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Path: bloom-beacon.mit.edu!senator-bedfellow.mit.edu!faqserv From: scninfo@pcnet.com (Scientology Information Server) Newsgroups: alt.religion.scientology,alt.answers,news.answers Subject: alt.religion.scientology Users' Catechism [3 of 3] Supersedes: <scientology/users/catechism/part3_793375026@rtfm.mit.edu> Followup-To: alt.religion.scientology Date: 8 Mar 1995 00:22:14 GMT Organization: (none) Lines: 1173 Approved: news-answers-request@MIT.Edu Message-ID: <scientology/users/catechism/part3_794621914@rtfm.mit.edu> References: <scientology/users/catechism/part1_794621914@rtfm.mit.edu> NNTP-Posting-Host: bloom-picayune.mit.edu Summary: This article is Part 3 of 3 of a Scientology catechism (a brief summary of the principles of a religion, in question-and-answer form) about the religious philosophy known as Scientology. This file is also located at FTP.PCNET.COM /users/brianw. Keywords: faq scientology dianetics X-Last-Updated: 1995/02/08 Originator: faqserv@bloom-picayune.MIT.EDU Xref: bloom-beacon.mit.edu alt.religion.scientology:37651 alt.answers:7918 news.answers:36521 Archive-name: scientology/users/catechism/part3 Last-modified: 1995/2/7 Version: 1.31 -----------------< FAQ: Scientology Catechism [3 of 3] >---------------------- (Note: In the orginal text, italics were used to show emphasis or to indicate that a word is being defined. Italics denoting emphasis are shown here with *asterisks* surrounding the word, and italicized words that were being defined, are shown here with 'single quotes'. My comments are in [square brackets]. The book _What is Scientology?_, from which this file is taken, is available in ASCII form via anonymous FTP from FTP.PCNET.COM out of the directory /users/brianw/wis). ========================================================================== "A SCIENTOLOGY CATECHISM" [File 3 of 3] Part Nine of _What is Scientology?_ Copyright (c) 1992, Church of Scientology International, All Rights Reserved. Used with permission. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS [Located in file 1 of 3] 1.1 What does the word 'Scientology' mean? 1.2 What is Scientology about? 1.3 How did Scientology start? 1.4 How come it's all based on one man's work? 1.5 Why is Scientology called a religion? 1.6 Why is Scientology a church? 2. WHAT SCIENTOLOGY DOES FOR THE INDIVIDUAL [Located in file 1 of 3] 2.1 How does Scientology work? 2.2 What does Scientology accomplish? 2.3 What claims are made for Scientology? 2.4 How do people get into Scientology? 3. SCIENTOLOGY AND OTHER PRACTICES [Located in file 1 of 3] 3.1 Is Scientology like hypnotism, meditation, psychotherapy or other mental therapies? 3.2 Is Scientology a secret society? 3.3 In what way does Scientology differ from other religions and religious philosophies? 3.4 Does Scientology interfere with other religions? 3.5 What does Scientology think of other religions? 3.6 What does Scientology have to say about Christianity? 4. SCIENTOLOGY BELIEFS [Located in file 1 of 3] 4.1 Is man a spirit? 4.2 How does one know man is a spirit? 4.3 What is the Scientology concept of God? 4.4 Can't God be the only one to help man? 4.5 Does Scientology believe in brotherly love? 4.6 Why do Scientologists want to help people? 4.7 Does Scientology recognize good and evil? 4.8 Does Scientology believe man is sinful? 4.9 Will Scientology put man in control of his mind? 4.10 Is Scientology about the mind? 4.11 Does Scientology believe in mind over matter? 4.12 Does Scientology believe one can exist outside of the body? 4.13 Does Scientology believe in reincarnation or past lives? 4.14 Does Scientology believe in charity and welfare? 4.15 Does Scientology hold any political views? 4.16 Can children participate in Scientology? How? 4.17 What does Scientology say about the raising of children? 4.18 Can one make up his own mind about Scientology? 4.19 What is the Scientology cross? 4.20 What religious holidays do Scientologists celebrate? 5. SCIENTOLOGY'S FOUNDER [Located in file 1 of 3] 5.1 Is L. Ron Hubbard still alive? 5.2 Who was L. Ron Hubbard? 5.3 What was L. Ron Hubbard's role in the Church? 5.4 Has L. Ron Hubbard's death affected the Church? 5.5 How did L. Ron Hubbard rise above the reactive mind when others didn't? 5.6 Did L. Ron Hubbard make a lot of money out of Scientology? 5.7 Was L. Ron Hubbard a millionaire? 5.8 How is it that one man could discover so much information? 5.9 Do Scientologists believe that L. Ron Hubbard was Jesus Christ? 5.10 Did L. Ron Hubbard go Clear? 6. SCIENTOLOGY ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES [Located in file 2 of 3] 6.1 How do Scientologists view life? 6.2 What moral codes do Scientologists live by? 6.3 What is Scientology's view on drugs? 6.4 Why are there so many young people on staff in Scientology? 6.5 Do you have any special dietary laws or rules against smoking or drinking in Scientology? 6.6 Do Scientologists use medical doctors? 6.7 In Scientology does one have to sacrifice one's individuality? 6.8 What benefits can one get from Scientology? 6.9 What is Scientology's system of ethics? 6.10 What does 'clear the planet' mean? 6.11 What does 'suppressive person' mean? 6.12 What is disconnection? 6.13 Is Scientology a cult? 6.14 Does Scientology engage in brainwashing or mind control? 6.15 Does Scientology actively promote for new members? 6.16 Does one really need Scientology to do well in life? 6.17 Does one have to believe in Scientology? 6.18 Why do Scientologists sometimes seem so intent on what they are doing? 6.19 What do the terms 'preclear', 'student' and 'auditor' mean? 6.20 What is the E-Meter(R) and how does it work? 7. THE ORGANIZATIONS OF SCIENTOLOGY [Located in file 2 of 3] 7.1 Scientology is a philosophy. Why does it need to be organized? 7.2 How many people work in a Scientology church? 7.3 How is Scientology organized? 7.4 Where are Scientology churches located? 7.5 What does a Scientology church or mission actually do? 7.6 What is the Office of Special Affairs? 7.7 What is the Flag Service Organization? 7.8 What is the Flag Ship Service Organization? 7.9 What is the Sea Organization? 7.10 Is it true that people in the Sea Org sign a billion-year contract? 7.11 Why does Scientology have ministers? Are all Scientologists ministers? 7.12 What are field staff members? 7.13 Why is everything copyrighted and trademarked in Scientology? [7.14 Does the IRS recognize Church organizations as non-profit charitable organizations?] 8. CHURCH FUNDING [Located in file 2 of 3] 8.1 Why do Scientologists make donations? 8.2 Why does one have to make donations to separate organizations for their services? 8.3 What about those who cannot afford to make donations for services? 8.4 Is the Church profit-making? 8.5 How much does it cost to go Clear? 8.6 How well paid are Scientology staff? [8.6 Are donations made to the Church of Scientology tax deductible in the United States?] 9. SCIENTOLOGY BOOKS [Located in file 2 of 3] 9.1 What is the best book for a beginning Scientologist to read? 9.2 Are the books difficult to understand? 9.3 Where can L. Ron Hubbard's books be purchased? 9.4 What books should one read to get information about: 9.4.1 Dianetics? 9.4.2 Basic Scientology principles? 9.4.3 Self-help, tests, and processes? 9.4.4 Handling the residual effects of drugs and toxins? 9.4.5 Basic principles of communication? 9.4.6 Predicting human behavior and understanding people? 9.4.7 How to increase success on the job? 9.4.8 Basic principles of organization? 9.4.9 Basic principles of management? 9.4.10 The principles of ethics and how to use them to live a more productive life? 9.4.11 Study methods? 9.4.12 Procedures to increase one's spiritual awareness and abilities? 9.4.13 Past lives and how they relate to this life? 9.4.14 The application of basic Scientology technology to help others improve their lives? 9.5 How can one get happiness out of a book? 10. DIANETICS [Located in file 2 of 3] 10.1 What is Dianetics? 10.2 What is the mind? Where is the mind? 10.3 What is the difference between the analytical mind and the reactive mind? 10.4 What is the difference between Scientology and Dianetics? 11. SCIENTOLOGY AND DIANETICS COURSES [Located in file 3 of 3] 11.1 What training should a person take first? 11.2 What does one get out of Scientology and Dianetics courses? 11.3 How are Scientology and Dianetics training different from studying philosophy or other religions? 11.4 Should I get my auditing before I get trained? 11.5 When can I take Scientology courses? 11.6 How are Scientology courses run? 11.7 When do I actually gain experience in auditing others? 11.8 When can I take the Minister's Course? 11.9 How long do courses take? 11.10 Are Scientology Course Supervisors university trained? 12. SCIENTOLOGY AND DIANETICS AUDITING [Located in file 3 of 3] 12.1 What is the difference between the auditing and training routes in Scientology? 12.2 Do all the people on staff in Scientology receive auditing as well as training? 12.3 Why does one have to wait six weeks for auditing if one has been habitually using drugs? 12.4 Will antibiotics prevent me from getting auditing? 12.5 Is it okay to take any sort of drugs when you are in Scientology? 12.6 How many hours of auditing a day to people receive? 12.7 Has the technology of auditing changed since the early days of Scientology? 12.8 What will I get out of auditing? 12.9 Does auditing really work in all cases? 12.10 What auditing handles physical pains or discomforts? 12.11 What can auditing cure? 12.12 Can one go exterior (be separate from the body) in auditing? 13. THE STATE OF CLEAR [Located in file 3 of 3] 13.1 What is Clear? 13.2 How does one go Clear? 13.3 How long does it take to go Clear? 13.4 If one goes Clear, will he lose his emotions? 13.5 What can you do when you are Clear? 13.6 Are Clears perfect? 13.7 Do Clears eat food and sleep? 13.8 Do Clears get colds and get sick? 13.9 If Clears no longer have a reactive mind, why do they still need to get auditing? 14. THE STATE OF OPERATING THETAN [Located in file 3 of 3] 14.1 What is meant by Operating Thetan (OT)? 14.2 How would you describe the state of Operating Thetan? 14.3 Why are the OT materials confidential? 15. A SCIENTOLOGY CAREER [Located in file 3 of 3] 15.1 Can one audit as a career? 15.2 Of what value would it be to have my child trained as an auditor? 15.3 Can one make Scientology a career in some other way than by being a minister? 16. SCIENTOLOGY IN SOCIETY [Located in file 3 of 3] 16.1 I've heard that Scientologists are doing good things for society. What are some specific examples? 16.2 Is Scientology active in Black communities and countries? 16.3 Do doctors, schools, social workers, businessmen and other professional people use Scientology? 16.4 Why has Scientology sometimes been considered controversial? 16.5 Why has Scientology been to court a lot of times? 16.6 Are there any laws against the practice of Scientology? Has it been banned? 16.7 How does Scientology view deprogrammers and groups that attempt to force people to denounce their chosen religion? 16.8 Why is Scientology opposed to psychiatry? 16.9 Why do some people oppose Scientology? 16.10 Is Scientology trying to rule the world? 16.11 Can Scientology do anything to improve the world situation? --------- 11. SCIENTOLOGY AND DIANETICS COURSES 11.1 What training should a person take first? The first action a person should take in his Scientology training is to read a book, such as _Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health_ or _Scientology: The Fundamentals of Thought_. He can study these on an extension course which is designed to help people understand the basic fundamentals of L. Ron Hubbard's books and find out about Scientology for themselves. The lessons in the course are completed and mailed in to the Extension Course Supervisor who grades them and informs the student by return mail what his grade is and any parts of the book he may have misunderstood. After completing a book or extension course, he should go into a church and see one of the Public Division Registrars who can help him decide which course he should do next. There are many different services available. For instance, many Life Improvement Courses exist, on such subjects as marriage, children, work, relationships with others and personal integrity. These help a person move from effect to cause in a specific area of life. Or there is the Hubbard Dianetics Seminar which utilizes Dianetics auditing techniques based on _Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health_, providing as much Dianetics auditing to a person as he wants and giving him experience applying Dianetics to another. There is also the Success Through Communication Course which teaches the basic communication skills one needs to succeed in social or other situations. Factually, it is best to talk to someone to find out which of the many courses available is addressed most directly to what one wants to handle or improve in life. 11.2 What does one get out of Scientology and Dianetics courses? Training gives a person the knowledge and tools to handle life. A basic datum in Scientology is that what one learns is only as valuable as it can be applied, and as it helps one do better in life. This is why Scientology is correctly called an *applied* religious philosophy. The information and technology a person learns is not just to increase his understanding (although it will definitely do that as well), but it is for USE. Although many Scientologists become practicing Scientology ministers, many others simply use the data in their everyday lives, on the job, and with their friends and family members. They report that life becomes more confrontable, their abilities increase and they are happier because they are winning in the game of life. 11.3 How are Scientology and Dianetics training different from studying philosophy or other religions? The major difference is that Scientology and Dianetics training give one *tools* to use in life. Whereas studying other philosophies or religions may provide information that is interesting, only in Scientology does the individual get the exact tools he needs to change and improve conditions in his life. 11.4 Should I get my auditing before I get trained? L. Ron Hubbard has written many times about the fact that 50 percent of one's gains are from training and 50 percent are from auditing. It is actually impossible to successfully make it through the upper processing levels of Scientology without also being trained. Therefore, to get the most from Scientology, one progresses in his training simultaneously with or at a comparable rate to his progress in auditing. 11.5 When can I take Scientology courses? Most churches of Scientology are open from 9:00 in the morning until 10:30 at night weekdays and 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekends. Several different course schedules are offered within these hours. 11.6 How are Scientology courses run? Scientology training is unique. Each course is done by following a checksheet. A checksheet is a list of materials, divided into sections, that lay out the theory and practical steps which, when completed, lead one to a study completion. The items contained on the checksheet, such as books, recorded lectures and other written materials, add up to the required knowledge of the subject. Each student moves through his checksheet at his own rate. This ensures nobody is ever held back by slower students, and no one is under pressure from faster students. A trained Course Supervisor is always available to help the student, to refer him to the exact mate- rials, to answer his questions and to ensure he is applying standard study technology to gain the full benefits from his studies. 11.7 When do I actually gain experience in auditing others? Every major training course in Scientology is followed by an internship. This is a period of auditing others under the supervision of technical experts. In this way, an auditor's skills are honed and polished to a very high level of proficiency. 11.8 When can I take the Minister's Course? This course can be studied by any Scientologist who is training in Scientology or Dianetics. The course provides an appreciation of the world's great religions, the religious background and philosophy of Scientology, the ethical codes of Scientology and the ceremonies of the Church. One also learns to deliver services and carry out basic ministerial duties. 11.9 How long do courses take? Each course takes as long as it takes -- since the student goes through each course at his own pace, he regulates his own progress. How long it takes depends on how diligently he applies study technology and how honestly he completes each item on his checksheet before proceeding to the next. The length of each course will also depend on how many hours he studies per week. On the average, Scientology courses take anywhere from a few days (for most introductory courses) to several months (for more advanced training). Introductory services are designed to take one week at 2.5 hours a day. Academy training to become an auditor is generally two weeks, at forty hours a week, for each individual level. The required time to complete the more advanced courses is quite extensive. The Saint Hill Special Briefing Course, which is a chronological study of Scientology and Dianetics from 1948 to the present, takes approximately one year, at forty hours a week. This course gives the Scientologist the entire philosophic and technical development of the subject, and is the most extensive training course in Scientology. Church staff ensure that auditors are professionally and thoroughly trained so that they can achieve the best results with their preclears. 11.10 Are Scientology Course Supervisors university trained? According to demographic studies, a high proportion of Scientologists have graduated from college or university studies. However, this is not a prerequisite for becoming a Scientology Course Supervisor. In Scientology there is a very precise technology of how to supervise and successfully help students through their courses. All Scientology Course Supervisors are trained in this technology to ensure that students get the most from their training. 12. SCIENTOLOGY AND DIANETICS AUDITING 12.1 What is the difference between the auditing and training routes in Scientology? The reference that best explains the difference between these two routes is the Classification, Gradation and Awareness Chart. On the right side of the chart there are various steps a person moves through as he receives auditing. Each grade listed has a column for "Ability Gained" that describes the increasing levels of awareness and ability achieved at each stage. In auditing, one is working toward improving himself and regaining recognition of and rehabilitating his spiritual nature and abilities. This is done on a gradient (a gradual approach to something, taken step by step), so those states of being which are seemingly "too high above one" can be achieved with relative ease. The left-hand side of the chart describes the gradient steps of training on which one gains the knowledge and abilities necessary to audit another on each level. Each course listed includes a description of the subject matter that is taught at that level. In training, one is learning about the various facets of life with a view to helping others. These two different paths parallel each other. Optimally, a person follows both paths. The chart is a guide for the individual from the point he first enters Scientology, and shows him the basic sequence in which he will receive his auditing and training. 12.2 Do all the people on staff in Scientology receive auditing as well as training? Yes, auditing and training of staff members is part of the exchange for their work in Scientology organizations. 12.3 Why does one have to wait six weeks for auditing if one has been habitually using drugs? Research has shown that it takes at least that long for the effect of drugs to wear off. Quite simply, auditing is not as effective while drugs are in the system because a person on drugs is less alert and may even be rendered stupid, blank, forgetful, delusive or irresponsible. 12.4 Will antibiotics prevent me from getting auditing? No. Antibiotics work differently than drugs. If the preclear has a doctor's prescription for antibiotics and is taking these to handle an infection, he should be sure to let his Director of Processing know, but this will not prevent him from receiving auditing. Many people claim that antibiotics work more rapidly and effectively if one is receiving auditing at the same time. 12.5 Is it okay to take any sort of drugs when you are in Scientology? Except for antibiotics or prescribed medical drugs by a medical doctor, no. If one has a medical or dental condition requiring treatment and wishes to take some medical drug other than antibiotics, he should inform his Director of Processing. A medical or dental consultation will be advised and a handling worked out in liaison with the Director of Processing to best accommodate one's progress in Scientology. Any other drug use, such as the use of street drugs or psychiatric mind-altering drugs, is forbidden. Drugs are usually taken to escape from unwanted emotions, pains or sensations. In Scientology, the real reasons for these unwanted conditions get handled and people have no need or desire for drugs. Drugs dull people and make them less aware. Scientology's aim is to make people brighter and more aware. Drugs are essentially poisons. Small amounts may act as a stimulant or as a sedative, but larger amounts act as poisons and can kill one. Drugs dull one's senses and affect the reactive mind so that the person becomes less in control and more the effect of his reactive mind, a very undesirable state. Despite the claims of psychiatrists that drugs are a "cure-all," at best they cover up what is really wrong, and at worst, actually harm one. The real answer is to handle the source of one's troubles -- and that is done with Scientology. 12.6 How many hours of auditing a day do people receive? This depends upon one's particular auditing program. Some receive longer or shorter hours of auditing than others, but an average would be 2.5 hours a day. Auditing is best done intensively, at least 12.5 hours a week. The more intensively one is audited, the more rapid progress he makes as he is not bogged down by current life upsets. Therefore it is best to arrange for many hours of consecutive auditing, i.e. 50 to 100 hours at 12.5 hours a week minimum. Of course, one is not always receiving auditing so when one is, his best chance of making rapid progress is intensively. 12.7 Has the technology of auditing changed since the early days of Scientology? The basics of auditing have not changed, but there have been considerable advances and refinements in auditing processes over the years. L. Ron Hubbard continued his research and development of Scientology auditing technology throughout his life, and completed it before he passed away. All of his technology is now available and laid out in an exact sequence of gradient steps in which it should be used. 12.8 What will I get out of auditing? Scientology auditing is delivered in a specific sequence which handles the major barriers people encounter when trying to achieve their goals. After receiving auditing, you will start to recognize for yourself that you are changing, that your outlook on life is improving and that you are becoming more able. In Scientology, you will not be told when you have completed an auditing level -- you will know for yourself, as only you can know exactly what you are experiencing. This gives you the certainty that you have attained what you want to attain from each level. There will also no doubt be some outwardly demonstrable or visible changes that occur: Your IQ may increase, you might look healthier and happier, and may well have people comment on how calm or cheerful you look or, for instance, how you are doing better on your job. Results like these are the products of auditing. Each person knows when he has achieved them. 12.9 Does auditing really work in all cases? Dianetics and Scientology technologies are very exact and well-tested procedures that work in 100 percent of the cases in which they are applied standardly. The only proviso is that the preclear must be there on his own determinism and must abide by the rules for preclears during his auditing to ensure optimum results. The Church makes no guarantee of results as auditing is something which requires the active participation of the individual. Auditing is not something done *to* an individual -- it is something done in which he is the active participant. 12.10 What auditing handles physical pain or discomfort? Dianetics auditing is used to help handle physical pains or discomfort stemming from the reactive mind. 12.11 What can auditing cure? Scientology is not in the business of curing things in the traditional sense of the word. Auditing is not done to fix the body or to heal anything physical, and the E-Meter cures nothing. However, in the process of becoming happier, more able and more aware as a spiritual being through auditing, illnesses that are psychosomatic in origin (meaning the mind making the body ill) often disappear. 12.12 Can one go exterior (be separate from the body) in auditing? Exteriorization is the state of the thetan, the individual himself, being outside his body with or without full perception, but still able to control and handle the body. Exteriorization is a personal matter for each individual. Many Scientologists have been known to go exterior, so it would not be at all surprising if you do too at some point during your auditing. This can happen at any time in auditing. When a person goes exterior, he achieves a certainty that he is himself and not his body. 13. THE STATE OF CLEAR 13.1 What is Clear? 'Clear' is the name of a specific state achieved through auditing, or a person who has achieved this state. A Clear is a being who no longer has his own reactive mind, and therefore suffers none of the ill effects the reactive mind can cause. 13.2 How does one go Clear? Simply by taking one's first step in Scientology, or by taking the next step as shown on the Classification, Gradation and Awareness Chart and then continuing up the levels as laid out on this chart. 13.3 How long does it take to go Clear? It varies from person to person, but it takes an average of anywhere from one year to two years to go from the bottom of the Grade Chart through Clear, depending on how much time one spends each week on his auditing. Those who get intensive auditing and do not stop along the way progress the fastest. 13.4 If one goes Clear, will he lose his emotions? No, on the contrary, a Clear is able to use and experience any emotion. Only the painful, reactive, uncontrolled emotions are gone from his life. Clears are very responsive beings. When one is Clear, he is more himself. The only loss is a negative -- the reactive mind -- which was preventing the individual from being himself. 13.5 What can you do when you are Clear? A Clear is able to deal causatively with life rather than react to it. A Clear is rational in that he forms the best possible solutions he can with the data he has and from his own viewpoint. A Clear gets things done and accomplishes more than he could before he became Clear. Whatever your level of ability before you go Clear, it will be greatly increased after you go Clear. 13.6 Are Clears perfect? No, they are not perfect. Being a Clear does not mean a person who has had no education, for example, suddenly becomes educated. It does mean that all the abilities of the individual can be brought to bear on the problems he encounters and that all the data in his analytical memory banks is available for solution to those problems. A Clear has become the basic individual through auditing. The basic individual is not a buried, unknown or a different person, but an intensity of all that is best and most able in the person. 13.7 Do Clears eat food and sleep? Most definitely. 13.8 Do Clears get colds and get sick? A Clear can still get sick, but this occurs much less often than before he became Clear. In other words, a Clear still has a body and bodies are susceptible at times to various illnesses. However, no longer having his reactive mind, he is much more at cause and is not adversely affected by, many of the things that would have caused psychosomatic illness before he went Clear. To measure a Clear only by his health, however, would be a mistake because this state has to do with the individual himself, not his body. 13.9 If Clears no longer have a reactive mind, why do they still need to get auditing? There are many more states of awareness and ability that can be achieved above the state of Clear as he is only Clear on the first dynamic. Once Clear, an individual wants to continue his auditing to achieve these higher states. 14. THE STATE OF OPERATING THETAN 14.1 What is meant by Operating Thetan (OT)? Operating Thetan is a state of beingness above Clear. 'Thetan' refers to the spiritual being, and 'operating' means here "able to operate without dependency on things." An Operating Thetan (OT) is able to control matter, energy, space and time rather than being controlled by these things. As a result, an OT is able to be at cause over life. There are numerous auditing steps on the Bridge called OT levels. People on these levels are progressing to the state of full OT and becoming more and more OT along the way. 14.2 How would you describe the state of Operating Thetan? OT (Operating Thetan) is a state of spiritual awareness in which an individual is able to control himself and his environment. An OT is someone who knows that he knows and can create positive and prosurvival effects on all of his dynamics. He has been fully refamiliarized with his capabilities as a thetan and can willingly and knowingly be at cause over life, thought, matter, energy, space and time. As a being becomes more and more OT, he becomes more powerful, stable and responsible. 14.3 Why are the OT materials confidential? Because understanding of and ability to apply the OT materials are dependent upon having fully attained the earlier states of awareness and abilities per the Classification, Gradation and Awareness Chart. Thus, these materials are released on a gradient, only to those who have honestly attained all earlier states. 15. A SCIENTOLOGY CAREER 15.1 Can one audit as a career? Yes. There are many Scientology ministers who audit full time as their life's work. Auditing provides a rewarding career as it is one in which you are always helping people and constantly seeing miraculous results on your preclears. It is very satisfying to know that you are making people's lives happier and saner. Auditors are very valuable and in great demand. L. Ron Hubbard's opinion of auditors is well known: "I think of an auditor as a person with enough guts to *do something about it*. This quality is rare and this quality is courageous in the extreme. It is my opinion and knowledge that auditors are amongst the upper tenth of the upper twentieth of intelligent human beings. Their will to do, their motives, their ability to grasp and to use are superior to that of any other profession." 15.2 Of what value would it be to have my child trained as an auditor? First of all, it would provide a young person with certainty and knowledge in dealing with every possible type of human problem, be it interpersonal, familial, organizational, ethical, moral or religious. Secondly, it would provide a career of fulfillment in aiding people from all walks of life to gain greater awareness and respect for themselves and others. Auditors are in demand in every church of Scientology and mission throughout the world. Therefore, your child would be fulfilling a great demand and contributing greatly to making this world a saner place by getting trained as an auditor. 15.3 Can one make Scientology a career in some other way than by being a minister? Yes, there are thousands of professional Scientologists who work full time in churches and missions throughout the world as executives or administrative staff. There are also those who further the dissemination of Scientology on a one-to-one basis or through the dissemination of Scientology materials and books, those who hold jobs in the Church's social reform groups and those who work in the Office of Special Affairs involved in community betterment or legal work. All of these provide rewarding careers as each forwards the expansion of Scientology and thereby makes it possible for more and more people to benefit from its technology. 16. SCIENTOLOGY IN SOCIETY 16.1 I've heard that Scientologists are doing good things for society? What are some specific examples? These activities would fill a book in themselves, and are covered in more detail in Part 5 of [_What is Scientology?_], but here are just a few examples that are typical of the things that Scientologists are doing around the world. Scientologists regularly hold blood drives to get donations of blood for hospitals, the Red Cross and other similar organizations. As Scientologists do not use harmful drugs, these donations of drug-free blood are welcomed by those in charge of health care. Scientologists regularly hold drives to get donations of toys, food and clothing to make life happier for those in need. During the annual holiday season, Scientologists are particularly active in this sphere. In downtown Hollywood, California [USA], for example, Scientologists build a "Winter Wonderland" scene each Christmas, complete with a large Christmas tree, Santa Claus and even "snow," creating a traditional Christmas setting for children who otherwise might never see one. In Canada, a group of Scientologists spends many weeks each year raising funds to sponsor visits to summer camps by underprivileged children. Church members utilize their artistic talents to bring new experiences and joy to children by performing puppet shows in orphanages, schools and shopping malls, and magic shows for children in foster homes. Scientologists can also be found in many communities contributing to the care of the elderly. They visit old-age homes and provide entertainment, draw sketches or just drop by and talk with senior citizens. You will find Scientologists helping with "community cleanup" campaigns and assistance to the injured at Veteran's Administration hospitals. Scientologists have taken a leading role fighting drug abuse, actively educating community officials and groups on the dangers of drugs and solutions to the problems. There are many groups utilizing L. Ron Hubbard's technology and freeing people from the detrimental effects of drugs. L. Ron Hubbard's technology on how to study has been used by Scientologists around the world to help students and teachers alike. One place where this technology has made major inroads combating illiteracy is in South Africa, where well over a million native Africans have improved their ability to study. Another important area of activity for Scientologists is raising moral standards in society. Scientologists all around the world have distributed tens of millions of copies of the nonreligious moral code called "The Way to Happiness," now available in more than fifteen different languages. Its use has led to a revitalization of purpose for people of all ages who apply its simple truths to their lives and to the environment around them. The Church and many of its members are also engaged in interfaith activities, the main thrust of which has been to work with leaders of other faiths in the areas of interreligious dialogue, religious freedom, constitutional law and "religion in society" issues -- all aimed toward protecting and forwarding the freedom of religion for everyone. Another prevalent activity for Scientologists is to expose and eradicate the violations of human rights perpetrated by psychiatry. Many Scientologists do this as members of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR), a reform group which was established by the Church in 1969. They actively investigate psychiatric abuses and bring these to the attention of the media, legislators and other groups concerned with protecting people from brutal psychiatric techniques. Such practices as psychosurgery, electroshock treatment and the administration of dangerous psychiatric drugs have destroyed the minds and lives of millions of individuals. Through the efforts of Scientologists working for CCHR, public awareness of the disastrous results of psychiatric methods has been raised and major steps taken to outlaw such practices. 16.2 Is Scientology active in Black communities and countries? Definitely. By the Creed of the Church, "All men of whatever race, color or creed were created with equal rights." Thus, there are no limitations placed on who can receive and benefit from Scientology services. There are Scientologists of all races, colors and religious backgrounds. For example, there are Dianetics and/or Scientology organizations in Ghana, Zaire, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and Sierra Leone, among other countries, and Black Scientologists are applying Scientology technology in their communities wherever possible. The Church maintains a Department of Ethnic Affairs specifically to interact and work with minorities. 16.3 Do doctors, schools, social workers, businessmen and other professional people use Scientology? Yes, they do. There are members of all of these professions who use Scientology technology to improve the results being obtained in their fields of endeavor. Schools and universities in many countries apply L. Ron Hubbard's study methods to improve literacy and teaching success, drug rehabilitation groups use his drug rehabilitation technology to successfully get people off drugs, doctors observe basic Dianetics principles to speed up the recovery of their patients, businessmen apply L. Ron Hubbard's administrative procedures to create thriving businesses. Scientology applies to all spheres of life and uniformly gets results when standardly used. Therefore, there is hardly an area of social or community concern where you will not find people using some aspect of L. Ron Hubbard's technology. 16.4 Why has Scientology sometimes been considered controversial? Like all new ideas, Scientology has come under attack by the uninformed and those who feel their vested interests are threatened. As Scientologists have openly and effectively advocated social reform causes, they have become the target of attacks. For those vested interests who cling to a status quo that is decimating society, Scientology's technology of making the able more able poses a serious threat. Attacks follow as an attempt to stop application of Scientology technology. When the Church steps in to handle the attack, the conflict grabs the attention of the press, which lives on controversy. Regardless of the unfounded nature of the attackers' claims, reporters freely promote the controversy. Those seeking to stop Scientology then join the media in regurgitating and regenerating the created controversy. Scientology has always flourished and prospered in the face of attacks. In every case where public disputes have been manufactured, intentional and blatant false reports about Scientology and its founder have been discovered to be the common denominator. As the falsehoods are proven lies, the controversy quickly fades, and the truth about Scientology, what the Church really is and what its members do replaces it. The source of these attacks and the controversy they have generated is detailed in Chapter 31 of [_What is Scientology?_; see FTP.PCNET.COM /users/brianw/wis]. 16.5 Why has Scientology been to court a lot of times? The Church has gone to court in many countries to uphold the right to freedom of religion. In Australia, as one example, legal actions by the Church brought about a landmark victory which greatly expanded religious freedom throughout that country. In the United States, the Church's use of the Freedom of Information Act, taking government agencies to court and holding them accountable to release vital documents to the public on a variety of subjects, has been heralded as a vital action to ensure honesty in government. In certain cases, the Church has used the courts to protect its copyrighted materials, or to ensure its rights and the rights of its members are safeguarded. During the history of the Church, a few unscrupulous individuals, lusting for money, have observed how Scientology is prospering and rapidly expanding, and have abused the legal system to try to line their own pockets. In the handful of cases where such attempts have occurred, they have uniformly failed. 16.6 Are there any laws against the practice of Scientology? Has it been banned? Of course not. In fact, the Church has received numerous recognitions, citations and validations from various governments for contributions to society in the fields of education, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, crime reduction, human rights, raising moral values and a host of other fields. 16.7 How does Scientology view deprogrammers and groups that attempt to force people to denounce their chosen religion? These so-called "deprogrammers," better described as psychiatric depersonalizers, are money-motivated individuals who kidnap others for profit. Their methods include brainwashing, imprisonment, food and sleep deprivation and various forms of torture. Such activities are clearly against the principles held by Scientologists -- and have been proven to be against the law as well. Psychiatric depersonalizers in many countries have gone to jail for their violent and illegal practices. Situations in which families have expressed concern over family members' involvement in various religions can generally be handled with communication. No one need resort to violence and mercenaries to resolve the upset. The Church does not condone the use of violence and advocates that each person has an inalienable right to their own beliefs. 16.8 Why is Scientology opposed to psychiatry? As the stepchildren of the German dictator Bismarck and later Hitler and the Nazis, psychiatry and psychology formed the philosophical basis for the wholesale slaughter of human beings in World Wars I and II. Psychiatry uses electric shock, brain-mutilating psychosurgery, and mind-damaging drugs to destroy a person and make him "docile and quiet" in the name of "treatment." Psychiatric methods involving the butchering of human beings and their sanity are condemned by the Church. Scientologists are trying to create a world without war, insanity and criminality. Psychiatry is seeking to create a world where man is reduced to a robotized or drugged, vegetable-like state so that he can be controlled. A primary difference between Scientology and psychiatry is that psychiatrists routinely tell their patients what they think is wrong with them. This interjects lies or ideas which are not true for the individual himself, and thus psychiatric "therapy" violates the basic integrity of the individual. On the other hand, Scientology technology enables a person to find out for himself the source of his troubles and gives him the ability to improve conditions in his own life and environment. The underlying difference is the fact that Scientology recognizes that man is a spiritual being, while psychiatrists view man as an animal. Scientology is a religion. Psychiatry is strongly opposed to all religions as it does not even recognize that man is a spiritual being. Scientologists strongly disagree with the enforced and harmful psychiatric methods of involuntary commitment, forced and heavy drugging, electroconvulsive shock treatment, lobotomy and other psychosurgical operations. By the Creed of the Church of Scientology, the healing of mentally caused ills should not be condoned in nonreligious fields.The reason for this is that violent psychiatric therapies cause spiritual traumas. At best, psychiatry suppresses life's problems; at worst, it causes severe damage, irreversible setbacks in a person's life and even death. 16.9 Why do some people oppose Scientology? There are certain characteristics and mental attitudes that cause a percentage of the population to oppose violently any betterment activity or group. This small percentage of society (roughly 2.5 percent) cannot stand the fact that Scientology is successful at improving conditions around the world. This same 2.5 percent is opposed to any self-betterment activity. The reason they so rabidly oppose Scientology is because it is doing more to help society than any other group. Those who are upset by seeing man get better are small in number compared to the millions who have embraced Scientology and its efforts to create a sane civilization and more freedom for the individual. 16.10 Is Scientology trying to rule the world? No. Scientology's aim, as expressed by L. Ron Hubbard, is that of creating "a civilization without insanity, without criminals and without war, where the able can prosper and honest beings can have rights, and where man is free to rise to greater heights. . . ." "We seek no revolution. We seek only evolution to higher states of being for the individual and for society." Scientology does want to improve and reform societal ills, and Scientologists believe there can be a better world by doing so. It is not Scientology's mission to save the world. It is Scientology's mission to free *you*. 16.11 Can Scientology do anything to improve the world situation? Yes, and it does so every single day. By making the able individual in society more able and more certain of his abilities, and by continuing the Church's expansion and social reform programs throughout the world, the world can become a better place. It is possible to bring people to higher levels of communication with the environment and those around them. And as one raises the level of communication, one raises also the ability to observe and change conditions and thereby create a better world and a better civilization. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of "A SCIENTOLOGY CATECHISM" [Part 3 of 3] Part Nine of _What is Scientology?_ Copyright (c) 1992 Church of Scientology International, All Rights Reserve. Grateful acknowledgement is made to the L. Ron Hubbard Library for permission to reproduce selections from the copyrighted works of L. Ron Hubbard. "Dianetics," "E-Meter," "Flag," "Freewinds," "Hubbard," "OEC," "OT," "Purification Rundown," "Scientology," and "The Bridge" are trademarks and service marks owned by the Religious Technology Center and are used with its permission. "Scientologist" is a collective membership mark designating members of the affiliated churches and missions of Scientology. ============================================================================ For more information on Scientology, FTP to FTP.PCNET.COM /users/brianw or write to: scninfo@pcnet.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------------