Today in U.S. History: Seeds of Scientology Are Sown

You can imagine there are cakes, candles and cheers all over Hollywood today.

On May 9, 1950, L. Ron — or Lafayette Ronald, if you prefer — published "Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health". This book became the basis of the highly popular religion called Scientology.

When he wrote Dianetics, Hubbard was already a published author. In the 1930s, he wrote fantasy and science fiction.

In 1949, after finishing a stint in the U.S. Navy, which included service during World War II, Hubbard began publishing articles in "Astounding Science Fiction", a magazine that published works by Isaac Asimov and Jack Williamson. From these grew "Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health".

Hubbard claimed that phenomena known as "engrams" (i.e. memories) were the cause of all psychological pain, which could harm mental and physical health. He said people could become "clear," according to the History Channel website story, achieving an exquisite state of clarity and mental liberation, by exorcising their engrams to an "auditor," or a listener acting as therapist.

More than 100,000 copies of Dianetics were sold in the first two years of publication. Hubbard became a popular lecturer and established the Hubbard Dianetics Research Foundation in Elizabeth, N.J.

Hubbard's personal troubles almost crippled his success. He abandoned many of his research foundations because of financial troubles and in-fighting. In late 1950, his second wife filed for divorce, accusing Hubbard of kidnapping their baby and of conducting "systematic torture, beatings, strangulations and scientific torture experiments."

By 1953, however, Hubbard had rebounded and introduced Scientology, a kind of religion. In the 1960s, several national governments accused Hubbard of brainwashing his followers. Still, Hubbard built his religion into a multi-million dollar movement before he died in 1986. Followers include Tom Cruise and John Travolta.

What do you think about Scientology? Tell us in comments. 

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