Presented By: Alex Haro, Yvette Becerra, Brandon Cook, Jose Mendoza, and Armando Martinez

Defined as... Scientology is a religious system based on the seeking of self knowledge and spiritual fulfillment through graded courses of study and training. ❏ Scientology is also considered an “applied religious philosophy” ❏ According to the founder of scientology, it is possible to be a scientologist as well as part of another religion

Background History ❏ Created by L. Ron Hubbard ❏ The Modern Science of Mental Health ❏ Appeared in New York Times bestseller list for 26 consecutive weeks ❏ Interest in Hubbard’s teachings ❏ Los Angeles base of scientology

Demographics ❏ Estimate of 10 million scientologists worldwide ❏ US most accurate estimate ❏ 8,000 churches ❏ over 20,000 staff ❏ 159 countries

Where are they located?

Who are they?

Six Steps ❏ Go online/yellow pages ❏ Make appointment or walk in ❏ Orientation ❏ Buy a book (find some books) ❏ Ask about Dianetics ❏ “Clear”

Ontological Beliefs Categories of Reality: -Physical World -Spirituality -reincarnation -A divine entity: INFINITY

Religious or Spiritual Beliefs Belief in reincarnation -Counseling auditing: helps eliminate pain from within their mind from past lives or current life. CLEAR -Clear the mind in order to receive enlightenment called CLEAR where harmful thoughts have been wiped out and dealt with -One can reach infinity only after enlightenment/CLEAR has been received. Fun Fact -Members of the church have confessed to have signed One million year contracts with the church, this shows how devoted to the idea of reincarnation the affiliates are.

Ethical Teachings ❏ “Ethics are the reason and the contemplation for optimal survival.” ❏ Ethics may be further defined as “the actions an individual takes on himself to ensure his continued survival across the dynamics” ❏ Change The World ❏ Remain True to Yourself ❏ Use auditing to cleanse the mind “No man who is not himself honest can be free—he is his own trap. When his own deeds cannot be disclosed then he is a prisoner; he must withhold himself from his fellows and is a slave to his own conscience.” -L. Ron Hubbard

Epistemological Beliefs The secrets of scientology BBC -All their beliefs and practices are based on rigorous research. -Doctrine is in accordance with scientific law. -Empirical Evidence

Core Values Scientologists believe that every individual action is driven by our urge to survive. The 8 Dynamics of Survival: one can only reach the next level in a satisfactory way if the previous level is taken care of. 1.Self 2.Creativity: the family unit, reproduction 3.Group: survival as part of a group 4.Species: survival as a species 5.Life Forms: the urge to survive with the help of all life forms 6.Matter Energy Space: 7.Spiritual: urge to survive as spiritual beings 8.Infinity: The allness of all, The creator 8 Dynamics Video

Social Beliefs Freeing society of today’s worst problems ❏ War ❏ Drug abuse ❏ Illiteracy ❏ Materialistic philosophy ❏ Immorality ❏ Crime

Scientology and the World ❏ Excluded from the world and very private(secretive) ❏ They feel like they are responsible for helping out society ❏ Very anti-media and very secretive when it comes to the information that is being taught to its members

Sacred Texts ❏ No sacred texts ❏ Follow teachings of L Ron Hubbard Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health

Cultural Practices Scientology some members work for the church and live in compounds If you leave the group/religion you are completely cut off from the group adg adg

Religious Artifacts Electropsychometer → "religious artifact" the e-meter can measure person's mental state. → historically it was believed to knock out the engrams, cure blindness and even improve a person's intelligence and appearance. → Auditing: it is used to “clear” the individual of negativity → In order to clear the persons negative conscious

Average Education Range Range of the average member: → Higher education: bachelors, masters postdoctoral and beyond → Scientology is a literate faith that requires the reading of numerous texts → It is common for members to pursue scientology studies with in the church at levels that are compared to a postdoctoral degrees

Educational Programs ❏ Ron Hubbard’s Study Technology is now available to educators and students through over 1,000 Applied Scholastics groups, in 72 nations

Peace and Stability ❏ Ultimate goal is to reach absolute freedom and happiness. → accomplished through coursework, activities, and auditing ❏ Their vision is to have a world free from war, crime, drug abuse, illiteracy, and the materialism, which is typically the norm in western cultures.

Minority and Majority Status ❏ Attempt to reach out to all individuals regardless of race or gender ❏ Their hope is to become a dominant world view

Forms of Oppression Case Studies: ❏ New York: Noah Lottick jumped off a hotel the 10th floor of a hotel and died ❏ Spend thousands of dollars on counseling, and “donations” ❏ His family believes his affiliation to the church drove him to his death

Integration with Society The scientology community is welcoming of all interested individuals

Issues ❏ L Ron Hubbard & ❏ “Rip off” ❏ “Fair Game” ❏ Secretivity

Current Issues ❏ Human Trafficking ❏ Sea Organization- religious order ❏ Members are leaving ❏ unhappy bloggers ❏ “Independent Scientology” ❏ tired of David Miscavige’s leadership ❏ “Guaranteeing Scientology as a Force For Good”

Works Cited "FBI's Scientology Investigation: Balancing the First Amendment with Charges of Abuse and Forced Labor." N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Apr "Library." Gender and Sexuality. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Apr "Millions of Members?" Scientology. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Apr "Top 10 Problems With Scientology - Listverse." Listverse. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Apr "Welcome to the IScientology Blog (click the Ticket)." Independent Scientology Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Apr "WHAT IS SCIENTOLOGY?" Scientology, Demographic and Statistical Facts. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Apr "BBC Panorama - The Secrets of Scientology." YouTube. YouTube, 01 Jan Web. 30 Apr "Official Church of Scientology: Beliefs & Practices, Books, L. Ron Hubbard, What Is Scientology? David Miscavige." Official Church of Scientology: Beliefs & Practices, Books, L. Ron Hubbard, What Is Scientology? David Miscavige. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Apr