- Founder
- L. Ron Hubbard
- Time Period
- 1954
- Description
- The first Church of Scientology opened in Los Angeles In 1954, under the auspices of former science fiction author L. Ron Hubbard (1911-1986). Scientology’s teachings are based on his book Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health. Hubbard’s book blames the "reactive mind" for a multitude of problems, from nightmares and fears to psychosomatic illnesses. Under his process, practitioners may reach a blissful "state of clear" by working with an "auditor." The goal is to learn to control "engrams," a mental record of pain and unconsciousness that could harken back to previous lives.Often described as a fringe religion, Scientology has had a controversial history. The Internal Revenue Service, for example, did not approve the tax-exempt status given to recognized religious movements until 1993. Among Scientology’s most high-profile members are actors John Travolta and Tom Cruise.
- Interactive Timeline(s)
- Religious Minorities (Non-Christian)
- Browse Related Timeline Entries
- Religious Minorities (Non-Christian) in American History
- Religious Groups
- Timeline Entries for the same religious group Other Groups Other Groups: Other ARDA Links
- Biographies
- Hubbard, L. Ron
- Photographs
-
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Los Angeles Church of Scientology- Flickr- photo by Scientology Media (CC BY-SA 2.0) -
L Ron Hubbard in 1950- Wikimedia Commons- from Los Angeles Times photographic archive, UCLA Library -
L Ron Hubbard conducting Dianetics seminar- Wikimedia Commons- from Los Angeles Times photographic archive, UCLA Library -
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Scientology auditing, stress test- Flickr- photo by Matthieu Aubry (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) -
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Church of Scientology spiritual headquarters- Flickr- photo by Truth Revealed2012 (CC BY 2.0) - Book/Journal Source(s)
- Benedict, Gerald , 2008. The Watkins Dictionary of Religions and Secular Faiths. London: Watkins Publishing.
- Web Source(s)
- http://www.religionfacts.com/scientology/history ReligionFacts, "History of Scientology"
- http://www.lronhubbard.org/ron-series/profile/introduction.html?view-src=lrh L. Ron Hubbard biography
- http://www.scientology.org Church of Scientology website
- Web Page Contributor
- Sandi Dolbee Affliated with: Former Religion and Ethics Editor, The San Diego Union-Tribune
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