The Dianetics Scam:  A gateway into the Church of Scientology

Embossed collector's edition of Dianetics.
(Credit: Church of Scientology Phoenix
2013 Ideal Org Promotion)

Dianetics is a dangerous pseudoscience, not a legitimate mental health therapy.  It is designed to find a person's weaknesses and exploit them for the sake of profit.  Services on an E-meter may seem harmless at first, but the situation can quickly become financially draining, since Dianetics serves as a gateway into the Church of Scientology psychotherapy cult.  This deceptive self-help system was crafted by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, a convicted criminal and con man, for his own personal gain.  Hubbard’s legacy continues to this day, with his Dianetics theories serving as the initial indoctrination step into costly Scientology beliefs and practices.

This website attempts to expose the Dianetics pseudoscience scam by revealing its empty promises, lack of scientific evidence and common recruiting methods.  Questions were raised about whether Hubbard had been practicing unlicensed medicine, and we will examine how he avoided the issue with his creation of a destructive cult.  We will also cover why the Scientology founder was so crazy and learn what the real truth is behind the Church of Scientology's deceptive propaganda.

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What is dianetics?

Dianetics is a set of ideas and practices regarding the metaphysical relationship between the mind and body which was created by L. Ron Hubbard and is practiced by followers of Scientology. Hubbard coined Dianetics from the Greek stems dia, meaning "through", and nous, meaning mind.

Dianetics divides the mind into three parts: the conscious "analytical mind," the subconscious "reactive mind", and the somatic mind. The goal of Dianetics is to remove the "reactive mind", which Scientologists believe prevents people from becoming more ethical, more aware, happier and saner. The Dianetics procedure to achieve this is called "auditing". Auditing is a process whereby a series of questions are asked by the Scientology auditor, in an attempt to rid the auditee of the painful experiences of the past which scientologists believe to be the cause of the "reactive mind." -- Excerpt from Wikipedia: Dianetics as of January, 2013.

Is it really the modern Science of Mental Health?

The cult of dianetics, which was going strong a year ago (TIME, July 24, 1950), has some of the features of a new religion. Its founder, 'Science-Fictioneer' L. Ron Hubbard, claimed that his "science of the mind" could cure all mental and most bodily ills, make supermen of truly devoted converts. Today, dianetics is suffering the standard fate of the cult: one of its earliest adherents [Dr. Joseph Augustus Winter] has broken away and is accusing Hubbard of having strayed from the true faith. -- Excerpt from Medicine: Departure in Dianetics as published in TIME magazine in 1951.

What did Hubbard's medical expert say about dianetics?

By October, 1950, I had come to the conclusion that I could not agree with all the tenets of dianetics as set forth by the Foundation. I could not, as previously mentioned, support Hubbard's claims regarding the state of "clear." I no longer felt, as I once had, that any intelligent person could (and presumably should) practice dianetics. I noted several points on which the actions of the Foundation were at variance with the expressed ideals of dianetics: one of these points was a tendency toward the development of an authoritarian attitude. Moreover, there was a poorly concealed attitude of disparagement of the medical profession and of the efforts of previous workers in the field of mental illness. Finally, the avowed purpose of the Foundation -- the accomplishment of precise scientific research into the functioning of the mind -- was conspicuously absent.

I expressed my opinion on these matters to the Board of Trustees on several occasions, with no discernible effect. Nor was I alone in my disagreement with the Foundation policies; those of us who advocated a more conservative attitude were in the minority, however, and our efforts were unavailing. I therefore, felt it incumbent upon me to submit my resignation. [...]

I feel also that medical practice might be improved by utilization of some of the observations which have been noted in dianetics. However, in order to make any new idea acceptable to the medical profession, it should be presented in a scientific manner. That, I fear, is not going to happen so long as the Foundation pursues its present policies. [...]

Even a wrong answer is closer to the truth than an apathetic "I don't know"; a wrong answer can be proved to be wrong, and the correct answer sought, while unquestioning ignorance or hopelessness leads only to stagnation. -- Excerpt from A Doctor's Report on Dianetics: Theory and Therapy by J. A. Winter, MD first published in 1951.

Understanding dianetics

1950 first edition and 2007
edition book covers. (Credits:
Wikimedia Commons)

Part 1: Introducing the Scam

Part 2: Empty Promises

Part 3: Lack of Scientific Evidence

Part 4: Common Recruiting Methods


MORE ABOUT SCIENTOLOGY

Part 1: The Creation of the Cult

Part 2: Its Crazy Founder

Part 3: The Truth Exposed


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Further Reading

Site Info and Disclaimers

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Dianetics and Scientology: it is much worse than you think.

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