Hubbard, Lafayette Ronald (Ron)

(1911–86)

   Sect Founder.

   Hubbard was born in Nebraska and little certain is known of his early life. In 1950 he published Dianetics, ‘a system for the analysis, control and development of human thought’.

   Four years later, he founded the Church of Scientology based on this system. From its inception, Scientology has been the source of controversy – not least as to its religious status. Certainly the Church teaches a belief in reincarnation and is concerned with the development of the human soul and with its ultimate release from the prison of the body. L. Ron Hubbard himself wrote more than five hundred books (including works of science fiction) and the organisation claims that more than twenty-three million volumes have been sold. Adherents of the system claim that Hubbard’s teaching has transformed their lives, making them more effective people. In contrast, opponents insist that the Church hierarchy is only interested in making money from its gullible and inadequate disciples. Although Hubbard described the new movement as a ‘Church’, his system has in general been repudiated by mainstream Christianity.

   L.R. Hubbard, Scientology: The Fundamentals of Thought (1950).