alt.religion.scientology Users' Catechism [1 of 3]
Scientology Information Server
Last-modified: 1995/2/7
Version: 1.21
---------------< FAQ: Scientology Catechism [1 of 3] >----------------------
Taken from the recently published book _What is Scientology?_, the
following file answers a wide variety of questions on Scientology,
from the philosophy itself, to it's founder, to the Church and its
organizations around the world. (The book _What is Scientology?_ is
available in ASCII form via anonymous FTP from FTP.PCNET.COM out
of the directory /users/brianw/wis. It is also available in
paperback in many bookstores and in hardback in many public libraries
around the world.)
(Note: In the orginal text, italics were used to show emphasis or to
indicate that a word is being defined. Italics denoting emphasis
are shown here with *asterisks* surrounding the word, and italicized
words that were being defined, are shown here with 'single quotes'.
My comments are in [square brackets].)
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"A SCIENTOLOGY CATECHISM"
[File 1 of 3]
Part Nine of _What is Scientology?_
Copyright (c) 1992, Church of Scientology International
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1. ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS [Located in file 1 of 3]
1.1 What does the word 'Scientology' mean?
1.2 What is Scientology about?
1.3 How did Scientology start?
1.4 How come it's all based on one man's work?
1.5 Why is Scientology called a religion?
1.6 Why is Scientology a church?
2. WHAT SCIENTOLOGY DOES FOR THE INDIVIDUAL [Located in file 1 of 3]
2.1 How does Scientology work?
2.2 What does Scientology accomplish?
2.3 What claims are made for Scientology?
2.4 How do people get into Scientology?
3. SCIENTOLOGY AND OTHER PRACTICES [Located in file 1 of 3]
3.1 Is Scientology like hypnotism, meditation, psychotherapy or
other mental therapies?
3.2 Is Scientology a secret society?
3.3 In what way does Scientology differ from other religions
and religious philosophies?
3.4 Does Scientology interfere with other religions?
3.5 What does Scientology think of other religions?
3.6 What does Scientology have to say about Christianity?
4. SCIENTOLOGY BELIEFS [Located in file 1 of 3]
4.1 Is man a spirit?
4.2 How does one know man is a spirit?
4.3 What is the Scientology concept of God?
4.4 Can't God be the only one to help man?
4.5 Does Scientology believe in brotherly love?
4.6 Why do Scientologists want to help people?
4.7 Does Scientology recognize good and evil?
4.8 Does Scientology believe man is sinful?
4.9 Will Scientology put man in control of his mind?
4.10 Is Scientology about the mind?
4.11 Does Scientology believe in mind over matter?
4.12 Does Scientology believe one can exist outside of the
body?
4.13 Does Scientology believe in reincarnation or past lives?
4.14 Does Scientology believe in charity and welfare?
4.15 Does Scientology hold any political views?
4.16 Can children participate in Scientology? How?
4.17 What does Scientology say about the raising of children?
4.18 Can one make up his own mind about Scientology?
4.19 What is the Scientology cross?
4.20 What religious holidays do Scientologists celebrate?
5. SCIENTOLOGY'S FOUNDER [Located in file 1 of 3]
5.1 Is L. Ron Hubbard still alive?
5.2 Who was L. Ron Hubbard?
5.3 What was L. Ron Hubbard's role in the Church?
5.4 Has L. Ron Hubbard's death affected the Church?
5.5 How did L. Ron Hubbard rise above the reactive mind when
others didn't?
5.6 Did L. Ron Hubbard make a lot of money out of Scientology?
5.7 Was L. Ron Hubbard a millionaire?
5.8 How is it that one man could discover so much information?
5.9 Do Scientologists believe that L. Ron Hubbard was Jesus
Christ?
5.10 Did L. Ron Hubbard go Clear?
6. SCIENTOLOGY ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES [Located in file 2 of 3]
6.1 How do Scientologists view life?
6.2 What moral codes do Scientologists live by?
6.3 What is Scientology's view on drugs?
6.4 Why are there so many young people on staff in Scientology?
6.5 Do you have any special dietary laws or rules against
smoking or drinking in Scientology?
6.6 Do Scientologists use medical doctors?
6.7 In Scientology does one have to sacrifice one's
individuality?
6.8 What benefits can one get from Scientology?
6.9 What is Scientology's system of ethics?
6.10 What does 'clear the planet' mean?
6.11 What does 'suppressive person' mean?
6.12 What is disconnection?
6.13 Is Scientology a cult?
6.14 Does Scientology engage in brainwashing or mind control?
6.15 Does Scientology actively promote for new members?
6.16 Does one really need Scientology to do well in life?
6.17 Does one have to believe in Scientology?
6.18 Why do Scientologists sometimes seem so intent on what
they are doing?
6.19 What do the terms 'preclear', 'student' and 'auditor'
mean?
6.20 What is the E-Meter(R) and how does it work?
7. THE ORGANIZATIONS OF SCIENTOLOGY [Located in file 2 of 3]
7.1 Scientology is a philosophy. Why does it need to be
organized?
7.2 How many people work in a Scientology church?
7.3 How is Scientology organized?
7.4 Where are Scientology churches located?
7.5 What does a Scientology church or mission actually do?
7.6 What is the Office of Special Affairs?
7.7 What is the Flag Service Organization?
7.8 What is the Flag Ship Service Organization?
7.9 What is the Sea Organization?
7.10 Is it true that people in the Sea Org sign a billion-year
contract?
7.11 Why does Scientology have ministers? Are all
Scientologists ministers?
7.12 What are field staff members?
7.13 Why is everything copyrighted and trademarked in
Scientology?
[7.14 Does the IRS recognize Church organizations as non-profit
charitable organizations?]
8. CHURCH FUNDING [Located in file 2 of 3]
8.1 Why do Scientologists make donations?
8.2 Why does one have to make donations to separate
organizations for their services?
8.3 What about those who cannot afford to make donations for
services?
8.4 Is the Church profit-making?
8.5 How much does it cost to go Clear?
8.6 How well paid are Scientology staff?
[8.6 Are donations made to the Church of Scientology tax
deductible in the United States?]
9. SCIENTOLOGY BOOKS [Located in file 2 of 3]
9.1 What is the best book for a beginning Scientologist to
read?
9.2 Are the books difficult to understand?
9.3 Where can L. Ron Hubbard's books be purchased?
9.4 What books should one read to get information about:
9.4.1 Dianetics?
9.4.2 Basic Scientology principles?
9.4.3 Self-help, tests, and processes?
9.4.4 Handling the residual effects of drugs and toxins?
9.4.5 Basic principles of communication?
9.4.6 Predicting human behavior and understanding people?
9.4.7 How to increase success on the job?
9.4.8 Basic principles of organization?
9.4.9 Basic principles of management?
9.4.10 The principles of ethics and how to use them to
live a more productive life?
9.4.11 Study methods?
9.4.12 Procedures to increase one's spiritual awareness
and abilities?
9.4.13 Past lives and how they relate to this life?
9.4.14 The application of basic Scientology technology to
help others improve their lives?
9.5 How can one get happiness out of a book?
10. DIANETICS [Located in file 2 of 3]
10.1 What is Dianetics?
10.2 What is the mind? Where is the mind?
10.3 What is the difference between the analytical mind and the
reactive mind?
10.4 What is the difference between Scientology and Dianetics?
11. SCIENTOLOGY AND DIANETICS COURSES [Located in file 3 of 3]
11.1 What training should a person take first?
11.2 What does one get out of Scientology and Dianetics
courses?
11.3 How are Scientology and Dianetics training different from
studying philosophy or other religions?
11.4 Should I get my auditing before I get trained?
11.5 When can I take Scientology courses?
11.6 How are Scientology courses run?
11.7 When do I actually gain experience in auditing others?
11.8 When can I take the Minister's Course?
11.9 How long do courses take?
11.10 Are Scientology Course Supervisors university trained?
12. SCIENTOLOGY AND DIANETICS AUDITING [Located in file 3 of 3]
12.1 What is the difference between the auditing and training
routes in Scientology?
12.2 Do all the people on staff in Scientology receive auditing
as well as training?
12.3 Why does one have to wait six weeks for auditing if one
has been habitually using drugs?
12.4 Will antibiotics prevent me from getting auditing?
12.5 Is it okay to take any sort of drugs when you are in
Scientology?
12.6 How many hours of auditing a day to people receive?
12.7 Has the technology of auditing changed since the early
days of Scientology?
12.8 What will I get out of auditing?
12.9 Does auditing really work in all cases?
12.10 What auditing handles physical pains or discomforts?
12.11 What can auditing cure?
12.12 Can one go exterior (be separate from the body) in
auditing?
13. THE STATE OF CLEAR [Located in file 3 of 3]
13.1 What is Clear?
13.2 How does one go Clear?
13.3 How long does it take to go Clear?
13.4 If one goes Clear, will he lose his emotions?
13.5 What can you do when you are Clear?
13.6 Are Clears perfect?
13.7 Do Clears eat food and sleep?
13.8 Do Clears get colds and get sick?
13.9 If Clears no longer have a reactive mind, why do they
still need to get auditing?
14. THE STATE OF OPERATING THETAN [Located in file 3 of 3]
14.1 What is meant by Operating Thetan (OT)?
14.2 How would you describe the state of Operating Thetan?
14.3 Why are the OT materials confidential?
15. A SCIENTOLOGY CAREER [Located in file 3 of 3]
15.1 Can one audit as a career?
15.2 Of what value would it be to have my child trained as an
auditor?
15.3 Can one make Scientology a career in some other way than
by being a minister?
16. SCIENTOLOGY IN SOCIETY [Located in file 3 of 3]
16.1 I've heard that Scientologists are doing good things for
society. What are some specific examples?
16.2 Is Scientology active in Black communities and countries?
16.3 Do doctors, schools, social workers, businessmen and other
professional people use Scientology?
16.4 Why has Scientology sometimes been considered
controversial?
16.5 Why has Scientology been to court a lot of times?
16.6 Are there any laws against the practice of Scientology?
Has it been banned?
16.7 How does Scientology view deprogrammers and groups that
attempt to force people to denounce their chosen religion?
16.8 Why is Scientology opposed to psychiatry?
16.9 Why do some people oppose Scientology?
16.10 Is Scientology trying to rule the world?
16.11 Can Scientology do anything to improve the world
situation?
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1. ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS
1.1 What does the word 'Scientology' mean?
The word 'Scientology' means "the study of knowledge" or
"knowing about knowing" from the Latin word 'scio' which
means "know" or "distinguish," and from the Greek word
'logos' which means "study of," "reason itself" or
"inward thought." So it means the study of wisdom or
knowledge, or "knowing how to know." 'Scientology' is
further defined as the study and handling of the spirit
in relationship to itself, universes and other life. The
word was coined by L. Ron Hubbard.
1.2 What is Scientology about?
Developed by L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology provides *exact*
principles and practical technology for improving self-
confidence, intelligence and ability. Scientology does
not require faith or belief -- one can apply the
principles and see for oneself if they work and are true.
Scientology addresses the spirit -- not simply the body
or mind -- and is therefore completely apart from
materialistic philosophies which hold that man is a
product of his environment, or his genes.
Scientology is a religion by its basic tenets, practice,
historical background and by the definition of the word
'religion' itself. It is recognized as such by courts in
country after country around the world, including the
highest courts in the United States, Australia, Germany,
Sweden, Italy and many others.
All denominations are welcome in Scientology.
Scientology is a *route*, a way, rather than a
dissertation or an assertive body of knowledge.
Through its drills and studies one may find the truth for
oneself. It is the only thing that can show you who *you*
really are.
The technology is therefore not expounded as something to
believe but something to *do*.
1.3 How did Scientology start?
L. Ron Hubbard began his studies of the mind in 1923. In
1947 he wrote a manuscript detailing some of his
discoveries. It was not published at that time, but
circulated among friends, who copied it and passed it on
to others. (This manuscript was formally published in
1951 as _Dianetics: The Original Thesis_ and later
republished as _The Dynamics of Life_.)
As copies of the manuscript circulated, Mr. Hubbard began
to receive an increasing flow of letters requesting
further information and more applications of his new
subject. He soon found himself spending all his time
answering letters and decided to write a comprehensive
text on the subject.
His first published article on the subject, "Terra Incog-
nita: The Mind," appeared in the Winter/Spring 1950 issue
of "The Explorers Club Journal", followed by the book
_Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health_, which
was published May 1950. It became a nationwide best-seller
almost overnight. By late summer, people across the country
were not only reading the book, but were also organizing
their own groups for the purpose of applying Dianetics
techniques. The book has remained a best-seller ever since,
again becoming number one on the "New York Times" best-
seller list, almost four decades after its initial publi-
cation. It continues to appear on best-seller lists around
the world.
During the course of thousands of hours of Dianetics
counseling on thousands of individuals all over the
country, incontrovertible evidence was amassed about the
fundamentally spiritual nature of man. L. Ron Hubbard
himself had discovered early in his research that man was
a spiritual being, inhabiting a body and using a mind.
These discoveries led him to realize that he had entered
the realm of religion.
In 1954, the first Church of Scientology was formed in
Los Angeles by a group of Scientologists. Within a few
years churches had been formed across the country and
around the world.
In the years that followed, L. Ron Hubbard completed his
research into the spiritual nature of man. Today, all of
his writings on the subject are available to anyone who
wishes to study Scientology. Although Mr. Hubbard
departed his body in 1986, he is still with us in spirit
and the legacy of his work continues to help people
around the world.
1.4 How come it's all based on one man's work?
In the early 195Os, L. Ron Hubbard wrote:
"Acknowledgment is made to fifty
thousand years of thinking men
without whose speculations and
observations the creation and
construction of Dianetics would not
have been possible. Credit in
particular is due to:
"Anaxagoras, Thomas Paine,
Aristotle, Thomas Jefferson,
Socrates, Rene' Descartes,
Plato, James Clerk Maxwell,
Euclid, Charcot, Lucretius,
Herbert Spencer, Roger Bacon,
William James, Francis Bacon,
Sigmund Freud, Isaac Newton,
van Leeuwenhoek, Cmdr. Joseph
Thompson (MC) USN, William A.
White, Voltaire, Will Durant,
Count Alfred Korzybski, and my
instructors in atomic and
molecular phenomena, mathe-
matics and the humanities at
George Washington University
and at Princeton."
1.5 Why is Scientology called a religion?
'Religion' is defined as "Any specific system of belief
and worship, often involving a code of ethics and a
philosophy...." (_Webster's New World Dictionary, Third
College Edition_).
Religious philosophy implies study of spiritual manifes-
tations, research on the nature of the spirit and study
of the relationship of the spirit to the body; exercises
devoted to the rehabilitation of abilities in a spirit.
Scientology is a religion in the most traditional sense.
It deals with man as a spirit and is distinguishable from
material and nonreligious philosophies which hold man to
be a product of material circumstances. Scientology does
not demand blind faith, but endeavors to help the
individual discover past experiences and shed the trauma
and guilt (sin) which encumber him.
The Church of Scientology also conducts basic services
such as sermons at church meetings, christenings,
weddings and funerals.
1.6 Why is Scientology a church?
The word 'church' comes from the Greek word 'kurios'
meaning 'lord' and the Indo-European base 'kewe', "to be
strong." Current meanings of the word include "a
congregation," "ecclesiastical power as distinguished
from the secular" and "the clerical profession; clergy."
The word 'church' is not only used by Christian
organizations. There were churches ten thousand years
before there were Christians, and Christianity itself was
a revolt against the established church. In modern usage,
people speak of the Buddhist or Moslem church, referring
in general to the whole body of believers in a particular
religious teaching.
A church is simply a congregation of people who
participate in common religious activities; 'church' is
also used to refer to the building where members of a
religious group gather to practice their religion and
attain greater spiritual awareness and well-being.
Scientology helps man become more aware of God, more
aware of his own spiritual nature and that of those
around him. Scientology scriptures recognize that there
is an entire dynamic (urge or motivation in life) devoted
to the Supreme Being (the eighth dynamic), and another
dynamic that deals solely with one's urge toward
existence as a spirit (the seventh dynamic).
Acknowledgment of these aspects of life is a typical
characteristic of religions. Thus, Scientology is a
religion and the use of the word 'church' when referring
to Scientology is correct.
In the 1950s, Scientologists recognized that L. Ron
Hubbard's technology and its results dealt directly with
the freeing of the human spirit, and that greater
spiritual awareness was routinely being achieved. There
was no question in their minds that what they were
dealing with was a religious practice; thus, in the early
1950s, they voted that a church be formed to better serve
the needs of Scientologists. The first church of
Scientology was incorporated in 1954. Since that time,
dozens of court rulings in many different countries have
upheld the fact that Scientology is a religion.
2. WHAT SCIENTOLOGY DOES FOR THE INDIVIDUAL
2.1 How does Scientology work?
Scientology philosophy provides answers to many questions
about life and death; it encompasses an exact, precisely
mapped-out path. Through application of Scientology
technology in an auditing session, a person is able to
remove barriers and unwanted conditions and so become
more himself. As a person progresses, he often reaches
out to help others in the ways he has been helped.
In developing Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard found the means
to develop a technology to free the human spirit and
thereby allow man to really know himself. He thoroughly
tested all of his procedures and recorded for future use
those that proved most workable in bringing about
uniformly predictable results. These comprise standard
Scientology technology.
That which is real to the person himself is all one is
asked to accept of Scientology. No beliefs are forced
upon him. By training and processing, he finds out for
himself the answers he is looking for in life.
2.2 What does Scientology accomplish?
Since Scientology is an 'applied religious philosophy',
the stress is on application and workability. It
addresses the individual and brings about self-improve-
ment by increasing a person's awareness and ability to
handle life. It differs from other religious philosophies
in that it supplies the means through which a person can
increase his ability to effectively handle the problems
and situations he and others face in life.
2.3 What claims are made for Scientology?
Scientology can increase a person's awareness and its
application can help one to achieve greater happiness,
self-confidence and ability.
Man has often been attracted to philosophies that sound
plausible but which have no technology that can be
applied to bring about desirable changes in one's life.
Scientology and Dianetics, on the other hand, supply the
tools with which an individual can improve his own life
and the lives of those around him.
Scientology philosophy is based on the premise that man
is basically good and that man can improve conditions in
his life. However, Scientology cannot promise to do
anything by itself. Only the individual can bring about
his own improvement by applying Scientology tenets to
himself, his life and others in his environment.
2.4 How do people get into Scientology?
Usually by word of mouth, often by reading a book or
seeing promotional materials or taking a personality test
at a church of Scientology. Sometimes by meeting a
Scientologist and seeing that he has "something" -- a
positive attitude toward life, certainty, self-confidence
and happiness -- which they too would like.
Fundamentally, people get into Scientology because they
want to improve something in their lives or because they
wish to help others improve themselves and thus make a
better civilization.
3. SCIENTOLOGY AND OTHER PRACTICES
3.1 Is Scientology like hypnotism, meditation, psychotherapy or
other mental therapies?
There is no resemblance. In fact, it was as a result of
L. Ron Hubbard's investigation of hypnotism and many
other mental practices that he saw the need for practical
answers to man's problems. In his book, _Dianetics: The
Modern Science of Mental Health_, he wrote that he had
found hypnotism and psychotherapy to be dangerous and
impractical. Nearly all other methods of alleged menta]
science are based on principles that are quite the
opposite of those used in Scientology. They treat man as
a "thing" to be conditioned, not as a spiritual being who
can find answers to life's problems and who can improve
enormously.
3.2 Is Scientology a secret society?
Not at all. Scientology churches are open -- you can go
in at any time. Scientology literature is freely
available to anyone. There is no demand for the
individual to withdraw from society; on the contrary,
Scientologists become *more* involved in life around
them, as they want to take responsibility for improving
conditions.
3.3 In what way does Scientology differ from other religions
and religious philosophies?
Nearly all religious philosophies share a belief in
helping man live a better life. In Scientology, this
concept is expressed as one of the aims of the Church,
which is to achieve a world without insanity, war and
crime. While Scientology religious philosophy has much in
common with other religions in this regard and in terms
of its basic religious concepts and its outreach into the
community with social reform programs, the most valuable
asset that Scientology has to offer is a wealth of
technology which brings about greater spiritual
awareness.
In Scientology there is no attempt to change a person's
beliefs or to persuade him away from any religion to
which he already belongs. Scientology helps people to
achieve their goals: (1) through reading the materials
contained in the books and publications; (2) through the
unique counseling technology called auditing; (3) through
training courses which utilize L. Ron Hubbard's
discoveries in the field of education. Scientology makes
it possible for *any* religion to attain its goals and is
therefore a religion of religions.
3.4 Does Scientology interfere with other religions?
Scientology is all-denominational in that it opens its
membership to people of all faiths. Part of the Church's
Creed states that "all men have inalienable rights to
their own religious practices and their performance."
Membership in Scientology does not mean that there is any
necessity to leave your current church, synagogue, temple
or mosque.
3.5 What does Scientology think of other religions?
Scientology respects all religions. Scientology does not
conflict with other religions or other religious
practices. Quite often Scientology church members
rekindle a greater interest than ever in the subject of
religions -- including the one of their birth.
3.6 What does Scientology have to say about Christianity?
Scientologists hold the Bible as a holy work and have no
argument with the Christian belief that Jesus Christ was
the Savior of Mankind and the Son of God. We share
Christ's goals for man's achievement of wisdom, good
health and immortality. Christianity is among the faiths
studied by Scientology ministerial students. There are
probably many types of redemption. That of Christ was to
heaven.
4. SCIENTOLOGY BELIEFS
4.1 Is man a spirit?
Yes. Here's a short exercise you can do to find out for
yourself.
Close your eyes and get a picture of a cat.
Done?
That which is looking at that cat is you, a spirit.
4.2 How does one know man is a spirit?
It is a matter that each individual must examine for
himself. Scientologists believe man is more than a mind
and body and that it is he, himself, the spirit, who can
control his mind and body.
Do you think your body would *do* anything by itself if
it were not guided by you, the being?
4.3 What is the Scientology concept of God?
The Church has no dogma concerning God, and each person's
concept is probably different. As a person becomes more
aware of himself, others, the environment and God, each
person attains his own certainty as to who God is and
exactly what God means to him. The author of the universe
exists. How God is symbolized or manifested is up to each
individual to find for himself.
In his book _Science of Survival_, L. Ron Hubbard writes:
"No culture in the history of the world, save the
thoroughly depraved and expiring ones, has failed to
affirm the existence of a Supreme Being. It is an
empirical observation that men without a strong and
lasting faith in a Supreme Being are less capable, less
ethical and less valuable to themselves and society. . .
A man without an abiding faith is, by observation
alone, more of a thing than a man."
4.4 Can't God be the only one to help man?
Scientologists take the maxim quite to heart that God
helps those who help themselves. They believe that each
person has the answers to the mysteries of life; all he
requires is awareness of these answers, and this is what
Scientology helps a person achieve. Man is accustomed to
asking for pat answers. Scientology requires that the
person think for himself and thus help himself become
more intelligent, happy and healthy.
4.5 Does Scientology believe in brotherly love?
Yes, and perhaps goes a step further. L. Ron Hubbard
wrote that "To love is the road to strength. To love in
spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very
well be the greatest secret in this universe."
4.6 Why do Scientologists want to help people?
For several reasons. First, because Scientologists
themselves have been helped enormously -- and they want
others to share the same successes. Second,
Scientologists understand that life is not lived alone.
An individual has more than just one dynamic (the urge to
survive as self). He wants to help his family, his
groups, mankind itself and living things survive better.
4.7 Does Scientology recognize good and evil?
Yes, in Scientology, a very clear distinction is made
between good and evil. Those actions which enhance
survival on the majority of the eight aspects or dynamics
of life are good, and those which destroy or deny these
aspects of life are evil. Decisions are then based on
enhancing the majority of these dynamics of life.
'Good' may be defined as constructive. 'Evil' may be
defined as destructive.
4.8 Does Scientology believe man is sinful?
It is a basic tenet of Scientology that man is basically
good, but that he is aberrated (capable of erring or
departing from rational thought or behavior) and
therefore commits harmful acts or sins, thus reducing his
awareness and potential power.
Through Scientology he can confront his actions, erase
the ignorance and aberration which surrounds them and
know and experience truth again.
All religions seek truth. Freedom of the spirit is only
to be found on the road to truth.
Sin is composed, according to Scientology, of lies and
hidden actions and is therefore untruth.
4.9 Will Scientology put one in control of his mind?
Yes. As you are a spiritual being, quite separate from
your mind and your body, Scientology will help *you*
achieve a far better command over your mind, just as it
helps you to intelligently control all aspects of your
life.
4.10 Is Scientology about the mind?
No. Scientology is about the individual himself as
separate and distinct from the mind. Dianetics concerns
the mind and contains the most advanced technology of the
mind man has.
4.11 Does Scientology believe in mind over matter?
Scientology addresses you -- not your mind, not your
body, but you.
Scientologists have found that the spirit is
*potentially* superior to material things, and that the
spirit, i.e. you, if cleansed of past traumas,
transgressions and aberrations, can make miraculous
changes in the physical universe that would not otherwise
be possible.
4.12 Does Scientology believe one can exist outside of the
body?
Before entering Scientology many people experience the
feeling of looking down on one's body, and by achieving
greater spiritual awareness through Scientology, this
experience becomes nothing out of the ordinary.
Scientology believes that man is not his body, his mind
or his brain. He, a spiritual force, energizes the
physical body and his life.
Scientology proved, for the first time, that man was a
spiritual being, not an animal.
4.13 Does Scientology believe in reincarnation or past lives?
Reincarnation is a definite system and is not part of
Scientology. It is a fact that unless one begins to
handle aberrations built up in past lives, he doesn't
progress.
The definition of the term 'reincarnation' has been
altered from its original meaning. The word has come to
mean "to be born again in different life forms," whereas
its actual definition is "to be born again into the flesh
or into another body."
Today in Scientology, many people have certainty that
they have lived lives prior to their current one. These
are referred to as past lives, not as reincarnation.
Individuals are free to believe this or not; past lives
are not a dogma in Scientology, but generally Scientolo-
gists, during their auditing, experience a past life and
then *know* for themselves that they have lived before.
To believe one had a physical or other existence prior to
the identity of the current body is not a new concept --
but it is an exciting one.
In Scientology, you are given the tools to handle upsets
and aberrations from past lives that adversely affect you
in present time, thus freeing you to live a much happier
life.
4.14 Does Scientology believe in charity and welfare?
It does. However, Scientologists also believe in the
principle that exchange is necessary. If a person only
receives and never gives, he will not be a happy person
and will lose his own self-respect. Therefore, any
Scientology-sponsored charity programs also encourage
those receiving the charity to make some form of
contribution by helping others so that self-respect can
be maintained.
4.15 Does Scientology hold any political views?
Scientology is nonpolitical. By its Creed, "All men have
inalienable rights to conceive, choose, assist or support
their own organizations, churches and governments."
Scientologists are free to hold their own political
views, vote for the candidates of their choice, etc., and
are not given direction from the Church as to what
position to take on political issues or candidates. The
Church believes there should be separation of church and
state.
4.16 Can children participate in Scientology? How?
Yes, there are many children who participate in
Scientology. There are no age restrictions as to who can
take Scientology courses or receive auditing. Some
churches also deliver special courses and study programs
specifically designed for young people. If the person is
below the legal age, he must first get written consent
from his parents or guardian to take Scientology
services. Scientologists generally want their children to
have Scientology available to them so are quite agreeable
to have their children take Scientology services.
4.17 What does Scientology say about the raising of children?
L. Ron Hubbard has written a great deal about raising
children. In Scientology, children are recognized as
people who should be given all the respect and love
granted adults.
Scientologists believe children should be encouraged to
contribute to family life, not just be "seen and not
heard" as the old saying goes. Children are spiritual
beings, and as such they need to exchange with those
around them in order to thrive and live productive, happy
lives. For more information on handling children, the
book _Child Dianetics_ and the course "How to Be a
Successful Parent" are recommended.
Most children raised in good Scientology homes are above
average in ability and quickly begin to understand how
and why people act as they do. Life thus becomes a lot
safer and happier for them.
4.18 Can one make up his own mind about Scientology?
One can and indeed one should. Scientology enables you to
think for yourself. There is no purpose served in
studying Scientology because someone else wants you to.
But if you've taken a good look at your life and have
decided that you want to make it better, the best thing
is to start and find out for yourself what Scientology
can do for you. One should read one of the basic books by
L. Ron Hubbard, such as _Dianetics: The Modern Science of
Mental Health_ or _Scientology: The Fundamentals of
Thought_.
What is real in Scientology for you is what you find in
it that is real for you.
4.19 What is the Scientology cross?
It is an eight-pointed cross representing the eight parts
or dynamics of life through which each individual is
striving to survive. These parts are: the urge toward
existence as self, as an individual; the urge to survive
through creativity, including the family unit and the
rearing of children; the urge to survive through a group
of individuals or as a group; the urge toward survival
through all mankind and as all mankind; the urge to
survive as life forms and with the help of life forms
such as animals, birds, insects, fish and vegetation; the
urge to survive of the physical universe, by the physical
universe itself and with the help of the physical
universe and each one of its component parts; the urge to
survive as spiritual beings or the urge for life itself
to survive; the urge toward existence as infinity. To be
able to live happily with respect to each of these
spheres of existence is symbolized by the Scientology
cross.
As a matter of interest, the cross as a symbol predates
Christianity.
4.20 What religious holidays do Scientologists celebrate?
Scientologists celebrate several major holidays annually.
These include the birthday of L. Ron Hubbard (March 13);
the date marking the initial publication of _Dianetics_
(May 9); Auditor's Day, in honor of all auditors (second
Sunday in September); and the International Association
of Scientologists Anniversary, to mark the founding of
this organization which unites, supports and protects the
Scientology religion and Scientologists in all parts of
the world (October 7).
Additionally, each local country or area may observe its
own significant dates, such as the founding of the church
in its area or the opening of the first Dianetics or
Scientology organization in that country. Members of the
Church also observe traditional religious holidays such
as Christmas.
5. SCIENTOLOGY'S FOUNDER
5.1 Is L. Ron Hubbard still alive?
No. L. Ron Hubbard passed away on January 24, 1986, but
he remains with us in spirit and through the legacy of
his technology and its continual application around the
globe.
5.2 Who was L. Ron Hubbard?
L. Ron Hubbard is the Founder of Dianetics and
Scientology and the author of its scriptures. His
research on the mind and life is recorded in the tens of
millions of words on the subject of the human spirit
which comprise Dianetics and Scientology philosophy. His
works cover subjects as diverse as drug rehabilitation,
education, marriage and family, success at work,
administration, art and many other aspects of life.
His best-selling self-help book _Dianetics: The Modern
Science of Mental Health_ alone has sold millions and
millions of copies and has continued to appear on the New
York Times and other best-seller lists around the world
over four decades after its original publication.
Testimony to the applicability and workability of his
discoveries are the millions of happy and successful
people and the hundreds of Dianetics and Scientology
churches, missions and groups internationally.
L. Ron Hubbard dedicated his life to helping others. He
saw that times needed to change, and he created a
workable technology so that needed changes could occur
for millions of people. He departed his body on January
24, 1986 leaving with us his life's work which is
continued today through the application of his
discoveries which help millions around the world.
5.3 What was L. Ron Hubbard's role in the Church?
L. Ron Hubbard founded the Scientology philosophy. A
group of Scientologists then formed the first Church of
Scientology in Los Angeles in 1954.
Mr. Hubbard ran the early Dianetics and Scientology
organizations until 1966, when he retired from running
them on a day-to-day basis and turned this function over
to Scientology Church executives. He continued to take an
interest in the Church's expansion and advised on
administrative matters when specifically asked for
advice, but he mainly spent his time researching the
upper levels of Scientology and codifying the technology.
5.4 Has L. Ron Hubbard's death affected the Church?
L. Ron Hubbard recorded the results of all his research
in writing, on film or in taped lectures so that the
technology would be preserved. As a result, Scientology
has continued to expand, and its future survival is
assured.
All great religious leaders of the past have died. Their
work flourishes. Men die. Wisdom and ideas do not.
5.5 How did L. Ron Hubbard rise above the reactive mind when
others didn't?
He applied to himself the principles he had found.
5.6 Did L. Ron Hubbard make a lot of money out of Scientology?
No. He received no royalties from the fees paid to
Scientology organizations for training and processing. In
fact, L. Ron Hubbard forgave Scientology churches a
thirteen-million-dollar debt in 1966 when he retired as
Executive Director.
He made his money from the royalties on his books. One
book alone, _Dianetics_, has sold *millions* of copies,
and his total book sales of both fiction and nonfiction are
in excess of one hundred million copies around the world,
including more than twenty national best-sellers in the
1980s. In fact, Mr. Hubbard's books still sell by the
millions each year and the royalties from the sale of
these books and his life's fortune were willed to the
Church to help ensure the future application of his
technology to the betterment of mankind.
5.7 Was L. Ron Hubbard a millionaire?
L. Ron Hubbard was one of those fortunate people who
never made problems over money. He inherited some wealth
at an early age, but in the early 193Os became one of the
highest paid writers in America long before _Dianetics_.
He was a millionaire several times over from his book
royalties. His public book sales continue to be
astronomical.
5.8 How is it that one man could discover so much information?
He simply cared enough to want it and had the
intelligence and persistence to research and find it.
Few men have been trained in all the Eastern philosophies
and in the highest levels of Western science as well.
Knowing that his research was only as valuable as it
provided workable solutions to man's problems, he tested
all of his discoveries and found the most effective
methods for applying the results of his research. His
workable methods enabled him to continue research into
higher and higher realms of spiritual awareness.
5.9 Do Scientologists believe that L. Ron Hubbard was Jesus
Christ?
No. L. Ron Hubbard personally stated he was a man as
others are men. He was a much-loved friend and teacher
and continues to be respected and loved.
5.10 Did L. Ron Hubbard go Clear?
Yes. In order to map the route for others he had to make
it himself.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of "A SCIENTOLOGY CATECHISM"
[File 1 of 3]
Part Nine of _What is Scientology?_
Copyright (c) 1992 Church of Scientology International, All Rights Reserved.
Used with permission.
Grateful acknowledgement is made to the L. Ron Hubbard Library for
permission to reproduce selections from the copyrighted works of
L. Ron Hubbard.
"Dianetics," "E-Meter," "Flag," "Freewinds," "Hubbard," "OEC,"
"OT," "Purification Rundown," "Scientology," and "The Bridge" are
trademarks and service marks owned by the Religious Technology
Center and are used with its permission. "Scientologist" is a
collective membership mark designating members of the affiliated
churches and missions of Scientology.
============================================================================
For more information on Scientology, FTP to FTP.PCNET.COM /users/brianw
or write to: scn...@pcnet.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Last-modified: 1995/2/7
Version: 1.31
-----------------< FAQ: Scientology Catechism [3 of 3] >----------------------
(Note: In the orginal text, italics were used to show emphasis or to
indicate that a word is being defined. Italics denoting emphasis
are shown here with *asterisks* surrounding the word, and italicized
words that were being defined, are shown here with 'single quotes'.
My comments are in [square brackets].
The book _What is Scientology?_, from which this file is taken, is
available in ASCII form via anonymous FTP from FTP.PCNET.COM out
of the directory /users/brianw/wis).
==========================================================================
"A SCIENTOLOGY CATECHISM"
[File 3 of 3]
Part Nine of _What is Scientology?_
Copyright (c) 1992, Church of Scientology International, All Rights
Reserved. Used with permission.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------
The first action a person should take in his Scientology
training is to read a book, such as _Dianetics: The
Modern Science of Mental Health_ or _Scientology: The
Fundamentals of Thought_. He can study these on an
extension course which is designed to help people
understand the basic fundamentals of L. Ron Hubbard's
books and find out about Scientology for themselves. The
lessons in the course are completed and mailed in to the
Extension Course Supervisor who grades them and informs
the student by return mail what his grade is and any
parts of the book he may have misunderstood.
After completing a book or extension course, he should go
into a church and see one of the Public Division
Registrars who can help him decide which course he should
do next. There are many different services available. For
instance, many Life Improvement Courses exist, on such
subjects as marriage, children, work, relationships with
others and personal integrity. These help a person move
from effect to cause in a specific area of life. Or there
is the Hubbard Dianetics Seminar which utilizes Dianetics
auditing techniques based on _Dianetics: The Modern
Science of Mental Health_, providing as much Dianetics
auditing to a person as he wants and giving him
experience applying Dianetics to another. There is also
the Success Through Communication Course which teaches
the basic communication skills one needs to succeed in
social or other situations.
Factually, it is best to talk to someone to find out
which of the many courses available is addressed most
directly to what one wants to handle or improve in life.
11.2 What does one get out of Scientology and Dianetics
courses?
Training gives a person the knowledge and tools to handle
life. A basic datum in Scientology is that what one
learns is only as valuable as it can be applied, and as
it helps one do better in life. This is why Scientology
is correctly called an *applied* religious philosophy.
The information and technology a person learns is not
just to increase his understanding (although it will
definitely do that as well), but it is for USE.
Although many Scientologists become practicing
Scientology ministers, many others simply use the data in
their everyday lives, on the job, and with their friends
and family members. They report that life becomes more
confrontable, their abilities increase and they are
happier because they are winning in the game of life.
11.3 How are Scientology and Dianetics training different from
studying philosophy or other religions?
The major difference is that Scientology and Dianetics
training give one *tools* to use in life. Whereas
studying other philosophies or religions may provide
information that is interesting, only in Scientology does
the individual get the exact tools he needs to change and
improve conditions in his life.
11.4 Should I get my auditing before I get trained?
L. Ron Hubbard has written many times about the fact that
50 percent of one's gains are from training and 50
percent are from auditing. It is actually impossible to
successfully make it through the upper processing levels
of Scientology without also being trained. Therefore, to
get the most from Scientology, one progresses in his
training simultaneously with or at a comparable rate to
his progress in auditing.
11.5 When can I take Scientology courses?
Most churches of Scientology are open from 9:00 in the
morning until 10:30 at night weekdays and 9:00 a.m. to
6:00 p.m. on weekends. Several different course schedules
are offered within these hours.
11.6 How are Scientology courses run?
Scientology training is unique. Each course is done by
following a checksheet. A checksheet is a list of
materials, divided into sections, that lay out the theory
and practical steps which, when completed, lead one to a
study completion. The items contained on the checksheet,
such as books, recorded lectures and other written
materials, add up to the required knowledge of the
subject. Each student moves through his checksheet at his
own rate. This ensures nobody is ever held back by slower
students, and no one is under pressure from faster
students. A trained Course Supervisor is always available
to help the student, to refer him to the exact mate-
rials, to answer his questions and to ensure he is
applying standard study technology to gain the full
benefits from his studies.
11.7 When do I actually gain experience in auditing others?
Every major training course in Scientology is followed by
an internship. This is a period of auditing others under
the supervision of technical experts. In this way, an
auditor's skills are honed and polished to a very high
level of proficiency.
11.8 When can I take the Minister's Course?
This course can be studied by any Scientologist who is
training in Scientology or Dianetics. The course provides
an appreciation of the world's great religions, the
religious background and philosophy of Scientology, the
ethical codes of Scientology and the ceremonies of the
Church. One also learns to deliver services and carry out
basic ministerial duties.
11.9 How long do courses take?
Each course takes as long as it takes -- since the
student goes through each course at his own pace, he
regulates his own progress. How long it takes depends on
how diligently he applies study technology and how
honestly he completes each item on his checksheet before
proceeding to the next. The length of each course will
also depend on how many hours he studies per week. On the
average, Scientology courses take anywhere from a few
days (for most introductory courses) to several months
(for more advanced training).
Introductory services are designed to take one week at
2.5 hours a day. Academy training to become an auditor is
generally two weeks, at forty hours a week, for each
individual level.
The required time to complete the more advanced courses
is quite extensive. The Saint Hill Special Briefing
Course, which is a chronological study of Scientology and
Dianetics from 1948 to the present, takes approximately
one year, at forty hours a week. This course gives the
Scientologist the entire philosophic and technical
development of the subject, and is the most extensive
training course in Scientology.
Church staff ensure that auditors are professionally and
thoroughly trained so that they can achieve the best
results with their preclears.
11.10 Are Scientology Course Supervisors university trained?
According to demographic studies, a high proportion of
Scientologists have graduated from college or university
studies. However, this is not a prerequisite for becoming
a Scientology Course Supervisor.
In Scientology there is a very precise technology of how
to supervise and successfully help students through their
courses. All Scientology Course Supervisors are trained
in this technology to ensure that students get the most
from their training.
12. SCIENTOLOGY AND DIANETICS AUDITING
12.1 What is the difference between the auditing and training
routes in Scientology?
The reference that best explains the difference between
these two routes is the Classification, Gradation and
Awareness Chart.
On the right side of the chart there are various steps a
person moves through as he receives auditing. Each grade
listed has a column for "Ability Gained" that describes
the increasing levels of awareness and ability achieved
at each stage. In auditing, one is working toward
improving himself and regaining recognition of and
rehabilitating his spiritual nature and abilities. This
is done on a gradient (a gradual approach to something,
taken step by step), so those states of being which are
seemingly "too high above one" can be achieved with
relative ease.
The left-hand side of the chart describes the gradient
steps of training on which one gains the knowledge and
abilities necessary to audit another on each level. Each
course listed includes a description of the subject
matter that is taught at that level. In training, one is
learning about the various facets of life with a view to
helping others.
These two different paths parallel each other. Optimally,
a person follows both paths. The chart is a guide for the
individual from the point he first enters Scientology,
and shows him the basic sequence in which he will receive
his auditing and training.
12.2 Do all the people on staff in Scientology receive auditing
as well as training?
Yes, auditing and training of staff members is part of
the exchange for their work in Scientology organizations.
12.3 Why does one have to wait six weeks for auditing if one
has been habitually using drugs?
Research has shown that it takes at least that long for
the effect of drugs to wear off. Quite simply, auditing
is not as effective while drugs are in the system because
a person on drugs is less alert and may even be rendered
stupid, blank, forgetful, delusive or irresponsible.
12.4 Will antibiotics prevent me from getting auditing?
No. Antibiotics work differently than drugs. If the
preclear has a doctor's prescription for antibiotics and
is taking these to handle an infection, he should be sure
to let his Director of Processing know, but this will not
prevent him from receiving auditing. Many people claim
that antibiotics work more rapidly and effectively if one
is receiving auditing at the same time.
12.5 Is it okay to take any sort of drugs when you are in
Scientology?
Except for antibiotics or prescribed medical drugs by a
medical doctor, no.
If one has a medical or dental condition requiring
treatment and wishes to take some medical drug other than
antibiotics, he should inform his Director of Processing.
A medical or dental consultation will be advised and a
handling worked out in liaison with the Director of
Processing to best accommodate one's progress in
Scientology.
Any other drug use, such as the use of street drugs or
psychiatric mind-altering drugs, is forbidden.
Drugs are usually taken to escape from unwanted emotions,
pains or sensations. In Scientology, the real reasons for
these unwanted conditions get handled and people have no
need or desire for drugs. Drugs dull people and make them
less aware. Scientology's aim is to make people brighter
and more aware.
Drugs are essentially poisons. Small amounts may act as
a stimulant or as a sedative, but larger amounts act as
poisons and can kill one.
Drugs dull one's senses and affect the reactive mind so
that the person becomes less in control and more the
effect of his reactive mind, a very undesirable state.
Despite the claims of psychiatrists that drugs are a
"cure-all," at best they cover up what is really wrong,
and at worst, actually harm one. The real answer is to
handle the source of one's troubles -- and that is done
with Scientology.
12.6 How many hours of auditing a day do people receive?
This depends upon one's particular auditing program. Some
receive longer or shorter hours of auditing than others,
but an average would be 2.5 hours a day. Auditing is best
done intensively, at least 12.5 hours a week. The more
intensively one is audited, the more rapid progress he
makes as he is not bogged down by current life upsets.
Therefore it is best to arrange for many hours of
consecutive auditing, i.e. 50 to 100 hours at 12.5 hours
a week minimum.
Of course, one is not always receiving auditing so when
one is, his best chance of making rapid progress is
intensively.
12.7 Has the technology of auditing changed since the early
days of Scientology?
The basics of auditing have not changed, but there have
been considerable advances and refinements in auditing
processes over the years. L. Ron Hubbard continued his
research and development of Scientology auditing
technology throughout his life, and completed it before
he passed away. All of his technology is now available
and laid out in an exact sequence of gradient steps in
which it should be used.
12.8 What will I get out of auditing?
Scientology auditing is delivered in a specific sequence
which handles the major barriers people encounter when
trying to achieve their goals. After receiving auditing,
you will start to recognize for yourself that you are
changing, that your outlook on life is improving and that
you are becoming more able. In Scientology, you will not
be told when you have completed an auditing level -- you
will know for yourself, as only you can know exactly what
you are experiencing. This gives you the certainty that
you have attained what you want to attain from each
level.
There will also no doubt be some outwardly demonstrable
or visible changes that occur: Your IQ may increase, you
might look healthier and happier, and may well have
people comment on how calm or cheerful you look or, for
instance, how you are doing better on your job.
Results like these are the products of auditing. Each
person knows when he has achieved them.
12.9 Does auditing really work in all cases?
Dianetics and Scientology technologies are very exact and
well-tested procedures that work in 100 percent of the
cases in which they are applied standardly.
The only proviso is that the preclear must be there on
his own determinism and must abide by the rules for
preclears during his auditing to ensure optimum results.
The Church makes no guarantee of results as auditing is
something which requires the active participation of the
individual. Auditing is not something done *to* an
individual -- it is something done in which he is the
active participant.
12.10 What auditing handles physical pain or discomfort?
Dianetics auditing is used to help handle physical pains
or discomfort stemming from the reactive mind.
12.11 What can auditing cure?
Scientology is not in the business of curing things in
the traditional sense of the word. Auditing is not done
to fix the body or to heal anything physical, and the
E-Meter cures nothing. However, in the process of
becoming happier, more able and more aware as a spiritual
being through auditing, illnesses that are psychosomatic
in origin (meaning the mind making the body ill) often
disappear.
12.12 Can one go exterior (be separate from the body) in
auditing?
Exteriorization is the state of the thetan, the
individual himself, being outside his body with or
without full perception, but still able to control and
handle the body.
Exteriorization is a personal matter for each individual.
Many Scientologists have been known to go exterior, so it
would not be at all surprising if you do too at some
point during your auditing.
This can happen at any time in auditing. When a person
goes exterior, he achieves a certainty that he is himself
and not his body.
13. THE STATE OF CLEAR
13.1 What is Clear?
'Clear' is the name of a specific state achieved through
auditing, or a person who has achieved this state. A
Clear is a being who no longer has his own reactive mind,
and therefore suffers none of the ill effects the
reactive mind can cause.
13.2 How does one go Clear?
Simply by taking one's first step in Scientology, or by
taking the next step as shown on the Classification,
Gradation and Awareness Chart and then continuing up the
levels as laid out on this chart.
13.3 How long does it take to go Clear?
It varies from person to person, but it takes an average
of anywhere from one year to two years to go from the
bottom of the Grade Chart through Clear, depending on how
much time one spends each week on his auditing. Those who
get intensive auditing and do not stop along the way
progress the fastest.
13.4 If one goes Clear, will he lose his emotions?
No, on the contrary, a Clear is able to use and
experience any emotion. Only the painful, reactive,
uncontrolled emotions are gone from his life. Clears are
very responsive beings. When one is Clear, he is more
himself. The only loss is a negative -- the reactive mind
-- which was preventing the individual from being
himself.
13.5 What can you do when you are Clear?
A Clear is able to deal causatively with life rather than
react to it. A Clear is rational in that he forms the
best possible solutions he can with the data he has and
from his own viewpoint. A Clear gets things done and
accomplishes more than he could before he became Clear.
Whatever your level of ability before you go Clear, it
will be greatly increased after you go Clear.
13.6 Are Clears perfect?
No, they are not perfect. Being a Clear does not mean a
person who has had no education, for example, suddenly
becomes educated. It does mean that all the abilities of
the individual can be brought to bear on the problems he
encounters and that all the data in his analytical memory
banks is available for solution to those problems.
A Clear has become the basic individual through auditing.
The basic individual is not a buried, unknown or a
different person, but an intensity of all that is best
and most able in the person.
13.7 Do Clears eat food and sleep?
Most definitely.
13.8 Do Clears get colds and get sick?
A Clear can still get sick, but this occurs much less
often than before he became Clear. In other words, a
Clear still has a body and bodies are susceptible at
times to various illnesses. However, no longer having his
reactive mind, he is much more at cause and is not
adversely affected by, many of the things that would have
caused psychosomatic illness before he went Clear.
To measure a Clear only by his health, however, would be
a mistake because this state has to do with the
individual himself, not his body.
13.9 If Clears no longer have a reactive mind, why do they
still need to get auditing?
There are many more states of awareness and ability that
can be achieved above the state of Clear as he is only
Clear on the first dynamic. Once Clear, an individual
wants to continue his auditing to achieve these higher
states.
14. THE STATE OF OPERATING THETAN
14.1 What is meant by Operating Thetan (OT)?
Operating Thetan is a state of beingness above Clear.
'Thetan' refers to the spiritual being, and 'operating'
means here "able to operate without dependency on
things." An Operating Thetan (OT) is able to control
matter, energy, space and time rather than being
controlled by these things. As a result, an OT is able to
be at cause over life.
There are numerous auditing steps on the Bridge called OT
levels. People on these levels are progressing to the
state of full OT and becoming more and more OT along the
way.
14.2 How would you describe the state of Operating Thetan?
OT (Operating Thetan) is a state of spiritual awareness
in which an individual is able to control himself and his
environment. An OT is someone who knows that he knows and
can create positive and prosurvival effects on all of his
dynamics. He has been fully refamiliarized with his
capabilities as a thetan and can willingly and knowingly
be at cause over life, thought, matter, energy, space and
time.
As a being becomes more and more OT, he becomes more
powerful, stable and responsible.
14.3 Why are the OT materials confidential?
Because understanding of and ability to apply the OT
materials are dependent upon having fully attained the
earlier states of awareness and abilities per the
Classification, Gradation and Awareness Chart. Thus,
these materials are released on a gradient, only to those
who have honestly attained all earlier states.
15. A SCIENTOLOGY CAREER
15.1 Can one audit as a career?
Yes. There are many Scientology ministers who audit full
time as their life's work. Auditing provides a rewarding
career as it is one in which you are always helping
people and constantly seeing miraculous results on your
preclears. It is very satisfying to know that you are
making people's lives happier and saner. Auditors are
very valuable and in great demand. L. Ron Hubbard's
opinion of auditors is well known: "I think of an auditor
as a person with enough guts to *do something about it*.
This quality is rare and this quality is courageous in
the extreme. It is my opinion and knowledge that auditors
are amongst the upper tenth of the upper twentieth of
intelligent human beings. Their will to do, their
motives, their ability to grasp and to use are superior
to that of any other profession."
15.2 Of what value would it be to have my child trained as an
auditor?
First of all, it would provide a young person with
certainty and knowledge in dealing with every possible
type of human problem, be it interpersonal, familial,
organizational, ethical, moral or religious.
Secondly, it would provide a career of fulfillment in
aiding people from all walks of life to gain greater
awareness and respect for themselves and others.
Auditors are in demand in every church of Scientology and
mission throughout the world. Therefore, your child would
be fulfilling a great demand and contributing greatly to
making this world a saner place by getting trained as an
auditor.
15.3 Can one make Scientology a career in some other way than
by being a minister?
Yes, there are thousands of professional Scientologists
who work full time in churches and missions throughout
the world as executives or administrative staff. There
are also those who further the dissemination of
Scientology on a one-to-one basis or through the
dissemination of Scientology materials and books, those
who hold jobs in the Church's social reform groups and
those who work in the Office of Special Affairs involved
in community betterment or legal work. All of these
provide rewarding careers as each forwards the expansion
of Scientology and thereby makes it possible for more and
more people to benefit from its technology.
16. SCIENTOLOGY IN SOCIETY
16.1 I've heard that Scientologists are doing good things for
society? What are some specific examples?
These activities would fill a book in themselves, and are
covered in more detail in Part 5 of [_What is
Scientology?_], but here are just a few examples that are
typical of the things that Scientologists are doing
around the world.
Scientologists regularly hold blood drives to get
donations of blood for hospitals, the Red Cross and other
similar organizations. As Scientologists do not use
harmful drugs, these donations of drug-free blood are
welcomed by those in charge of health care.
Scientologists regularly hold drives to get donations of
toys, food and clothing to make life happier for those in
need.
During the annual holiday season, Scientologists are
particularly active in this sphere. In downtown
Hollywood, California [USA], for example, Scientologists
build a "Winter Wonderland" scene each Christmas,
complete with a large Christmas tree, Santa Claus and
even "snow," creating a traditional Christmas setting for
children who otherwise might never see one.
In Canada, a group of Scientologists spends many weeks
each year raising funds to sponsor visits to summer camps
by underprivileged children.
Church members utilize their artistic talents to bring
new experiences and joy to children by performing puppet
shows in orphanages, schools and shopping malls, and
magic shows for children in foster homes.
Scientologists can also be found in many communities
contributing to the care of the elderly. They visit
old-age homes and provide entertainment, draw sketches or
just drop by and talk with senior citizens.
You will find Scientologists helping with "community
cleanup" campaigns and assistance to the injured at
Veteran's Administration hospitals.
Scientologists have taken a leading role fighting drug
abuse, actively educating community officials and groups
on the dangers of drugs and solutions to the problems.
There are many groups utilizing L. Ron Hubbard's
technology and freeing people from the detrimental
effects of drugs.
L. Ron Hubbard's technology on how to study has been used
by Scientologists around the world to help students and
teachers alike. One place where this technology has made
major inroads combating illiteracy is in South Africa,
where well over a million native Africans have improved
their ability to study.
Another important area of activity for Scientologists is
raising moral standards in society. Scientologists all
around the world have distributed tens of millions of
copies of the nonreligious moral code called "The Way to
Happiness," now available in more than fifteen different
languages. Its use has led to a revitalization of purpose
for people of all ages who apply its simple truths to
their lives and to the environment around them.
The Church and many of its members are also engaged in
interfaith activities, the main thrust of which has been
to work with leaders of other faiths in the areas of
interreligious dialogue, religious freedom,
constitutional law and "religion in society" issues --
all aimed toward protecting and forwarding the freedom of
religion for everyone.
Another prevalent activity for Scientologists is to
expose and eradicate the violations of human rights
perpetrated by psychiatry. Many Scientologists do this as
members of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights
(CCHR), a reform group which was established by the
Church in 1969.
They actively investigate psychiatric abuses and bring
these to the attention of the media, legislators and
other groups concerned with protecting people from brutal
psychiatric techniques. Such practices as psychosurgery,
electroshock treatment and the administration of
dangerous psychiatric drugs have destroyed the minds and
lives of millions of individuals. Through the efforts of
Scientologists working for CCHR, public awareness of the
disastrous results of psychiatric methods has been raised
and major steps taken to outlaw such practices.
16.2 Is Scientology active in Black communities and countries?
Definitely. By the Creed of the Church, "All men of
whatever race, color or creed were created with equal
rights." Thus, there are no limitations placed on who can
receive and benefit from Scientology services.
There are Scientologists of all races, colors and
religious backgrounds. For example, there are Dianetics
and/or Scientology organizations in Ghana, Zaire,
Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and Sierra Leone, among other
countries, and Black Scientologists are applying
Scientology technology in their communities wherever
possible. The Church maintains a Department of Ethnic
Affairs specifically to interact and work with
minorities.
16.3 Do doctors, schools, social workers, businessmen and other
professional people use Scientology?
Yes, they do. There are members of all of these
professions who use Scientology technology to improve the
results being obtained in their fields of endeavor.
Schools and universities in many countries apply L. Ron
Hubbard's study methods to improve literacy and teaching
success, drug rehabilitation groups use his drug
rehabilitation technology to successfully get people off
drugs, doctors observe basic Dianetics principles to
speed up the recovery of their patients, businessmen
apply L. Ron Hubbard's administrative procedures to
create thriving businesses.
Scientology applies to all spheres of life and uniformly
gets results when standardly used. Therefore, there is
hardly an area of social or community concern where you
will not find people using some aspect of L. Ron
Hubbard's technology.
16.4 Why has Scientology sometimes been considered
controversial?
Like all new ideas, Scientology has come under attack by
the uninformed and those who feel their vested interests
are threatened.
As Scientologists have openly and effectively advocated
social reform causes, they have become the target of
attacks.
For those vested interests who cling to a status quo that
is decimating society, Scientology's technology of making
the able more able poses a serious threat. Attacks follow
as an attempt to stop application of Scientology
technology.
When the Church steps in to handle the attack, the
conflict grabs the attention of the press, which lives on
controversy. Regardless of the unfounded nature of the
attackers' claims, reporters freely promote the
controversy. Those seeking to stop Scientology then join
the media in regurgitating and regenerating the created
controversy.
Scientology has always flourished and prospered in the
face of attacks. In every case where public disputes have
been manufactured, intentional and blatant false reports
about Scientology and its founder have been discovered to
be the common denominator. As the falsehoods are proven
lies, the controversy quickly fades, and the truth about
Scientology, what the Church really is and what its
members do replaces it. The source of these attacks and
the controversy they have generated is detailed in
Chapter 31 of [_What is Scientology?_; see FTP.PCNET.COM
/users/brianw/wis].
16.5 Why has Scientology been to court a lot of times?
The Church has gone to court in many countries to uphold
the right to freedom of religion. In Australia, as one
example, legal actions by the Church brought about a
landmark victory which greatly expanded religious freedom
throughout that country.
In the United States, the Church's use of the Freedom of
Information Act, taking government agencies to court and
holding them accountable to release vital documents to
the public on a variety of subjects, has been heralded as
a vital action to ensure honesty in government.
In certain cases, the Church has used the courts to
protect its copyrighted materials, or to ensure its
rights and the rights of its members are safeguarded.
During the history of the Church, a few unscrupulous
individuals, lusting for money, have observed how
Scientology is prospering and rapidly expanding, and have
abused the legal system to try to line their own pockets.
In the handful of cases where such attempts have
occurred, they have uniformly failed.
16.6 Are there any laws against the practice of Scientology?
Has it been banned?
Of course not.
In fact, the Church has received numerous recognitions,
citations and validations from various governments for
contributions to society in the fields of education, drug
and alcohol rehabilitation, crime reduction, human
rights, raising moral values and a host of other fields.
16.7 How does Scientology view deprogrammers and groups that
attempt to force people to denounce their chosen religion?
These so-called "deprogrammers," better described as
psychiatric depersonalizers, are money-motivated
individuals who kidnap others for profit. Their methods
include brainwashing, imprisonment, food and sleep
deprivation and various forms of torture.
Such activities are clearly against the principles held
by Scientologists -- and have been proven to be against
the law as well. Psychiatric depersonalizers in many
countries have gone to jail for their violent and illegal
practices.
Situations in which families have expressed concern over
family members' involvement in various religions can
generally be handled with communication. No one need
resort to violence and mercenaries to resolve the upset.
The Church does not condone the use of violence and
advocates that each person has an inalienable right to
their own beliefs.
16.8 Why is Scientology opposed to psychiatry?
As the stepchildren of the German dictator Bismarck and
later Hitler and the Nazis, psychiatry and psychology
formed the philosophical basis for the wholesale
slaughter of human beings in World Wars I and II.
Psychiatry uses electric shock, brain-mutilating
psychosurgery, and mind-damaging drugs to destroy a
person and make him "docile and quiet" in the name of
"treatment."
Psychiatric methods involving the butchering of human
beings and their sanity are condemned by the Church.
Scientologists are trying to create a world without war,
insanity and criminality. Psychiatry is seeking to create
a world where man is reduced to a robotized or drugged,
vegetable-like state so that he can be controlled.
A primary difference between Scientology and psychiatry
is that psychiatrists routinely tell their patients what
they think is wrong with them. This interjects lies or
ideas which are not true for the individual himself, and
thus psychiatric "therapy" violates the basic integrity
of the individual.
On the other hand, Scientology technology enables a
person to find out for himself the source of his troubles
and gives him the ability to improve conditions in his
own life and environment. The underlying difference is
the fact that Scientology recognizes that man is a
spiritual being, while psychiatrists view man as an
animal. Scientology is a religion. Psychiatry is strongly
opposed to all religions as it does not even recognize
that man is a spiritual being. Scientologists strongly
disagree with the enforced and harmful psychiatric
methods of involuntary commitment, forced and heavy
drugging, electroconvulsive shock treatment, lobotomy and
other psychosurgical operations.
By the Creed of the Church of Scientology, the healing of
mentally caused ills should not be condoned in
nonreligious fields.The reason for this is that violent
psychiatric therapies cause spiritual traumas.
At best, psychiatry suppresses life's problems; at worst,
it causes severe damage, irreversible setbacks in a
person's life and even death.
16.9 Why do some people oppose Scientology?
There are certain characteristics and mental attitudes
that cause a percentage of the population to oppose
violently any betterment activity or group. This small
percentage of society (roughly 2.5 percent) cannot stand
the fact that Scientology is successful at improving
conditions around the world. This same 2.5 percent is
opposed to any self-betterment activity.
The reason they so rabidly oppose Scientology is because
it is doing more to help society than any other group.
Those who are upset by seeing man get better are small in
number compared to the millions who have embraced
Scientology and its efforts to create a sane civilization
and more freedom for the individual.
16.10 Is Scientology trying to rule the world?
No. Scientology's aim, as expressed by L. Ron Hubbard, is
that of creating "a civilization without insanity,
without criminals and without war, where the able can
prosper and honest beings can have rights, and where man
is free to rise to greater heights. . . ."
"We seek no revolution. We seek only evolution to higher
states of being for the individual and for society."
Scientology does want to improve and reform societal
ills, and Scientologists believe there can be a better
world by doing so.
It is not Scientology's mission to save the world. It is
Scientology's mission to free *you*.
16.11 Can Scientology do anything to improve the world
situation?
Yes, and it does so every single day.
By making the able individual in society more able and
more certain of his abilities, and by continuing the
Church's expansion and social reform programs throughout
the world, the world can become a better place.
It is possible to bring people to higher levels of
communication with the environment and those around them.
And as one raises the level of communication, one raises
also the ability to observe and change conditions and
thereby create a better world and a better civilization.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of "A SCIENTOLOGY CATECHISM"
[Part 3 of 3]
Part Nine of _What is Scientology?_
Copyright (c) 1992 Church of Scientology International, All Rights Reserve.
Scientology Information Server
Last-modified: 1995/2/7
Version: 1.31
--------------< FAQ: Scientology Catechism [2 of 3] >----------------------
(Note: In the orginal text, italics were used to show emphasis or to
indicate that a word is being defined. Italics denoting emphasis
are shown here with *asterisks* surrounding the word, and italicized
words that were being defined, are shown here with 'single quotes'.
My comments are in [square brackets].
The book _What is Scientology?_, from which this file was taken, is
available in ASCII form via anonymous FTP from FTP.PCNET.COM out
of the directory /users/brianw/wis).
==========================================================================
"A SCIENTOLOGY CATECHISM"
[File 2 of 3]
Part Nine of _What is Scientology?_
Copyright (c) 1992, Church of Scientology International, All Rights
Reserved. Used with permission.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------
As a game -- a game in which everyone can win.
Scientologists are optimistic about life and believe
there is hope for a saner world and better civilization
and are actively doing all they can to achieve this.
6.2 What moral codes do Scientologists live by?
There are four main codes that Scientologists apply in
life. One is the Auditor's Code which gives the basic
rules an auditor must abide by to ensure excellent
auditing results.
Another is the Code of a Scientologist, guidelines which
Scientologists agree to follow in order to achieve the
aims of Scientology.
There is an ethical code, called the Code of Honor, that
Scientologists use in dealing with their fellow men.
L. Ron Hubbard has also written a nonreligious moral code
called "The Way to Happiness" which gives basic precepts
for a happy life. This moral code is used by
Scientologists and non-Scientologists alike, with tens of
millions of copies distributed in communities all around
the world.
6.3 What is Scientology's view on drugs?
Scientologists consider that drugs cause damaging effects
on a person -- physically, mentally and spiritually. They
decrease awareness and hinder abilities. They are a
"solution" to some other problem, which themselves become
a problem.
Scientologists do not take street drugs or mind-altering
psychiatric drugs.
Scientologists do use prescribed drugs as part of medical
programs from competent physicians, but have found that
as a result of auditing, they need to take medical drugs
much less frequently and also that medications such as
antibiotics seem to work more rapidly when being audited.
For more information about drugs and what can be done
about them, the book _Clear Body, Clear Mind: The
Effective Purification Program_ is recommended.
6.4 Why are there so many young people on staff in Scientology?
Many Scientologists are under thirty-five. We find that
young Scientologists enjoy the lifestyle working in the
Church. It may be that due to the expansion of
Scientology they find that there are many opportunities
to achieve responsible positions quite rapidly. Many
families have three generations working in Scientology.
There are also a great many older people in Scientology.
6.5 Do you have any special dietary laws or rules against
smoking or drinking in Scientology?
No. There are no dietary laws whatsoever and no general
prohibitions against smoking or drinking. The only
guidelines in Scientology are that no alcohol is allowed
twenty-four hours prior to or during auditing sessions,
and that no drinking is allowed twenty-four hours prior
to or during study. The effects of the alcohol would make
it impossible to get the gains one can get from auditing
and training.
Smoking is forbidden in course rooms or during auditing
sessions, as such would distract oneself and others.
Rules for student behavior are laid out in a Church
policy called the "Student's Guide to Acceptable
Behavior."
6.6 Do Scientologists use medical doctors?
Yes. The Church of Scientology has always had the firm
policy of sending sick parishioners to medical doctors to
handle the physical aspect of any illness or injury. A
Scientologist with a physical condition is instructed to
get the needed medical examination and treatment. He then
resumes his auditing so as to handle any spiritual trauma
connected with the physical condition. There are also
many medical doctors who are Scientologists.
6.7 In Scientology does one have to sacrifice one's
individuality?
No. People are unique, even though they have in common
certain problems and aberrations. As they become
disentangled from the stimulus-response part of their
mind, they become more them- selves, more unique, more
individual and learn to believe in themselves. In fact,
becoming more aware of and able to express one's own
unique beingness is encouraged in Scientology.
Scientology teaches one to maintain his personal
integrity and to develop fully as an individual.
6.8 What benefits can one get from Scientology?
In reviewing success stories written by Scientologists,
there are a few common themes that stand out. One is that
many people have attained the ability to communicate in
relationships, whether with family members and spouses,
friends, or even mere acquaintances; another is that they
are freed from stress at work and in other areas of their
lives; another common one is that they can expand their
potential and do things they never thought possible.
6.9 What is Scientology's system of ethics?
L. Ron Hubbard has defined 'ethics' as "reason and the
contemplation of optimum survival."
In Scientology, ethics is a rational system based on a
number of codes of practice.
L. Ron Hubbard has pointed out: "Dishonest conduct is
nonsurvival. Anything is unreasonable or evil which
brings about the destruction of individuals, groups, or
inhibits the future of the race."
Man has long postulated a means by which he could put
himself on the right path. As long ago as 500 B.C.,
religions recognized that confession frees a person
spiritually from the burden of sin.
In Scientology, it has been found that a Confessional (a
type of auditing) assists the person who has transgressed
against his own and his group's moral code to unburden
himself and again feel good about himself and be a
contributing member of the group.
L. Ron Hubbard has written: "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."
In addition to the Confessional, Scientology's ethics
system includes a body of technology called conditions
formulas. Mr. Hubbard discovered that there are various
states of existence in which an individual operates
(called "conditions") and that there are exact formulas
connected with these operating states. Each formula has
a number of exact steps.
A person can determine what condition or operating state
any area of his life is in and apply the conditions
formulas to move it into a higher condition.
While very simple, such actions are quite powerful and
have enabled millions of individuals to improve
conditions in their lives in ways they never thought
possible.
These are just two of the tools from the wealth of ethics
technology that exists in Scientology. Complete
information on this subject is contained in the book
_Introduction to Scientology Ethics_ by L. Ron Hubbard.
6.10 What does "clear the planet" mean?
It means that Scientologists want to clear the planet of
insanity, war and crime, and in its place create a
civilization in which sanity and peace exist. In order to
do this, they must help individuals become clear of their
own individual insanities and regain awareness that they
are basically good.
6.11 What does "suppressive person" mean?
According to L. Ron Hubbard, a suppressive person is "a
person who seeks to 'suppress', or squash, any betterment
activity or group. A suppressive person suppresses other
people in his vicinity. This is the person whose behavior
is calculated to be disastrous." Well-known examples of
such a personality are Napoleon and Hitler.
Mr. Hubbard found that a suppressive person, also called
an antisocial personality, has definite antisocial
attributes.
The basic reason the antisocial personality behaves as he
or she does lies in a hidden terror of others.
To such a person every other being is an enemy, an enemy
to be covertly or overtly destroyed.
The fixation is that survival itself depends on "keeping
others down" or "keeping people ignorant."
If anyone were to promise to make others stronger or
brighter, the antisocial personality suffers the utmost
agony of personal danger.
Because of this, the suppressive person seeks to upset,
continuously undermine, spread bad news about and
denigrate Scientology and Scientologists. The antisocial
personality is against what Scientology is about --
helping people become more able and improving conditions
in society.
For the good of the Church and the individuals in it,
such a person is officially labeled a suppressive person
so that others will know not to associate with him.
For more understanding of suppressive persons and how to
handle them, the book _Introduction to Scientology
Ethics_ is recommended.
6.12 What is disconnection?
A Scientologist can have trouble making spiritual
progress in his auditing or training if he is connected
to someone who is suppressive or who is antagonistic to
Scientology or its tenets. He will get better from
Scientology, but then may lose his gains because he is
being invalidated by the antagonistic person. In order to
resolve this, he either handles the other person's
antagonism with true data about the Church, or as a last
resort when all attempts to handle have failed, he
disconnects from the person.
In 1983, L. Ron Hubbard clearly defined the two terms,
"disconnect" and "handle," as related to this subject:
"The term 'handle' most commonly means to smooth out a
situation with another person by applying the technology
of communication.
"The term 'disconnection' is defined as a self-determined
decision made by an individual that he is not going to be
connected to another. It is a severing of a communication
line.
"The basic principle of handle or disconnect exists in
any group and ours is no different.
"It is much like trying to deal with a criminal. If he
will not handle, the society resorts to the only other
solution: It `disconnects' the criminal from the society.
In other words, they remove the guy from society and put
him in a prison because he won't 'handle' his problem or
otherwise cease to commit criminal acts against others."
A person who disconnects is simply exercising his right
to communicate or not to communicate with a particular
person. This is one of the most fundamental rights of
man. "Communication, however, is a two-way flow," Mr.
Hubbard pointed out. "If one has the right to
communicate, then one must also have the right to not
receive communication from another. It is this latter
corollary of the right to communicate that gives us our
right to privacy."
Another example is marriage. In a monogamous society, the
agreement is that one will be married to only one person
at a time. If one partner, say the husband, starts to
have second dynamic relations with a person other than
his partner, the wife has the right to insist either that
this communication cease or that the marriage itself
ends. In this example, the optimum solution would be for
the wife to resolve the situation through communication
so that her husband, who is violating the agreements, is
handled. But if this is not possible, then the wife has
no choice other than to disconnect (sever the marriage
communication lines if only by separation). To do
otherwise will only bring disaster, as the wife is
connected to someone antagonistic to the original
agreements on which the marriage is based. With the
technology of handle or disconnect, Scientologists are,
in actual fact, doing nothing different than any society,
group or marriage down through thousands of years.
6.13 Is Scientology a cult?
Assuming that modern usage of the word 'cult' implies an
elite secrecy and unthinking zealotry, then consider
this: Scientology is the fastest growing religion in the
world today. The materials that comprise Scientology
scriptures are fully codified, broadly published and
available to anyone. Churches and missions are open to
the public seven days a week. Anyone can come in for a
tour and see for himself what the Church is all about.
Scientology is unique in that it contains no dogma and
its adherents are not told or forced to "believe"
anything. In Scientology, what is true for the individual
is only what he has observed and knows is true for him.
Scientology is a technology one can use and through its
use discover its workability for oneself.
Scientologists come from all walks of life, ranging from
teachers to businessmen, physicians, housewives, artists,
engineers, nurses, construction workers, celebrities,
marketing and administrative personnel, secretaries,
athletes, civil servants and many others.
The Church and its actions are far from secretive; there
is nothing mystical about Scientology or its members or
practices. The Church's leaders are in close touch with
the membership; they hold a number of briefing events
each year which are attended by tens of thousands.
Scientologists actively improve their communities; they
are out there, involved, visible and effective.
The fact of the matter is there isn't a religion today
that hasn't been called a cult at some point in its
history by antagonistic interests. Nazis thought Jews and
Eastern European religious sects to be cults. In the
sixteenth century Catholics considered reform churches
cults. Earlier than that Roman rulers considered the
Christian community a cult. History has taught us to
beware of those who would label *any* religious group a
cult. It is traditionally the first step before wholesale
persecution, and is always the statement of an
unenlightened and uninformed individual, usually with ill
motives as the Nazi history makes so clear.
6.14 Does Scientology engage in brainwashing or mind control?
No. In fact, what we do is exactly the opposite. We free
people and enable them to think for themselves.
Millions of Church members from literally all walks of
life have attested to the positive benefits received from
Scientology. A common theme to their personal success
stories is that they are now more in control of their
lives than they ever have been.
In fact, Mr. Hubbard was one of the first to discover and
expose *actual* mind control and brainwashing
experimentation conducted by United States military and
intelligence agencies during and after World War II. He
called these techniques "pain-drug-hypnosis" or PDH.
In his 1951 book, _Science of Survival_, Mr. Hubbard
wrote: "There is another form of hypnotism . . . This
form of hypnotism has been a carefully guarded secret of
certain military and intelligence organizations. It is a
vicious war weapon and may be of considerably more use in
conquering a society than the atomic bomb. This is no
exaggeration. The extensiveness of the use of this form
of hypnotism in espionage work is so wide today that it
is long past the time when people should have become
alarmed about it. It required Dianetic processing to
uncover pain-drug-hypnosis. Otherwise, pain-drug-hypnosis
was out of sight, unsuspected and unknown."
Not only did he uncover such blatantly destructive
experimentation, but the technology he developed,
Dianetics, could *undo* the effects of PDH and free a
person from the grip of mind control.
Years after Mr. Hubbard learned about these government-
sponsored psychiatric mind control experiments, documents
released under the Freedom of Information Act detailed
the extent to which these techniques were being used.
Over the years, the Church of Scientology has exposed
numerous instances of brain-washing or mind control
practices, such as those involved in so-called
"deprogramming." In this case, individuals are taken
captive and forced to renounce their chosen religious or
political group, generally using some form of coercion,
food or sleep deprivation and sometimes drugs.
Such practices are diametrically opposed to the aims of
Scientology, which are to free man and return to him his
ability to control his own life.
6.15 Does Scientology actively promote for new members?
Yes. Scientologists make the technology broadly available
to others because they want others to receive the same
gains they have experienced. The Church wants more people
to know and apply the works of L. Ron Hubbard and
actively and vigorously promotes this.
6.16 Does one really need Scientology to do well in life?
That is a question you will have to answer for yourself.
A Scientologist's viewpoint is that while some people
might be surviving quite well without Scientology, they
can always do better and expand their potentials even
further. In fact, Scientology was developed to help the
able become more able and one usually finds the people
doing best in life are the first ones to embrace
Scientology.
If you are interested in self-improvement, Scientology
provides a tested route by which you can obtain
tremendous benefits and learn to use your mind, talents
and abilities to the fullest. If you know people who are
doing well but have never heard of Scientology, the
question is: "Could they be doing better?"
6.17 Does one have to believe in Scientology?
No. One is not expected to believe in Scientology. One is
only expected to study and apply the data and see for
himself if it works for him. To quote L. Ron Hubbard,
"Anything that isn't true for you when you study it
carefully isn't true."
6.18 Why do Scientologists sometimes seem so intent on what
they are doing?
If you had a chance to change yourself and civilization
so greatly, you would be interested as well.
6.19 What do the terms 'preclear', 'student' and 'auditor'
mean?
A 'preclear' is someone who is receiving Scientology or
Dianetics auditing on his way to becoming Clear. Through
auditing he is finding out more about himself and life.
A 'student' is one who reads in detail in order to learn
and then apply the materials he has studied. One studies
Scientology for itself and uses it exactly as stated,
then forms his own conclusions as to whether or not the
tenets he has assimilated are correct and workable.
An 'auditor' is a Dianetics or Scientology practitioner
trained in the technology of auditing. 'Auditor' means
"one who listens" (from the Latin word 'audire'). An
auditor listens and computes, applying standard
technology to preclears to help them achieve the
abilities as stated on the Classification, Gradation and
Awareness Chart. An auditor's job is to ask the preclear
to look, and get him to do so.
6.20 What is the E-Meter and how does it work?
E-Meter is a shortened term for 'electropsychometer'. It
is a religious artifact used as a spiritual guide in
auditing. It is for use only by a Scientology minister or
a Scientology minister-in-training to help the preclear
locate and confront areas of spiritual upset.
In itself, the E-Meter does nothing. It is an electronic
instrument that measures mental state and change of state
in individuals and assists the precision and speed of
auditing. The E-Meter is not intended or effective for
the diagnosis, treatment or prevention of any disease.
The book _Understanding the E-Meter_ offers a simple
explanation of how the E-Meter works and what it actually
measures. In order to understand what the E-Meter does,
it is necessary to understand some basic Scientology
concepts.
There are three basic parts of man -- mind, body and
thetan. The thetan is an immortal spiritual being -- the
individual himself. He (the thetan) inhabits a body,
which is a carbon-oxygen machine. He has a mind, which is
a collection of mental image pictures he has created.
These pictures have weight and mass and can impinge on
the person when he is emotionally upset.
This is what makes the E-Meter read -- the impingement of
such pictures against the body.
The E-Meter puts a very small electrical current
(approximately one and a half volts) through the body.
This is about the same amount of current as in the
average battery-powered wristwatch.
When a person thinks a thought, looks at a picture, re-
experiences an incident or when he shifts some part of
the pictures in his mind, he is moving and changing
actual mental mass and energy. These changes in the
person's mind affect the tiny flow of electrical energy
generated by the E-Meter, which causes the needle on its
dial to move.
The E-Meter thus measures changes that are caused by the
spiritual being in his own mind (i.e., the movement of
mental masses around him) and in this capacity, it is a
religious artifact.
The E-Meter is used to help the individual who is being
audited uncover truth. By locating areas of mental or
spiritual trauma, the E-Meter helps both the auditor and
the preclear locate exactly what to address in auditing.
7. THE ORGANIZATIONS OF SCIENTOLOGY
7.1 Scientology is a philosophy. Why does it need to be
organized?
Scientology is an *applied* religious philosophy.
Therefore organization is needed to make the technology
available and teach people to apply it.
7.2 How many people work in a Scientology church?
The number of staff varies from church to church. Small
churches may have 20 and large ones over 500.
7.3 How is Scientology organized?
There is a "mother church" which is the Church of
Scientology International. It is headquartered in Los
Angeles. It is responsible for the ecclesiastical
supervision of the rest of the Scientology churches
around the world, which are organized in a hierarchical
structure not dissimilar to that of the Catholic Church.
(For more information about the structure of the Church,
see Part 5 [of _What is Scientology?_].)
7.4 Where are Scientology churches located?
Scientology churches and missions exist all over the
world. There are a great many churches and far more
missions in various countries.
7.5 What does a Scientology church or mission actually do?
The main activities of Scientology churches and missions
are training Scientology ministers and providing
auditing. The church also conducts Sunday services,
weddings, funerals and christenings and delivers other
chaplain services. The church helps the individual become
more able to help himself and to help others.This is done
by training and auditing.
7.6 What is the Office of Special Affairs?
The Office of Special Affairs (OSA) deals with legal
affairs for the Church. It also publishes the facts about
the social betterment works of Scientology, informing the
government, the media, other religions and other groups
with interests similar to those of the Church. OSA also
oversees the social reform programs of the Church, among
which are those that expose and effectively handle
violations of individual and human rights.
7.7 What is the Flag Service Organization?
The Flag Service Organization (FSO), often referred to as
"Flag," is located in Clearwater, Florida [USA]. It
delivers advanced spiritual training and auditing. It
retains its name from the days when it used to operate
from the flagship 'Apollo', ("Flag" in nautical terms
means "the flagship" or the vessel which gives orders to
others.)
7.8 What is the Flag Ship Service Organization?
The Flag Ship Service Organization is located aboard the
450-foot ship called the 'Freewinds', and is an advanced
religious retreat that delivers the level of auditing
called New OT VIII and specialized training to
Scientologists.
7.9 What is the Sea Organization?
The Sea Organization (commonly referred to as the Sea
Org) is a confraternal organization existing within the
formalized structure of the Church. It is composed of the
most dedicated Scientology staff who have decided to
devote their lives to the delivery and expansion of
Scientology.
The Sea Organization has no separate corporate structure
or identity and its members work for various different
churches of Scientology and are subject, as are all other
employees of that church, to the orders and directions of
the board of directors.
The Sea Org was established in 1967 and once operated
from a number of ships. It was set up to help L. Ron
Hubbard with research of earlier civilizations and to
carry out supervision of Church organizations around the
world to keep Scientology expanding. It is also entrusted
to deliver the advanced services of Scientology.
The Sea Organization retains its name in celebration of
the fact that the Founder's life was majorly connected
with the sea. It exists to help keep Scientology working.
7.10 Is it true that people in the Sea Org sign a billion-year
contract?
Yes, they do. It is a symbolic document which, similar to
vows of dedication in other faiths and orders, serves to
signify an individual's eternal commitment to the goals,
purposes and principles of the Scientology religion. Sea
Org members have dedicated their lives to working toward
these ends and toward a world without war, drugs, crime
and illiteracy.
7.11 Why does Scientology have ministers? Are all
Scientologists ministers?
The Church of Scientology has ministers to deliver
Scientology religious services to church parishioners.
Only those who specifically enroll in and graduate from
the Scientology Minister's Course and its prerequisites,
and fulfill the requirements for ordination are
Scientology ministers. All Scientology auditors are
required to become ordained ministers; however, they are
allowed to audit as ministerial students while fulfilling
their ordination requirements.
7.12 What are field staff members?
Field staff members are individual Scientologists who
disseminate Scientology, provide books to interested
friends, family members and associates and introduce (or
select) people to the Church. They are appointed by their
nearest Scientology organization. Because they have had
gains from Dianetics and Scientology themselves, they
naturally want to share it with others.
7.13 Why is everything copyrighted and trademarked in
Scientology?
Scientology and Dianetics are technologies that work if
applied exactly. If they are altered, the results will
not be uniform.
For this reason, the technology is copyrighted and the
words and symbols which represent the technology are
trademarked. This way, nobody can misrepresent something
as standard Scientology or Dianetics that really isn't.
In fact many persons have tried to rip off and profit
from the technologies of Dianetics and Scientology. The
subjects were developed for spiritual salvation, not for
anyone's personal enrichment. Through ownership of the
trademarks and copyrights, such ill-intentioned actions
are prevented by the Church.
[7.14 Does the IRS recognize Church organizations as non-profit
charitable organizations?]
[Yes, in the Fall of 1993, upon finishing an extensive in-
vestigation of the Church's organizations and their fi-
nances, the IRS ruled that the Church of Scientology and
its organizations were non-profit charitable organizations
and therefore eligible for tax exempt status in the United
States.]
8. CHURCH FUNDING
8.1 Why do Scientologists make donations?
Some churches have a system of tithes, others require
their members to pay for pew rentals, religious
ceremonies and services. In the Church of Scientology,
parishioners make donations for auditing or training they
wish to take. These contributions by Scientologists are
the primary source of financial support for the Church
and fund all the community programs and social betterment
activities of Scientology. Scientologists are not
required to tithe or make other donations.
Ideally, Dianetics and Scientology services would be
free, and all Scientologists wish they were. But those
are not the realities of life. When one considers the
cost of delivering even one hour of auditing, requiring
extensively trained specialists, and the overhead costs
of maintaining church premises, the necessity of
donations becomes clear.
The donation system in Scientology is the most equitable
as those who use the facilities of the Church are the
ones who most directly contribute to its upkeep and
continued existence. Naturally, no donation is expected
from those not receiving auditing or training. And church
doors are always open to those who wish to learn more
about the philosophy of Scientology, be they parishioners
or not. There are tape plays of L. Ron Hubbard's
lectures, introductory lectures, books available, people
to discuss questions with, and of course the more
traditional church activities -- Sunday service, sermons,
weddings, christenings, funerals -- all of which are
provided without any donation necessary.
Scientology does not have hundreds of years of
accumulated wealth and property like other religions --
it must make its way in the world according to the
economics of today's society.
Scientologists' donations keep the Church alive and
functioning, fund its widespread social reform programs,
make Scientology known to people who may otherwise never
have the opportunity to avail themselves of it, and help
create a safe and pleasant environment for everyone.
8.2 Why does one have to make donations to separate
organizations for their services?
Scientology churches and missions are separate
corporations and have separate financial records. The
donations that go to each church for services delivered
by that church must be separately banked and accurate
records kept in alignment with the accounting procedures
and laws in each country.
8.3 What about those who cannot afford to make donations for
services?
There is a Free Scientology Center in churches of
Scientology where those who cannot afford the donations
can receive free auditing from ministerial students.
Many Scientology services are free and the knowledge is
free to all men. There are also books, books, books and
free public lectures, Sunday services and other religious
services for which there is no cost. Books can be
obtained in the local area either by going to a church of
Scientology, a public bookstore or local library.
But it's interesting that once a person becomes more
causative through the application of Scientology
technology in his life, he does not usually need or want
free services for very long. He becomes capable of
holding a good job and thereby able to exchange for the
services he wants.
Ministers-in-training can receive free auditing from
other students while they are doing their training.
8.4 Is the Church profit-making?
No. Scientology churches are nonprofit organizations, as
the donations all go back into the support and expansion
of the Church.
8.5 How much does it cost to go Clear?
The cost varies from individual to individual depending
on which route to Clear one takes.
One route is to pay for professional auditing and get
audited all the way up to Clear. The preferred route,
however, is to get trained as an auditor and co-audit
with another Scientology student. The co-auditing route
to Clear requires far less donations than professional
auditing plus one helps another to progress. As
professional auditing is much more expensive for the
organization to deliver (requiring several staff to
service one parishioner) the donations are necessarily
higher. Training donation rates are much more economical
and an incentive for persons to train while they co-audit
without cost to the state of Clear.
No matter which route one chooses to achieve the state of
Clear, all who have attained it express the pricelessness
of the increased spiritual freedom they have achieved.
8.6 How well paid are Scientology staff?
The pay varies from church to church and from time to
time. Staff are paid in proportion to the amount of
donations received by their individual organizations.
Thus, staff members are in control of how much they make
by virtue of how well they perform individually on their
own jobs.
In any event, Scientology staff aren't motivated by money
and in no instance anywhere in the church structure is
pay exorbitant. Scientology staff are motivated by a
desire to help, not get rich.
[8.6 Are donations made to the Church of Scientology tax
deductible in the United States?]
[Yes, according to a 1993 decision by the IRS, donations
of any kind made to the Church of Scientology (including
auditing and training donations), are tax deductible in
the United States.]
9. SCIENTOLOGY BOOKS
9.1 What is the best book for a beginning Scientologist to
read?
_Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health_ which is
the best-selling self-help book of all time, is the book
recommended for beginners who are interested in the mind
and how it works. This book has been a best-seller for
over forty years.
In 1977, 'Publishers Weekly' called _Dianetics: The
Modern Science of Mental Health_ "perhaps the
best-selling non-Christian book of all time in the West."
In 1988, 'Publishers Weekly' awarded _Dianetics_ its
prestigious "Century Award" for more than 100 weeks on
its best-seller list, officially designating it the No.
1 best-selling self-help book of all time.
If a person is more interested in starting with a broad
summary of L. Ron Hubbard's research and findings about
man as a spiritual being and basic principles of life,
the first recommended book is _Scientology: The
Fundamentals of Thought_. (Chapter 41 [of _What is
Scientology?_] gives a more detailed explanation of the
books available and suggested course of reading.)
9.2 Are the books difficult to understand?
Not at all. The books are quite easy to understand.
Depending on what aspect of Scientology and Dianetics you
are most interested in, any church Bookstore Officer can
recommend the best sequence in which the books should be
read.
9.3 Where can L. Ron Hubbard's books be purchased?
All of his books are available at missions and churches
of Scientology. Many of his books are also available in
popular bookstores and in libraries in cities all over
the world.
9.4 What books should one read to get information about:
9.4.1 Dianetics:
'The Basic Dianetics Picture Book'
_Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health_
_The Dynamics of Life_
_Dianetics: The Evolution of a Science_
_Child Dianetics_
9.4.2 Basic Scientology principles:
'The Basic Scientology Picture Book'
_Scientology: The Fundamentals of Thought_
_A New Slant on Life_ [Note: Most of the chapters
in this book are available via anonymous FTP
from: ftp.pcnet.com /users/brianw/lrh_essays ]
_Scientology 0-8: The Book of Basics_
9.4.3 Self-help, tests and processes:
_Self Analysis_
9.4.4 Handling the residual effects of drugs and toxins:
'Purification: An Illustrated Answer to Drugs'
_Clear Body, Clear Mind: The Effective Purification
Program_
9.4.5 Basic principles of communication:
_Dianetics 55!_
9.4.6 Predicting human behavior and understanding people:
_Science of Survival_
9.4.7 How to increase success on the job:
_The Problems of Work_
_How to Live Though an Executive_
9.4.8 Basic principles of organization:
_The Organization Executive Course_ volumes 0-7
9.4.9 Basic principles of management:
_Management Series_ volumes 1, 2 and 3
9.4.10 The principles of ethics and how to use them to live
a more productive life:
_Introduction to Scientology Ethics_
9.4.11 Study methods:
_Basic Study Manual_
_Learning How to Learn_
_Study Skills for Life_
_How to Use a Dictionary Picture Book for Children_
9.4.12 Procedures to increase one's spiritual awareness and
abilities:
_The Creation of Human Ability_
_Advanced Procedure and Axioms_
_Scientology 8-8008_
_Scientology 8-80_
9.4.13 Past lives and how they relate to this life:
_Have You Lived Before This Life?_
_A History of Man_
9.4.14 The application of basic Scientology technology to
help others improve their lives:
_The Volunteer Minister's Handbook_
These books were all written by L. Ron Hubbard or
compiled from his works, and are just a few of the dozens
and dozens of Scientology and Dianetics books available
at churches of Scientology.
9.5 How can one get happiness out of a book?
The key to happiness is knowledge. Scientology and
Dianetics books contain knowledge one can actually apply
in life. Being able to accomplish these improvements
definitely makes people happier.
[Note: Most of the chapters of _What is Scientology?_ are
available via anonymous FTP from FTP.PCNET.COM /users/brianw/wis ]
10. DIANETICS
10.1 What is Dianetics?
L. Ron Hubbard discovered the single source of stress,
worry, self-doubt and psychosomatic illness -- the
reactive mind. In his book _Dianetics: The Modern Science
of Mental Health_ he described the reactive mind in
detail and laid out a simple, practical, easily taught
technology to overcome it and reach the state of Clear.
Dianetics (which means "through soul") is that
technology.
10.2 What is the mind? Where is the mind?
The mind is basically a communication and control system
between the thetan -- the spiritual being that is the
person himself -- and his environment. It is composed of
mental image pictures which are recordings of past
experiences.
The individual uses his mind to pose and resolve problems
related to survival and to direct his efforts according
to these solutions.
10.3 What is the difference between the analytical mind and the
reactive mind?
The analytical mind is the conscious, aware mind which
thinks, observes data, remembers it and resolves
problems. The reactive mind is the portion of a person's
mind which works on a totally stimulus-response basis,
which is not under his volitional control, and which
exerts force and the power of command over his awareness,
purposes, thoughts, body and actions.
10.4 What is the difference between Scientology and Dianetics?
Dianetics is a technology which uncovers the source of
unwanted sensations and emotions, accidents, injuries and
psychosomatic illnesses, and which sets forth effective
handlings for these conditions.
'Dianetics' comes from the Greek 'dia' meaning "through"
and 'nous', "soul." It is further defined as "what
the soul is doing to the body."
'Scientology' is the study and handling of the spirit in
relationship to itself, universes and other life. It is
used to increase spiritual freedom, intelligence and
ability and to enable a person to realize his own
immortality.
Dianetics and Scientology are *separate* subjects, but
the delivery of each has in common certain tools like the
E-Meter and the basic rules of auditing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of "A SCIENTOLOGY CATECHISM"
[Part 2 of 3]
Part Nine of _What is Scientology?_
Copyright (c) 1992 Church of Scientology International, All Rights Reserved
Grateful acknowledgement is made to the L. Ron Hubbard Library for
Rune Henning Johansen
> 1. ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS
>
> 1.1 What does the word 'Scientology' mean?
>
> The word 'Scientology' means "the study of knowledge" or
> "knowing about knowing" from the Latin word 'scio' which
> means "know" or "distinguish," and from the Greek word
> 'logos' which means "study of," "reason itself" or
> "inward thought." So it means the study of wisdom or
> knowledge, or "knowing how to know." 'Scientology' is
> further defined as the study and handling of the spirit
> in relationship to itself, universes and other life. The
> word was coined by L. Ron Hubbard. ^^^
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
No, it wasn't! Hubbard copied a lot, including this word, from
A. Nordenholz' book «Scientologie 34!»
Are there any scientologists who will deny this? If not, why do
they keep on posting this lie - again and again???!?
- Rune
The R R M Tweek
>Dennis Elrich just got his home invaded by the Scientologists and a cop
>with a civil search warrant. They seized 350 disks and deleted all his
>files, claiming them to be copyrighted.
Actually, that was a couple of weeks ago.
--
tw...@ccnet.com tw...@tweekco.ness.com WW4Net-1@11551 DoD #MCMLX N6QYA
**** Regarding the Internet><WWIVNet gateway and other assorted stuff: ****
http://www.io.com/user/tweek/ tw...@io.com IM: Michael D. Maxfield
The R R M Tweek
>By the way waht is an a.r.s and FAQ?
A troll from AOL? Naw... never.
a.r.s == Alt.religion.scientology
FAQ == Frequently Asked Questions (Fact Sheet)