Scientology Facts for Kids

A Scientology building in Los Angeles, California

Scientology is a set of beliefs and practices. It was started by a writer named L. Ron Hubbard in 1954. Most of its ideas come from his writings. He continued to develop Scientology until he passed away in 1986.

People understand Hubbard's ideas in different ways. There are Churches of Scientology in many countries. However, some countries, like Germany and France, are cautious about the Church. They sometimes see it as a cult or a business. Scientology has been a topic of discussion since it began.

Scientology teaches that people are immortal spirits. They believe these spirits have forgotten their true abilities. A method called auditing helps people remember. During auditing, people look at past difficult events to understand them better.

Scientology also believes that psychiatry (a type of mental health care) is not helpful and should not exist.

How Many People Follow Scientology?
The Church of Scientology's History
Well-Known People in Scientology
More to Explore
Images for kids
See also

How Many People Follow Scientology?

The Church of Scientology says it has many followers, between 13 and 15 million people. But others disagree with this number. They believe the actual number is much smaller, perhaps fewer than 100,000 people. Most of these followers are thought to be in the United States.

In the 1960s, there were likely 50,000 to 100,000 followers in the U.S. By the 1990s, a study suggested only about 45,000 followers remained. These numbers seemed to grow a little by 2004, with an estimated 55,000 followers.

The Church of Scientology's History

The Church of Scientology was founded by American writer and thinker L. Ron Hubbard in 1954. It is a newer religion compared to Christianity or Islam. Scientologists believe their movement is growing around the world. They say they have many churches, though some are quite small. The largest church is located in Clearwater, Florida.

Core Ideas of Scientologists

The word "Scientology" means "the study of knowledge."
People are made of a body, a mind, and a spirit. The spirit is the real person. It uses the mind and body.
The main goal of life is to survive and do well.
Harmful drugs should not be used.
Getting along with others is helped by affinity (liking people), reality (agreeing on what is real), and communication.
The better you feel about yourself and life, the freer you become. This range of emotion is called the Tone Scale.
Auditing helps people explore their thoughts. This helps them feel better and understand things more clearly.

Goals of Scientology

Scientology aims to create a better world. They hope for a civilization where:

People are happy and get along.
Everyone can be successful in life.
"Honest" people have their rights protected.

What is Dianetics?

Scientologists say that the book Dianetics was the first self-help book ever written. L. Ron Hubbard wrote it in 1950. Some important ideas from the book include:

A person's mind remembers difficult times. These memories can make a person feel bad or even get sick. Dianetics calls these special memories "engrams."
A person's mind also remembers everything else they have experienced.
Auditing helps a person understand their engrams. The goal is to become free from their negative effects.

Understanding with the ARC Triangle

Another key teaching in Scientology is about how we understand things. It comes from three parts working together:

Affinity: This means being willing to be close to other people.
Reality: This is when people agree on what is real.
Communication: This is the exchange of ideas and talking to each other.

Hubbard called this the "ARC Triangle." Scientologists use this idea in their daily lives. It is based on the idea that improving one part of the triangle helps improve the other two.

The Tone Scale Explained

The tone scale is a way to measure how a person is feeling. It rates emotions from very low (like "Total Failure") to very high (like "Serenity of Being"). This scale helps Scientologists understand people better. According to Scientology, the lower someone is on the tone scale, the more challenges they might be facing.

Well-Known People in Scientology

Many famous people are followers of Scientology. Some of them include:

Tom Cruise, actor
John Travolta, actor
Kirstie Alley, actress
Anne Archer, actress
Isaac Hayes, singer and actor
Danny Masterson, actor and disc jockey
Laura Prepon, actress
Priscilla Presley, actress
Kelly Preston, actress

More to Explore

Xenu

Images for kids

L. Ron Hubbard and Thomas S. Moulton in Portland, Oregon, in 1943
L. Ron Hubbard in 1950
Founding Church of Scientology in Washington, D.C.
Hubbard's beliefs and practices influenced many other groups.
A Scientologist introduces the E-meter to a potential student.
Scientologists at a protest against psychiatry.
Xenu as shown on the TV show Panorama.
The Scientology cruise ship Freewinds.
The Scientology cross represents the spirit rising above challenges.
The incomplete Super Power Building in Clearwater, Florida.
A Scientology center in New York City.
The Church of Spiritual Technology (CST) ranch in Creston, California, where L. Ron Hubbard spent his last days.
The Church of Scientology of Tampa, Florida.
A Scientology Center on Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California.
A Scientology desk near the Potsdamer Platz in Berlin.
The Scientology symbol includes the letter S and two important triangles.