Behind Closed Doors: Insights into Scientology's Unique Philosophies
By Sophia Maddox | March 1, 2024
Keep Your Eye Out For The Marcabians
The intriguing and enigmatic beliefs of Scientology have been at the center of the zeitgeist for decades, but many people may not know exactly what goes on inside the wall of this celebrity focused church. Today we're going to delve into some of the lesser-known aspects of this controversial religion, shedding light on concepts such as Xenu, engrams, the tone scale, thetans, and silent births.
Delve deeper into the complexities of Scientology's unique teachings and gain a deeper understanding of this intriguing religion that has attracted significant attention and controversy over the years. Let's embark on this enlightening journey together and continue exploring the fascinating world of Scientology.
Drawing from his background as a science fiction writer, L. Ron Hubbard crafted a race of malevolent extraterrestrial beings called the Marcabians to add an enticing element to his storytelling.
The Marcabians think of Earth, or Teegeeack if you're a Marcabian, as a place where they can dump prisoners and individuals deemed socially undesirable. By erasing their memories and dispatching their thetans near nearby volcanoes, the Marcabians utilize our planet for this purpose. Furthermore, these creatures claim responsibility for the creation of the human species, which fuels their belief that they have a legitimate claim over both our bodies and the Earth itself.
There is also speculation that their ultimate objective is to subject everyone on our planet to brainwashing, aiming to establish complete dominion. Thankfully this has yet to come to pass.
The Tone Scale
According to the established teachings of Scientology, a crucial aspect of achieving success lies in the ability to effectively understand and respond to others. While this notion may not be entirely surprising, Scientology goes further by asserting that the majority of individuals struggle to accurately discern the underlying emotions behind outward expressions.
To demystify human behavior, Scientology has developed a tool called the tone scale. This scale serves as a guide for practitioners, enabling them to interpret people's emotional states and appropriately respond to them. The aim is to enhance their capacity to read individuals and provide suitable emotional reactions in various situations.
The tone scale runs from -40 to 40, and the higher the score the better. A score of 40 is described as “Serenity of Beingness.” A 1.1 is considered secret antagonism and describes someone who can’t be trusted. Essentially, anyone who's against Scientology is a 1.1. But it's not just Scientology's enemies that score a 1.1, members of the LGBTQ+ community are automatically considered a 1.1 on the tone scale and they can only crawl their way out of that score by gaining spiritual elevation through heterosexuality.
Humans Evolved From Basically Everything
In L. Ron Hubbard’s book, Scientology: The History of Man, the author drills down on descriptions of things that happened to us in previous lives. According to the beliefs of Scientology, thetans, which are considered everlasting beings, have lived through numerous past lives that have been marked by various traumas spanning across time. Consequently, individuals in the present possess subconscious recollections of these past lives, embodying diverse forms such as clams, atoms, cells undergoing mitosis, early photosynthetic organisms, sloths, and many others.
Hubbard states that the clam is a great example of our past lives, he argues specifically that over millennia the hinges of the clam eventually transformed into the hinges of the human jaw and that by getting in touch with your inner clam, you can change the way you act as a human. Hubbard writes:
Should you desire to confirm this, describe to some uninitiated person the death of a clam without saying what you are describing. ‘Can you imagine a clam sitting on the beach, opening and closing its shell very rapidly?’ (Make a motion with your thumb and forefinger of a rapid opening and closing).
The victim may grip his jaws with his hand and feel quite upset. He may even have to have a few teeth pulled: At the very least he will argue as to whether or not the shell stays open at the end or closed. And he will, with no hint of the death aspect of it, talk about the ‘poor clam’ and he will feel quite sad emotionally.
Hubbard continues:
Discussion of these incidents with the uninitiated in Scientology can cause havoc. Should you describe the ‘clam’ to someone, you may restimulate it in him to the extent of causing severe jaw pain. One such victim, after hearing about a clam death, could not use his jaws for three days.
Thetans, Auditing, And You
According to Scientology, every person on the planet has a thetan and the only way to cleanse them are by going in for auditing sessions until they're considered "clear."
Auditing stands as a key practice within Scientology, aiming to eliminate negative influences known as engrams, ultimately fostering increased spiritual consciousness and unlocking undiscovered capabilities. The Church of Scientology maintains that this procedure achieves a 100% success rate when carried out correctly and when the recipient genuinely desires personal transformation.
Human Souls Were Programmed With False Information
One of the most fascinating things about the myriad cultures and religions across the world ate the similarities in their gods, devils, and saviors. Joseph Campbell states that these similarities abound because people from across the world try to make sense of their existence through these myths. They're drawn to the idea of a hero, which is why you see similar tales about figures like Jesus, Muhammad, and the Buddha.
Scientology offers a different view on this subject. They believe that an alien overlord by the name of Xenu dropped a bunch of alien bodies into a series of active volcanoes, the souls from those bodies floated up into the sky. These souls were then caught by electronic beams and zapped into special theaters.
In those theaters, the spirits were bombarded with 3D images that brainwashed them with false information, like the concepts of God, the Devil, and Christ. After all that programming, the souls floated to Earth and embedded themselves in our bodies where they filled our heads with thoughts of western religion.
Xenu
Scientology's creation myth comes directly from L. Ron Hubbard, who writes of an intergalactic power struggle that forms the heart of beginning of human-kind. Hubbard writes that Earthlings received their start when Xenu, the former ruler of the Galactic Confederacy (more on that later), gathered billions of his followers, froze them in order to take their souls, or "thetans" before dropping them into volcanos before using a series of nuclear explosions to kill everyone and spray their souls into the air.
Once the thetans were in the air Xenu captured them and used large intergalactic movie theaters to implant the thetans with false information, or "engrams." After all of that Xenu was imprisoned and Earth was kept as a prison planet.
Operating Thetans Are Basically Superheroes
Once a Scientologist achieves Clear status and acquires the knowledge to fully embrace and regulate their inherent abilities as thetans, the practitioner enters a new realm known as Operating Thetan (OT). According to the teachings of Scientology, OTs transcend the constraints of physical existence and the physical universe, unlocking boundless potential. The Church states:
OT is a state of spiritual awareness in which an individual is able to control themselves and their environment.
Following the level of Clear there are many OT levels that follow, all of which offer increasingly fascinating knowledge and powers.
There's Always More To Learn
While discussing the most mind-boggling secrets behind Scientology, Leah Remini stated that there will always be another level to the church. To reiterate, there's no way to top out and you can always spend more money to reach a new level. She writes:
When you reach the top of The Bridge (OTP 8) you will be told that God is a lie for LRH (L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology's founder), and there are more levels ahead that will cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars. There is no end to Scientology.
The "Fair Game" Policy Is Terrifying
The phrase "fair game" refers to a set of policies and actions implemented by the Church of Scientology against individuals and groups that the organization considers as adversaries. L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology, introduced this policy during the 1950s as a response to criticism directed towards his organization, originating both from external sources and within Scientology itself. Leah Remini explained:
I would say the church's Fair Game policy, and how they systematically go after anyone who publicly speaks out against them. Anyone who speaks out against the 'church' is seen as an enemy.
They Don't Believe In Mental Health Treatment
When asked in her Reddit AMA about Scientology's policy on mental health, Leah Remini responded:
They deny mental illness and afflictions. They promote that you can heal your psycho-sematic issues with their 'technology.' They will get in the way of people taking medications. They will prevent people from getting the real medical help that they need. And in some cases have caused suicides because of it. Scientology is mentally abusive because we are all taught that we are responsible for everything.
The Galactic Confederacy Runs The Universe
To quote Beyonce, "Who runs the world?" According to Scientology, the Galactic Confederacy. L. Ron Hubbard's writing states that the Galactic Confederacy is a federation of planets that came together long before humanity was a thing to work as the police of the universe.
The establishment of the federation aims to proactively avert future wars and achieve peaceful resolutions for conflicts spanning across the galaxy. Comprising an extensive membership of hundreds of thousands, the Galactic Federation encompasses various extraterrestrial civilizations such as the Arcturians, Pleiadians, Sirians, Lyrans, and Andromedans. This interstellar organization operates under a governance structure characterized by a sizable council composed of smaller councils.
Within the federation, the hierarchy among its members is determined by their level of spiritual development. Those who have attained the highest level of spiritual growth are regarded as light beings entrusted with the interpretation of the divine will.
The R6 Implant Can Kill You
Scientology teaches that "implants" are a method of inserting thoughts into an individual's mind, typically done with malicious intent by entities such as Xenu or mental health specialists. These implanted ideas can range from any concept designed to steer one's thoughts towards a darker path.
An example of such implantation, as per Scientology beliefs, occurred when Xenu trapped alien souls within a movie theater and subjected them to 3D images related to the Christian religion. This act served as a form of implanting. However, there is said to exist an even more perilous implant, so treacherous that attempting to recall its contents is believed to result in fatality.
According to L. Ron Hubbard, the R6 implant is "specifically designed to cause the demise (via ailments like pneumonia and others) of anyone who endeavors to resolve it." Understandably, very few adherents of Scientology are willing to undertake the task of unraveling this implant.
You Deal With Implants Post-Death
According to Scientology, even death can't rid you of negative implants. As explained by Hubbard, following one's death, the primary thetan, which are different from body thetans, embarks on a journey to an "implant station" located somewhere in outer space.
These stations are responsible for erasing past memories and introducing new, false memories. Hubbard suggests that these stations function similarly to gas stations along the highway, complete with varying degrees of quality. He even cautioned his followers to steer clear of the station situated on Venus.
Heaven And Pasadena Are Basically One In The Same
In one of his many communiques with his followers, Hubbard writes that he believed the concept of Heaven to be pretty "corny," but after much soul searching he realized that he'd already been to Heaven - the visit had just been wiped from his memory.
So what does Heaven look like? If you've ever been to Pasadena, California then you've got an idea. Hubbard writes:
The gates of the first series are well done, well built. An avenue of statues of saints leads up to them. The gate pillars are surmounted by marble angels. The entering grounds are very well kept, laid out like Bush Gardens in Pasadena, so often seen in the movies. Aside from the implant boxes which lie across from each other on the walk there are other noises and sounds as though the saints are defending and berating. These are unimportant to the incident.
Not Only Did Atlantis Exist But It Was A Highly Advanced Civilization
Aside from a myriad of intergalactic societies, Scientology's beliefs include the "totally electronic society of Atlantis" was was like the “Egyptian period” on Earth. Hubbard writes:
Try to picture what life was like in 1135 BCE: Ramses VII is just about to begin his ascent to the throne in Egypt, Apheidas and Thymoetes will quarrel over who's the rightful ruler of Greece, and the electronic civilization of Atlantis will use its disintegration rays in the “complex battle between the fourth invader force from Space Command and the fifth invader force from Martian Command.
L. Ron Hubbard Is The Galactic Patrol Commander Of Sector 9
According to Hubbard, the intergalactic googas known as the Marcabians are our mortal enemies, and the one person keeping us safe from their space evil the Galactic Patrol Commander of Sector 9 in the Galactic Confederacy, otherwise known as L. Ron Hubbard.
Hubbard claimed that he voluntarily relinquished his state of non-thetaned happiness in order to visit Earth and disseminate the teachings of Scientology to as many people as possible. His purpose was to equip humanity with the necessary knowledge to confront and resist the influence of the Marcabians.
E-Meters Measure Someone's Mental State
To determine the extent of thetans occupying individuals' bodies, Scientologists employ a device called an E-Meter, short for electropsychometer. Auditors, specially trained individuals who guide sessions designed to uncover areas of stress, utilize this instrument. The E-Meter is believed to gauge an individual's mental condition and fluctuations.
Scientologists believe that E-Meters, which resemble run of the mill lie detectors, possess the ability to expose "hidden crimes" and grant auditors insight into a person's mental state, enabling them to identify the presence of thetans within the individual's body.
Your Soul Can Be Trapped In A Robot Body
One of the more out there Scientology beliefs that we're struggling to wrap our heads around is that of the rogue thetan. It's believed that a random thetan can stick to someone without their knowledge. Hubbard writes that the very first thetan was believed to be trapped in the body of a Martian doll 469,476,600 years ago. He explains that after the thetan was stuck to a doll it was "zapped" into an ice cube before it was dropped into a robot body and "put to work unloading flying saucers."
Humans Are Immortal
While numerous religions embrace the idea of immortality, typically involving the infinite life of a spirit following a mortal death, Scientology pushes the boundaries of this notion even further. In Scientology, the concept of immortality extends beyond a single lifetime. According to their beliefs, our individual experiences span multiple lifetimes, and thetans, our spiritual entities, can harbor emotions such as sadness regarding the bodies they have inhabited. Hubbard once said:
The subject of death is never a very serious one to a Scientologist beyond the fact that he feels kind of sorry for himself sometimes. ... [The deceased person] was thoughtless enough to dispose of his body and go out of communication. A person sometimes feels pretty unhappy about it and thinks it's a thoughtless thing for a friend to do.
Scientologists Can Levitate
Scientologists say that their adherents can gain extraordinary abilities alongside their adherence to the teachings of the religion. As individuals progress through the ranks of Scientology, they are allegedly enlightened about the phenomenon of levitation and the methods to achieve it. It is even claimed that followers are provided instructions on how to harness the power to levitate both objects and potentially themselves.
However, despite testimonies from former members who have written about their experiences with the religion, none have disclosed exactly how levitation works. While some individuals claim to possess the capability to make objects float, no public demonstrations have been presented as evidence.
With Training, You Can Remember Being In The Womb
According to Scientology, we were all once aliens who were frozen and dropped in volcanoes by Xenu before those volcanoes were blown up with nuclear explosives. It's believed that with enough Scientology training one is able to take themselves back into the womb and remember life during their gestation period.
Hubbard claimed that it's possible to remember conversations had in the womb, which he claims is where many of our emotional problems come from.
Exteriorization Allows You To Exit Your Body For Fun And Profit
The concept of exteriorization (otherwise known as an out-of-body experience or disassociation) is a "major part of Scientology" according to former church member Claire Headly. Allegedly, Scientologists believe that by using exteriorization members can leave their bodies for financial and personal gain when combined with auditing. Headly explains:
That’s not to say it doesn’t exist. I just didn’t experience it, although I felt really pressured on this subject beyond rationality. I never understood how being 'out of my body' would make me a better person. Perhaps someone else experienced it and saw a benefit.
Silent Births
Silent birth holds a significant place within the mandatory practices of Scientology doctrine. The fundamental idea behind this approach is to prioritize the well-being and reverence for expectant mothers. Scientologists advocate for a birth environment characterized by serenity and tranquility, aiming to create the optimal conditions for both the mother and the newborn. Hubbard said:
Everyone must learn to say nothing within the expectant mother’s hearing during labor and delivery... A woman who wants her child to have the best possible chance will find a doctor who will agree to keep quiet especially during the delivery, and who will insist upon silence being maintained in the hospital delivery room as far as it is humanly possible.
Scientologists Are Really Not Supposed To Talk About The Whole Xenu Thing
Scientologists are really not supposed to talk about the whole Xenu thing, which makes sense because the story that Hubbard laid out as the basis for the church is incredibly sci-fi. After committing thetan genocide, Xenu went to war with many of those same thetans who banished to Earth. According to the training manual for those who have reached OT III status:
When through with his [Xenu's] crime loyal officers (to the people) captured him after six years of battle and put him in an electronic mountain trap where he still is.
Xenu Put Soul Implant Stations On Venus And Mars... And Also In Africa
According to a former member's account of their time in the Church of Scientology, Earth was not the sole dwelling place for various beings, including thetans. Allegedly, Xenu (ugh, that guy) was also responsible for devastating the atmospheres of Venus and Mars, causing the demise of all life forms present. Moreover, implant stations were established on Venus, Mars, and an undisclosed location in Africa, serving as destinations where disembodied souls could return.
The purpose behind these implant stations, as attributed to Xenu, was a display of power. Xenu aimed to ensure that the thetans whose physical bodies he had destroyed would not pose a challenge to his authority upon their return. Within these stations, thetans would allegedly undergo a process where they viewed countless movies, resulting in the creation of "engrams" or false memories. These fabricated memories included events such as the crucifixion of Jesus, religious narratives on creation, and acts of violence. The former Scientologist states:
Thetans who were sent to Venus for implantation were sent back in long tubes to female bodies, and those from Mars were sent to male bodies.
Engrams Are Basically False Memories
According to the Church of Scientology, an engram is described as a detailed recording of a past traumatic event that is stored in an individual's reactive mind. It is believed to contain not only the perceptual data related to the experience but also the emotional and physical sensations associated with it. Engrams are considered to be the cause of unwanted and irrational behavior, as they can negatively influence a person's thoughts, emotions, and actions in the present. The practice of auditing in Scientology aims to identify and eradicate engrams through a structured process, leading to the improvement of one's mental well-being and overall spiritual growth.
Xenu Set Up An Intergalactic Net Around The Universe To Keep Thetans From Getting Away
According to the teachings of Scientology, Xenu employed specific measures to prevent thetans from escaping. He installed a sort of protective barrier around the solar system using a net, which incorporates a network of buoys. If any of these buoys are triggered, Xenu supposedly has the ability to break free from his confinement and come back to Earth to cause destruction. The net-buoy system also serves to block any external entities that might try to communicate with thetans and devise escape strategies. A former member explains:
At some point after Xenu put us here, an invader force called the Fifth Invader Force came... without realizing that this solar system was screened off from the rest of the galaxy. They were defeated and also trapped here on Earth with us. In fact the moon is a space station they brought with them.
The Billion Year Contract
The Sea Org is an organization formed by individuals who previously worked alongside Hubbard on the Scientology boat. To become a member, they must commit their life to Scientology by signing a contract that supposedly lasts for a billion years. In exchange for their dedication, Sea Org members receive a weekly payment of approximately $50. However, critics argue that the Sea Organization is one of the most oppressive and harmful groups globally.
The Purification Rundown
The Purification Rundown, also referred to as the Purif or Hubbard Method, is a detoxification program introduced by L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology. The Church of Scientology utilizes this program as an initial service, claiming it to be the sole effective approach for addressing the lingering impacts of drug abuse or exposure to toxins. It serves as the basis for drug rehabilitation and detox programs run by affiliated organizations such as Narconon, Criminon, Second Chance, and the International Academy of Detoxification Specialists. The program entails a combination of exercise, dietary supplements, and prolonged sessions in a sauna (up to five hours per day for around five weeks), exposing individuals to heat.
During the Purification Rundown, participants are instructed to consume a blend of vegetable oils, believed to replenish fatty tissues, along with a special drink comprising water, salt, and potassium to prevent dehydration. The emphasis on hydration stems from the fact that individuals are required to spend significant time in a sauna, aiming to induce sweating and eliminate toxins from the body.
While the program's purpose revolves around purging the body of harmful substances, there are no explicit guidelines within Scientology that prohibit regular consumption of alcohol or cigarettes—both known to have adverse effects on human health. The only restriction is imposed during the 24 hours leading up to and during auditing sessions, where individuals are prohibited from using these substances.
The Introspection Rundown
The Introspection Rundown is an auditing procedure employed by the Church of Scientology with the aim of addressing a severe mental breakdown or a psychotic episode. In this context, introspection refers to a state where an individual is constantly examining their own thoughts, emotions, and reactions. The goal of the Introspection Rundown is to help the person become more externally focused, alleviating their continuous inward preoccupation and worry.
The Introspection Rundown came under public scrutiny after the death of Lisa McPherson in 1995.
