Image via Complex Original
Scientology is one of the world’s most popular cults religions, but thanks to a lot of hushing (or worse) from the big guys, little is known about its inner workings. You probably know about recent news stories about high profile church members like Tom Cruise’s divorces or Leah Remini’s departure from the church, but Scientology has been stirring up controversy for half a decade. Much of what we lowly mortals do know about the organization comes from escaped members and they’re often tales of abuse and brainwashing—much to the chagrin of leader David Miscavige.
Founded and developed by science-fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard in the early ‘50s, Scientology claims to be the only group that can offer society a cure from its many ailments. There’s more than 50 years worth of mystery to be revealed about the notoriously private religion. HBO's upcoming documentary Going Clear gives an in-depth look at the secrets of Scientology, with interviews from former members about the dark side of the religion. To learn a little bit before you watch the documentary, here are 20 things you likely didn’t know (and for your safety, probably shouldn’t know) about Scientology.
Rachel Aster Perlman is an aspiring funny person from New York. Follow her @cRAEzy.
Leaving Scientology? Fugheddaboudit!
When you’re out, you’re out for good. Once you leave the church, you’re disowned and excommunicated. Contact is forbidden with anyone still in the church.
[via Vocativ]
You’re Nobody Until You’re a Thetan
Scientologists believe that humans are actually immortal beings called “thetans” in need of healing and only the Church of Scientology knows how. Similar to a spirit or a soul, thetans live for trillions of years and are reborn again and again.
[via Rolling Stone]
Sea Orgs in Gold Base
No, this isn’t the tagline for an action movie. Sea Orgs are the Scientology elite and about 800 of them live and work together on a desert compound in Riverside County, Calif. called Gold Base. They devote a billion years of work and are paid a mere $50 a week in exchange for housing and counseling.
[via Business Insider]
No Walk-Ins Allowed
They just opened up a fancy new headquarters building in Clearwater, Fla., but you can’t just walk in and take a look around—no surprise there. This ain’t no church service, it’s a “religious retreat” for only the most elite members.
[via Daily News]
You Can Totally Work for Tom Cruise
Since the ‘50s, Scientology has advocated for the acquiring of celebrities and opened up international celebrity centers. Along with surveilling their less notable members, they keep an eye on their celebrity “clients” by hiring Scientologist employees in the homes of celebrities to report back to leaders.
[via GQ]
A Little Less Money, a Little More Compassion in Between
In the early ‘70s when Elvis was feeling spiritually lost he looked into Scientology, but it’s reported that after a meeting he said, “Fuck those people. All they want is my money.” Elvis rules.
[via GQ]
The Land of the Tax Free
Scientology is a tax-exempt religion in the U.S. But in Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, Scientology is–perhaps more appropriately–considered a cult.
[via India Times]
Courses Are Hella Expensive
Money is a cure-all, but you’ll need a lot of it. Ex-Scientologist Paul Haggis–among many others–claims he spent nearly half a million dollars on auditing courses and fees. These courses are meant to help members revisit painful, repressed memories until they are cured and can reach higher levels of Scientology.
[via Business Insider]
Who’s a Real Scientology Kid?
Children born into Scientology are enrolled in private Scientologist-run schools with a Hubbard-approved learning system called “Study Tech." And we thought going to a single-gender school was bad. Many of these kids have virtually no contact with the outside world. They probably don’t know who the Rugrats are.
[via Rolling Stone]
Scientology Is Still Mewling and Puking
Its members may have existed for trillions of years, but the religion itself is fairly new. In fact, it’s the only major religion to begin in the twentieth century.
[via whatisscientology]
No Wiki for Them
In 2009, all IP addresses owned and operated by the Church of Scientology and its associates were banned from editing articles on Wikipedia. After a long-standing court case, Scientology was barred from the site for unfairly pushing their agenda with propaganda.
[via The Register]
Poppin’ Pills Is a No No
Scientologists believe that illnesses are psychosomatic and don’t believe in treating them with medicine. According to Dianetics, the book by L. Ron Hubbard, mental and physical illness is rooted in mental scars called “engrams.” Auditing classes to get rid of the engrams are used in lieu of medication.
[via Rolling Stone]
David Miscavige Let the Dogs Out
Miscavige has multiple dogs he has toted around headquarters who wear blue vests and stripes that denote them as Sea Org Captains. That means they have a higher rank than most human Scientologists, so you better salute them.
[via Vulture]
Abortions Are a Thing
Sea Org members aren’t allowed to have kids while they’re working. If you get pregnant you’ll either be coerced into getting an abortion or forced to leave.
[via Mamamia]
Screw You Guys, We’re Going Through Your Trash
After the infamous “Trapped in the Closet” episode of South Park made fun of Scientology, Tom Cruise, and John Travolta aired, the church tried to find dirt on the show’s creators. After ransacking their garbage and looking through public records, they found nothing.
[via Inquisitr]
All Aboard!
The church hasn’t always been a land-based operation. In the ‘60s and ‘70s, the church owned a small fleet of ships that were used for the highest level of Scientology training.
[via Mamamia]
Under Investigation
Since 2009, the FBI has been investigating Miscavige and the church after multiple reports of human trafficking surfaced. The investigation is ongoing with the help of former Scientologist leaders.
[via Radar Online]
Vanished Wife
Miscavige’s wife hasn’t made a public appearance since August 2007. The church will not comment on her location but insists she is working out of the public eye. At least two missing persons reports were filed with the LAPD, one of which was reported by Leah Remini in 2013, but the reports were classified as “unfounded.”
[via Vanity Fair]
Not People of the Book
Unlike the Bible or the Qur’an, Scientology has no single source text for its beliefs. Followers have to figure out the theology from Hubbard’s many writings and recorded tapes. His teachings are slowly revealed.
[via LA Times]
Justice League
The church has its own military style court system. Unlike the court martial system in the military, their system has no internal prevention for abuse of power because their impartiality is taken for granted.
[via Tony Ortega]