No. In fact, what we do is exactly the opposite. We free people and enable them to think for themselves.

Millions of Church members from literally all walks of life have attested to the positive benefits received from Scientology. A common theme to their personal success stories is that they are now more in control of their lives than they ever have been.

Factually, Mr. Hubbard was one of the first to discover and expose actual mind control and brainwashing experimentation conducted by United States military and intelligence agencies during and after World War II. Not only did he uncover blatantly destructive experimentation, he also discovered that the technology he developed, Dianetics, could undo the effects of an insidious form of hypnotism called pain-drug-hypnosis and free a person from its grip.

Years after Mr. Hubbard learned about these government-sponsored psychiatric mind control experiments, documents released under the Freedom of Information Act detailed the extent to which these techniques were being used. Over the years, the Church of Scientology has exposed numerous instances of brainwashing or mind control practices, such as those involved in so-called “deprogramming”. Such practices are diametrically opposed to the aims of Scientology, which are to free man and return to him his ability to control his own life.

Does Scientology actively proselytize for new members?

Yes. Scientologists make Scientology technology broadly available to others because they want others to receive the same gains they have experienced. The Church wants more people to know and apply the works of L. Ron Hubbard and actively and vigorously promotes this.

Does one really need Scientology to do well in life?

That is a question one must answer for oneself. A Scientologist’s viewpoint is that while some people might be surviving quite well without Scientology, they can always do better and expand their potentials even further. In fact, Mr. Hubbard founded Scientology for the precise purpose of helping the able become more able, and one usually finds that the people doing best in life are those who first embrace Scientology.

Does one have to believe in Scientology?

No. One is not expected to “believe” in Scientology. One is only expected to study and apply Scientology religious principles and practices and see for himself if Scientology works for him.

To quote L. Ron Hubbard, “Anything that isn’t true for you when you study it carefully isn’t true.”