| ("clear") be acquired. The Creed of the Church states: "We of the Church believe: That all men of whatever race, colour or creed were created with equal rights. That all men have inalienable rights to their own religious practices and their performance. That all men have inalienable rights to their own lives. That all men have inalienable rights to their sanity. That all men have inalienable rights to their own defense. That all men have inalienable rights to conceive, choose, assist, and support their own organizations, churches, and governments. That all men have inalienable rights to think freely, to talk freely, to write freely their own opinions and to counter, utter, or write upon the opinions of others. That all men have inalienable rights to the creation of their own kind. That the souls of men have the rights of men. That the study of the mind and the healing of mentally caused ills should not be alienated from religion or condoned in non religious fields. And that no agency less than God has the power to suspend or set aside these rights, overtly or covertly. "And we of the Church believe: That man is basically good. That he is seeking to survive. That his survival depends upon himself and upon his fellows, and his attainment of brotherhood with the Universe. "And we of the Church believe that the laws of God forbid Man: To destroy his own kind. To destroy the sanity of another. To destroy or enslave another's soul. To destroy or reduce the survival of one's companions or one's group. "And we of the Church believe: That the Spirit can be saved and that the Spirit alone may save or heal the body." PRACTICES AND BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS: Scientology's ethical codes are found in the "Code of a Scientologist" and in the "Code of Honor." Both are based upon the principle of "Reason and contemplation of optimum survival." Any ethical decision considered "right action" would at the same time enhance survival for the maximum area of life (i.e., the individual, family, group, mankind, other life forms, spiritual awareness, and the Supreme Being). This doctrine is an expansion of the principle of "the greatest good for the greatest number" to include all sectors of existence. Two holidays are celebrated annually by the Church of Scientology: International Scientology Day (September 1) and International Auditors Day (September 14). At irregular intervals, Prayer Day is held as a time to reaffirm faith in the principles of Scientology, and to celebrate growth and progress. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE: The international leadership of the Church is located in the International Board of Scientology Organization and the Board of Directors of the Churches of Scientology. The International Board is concerned with the worldwide propagation of the faith and its viability, issues doctrinal directives, and advice of a technical nature. It sets ministerial standards and administrative policy. The Board of Directors appoints local directors of Scientology Churches. In the United States, the Church of Scientology of California functions as headquarters and senior ecclesiastical body. Each local Church of Scientology is headed by an independent Board of Directors. Though autonomous in organization, each Church shares a common doctrine, practice, and belief. ROLE OF MINISTERS: Ministers perform wedding ceremonies, naming ceremonies, and funerals. Ministers also conduct Sunday Church Services and deliver pastoral counselling to the Church's parishioners. WORSHIP: There are no worship requirements, but regular weekly services are offered at the local Churches of Scientology. DIETARY LAWS OR RESTRICTIONS: None. FUNERAL AND BURIAL REQUIREMENTS: It is desirable, but not required, that a clergy person be present at the time of death. The Church of Scientology holds funeral services for its members and publishes a funeral service among its ceremonies. There are, however, no special burial or funeral facilities required. There are no restrictions with respect to autopsy or cremation. MEDICAL TREATMENT: Generally no restrictions. The Creed of Scientology, however, generally opposes the treatment of mental illness in a non religious context. OTHER: The Church of Scientology is not opposed to service in the armed forces. With respect to other religions, the church is non denominational (i.e., open to people of all religious beliefs). GENERAL SOURCE BOOKS: Hubbard, L. Ron. Dianetics: The Modem Science of Mental Health. Los Angeles: Bridge Publications, 1985. 512pp. Self Analysis. Los Angeles: Bridge Publications, 1982. 254pp. Science of Survival: Predictions of Human Behavior. Los Angeles: Bridge Publications, 1951. 324pp. What Is Scientology? Los Angeles: Church of Scientology of California,1978. 347pp. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Church of Scientology International 6331 Hollywood Blvd.., Ste. 1200 Los Angeles, CA 90028-6329 (213) 367-8788 Fax: (213) 960-3508 |
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| Black Rose Spiritual Center, Inc : Belief Systems |
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| Church of Scientology |
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| ADDRESS: Box 23751 Los Angeles, CA 33650 3751 MEMBERSHIP: Not reported. HISTORICAL ORIGIN: L. Ron Hubbard, philosopher and writer, resigned his commission as a U. S . Naval Officer in the 1940s to devote his time to producing a study of the human mind. His efforts resulted in a book, Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health Further study into the spiritual nature of man, including a primary emphasis on Eastern religious perspectives, led to the discoveries which were collectively named Scientology. Hubbard founded the Hubbard Association of Scientologists International (HASI) in Arizona in 1952. HASI's efforts led to the overseas expansion of Scientology to England. Further organizational development led to the incorporation of the Founding Church of Scientology in Washington, D. C., in 1955. Later expansion saw the U. S. headquarters move to the present California location as the Church of Scientology of California. BASIC BELIEFS: Scientology is a religious philosophy which has roots in Eastern religious perspectives, which start with the concept of Man as a spiritual agent and deal with man's encumbrances, his aspirations, and the practical means through which he then attains individual salvation. From self realization and spiritual awareness comes harmonious integration with other Life Forms, the Physical Universe and the Supreme Being. Basic to the teachings of Scientology are the concepts of soul and mind. Each person in Scientology discovers himself to be a Thetan, a soul, an individual force. The Thetan is the person himself, immortal and fully responsible. The Thetan controls the Body. Scientology teaches that people are basically good and seeking to survive, but are hindered from doing so by painful past experiences and harmful acts against others. To the degree that they attain self knowledge, they will increase their ability to survive. The mind is the storehouse of mental pictures and all the Thetan has ever seen, felt, heard or done, and is used by the Thetan for evaluation and computation. Mental image pictures containing elements of pain and unconsciousness ("engrams") are stored in that part of the mind called the Reactive Mind. The engrams, when reactivated, can reimpose their tensions in the present. By pastoral counseling ("auditing"), engrams can be removed, and a state of self determination |
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