CHAPTER 13
SCIENTOLOGY: IT'S CLAIMS TO BE A RELIGIOUS
PHILOSOPHY, A RELIGION AND A CHURCH.
13.1. The Commission is not directed by any specific term of reference to consider
whether Scientology can rightly claim to be a religion and a Church. Since, however, adherents
of the movement have consistently advanced the claim that Scientology is a religious philosophy,
a religion and a Church, the Commission considers it necessary to discuss this claim under its
ninth term of reference.
13.2. Scientology has at various times claimed to be different things:
(a) Mr. Hubbard writes:
"What is Scientology?
Scientology is that branch of psychology which treats of (embraces)
human ability."1
However, he contradicts this by saying:
"... Scientology does not belong in the world of psychology ...
In fact, ... We find nowhere in the western world a word or a
tradition which will embrace Scientology."2
(b) What it does embrace is "... An applied philosophy dealing with the
study of knowledge, which, through the application of its technology,
can bring about desirable changes in the conditions of life."3 This is
further stated as follows: "Scientology may be defined as the science
of knowing how to know. It embraces the entire field of knowledge ...
The science has many branches and these embrace what were designated
in the past the 'humanities'. Education, criminology, sociology, psychology,
and other such studies have their proper place in the framework of Scientology."4a
It will be noted that the author does not include religion in his list.
Indeed, religion is classed under para-scientology "... which includes all
greater or lesser uncertainties."4b
(c) Yet the following is maintained: "SCIENTOLOGY is an applied religious
philosophy of life and a body of knowledge concerning Man and his relation-
ship to the Universe, to his fellow beings. It holds that Man is inherently
________
1Hubbard L. Ron: Scientology. The Fundamentals of Thought. Foundry Press, Ltd., Bedford,
England. (Copyright 1956), p. 9.
2Hubbard L. Ron: The Phoenix Lectures. The Garden City Press Limited, Letchworth, Hertfordshire,
England. (Copyright 1968), pp. 2-3.
3Ziff, Judy: Editor: The Auditor, The Journal of Scientology No. 25 World Wide. The Sidney
Press Ltd., Bedford, England. (Copyright 1967), p. 4.
4Gerry U. Keith: Scientology. Its Contribution to Knowledge. (Copyright 1955), a) p. 11;
b) p. 12.
195