Who is this L. Ron Hubbard character? Was he a crazyman? Are all Scientologists nuts, or just some of them?

Answer 1

He was a science fiction writer.I have questions about their mental stability, the lot of them, but am not going to generalize.

Answer 2

L.Ron Hubbard was a man. He did many things during his life.
He was mainly a writer, researcher , humanitarian and philosopher. He was also the Founder of the religion called Scientology:

Scientology is an applied religious philosophy. When I say "applied" I mean you actually use it in your life to change or improve existing conditions. This is different from a religious practice. All religions if you learn about them have a basic philosphy, but they also have certain dogma, rituals and observances, and a certain faith or belief is required. There is nothing wrong with this, but Scientology is not that kind of religion. It does not intrude on anyones faiths of beliefs particularly in the area of God , the Supreme Being, or the Infinite. This area is left totally up to the indivdual, which is why you can be a practicing Jew,for example and still use and apply the priniciples of Scientology in your life. It does not conflict. If anything it will enhance your understanding of your chosen religious practice.
You can have no specific religious beliefs and still benefit from using it.
And it is only true for you according to your own observation and experience with it.
It is a non denominational religion . The dictionary definition that applies:
Religion: The spiritual or emotional attitude of one who recognises the existence of superhuman power or powers.

The most basic principle of Scientology is that YOU are your own immortal soul, that this is not a "thing" you HAVE but what YOU actually are.
The whole purpose of Scientology is to increase an individual's understanding and awareness of himself. And thereby his native abilities .
When you do this the sphere and zone of his positive influence increases and moves outward into his life, his family ,his friends, his groups and mankind which he is part of.

How this result is achieved is the "technology" of Scientology, which was developed by L.Ron Hubbard after his extensive research and the discoveries he made, about the human spirit. The basic religious philosophy and knowledge of Scientology is very old, going back 10,000 years at least to the Veda or Vedic Hymns from the East. The developement of the technology is new.
He completed his research before his death in 1986 and left all of his results and copyrights
to the Church of Scientology along with most of his considerable estate., when he died.

He published a book in 1951 to communicate the basic principles he discovered called: " Scientology The Fundementals of Thought"
There are currently over 8 million Scientologists in more that 150 countries world wide. However we are a new religion, only 55 years old.
The true story of Scientology as a religion goes like this:
1. A philosopher developes a philosophy about life and death.
2. People find it interesting.
3. People find it works.
4. People pass it along to others.
5. It grows.

Note the absence of any belief in aliens.......

Not sure exactly what promted your questions, but I'm guessing TV (South Park?) or various comments here on this forum?
As to "South Park" if it was this, it's a satirical cartoon. Most satires rely on making someone or something look totally ridiculous for their source of humor.
"The Simpsons", for example, while funny, is not an actual true representation of an average American family.
In fact quite a few American families would be insulted if they
thought that TV show was taken seriously by those who watched it!

There are many comprehensive biographies available about the life of L.Ron Hubbard
His main and most significant achievement, as far as I am concerned, was the discovery of the human spirit and the technology he developed to reverse it's deterioration and rehabilitate it to it's full potential and ability.

Answer 3

You can't believe what a complex long answer that question deserves. Here is a start at least....

Was he a crazyman?

When people die they often do a toxicology report, Hubbard's report showed he was taking psychiatric medicine when he died:
http://www.clambake.org/archive/hubbardcoroner/hubbard_toxicology_report.jpg

Here is a letter from Hubbard appealing for psychiatric help:
http://www.xs4all.nl/~kspaink/cos/LRH-bio/psych.gif

Here is a transcript:
http://www.xs4all.nl/~kspaink/cos/LRH-bio/psychiat.htm

Here Ron gets a bit paranoid and thinks people are after him:
http://www.xs4all.nl/~kspaink/cos/LRH-bio/barb_tel.htm

He was a pathological liar who while not clinically crazy, had many psychotic tendencies.

http://www.xs4all.nl/~kspaink/cos/LRH-bio/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L._Ron_Hubbard

These are comprehensive biographies of Ron L Hubbard's life as ThetaAlways below suggested:
http://www.clambake.org/archive/books/bfm/bfmconte.htm
http://www.clambake.org/archive/books/apobs/
http://www.clambake.org/archive/books/mom/Messiah_or_Madman.txt

Scientologists aren't nuts, they are just like you and me, but have been tricked by an array of sophisticated social control techniques as recognised by cult experts. Here is an article about why people join:
http://www.clambake.org/archive/personal_story/funkydonny.html

People from all walks of life, and all ages join destructive cults everyday, they don't have to be nuts, stupid or depressed, this a common fallacy - cults are just very good at recruiting people, this is what they do.

The longer they have been in the more bizarre theories, tech and policy they are exposed to, so the more strange stuff is carried out by longer term scientologists who have been brainwashed to such an extent as to accept or do anything for the Church of Scientology. It is a very hard thing to break away & admit it was wrong and controlling you if you've dedicated decades too it, as well as all your time & effort, and several hundred thousand dollars.

Here is a good resource critical of scientology
http://www.clambake.org

These people are definitely not better for joining scientology:
http://www.whyaretheydead.net

Answer 4

L Ron Hubbard is the writer of the texts of Scientology and Dianetics - One of my favorite quotes from him is (when asked if he ever thought he was quite mad) "Oh yes, the only man who is really mad is the one that never thinks he is"

Scientologists are just like everyone else, some of us are quiet and reserved, some of us are loud and outrageous - and there is of course the inbetween people - but we are all the better for joining the religion.

Answer 5

See:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology

Answer 6

He was a poor sod who started Scientology on a bet. Robert Heinlein got Theodore Sturgeon to bet Hubbard that he couldn't start a relgion. Poor Hubbard won the bet--$1000.

They say he died for tax purposes

Answer 7

He was a *very* prolific novelist who privately bet some friends that he could start a religion....which he did.

I can't speak to the nuttyness of them as a whole, like the rest of the population, they are a "mixed" can.... :)

Answer 8

They are all nuts. Check out this information.

http://www.apologeticsindex.org/s04.html

Answer 9

just some of them

Answer 10

he was a sci-fi author. and yes they're all nut's