http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ScientologyScientology is a body of teachings and related techniques created by American science fiction author L. Ron Hubbard in 1952 as an outgrowth of his earlier self-help system, Dianetics. Hubbard later characterized Scientology as an "applied religious philosophy" and the basis for a new religion.[1]
Scientology also refers to the Church of Scientology, founded in 1954 and by far the largest organization promoting the practice of Scientology. Today, the Church itself operates under the auspices of the Religious Technology Center, the organization that holds the trademarks and copyrights of Dianetics and Scientology and monitors their use by the Church and its affiliates such as WISE or ABLE.[2]
Scientology holds that an individual is basically an immortal spiritual being that has a body and a mind. Each individual is adversely affected by forgotten decisions left over from past trauma and by stored mental energies. Scientology training and counseling aims to eliminate these adverse effects and to allow devotees to regain native spiritual abilities lost over the course of many lifetimes.[3] Scientology claims to be applicable in all facets of life, including programs for organizational management[4], study skills[5], and drug-rehabilitation.Scientology and the organizations that promote it have remained highly controversial since their inception. Journalists, courts and the governing bodies of several countries have stated that the Church of Scientology is an unscrupulous commercial enterprise that harasses its critics and victimizes its members.[6][7][8] Journalists, critics and religious groups worldwide have often referred to the organization as a cult.[9][10]
