Hubbard, L. Ron - Timeline Biography
Time Period
03-13-1911 - 01-24-1986
Description
Lafayette Ronald Hubbard initially was a science fiction writer in the 1930s and 1940s, but shifted his focus toward theories of the human condition in 1950 with the publication of Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health. In this book, he detailed techniques to rid humans of destructive behaviors and reach a state called "clear." He soon expanded on these ideas with a more developed philosophical-religious system he called Scientology. In 1954, the first Church of Scientology opened in Los Angeles.
Scientology elicited criticism from Christian groups, the media, ex-members, and government organizations. Some viewed Scientology as a "cult" and Hubbard as a "fraud." Scientology struggled for nearly three decades to receive recognition as a tax-exempt, religious organization, and often clashed with government agencies. Hubbard lived his last six years in seclusion.
Despite the controversy surrounding Hubbard and Scientology, the organization grew immensely and influenced famous celebrities, like Tom Cruise and John Travolta.
Scientology elicited criticism from Christian groups, the media, ex-members, and government organizations. Some viewed Scientology as a "cult" and Hubbard as a "fraud." Scientology struggled for nearly three decades to receive recognition as a tax-exempt, religious organization, and often clashed with government agencies. Hubbard lived his last six years in seclusion.
Despite the controversy surrounding Hubbard and Scientology, the organization grew immensely and influenced famous celebrities, like Tom Cruise and John Travolta.
Interactive Timeline(s)
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Events
Church of ScientologyRelated Dictionary Terms
New Religious MovementsPhotographs
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L Ron Hubbard- Los Angeles Times photographic archive, UCLA Library (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)
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L Ron Hubbard conducting a Dianetics seminar- Los Angeles Times photographic archive, UCLA Library (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)
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L Ron Hubbard house- Wikimedia Commons- photo by AgnosticPreachersKid (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Book/Journal Source(s)
Queen, Edward, Stephen Prothero and Gardiner Shattuck, 1996. The Encyclopedia of American Religious History New York: Facts on File.Melton, J. Gordon, 1991. Religious Leaders of America Detroit, MI: Gale.
Web Source(s)
https://www.britannica.com/biography/L-Ron-HubbardShort biography of L. Ron Hubbard
Web Page Contributor
Benjamin T. GurrentzAffliated with: Pennsylvania State University, Ph.D. in Sociology
