Editing Scientology (section)

==== 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}}