For distribution to all Scientologists (anyone who wishes to duplicate this document for such distribution has full permission):
Scientologist Bill of Rights
L. Ron Hubbard charged every Scientologist with the duty of “Keeping Scientology Working.” In the past, when LRH was off the lines for brief periods, things sometimes went off the rails. Then, LRH himself had to step back in and straighten things up, to keep the tech standard and churches and management straight. In each case, Scientologists who should have seen what was wrong, and reported or corrected the wrongness, did not. In fact, the off-policy and out-tech activities were, to some extent, hidden from the rank and file Scientologist. The average Scientologist knew little of the workings of Scientology management, exactly who was running the Church, and what actions they were taking. When LRH was visibly in charge, the average Scientologist trusted that actions being taken were correct, and for the benefit of Scientology’s future.
With LRH off the lines, the practice of rigorous secrecy as regards Church operations has become outmoded, and, in fact, a hindrance to every Scientologist truly fulfilling LRH’s charge to ensure the integrity of the technology and its application in organizations The fact is, Scientologists in general do not know, by name, those who are running their Church: RTC executives, Watchdog Committee Members, and the International Executive Strata. There is no notification to the general membership of who is on these posts, when they are promoted, removed or demoted, and for what reasons.
LRH stresses the importance of statistics. Yet the long-range statistics of Scientology are hidden. The long-term statistics of Clears, OTs and auditors made since LRH departed are not published.
LRH materials have been and are being recompiled and edited. Yet there is no way for the average Scientologist to clearly see what was changed or verify that what was done is correct.
To promote transparency and accountability in Scientology, the following Scientologist Bill of Rights is offered for consideration.
All Scientologists have the following rights:
Transparency in Church management.Scientologists have the right to know exactly who is in charge of the Church of Scientology, by name. This includes the executives (Division heads and above) of RTC, the membership of the International Watchdog Committee, and the membership of the International Executive Strata
The displaying of org boards in public spaces is a Scientology tradition. The Org Board of each of the above organizations should be on public display in every Church world-wide, with the key executives, as above, listed with name, training and case level, updated as needed to remain current at all times.
This is our church, and we have the right to know who is running things; who to contact to get questions and concerns answered.
Scientologists have the right to be informed when any one of these upper management executives is removed or demoted, and to know the reason for the dismissal or demotion. This information should be posted in a timely manner in every church. Such actions affect the entire Church and should be seen by the entire Church membership.
Accountability in Church management.
Scientologists should be able to view key statistics of upper management so that the efficiency of Church management is clearly seen and management can be held publicly accountable for their actions. Statistics such as the number of Clears made, the number of OTs made, the number of Auditors made of each class, the number of books sold, the total number of Scientologists, are the concern of every Scientologist and should be known. Scientologists should be able to view such statistics going back at least 25 years, from the time when LRH was on the lines.
It is our church and these executives are working for us. We should be able to find out, without PR or filtering, exactly how well they are doing their jobs.
Verification of duplication of LRH.
A Scientologist has the right to be able to independently verify that an HCOPL, HCOB, book and/or lecture from LRH is, in fact, a duplicate of the original as created by Ron.
This must be verifiable in some way and not just assumed, because it is the most important aspect of our religion—that Ron's technology has not been altered.
Where a book or lecture has been edited or changed in any way, a Scientologist should be able to get a full verification and explanation of each change As any such change would already have been heavily documented, supplying such documentation on request should pose no hardship on the staff concerned.
Financial Accountability.
Over and above service donations, Scientologists contribute generously to Church building funds, the new Superpower building and the International Association of Scientologists (IAS). The use of such donations should be subject to an “Annual Report” from each, showing where and how the funds were spent, specifically how much went to dissemination campaigns, building expenses, VM Crusades and so forth. As required by any charity, an accounting should be provided of how much went to overhead/administrative expenses.
None of this should be construed to infer that there is anything currently wrong. However, all of this is designed to help see that things do not go wrong. These rights are the rights of all Scientologists per Keeping Scientology Working, and do enable any and all Scientologists to assume responsibility, as mandated by LRH, for their Church's integrity and survival. These steps can only make the Church stronger.
Such openness, transparency and accountability benefits all honest beings.
Posts
wow, this is great and just what scientologists ought to be demanding. why don't they? i suspect it's because they know that in the current climate they'll be sec-checked til the end of time and on their own nickel. jeez.
ReplyDeleteVery well thought through! As part of demanding their rights, Scientologists need to demand full disclosure on why CST (which ACTUALLY owns the trademarks and is ACTUALLY the "L. Ron Hubbard Library" that put out the new "Basics") was formed by ex-IRS officer Meade Emory. Instead of "saving" Scientology from the IRS, did Miscavige actually participate in orchestrating a US Government takeover of Scientology? Interesting info on this matter can be found by googling sc-i-r-s-ology. Perhaps Hubbard was right when he said "what you resist you become."
ReplyDeleteFor a Church which puts "The Creed of the Church of Scientology" on the wall of every one of its organizations, Scientologists sure don't have many rights!
ReplyDeleteThe thing is that in the real culture around them, they do. It's just the area under control by the Church of Scientology where they don't have any rights.
Each one of your points is very standard practice in almost any non-profit or religious organization or Association.
It is only member of the Church of Scientology who put up with it.
Thanks for your blog. It is really very good!
Alanzo
Thanks Alanzo!
ReplyDeleteThank You...I just found this site today.
ReplyDeleteBeen lurking for a long time.
It's difficult to get people out of their "cult think" to see what is right in front of us.
Bill, the comment about Scientologists not knowing how the organization actually runs reminds me of a tiny Marxist-Leninist sect called the Organization. The group began as a food co-op in the 1970s, then evolved into a cult where the leader never spoke to the followers - he would send memorandum through the mail. For a year members of the group (who were arrainged in tiny three-person cells) got no orders because the maximo lider was in jail! And this was a group with only thirty people in it, not the massive organization Scientology was when Hubbard was alive. The secrecy in Scientology today serves to shield Miscavage's mistakes and hides the decay in the organization, nothing more.
ReplyDelete