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The Epic Interactive Encyclopedia 1998
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Epic Interactive Encyclopedia, The - 1998 Edition (1998)(Epic Marketing).iso
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D
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Dianetics
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INFOTEXT
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1992-09-02
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A form of psychotherapy developed by the
American science-fiction writer L Ron Hubbard
(1911-1986), which formed the basis for
scientology. Hubbard believed that all mental
illness and certain forms of physical illness
are caused by `engrams', or incompletely
assimilated traumatic experiences, both pre-
and postnatal. These engrams can be
confronted during therapy with an auditor and
thus exorcised. An individual free from
engrams would be a `Clear' and perfectly
healthy. Hubbard later expanded this theory:
behind each mind is a nonphysical and
immortal being, the Thetan, which has
forgotten its true nature and is therefore
trapped in a cycle of reincarnation,
accumulating engrams with each lifetime. If
these engrams are cleared, the individual
will become an Operating Thetan, with
quasi-miraculous powers. During the 1970s and
80s the Church of Scientology was accused of
having taken on a cultlike character and of
financial duplicity.