From the Archives: The Scientology Story
The Times’ series on Scientology ran in 1990 and gave a rare look at the church’s beliefs, practices and history.
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What is Scientology? Not even the vast majority of Scientologists can fully answer the question.
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The Church of Scientology today is run by a high-school dropout who grew up at the knee of the late L.
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It began with the title of a fairy tale -- Snow White.
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Scientology is determined that the words of L. Ron Hubbard shall live forever.
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Behind the religious trappings, the Church of Scientology is run like a lean, no-nonsense business in which potential members are called “prospects,” “raw meat” and “bodies in the shop.”
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The church has adopted the terminology and trappings of traditional theologies. But the IRS is not convinced.
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Testimonials of the famous are prominent in the church’s push for acceptability. John Travolta and Kirstie Alley are the current headliners.
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Doris Braine says the transformation of her Patty Jo was heartbreaking.
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Emerging from years of internal strife and public scandal, the Scientology movement has embarked on a sweeping and sophisticated campaign to gain new influence in America.
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From politicians to the leaders of business, the courts and the media, the church works to win allies to smooth the way for expansion.
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The Scientology movement’s Foundation for Advancements in Science and Education has befriended one of America’s most celebrated teachers, Jaime Escalante of Garfield High School.
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Call it one of the most remarkable success stories in modern publishing history.
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“Never treat a war like a skirmish. Treat all skirmishes like wars.” --L.
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As part of its strategy, the movement created a nationwide uproar over the drug Ritalin, used to treat hyperactive children.
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The Church of Scientology hates “squirrels.” That is the scornful word L.
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Among its many adversaries, the Church of Scientology’s longest-running feud has been with the Internal Revenue Service.
