unique Church of Scientology is the Flag Ship Service Organization — located aboard the Motor Vessel Freewinds, a 440-foot ship based in the Caribbean. The ship was acquired in the mid-1980s shortly before the release of the highest advanced auditing level now available. Needing a safe, aesthetic, distraction-free environment appropriate for ministration of this level of auditing, it was decided to return to the sea, far from the crossroads of the workaday world.
Although originally conceived and established to minister the highest level of auditing, Scientologists at any point on The Bridge may now visit the Freewinds and receive a series of specialized courses in Scientology religious doctrine to further orient one as a spiritual being.
The Freewinds also serves as an international meeting place, holding religious conventions and seminars for Scientology staff and parishioners. Church staff frequently arrange gatherings for Scientology parishioners from a particular location (such as Germany, Mexico or England) to congregate aboard the Freewinds for several days and participate in religious services. An annual Maiden Voyage event is attended by Scientology parishioners from around the world — many of whom completed this advanced auditing level on the original Maiden Voyage in 1988. While there, they participate in specialized training which enables them to assume a greater leadership role in their respective religious communities.
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, are the aims of Scientology.~~~L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology religion
The Church of Scientology has been a part of the Clearwater community since 1975, and a member of the broader community of religions in the United States since 1954. Although much is reported and said about Scientology — due in no small part to its rapid growth throughout the world — it is still a relatively new religion, leading many to ask: “so just what is Scientology?”
On the following pages we cover fundamentals of the religion which can be found in comprehensive reference works on the subject: What is Scientology? and Theology and Practice of a Contemporary Religion. Both texts, as well as smaller booklets defining the religion and its activities, are available through Churches of Scientology (complimentary for religious leaders, government officials and members of the news media). What is Scientology? can also be found in public bookstores. Books by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, including Scientology: The Fundamentals of Thought, are also available in Churches of Scientology and public bookstores.
A girl with crippling shyness gains confidence and an ability to easily communicate with others. A man who never thought he could be happy learns how life can indeed be fun and rewarding, and becomes happy.
A married couple embroiled in bitter arguments realize they actually do love each other and don’t need to file for divorce after all.
These are not a series of random happy endings. These are daily occurrences in a Church of Scientology.
Thus the question “what is Scientology?” is answered to a significant degree by the results and successes of those who apply its principles to their lives.
Such results also answer why Scientology is one of the fastest growing religions on the planet today.
The word Scientology itself comes from two Latin words, scio — meaning “knowledge” or “wisdom” — and logos — meaning “the study of”. Literally translated, Scientology means “knowing how to know” or “knowing in the fullest sense of the word.”
In its simplest terms, Scientology is an applied religious philosophy. The emphasis is on application of its scriptures to achieve higher states of awareness, improved conditions in life for self and others, and ultimately spiritual freedom.
The Scientology philosophy is comprised of the research, discoveries and observations of L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the religion. The application is achieved by means of exact technology developed by Mr. Hubbard, through which tenets in the religion can be put to use for self and others.
For example, it is one thing to know that one should have loving and constructive relationships with family, and resolve conflicts or disagreements for the good of all concerned. But it is quite another to know and be able to apply precise tools that can bring that about.
Fundamental Truths
Scientology is based on these fundamental truths:
* Man is an immortal spiritual being.
* His experience extends well beyond a single lifetime.
* His capabilities are unlimited.
Scientology auditing
A central practice of the Scientology religion is individual spiritual counseling called auditing (from the Latin word “audire” meaning “to listen”). The counselor, or auditor, is using an electropsychometer (“E-Meter”) — which does not do anything to the person, but helps the auditor to locate areas of spiritual travail in the person’s life and past.
Scientology further holds that man is basically good, and that his salvation depends upon himself and his fellows and his attainment of brotherhood with them. Scientology is concerned with the spiritual rehabilitation of the individual, and all church services have this as their ultimate goal.
Scientology is a non-denominational religion. A person need not “convert” to Scientology in order to be a Scientologist. This is because Scientology addresses the individual’s own spirituality, a quality that is inherent in all people. While Scientology affirms the existence of a Supreme Being, it holds no dogma or faith system on the subject. Rather, following the spiritual path of Scientology leads the individual to come to his own understanding of the nature of, and his relationship to, God.
In commenting on that relationship, founder L. Ron Hubbard wrote, “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.”
Scientology deals with man as a spiritual being — not his brain or his body, but with his true, spiritual nature. The idea that man is a spiritual being is very old, one that Scientology shares with all great religions.
The aims of Scientology are quite simple, and the ideals expressed are ideals that are held by many other religions. The aims as stated by Mr. Hubbard are: “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, are the aims of Scientology.”
The exact path of how one attains these aims is laid out in the scriptures of Scientology. These scriptures came about after many years of research, which began in the early part of this century.
A Brief History
Mr. Hubbard, born in 1911, began his avid research into the mind and life at a young age. In his travels around the world with his father, an officer in the U.S. Navy, Mr. Hubbard saw civilizations that possessed great wisdom or technology, but also possessed much misery and poverty.
Over several years, he studied more than 21 different cultures to find out what was the one common denominator that made all man kin. After two decades, he discovered what this was. Whether royalty, criminal, or an average businessman, what all men shared was the effort to survive.
Thus Mr. Hubbard’s most fundamental discovery was that survival itself is the dynamic principle of existence. From there, he was able to understand and find a means to resolve a vast many problems that plagued man’s behavior.
Mr. Hubbard’s research first culminated in 1950 in the publication of the book Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health. The book became a national bestseller, and Mr. Hubbard was flooded with letters and other requests asking for more information. He began teaching others in his New Jersey home while continuing his research.
Scientology training
In addition to auditing, a central practice of the Scientology religion is training, the study of Scientology scripture. Parishioners find out for themselves how to better their own and others’ lives.
In 1951, he was led to the inescapable conclusion that man is fundamentally a spiritual being, and he began a new line of research to determine what can be done to help an individual regain his natural abilities. Mr. Hubbard called this study Scientology, and lectured on the results of his research throughout the United States and England.
In 1954, in recognition of the spiritual nature of this philosophy, a number of Scientologists in Los Angeles formed the first Church of Scientology. Since then, the one church in Los Angeles has grown into thousands of churches, missions, study groups and field ministries in nearly 150 countries around the world.
The Practice of Scientology
The application of the Scientology religion breaks down into two parts, spiritual counseling and ministerial training.
In counseling (known as auditing from the Latin root audire, meaning “to listen”), an individual is helped by an auditor (one trained in the Scientology scriptures and their application) to locate areas of travail and upset in their life. Using exact processes, the auditor directs the attention of the individual to these upsets, and through precise questions, the individual comes to answer for himself and understand the roots of his spiritual troubles.
The auditor is greatly assisted by the use of a “Hubbard electrometer” known as an E-meter.
The E-Meter device does not diagnose or cure anything. It measures the mental state and change of state in a parishioner, helping the auditor to locate areas of spiritual distress or travail so that they can be addressed.
Ministerial training (known simply as “training”) is encouraged, as when one knows the ideas and principles behind why auditing works, one can not only himself be helped, but he can help his family and friends to lead happier lives. The training usually starts before a person even enters a Church of Scientology. Books such as Dianetics contain the exact steps and information a would-be auditor can know to bring about an improvement in those around him.
For further training, he would go into a mission or Church of Scientology where he would attend courses to gain knowledge of more scriptures and more means of application.
Scientology training perfects the auditor’s ability to communicate and help the parishioner. Auditors in training become completely familiar with the E-Meter and how to use it in a counseling session.
Both auditing and training are arranged in levels which an individual ascends to achieve further and further degrees of spiritual awareness and freedom. The route or path in Scientology is likened to crossing a bridge from man’s current troubled state to one of total spiritual freedom.
Nothing in Scientology need be taken on faith. Its truths are self-evident, its principles are easily demonstrable and its technology can be seen at work in any Church of Scientology. The Scientology philosophy is available to anyone who wishes to reach for it. And no matter how different Scientologists may be, they hold one vital factor in common: having significantly bettered their lives, they know that Scientology works.
Scientology recognized for its work to improve the community
The Ministry of Interior of Taiwan recognized the Church of Scientology for its humanitarian and social betterment activities with its Excellent Religious Group Award. Mr. Liao-Yi Liao, Minister of Interior of Taiwan, presented the award at the NTUH International Convention Center in Taipei. This was the sixth such acknowledgment received by the Church for its work to improve conditions in Taiwan.
Dedicated to helping the next generation avoid the tragedy of drug abuse and addiction, over the past year the Church of Scientology conducted 99 drug education events in Taiwan and distributed 45,150 anti-drug booklets.
To promote human rights and ensure students know their rights and stand up for the rights of others, last year the church delivered 144 human rights lectures to 4,780 students.
Scientology missions in Kaohsiung, Taichung and Ping-Dong did volunteer work in local prisons, helping over 2,500 inmates with a program that promotes morality and helps the individual regain his or her self-respect.
The President of the Church of Scientology Taiwan, Dr. Mei-Tsu Lee, accepted the award from the Minister Of the Interior on behalf of the Church. Scientology and the other religious groups honored by the Ministry were acknowledged for their charitable contributions to social programs or their direct participation in activities that improve the community.
L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology religion, once wrote “A being is only as valuable as he can serve others.” Through their service, Taiwanese Scientologists have truly proven their value to their community.
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, are the aims of Scientology.~~~L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology religion
An enormous amount of work has gone into planning and acquiring new buildings for all existing Scientology churches. With most of these new buildings located and a great many purchased, the new churches are being opened, with facilities that make it possible for these new Scientology organizations (orgs) to really service their communities.
Conceived and spearheaded by David Miscavige these church renovations and grand openings are happening now at a faster rate than ever before.
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, are the aims of Scientology.~~~L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology religion
David Miscavige is the Driving Force of a Movement Now Spanning This World With Ideal Churches of Scientology. This is the rendering of the beautiful new Church of Scientology of Rome. Funded entirely by donations to the International Association of Scientologists (IAS), this Church will mark a new era for Scientology in Europe and Italy.
David Miscavige presented the images of this new church this summer at and even aboard the Freewinds where he gave a summary of the IAS mid-year report.
The seminar, held in English and Spanish, followed on the heels of last month’s release of How to Use Dianetics—a state of the art, step-by-step, visual guide to L. Ron Hubbard’s legendary self-help bestseller.
Dianetics, which comes from the Greek words dia, meaning through and nous, soul, means, “what the soul is doing to the body through the mind.” Dianetics enables the individual to get rid of, irrational fears, unwanted sensations and emotions.
How to Use Dianetics consists of 18 short films, which illustrates specific Dianetics principles and techniques. With these new films, people new to the subject can easily learn what to expect from a Dianetics session and how to help another using this technology.
Following the presentation of the first of these films, an excerpt of which is available online at www.dianetics.org or www.scientology.org, those attending the Dianetics seminar were paired up immediately to use what they learned, to help someone else and receive help themselves. Supervised by trained Dianetics specialists, the seminar participants gained first-hand experience with just how easy it is to resolve difficulties that were holding them back from achieving their full potential.
“I had big blank spots in my childhood,” said one attendee, “but now I have regained my ability to actually view the truth and enjoy life.” “I realized why I continued to get injuries in the same place,” said another person. “I no longer have to worry about going to work and getting hurt. What a relief!”
By the end of the two-day seminar those attending had a new perspective on why L. Ron Hubbard told readers of Dianetics, “You are beginning an adventure. Treat it as an adventure. And may you never be the same again.”
The new two-day Dianetics seminar will be offered every weekend at the Hubbard Dianetics Foundation of the Church of Scientology of Los Angeles at 4810 Sunset Boulevard. For more information the Dianetics site or call the Church of Scientology of Los Angeles at 323-953-3200.
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, are the aims of Scientology.~~~L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology religion
The "Meet a Scientologist" videos, which were shot on location, focus on individual Scientologists who explain how the religion has helped them, whether by teaching effective communication skills, learning to be confident in their abilities, or generally improving their life. Videos highlight members of Scientology from all over the world and all kinds of professions, including doctors, educators, inventors, athletes, actors, musicians, students, photographers, business owners and more.
These new videos are based on one of the core principles of the Scientology religion. L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Church of Scientology, discovered that understanding is composed of affinity, reality and communication. With the conviction that this applies to any aspect of life, the Church of Scientology seeks to increase understanding of Scientology and Scientologists by applying this principle to online video, while at the same time, providing information through personal stories.
A pioneer and leader in the online religious community, the Church of Scientology was the first religion to create its own official YouTube Video Channel in April 2008, with 82 broadcast-quality videos comprising nearly three hours of content in a unique video player. To date, it has been seen by over 2 million visitors. The Church of Scientology has also launched an online public information campaign with 30 and 60-second flash presentation conveying the essence of Scientology. These spots address the most fundamental questions people ask about life--questions for which Scientology has effective answers.
Scientology volunteers provided disaster relief when a building collapsed last month in Kisii, Kenya.
Scientology Volunteer Ministers from Nekuru, Kenya rushed to the town of Kisii in June when a three-story building under construction in that city collapsed, killing five and injuring 14.
The result could have been far more serious, were it not for civilians who reacted immediately and came to the aid of those in need. On seeing the collapse take place, workers at a nearby road construction site abandoned their work and brought four earthmovers to help in the rescue operation. Four ambulances that happened to be at hand rushed those who were rescued to a hospital.
The Scientology Volunteer Ministers from Nekuru, working on a strictly volunteer basis, arrived on the scene and helped with the search and rescue operation, providing emergency workers with whatever assistance they needed.
Then, to deal with the trauma of those directly involved, the volunteers provided Scientology assists, procedures developed by L. Ron Hubbard that provide relief in times of stress and disaster by addressing the emotional and spiritual factors in trauma, illness and injuries. Once the immediate situation was under control, the Scientology volunteers then provided seminars in Scientology assist procedures to empower people in the city with tools to deal with any future disasters.
For more than 25 years, in more than 150 nations, Scientology Volunteer Ministers have brought effective solutions to bear on the problems, large and small, of the world. In 2008, Scientology Volunteer Ministers administered one-on-one help at 23 separate disaster sites.
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, are the aims of Scientology.~~~L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology religion
With interest high in Scientology and Dianetics a course called “The Anatomy of the Human Mind” met with great success in Timisoara, Romania.
The publication last fall of 9 Scientology and Dianetics books in Romanian has ignited tremendous interest in the subject of the human mind. Add to that the presence in the country of the Scientology Volunteer Ministers European Goodwill Tour, and demand for Scientology and Dianetics courses was inevitable.
In answer to the many requests for more information, a course was presented called “The Anatomy of the Human Mind Course.” It was held in the city of Timisoara, Romania to a packed house and covered basic concepts of the Scientology religion. The course was based on a series of lectures first delivered by Scientology founder, L. Ron Hubbard in December 1960 and January 1961.
The course contains a precise description of the mind, how the mind works, its components, and its relationship to the individual. It addresses such things as improving memory, how past instances of pain and painful emotion affect one’s life in the present and how to eradicate these ill effects.
Copies of the original lectures by L. Ron Hubbard are available in English and 15 other languages through New Era Publications Incorporated in Europe and Bridge Publications for the Americas, Africa, Asia, Australia and Oceania.
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, are the aims of Scientology.~~~L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology religion
Scientology churches urge young and old to help save lives on United Nations International Day against Drugs Abuse and Trafficking
The Church of Scientology International is directing its churches and missions in 165 countries to join forces with the United Nations on June 26th in raising awareness on drug abuse. The International Day against Drug Abuse and Trafficking is based on U.N. General Assembly resolution 42/112 passed in 1987 to strengthen action and cooperation in eliminating drug abuse.
Scientology officials are asking members, neighbors, youth groups, officials and community organizations to first educate themselves about drugs and then pass it on. Through its community anti-drug outreach program, the Church developed pocket-sized youth friendly educational booklets on commonly abused drugs, which have been published by Foundation for a Drug-Free World since 2006. With the help of Church volunteers and community alliances, millions of the booklets have been distributed since 1995.
“Ask any drug addict and he will tell you he never planned to become addicted and if had he really understood the consequences of drug abuse, he would never have tried drugs in the first place,” said Rev. Bob Adams Vice President of the Church of Scientology International.
Community action against drug abuse is also positive gain for civic leaders struggling with dwindling budgets for drug prevention programs. Once common drug prevention services from the DEA, FBI and even law enforcement programs like DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) are being shaved and in many areas cut entirely.
Staggering figures of disease and death from drug use have been around for years, but the specific harm to individuals, families and society in terms of crime, health costs and productivity losses are harder to find. According to the the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime, teens and young adults are particularly at risk, with drug use more than twice as high as that among the general population. The UNODC says that peer pressure to experiment and the fact that people taking drugs tend to be either misinformed or insufficiently aware of the health risks involved.
“Our community drug-education program has been in very heavy demand since its inception,” said Rev. Adams. “Widespread drug education is the most effective weapon in the war on drugs and doing it is saving lives.”
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, are the aims of Scientology.~~~L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology religion
There's our Volunteer Minister Cavalcades constantly visiting new communities to offer their help with everything from marital difficulties, to tutoring for children, to providing a willing ear for the lonely, and all else to help with the myriad of life's problems. - David Miscavige, leader of the Church of Scientology
Driven by the purpose to truly Do Something About It, Volunteer Ministers reach out with traveling Volunteer Minister Cavalcades, taking real help into major cities and communities throughout the world. Visiting a new city each month, these Cavalcades contact thousands at a time. National leaders, mayors, Members of Parliament and city officials welcome these Cavalcades, cutting ribbons to announce their arrival and embracing the campaign with proclamations declaring, “Something Can Be Done About It!”
Inside the familiar yellow tents, anyone can get one-on-one assistance to address whatever troubles they might be facing. Displays clearly show visitors the solutions they can learn, and seminars are available so they understand how to apply these answers to their own lives and, in turn, to the lives of those around them.
Volunteer Ministers also reach into their local communities as a permanent ongoing program, training thousands to help others and bringing positive change to towns and cities all around the world. And to make those same solutions available to all, Pioneer Cavalcades reach out into remote locations, everywhere and anywhere.
Pioneer Cavalcades
Africa Scientology Volunteer Minister Goodwill Tour: Covering Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique and Zambia. More >>
Southeast Asia Scientology Volunteer Minister Goodwill Tour: Covering Taiwan, Kin Men Island, South Korea, the Phillipines, Thailand, Malaysia and Japan. More >>
South Pacific Scientology Volunteer Minister Goodwill Tour: Covering Fiji, the Cook Islands, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, and New Guinea. More >>
Trans-Siberia Scientology Volunteer Minister Goodwill Tour: Traveling along the famed Trans-Siberian Railway from Moscow to Vladivostok. More >>
India Scientology Volunteer Minister Goodwill Tour: Going across India from Kolkata to Delhi, through Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai to Hyderabad. More >>
South America Scientology Volunteer Minister Goodwill Tour: Covering Brazil, Paraguay, Uraguay, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Guyana. More >>
Central Europe and Asia Volunteer Minister Goodwill Tour: Covering Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Kalingrad, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, and ending in Ulaan Bator in Mongolia. More >>
