was the geez that made up scientology just trying to make a religion or cash off Godless peons?

Question

I think it was for money cause he was a sci-fi writer

Answer 1

It WAS created to make money, yes.

L. Ron Hubbard, the science fiction writer & “prophet” of Scientology, has been quoted as saying: "Writing for a penny a word is ridiculous. If a man really wants to make a million dollars, the best way would be to start his own religion" http://lisatrust.freewinds.cx/scientology/hubbard.htm

The cult is mostly a high powered scam. It pays members 10% commissions, called FSM (Field Staff Member) commissions, for bringing in new recruits who take a course or get counseling, so Scientology members routinely try to "sell" Scientology to others.

The new members then, in turn, are required to pay vast amounts of money to the "church" in order to receive "auditing", courses, literature, take tests, retake tests, etc. Here is a run-down of all the costs involved with Scientology membership: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology_as_a_business#Costs

Here is testimony from a woman who had been involved in exposing Scientology & other cults for most of her adult life: http://www.clambake.org/archive/books/tsos/sos-19.html

Even more proof that Scientology is out for your money... here is Hubbard discussing turning the business of Scientology into a "religion" for profit:

"I am not quite sure what we would call the place - probably not a clinic - but I am sure that it ought to be a company, independent of the HAS (Hubbard Association of Scientologists) but fed by the HAS. We don't want a clinic. We want one in operation but not in name. Perhaps we could call it a Spiritual Guidance Center. Think up its name, will you. ... It is a problem of practical business. I await your reaction on the religion angle." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology_controversy#L._Ron_Hubbard_and_starting_a_religion_for_money

If people leave the church under unfavorable conditions, the church then charges them a "free-loader debt" which is basically retroactive billing for any auditing received or any Scientology training received while in the Sea Org, which can run into tens of thousands of dollars.
http://www.rickross.com/reference/scientology/history/history15.html#European

Answer 2

In the late 1940s, pulp writer L. Ron Hubbard declared:
"Writing for a penny a word is ridiculous. If a man really wants to make a million dollars, the best way would be to start his own religion" (Reader's Digest reprint, May 1980, p.1)

Hubbard later created the Church of Scientology...


It was originaly set up as a method of psychotherapy this sci-fi author concocted from various sources which he named "Dianetics". Dianetics is a form of regression therapy and "treatment" was a long and expensive "cure".

When they were about to be prosecuted and shut down for practicing medicine and psychology without a licence, they quickly registered as a "church" because religions can get away with mind control and brainwashing and there was also very good tax benefits in being a "church" so it was a brilliant strategic business move.

That's not to say all churches and religions are wrong, you have to look at who founded them and what if anything did they have to gain from it. Did they establish for altruistic reasons at great personal cost to the founders or did they establish to make the founders rich and powerful?

Answer 3

All religions are about money (ultimately, along with the acquisition of power), so why should anyone be surprised?

Any shlub with a "ministerial degree" obtained by sending $10.95 to the address on the matchbook cover can start a religion. All you need is a storefront church, a big bible and enough lonely, gullible people willing to fill your collection plate.

Answer 4

L.Ron was taking alot of the teachings of Al Crowley, re-wrote them in a Sci-Fi format, and attempted to bring that out to a wider audience then Crowley ever got, and bring it out even in the bad odor Crowley acquired near his death.

Several modern sources of alternative spirituality, owe quite a bit to Crowley, and were done to try and make his system of Magick more accessible to the public. In his day, most of his followers were a very small group, and what would be considered an intellectual elite.

Answer 5

Actually Ron would have been very afluent if he would have continued writing and actully developing Scientology cost him a lot of money and thousands of works hours. Do you know that he developed education, management and drug rehabilatation techniques. But of course we have to think every person that wants to do good has an evil intention. That's fine with me.

Answer 6

"Writing for a penny a word is ridiculous. If a man really wants to make a million dollars, the best way would be to start his own religion." (Reportedly uttered words to this effect on five separate occasions, by Lafayette Ronald Hubbard).

Answer 7

He himself even said it.

"The way to make a million dollars is to start a religion."

jeffd_57 has the quote more accurately. The rest of the info he gives is correct, also.

Answer 8

Like all religions, they advance by taking advantage of those weak in need and the gullible.

Answer 9

It was a bet. He bet he could create a religion. He was right. But then, anyone can create a religion.