Jason Loutensock Natalie Parisi Eric Larsen HUMA 2400 Summer 2012

Childhood Military Book Dianatics

Current Leader

Thetans – Immortal souls Engrams – obstructions to the soul imprisoned by physical reality MEST - physical reality or Matter Energy Space Time Bridge to Total Freedom –a thetans move toward full liberation from engrams Preclear – prior to pursuit of Bridge Operating Theatan (Clear) – completed bridge Scientology – The knowledge of you (the outward form by which the inward thought is expressed) and a study of the spirit Auditor – A Scientology Practitioner who listens and uses a set of processes to bring about changes in an individuals intelligence, behavior and general competence. Helps to become a clear (OT) Processes – Drills and excercises Employed – Used by/for Education – Teaching by form of audits and drills E-meter –electric machine used to locate engrams and help remove them from preclear’s thetan

The mission of Scientology is civilization. Scientology is defined as the study and handling of the spirit in relationship to itself, universes, and other life. Scientology is a new but very basic psychology, a study of the spirit. It is an exact science, through exact methods and exact application. (no system of belief or faith)

Humans are spiritual souls trapped within their material bodies Thetans are immortal souls that continue from one material life to another collecting engrams Engrams are obstructions to the soul imprisoned by MEST, manifested in a persons life as sadness, doubt, anger, or negative thoughts. Scientology objective – to confront the engrams and release them, allowing the soul to be free

It is Possible to know about the mind, the spirit and life. The Cycle-of-Action = Create, Survive, Destroy (an apparency) vs. Create, Create-Create-Create, Create-Counter-Create, No- Creation, Nothingness (an actual))

1. Self Dynamic 2. Sex Dynamic 3. Group Dynamic 4. Mankind Dynamic 5. Animal Dynamic 6. Universe Dynamic 7. Spiritual Dynamic 8. Infinity of God Dynamic Eight urges (drives, Impulses, motives, motivations) in life.

Phase 1: Introduction Phase 2: Recognition – Scientology Based on their financial resources they are no longer have to try to isolate themselves. Isolation is a characteristic of religions in the introduction phase. We chose Phase 2 because they are asserting themselves more. Phase 3: Negotiation Phase 4: Establishment

The Scientology cross has eight corners representing the eight dynamics of existence.Scientology cross

Represents:

Auditing and e-meter (video)

 Has Scientology won a place in the mainstream?  Has Scientology flourished in Secular America?  Has Scientology faced forms of persecution, oppression and discrimination over the years?

What is Mainstream anyways? Mainstream is: The dominant course, tendency, or trend. Something that is purchased, used or accepted broadly rather than by a tiny fraction of population or market; it’s common, usual or conventional. -(combination of two sources, dictionary.com & wiktionary.com)  Has Scientology won a place in the mainstream?

- The Launch of Project Celebrity (1955) Gloria Swanson Dave Bruebeck  Has Scientology won a place in the mainstream? “Celebrities are very Special people and have a very distinct line of dissemination. They have communication lines that others do not have and many medias to get their dissemination through.” -L.Ron Hubbard

 Has Scientology won a place in the mainstream? Celebrity Centres: -Main purpose is to expand the number of celebrities in Scientology -Bring “broad public into Scientology from celebrity Dissemination.”

 Has Scientology won a place in the mainstream? - Pew Forum Religious Affiliation Survey- Evangelical Protestant Churches = 26.3% Catholic = 23.9% Mainline Protestant Churches = 18.1% Unaffiliated = 16.1% Historically Black Churches = 6.9% Other Metaphysical (Scientology) = 0.3%

Has Scientology won a place in the mainstream? Not quite yet My Conclusion:

 Has Scientology flourished in America due to its secular nature? Flourishing Religion- A religious group that shows strong, verifiable membership growth and presence. City of University of New York Study, ,000 practicing members in America Religious Identification Survey, ,000 practicing members in America

Has been successful in America because: WE ARE SECULAR in many ways! Secular - denoting attitudes, activities, or other things that have no religious or spiritual basis.

America is secular Nationally - We have no official state religion - We are granted freedom of religion Individually - People are increasingly being drawn to things that are scientific in nature - We like to feel like there is evidences for our beliefs (religions, health issues, scientific breakthroughs).

What does that mean for Scientology? Individually – We’re Attracted - People are attracted to apparent logic and science - People are self-focused and scientology teaches that it’s important for you to make personal gains in this current life. Nationally – We’re Permissive -There are no governmental restrictions on religion. No restrictions allows for greater social acceptability or anything. - Groups outside the norm are recognized as churches

“Scientology is a religion that says it's OK to be wealthy, it's OK to be famous, in fact, that's a sign of your spiritual development.” - Hugh B. Urban, Professor of religious studies at Ohio State University According to Scientology, its beliefs and practices are based on rigorous research, and its doctrines are accorded a significance equivalent to that of scientific laws.

“In his first book, [L. Ron Hubbard] offended psychiatrists; in his second, the intelligence community…the two…[drew] even closer in the common effort to stop him…What was surprising was the velocity and frequency of subsequent attacks” -Church of Scientology International  Has Scientology faced forms of persecution, oppression and discrimination over the years?

Dianetics (1950) Opposition Morris Fishbein – Editor of the Journal of the American Medical Association and Know for debunking quack medicine dismisses Hubbards book. Newsweek (1950) – “The dianetics concept is unscientific and unworthy of discussion or review.” (1951) - Hubbard Dianetic Research Foundation is forced Bankrupt after legal proceedings for practicing medicine without a license by the New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners. -Early Days-

-Early Days Continued- FDA Raid(1963) – Seizure of hundreds of E-meters as illegal medical devices. Mid nineteen-sixties – banned in several Australian states for claims of auditing being nothing more than “command hypnosis.” IRS (1967) – Removal of Tax exemption status in the U.S. Tax exemption status is returned in 1993.

- Recent Struggles - (1991) – 50 persons in connection with scientology file lawsuits against the Cult Awareness Network (CAN). For material posted online and their efforts advocating against so-called cults. (1993) – The church files a lawsuit against Steven Fishman for posting sacred text and beliefs online regarding Scientology’s Cosmology. Nov. 16, 2005 – Airing of South Park episode “Trapped in the Closet.” (2008) – Launch of

In November 2009, Australian Senator Nick Xenophon used a speech in Federal Parliament to allege that the Church of Scientology is a criminal organization. Based on letters from former followers of the religion, he said that there were "allegations of forced imprisonment, coerced abortions, and embezzlement of church funds, of physical violence and intimidation, blackmail and the widespread and deliberate abuse of information obtained by the organization” Due to these allegations, a considerable amount of investigation has been aimed at the Church, by groups ranging from the media to governmental agencies.”

“It has been one of the most litigious religious movements in history, filing countless lawsuits against governments, organizations and individuals.” - James T. Richardson (2009), Scientology in court.. Today: It has been a struggle Public Eye: Most of us are skeptical

 Has Scientology faced forms of persecution, oppression and discrimination over the years? My Answer: YES, battle on all fronts.