Scientology and Dianetics are technologies that work if applied exactly. If they are altered, the results will not be uniform.

For this reason, the writings of the Church are protected by copyright and the words and symbols which represent the technology are protected by trademarks. This way, nobody can misrepresent something as Scientology or Dianetics when it really is not.

In fact, some unscrupulous persons have tried, through dishonest conduct, to profit from the technologies of Dianetics and Scientology. The subjects were developed for spiritual salvation, not for anyone’s personal enrichment. By owning the trademarks and copyrights of the religion and enforcing their proper use, the Church can ensure such ill-intentioned actions will never occur.

Why does the Church have confidential scriptures?

The vast majority of Scientology scriptures are widely available to the general public and can be read and studied by anyone. However, a very small portion of the scriptures that deal with the most advanced levels of spiritual counseling is restricted to those parishioners who have attained the prior levels of spiritual awareness.

Scientologists believe that one must be properly prepared — spiritually and ethically — to receive these materials and that premature exposure could impede spiritual development. For this reason, the information in these advanced scriptures is kept confidential.

It is not unusual for a religion to have confidential scriptures and practices. Similar religious practices exist in Judaism and Mormonism, for example.