FLINT, MI -- The City Council might endorse a program authored by Scientology creator L. Ron Hubbard, a "nonreligious moral code" that some councilmembers think could help change Flint's violent culture.

"The moral fiber of our community is so decayed it will take years" to change, said Councilwoman Monica Galloway. "We need to sow (values) into these children (because these) are things they are not getting."

Flint has suffered for decades from high rates of violent crime, poverty and blight, leaving officials on the lookout for help, possibly including "The Way to Happiness," a program based on a 73-page, pocket-sized book of Hubbard's writings.

Scientologist Monika Biddle asked council members on Wednesday, Aug. 22, to consider endorsing the program as a way to help introduce the ideas to the Flint area.

Hubbard, the science fiction writer who founded the Church of Scientology 60 years ago, died in 1986, but the Tilden, Neb., native's teachings live on.

His 1948 book ''Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health,'' sold millions of copies.

Scientology is aimed at promoting mental and spiritual health by training adherents to overcome the aftereffects of past traumas, including those believed to have been experienced in previous lifetimes.

Through the use of what has been termed an E-meter, somewhat like a lie detector, church members undergo exercises and counseling to eliminate negative mental images and achieve a ''clear state,'' according to the church.

Biddle presented council members with information from the "The Way to Happiness," distributing the booklet and showing several public service announcements during Wednesday's committee meeting.

The booklet briefly describes 21 principles, including: "Take Care of Yourself, Be Temperate, Don't Be Promiscuous, Love and Help Children, and Honor and Help Your Parents."

"I think it's a good deal, yes," Police Chief James Tolbert said of the program. "From the information I've seen, apparently it works. I'm for anything that works."

Tolbert said he met Biddle, who is not from Genesee County, during a conference and said she has already met with Mayor Dayne Walling and emergency manager Darnell Earley.

MLive-The Flint Journal could not reach Biddle Friday, Aug. 22, but some council members said public service announcements that reinforce messages like, "Do not murder, Don't Do Anything Illegal, and Do Not Steal," can't hurt the city.

Biddle suggested Flint officials investigate "The Way to Happiness" programs in St. Louis and Compton, Calif., for guidance about how the program can help make cities better places to live.

The Way to Happiness Foundation web site says the organization was established as a resource center to assist the public in reversing "the current moral decline" and says about 100 million copies of "The Way to Happiness" have been distributed in more than 97 languages and in more than 170 countries.

The foundation web site says communities can deal with a lack of moral values and crime by distributing "The Way to Happiness" book or book-on-film to offenders to get them back on the right track.

The group suggests police officers give the book to members of the community, to neighborhood watch groups and those involved in community policing; get "The Way to Happiness" public service announcements played for youth groups, schools, after-school programs and detention centers; and get educators using the booklet in tutoring and mentoring programs.

(Information from The Associated Press is included in this report.)