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The Ultimate Spin Doctor: L. Ron Hubbard - The Man and His MythIn its May 6, 1991 cover story, "The Cult of Greed," Time magazine described the Scientologyorganization: "The Church of Scientology started by science-fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard to'clear' people of unhappiness, portrays itself as a religion. In reality, the church is a hugelyprofitable global racket that survives by intimidating members and cities in Mafia-likemanner.Scientology is quite likely the most ruthless, the most classically terroristic, the mostlitigious, and the most lucrative cult the country has ever seen." (pp. 32-3)In a previous issue of The Expositor, (Vol. 13, No. 2, 1996) Watchman Fellowship began itsown series exposing the Scientology/Dianetics cult. Part 1 in the series exposed Scientology'sduplicitous claims of compatibility with Christianity, contrasting its own bizarre and secretteachings with the truth of Christianity, as well as demonstrating its contempt for Christ. PartTwo focuses on the elaborate myths spun around Scientology's founder, L. Ron Hubbard.Jesus warned, "Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, Iam Christ; and shall deceive many." (Matthew 24:4-5)Hubbard was a man who was able to strongly and powerfully transfix his followers and seducethem into accepting his own fantastic delusions of grandeur. He was thus able to build a multimillion dollar international empire, and one of the most controversial, totalistic, and clandestinereligions in history. Scientologists have idolized and eulogized Mr. Hubbard to the point ofalmost god-like status. It is no coincidence that biographers of Scientology founder L. RonHubbard titled their books, L. Ron Hubbard: Messiah or Madman, and The Bare-FacedMessiah.[Note: These biographies and a third one, A Piece of Blue Sky by former Scientologist JonAtack, were all targets of an aggressive Scientology legal campaign to prevent their beingpublished and distributed. The courts denied Scientology's attempts to stop distribution of L.Ron Hubbard: Messiah or Madman and Atack's A Piece of Blue Sky. Scientology's suits wereover copyright issues, not the authors' accuracy. In fact, author Jon Atack has probably themost extensive archives of primary Scientology documentation in the world.]Between 1950 and his death in 1986, Hubbard "had skillfully transformed himself from a writerof pulp fiction to a writer of 'Sacred Scriptures.'" (The Los Angeles Times, 24 June 1990, p. A1)Official Scientology spokesperson Lisa Goodman states that "Hubbard's writings and lectureson the human spirit comprise the Scripture of the Scientology religion." Hubbard is "the solesource of the Scriptures," and "he has no successor" (L. Ron Hubbard Founder of Dianetics andScientology." ( emphasis added) It is "firm Church policy that LRH [L. Ron Hubbard] ISSUES[directives, statements] ARE TO BE LEFT INTACT AS ISSUED," and "No one except LRH maycancel his issues." (SCN Policy Directive 19, July 7, 1982)Scientology is ego-centric. The ego of L. Ron Hubbard is essential and central. The leaders andfollowers of Scientology are on a never-ending quest to legitimize, establish, and spread boththeir "religious technology" and their grandiose image of Hubbard. And it seems this end alwaysjustifies the means.During a March 13, 1992, satellite broadcast celebrating Hubbard's birthday, Scientology boardchairman David Miscavage expressed their surrealistic belief, "We have arrived at a newplateau of recognition and respect in the world. More people in more countries, more officialsand opinion leaders have come to realize that L. Ron Hubbard's tech is the answer to today'sproblems." L. Ron Hubbard's Personal Public Relations Officer, Mike Rinder, also related thatHubbard's popularity had grown among millions around the world through application of histech. (tape on file)An honest examination of Hubbard uncovers a life of fantasy, fraud, lies, relentless pursuit ofmoney and power, and apparent paranoia that parallels the history, beliefs, and practices of hisScientology organization.

Yet Rinder also stated, "When you look into any area of Hubbard's life, you find lessons in howto be successful in the art of living. Any single part of his life is a microcosm of the whole. Hemastered every area of life." (Ibid.)How was Hubbard able to weave this image that has captured the hearts, minds, and souls ofso many? Where did he get his power?This article and the one following will separate the facts from fantasy concerning the history of L.Ron Hubbard, and expose the diabolical source of occult power behind Scientology's origin andgrowth.The BeginningL. Ron Hubbard was born in Tilden, Nebraska in 1911. The Hubbards soon moved to Montana.Ron Hubbard's father, Harry, rejoined the U.S. Navy as an officer in 1917.From this point on, the accounts of LRH's life by Hubbard and Scientology become fanciful.Hubbard and Scientology claim that he achieved wide recognition in the fields of "author,philosopher, educator, research pioneer, musician, photographer, cinematographer,horticulturist, navigator, explorer, and humanitarian." (L. Ron Hubbard: The Man and His Work,1987, p. 3) Some of these claimed accomplishments are even attributed to his childhood;virtually all are incredible.There are parts of his life that can be accurately known. For example, in 1950 he published anarticle in Astounding Science Fiction which he later expanded into the book, Dianetics: TheModern Science of Mental Health. In 1953, Hubbard incorporated the Church of Scientologyand the Church of American Science.Also, Hubbard was married at least three times. His third wife, Mary Sue Hubbard, and ten otherScientologists were imprisoned for conspiracy and burglary. Hubbard himself was named as anunindicted co-conspirator. (The Los Angeles Times, June 24, 1990, p. A39)Scientology claims that Hubbard produced "over 800 written works selling 94 million copies in31 different languages." (L. Ron Hubbard: The Man and His Work, p. 3) Of Hubbard's Dianeticsbook alone, the church claims that over 16 million copies have been sold. In the late 1980s itappeared regularly in Publisher Weekly's bestseller list.However, there is ironic truth in the statement that "Any single part of his life is a microcosm ofthe whole." Examining the microcosm of the issue of popularity gained through the high rate ofbook sales, one does gain insight into the pattern of contrived success that characterizedHubbard's whole life.When The Los Angeles Times produced their in-depth investigative report of Scientology, theydiscovered how Scientology accomplished their best-seller feat. "The sales have been fueled bya radio and TV advertising blitz virtually unprecedented in book circles. (June 28, 1990, p. A1)And it was discovered that Scientology employees and members were showing up at the majorbookstores paying cash for "armloads" of Hubbard's books, sometimes "50 to 100 to 200 copiesat a crack." (Ibid., pp. A1, 22)Probably the most detailed and damaging revelations concerning the myths Scientology hascrafted about Hubbard occurred in a court of law. Gerald Armstrong introduced devastatingdocuments into testimony during his trial in a 1984 suit brought against him by the Church ofScientology.Armstrong had been a devoted member of Sea Org (a branch of the Scientolgy organization).He was also a close aid to Hubbard, who had approved him as "Personal Public RelationsResearch Officer" for Hubbard's Biography Project. (Jon Atack, A Piece of Blue Sky, pp. 328-9,333)Armstrong began to collect and compile an enormous amount of extant Hubbard documentswhich included letters, diaries, medical records and official documents relating to Hubbard'searlier years. When Armstrong began to discover that reality had little resemblance to Hubbard'sown autobiography, he left the church. Feeling threatened, he copied and/or kept thedocuments for his own protection.

Scientology sued Armstrong, charging him with stealing their private papers. Scientology lostthe case and the evidence and documents presented in the case brought about criticallyrevealing statements by Judge Paul Breckenridge of the Los Angeles Superior Court. He wrote,"The organization [Scientology] clearly is schizophrenic and paranoid, and this bizarrecombination seems to be a reflection of its founder, LRH. The evidence portrays a man who hasbeen virtually a pathological liar when it comes to his history, background, and achievements."(Church of Scientology v. Armstrong, No. C420153 California Supreme Court, 1984)Armstrong demonstrated, through the documents, that contrary to Hubbard's claims, he was noteducated in higher mathematics or physics, did not obtain a bachelor of science degree, wasnot a civil engineer, nor a nuclear physicist, was not in China at age 14, and lied about the timehe did spend traveling in Asia, did not study with Lama priests, was never in India, was notcrippled and blinded during the war, was not twice pronounced dead, did not cure himself withhis discoveries, was not awarded 21 medals and palms, did not see combat, and that Hubbardhad lied about many other things to embellish his image. (Croydon and Hubbard, Jr., L. RonHubbard: Messiah or Madman?, pp. 220-2)Fact vs. FictionThe following is a comparison of some of Scientology's and Hubbard's claims compared withthe facts.Scientology:Soon after Hubbard was born, the family settled in Helena, Montana. He befriended theneighboring Blackfoot Indians, was eventually initiated into the tribe, and, "At the age ofsix he became a bloodbrother of the Blackfeet." (What is Scientology?, p. 89)Fact:There are no records to verify the possibility of Ron becoming a bloodbrother of theBlackfeet. It is highly unlikely, since their reservation was over 100 miles from hisparents' home in Helena. "In the 1930's, Hubbard admitted that what he knew of theBlackfeet came second hand from someone who really had been a bloodbrother." (APiece of Blue Sky, p. 48)Scientology:In 1923, Hubbard's family transferred to Seattle, Washington, where he joined the BoyScouts of America. In 1924, he was honored as the youngest Eagle Scout ever, at 13.(What is Scientology?, p. 90)Fact:The Boy Scouts have record of a Ronald Hubbard becoming an Eagle Scout on March28, 1924 in Washington, D.C. However, there is no way to know whether he was theyoungest Eagle Scout ever, because the Boy Scouts do not officially record the age ofEagle Scouts. However, a national office spokesperson estimated the average age ofEagle Scouts as 11, with some as young as 10. (Watchman telephone interview withnational office of Boy Scouts of America)Scientology:In 1927, at sixteen, Ron decided to take several voyages studying with wise men atBuddhist lamaseries in the western hills of China, and exploring the Far Eastern culture,including Beijing, Tartar tribes and nomadic bandits from Mongolia. He once wrote, "Iwas made a Lama priest after a year as a neophyte." (The Los Angeles Times, June 24,1990, p. A39) L. Ron Hubbard returned to the U.S. in 1929. By age nineteen, he hadtraveled to Japan, Guam, the Philippines, and other locations in the Orient. During thesetravels he concluded that, despite the wisdom of the East, there were still unansweredquestions about life and how to solve the pains and sufferings in it. (What isScientology?, pp. 93-102)Fact:

L. Ron Hubbard, accompanied by his mother, took a round-trip to Guam in 1927 to visithis father who was stationed there. The ship spent a brief time in two Chinese ports,visited Hawaii, Yokohama, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and the Philippines. His diary entriesshow that he was unimpressed with the culture and the people, in fact, his commentswere full of contempt. He spent six weeks on Guam. (A Piece of Blue Sky, pp. 53-4) Hewas back in Helena, attending high school from September 6, 1927 to May 11, 1928.(Ibid., p. 55) He failed to graduate due to lack of credits.In July 1928, Hubbard decided to return to his parents in Guam; and it was during thisperiod that he visited China with both parents. The ship docked at Tsingtao; theHubbards traveled to Peking, Cheffoo, Shanghai, and finally Hong Kong. In Peking,young Ron did visit a Buddhist temple. The trip, in its entirety, lasted two months. (Ibid.,pp. 55-7) His diary said nothing about studying with wise men of the East, or any otherspiritual insights. However, it did describe the Lama temples as "very odd andheathenish." (The Los Angeles Times, June 24, 1990, p. A39) The diary revealsHubbard's intolerance for other cultures and/or races in noting that China's problem wasthat there were too many "Chinks." (Ibid.)Scientology:L. Ron Hubbard entered George Washington University, studying mathematics andengineering. After taking one of the first nuclear physics classes taught in the U.S., Ronbegan to formulate the idea of explaining human thought processes, and even life itself,in a wholly scientific manner. He approached the psychology department at GeorgeWashington University with his theories, but they were not interested in his findings. Ronleft the University in search of what he called "a common denominator of existence."(What is Scientology?, pp. 102-11)Fact:L. Ron Hubbard was a student in the School of Engineering at George WashingtonUniversity from 1931 to 1932, but was placed on probation after the first year and wasplaced on academic probation the second. He received an "F" grade in a course onMolecular and Atomic Physics. He did not return to the University. (Letter and transcriptfrom Geo. Washington Univ. on file)Scientology:In 1932, Ron led two expeditions, the first was the Caribbean Motion Picture Expeditionand the other was the West Indies Mineralogical Expedition, in which he completed thefirst mineralogical survey of the island of Puerto Rico. (What is Scientology?, p. 112)Fact:The Caribbean Expedition only made it to three of the sixteen proposed destinations,and there was no filming done. As far as the West Indies Expedition was concerned, itwas found that "a Bela Hubbard had make a survey of the Lares District of Puerto Ricoin 1923." Furthermore, the "Puerto Rican Department of Natural Resources, the U.S.Geological Survey, and a professor at the University of Puerto Rico, who had preparedthe Geology of Puerto Rico in 1932-1933, had no knowledge of L. Ron Hubbard." (APiece of Blue Sky, pp. 62-3; emphasis added)Scientology:World War II broke out and Hubbard was commissioned as a junior grade lieutenant inthe U.S. Navy and served as a corvette commander. (What is Scientology?, p. 119) Hehad seen combat in the South Pacific and Atlantic. (The Church of Scientology - 40thAnniversary, p. 50) Hubbard claimed, in a tape-recorded lecture, that his eyes wereinjured due to a bomb exploding in his face. He was "flown home in the late spring of1942 in the secretary of the Navy's private plane as the first U.S.-returned casualty fromthe Far East." (The Los Angeles Times, June 24, 1990, p. A38) By 1945, he hadreceived 29 medals and palms, including a Purple Heart, and suffered injuries to his

optic nerves, hip, and back. Hubbard was admitted to Oak Knoll Naval Hospital inOakland, California for treatment. It was there that he was pronounced partially blind andlame. (The Church of Scientology - 40th Anniversary, p. 50; The Los Angeles Times,June 24, 1990, p. A38)Fact:Through the Freedom of Information Act, The Los Angeles Times received Hubbard'sactual military, V.A., and medical records. The highest rank Hubbard ever received wasLieutenant senior grade, not Commander, which is the rank between Captain and RearAdmiral. Hubbard's service record shows that he never saw action against the enemy,and received only four awards, none for combat or wounds. He was never awarded thePurple Heart. (Ibid.; also, military service records on file)Naval records described Hubbard: "By assuming unauthorized authority and attemptingto perform duties for which he has no qualification he became the source of muchtrouble. This officer is not satisfactory for independent duty assignment. He is garrulousand tries to give impressions of his importance. He also seems to think that he hasunusual ability in most lines. These characteristics indicate that he will require closesupervision for satisfactory performance of any intelligence duty." (Memo from U.S.Naval Attache L.D. Causey to the Commandant, Twelfth Naval District, February 14,1942) And more than a year later, "Consider this officer lacking in the essential qualitiesof judgment, leadership and cooperation. He acts without forethought as to probableresults. Not considered qualified for command or promotion at this time. Recommendduty on a large vessel where he can be properly supervised." (File # 113392, "Report onthe Fitness of Officers," Period from May 29, 1943 to July 7, 1943)After claiming to have destroyed two enemy submarines, an investigation concluded itdidn't happen. Later, L. Ron Hubbard, according to an investigation, disregarded ordersand conducted gunnery practice in Mexican territorial waters. He was relieved ofcommand and a letter of admonition was placed in his files. "In Hubbard's defense,Scientology officials accused others of distorting and misrepresenting his military glories.They say the Navy 'covered up' Hubbard's sinking of the submarines." (Los AngelesTimes, June 24, 1990; also, military service records on file)Furthermore, the medical files show that when he was admitted to Oak Knoll he had20/20 vision, with glasses, and there is no mention of "injured optic nerves." At the timehe left the hospital, his eyesight was 12/20 in the right eye and 14/20 in the left, withglasses. This coincided with Hubbard's application for a disability pension. Interestingly,his military records show Hubbard stating he "contracted conjunctivitis from exposure toexcessive tropical sunlight." (Ibid.)Scientology:It was at Oak Knoll where Ron began to theorize that the mind could effect the body'sfunctions. He decided to test the therapeutic techniques he had developed along thisvein. He tested his techniques of removing "mental blocks" in patients who werepreviously unresponsive to medical treatment, with great success. (What isScientology?, p. 121) He helped over 400 individuals by 1950. He fully recovered hisown health by 1949, and the Naval Retiring Board that reviewed his case was in shockto find that the very same man who had suffered so many battle injuries passed his fullphysical examination. They were forced to designate him fit for active duty. (What isScientology?, p. 123)Fact:In October 1947 Hubbard wrote to the Veteran's Administration asking for psychiatrictreatment due to suffering from wartime service. By 1948, Hubbard was able to get adisability award of 40% for his "duodenal ulcer, infection of the eyes, bursitis of the rightshoulder and arthritis of multiple joints." In an August 1951 medical examination,

Hubbard complained of the same conditions listed in his disability award, and accordingto a letter from the Veteran's Administration, he was still receiving the 40% disabilitycompensation in 1973. In fact, he continued to receive his 40% disability check throughat least 1980. (The Los Angeles Times, June 24, 1990, p. A38, and records on file)"Hubbard's Sea Org 'Medical Officer,' Kim Douglas, testified in court that while sheattended him from 1975 to 1980, he suffered from arthritis, bursitis and coronary trouble,which Dianetics was supposed to alleviate." He wore glasses, in private, the rest of hislife. (A Piece of Blue Sky, p

Scientology’s Lies, Aleister Crowley, L. Ron Hubbard and Black Magic In this teaching will looking at the roots of Scientology and its founder L. Ron Hubbard. An examination of L. Ron Hubbard's life reveals he was significantly influenced by, and was a practitioner of the black arts - the occ