WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13: In honor of their founder, Scientologists perform humanitarian work, promote education and raise awareness of human rights today, on the birthday of L. Ron Hubbard. Though Scientology has many critics, Scientologists regard the life of L. Ron Hubbard as exemplary. He developed the system of Dianetics, which followers regard as “the modern science of mental health.” Scientologists today continue to believe that humans suffer from negative memories of past lives, working hard to “audit” the memories and achieve a clear, pure state.
SUPERBOWL ANNOUNCES: ‘SOME WILL DOUBT YOU’
Critics and Scientologists differ in calculating the religion’s numbers, but the Church of Scientology took to screens across the country this year when it called for new members, announcing in a Super Bowl ad: “Some will doubt you. Let them. Dare to think for yourself …” In foresight, Hubbard understood the value of celebrity members decades ago, urging his movement to build a Celebrity Centre right in Hollywood. Today, celebrities like Tom Cruise and John Travolta continue to promote the cause.
PULITZER AUTHOR DEBUTS ‘GOING CLEAR’ ON SCIENTOLOGY
Scientology headlines are abuzz over Pulitzer Prize-winning author Lawrence Wright’s newest book, “Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood and the Prison of Belief.” Though opposed by a Scientology website, Wright’s work was composed after more than 200 interviews with former and current Scientologists. Wright claims his mission in writing the book was to discover why a controversial religion would hold appeal for so many.
