Editing Scientology (section)

== Beliefs and practices ==
{{Main|Scientology beliefs and practices}}

Hubbard lies at the core of Scientology and his writings remain the source of its ideas and practices.{{sfnm|Melton|2009|1p=25|Lewis|2012|2p=133}} Sociologist of religion [[David G. Bromley]] describes Scientology as Hubbard's "personal synthesis of philosophy, physics, and psychology".{{sfn|Bromley|2009|p=97}} Hubbard claimed that he developed his ideas through research and experimentation, rather than through revelation from a supernatural source.{{sfn|Grünschloß|2009|p=231}} He published hundreds of articles and books over the course of his life.{{sfn|Lewis|2009a|p=6}} Scientologists regard his writings on Scientology as [[scripture]].{{sfnm|1a1=Melton|1y=2009|1p=25|2a1=Rothstein|2y=2009|2p=378}}

In Scientology Hubbard's work is regarded as perfect, and no elaboration or alteration is permitted.{{sfn|Bigliardi|2016|p=665}} Hubbard described Scientology as an "applied religious philosophy", because, according to him, it consists of a metaphysical doctrine, a theory of psychology, and teachings in morality.<ref>{{Cite conference |last=Dericquebourg |first=Regis |title=Acta Comparanda |language=en, fr |url=http://www.observatoire-religion.com/2016/12/scientology-in-a-scholarly-perspective/ |book-title=Affinities between Scientology and Theosophy |conference=International Conference – Scientology in a scholarly perspective 24–25th January 2014 |publisher=University of Antwerp, Faculty for Comparative Study of Religions and Humanism |place=Antwerp, Belgium |year=2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216050903/http://www.observatoire-religion.com/2016/12/scientology-in-a-scholarly-perspective/ |archive-date=February 16, 2017}}</ref> Hubbard incorporated a variety of [[hypnosis|hypnotic]] techniques in Scientology auditing and courses.{{sfn|Hassan|Scheflin|2024|pp=759–761}} These are used as a means to create [[Psychological dependence|dependency]] and [[Obedience (human behavior)|obedience]] in followers.{{sfn|Hassan|Scheflin|2024|p=760}}

Hubbard developed thousands of [[neologism]]s during his lifetime.{{sfn|Bigliardi|2016|p=665}} The [[Scientology terminology|nomenclature used by the movement]] is termed "Scientologese" by members.{{sfn|Thomas|2021|pp=17, 110}} Scientologists are expected to learn this specialist terminology, the use of which separates followers from non-Scientologists.{{sfn|Bigliardi|2016|p=665}} The Scientology organization refers to its practices as "technology", a term often shortened to "Tech".{{sfn|Lewis|2009a|p=9}} Scientologists stress the "standardness" of this "tech", by which they express belief in its infallibility.{{sfn|Flinn|2009|p=217}} The Scientology organization's system of pedagogy is called "Study Tech" and is presented as the best method for learning.{{sfn|Thomas|2021|p=42}} Scientology teaches that when reading, it is very important not to go past a word one does not understand. A person should instead consult a dictionary as to the meaning of the word before progressing, something Scientology calls "word clearing".{{sfnm|1a1=Thomas|1y=2021|1pp=42-43|2a1=Westbrook|2y=2022|2p=7}}

According to Scientology texts, its beliefs and practices are based on rigorous research, and its doctrines are accorded a significance equivalent to scientific laws.<ref name="GA170-171">{{harvnb|Cowan|Bromley|2006 |pp=170–171}}</ref> Blind belief is held to be of lesser significance than the practical application of Scientologist methods.<ref name="GA170-171" /> Adherents are encouraged to validate the practices through their personal experience.<ref name="GA170-171" /> Hubbard put it this way: "For a Scientologist, the final test of any knowledge he has gained is, 'did the data and the use of it in life actually improve conditions or didn't it?{{Single double}}<ref name="GA170-171" /> Many Scientologists avoid using the words "belief" or "faith" to describe how Hubbard's teachings impacts their lives, preferring to say that they "know" it to be true.{{sfn|Westbrook|2019|p=17}} Hubbard said the aim of Scientology is "A civilization without insanity, without criminals and without war; where the world can prosper and honest beings can have rights, and where man is free to rise to greater heights".{{sfn|Westbrook|2019|p=56}}<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Kent |first1=Stephen A. |author-link=Stephen A. Kent |title=From Slogans to Mantras: Social Protest and Religious Conversion in the Late Vietnam War Era |publisher=Syracuse University Press |year=2001 |ol=15521204M |isbn=0815629486 |page=99}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Chryssides |first1=George D. |author1-link=George Chryssides |last2=Wilkins |first2=Margaret |title=A Reader in New Religious Movements |publisher=[[Continuum International Publishing Group]] |year=2006 |ol=8168615M |isbn=0826461689 |page=18}}</ref>

=== Thetan ===
{{Excerpt|Thetan}}

=== Auditing ===
{{Excerpt|Auditing (Scientology)}}

=== The Operating Thetan levels ===
{{See also|Operating Thetan}}
[[File:Freewinds starboard.jpg|thumb|200px|The Scientology organization's cruise ship, the ''[[Freewinds]]'', staffed by Sea Org members, with OT symbol on side of ship]]
The degrees above the level of Clear are called "Operating Thetan" or OT.{{sfnm|1a1=Bainbridge|1a2=Stark|1y=1980|1p=133|2a1=Barrett|2y=2001|2p=452|3a1=Bainbridge|3y=2009|3p=43|4a1=Harley|4a2=Kieffer|4y=2009|4p=190}} Hubbard described there being 15 OT levels, although he had only completed eight of these during his lifetime.{{sfn|Urban|2012|p=356}} OT levels nine to 15 have not been reached by any Scientologist.{{sfn|Thomas|2021|pp=81-82}} In 1988 the Scientology organization stated that OT levels nine and ten would only be released when certain benchmarks in its expansion had been achieved.{{sfn|Westbrook|2019|p=31}} The Church of Scientology has gone to considerable length to try to maintain the secrecy of the texts, but they remain widely available on the internet. This is partly due to litigation involving Scientology, whereby the [[Fishman Affidavit]] was leaked to the public.{{sfn|Urban|2011|pp=103, 183}} Materials have also been passed on to other sources and made available by publishers such as the media organization [[WikiLeaks]].{{sfn|Urban|2021|page=174}}

To gain the OT levels of training, a member must go to one of the Advanced Organisations or Orgs, which are based in Los Angeles, Clearwater, East Grinstead, Copenhagen, Sydney, and Johannesburg.{{sfnm|1a1=Bainbridge|1a2=Stark|1y=1980|1p=133|2a1=Westbrook|2y=2019|2p=30|3a1=Westbrook|3y=2022|3p=32}} Conservative estimates indicate that getting to OT VIII would require a minimum of payments to the Scientology organization of $350,000 to $400,000 ({{inflation|US|400000|2011|fmt=eq|r=-3}}).{{sfn|Urban|2021}}{{inflation/fn|US}} OT levels six and seven are only available at Clearwater.{{sfn|Westbrook|2022|p=32}} The highest level, OT eight, is disclosed only at sea on the Scientology ship ''[[Freewinds]]'', operated by the Flag Ship Service Org.{{sfn|Westbrook|2019|pp=30, 33}}<ref name="DavisNRMRL45-47">Derek Davis ''New Religious Movements and Religious Liberty in America'', pp. 45–47, Baylor University Press, 2004 {{ISBN|978-0-918954-92-3}}</ref> Scholar of religion Aled Thomas suggested that the status of a person's level creates an internal class system within the Scientology organization.{{sfn|Thomas|2021|p=82}}

The Scientology organization claims that the material taught in the OT levels can only be comprehended once its previous material has been mastered and is therefore kept confidential until a person reaches the requisite level.{{sfn|Thomas|2021|pp=47, 81}} Higher-level members typically refuse to talk about the contents of these OT levels.{{sfn|Barrett|2001|p=454}} Those progressing through the OT levels are taught additional, more advanced auditing techniques;{{sfn|Thomas|2021|p=46}} one of the techniques taught is a method of auditing oneself,{{sfn|Thomas|2021|p=47}} which is the necessary procedure for reaching OT level seven.{{sfn|Westbrook|2022|p=32}}

==== Space opera and the Wall of Fire ====
{{See also|Space opera in Scientology}}
[[File:Xenu BBC Panorama.jpg|right|thumb|Xenu as depicted by ''[[Panorama (British TV programme)|Panorama]]'']]

The mythological framework which forms the basis for what Scientologists view as the system's path to salvation is the story of [[Xenu]].{{sfn|Rothstein|2009|p=365–366}} Reflecting a strong science-fiction theme within its theology,{{sfn|Westbrook|2022|p=15}} Scientology's teachings make reference to "[[space opera in Scientology|space opera]]", a term denoting events in the distant past in which "spaceships, spacemen, [and] intergalactic travel" all feature.{{sfn|Rothstein|2009|p=377}}

Hubbard wrote about a great catastrophe that took place 75 million years ago.{{sfn|Barrett|2001|p=452}} According to this story, 75 million years ago there was a [[Galactic Confederacy]] of 76 planets ruled over by a leader called [[Xenu]]. The Confederacy was overpopulated and Xenu transported millions of aliens to earth and killed them with [[hydrogen bombs]].{{sfnm|1a1=Bromley|1y=2009|1p=91|2a1=Rothstein|2y=2009|2pp=372-373}} The thetans of those killed were then clustered together and implants were inserted into them, designed to kill any body that these thetans would subsequently inhabit should they recall the event of their destruction.{{sfn|Rothstein|2009|pp=372-373}} After the massacre, several of the officers in Xenu's service rebelled against him, ultimately capturing and imprisoning him.{{sfn|Rothstein|2009|p=372}} Hubbard claimed to have discovered the Xenu myth in December 1967, having taken the "plunge" deep into his "time track".{{sfn|Rothstein|2009|pp=372-373, 375}} Scientology teaches that attempting to recover this information from the "time track" typically results in an individual's death, caused by the presence of Xenu's implants, but that because of Hubbard's "technology" this death can be avoided.{{sfnm|1a1=Rothstein|1y=2009|1pp=375-376|2a1=Thomas|2y=2021|2p=84}}

[[File:XenuWithE-Meter.jpg|thumb|A man dressed as Xenu carrying an E-meter; Scientology's critics often use Xenu to mock the movement.{{sfn|Thomas|2021|pp=14, 86}}]]

The Scientology organization says that learning the Xenu myth can be harmful for those unprepared for it,{{sfn|Rothstein|2009|pp=368-369}} and the documents discussing Xenu are kept secret from most members.{{sfnm|1a1=Shermer|1y=2020|2a1=Barrett|2y=2001|2p=452|3a1=Bromley|3y=2009|3p=94}} The teachings about Xenu were later leaked by ex-members,{{sfn|Rothstein|2009|p=367}} becoming a matter of public record after being submitted as evidence in court cases.<ref name="DoubleCrossed">{{Cite web |first=Tony |last=Ortega |author-link=Tony Ortega |title=Double Crossed |date=December 23, 1999 |work=[[Phoenix New Times]] |url=https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/double-crossed-6431852 <!--reprint version omits original photographs--> |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312025501/http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/1999-12-23/news/double-crossed/full |archive-date=March 12, 2007 |access-date=September 16, 2007}}</ref><ref name="Loss">{{Cite web|first=Matt|last=Hines|title=Scientology loss keeps hyperlinks legal|url=http://news.cnet.com/2100-1028_3-5072581.html|website=[[CNET]]|date=September 8, 2003|access-date=September 16, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061116233523/http://news.cnet.com/2100-1028_3-5072581.html|archive-date=November 16, 2006}}</ref> They are now widely available online.{{sfn|Thomas|2021|p=83}} Members who have been given the teachings routinely deny these teachings exist.{{sfn|Lewis|2012|p=137}} Hubbard however talked about Xenu on several occasions,{{sfn|Rothstein|2009|p=381}} the Xenu story bears similarities with some of the science-fiction stories Hubbard published,{{sfn|Barrett|2001|p=453}} and substantial themes from the Xenu story are in Hubbard's book ''Scientology – A History of Man''.{{sfn|Rothstein|2009|p=375}}

=== Ethics and justice ===
{{Excerpt|Scientology ethics and justice}} 

=== Symbology ===
{{See also|List of symbols of Scientology|Scientology beliefs and practices#Beliefs}}

Hubbard created many symbolism concepts, including [[Scientology beliefs and practices#Eight dynamics|the eight dynamics]], [[Scientology beliefs and practices#ARC and KRC triangles|the ARC and KRC triangles]], the "S and double triangle" symbol, the [[Scientology cross]], and [[List of symbols of Scientology|many others]]. Scientology celebrates [[Scientology beliefs and practices#Holidays|seven calendar events]] including L. Ron Hubbard's birthday, Auditor's Day, and New Year's. There is a [[Scientology beliefs and practices#Sunday services|Sunday service]] which is primarily of interest for non-members and beginners. [[Scientology beliefs and practices#Rituals|Weddings and funerals]] are also held.{{sfn|Rothstein|2016}}

=== Psychiatry, psychology, psychosis ===
{{Main|Scientology beliefs and practices#Rejection of psychology and psychiatry}}

Scientology is vehemently opposed to psychiatry and psychology, and wants to replace them with its own methods.{{Sfn|Kent|1999a|p=6}} The clinical and academic psychiatry community rejected Hubbard's theories in the early 1950s.{{sfn|Miller|1987|p=184}} Hubbard and his early Dianetics organization were prosecuted for practicing medicine without a license in the early 1950s.{{sfnm|1a1=Urban|1y=2011|1pp=62–68|2a1=Westbrook|2y=2019|2pp=81–83|3a1=Kent|3y=1996}}

Hubbard taught that psychiatrists were responsible for a great many wrongs in the world, saying that psychiatry has at various times offered itself as a tool of political suppression and that psychiatry was responsible for the ideology of Hitler, for turning the Nazis into mass murderers, and the Holocaust.<ref name="GA184" /> The Scientology organization operates the anti-psychiatry group [[Citizens Commission on Human Rights]] (CCHR), which operates [[Psychiatry: An Industry of Death]], an anti-psychiatry museum.<ref name="GA184">{{harvnb|Cowan|Bromley|2006|p=184}}</ref> Though Hubbard had stated psychosis was not something Scientology dealt with, after noticing many Scientologists were suffering breakdowns after using his techniques he created the [[Introspection Rundown]], a brutal and inhumane method to allegedly solve psychotic episodes.{{r|reitman|pages=208-9}} The rundown came under public scrutiny when in 1995 Scientologist [[death of Lisa McPherson|Lisa McPherson]] suffered a mental breakdown and was removed from the hospital and held in isolation at a Church of Scientology for 17 days before she died.{{r|truthrundown|page=Part 2}}

=== Views on Hubbard ===

Scientologists view Hubbard as an extraordinary man, but do not worship him as a deity.{{sfnm|1a1=Bigliardi|1y=2016|1p=665|2a1=Westbrook|2y=2019|2p=27|3a1=Westbrook|3y=2022|3p=14}} They regard him as the preeminent Operating Thetan who remained on Earth in order to show others the way to spiritual liberation,{{sfn|Bigliardi|2016|p=665}} the man who discovered the source of human misery and a technology allowing everyone to achieve their true potential.{{sfn|Bromley|2009|p=88}} Church of Scientology management frames Hubbard's physical death as "dropping his body" to pursue higher levels of research not possible with an Earth-bound body.{{sfn|Bromley|2009|p=89}}

Scientologists often refer to Hubbard affectionately as "Ron",{{sfnm|1a1=Bromley|1y=2009|1p=89|2a1=Bigliardi|2y=2016|2p=662|3a1=Westbrook|3y=2019|3p=24}} and many refer to him as their "friend".{{sfnm|1a1=Bromley|1y=2009|1p=89|2a1=Westbrook|2y=2019|2p=24}} The Scientology organization operates a calendar in which 1950, the year in which Hubbard's book ''Dianetics'' was published, is considered year zero, the beginning of an era. Years after that date are referred to as "AD" for "After ''Dianetics''".{{sfnm|1a1=Bromley|1y=2009|1p=89|2a1=Grünschloß|2y=2009|2p=229}} They have also buried copies of his writings preserved on stainless steel disks in a secure underground vault in the hope of preserving them against major catastrophes.{{sfn|Bromley|2009|p=88}} The Church of Scientology's view of Hubbard is presented in their [[Pseudobiography of L. Ron Hubbard|hagiographical biography]] of him,{{sfnm|1a1=Bromley|1y=2009|1p=88–89, 99|2a1=Lewis|2y=2009b|2p=133}} seeking to present him as "a person of exceptional character, morals and intelligence".{{sfn|Thomas|2021|p=22}} Critics of Hubbard and his organization claim that many of the details of his life as he presented it were false.{{sfnm|1a1=Bromley|1y=2009|1p=89|2a1=Urban|2y=2012|2p=338}} Every Scientology Org maintains an office set aside for Hubbard in perpetuity, set out to imitate those he used in life,{{sfnm|1a1=Cowan|1y=2009|1p=63|2a1=Palmer|2y=2009|2p=295|3a1=Westbrook|3y=2019|3p=22}} and will typically have a bust or large framed photograph of him on display.{{sfn|Westbrook|2019|p=22}}