#170: A Brief History of Scientology

It is, by some standards, the most successful modern religion.

Discover how Scientology went from the pseudo-medical ideas of an out-of-luck science fiction writer to a religion that counts some of the world's most famous film stars among its believers.

  • The early life of L. Ron Hubbard
  • Discovering a talent as a science fiction writer
  • L. Ron Hubbard's naval career
  • Moving to Los Angeles and developing a self-help system
  • The publication of Dianetics, a book that contained "more promises and less evidence per page than any publication since the invention of printing"
  • L. Ron Hubbard's theory about how the brain worked
  • Turning Dianetics into a religion
  • Charging large amounts of money to believers
  • Making extravagant purchases all over the world
  • Scientology's legal troubles
  • Launching the Sea Org
  • Adding to the doctrine of Scientology
  • The disappearance and death of L. Ron Hubbard
  • David Miscavige: a new leader arises
  • How many Scientologists are there?
  • Advertising at The Super Bowl
  • Hollywood Scientologists: Tom Cruise & John Travolta
  • Criticisms of Scientology
  • Scientology's tax battle in the United States
  • What actually is a religion?
Full transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/scientology

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