Scientology

Scientology is a system of beliefs, teachings and rituals, originally established as an alternative psychotherapy in 1951 by science-fiction author L. Ron Hubbard, then recharacterized by him in 1953 as an "applied religious philosophy."

The Church of Scientology

Main article: Church of Scientology

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The Church of Scientology was first incorporated in Camden, New Jersey as a nonprofit organization in 1953. Today it forms the center of a complex worldwide network of corporations dedicated to the promotion of L. Ron Hubbard's philosophies in all areas of life. This includes:

Related Topics:
Church of Scientology - Incorporated - Camden, New Jersey - Nonprofit organization - 1953

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• drug treatment centers (Narconon);
• criminal rehab programs (Criminon);
• activities to reform the field of mental health (Citizens Commission on Human Rights);
• projects to implement workable and effective educational methods in schools (Applied Scholastics);
• a campaign to return moral values to living (The Way to Happiness);
• an organization to educate and assist businesses in the use of Scientology management techniques (World Institute of Scientology Enterprises, or WISE);
• a consulting firm based on Hubbard's management techniques (Sterling Management Systems);
• a publishing company, e-Republic, which publishes Government Technology and Converge magazines and coordinates the Center for Digital Government;
• and a campaign directed to world leaders as well as the general public to implement the 1948 United Nations document, "The Universal Declaration of Human Rights" (with particular emphasis on the religious freedom elements).

The Church of Scientology has been, and remains, a controversial organization. Countries have taken markedly different approaches to Scientology. In the United States, Scientology declares itself to be a religion and regularly cites religious protection under the First Amendment. In Canada the Church of Scientology is legal but has the unique distinction of being criminally convicted as a corporation of two counts of breach of the public trust (for an organized conspiracy to break into government offices) following a trial by jury.

Related Topics:
First Amendment - Canada

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Other countries, notably in Europe, have regarded Scientology as a potentially dangerous cult and have significantly restricted its activities at various times, or at least have not considered that the branches of the Church of Scientology met the legal criteria for being considered religion-supporting organizations. In Germany, for instance, Scientology is not seen as a religion by the government but as a commercial business with potentially anti-democratic tendencies, and has been subjected to state surveillance as a result. The United Kingdom government does not recognize Scientology as a bona fide religion, and it has been subjected to considerable pressure from the state in Russia.

Related Topics:
Europe - Cult - Religion-supporting organization - Germany - United Kingdom - Russia

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Scientology has also been the focus of criticism by anti-cult campaigners and has aroused controversy for its high-profile campaigns against psychiatry and psychiatric medication (see opposition to psychiatry, below).

Related Topics:
Anti-cult campaigner - Psychiatry - Opposition to psychiatry

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The many legal battles fought by the Church of Scientology since its inception have given it a reputation as an extremely litigious organization. (See also: Scientology and the legal system)

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