Is Scientology a religion? Hubbard says "No". Mini-FAQ Ver. 1 September 29. 1997 Compiled by William C Barwell HTML Formatting and Additional Commentary by Perry Scott

Abstract:

Quotes are presented in cronological order to show the progression of Hubbard's statements moving from the clinical to the religious.

L. Ron Hubbard, 1952, History of Man, Chapter 8

"Theta clearing is about as practical and simple as repairing a shoe lace. It is nothing to do with hypnotism, voodooism, charalatanism, monkeyism or theosophy. Done, the thetan can do anything a stage magician can do in the way of moving objects around. But this isn't attained by holding one's breath or thinking right thoughts or voting Republican or any other superstitous or mystic practice. So for the reason I brought up, rule out, auditor, any mumbo jumbo or mysticism, spiritualism, or religion."

This quote is from the Dianetics era, before Scientology was created. Hubbard consistently positioned Dianetics during the 1950s as a "Science of Mind" with absolutely no mention of religion. Hubbard also rules out any relationship between Dianetics and superstition, mysticism, or spiritualism - all which are more associated with religion than with science. Consistent with a claim of Dianetics being a "Science", Hubbard claimed that theta clearing [removal of engrams] was a straightforward process, in this case similar to "repairing a shoe lace." Hubbard also claimed super-human capabilities for the Clear - in this instance being able to move objects like a stage magician.

The Creation of Human Ability, L. Ron Hubbard, 1953.

"Society, thirsting for more control of more people substitutes religion for the spirit, the body for the soul, an identity for the individual and science and data for truth. In this direction lies insanity, increasing slavery, less knowingness, greater scarcity and less society. "Scientology has opened the gates to a better World. It is not a psycho-therapy nor a religion. It is a body of knowledge which, when properly used, gives freedom and truth to the individual."

From the context of the first sentence, Hubbard associates "religion" as a mistaken substitution for the spirit. This is consistent with other statements by Hubbard which disparage religion in general. [Scientology] IS NOT A PSYCHO-THERAPY NOR A RELIGION. Hubbard said so himself! Note: this passage was removed in 1971 and later editions.

Letter to Helen O'Brien, 1953

(1953) DEAR HELEN APRIL 10 RE CLINIC, HAS The arrangements that have been made seem a good temporary measure. On a longer look, however, something more equitable will have to be organized. I am not quite sure what we would call the place - probably not a clinic - but I am sure that it ought to be a company, independent of the HAS but fed by the HAS. .......

This letter to Helen O'Brien is revealing in a number of ways. Written only one year after History of Man (above), this letter introduces a number of new concepts to Dianetics and the fledgling Scientology organization. In the first paragraph, Hubbard clearly states that [Scientology] ought to be a company. In the intervening paragraphs, Hubbard explains more equitable to be higher wages for his auditors as well as more money for the HAS, or Hubbard Association of Scientologists, both of which are clearly business objectives.

We don't want a clinic. We want one in operation but not in name. Perhaps we could call it a Spiritual Guidance Center. Think up its name, will you. And we could put in nice desks and our boys in neat blue with diplomas on the walls and 1. knock psychotherapy into history and 2. make enough money to shine up my operating scope and 3. keep the HAS solvent. It is a problem of practical business.

Here, Hubbard introduces the concept of religion into Scientology. His prevarication is clear - he wants a clinic in operation, but not in name. Hubbard is deliberately attempting to deceive by calling his business a religion. It is also clear that he is attempting to deceive potential customers by making the Spiritual Guidance Center appear to be the equivalent of a psychiatrist's or doctor's office. The reason for the subterfuge revolves around Hubbard's personal motives - to retaliate for the psychiatry profession's earlier snub of Dianetics, to increase Hubbard's personal power, and to increase the cash flow of the ailing HAS. As Hubbard says, calling Scientology a religion solves a practical business problem.

I await your reaction on the religion angle. In my opinion, we couldn't get worse public opinion than we have had or have less customers with what we've got to sell. A religious charter would be necessary in Pennsylvania or NJ to make it stick. But I sure could make it stick. We're treating the present time beingness, psychotherapy treats the past and the brain. And brother, that's religion, not mental science. Best Regards, Ron

Hubbard cynically calls this subterfuge "the religion angle". Hubbard feels that public opinion of Scientology is poor, so wrapping Scientology in the cloak of religion will add credibility. The clause "with what we've got to sell" again indicates that Hubbard considers Scientology to be a business that sells a product. Apparently, the laws regarding church incorporation in Pennsylvania and New Jersey are more liberal than those of other states, so Hubbard is seeking the most favorable state laws for creating a precedent of church status for Scientology. Presumably, Hubbard would then use this precedent to gain religious status in other states or at the national level. Hubbard closes with a justification for declaring Scientology to be a religion which really bears no relationship to the commonly understood definition of religion, i.e. a belief system incorporating spiritual elements which commonly include service to or worship of a supernatural being. The justification is weak because Hubbard first started with a business based on dubious "science", and is now attempting to retrofit it to be a religion. Many governments throughout Europe (Germany in particular) have rejected this religious veneer and treat Scientology as a [fraudulent] business for this reason.

The Hymn of Asia, L. Ron Hubbard, p. 1

"Am I Metteya? If you see me dead I will then live forever I come to you in Peace I come to you as a Teacher I DO NOT COME AS AN OFFICER OF CHURCH OR SECT [emphasis added] I come to you as a Man."

Here, Hubbard specifically denies a religious office for himself. This is consistent with previous assertions regarding the clinical nature of Scientology. Rather than claim diety or other religious status for himself, Hubbard says that he is "a Man". By extension, Hubbard's "belief system" [Scientology] is based on "a Man"'s work, rather than any supernatural inspiration.

Fundamentals of Thought, L. Ron Hubbard, 1956, Bridge Publishing, 1983 edition, p. 7.

"Scientology is a branch of psychology which treats of [sic] human ability."

Fundamentals of Thought is required reading for advancement in Scientology. It is a seminal work by Hubbard which describes the basis of Dianetics and Scientology procedures. Hubbard describes Scientology as merely a branch of psychology (again attempting to gain legitimacy by associating with a respected professional organization that is based on scientific principles). Note that there is no religion here. In other words, religion plays no part in the Fundamentals of Thought as defined by Hubbard.

Fundamentals of Thought, L. Ron Hubbard, 1956, Bridge Publishing, 1983 edition, p. 8.

"The term Scientology is taken from the Latin word scio (knowing in the fullest sense of the word) and logos (study of). "Scientology, used by the untrained and the trained person, improves the health, intelligence, ability, behavior, skill and appearance of people. "It is a PRECISE AND EXACT SCINCE [emphasis added], designed for an age of exact sciences."

Hubbard defines Scientology as the study of knowing. While Hubbard has a chance to define Scientology in religious terms, Hubbard instead claims that Scientology is an EXACT SCIENCE. This is at odds with a religious definition which would involve faith, beliefs, and elements of the supernatural. Also note the barrage of medical claims made by Hubbard - in the United States, a religion can claim that dubious medical practices are rituals of faith, thereby avoiding government scrutiny.

Fundamentals of Thought, L. Ron Hubbard, 1956, Bridge Publishing, 1983 edition, p. 55.

Probably the greatest discovery of Scientology and its most forceful contribution to mankind has been the isolation, description and handling of the human spirit, accomplished in July, 1951, in Phoenix Arizona. I established, ALONG SCIENTIFIC RATHER THAN RELIGIOUS OR HUMANITARIAN LINES [emphasis added] that the thing which is the person, the personality, is separable from the body and the mind at will and without causing bodily death or derangement.

Hubbard (and Scientology) has always had a push-me pull-you approach to "the religious angle". On the one hand, Hubbard claims to have isolated, described, and handled the human spirit through "scientific" means - in fact, the existence of the human spirit has never been scientifically proven nor disproven - the spirit cannot be measured, therefore it is outside the realm of topics that science can address. On the other hand, Hubbard claims that even though Scientology treats the human spirit, it is not religious. Are you confused yet? Don't feel too bad. The basis of Hubbard's claim that Scientology is a religion appears to hinge on Scientology's treatment of the human spirit, as if that claim automatically entitles Scientology to religious status. Hubbard seems to associate "the human spirit" with "personality" in that both are [apparently] separable from the body and mind. In this way, psychiatrists or psychologists could also claim religious status. "Religion" is not listed in the index nor the glossary of Fundamentals of Thought.

Hubbard Communications Office Policy Letter (HCOPL) 29 Oct. 1962, "Religion"

"Scientology 1970 is being planned on a religious organization basis throughout the world. This will not upset in any way the usual activities of any organization. It is entirely a matter for accountants and solicitors."

No comment - this speaks for itself!

If anbody knows of other similar statements from L. Ron Hubbard please send them to: wbarwell@starbase.neosoft.com

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