Word: hubbardism
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...Hubbard's absence, the cult has changed dramatically. In January 1982, his young followers created the Religious Technology Center "for the primary purpose of ensuring and maintaining the purity and integrity of Scientology." One of the Sea Orgs, David Miscavige, 22, who claimed to be in regular touch with Hubbard, contended that the founder had "donated" all rights to his courses and techniques to the new corporation. Some defectors, however, insist that the church planned to purchase these so-called trademarks from Hubbard for $85 million. Others believe the new corporation, in which Hubbard is not officially involved...
...meeting of mission holders in San Francisco last October that the technology center would audit the financial records of each mission, charging $15,000 a day for the procedure, and that all franchise holders would be put on the cans for a security check. As discipline tightened, even Hubbard's daughter Diana, 25, was ordered to pull weeds in 120° heat at a rehabilitation project in the California desert...
Alan Walter, a Scientologist for 20 years and a mission holder in the Middle West, contends that "Hubbard was a genius in many ways. He was set up by these kids. They were doing insane things. It was a reign of terror." Larry Wollersheim, who considered himself "a cult salesman," says that he was trained to locate the assets of church members and then help them devise explanations to relatives for why they needed so much money. "I was constantly hammered to coerce people to get loans," he claims...
...answer to the charges against Scientology, Heber Jentzsch, 37, who was elevated to the titular presidency of the church by the new leaders, denies any wrongdoing by the organization. Jentzsch insists that Hubbard is neither dead nor demented. He also says that Hubbard has gone back to his first vocation, writing, and "he deserves a little privacy...
Meanwhile, in the desert near Palm Springs, Calif., at the edge of the San Jacinto Mountains, where Hubbard once stalked the sands wearing a cowboy hat, cursing and yelling as he directed Scientology films, security is tight. Guards at the Gilman retreat scrutinize cars moving along a highway past a black iron gate, and security men range amid the cactus, chattering into walkie-talkies. There is a sign that says GOLDEN ERA STUDIOS. The only visible reminder of the former presence is a bronze plaque on a replica of a ship's deck. It is dedicated...