FOUNDER
L. RON HUBBARD, late 1940’s, said “writing for a penny a word is ridiculous. If a man wants to make a million dollars, the best way would be to start his own religion.” He did (books still available.)
Fought depression and suicidal tendencies whole life
Dianetics – name of church he started,
Claims to have visited Venus twice (where all life in universe first started)
AUTHORITY
Not Bible, but Hubbard’s writings, especially book on ”Dianetics”
VIEW of GOD
God a myth
VIEW of the TRINITY
No such thing
VIEW of CHRIST
A god, not God Himself, not equal with God (same as Michael in Old Testament)
Working his way up levels of self-knowledge
VIEW of the HOLY SPIRIT
No such thing
VIEW of SIN
All is relative, no absolutes. If there is more constructive than destructive a thing is good
VIEW of SALVATION
Clear mind from all past reincarnations (charges to do this, very rich), work way back to total godhead
Goal is to evolve to a higher state, free from cycle of birth and death (reincarnation)
VIEW of HEAVEN & HELL
Hell = annihilation (‘Bible’ hell is total myth, vicious lie invented to make people unhappy)
REACHING OTHERS
Use any method, promise anything, to get people in for ‘counseling’ – reveal all facts about self & past, isolate from any other help, made totally reliant upon Scientology for everything, charge huge amounts for each hour, prey on lonely and anxious people (multinational racket masquerading as a religion)