Years ago, L. Ron Hubbard predicted that Scientology would only go so far as it works. The Church’s first 40 years have proven him right and proven that Scientology works. The real story of Scientology is reflected in the daily miracles experienced by its millions of parishioners; in its appeal to people from all walks of life from all over the world; in its attraction to the artisan and the academic, to the blue collar and the white collar, to professionals, to tradespeople, and even to some of the most famous celebrities in the entertainment industry.
But to focus on who Scientologists are is to miss the real point about Scientology. The real point is that the Church and its members are working hard to make this world a better place to live for themselves and for others. Scientology concerns itself with the betterment of the individual — freeing him from the debilitating effects of drugs, illiteracy and declining moral values — and provides a means for him to improve himself and life’s conditions. Yet it offers even more. Scientologists aspire to and reach new levels of spiritual awareness in which the answers to the fundamental questions of existence are found — Who am I? Where did I come from? What is the meaning of life? What happens when I die?
It has not been an easy road. Despite its immediate public popularity, Dianetics and Scientology met strong opposition from the very beginning. The book Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health promised to alleviate the human condition — to provide relief from mental trauma and suffering and from psychosomatic illness. Had these been empty claims, Dianetics would have come and gone, relegated to a passing mention in the newspapers of the day, and Scientology would never have even happened. But the fact is, for increasing millions, Dianetics and Scientology provide the means to a better, healthier and happier life.
Yes, Scientology has had its share of controversy. It has been no stranger to negative publicity, but that is a fate that all major religious movements have endured during their formative years. Sometimes sensation-hungry media are quick to quote the few but vocal apostates who seek publicity while ignoring the testimony of the loyal millions of the Scientology religion. Governments, too, have played their part in negative media, but that, too, is the rule rather than the exception in the history of emerging religions.
The simple truth is this: if even one hundredth of the bad things that have been written or said about Scientology were true, the Church would not exist, let alone thrive as it does.
One of the most significant events to occur to neutralize and dispel unfair and false allegations is the landmark Internal Revenue Service (IRS) decision in the United States in 1993. Throughout its history, the Church was dogged by the IRS, which investigated it for nearly 40 years.
However, charges against Scientology were not based on fact, but rather on unfounded hearsay and embittered apostates, and we wanted to put an end to this history of distrust. At our request, beginning in 1991, the IRS assembled a high-level team to examine the Church and to resolve its tax status once and for all. They repeatedly met with Church leaders, inspected thousands upon thousands of documents, and asked hundreds of questions. They personally examined the inner workings of the Church and scrutinized 10 years worth of financial statements from every sizable Scientology organization in the world. They investigated the compensation levels of Church executives and employees around the world. They even reviewed — and rejected — the claims of the apostates which had generated negative media reports.
After this latest two-year chapter of what had been a decades-long war, the IRS, and indeed the entire United States government, came to the irresistible conclusion that Scientology is precisely what it claimed all along — a sincere and genuine religion in all respects. And in this instance — unlike the unfounded allegations of the past by misinformed media and others — their decision was based on actual documented and examined facts. They found that the Church is both organized and operated exclusively for religious and charitable purposes, that the income of the Church does not inure to the benefit of any private individual or interest and that the Church does not operate in violation of public policy.
According to the IRS, the examination of Scientology was not only the most extensive of any religious organization, but indeed, the largest inquiry into any organization in the history of that agency. That inquiry finally concluded on October 1, 1993, when the IRS issued a series of ruling letters recognizing the tax-exempt religious and charitable status of Scientology churches and every related organization — more than 150 in all. Further, the IRS determined that donations for Scientology services are not legally distinguishable from the fund-raising practices of other religions and allowed Scientology donations to be deducted against personal income taxes to the full extent of the law.
The IRS decision marks the end of one era and the beginning of another, as the best evidence of the entrance of Scientology into the mainstream of society. The religion has survived the turbulence of its formative years and is now a recognized religious institution.
Of course, Scientology remains in the news and will continue to do so. But regardless of media coverage, good or bad, on our 40th Anniversary the Church has unquestionably arrived. We have come of age. And because of our prominence, with hundreds of organizations, thousands of groups and millions of members around the world, we are creating a major impact upon society.
In recent years, the Church has gone to great lengths to clear away mysteries and misconceptions. Dianetics and Scientology books can be found in all public libraries and in local bookstores. The entirety of its scriptures are available to anyone who desires spiritual betterment and who reaches for it. Church staff members are open and friendly and more than willing to answer questions.
This booklet was prepared to make the Church even more accessible and understandable to the media and general public. I hope you find it informative and useful.
The Rev. Heber C. Jentzsch
President
Church of Scientology International
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From: The Church of Scientology: 40th Anniversary.
For more information on Scientology:
·
L. Ron Hubbard Foundation ·
Sue Taylor, Church of Scientology International ·
Scientology Introduction ·
Scientology Volunteering ·
The Church of Scientology and the Internet ·
Hubbard Dianetics Foundation of Harlem, New York ·
Per-Arne Berglie on Scientology Religion ·
Read Dianetics: The Evolution of a Science On-line ·
David Miscavige at the Founding Church of Scientology ·
L. Ron Hubbard
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