$ The Journal of CESNUR $ The Visible Expansion of the Church of Scientology and Its Actors Bernadette Rigal-Cellard Université Bordeaux Montaigne
[email protected] ABSTRACT: This report addresses the issue of the current expansion of the Church of Scientology. It is based on field research mostly conducted from 2016 to 2018 in various countries, in Clearwater, and in the Los Angeles area in particular: visits of a great number of missions, churches, office buildings and foundations; interviews with active Scientologists; participation in interfaith meetings. I identified four areas that demonstrate best the expansion of the Church and deserve analysis: 1. The most visible expansion: several examples of real estate acquisitions and renovations are presented as well as their social and symbolic function. 2. How does membership keep pace with such material expansion? 3. The Tech, or the Word of Lafayette Ron Hubbard (LRH) as the source of Scientology: the ever-increasing dissemination activities and the Preservation of the Tech are analyzed as major religious undertakings. 4. The social interactions of the Church through its foundations and its interfaith programs are presented from my own perspective. KEYWORDS: Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard, David Miscavige, Scientology Real Estate Renovation, Scientology Church Planting, Scientology Pedagogy, Scientology Demographics, Shrine of the Word, Scientology Golden Age of Knowledge, Scientology Foundations, Nation of Islam, Druzes, Peace Rides. Introduction This study of the recent developments of the Church of Scientology was triggered by my hearing that Druzes in the North of Israel were taking Scientology courses. Having spent time among the Druzes of the Chouf in Lebanon, I was most surprised to hear that such an ancient and secretive community, which parceled out rather sparingly the tenets and practices of its religion, could be opened to another world view, one so totally modern and western.