# What is Scientology? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 27, 2001, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-scientology/84033 "2001-09-27T01:49:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Chekmate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/46a35a/32.png) [@Chekmate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chekmate)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-scientology/84033/1 "2001-09-27T01:49:14Z")
What is scientology? I have heard this metioned like 5 times in the last couple days, and was just curious ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-scientology/84033/2 "2001-09-27T02:02:48Z")
It’s a religion created by L. Ron Hubbard, a science fiction writer (he wrote “Battlefield Earth”), ostensibly on a dare from some of his science fiction writing buddies. It is based in Clearwater, Florida in the old Fort Harrison hotel. Most people would classify it as a cult. The adherents are exposed to more and more “truths” as they advance in the religion. In the Clearwater area they wear uniforms that sort of show their rank, which look sort of like a bunch of grownups attending a private school. Famous members include John Travolta and Tom Cruise. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-scientology/84033/3 "2001-09-27T02:09:11Z")
**Chekmate** , I just noticed that you posted this question twice. Please don’t do this in the future. One of the threads will be closed. ---
**Author:** ![Anal\_Scurvy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c57346/32.png) [@Anal\_Scurvy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anal_Scurvy)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-scientology/84033/4 "2001-09-27T02:10:36Z")
“Bare Faced Messiah” is an awesome read. When Hubbard commanded a ship in WWII, he spent two days attacking a known magnetic field. He also created words like, “Enturbulate” which means “to render into a confused state”. _I_ would sure as hell worship this man’s ideas. ---
**Author:** ![Arjuna34](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Arjuna34](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arjuna34)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-scientology/84033/5 "2001-09-27T03:37:40Z")
Cecil speaks: [What’s up with Dianetics/Scientology?](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4_134.html) ---
**Author:** ![evilhanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba8739/32.png) [@evilhanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/evilhanz)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-scientology/84033/6 "2001-09-27T04:44:36Z")
We’d better not discuss it. They might sue us. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-scientology/84033/7 "2001-09-27T12:35:36Z")
> [@](#): > > It’s a religion created by L. Ron Hubbard, a science fiction writer (he wrote “Battlefield Earth”), ostensibly on a dare from some of his science fiction writing buddies Actually, I doubt if there was a bet involved. This story seems relatively recent, and unconvincing. I think L. Ron saw where the money was, and went for it. There’s a much more widespread and convincing story that he said something like “Writing for 2 cents a word isn’t the way to go. If you want to get rich you should start your own religion.” Also, L. Ron wasn’t really much of a science fiction writer – even though he called himself that. I’m not referring to the quality of his work (although I do think it’s awful stuff), but to the bulk of his genre output – by far most of it was fantasy, military, and westerns. He wrote very little pure sf in his life, and most of it came out near the end of his life (and after it) – **Battlefield Earth** and the **Mission Earth** series were 1980s productions, and lately they’ve been releasing novels cobbled together from his notes and outlines, fleshed out by other writers. If you want lots of material on Dianetics/Scientology, go to [http://www.xenu.com](http://www.xenu.com) ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-scientology/84033/8 "2001-09-27T12:48:56Z")
Highly recommend this place for many many inquiries, among which lies Dienetics and Scientology. this is the skeptics dictionary/encyclopedia…it’ alphabetized, so you can link to the scientology or dianetics page. Oh, did I mention that they (scientologists) are quacks? [http://www.skepdic.com](http://www.skepdic.com) ---
**Author:** ![Chekmate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/46a35a/32.png) [@Chekmate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chekmate)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-scientology/84033/9 "2001-09-27T13:00:48Z")
Sorry. I didn’t notice that I posted it twice. I really didn’t. My computer weas being retarded… I swear! ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-scientology/84033/10 "2001-09-27T13:01:28Z")
> [@](#): > > This story seems relatively recent, and unconvincing. I think L. Ron saw where the money was, and went for it. There’s a much more widespread and convincing story that he said something like “Writing for 2 cents a word isn’t the way to go. If you want to get rich you should start your own religion.” I read somewhere that this actually happened more-or-less as quoted. It purportedly occurred during a conversation between L-Ron, Harlan Ellison and another science fiction writer or two. IIRC one of the people present related the quote. I put “scientology” into the search box on Snopes, but got no hits. I don’t remember where I read it, so I don’t have a cite. If anyone knows if the anecdote is true I’d like to see the cite. If there is a reliable cite that say’s it never happened I’d like to see that one as well. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-scientology/84033/11 "2001-09-27T13:09:02Z")
> [@](#): > > I read somewhere that this actually happened more-or-less as quoted. It purportedly occurred during a conversation between L-Ron, Harlan Ellison and another science fiction writer or two. IIRC one of the people present related the quote. I put “scientology” into the search box on Snopes, but got no hits. I don’t remember where I read it, so I don’t have a cite. I’ve only heard this version in recent years – and I believe it’s been debunked on the SDMB itself. I’ll have to do a search. The version I quote has a longer life. ---
**Author:** ![Vinnie\_Virginslayer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/53a042/32.png) [@Vinnie\_Virginslayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vinnie_Virginslayer)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-scientology/84033/12 "2001-09-27T15:43:39Z")
I second “Bare Faced Messiah” as a read. Very, very scary book. I hate busting on religions, but boy, is this one pretty goofy. The thing is people laughed at the Mormoms 100 years ago and they kind of mainstreamed, though they still are nor recognized by most other Christian faiths. The similarities between the two are actually quite striking, except the Scientologists really take it out there. I remember about 10 years ago I went to a job interview for a place that sold “kilation therapy”, I think an IV type treatment for medical conditions. In the questionaire it started asking all these questions about L. Ron Hubbard, and your opinions of Dianetics etc… I got the hell out of there realy quick. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-scientology/84033/13 "2001-09-27T15:52:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Johnny L.A. \* > \*\*I read somewhere that this actually happened more-or-less as quoted. It purportedly occurred during a conversation between L-Ron, Harlan Ellison and another science fiction writer or two. \*\* The timing doesn’t seem right for Ellison. I’ve heard the exact same story with Campbell, Heinlein, Boucher( !! ), Asimov and other people in the starring role, but Ellison didn’t really hit it big until…what? mid '60s? The first Dianetics article was around '52 (I’ve got a beat to crap copy of that issue of Astounding, it was pretty dumb then and has only gotten worse). On a side note, it’s a shame Hubbard wasted what talent he had. I really enjoyed about 3 stories that Hubbard did for the late, lamented UNKNOWN that were excellent. (“Fear”, “Slaves of Sleep”, “Typewriter in the Sky” to name 'em), and he had some minor other stories here and there that were pretty good. But the bulk of his work was hack-level schlock. Fenris ---
**Author:** ![Payne\_N.Diaz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b77776/32.png) [@Payne\_N.Diaz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Payne_N.Diaz)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-scientology/84033/14 "2001-09-27T16:48:58Z")
I saw a report someplace (I wish I could remember where)that quoted several sources in which L. Ron made statements to the effect that the way to make money was to start a church, religion, etc. He said this apparently more than once, in bars, at sci-fi writers conventions, and the like. One of those quoted was Theodore Sturgeon, a well-respected writer of sci-fi. The compiler’s opinion was that too many people in too many places had heard him say something like this for it not to have some basis in fact. I sort of remember now–it was on an urban legend web page, I’m not sure which one. ---
**Author:** ![evilhanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba8739/32.png) [@evilhanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/evilhanz)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-scientology/84033/15 "2001-09-27T17:59:47Z")
Although it’s from an anti-Scientology site, a seemingly legitimate effort was made to debunk the rumors at [this site](http://www.bible.ca/scientology-1million-start-a-religion.htm). The writer concludes that the story is more or less true, but most people have the detais wrong. > [@](#): > > The Church’s media guide tells reporters that the rumor is confused, and that it was George Orwell who said it. In 1938, Orwell did write “But I have always thought there might be a lot of cash in starting a new religion…”. However, Robert Vaughn Young, who was Scientology’s spokesman for 20 years, says that Hubbard learned about the Orwell quote from him. Young further states that he met three people who could remember Hubbard saying more-or-less the famous quote. Nor did Hubbard write a rebuttal of the rumor – Young claims to have ghost-written the rebuttal in the Rocky Mountain News interview. (various sources are cited, some are dismissed, others are credible) > [@](#): > > To summarize: we have eight witnesses: Neison Himmel, Sam Merwin, Sam Moskowitz, Theodore Sturgeon, Lloyd Arthur Eshbach, and the three unnamed witnesses of Robert Vaughn Young. There is some confusion and doubt about one of the five (Sam Moskowitz). Two are reported via Russel Miller: one is reported via Mike Jittlov: one reported in his autobiography; and one reported in an affidavit. The reports describe different events, meaning that Hubbard said it at least five times, in five different venues - definitely not just once. And the Church’s official disclaimer is now reportedly a flat lie. > > Conclusion: He definitely said it (and more than once). There is a list of references to sources and people who were associated with Hubbard in one way or another. ---
**Author:** ![Phouchg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/41988e/32.png) [@Phouchg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phouchg)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-scientology/84033/16 "2001-09-27T19:51:56Z")
I also read somewhere that el-ron knew Robert Heinlein - and that the church in “Stranger In A Strange Land” was supposed to be a bit of a put-on of the whole Hubbard thing. Phouchg Lovable Rogue ---
**Author:** ![Mikemike2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikemike2/32/305_2.png) [@Mikemike2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mikemike2)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-scientology/84033/17 "2001-09-27T20:48:30Z")
Another good site about Scientology is [http://www.clambake.org/](http://www.clambake.org/) This site has a lot of information gathered about what this cult has done. It is extensive. They explain why they consider it a “UFO cult”. ---
**Author:** ![bonzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/45deac/32.png) [@bonzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bonzer)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-scientology/84033/18 "2001-09-27T22:51:58Z")
> [@](#): > > The Church’s media guide tells reporters that the rumor is confused, and that it was George Orwell who said it. In 1938, Orwell did write “But I have always thought there might be a lot of cash in starting a new religion…”. Given the scholarly care that has been lavished on the collected works of Orwell in recent years, it seems somewhat lazy of the Church to cite this as “In 1938.” Suspicious minds want to know, _did_ Orwell say this ? ---
**Author:** ![evilhanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba8739/32.png) [@evilhanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/evilhanz)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2001, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-scientology/84033/19 "2001-09-28T00:05:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by bonzer \* > \*\* > Given the scholarly care that has been lavished on the collected works of Orwell in recent years, it seems somewhat lazy of the Church to cite this as “In 1938.” Suspicious minds want to know, _did_ Orwell say this ? \*\* It’s found in a letter from George Orwell to Jack Common dated 16-Feb-38; taken from the book _Collected Essays, Journalism Letters of George Orwell, Volume 1_ in which Orwell states in jest: “…But I have always thought there might be a lot of cash in starting a new religion, and we’ll talk it over some time. …” ---
**Author:** ![bonzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/45deac/32.png) [@bonzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bonzer)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2001, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-scientology/84033/20 "2001-09-28T20:48:16Z")
Thanks. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-scientology/84033.md?page=2)