Scientology is a religious system that was created by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard in the early 1950s. The Church of Scientology, founded by Hubbard, describes itself as a religion that offers a precise path leading to a complete and certain understanding of one's true spiritual nature and one's relationship to self, family, groups, mankind, all life forms, the material universe, the spiritual universe, and the Supreme Being (referred to as the "Eighth Dynamic").
Key beliefs and tenets of Scientology include:
Thetan: Scientologists believe in the existence of the "thetan," which is essentially the individual spirit or soul. According to Scientology, the thetan is immortal and has lived through numerous past lives.
Reactive Mind and Engrams: Scientology teaches that individuals have a reactive mind, which stores mental images called engrams. Engrams are thought to contain negative experiences and traumas from past lives that affect an individual's current behavior.
Dianetics: Dianetics is a foundational aspect of Scientology that focuses on addressing the reactive mind and engrams. It is a form of counseling designed to help individuals rid themselves of the negative effects of engrams and achieve a state called "Clear."
Operating Thetan (OT) Levels: Beyond the Clear stage, Scientologists can progress through various Operating Thetan levels. These levels are meant to address higher spiritual awareness and abilities.
E-meter: The Church of Scientology uses a device called the E-meter during auditing sessions. Auditing involves a series of questions and discussions with a trained auditor while the individual holds the E-meter. It is believed to measure mental reactions and help individuals address past traumas.
Spiritual Salvation: Scientologists aim for spiritual salvation and self-improvement through a series of spiritual practices, courses, and counseling sessions provided by the Church.
It's important to note that Scientology has been a subject of controversy and criticism, with some former members and outside observers raising concerns about its practices, its organizational structure, and its treatment of members. Scientology is officially recognized as a religion in some countries, while in others, it is viewed with skepticism or has faced legal challenges.
According to the teachings of Scientology, Xenu is a character in a narrative referred to as "Incident II" or "The Wall of Fire."
This narrative is a part of the church's advanced teachings, specifically within the confidential materials known as Operating Thetan (OT) level III.
In the story, Xenu is described as the ruler of the "Galactic Confederacy" who, around 75 million years ago, faced an overpopulation crisis.
To address this, Xenu brought billions of people to Earth (then known as Teegeeack), placed them around volcanoes, and subjected them to a series of traumatic events, including nuclear explosions. According to Scientology doctrine, the souls of these individuals, known as "thetans," were then captured and implanted with false beliefs to prevent them from reincarnating.
It's important to note that the narrative of Xenu and the Galactic Confederacy is considered highly confidential within Scientology, and information about it is only supposed to be disclosed to members who have reached the appropriate level of spiritual advancement, specifically OT III.
The Church of Scientology has been known to take legal action against the unauthorized dissemination of these teachings.
While Scientology holds these beliefs as sacred and true, critics and many external observers view the Xenu story as controversial and often criticize it as a fictional creation.
The story has contributed to the public's perception of Scientology and has been a subject of controversy and scrutiny.
