Scientology Churches Locations Locator Map and Directory

Scientology is a religion founded by science fiction author L. Ron Hubbard in 1953 as an offshoot of his self-help system, Dianetics. The first church was incorporated in Camden, NJ. Scientologists believe in the immortality of people, who have forgotten their true nature and must regain it through a process called auditing. Practitioners try to re-experience past traumatic events in order to liberate themselves from whatever effects still linger. Members of the Church of Scientology must make donations to receive auditing courses and other self-help material. Because of the exorbitant fees often demanded, the Church has been accused of financially defrauding and exploiting its members. In their defense, they run a handful of social service initiatives, including Narconon, an anti-drug program, and Criminon, a prison rehabilitation program.