Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

"If it's not true for you, it isn't true." - L. Ron Hubbard

**

Lawrence Wright became a Pulitzer Prize winning author for his 2006 'Looming Tower' about Al-Qaeda, before this 2013 book was begun. Many interviews were done and much was researched here as well. Previously he wrote about the Amish and studied the Jonestown Massacre. He was a journalist for Rolling Stone and later the New Yorker for forty years. My interests in Scientology are comparitive religion, history and politics. The Taiping, FDLS, ISIS and millenarian groups hold a similar fascination. Founder of Scientology L. Ron Hubbard created a disturbing synthesis of science fiction, religion and psychiatry. Perhaps psychosis and paranoia were integral to his flights of fantasy.

Born in 1911, Hubbard had a successful science fiction career in 1930's pulp magazines. He was a good friend of Robert A. Heinlein, and an associate of Isaac Asimov and L. Sprague de Camp. In WWII he had a brief but checkered Navy stint. By his account he sunk several enemy ships, was wounded but lived to tell the tale. Navy records don't support his claims, and he was repeatedly relieved of his command. In 1946 he was connected with a magic cult based on Aleister Crowley's beliefs. He wrote 'Dianetics' in 1950 and is rated as a most published author ever. During 1967-75 he lived on a fleet of ships sailing the oceans. He died in 1986 in seclusion on the run from the government.

'Dianetics: Modern Science of Mental Health' first appeared in 'Astounding Science Fiction'. It was an early self-help book devised as an alternative to psychiatry's use of drugs, electric shocks and lobotomies. Hubbard drew from his prior knowledge of hypnosis. People traumatized by early crises could be relieved by 'auditing' past problems, later with the use of an 'E-meter' similar to a lie detector. Sublimated memories uncovered during sessions evolved into prenatal and reincarnation revelations. Once 'clear' an initiate could aspire to ascending spiritual levels and even paranormal powers. Hubbard went on to define gradiations in seekers progress to attainment of knowledge.

The pseudo-science of 'Dianetics' led to a neo-religion. His copyright lost in bankruptcy Hubbard founded Scientology in 1954. In his belief system a 'thetan' is an immortal alien being who inhabits people's bodies at birth. Between lives thetans go to Mars and receive 'forgetter implants'. 75 million years ago an evil overlord conspired with IRS agents and psychiatrists to freeze thetans and fly them to earth on DC-8 jets. They were implanted with images of God, Heaven, the Devil and Hell in 3D movie theaters. Earth had been civilized many times, but always blew itself up under the influence of alien souls. Scientology could save humanity from them and achieve spiritual progress.

In the 1960's IRS audits, FDA seizure of E-meters, and charges of fraud drew Hubbard abroad. Hounded by global governments he took to the sea. Founding a paramilitary navy he was shunned at ports as undesirable. Allegations of mistreatment arose and a persecution complex took hold. The 1973 Operation Snow White was an espionage effort where thousands of Scientologists infilitrated government agencies to expunge files and subvert investigations. A new base in Florida was established in 1975 and Hubbard came ashore. Chased by the IRS and FBI he went into hiding and directed the Church from afar. Buying a ranch in California he lived his last years in a converted school bus.

David Miscavige is depicted as a violent sociopath raised in the fold who seized power after Hubbard's death In 1986. He groomed celebrity advocates who had been long sought after, Tom Cruise, John Travolta and others. Miscavige carried the Church message with missionary zeal. Punishment for minor infractions was routine and severe since the Sea Org days and became worse. FBI raids found people locked up, denied food and forced to work for free. Attempts to leave were met with coercion and harassment. Many members were born in the Church or had joined at an early age. With few skills and outside contacts they were docile and compliant. Human trafficking cases were begun but abandoned.

In 1967 the Church lost tax exemption when the IRS claimed Scientology was a commercial enterprise offering fixed fee services. In litigation theological experts argued the church was similar to other creeds. Articles of faith such as virgin conception, magical flight, resurrection and exorcism were features of all doctrines. New religions were always faced with discrimination. Adherents were often subjected to poverty and asceticism. In 1993 the IRS, under a barrage of lawsuits for 26 years, ruled Scientology should be not be required to pay taxes under 1st Amendment protections. In 2009 the incoming Obama administration made revocation of the tax exemption a top policy goal, based on an open internet poll. So far the thetans are still among us.