Resources for Further Inquiry- Recommended Books:

1. Title: What is Scientology?
Author: Church of Scientology

Brief: This book is based on the religious literature and works of the Founder of Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard. It gives insight into Hubbard’s life and his discovery of dianetics. Also, it provides the reader varying statistics about scientology’s world growth and locations of scientology churches and practice centers. The book has very interesting information about the practices of the religion and their core beliefs. It is ‘pro-scientology’ and would provide a general reader with a detailed history of the religion.



2. Title: Blown for Good: Behind the Iron Curtain of Scientology
Author: Marc Headley

Brief: This story provides an eye-witness account of the inner workings of scientology. The author was a member of the church for 15 years before ‘escaping’ and writing his tell all book. It has gotten many supportive reviews from book critics and others who were deep into the religion of scientology as well. One review from Ortega says, “Headley's story provides a damning account of life working for Scientology leader David Miscavige at the secretive desert base. Perhaps the best service that Headley provides with Blown for Good is giving non-Scientologists the sense of what it's really like to work, day in and day out, in such a strange organization, from the lowliest laborer mucking out excrement in a Gold Base pond (Headley says shit was coming out of his ears and pores for days) to what kind of luxuries the celebrities and high-ranking members enjoy." The book is extremely controversial and would be a very interesting read for someone unfamiliar in scientology.



3. Title: My Billion Year Contract: Memoir of a Former Scientologist
Author: Nancy Many

Brief: The book’s title is a based on an actual Billion Year Contract for people working for Scientology’s elite para military force. This was a real contract and the book is based on Nancy Many’s commitment to the force while she was a member of the church. It is said to be a ‘shocking story of abuse, imprisonment, espionage, lies, mental torture and suicide.’ Nancy was also once President of Scientology’s Celebrity Center in Los Angeles and her high ranking position has left her with many ‘dark secrets’ behind the doors of the church. Her story appears to be interesting as well as very controversial.



4. Title: The Church of Scientology Handbook
Author: Church of Scientology, Editor: L. Ron Hubbard

Brief: The title of the book does a good job of summarizing its content. It is broken down into 19 chapters (“bodies of technology”) that address uses of education, marital success, basic problem solving, keeping children happy, assists for illness and injuries, etc. Along with this, the book provides over 700 illustrations to go along with its teachings. After reading the book, a unanimous reviewer said, "I spent a few hours and read the entire Scientology Handbook. It gave me a sense of knowingness I’ve never had before. I knew that I was prepared for any situation in life and I’d know what to do. I now perform assists at work and apply the technology from the book. Now I’m considered a miracle worker and someone who knows what she’s doing. All my life I’ve tried to help people, but now with The Scientology Handbook, I can really help them!" The book most definitely has insight and a positive perspective on scientology.



5. Title: Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health
Author: L. Ron Hubbard

Brief: Dianetics is one of the core beliefs of scientology. It is a set of ideas and practices regarding the metaphysical relationship between the body and the mind. It was created by scientology’s founder L. Ron Hubbard. This book has been on bestseller lists for many years and millions of copies have been sold worldwide. Learning about dianetics gives you a much greater understanding of what scientology’s goal’s are for the body and mind. It would most definitely be a quality book for a general reader learning about scientology.



6. Title: Toward Benevolent Neutrality: Church, State, and the Supreme Court, Fifth Edition
Author: Robert T Flowers

Brief: This book discusses religious tolerance and religion’s role in the public square in the United States and Europe. It talks about all of the world’s religions (including scientology) and how they are embraced by the public. Flowers says that a “relevant comparison between scientology and other religions must be between the Scientologist undergoing auditing or training and a priest/rabbi/Buddhist devoting time to interpret the core beliefs of their faith.” This is an interesting read because it neither praises nor sheds a negative light on scientology, rather it makes connections between its core beliefs and practices to older, more established faiths around the world.