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The History Of Scientology

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Scientology is a religious system based on the seeking of self-knowledge and spiritual fulfillment through graded courses of study and training (“Scientology”). Scientology was founded in 1954, by Lafayette Ronald Hubbard. A man who wrote and published Dianetics, which is the equivalent of the Bible in Christianity. The church’s beliefs and practices are based off of Dianetics, and the teachings of Hubbard. Scientologists say they believe that through religious training such as auditing and spending time at the church they will reach a state of clear, as well as recall past lives (Wright 2013). Auditing is when church members specifically know as auditors, to first listen and give counsel to members of the church, second help the members …show more content…

Miscavige was once a member of the sea org. and a messenger of the late Hubbard (Wright 2013). He was born on April 30, 1960. He was said to have taken leadership of the church in 1982. He began working for Scientology when he was just thirteen years old. He did not complete his college education (Sappell). According to many ex-high ranking scientologists, he is a “ruthless fighter,” and he has a “volatile temper.” Before Miscavige even turned thirty he was chairman of the board (the leader) of Scientology (Sappell). Miscavige rules much like his predecessor, and that Miscavige works for fifteen hours a day. Miscavige leads the church very roughly, and strongly forcing the members of the church to a 10% tithe (Sappell). Hubbard tries tirelessly to be as much like Hubbard as much as possible in the way that he runs the church. However, unlike Hubbard, Miscavige abuses his subordinates, and is harsh, and he uses expletives in much of his speech. He pays himself millions of dollars every year, and is a cruel leader …show more content…

From celebrities to average, everyday citizens a good percentage of ex-Scientologist report one or another form of abuse. Firstly, there is the physical abuse which ranges all the way from accounts of Miscavige abuse to other members of the church being forced to attack each other (Childs et al.). Secondly, there is the form of emotional abuse, which consists of being yelled at about sexuality, and being forced to feel like a prisoner or a mental health patient. The Emotional abuse in the church often happens when Miscavige forces staffers to routine checks in which they are forced to spill all their secrets, and if Miscavige hears anything he doesn’t like then the people confessing are punished (Childs et al.). The staff members are also prohibited from leaving the church. They work in buildings with individual security guards that follow the person, and there are fences everywhere, as well as cameras (Childs et al.). Eventually, it gives the staffer a feeling that they are a prisoner, like they can't leave, they are trapped. Even after leaving the church an Ex-Scientologist said that when she and her husband were testifying against their contract, discrediting the couple’s argument, making it seem invalid. In addition to emotional abuse, physical abuse is very present in the church as well. The workers are being worked seven days a week, sixteen hours a day, and for $17 a week

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