The Church of Scientology is a religious organization founded in the early 1950s by L. Ron Hubbard, based on his earlier development of Dianetics, a set of ideas he initially promoted as a form of therapy. Scientology presents itself as a religion offering a precise path to spiritual enlightenment and freedom, focusing on the belief that humans are immortal spiritual beings whose experiences extend beyond a single lifetime
. Scientology's core practices include "auditing," a process intended to clear individuals of negative subconscious influences called "engrams," which are believed to hinder spiritual progress. Members pay fees for auditing sessions, and once cleared, they can pursue advanced spiritual levels known as Operating Thetan (OT) levels, which involve secret teachings and require further payments
. Organizationally, the Church of Scientology is a complex, hierarchical network of interconnected corporate entities and autonomous local churches or missions licensed to use Scientology materials. The Church of Scientology International oversees global activities, while the Religious Technology Center holds ultimate authority over Scientology's teachings and trademarks
. Despite its self-identification as a religion, Scientology has been widely criticized and described by scholars, governments, and courts as a cult, a manipulative profit-making business, or a commercial enterprise rather than a genuine religion. Controversies include aggressive legal tactics against critics, secretive practices, and the high financial cost of participation. The Church claims millions of members worldwide and operates in many countries, though estimates of active membership vary
. In summary, the Church of Scientology is a controversial religious movement founded by L. Ron Hubbard that combines spiritual beliefs with commercial practices, structured as a global organization promoting its unique doctrines and auditing services.
