#15 L. Ron Hubbard
The founder of Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard, was a science fiction novelist who turned to writing self-help books for a living. Hubbard was quoted in 1948 saying, “Writing for a penny a word is ridiculous. If a man really wants to make a million dollars, the best way would be to start his own religion.”
#14 Evil Xenu
Scientology says that 75 million years ago, some intergalactic overlord named Xenu exiled people to Earth to solve a population issue. When the souls of the humans left the bodies, Xenu captured the souls and implanted them with false images of Christ and other historical events that Hubbard claims to have never existed.
#13 Hubbard’s dea.th
Although Scientology opposes the use of psychiatric dr.ugs, L. Ron Hubbard was using Vistaril when he d.ied.
#12 Operation Snow White
Starting in 1973, the church was responsible for “Operation Snow White”, which planted operatives inside the IRS, FBI, Justice Department, and the American Medical Association. These operatives stole and copied thousands of documents that may be used in silencing Church opponents.
#11 I’m on a boat
In the 1960s, Scientology used to be run from a boat — specifically, a ship called the Apollo that carried Hubbard and his followers. His trusted aides were teenage girls who wore a uniform of platforms and hot pants — and Hubbard was “commodore”.
#10 A billion years
Sea Org members are required to sign a billion-year contract dedicating their life to Scientology. They are paid around $50 a week.
#9 No treatment
Sickness is believed to be the fault of the person who is sick, and Sea Org members are not provided health insurance, sick days, or any medicine.
#8 No complaining
Letters that Sea Org members write to their own families are screened for any negativity or messages of unhappiness. The Sea Org reserves the right to ship family members off to work in different areas or countries, and if families complain, they are punished.
#7 FBI investigation
The church has been investigated by the FBI since December 2009, with a focus on “human trafficking” within the Sea Org at the Gold Base in California.
#6 Spy on mommy and daddy
When it’s time to be audited, children are encouraged to spy on their parents and tell the church their findings.
#5 Raising kids
The birth and upbringing of children is strictly controlled; there are strict rules surrounding their upbringing — including diets and no contact with anyone outside of the religion. Good luck to Tom Cruise with that.
#4 Rupert Murdoch
The media mogul has been outspoken on Twitter about his feelings towards Scientology.
#3 Nonbelievers
Scientologists refer to non-Scientologists as “wogs”, which is a copyrighted term.
#2 Leader’s wife
Since 2006, Michele Diane “Shelly” Miscavige, the wife of the church’s leader, has not been seen in public. She reportedly disappeared after she had filled job vacancies without her husband’s permission.
#1 Abuse from the top
David Miscavige, the leader of the Church of Scientology, has been involved in scandals concerning illegal or unethical practices — including beating his aides and humiliating staff members.
Weird Scientology Facts
