I am a Scientologist

Yep, it's true. Actually, I'm in the unique position to have been a Scientologist for my whole life because my parents got involved back in the early 1950's, just after the book Dianetics was published. In truth, however, I became a Scientologist in my own right and by my own choice when I was about 16.

Since that time (wow ... over 35 years ago!) I've worked on staff in several Scientology Organizations, taken lots of courses and received many hours of remarkable and life-changing pastoral counselling. I've also been a volunteer in a number of the various out-reach programs by the Church of Scientology.

Why Scientology? Well, for me the many and varied writings by L. Ron Hubbard have given me tools that I can actually use in life to improve things. For example, I rely just about every day on the Hubbard Study Technology because it helps me easily study and understand new subjects (pretty important since I have been branching into new areas in my life). Hubbard's researches into communication and the emotional tone scale are extremely valuable to me when dealing with others. The administrative materials have helped me in my business and also in my job as President of the Handcrafted Soap Makers Guild.

I'm also very proud of all the social outreach programs run by my church and/or by volunteers in the field. The Volunteer Minister program has helped in the aftermath of hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, at Ground Zero after 9-11 and many other natural and man-made disasters. Students all over the world, particularly in third world countries are being helped with Study Technology. Drug addicts are successfully getting off drugs with Narconon. Criminals are finding a better life through the Criminon program. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

The Aims of Scientology

The first paragraphp of the Aims of Scientology states:

A civilization without insanity, without criminals and without war, where the able can prosper and honest beings can have rights, and where man is free to rise to greater heights, are the aims of Scientology.

I consider that to be a worthwhile goal and support it fully.

Non-Demonimational

Scientology is a religion in that it deals with individuals as spiritual beings, not bodies or brains. It is considered a "Non-Demonimational" religion because it is open to people of all faiths and, in fact, one can practice Scientology and also be a Christian, Buddist, Jew or anything else.

The tenets and religious philosphy of Scientology deal with how a person relates to her/himself, his/her family, groups, mankind and the world around him/her. They help a person increase spiritual awareness, but specifically don't intrude into the area of God or dictate how an individual should choose to interact with Him, whether it be through the practices of a particular faith or not.

Something Can Be Done About It

Scientology has an applied technology to help a person increase their ability to communicate and interact with their world. Different pieces of that technology can be applied to specific areas in life. Something can be done about communication difficulties, interpersonal relationships, past experiences or losses, and many other aspects of life by using pieces of the materials of Scientology.

What is True For You

Years ago, L. Ron Hubbard wrote an article called Personal Integrity. I'll quote a little bit of it here:

What is true for you is what you have observed yourself.
And when you lose that you have lost everything

What is personal integrity?
Personal integrity is knowing what you know --
What you know is what you know --
And to have the courage to know and say what you have observed
That is integrity
And there is no other integrity

Truth vs. Rumor

There is a lot of information floating around about Scientology. The press loves a controversy, and Tom Cruise, Kirsty Alley, John Travolta, Jenna Elfman and the voice of Bart Simpson are all newsworthy (and Scientologists). However, the press is notoriously unreliable for real and useful data.

So, if you ever have an inclination to find out about Scientology, I suggest you go straight to the source. Get a book or two that you can read on your own time without anyone bothering you. I recommend the following:

For a general, but in depth overview of Scientology (legal, religious, how it works, questions and answers, etc): What is Scientology
Understanding the mind (an owners manual of sorts): Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health
Simple tools to help with work: The Problems of Work
Fundamental Scientology concepts that you can use to improve your life: Fundamentals of Thought

All these books should be available at your local library, a local Church of Scientology or from Amazon.com.

The main Church of Scientology website, www.Scientology.orb is now video-based and has lots of short videos about Scientology, Scientologists, what we believe, out-reach programs, and lots more. I highly recommend them all. There are also forms for free booklets and written information about the different subjects.

If for some reason you have difficulty accessing the site or watching the videos, please feel free to email me and I will send you a DVD containing the content from the site. (

Also, the following websites might be helpful:

I'm always willing to talk to someone about Scientology, so feel free to email me about it if you want to.