Chapter 1: Introduction to Scientology

What exactly is Scientology? Is it a new religious movement or merely a cult exploiting its followers? Founded in the 1950s by American author L. Ron Hubbard, the Church of Scientology claims to have over 40,000 adherents globally. However, many governments label it as a hazardous cult engaged in controversial business practices, prioritizing profit over genuine religious devotion while taking advantage of its members.

Numerous allegations have emerged against the organization, highlighting incidents of physical abuse by high-ranking officials towards staff, a disconnection policy that isolates members from unsupportive friends and family, frivolous lawsuits against media critics, and the mistreatment of defectors.

By the 1960s, Scientology had blossomed into an international movement with a substantial following. To escape growing controversies, Hubbard opted to live on a private fleet of ships, convinced that government entities were infiltrating his organization. He employed infamous E-meters to interrogate members he suspected of disloyalty.

At the same time, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) revoked the church's tax-exempt status in Washington, D.C., citing inappropriate profit generation from a non-profit entity. The FBI compiled extensive reports on Hubbard and the Church of Scientology, sharing findings with international authorities. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) took action by seizing thousands of pills falsely marketed as radiation treatments, as well as the publications and E-meters misused by the church.

In Australia, Scientology faced severe backlash for alleged brainwashing, extortion, and blackmail of its members. This led the Victorian state government to investigate and subsequently publish their findings, condemning Hubbard's organization for its delusional belief system rooted in fiction and deceptive practices. The inquiry raised concerns about Hubbard's mental state, concluding that he exhibited extreme paranoia and delusions of grandeur. Following these findings, many Australian regions banned Scientology due to its reckless practices.

In the mid-1960s, Britain and other countries began to classify the Church of Scientology as a cult, gaining support from politicians and media outlets. In April 1966, feeling the weight of international scrutiny, Hubbard sought refuge in Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, but was denied entry by the Prime Minister, who refused to renew his visa. Consequently, Hubbard and his followers were labeled undesirable by English-speaking nations due to their radical practices.

To counteract the growing dissent, Hubbard instituted a disconnection policy, isolating members from unsupportive friends and family. He cultivated an environment where members reported one another for various infractions, further entrenching a culture of mistrust. The church also adopted the Fair Game policy, allegedly targeting individuals within the IRS and other agencies through illegal means. In the 1970s, they employed private investigators and pursued legal actions against critics in the media.

In the late 1960s, Hubbard launched the Sea Org fleet, evading authorities while continuing to manage church affairs and receiving substantial wire transfers from banks in Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

Hubbard attempted to find a safe haven in Morocco in the early 1970s but had to leave abruptly due to internal political strife. In 1972, French authorities charged him and his organization with fraud and customs violations, raising the possibility of extradition. Seeking refuge, Hubbard hid in New York City for several months, during which his health deteriorated significantly. In 1975, he suffered a heart attack, followed by a pulmonary embolism that left him in a coma for some time.

In February 1978, a French court convicted Hubbard in absentia for fraudulent activities, sentencing him to four years in prison. He went into hiding again, this time in Hemet, California, while his wife and several high-ranking Scientologists faced federal conspiracy charges from the FBI. Although Hubbard was named as an unindicted co-conspirator in the infiltration of the IRS, he avoided direct charges. The FBI later conducted raids on Scientology offices, seizing wiretap equipment, burglary tools, and over 90,000 incriminating documents.

During his time in hiding, Hubbard focused on writing science fiction and composing music. However, a coup within the Sea Org led to the expulsion of several veteran Scientologists, paving the way for David Miscavige to assume leadership of the Church of Scientology.

On January 17, 1986, Hubbard suffered a stroke while residing at a 160-acre ranch near Creston, California, passing away a week later. Allegations of financial misconduct were rampant, with the IRS investigating him for tax fraud. His body was cremated, and his ashes were scattered at sea. The copyrights to his works, along with his estate and wealth, were bequeathed to the Church of Scientology.

Chapter 2: The Dangers of Scientology

It is evident that Scientology operates as a fraudulent church and a perilous cult, exploiting its members in various ways. Testimonies from former adherents reveal the separation of families, abusive treatment of followers, and infiltration of government entities for personal gain. The organization functions more like a business than a religious institution, raising concerns about its tax-exempt status.

Many ex-insiders recognize Scientology for what it truly is: a profit-driven entity masquerading as a religious organization while neglecting its financial responsibilities. Historically, numerous cults have exploited religion and spirituality for personal gain, with Scientology displaying alarming similarities to other extremist groups like Jim Jones's Peoples’ Temple and David Koresh's Branch Davidians.

There is an urgent need for a Congressional inquiry into the inner workings of the Church of Scientology to protect those ensnared in this cult and prevent further loss of life and family ties to this abusive organization. Scientology poses dangers comparable to any cult we have ever encountered. As history illustrates, their actions have consistently been harmful, exploiting and devastating families worldwide for selfish ends without remorse.

This video delves into the hidden dangers associated with Scientology, exploring the controversies surrounding this polarizing belief system.

Offering insights into the tools and practices of Scientology, this video discusses the implications of its teachings in a potentially dangerous environment.