Scientology

‘Applied religious philosophy’ based on dianetics, founded in California 1952 by L Ron Hubbard as the Church of Scientology, and claiming to ‘increase man's spiritual awareness’. Its headquarters from 1984 have been in Los Angeles.

The basis of scientology is self-improvement through a series of steps, or levels, to reach a spiritual awakening, or a ‘Bridge to Total Freedom’. The Church of Scientology has been the focus of controversy because of its rejection of mainstream medical information and its condemnation of psychiatry. It has attracted many film stars, however, such as John Travolta and Tom Cruise.