L. Ron Hubbard: Scientologists observe founder’s birthday with service

March 13, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Building in blue shade at dusk, lights on inside

A church of Scientology in Los Angeles. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

TUESDAY, MARCH 13: On this birthday of L. Ron Hubbard, Scientologists are called to focus on humanitarian work and promoting awareness of human rights. Members of the often-controversial group regard the life of L. Ron Hubbard as exemplary. Scientologists today continue to believe that humans suffer from negative memories of past lives, working to “audit” the memories and achieve a clear, pure state.

Born in Nebraska in 1911, Lafayette Ronald Hubbard gained attention for his science fiction and fantasy books before launching the Dianetics self-help system, which was released in printed form in 1950 and which followers regard as “the modern science of mental health.” As Dianetics expanded, Hubbard developed a set of doctrines and rituals, which led to the new spiritual movement known as Scientology. Though Hubbard’s work remains controversial, the group continues to expand.

L. Ron Hubbard: Scientologists observe birthday of religion’s founder

March 13, 2015 by Leave a Comment

FRIDAY, MARCH 13: Scientologists pour into Clearwater, Florida, for a birthday celebration for their founder, as thousands more perform community service in their own locales for the birth anniversary of L. Ron Hubbard. Born in Nebraska in 1911, Lafayette Ronald Hubbard gained attention for his science fiction and fantasy books before launching the Dianetics self-help system, which was released in printed form in 1950. (Wikipedia has details.) As Dianetics expanded, Hubbard developed a set of doctrines and rituals, which led to the new religious movement known as Scientology.

Several aspects of Hubbard’s life are controversial, but the group continues to expand. At the 2014 LRH Birthday Celebration in Clearwater, expansion was discussed—with particular mention made of the first Ideal Advanced Organization, in Denmark, and the Ideal Pacifica Bridge in Los Angeles.

Additional controversy is stirring in the midst of the new HBO-funded documentary, “Going Clear,” which recently was shown at the Sundance Film Festival. (The Huffington Post reported.) Based on Lawrence Wrights’s 560-page book, the documentary has spurred legal action from the group. Nonetheless, L. Ron Hubbard remains one of the 100 most influential Americans of all time—at least, according to Smithsonian magazine.

Scientology: Do good deeds on L. Ron Hubbard’s birthday

March 13, 2013 by

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.

Scientology: L. Ron Hubbard birthday calls for service

March 13, 2012 by

TUESDAY, MARCH 13: Scientologists will be out and about serving their communities today, in honor of L. Ron Hubbard’s birthday. Nebraska saw the birth of Scientology’s founder in 1911. Hubbard became an American pulp fiction writer and later the creator of Dianetics, a self-help system. Eventually, he became moe famous as the head of Scientology. (Dianetics remains part of the doctrines of the Church of Scientology. Wikipedia has details.)

Lafayette Ronald Hubbard founded Scientology in 1952, seeing its international spread during his lifetime. Hubbard’s life remains somewhat a mystery, however, as critics describe his autobiographical information as fictitious and Scientologists regard it as fact. Hubbard has also been described as everything from a hero to a madman. (Get the Scientologist perspective at Scientology.org.)

Per his direction, Scientologists spend L. Ron Rubbard’s birthday serving others and helping to improve their communities.

Scientology: Thousands mark Hubbard’s centennial birthday

March 9, 2011 by

SUNDAY, MARCH 13: Scientologists around the world celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of L. Ron Hubbard today, commemorating the founder of the Church of Scientology. (Find more at Wikipedia or at LRonHubbard.org.) While Scientologist communities hold local celebrations, the biggest party of all is in Clearwater, Fla., where thousands have gathered from around the world for an event that spans this entire weekend. Hubbard remains a controversial figure, though, and news sources also report that protesters may picket at Scientology gatherings today.

(Originally published at readthespirit.com, an online journal covering religion and cultural diversity.)