, groups, or inhibits the future of the race... full article → -
Scientology Symbols
The two main symbols of Scientology are an S intertwined with two triangles and the Scientology cross. full article → -
Timeline of Church of Scientology
The history of Scientology at a glance. full article →
