What Is Scientology? (Paperback)

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Product Description

The complete and essential encyclopedic reference on the subject and practice of Scientology. This book contains the pertinent data on every aspect of the subject: The life of L. Ron Hubbard and his path of discovery The Spiritual Heritage of the religion A full description of Dianetics and Scientology Auditing—what it is and how it works Courses—what they contain and how they are structured The Grade Chart of Services and how one ascends to higher states The Scientology Ethics and Justice System The Organizational Structure of the Church A complete description of the many Social Betterment programs supported by the Church, including: Drug Rehabilitation, Criminal Reform, Literacy and Education and the instilling of real values for morality Over 1000 pages in length, with hundreds of photographs and illustrations, this text further includes Creeds, Codes and a Catechism with answers to virtually any question regarding the subject.

About the Author

L. Ron Hubbard is the founder of Scientology. He has described his philosophies in more than 5,000 writings, including dozens of books, and three thousand tape recorded lectures. Those who regularly employ his teachings to improve themselves and help their fellows come from all walks of life. The universal acclaim for the man — including thousands of awards and recognitions from individuals and groups and the unprecedented popularity of his works among all people — is but one indicator of the effectiveness of his technologies. More importantly, there are millions of people around the world who consider they have no greater friend.

Product Details

• Paperback: 833 pages
• Publisher: Bridge Publications, Inc.; Rev Upd edition (October 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1573181226
• ISBN-13: 978-1573181228
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (61 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #381,184 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Garbage for the gullible, May 5, 2005

By	Anonymous - See all my reviews

This heavyweight, glossy illustrated book treats the reader like a gullible idiot, which, if they are not at the start, will be once they become consumed by Scientology. It is very selective in what it reports and does not actually state the truth about what is Scientology.

Scientology is nothing to do with science, nor with knowledge or knowing how to know. It is not even pseudoscience. It is completely made up. Why such a heavy illustrated book is required is uncertain. The original introduction to Scientology (Dianetics) was published in the sci-fi comic "Astounding Science Fiction' in May 1950. It is the only 'religion' known to have its origins in a science fiction comic.

Key to Scientology is lots of expensive brainwashing courses and a process called 'clearing' (or 'auditing' when performed by another person, which really it has to be). This is a form of unlicensed and dangerous 'psychotherapy' (though the 'church' states that it is not psychotherapy) performed by people who are not trained in psychology or counselling, and are not members of any professional psychological or counselling organisation. It involves aspects of hypnotism, severe social pressure and classical and operant conditioning. Auditing costs a lot of money. After some years of auditing, at great expense, one might reach an 'advanced level' known as OT VIII (Operating Thetan, Level 8). Here you are told the creation story that belies Scientology; this is also missing from this book. So to save you 1000's of dollars, here it is. According to Scientology, the cause of your (and everyone's) problems is that the world is infested with the souls of dead space aliens, murdered 75 million years ago. According to Scientology, the alien galactic ruler Xenu was in charge of Earth and 75 other planets in this part of the galaxy at the time and cured overpopulation by paralysing the people of the other planets, flying them to Earth in DC-8 space planes, arranged them round a volcano to murder them with H bombs. These souls of murdered people were gathered up and boxed, taken to cinemas and shown films for several days. The end result was that the souls clustered together and now inhabit people in their thousands. Scientology will help 'clear' you of this, at great expense of course. It's expensive business busting the souls of dead space aliens.

The author of 'What is Scientology' was actually a science fiction writer, who saw that he could make more money by inventing a new religion - Hubbard stated: "Writing for a penny a word is ridiculous. If a man really wants to make a million dollars, the best way would be to start his own religion". The book is no less than science fiction, and there is a theory that Hubbard made the whole lot up as a bet/dare. Who would have thought that more than a handful of people would fall for it?! But Hubbard was a classic cult leader, and according to several reports probably a paranoid schizophrenic, who died with traces of drug hydroxyzine (brand name Vistaril) in his body - an opioid potentiator and an anxiolytic for the treatment of anxiety (though of course he never publicly admitted to taking psychotropic drugs while alive). The (Australian) Report of the Board of Inquiry into Scientology (Victoria) stated that expert psychiatric witnesses were of the opinion that Hubbard's writings indicated "symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia of long standing with delusions of grandeur" and came to the conclusion that Hubbard's "sanity was to be gravely doubted." Hubbard had no qualification to practice. He claimed to have a Ph.D. from "Sequoia University" - a residential dwelling in Los Angeles which operated through a post office box and delivered mail order doctorates without exams, or attendance... Hubbard had no qualifications in psychology, counselling, psychotherapy, theology, or philosophy.

Scientology has been exposed by many independent Judges and Governments, and by the press (famously by Time magazine, 1991). Scientology or its practices has been banned on and off in many countries and states. However, in order to silence its critics the it issues legal procedings citing copyright infringement against journalists, newpapers and websites that reveal negative information about Scientology.

[...]

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No Secret!....It's all here and it's great!, August 17, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: What Is Scientology (Paperback)

Scientology is now fully expalained in this book! It is in fact more of an encyclopedia on Scientology than just a book. World wide statistics of growth and organization addresses are available along with very full explanations of the basics and the more advanced spiritual technology of this movement. These are good caring people who do vast good works across the planet. I'd say that this is a high-tech religion that goes into the subject of the spirit from a scientific viewpoint and has some very high-tech activities to enhance inner spiritual strength, happiness and success. A very full and revealing coverage of the only major new religion to enter the world stage in the twentieth century

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a fascinating book, August 14, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: What Is Scientology (Paperback)

This book is well presented and has a tremendous amount of data about the basic tenets of Scientology and their course of development. It also covers statistics of the positive gains people have made applying Scientology technology to areas of their life. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in self improvement