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Archive-name: scientology/users/catechism/part3
Last-modified: 1995/2/7 Version: 1.31 See reader questions & answers on this topic! - Help others by sharing your knowledge
-----------------< FAQ: Scientology Catechism [3 of 3] >----------------------
(Note: In the orginal text, italics were used to show emphasis or to
indicate that a word is being defined. Italics denoting emphasis
are shown here with *asterisks* surrounding the word, and italicized
words that were being defined, are shown here with 'single quotes'.
My comments are in [square brackets].
The book _What is Scientology?_, from which this file is taken, is
available in ASCII form via anonymous FTP from FTP.PCNET.COM out
of the directory /users/brianw/wis).
==========================================================================
"A SCIENTOLOGY CATECHISM"
[File 3 of 3]
Part Nine of _What is Scientology?_
Copyright (c) 1992, Church of Scientology International, All Rights
Reserved. Used with permission.
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1. ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS [Located in file 1 of 3]
1.1 What does the word 'Scientology' mean?
1.2 What is Scientology about?
1.3 How did Scientology start?
1.4 How come it's all based on one man's work?
1.5 Why is Scientology called a religion?
1.6 Why is Scientology a church?
2. WHAT SCIENTOLOGY DOES FOR THE INDIVIDUAL [Located in file 1 of 3]
2.1 How does Scientology work?
2.2 What does Scientology accomplish?
2.3 What claims are made for Scientology?
2.4 How do people get into Scientology?
3. SCIENTOLOGY AND OTHER PRACTICES [Located in file 1 of 3]
3.1 Is Scientology like hypnotism, meditation, psychotherapy or
other mental therapies?
3.2 Is Scientology a secret society?
3.3 In what way does Scientology differ from other religions
and religious philosophies?
3.4 Does Scientology interfere with other religions?
3.5 What does Scientology think of other religions?
3.6 What does Scientology have to say about Christianity?
4. SCIENTOLOGY BELIEFS [Located in file 1 of 3]
4.1 Is man a spirit?
4.2 How does one know man is a spirit?
4.3 What is the Scientology concept of God?
4.4 Can't God be the only one to help man?
4.5 Does Scientology believe in brotherly love?
4.6 Why do Scientologists want to help people?
4.7 Does Scientology recognize good and evil?
4.8 Does Scientology believe man is sinful?
4.9 Will Scientology put man in control of his mind?
4.10 Is Scientology about the mind?
4.11 Does Scientology believe in mind over matter?
4.12 Does Scientology believe one can exist outside of the
body?
4.13 Does Scientology believe in reincarnation or past lives?
4.14 Does Scientology believe in charity and welfare?
4.15 Does Scientology hold any political views?
4.16 Can children participate in Scientology? How?
4.17 What does Scientology say about the raising of children?
4.18 Can one make up his own mind about Scientology?
4.19 What is the Scientology cross?
4.20 What religious holidays do Scientologists celebrate?
5. SCIENTOLOGY'S FOUNDER [Located in file 1 of 3]
5.1 Is L. Ron Hubbard still alive?
5.2 Who was L. Ron Hubbard?
5.3 What was L. Ron Hubbard's role in the Church?
5.4 Has L. Ron Hubbard's death affected the Church?
5.5 How did L. Ron Hubbard rise above the reactive mind when
others didn't?
5.6 Did L. Ron Hubbard make a lot of money out of Scientology?
5.7 Was L. Ron Hubbard a millionaire?
5.8 How is it that one man could discover so much information?
5.9 Do Scientologists believe that L. Ron Hubbard was Jesus
Christ?
5.10 Did L. Ron Hubbard go Clear?
6. SCIENTOLOGY ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES [Located in file 2 of 3]
6.1 How do Scientologists view life?
6.2 What moral codes do Scientologists live by?
6.3 What is Scientology's view on drugs?
6.4 Why are there so many young people on staff in Scientology?
6.5 Do you have any special dietary laws or rules against
smoking or drinking in Scientology?
6.6 Do Scientologists use medical doctors?
6.7 In Scientology does one have to sacrifice one's
individuality?
6.8 What benefits can one get from Scientology?
6.9 What is Scientology's system of ethics?
6.10 What does 'clear the planet' mean?
6.11 What does 'suppressive person' mean?
6.12 What is disconnection?
6.13 Is Scientology a cult?
6.14 Does Scientology engage in brainwashing or mind control?
6.15 Does Scientology actively promote for new members?
6.16 Does one really need Scientology to do well in life?
6.17 Does one have to believe in Scientology?
6.18 Why do Scientologists sometimes seem so intent on what
they are doing?
6.19 What do the terms 'preclear', 'student' and 'auditor'
mean?
6.20 What is the E-Meter(R) and how does it work?
7. THE ORGANIZATIONS OF SCIENTOLOGY [Located in file 2 of 3]
7.1 Scientology is a philosophy. Why does it need to be
organized?
7.2 How many people work in a Scientology church?
7.3 How is Scientology organized?
7.4 Where are Scientology churches located?
7.5 What does a Scientology church or mission actually do?
7.6 What is the Office of Special Affairs?
7.7 What is the Flag Service Organization?
7.8 What is the Flag Ship Service Organization?
7.9 What is the Sea Organization?
7.10 Is it true that people in the Sea Org sign a billion-year
contract?
7.11 Why does Scientology have ministers? Are all
Scientologists ministers?
7.12 What are field staff members?
7.13 Why is everything copyrighted and trademarked in
Scientology?
[7.14 Does the IRS recognize Church organizations as non-profit
charitable organizations?]
8. CHURCH FUNDING [Located in file 2 of 3]
8.1 Why do Scientologists make donations?
8.2 Why does one have to make donations to separate
organizations for their services?
8.3 What about those who cannot afford to make donations for
services?
8.4 Is the Church profit-making?
8.5 How much does it cost to go Clear?
8.6 How well paid are Scientology staff?
[8.6 Are donations made to the Church of Scientology tax
deductible in the United States?]
9. SCIENTOLOGY BOOKS [Located in file 2 of 3]
9.1 What is the best book for a beginning Scientologist to
read?
9.2 Are the books difficult to understand?
9.3 Where can L. Ron Hubbard's books be purchased?
9.4 What books should one read to get information about:
9.4.1 Dianetics?
9.4.2 Basic Scientology principles?
9.4.3 Self-help, tests, and processes?
9.4.4 Handling the residual effects of drugs and toxins?
9.4.5 Basic principles of communication?
9.4.6 Predicting human behavior and understanding people?
9.4.7 How to increase success on the job?
9.4.8 Basic principles of organization?
9.4.9 Basic principles of management?
9.4.10 The principles of ethics and how to use them to
live a more productive life?
9.4.11 Study methods?
9.4.12 Procedures to increase one's spiritual awareness
and abilities?
9.4.13 Past lives and how they relate to this life?
9.4.14 The application of basic Scientology technology to
help others improve their lives?
9.5 How can one get happiness out of a book?
10. DIANETICS [Located in file 2 of 3]
10.1 What is Dianetics?
10.2 What is the mind? Where is the mind?
10.3 What is the difference between the analytical mind and the
reactive mind?
10.4 What is the difference between Scientology and Dianetics?
11. SCIENTOLOGY AND DIANETICS COURSES [Located in file 3 of 3]
11.1 What training should a person take first?
11.2 What does one get out of Scientology and Dianetics
courses?
11.3 How are Scientology and Dianetics training different from
studying philosophy or other religions?
11.4 Should I get my auditing before I get trained?
11.5 When can I take Scientology courses?
11.6 How are Scientology courses run?
11.7 When do I actually gain experience in auditing others?
11.8 When can I take the Minister's Course?
11.9 How long do courses take?
11.10 Are Scientology Course Supervisors university trained?
12. SCIENTOLOGY AND DIANETICS AUDITING [Located in file 3 of 3]
12.1 What is the difference between the auditing and training
routes in Scientology?
12.2 Do all the people on staff in Scientology receive auditing
as well as training?
12.3 Why does one have to wait six weeks for auditing if one
has been habitually using drugs?
12.4 Will antibiotics prevent me from getting auditing?
12.5 Is it okay to take any sort of drugs when you are in
Scientology?
12.6 How many hours of auditing a day to people receive?
12.7 Has the technology of auditing changed since the early
days of Scientology?
12.8 What will I get out of auditing?
12.9 Does auditing really work in all cases?
12.10 What auditing handles physical pains or discomforts?
12.11 What can auditing cure?
12.12 Can one go exterior (be separate from the body) in
auditing?
13. THE STATE OF CLEAR [Located in file 3 of 3]
13.1 What is Clear?
13.2 How does one go Clear?
13.3 How long does it take to go Clear?
13.4 If one goes Clear, will he lose his emotions?
13.5 What can you do when you are Clear?
13.6 Are Clears perfect?
13.7 Do Clears eat food and sleep?
13.8 Do Clears get colds and get sick?
13.9 If Clears no longer have a reactive mind, why do they
still need to get auditing?
14. THE STATE OF OPERATING THETAN [Located in file 3 of 3]
14.1 What is meant by Operating Thetan (OT)?
14.2 How would you describe the state of Operating Thetan?
14.3 Why are the OT materials confidential?
15. A SCIENTOLOGY CAREER [Located in file 3 of 3]
15.1 Can one audit as a career?
15.2 Of what value would it be to have my child trained as an
auditor?
15.3 Can one make Scientology a career in some other way than
by being a minister?
16. SCIENTOLOGY IN SOCIETY [Located in file 3 of 3]
16.1 I've heard that Scientologists are doing good things for
society. What are some specific examples?
16.2 Is Scientology active in Black communities and countries?
16.3 Do doctors, schools, social workers, businessmen and other
professional people use Scientology?
16.4 Why has Scientology sometimes been considered
controversial?
16.5 Why has Scientology been to court a lot of times?
16.6 Are there any laws against the practice of Scientology?
Has it been banned?
16.7 How does Scientology view deprogrammers and groups that
attempt to force people to denounce their chosen religion?
16.8 Why is Scientology opposed to psychiatry?
16.9 Why do some people oppose Scientology?
16.10 Is Scientology trying to rule the world?
16.11 Can Scientology do anything to improve the world
situation?
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11. SCIENTOLOGY AND DIANETICS COURSES
11.1 What training should a person take first?
The first action a person should take in his Scientology
training is to read a book, such as _Dianetics: The
Modern Science of Mental Health_ or _Scientology: The
Fundamentals of Thought_. He can study these on an
extension course which is designed to help people
understand the basic fundamentals of L. Ron Hubbard's
books and find out about Scientology for themselves. The
lessons in the course are completed and mailed in to the
Extension Course Supervisor who grades them and informs
the student by return mail what his grade is and any
parts of the book he may have misunderstood.
After completing a book or extension course, he should go
into a church and see one of the Public Division
Registrars who can help him decide which course he should
do next. There are many different services available. For
instance, many Life Improvement Courses exist, on such
subjects as marriage, children, work, relationships with
others and personal integrity. These help a person move
from effect to cause in a specific area of life. Or there
is the Hubbard Dianetics Seminar which utilizes Dianetics
auditing techniques based on _Dianetics: The Modern
Science of Mental Health_, providing as much Dianetics
auditing to a person as he wants and giving him
experience applying Dianetics to another. There is also
the Success Through Communication Course which teaches
the basic communication skills one needs to succeed in
social or other situations.
Factually, it is best to talk to someone to find out
which of the many courses available is addressed most
directly to what one wants to handle or improve in life.
11.2 What does one get out of Scientology and Dianetics
courses?
Training gives a person the knowledge and tools to handle
life. A basic datum in Scientology is that what one
learns is only as valuable as it can be applied, and as
it helps one do better in life. This is why Scientology
is correctly called an *applied* religious philosophy.
The information and technology a person learns is not
just to increase his understanding (although it will
definitely do that as well), but it is for USE.
Although many Scientologists become practicing
Scientology ministers, many others simply use the data in
their everyday lives, on the job, and with their friends
and family members. They report that life becomes more
confrontable, their abilities increase and they are
happier because they are winning in the game of life.
11.3 How are Scientology and Dianetics training different from
studying philosophy or other religions?
The major difference is that Scientology and Dianetics
training give one *tools* to use in life. Whereas
studying other philosophies or religions may provide
information that is interesting, only in Scientology does
the individual get the exact tools he needs to change and
improve conditions in his life.
11.4 Should I get my auditing before I get trained?
L. Ron Hubbard has written many times about the fact that
50 percent of one's gains are from training and 50
percent are from auditing. It is actually impossible to
successfully make it through the upper processing levels
of Scientology without also being trained. Therefore, to
get the most from Scientology, one progresses in his
training simultaneously with or at a comparable rate to
his progress in auditing.
11.5 When can I take Scientology courses?
Most churches of Scientology are open from 9:00 in the
morning until 10:30 at night weekdays and 9:00 a.m. to
6:00 p.m. on weekends. Several different course schedules
are offered within these hours.
11.6 How are Scientology courses run?
Scientology training is unique. Each course is done by
following a checksheet. A checksheet is a list of
materials, divided into sections, that lay out the theory
and practical steps which, when completed, lead one to a
study completion. The items contained on the checksheet,
such as books, recorded lectures and other written
materials, add up to the required knowledge of the
subject. Each student moves through his checksheet at his
own rate. This ensures nobody is ever held back by slower
students, and no one is under pressure from faster
students. A trained Course Supervisor is always available
to help the student, to refer him to the exact mate-
rials, to answer his questions and to ensure he is
applying standard study technology to gain the full
benefits from his studies.
11.7 When do I actually gain experience in auditing others?
Every major training course in Scientology is followed by
an internship. This is a period of auditing others under
the supervision of technical experts. In this way, an
auditor's skills are honed and polished to a very high
level of proficiency.
11.8 When can I take the Minister's Course?
This course can be studied by any Scientologist who is
training in Scientology or Dianetics. The course provides
an appreciation of the world's great religions, the
religious background and philosophy of Scientology, the
ethical codes of Scientology and the ceremonies of the
Church. One also learns to deliver services and carry out
basic ministerial duties.
11.9 How long do courses take?
Each course takes as long as it takes -- since the
student goes through each course at his own pace, he
regulates his own progress. How long it takes depends on
how diligently he applies study technology and how
honestly he completes each item on his checksheet before
proceeding to the next. The length of each course will
also depend on how many hours he studies per week. On the
average, Scientology courses take anywhere from a few
days (for most introductory courses) to several months
(for more advanced training).
Introductory services are designed to take one week at
2.5 hours a day. Academy training to become an auditor is
generally two weeks, at forty hours a week, for each
individual level.
The required time to complete the more advanced courses
is quite extensive. The Saint Hill Special Briefing
Course, which is a chronological study of Scientology and
Dianetics from 1948 to the present, takes approximately
one year, at forty hours a week. This course gives the
Scientologist the entire philosophic and technical
development of the subject, and is the most extensive
training course in Scientology.
Church staff ensure that auditors are professionally and
thoroughly trained so that they can achieve the best
results with their preclears.
11.10 Are Scientology Course Supervisors university trained?
According to demographic studies, a high proportion of
Scientologists have graduated from college or university
studies. However, this is not a prerequisite for becoming
a Scientology Course Supervisor.
In Scientology there is a very precise technology of how
to supervise and successfully help students through their
courses. All Scientology Course Supervisors are trained
in this technology to ensure that students get the most
from their training.
12. SCIENTOLOGY AND DIANETICS AUDITING
12.1 What is the difference between the auditing and training
routes in Scientology?
The reference that best explains the difference between
these two routes is the Classification, Gradation and
Awareness Chart.
On the right side of the chart there are various steps a
person moves through as he receives auditing. Each grade
listed has a column for "Ability Gained" that describes
the increasing levels of awareness and ability achieved
at each stage. In auditing, one is working toward
improving himself and regaining recognition of and
rehabilitating his spiritual nature and abilities. This
is done on a gradient (a gradual approach to something,
taken step by step), so those states of being which are
seemingly "too high above one" can be achieved with
relative ease.
The left-hand side of the chart describes the gradient
steps of training on which one gains the knowledge and
abilities necessary to audit another on each level. Each
course listed includes a description of the subject
matter that is taught at that level. In training, one is
learning about the various facets of life with a view to
helping others.
These two different paths parallel each other. Optimally,
a person follows both paths. The chart is a guide for the
individual from the point he first enters Scientology,
and shows him the basic sequence in which he will receive
his auditing and training.
12.2 Do all the people on staff in Scientology receive auditing
as well as training?
Yes, auditing and training of staff members is part of
the exchange for their work in Scientology organizations.
12.3 Why does one have to wait six weeks for auditing if one
has been habitually using drugs?
Research has shown that it takes at least that long for
the effect of drugs to wear off. Quite simply, auditing
is not as effective while drugs are in the system because
a person on drugs is less alert and may even be rendered
stupid, blank, forgetful, delusive or irresponsible.
12.4 Will antibiotics prevent me from getting auditing?
No. Antibiotics work differently than drugs. If the
preclear has a doctor's prescription for antibiotics and
is taking these to handle an infection, he should be sure
to let his Director of Processing know, but this will not
prevent him from receiving auditing. Many people claim
that antibiotics work more rapidly and effectively if one
is receiving auditing at the same time.
12.5 Is it okay to take any sort of drugs when you are in
Scientology?
Except for antibiotics or prescribed medical drugs by a
medical doctor, no.
If one has a medical or dental condition requiring
treatment and wishes to take some medical drug other than
antibiotics, he should inform his Director of Processing.
A medical or dental consultation will be advised and a
handling worked out in liaison with the Director of
Processing to best accommodate one's progress in
Scientology.
Any other drug use, such as the use of street drugs or
psychiatric mind-altering drugs, is forbidden.
Drugs are usually taken to escape from unwanted emotions,
pains or sensations. In Scientology, the real reasons for
these unwanted conditions get handled and people have no
need or desire for drugs. Drugs dull people and make them
less aware. Scientology's aim is to make people brighter
and more aware.
Drugs are essentially poisons. Small amounts may act as
a stimulant or as a sedative, but larger amounts act as
poisons and can kill one.
Drugs dull one's senses and affect the reactive mind so
that the person becomes less in control and more the
effect of his reactive mind, a very undesirable state.
Despite the claims of psychiatrists that drugs are a
"cure-all," at best they cover up what is really wrong,
and at worst, actually harm one. The real answer is to
handle the source of one's troubles -- and that is done
with Scientology.
12.6 How many hours of auditing a day do people receive?
This depends upon one's particular auditing program. Some
receive longer or shorter hours of auditing than others,
but an average would be 2.5 hours a day. Auditing is best
done intensively, at least 12.5 hours a week. The more
intensively one is audited, the more rapid progress he
makes as he is not bogged down by current life upsets.
Therefore it is best to arrange for many hours of
consecutive auditing, i.e. 50 to 100 hours at 12.5 hours
a week minimum.
Of course, one is not always receiving auditing so when
one is, his best chance of making rapid progress is
intensively.
12.7 Has the technology of auditing changed since the early
days of Scientology?
The basics of auditing have not changed, but there have
been considerable advances and refinements in auditing
processes over the years. L. Ron Hubbard continued his
research and development of Scientology auditing
technology throughout his life, and completed it before
he passed away. All of his technology is now available
and laid out in an exact sequence of gradient steps in
which it should be used.
12.8 What will I get out of auditing?
Scientology auditing is delivered in a specific sequence
which handles the major barriers people encounter when
trying to achieve their goals. After receiving auditing,
you will start to recognize for yourself that you are
changing, that your outlook on life is improving and that
you are becoming more able. In Scientology, you will not
be told when you have completed an auditing level -- you
will know for yourself, as only you can know exactly what
you are experiencing. This gives you the certainty that
you have attained what you want to attain from each
level.
There will also no doubt be some outwardly demonstrable
or visible changes that occur: Your IQ may increase, you
might look healthier and happier, and may well have
people comment on how calm or cheerful you look or, for
instance, how you are doing better on your job.
Results like these are the products of auditing. Each
person knows when he has achieved them.
12.9 Does auditing really work in all cases?
Dianetics and Scientology technologies are very exact and
well-tested procedures that work in 100 percent of the
cases in which they are applied standardly.
The only proviso is that the preclear must be there on
his own determinism and must abide by the rules for
preclears during his auditing to ensure optimum results.
The Church makes no guarantee of results as auditing is
something which requires the active participation of the
individual. Auditing is not something done *to* an
individual -- it is something done in which he is the
active participant.
12.10 What auditing handles physical pain or discomfort?
Dianetics auditing is used to help handle physical pains
or discomfort stemming from the reactive mind.
12.11 What can auditing cure?
Scientology is not in the business of curing things in
the traditional sense of the word. Auditing is not done
to fix the body or to heal anything physical, and the
E-Meter cures nothing. However, in the process of
becoming happier, more able and more aware as a spiritual
being through auditing, illnesses that are psychosomatic
in origin (meaning the mind making the body ill) often
disappear.
12.12 Can one go exterior (be separate from the body) in
auditing?
Exteriorization is the state of the thetan, the
individual himself, being outside his body with or
without full perception, but still able to control and
handle the body.
Exteriorization is a personal matter for each individual.
Many Scientologists have been known to go exterior, so it
would not be at all surprising if you do too at some
point during your auditing.
This can happen at any time in auditing. When a person
goes exterior, he achieves a certainty that he is himself
and not his body.
13. THE STATE OF CLEAR
13.1 What is Clear?
'Clear' is the name of a specific state achieved through
auditing, or a person who has achieved this state. A
Clear is a being who no longer has his own reactive mind,
and therefore suffers none of the ill effects the
reactive mind can cause.
13.2 How does one go Clear?
Simply by taking one's first step in Scientology, or by
taking the next step as shown on the Classification,
Gradation and Awareness Chart and then continuing up the
levels as laid out on this chart.
13.3 How long does it take to go Clear?
It varies from person to person, but it takes an average
of anywhere from one year to two years to go from the
bottom of the Grade Chart through Clear, depending on how
much time one spends each week on his auditing. Those who
get intensive auditing and do not stop along the way
progress the fastest.
13.4 If one goes Clear, will he lose his emotions?
No, on the contrary, a Clear is able to use and
experience any emotion. Only the painful, reactive,
uncontrolled emotions are gone from his life. Clears are
very responsive beings. When one is Clear, he is more
himself. The only loss is a negative -- the reactive mind
-- which was preventing the individual from being
himself.
13.5 What can you do when you are Clear?
A Clear is able to deal causatively with life rather than
react to it. A Clear is rational in that he forms the
best possible solutions he can with the data he has and
from his own viewpoint. A Clear gets things done and
accomplishes more than he could before he became Clear.
Whatever your level of ability before you go Clear, it
will be greatly increased after you go Clear.
13.6 Are Clears perfect?
No, they are not perfect. Being a Clear does not mean a
person who has had no education, for example, suddenly
becomes educated. It does mean that all the abilities of
the individual can be brought to bear on the problems he
encounters and that all the data in his analytical memory
banks is available for solution to those problems.
A Clear has become the basic individual through auditing.
The basic individual is not a buried, unknown or a
different person, but an intensity of all that is best
and most able in the person.
13.7 Do Clears eat food and sleep?
Most definitely.
13.8 Do Clears get colds and get sick?
A Clear can still get sick, but this occurs much less
often than before he became Clear. In other words, a
Clear still has a body and bodies are susceptible at
times to various illnesses. However, no longer having his
reactive mind, he is much more at cause and is not
adversely affected by, many of the things that would have
caused psychosomatic illness before he went Clear.
To measure a Clear only by his health, however, would be
a mistake because this state has to do with the
individual himself, not his body.
13.9 If Clears no longer have a reactive mind, why do they
still need to get auditing?
There are many more states of awareness and ability that
can be achieved above the state of Clear as he is only
Clear on the first dynamic. Once Clear, an individual
wants to continue his auditing to achieve these higher
states.
14. THE STATE OF OPERATING THETAN
14.1 What is meant by Operating Thetan (OT)?
Operating Thetan is a state of beingness above Clear.
'Thetan' refers to the spiritual being, and 'operating'
means here "able to operate without dependency on
things." An Operating Thetan (OT) is able to control
matter, energy, space and time rather than being
controlled by these things. As a result, an OT is able to
be at cause over life.
There are numerous auditing steps on the Bridge called OT
levels. People on these levels are progressing to the
state of full OT and becoming more and more OT along the
way.
14.2 How would you describe the state of Operating Thetan?
OT (Operating Thetan) is a state of spiritual awareness
in which an individual is able to control himself and his
environment. An OT is someone who knows that he knows and
can create positive and prosurvival effects on all of his
dynamics. He has been fully refamiliarized with his
capabilities as a thetan and can willingly and knowingly
be at cause over life, thought, matter, energy, space and
time.
As a being becomes more and more OT, he becomes more
powerful, stable and responsible.
14.3 Why are the OT materials confidential?
Because understanding of and ability to apply the OT
materials are dependent upon having fully attained the
earlier states of awareness and abilities per the
Classification, Gradation and Awareness Chart. Thus,
these materials are released on a gradient, only to those
who have honestly attained all earlier states.
15. A SCIENTOLOGY CAREER
15.1 Can one audit as a career?
Yes. There are many Scientology ministers who audit full
time as their life's work. Auditing provides a rewarding
career as it is one in which you are always helping
people and constantly seeing miraculous results on your
preclears. It is very satisfying to know that you are
making people's lives happier and saner. Auditors are
very valuable and in great demand. L. Ron Hubbard's
opinion of auditors is well known: "I think of an auditor
as a person with enough guts to *do something about it*.
This quality is rare and this quality is courageous in
the extreme. It is my opinion and knowledge that auditors
are amongst the upper tenth of the upper twentieth of
intelligent human beings. Their will to do, their
motives, their ability to grasp and to use are superior
to that of any other profession."
15.2 Of what value would it be to have my child trained as an
auditor?
First of all, it would provide a young person with
certainty and knowledge in dealing with every possible
type of human problem, be it interpersonal, familial,
organizational, ethical, moral or religious.
Secondly, it would provide a career of fulfillment in
aiding people from all walks of life to gain greater
awareness and respect for themselves and others.
Auditors are in demand in every church of Scientology and
mission throughout the world. Therefore, your child would
be fulfilling a great demand and contributing greatly to
making this world a saner place by getting trained as an
auditor.
15.3 Can one make Scientology a career in some other way than
by being a minister?
Yes, there are thousands of professional Scientologists
who work full time in churches and missions throughout
the world as executives or administrative staff. There
are also those who further the dissemination of
Scientology on a one-to-one basis or through the
dissemination of Scientology materials and books, those
who hold jobs in the Church's social reform groups and
those who work in the Office of Special Affairs involved
in community betterment or legal work. All of these
provide rewarding careers as each forwards the expansion
of Scientology and thereby makes it possible for more and
more people to benefit from its technology.
16. SCIENTOLOGY IN SOCIETY
16.1 I've heard that Scientologists are doing good things for
society? What are some specific examples?
These activities would fill a book in themselves, and are
covered in more detail in Part 5 of [_What is
Scientology?_], but here are just a few examples that are
typical of the things that Scientologists are doing
around the world.
Scientologists regularly hold blood drives to get
donations of blood for hospitals, the Red Cross and other
similar organizations. As Scientologists do not use
harmful drugs, these donations of drug-free blood are
welcomed by those in charge of health care.
Scientologists regularly hold drives to get donations of
toys, food and clothing to make life happier for those in
need.
During the annual holiday season, Scientologists are
particularly active in this sphere. In downtown
Hollywood, California [USA], for example, Scientologists
build a "Winter Wonderland" scene each Christmas,
complete with a large Christmas tree, Santa Claus and
even "snow," creating a traditional Christmas setting for
children who otherwise might never see one.
In Canada, a group of Scientologists spends many weeks
each year raising funds to sponsor visits to summer camps
by underprivileged children.
Church members utilize their artistic talents to bring
new experiences and joy to children by performing puppet
shows in orphanages, schools and shopping malls, and
magic shows for children in foster homes.
Scientologists can also be found in many communities
contributing to the care of the elderly. They visit
old-age homes and provide entertainment, draw sketches or
just drop by and talk with senior citizens.
You will find Scientologists helping with "community
cleanup" campaigns and assistance to the injured at
Veteran's Administration hospitals.
Scientologists have taken a leading role fighting drug
abuse, actively educating community officials and groups
on the dangers of drugs and solutions to the problems.
There are many groups utilizing L. Ron Hubbard's
technology and freeing people from the detrimental
effects of drugs.
L. Ron Hubbard's technology on how to study has been used
by Scientologists around the world to help students and
teachers alike. One place where this technology has made
major inroads combating illiteracy is in South Africa,
where well over a million native Africans have improved
their ability to study.
Another important area of activity for Scientologists is
raising moral standards in society. Scientologists all
around the world have distributed tens of millions of
copies of the nonreligious moral code called "The Way to
Happiness," now available in more than fifteen different
languages. Its use has led to a revitalization of purpose
for people of all ages who apply its simple truths to
their lives and to the environment around them.
The Church and many of its members are also engaged in
interfaith activities, the main thrust of which has been
to work with leaders of other faiths in the areas of
interreligious dialogue, religious freedom,
constitutional law and "religion in society" issues --
all aimed toward protecting and forwarding the freedom of
religion for everyone.
Another prevalent activity for Scientologists is to
expose and eradicate the violations of human rights
perpetrated by psychiatry. Many Scientologists do this as
members of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights
(CCHR), a reform group which was established by the
Church in 1969.
They actively investigate psychiatric abuses and bring
these to the attention of the media, legislators and
other groups concerned with protecting people from brutal
psychiatric techniques. Such practices as psychosurgery,
electroshock treatment and the administration of
dangerous psychiatric drugs have destroyed the minds and
lives of millions of individuals. Through the efforts of
Scientologists working for CCHR, public awareness of the
disastrous results of psychiatric methods has been raised
and major steps taken to outlaw such practices.
16.2 Is Scientology active in Black communities and countries?
Definitely. By the Creed of the Church, "All men of
whatever race, color or creed were created with equal
rights." Thus, there are no limitations placed on who can
receive and benefit from Scientology services.
There are Scientologists of all races, colors and
religious backgrounds. For example, there are Dianetics
and/or Scientology organizations in Ghana, Zaire,
Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and Sierra Leone, among other
countries, and Black Scientologists are applying
Scientology technology in their communities wherever
possible. The Church maintains a Department of Ethnic
Affairs specifically to interact and work with
minorities.
16.3 Do doctors, schools, social workers, businessmen and other
professional people use Scientology?
Yes, they do. There are members of all of these
professions who use Scientology technology to improve the
results being obtained in their fields of endeavor.
Schools and universities in many countries apply L. Ron
Hubbard's study methods to improve literacy and teaching
success, drug rehabilitation groups use his drug
rehabilitation technology to successfully get people off
drugs, doctors observe basic Dianetics principles to
speed up the recovery of their patients, businessmen
apply L. Ron Hubbard's administrative procedures to
create thriving businesses.
Scientology applies to all spheres of life and uniformly
gets results when standardly used. Therefore, there is
hardly an area of social or community concern where you
will not find people using some aspect of L. Ron
Hubbard's technology.
16.4 Why has Scientology sometimes been considered
controversial?
Like all new ideas, Scientology has come under attack by
the uninformed and those who feel their vested interests
are threatened.
As Scientologists have openly and effectively advocated
social reform causes, they have become the target of
attacks.
For those vested interests who cling to a status quo that
is decimating society, Scientology's technology of making
the able more able poses a serious threat. Attacks follow
as an attempt to stop application of Scientology
technology.
When the Church steps in to handle the attack, the
conflict grabs the attention of the press, which lives on
controversy. Regardless of the unfounded nature of the
attackers' claims, reporters freely promote the
controversy. Those seeking to stop Scientology then join
the media in regurgitating and regenerating the created
controversy.
Scientology has always flourished and prospered in the
face of attacks. In every case where public disputes have
been manufactured, intentional and blatant false reports
about Scientology and its founder have been discovered to
be the common denominator. As the falsehoods are proven
lies, the controversy quickly fades, and the truth about
Scientology, what the Church really is and what its
members do replaces it. The source of these attacks and
the controversy they have generated is detailed in
Chapter 31 of [_What is Scientology?_; see FTP.PCNET.COM
/users/brianw/wis].
16.5 Why has Scientology been to court a lot of times?
The Church has gone to court in many countries to uphold
the right to freedom of religion. In Australia, as one
example, legal actions by the Church brought about a
landmark victory which greatly expanded religious freedom
throughout that country.
In the United States, the Church's use of the Freedom of
Information Act, taking government agencies to court and
holding them accountable to release vital documents to
the public on a variety of subjects, has been heralded as
a vital action to ensure honesty in government.
In certain cases, the Church has used the courts to
protect its copyrighted materials, or to ensure its
rights and the rights of its members are safeguarded.
During the history of the Church, a few unscrupulous
individuals, lusting for money, have observed how
Scientology is prospering and rapidly expanding, and have
abused the legal system to try to line their own pockets.
In the handful of cases where such attempts have
occurred, they have uniformly failed.
16.6 Are there any laws against the practice of Scientology?
Has it been banned?
Of course not.
In fact, the Church has received numerous recognitions,
citations and validations from various governments for
contributions to society in the fields of education, drug
and alcohol rehabilitation, crime reduction, human
rights, raising moral values and a host of other fields.
16.7 How does Scientology view deprogrammers and groups that
attempt to force people to denounce their chosen religion?
These so-called "deprogrammers," better described as
psychiatric depersonalizers, are money-motivated
individuals who kidnap others for profit. Their methods
include brainwashing, imprisonment, food and sleep
deprivation and various forms of torture.
Such activities are clearly against the principles held
by Scientologists -- and have been proven to be against
the law as well. Psychiatric depersonalizers in many
countries have gone to jail for their violent and illegal
practices.
Situations in which families have expressed concern over
family members' involvement in various religions can
generally be handled with communication. No one need
resort to violence and mercenaries to resolve the upset.
The Church does not condone the use of violence and
advocates that each person has an inalienable right to
their own beliefs.
16.8 Why is Scientology opposed to psychiatry?
As the stepchildren of the German dictator Bismarck and
later Hitler and the Nazis, psychiatry and psychology
formed the philosophical basis for the wholesale
slaughter of human beings in World Wars I and II.
Psychiatry uses electric shock, brain-mutilating
psychosurgery, and mind-damaging drugs to destroy a
person and make him "docile and quiet" in the name of
"treatment."
Psychiatric methods involving the butchering of human
beings and their sanity are condemned by the Church.
Scientologists are trying to create a world without war,
insanity and criminality. Psychiatry is seeking to create
a world where man is reduced to a robotized or drugged,
vegetable-like state so that he can be controlled.
A primary difference between Scientology and psychiatry
is that psychiatrists routinely tell their patients what
they think is wrong with them. This interjects lies or
ideas which are not true for the individual himself, and
thus psychiatric "therapy" violates the basic integrity
of the individual.
On the other hand, Scientology technology enables a
person to find out for himself the source of his troubles
and gives him the ability to improve conditions in his
own life and environment. The underlying difference is
the fact that Scientology recognizes that man is a
spiritual being, while psychiatrists view man as an
animal. Scientology is a religion. Psychiatry is strongly
opposed to all religions as it does not even recognize
that man is a spiritual being. Scientologists strongly
disagree with the enforced and harmful psychiatric
methods of involuntary commitment, forced and heavy
drugging, electroconvulsive shock treatment, lobotomy and
other psychosurgical operations.
By the Creed of the Church of Scientology, the healing of
mentally caused ills should not be condoned in
nonreligious fields.The reason for this is that violent
psychiatric therapies cause spiritual traumas.
At best, psychiatry suppresses life's problems; at worst,
it causes severe damage, irreversible setbacks in a
person's life and even death.
16.9 Why do some people oppose Scientology?
There are certain characteristics and mental attitudes
that cause a percentage of the population to oppose
violently any betterment activity or group. This small
percentage of society (roughly 2.5 percent) cannot stand
the fact that Scientology is successful at improving
conditions around the world. This same 2.5 percent is
opposed to any self-betterment activity.
The reason they so rabidly oppose Scientology is because
it is doing more to help society than any other group.
Those who are upset by seeing man get better are small in
number compared to the millions who have embraced
Scientology and its efforts to create a sane civilization
and more freedom for the individual.
16.10 Is Scientology trying to rule the world?
No. Scientology's aim, as expressed by L. Ron Hubbard, is
that of creating "a civilization without insanity,
without criminals and without war, where the able can
prosper and honest beings can have rights, and where man
is free to rise to greater heights. . . ."
"We seek no revolution. We seek only evolution to higher
states of being for the individual and for society."
Scientology does want to improve and reform societal
ills, and Scientologists believe there can be a better
world by doing so.
It is not Scientology's mission to save the world. It is
Scientology's mission to free *you*.
16.11 Can Scientology do anything to improve the world
situation?
Yes, and it does so every single day.
By making the able individual in society more able and
more certain of his abilities, and by continuing the
Church's expansion and social reform programs throughout
the world, the world can become a better place.
It is possible to bring people to higher levels of
communication with the environment and those around them.
And as one raises the level of communication, one raises
also the ability to observe and change conditions and
thereby create a better world and a better civilization.
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End of "A SCIENTOLOGY CATECHISM"
[Part 3 of 3]
Part Nine of _What is Scientology?_
Copyright (c) 1992 Church of Scientology International, All Rights Reserve.
Grateful acknowledgement is made to the L. Ron Hubbard Library for
permission to reproduce selections from the copyrighted works of
L. Ron Hubbard.
"Dianetics," "E-Meter," "Flag," "Freewinds," "Hubbard," "OEC,"
"OT," "Purification Rundown," "Scientology," and "The Bridge" are
trademarks and service marks owned by the Religious Technology
Center and are used with its permission. "Scientologist" is a
collective membership mark designating members of the affiliated
churches and missions of Scientology.
============================================================================
For more information on Scientology, FTP to FTP.PCNET.COM /users/brianw
or write to: scninfo@pcnet.com
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