L. Ron Hubbard

Vietnam's Agent Orange Victims Get Scientology Detox

But doctors skeptical about detoxification program

(Newser) - In an attempt to detoxify people exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War, the Vietnamese government is relying on … L. Ron Hubbard. The Church of Scientology founder developed a detoxification method espoused by Tom Cruise and other bigwig Scientologists. The "Purification Rundown" or "Hubbard method" involves... More »

Ugly Feud Erupts Among Scientologists

Organization 'obsessed with fundraising,' disgruntled member says

(Newser) - A leading Scientologist is attempting to spark a revolt against chief David Miscavige, who has led the organization since the death of L. Ron Hubbard 26 years ago. Miscavige has ignored the teaching of L. Ron Hubbard and turned Scientology into a fundraising machine that bleeds wealthy members dry to... More »

Scientologists Buy Hollywood Studio

Organization snaps up historic Sunset Boulevard site

(Newser) - Whether or not you want to see more movies based on L. Ron Hubbard's writings—and most critics who saw Battlefield: Earth would sooner go blind—Scientologists now have the facilities to make them. The controversial organization has bought a landmark movie studio in Hollywood from a struggling public... More »

Paul Thomas Anderson's Scientology Movie Shelved

(Newser) - Director Paul Thomas Anderson's Scientology project has stalled, according to Examiner.com. The movie was to feature actors Jeremy Renner and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Renner told TotalFilm that The Master, which would have focused on Scientology and an L. Ron Hubbard-like figure, has been postponed indefinitely. More »

Russia Bans Scientology Texts

Works of L. Ron Hubbard labeled 'extremist'

(Newser) - The works of L. Ron Hubbard are no longer welcome in Russia. Officials say they intercepted a shipment of books and recordings by the Scientology founder and decided that they should be banned as extremist literature that "undermines the traditional spiritual values of the citizens of the Russian Federation.... More »

Ex-Scientologist Actor: Return My $120K

After 33 years, Larry Anderson wants out

(Newser) - After 33 years as a Scientologist and a star turn in a widely disseminated orientation video, actor Larry Anderson wants out—and he wants his money back. Anderson, a magician turned TV actor and game-show host, says the organization owes him $120,000. A Scientology rep tells the St. Petersburg ... More »

Travolta Sends Scientology Ministers to Save Haitians

Gadding about 'hooking people to e-meters'

(Newser) - Any Haitians who feel a lack of L. Ron Hubbard's teachings in their lives are in luck. A 168-seater plane chartered by the Church of Scientology left for Haiti last night carrying medics, and some 80 volunteer ministers who will assist the injured with Scientology techniques and "spiritual first... More »

Scientology Releases Trove of Hubbard Recordings

All 970 CDs and 57 binders will be public—and on sale for $7,500

(Newser) - More than 1,000 unreleased recordings of lectures by L. Ron Hubbard and reams of booklets and teaching materials have been unveiled in the culmination of a 25-year project to locate, restore and transcribe lost pieces of the Scientology founder's work. Though sure to be derided by the church's many... More »

France Tries Scientology for Fraud

(Newser) - The church of Scientology goes on trial for fraud today in a landmark case in France, reports the BBC. The American organization is widely regarded in the nation as a sect, and if Scientology is found guilty of a crime, it could be banned in the country. It's the first... More »

So What If Will Smith's School Preaches Scientology?

Actor denies it, but live and let live, writes LAT

(Newser) - Will Smith denies he, wife Jada Pinkett-Smith, or the school they founded are affiliated with the Church of Scientology, writes the LA Times in an opinion piece, but who cares if L. Ron Hubbard himself is teaching Scientology 101? The school, set to open in September amid rumors that it... More »

Smith Puts His Money Where His Church Is (Maybe)

Actor funds school that uses Scientology teaching methods

(Newser) - Doing little to dispel widespread rumors that he's a new recruit to Scientology, Will Smith is funding a school that will use teaching methods devised by L. Ron Hubbard. Smith's own kids will attend the school, reports the Guardian. So-called "Study Technology" has been criticized for its ties to... More »

Scientologists Blast Cruise Bio's Claims

Diana scribe threatened with lawsuit over explosive allegations

(Newser) - The Church of Scientology is preparing a libel suit against an upcoming biography of actor Tom Cruise that calls him the organization's second-most-powerful man and says it influences nearly every facet of his life, reports the Daily Mail. The book, by Princess Diana biographer Andrew Morton, says Scientology staffers from... More »

Scientology: No Weirder Than The Others

Group may be wacky but it's no cult, Slate writer says

(Newser) - Scientology has earned cult status for many outsiders, but Slate’s Mark Oppenheimer argues it's no more bizarre than any mainstream faith. He says the peculiarities of the celebrity-friendly religion abound, but that they're reflected right back in the wacky ideas of more accepted theologies—say, by the Book of... More »