Scientology is a religious movement founded by L. Ron Hubbard in the 1950s. Its teachings focus on the human spirit, personal spiritual development, and overcoming mental and spiritual barriers.

Here are the main beliefs, explained in straightforward terms.

The 6 main beliefs of Scientology

1. Humans are spiritual beings

Scientologists believe that a person is fundamentally a spiritual being, called a thetan, rather than simply a physical body or mind. They believe the thetan is immortal and has existed through multiple lifetimes.

2. The mind can contain harmful experiences

Scientology teaches that painful or traumatic experiences can leave mental impressions that negatively affect a person’s behavior and well-being. Hubbard’s book Dianetics introduced the framework behind these ideas.

3. Spiritual improvement through auditing

Auditing is a central practice in which a person answers questions from a trained auditor, often while holding an electronic device called an E-meter. The goal, according to Scientology, is to identify and address spiritually harmful experiences.

4. Becoming spiritually free

Scientology describes a path of spiritual advancement called the Bridge to Total Freedom. One early milestone is becoming a Clear, which Scientology defines as overcoming the harmful effects of what it calls the reactive mind. Further stages are called Operating Thetan (OT) levels.

5. Life has eight dimensions

Scientology organizes existence into eight areas called dynamics: self, creativity and family, groups, humanity, other life forms, the physical universe, the spiritual dimension, and infinity or a supreme being.

6. Spiritual freedom and personal responsibility

Scientology emphasizes self-improvement, ethical conduct, communication, and increasing one’s ability to help oneself and others. It does not center its teachings on the same concepts of sin, salvation, and worship of a personal God found in many forms of Christianity.

Does Scientology believe in God?

Yes, but its concept of God differs from Christianity and Judaism. Scientology includes a concept of a Supreme Being or infinity, called the Eighth Dynamic. Its teachings generally do not prescribe one detailed, universally defined understanding of God in the way many traditional theistic religions do.