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6 Things you didn't know about Scientology

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  • Jennifer Preyss •
  • Originally published June 24, 2011 at midnight, updated June 24, 2011 at midnight

Scientology does not have a visible presence in the Crossroads, but its churches do appear in Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Dallas and El Paso.

The Church of Scientology is a 21st century religion and closely related in orientation to Dharma, one of the central themes in Hinduism focusing on the cosmic order. The Church of Scientology incorporated in 1953 in Camden, N.J., and opened its first church in Los Angeles in 1954.

Here are six things you didn't know about Scientology.

1. The Church of Scientology was founded by L. Ron Hubbard (March 13, 1911 - January 24, 1986) of Tilden, Neb. Through his world travels, Hubbard developed Dianetics, a series of self-improving strategies that would later be some of the founding doctrines of Scientology.

2. The first Scientology church was incorporated in December 1953. Its headquarters are located in Gold Base, unincorporated Riverside County, Calif.

3. Scientology's prime fundamental truths:

Man is an immortal spiritual being.

His experience extends well beyond a single lifetime.

His capabilities are unlimited, even if not presently realized.

4. Scientology believes man is basically good, not evil. It is his environment that leads him to commit acts of evil deeds. An individual's spiritual salvation is dependent upon himself, his fellow man, and his attainment of brotherhood with the universe.

5. Auditing is an important process in Scientology. It outlines a direct and specific path for each individual to achieve higher states of spiritual awareness. It restores beingness and ability, and helps a person confront what and where they are in life.

6. Famous Scientologists include Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, Kirstie Alley, Jeff Conaway, Jenna Elfman, Lisa Marie Presley, John Travolta, Kelly Preston, Bijou Phillips and Juliette Lewis.




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Comments

  • LisaDoven LisaDoven Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink  | 

    Last I heard, 1953 was in the 20th century...making scientology a 20th century "religion".

    Another thing you might not know about scientology is the wife of the leader David Miscavige is nowhere to be found.
    No one seems to know where she is and she hasn't been seen publicly for years. David Miscavige never addresses this.
    Where is Shelley Miscavige?

    June 28, 2011 at 4:41 p.m.
  • WilliamRobert WilliamRobert Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink  | 

    And how did Scientology work out for Jeff Conaway?

    Oh, yeah, he's DEAD.

    Here's 6 more things you didn't know about Scientology:

    1. Scientology is a criminal organization which has been convicted in France, United States and is currently under investigation for human trafficking.

    2. Scientology was invented by a C rate science fiction author who stated “If you want to make a little money, write a book. If you want to make a lot of money, create a religion.”

    3. Scientology states publicly that they are the world's fastest growing religion with 8 million members worldwide - yet in 2001 a survey by City University of New York showed that only 85,000 people in the US identified themselves as Scientlogist -- and by 2008, that number had plummeted to only 25,000! Fastest shrinking religion!!!

    4. Scientology promotes the break-up of families through a practice known as "disconnection" - basically, if your loved ones don't agree with Scientology, you are expected to break all ties and communication with them. Can you say Cult?

    5. Scientology also promotes abortion among the members of its "Sea Org" - members who have signed a 1 billion year contract to serve Scientology - they are encouraged to abort children so that they can continue to serve without the distraction and financial burden of a family.

    6. The current leader of Scientology, (who took charge after the founder L Ron Hubbard died a raving lunatic, shot full of Vistaril, an anti-psychotic drug,) David Miscavige is an asthmatic dwarf.

    June 27, 2011 at 5:44 p.m.
  • freethinker freethinker Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink  | 

    Hail Zenu!

    June 26, 2011 at 8:28 a.m.
  • HopeforabetterVic HopeforabetterVic Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink  | 

    I can not believe the VicAd would print this. For anyone who reads this. You need to look up info about L Ron Hubbard. He was a mentally ill person. A wife beater and said to be a child molester. I am only saying what i found in court records and first hand accounts people that he used like slaves on the boats he used to hide from the many governments around the world that were after him for many tax crimes.

    June 25, 2011 at 4:42 p.m.