What are Scientology's beliefs about God?

Here are a few quotes by L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology, on the subject of God.  These are part of the belief system of Scientology.

"No culture in the history of the world, save the thoroughly depraved and expiring ones, has failed to affirm the existence of a Supreme Being.  It is an empirical observation that men without a strong and lasting faith in a Supreme Being are less capable, less ethical and less valuable to themselves and society...A man without an abiding faith is, by observation alone, more of a thing than a man."  This quote is from L. Ron Hubbard's book Science of Survival.


Also, in the book Scientology: The Fundamentals of Thought, L. Ron Hubbard writes about the eight dynamics - the eight urges toward survival of mankind.  Here is an excerpt from that book about what Scientology believes:  "THE EIGHTH DYNAMIC - is the urge toward existence as infinity.  This is also identified as the Supreme Being.  This is called the Eighth Dynamic because the symbol of infinity...stood upright makes the numeral 8.  This can be called the Infinity or God Dynamic...The abilities and shortcomings of individuals can be understood by viewing their participation in the various dynamics."

And here is a youtube video that touches on the subject of the eighth dynamic in Scientology (the infinity, Supreme Being, or God dynamic) and what Scientology believes:



Of course, Scientologists may have differing beliefs about God beyond these scriptures due to their religious heritage and own personal experience.  According to a 1998 demographic survey of U.S. Scientologists, members of the religion had the following distribution of religious backgrounds and beliefs:

27.3% Protestant
26.0% Catholic
23.8% None
10.3% No Answer
6.3% Other
5.3% Jewish
1.0% Eastern

What does Dianetics mean?

This is the definition of Dianetics from the Basic Dictionary of Dianetics and Scientology:


"Dianetics spiritual healing technology.  It addresses and handles the effects of the spirit on the body and can alleviate such things as unwanted sensations and emotions, accidents, injuries and psychosomatic illnesses (ones that are caused or aggravated by mental stress).  Dianetics means "through the soul" (from Greek dia, through, and nous, soul).  It is further defined as "what the soul is doing to the body".

Learn more about modern science of mental health.  This blog is by people who believe that the field of mental health should be modernized with such techniques as Dianetics.

Learn more about alternative mental therapies.  This blog fosters and encourages the belief that people should have as many mental health therapy options as possible.

What does the word Scientology mean?

In the comprehensive reference book What is Scientology, Scientology is defined as:

"The study and handling of the spirit in relationship to itself, universes and other life."

The full definition of Scientology as given in Basic Dictionary of Dianetics and Scientology is:

"Scientology: Scientology applied religious philosophy.  It is the study and handling of the spirit in relationship to itself, universes and other life.  Scientology means scio, knowing in the fullest sense of the word and logos, study.  In itself the word means literally knowing how to know.  Scientology is a 'route,' a way, rather than a dissertation or an assertive body of knowledge.  Through its drills and studies one may find the truth for himself.  The technology is therefore not expounded as something to believe, but something to do."

This dictionary also has a good definition of a Scientologist.  It is important to note that the definition of Scientologist is not "believer in Scientology", as again, Scientology is presented as not something to believe in, but rather something to do.  

"Scientologist:  one who knows he has found the way to a better life through Scientology and who, through Scientology books, tapes, training and processing, is actively attaining it."

Watch videos of Scientologists by watching the Scientology video channel.  These videos will give you a better idea about what Scientologists believe and how they apply Scientology beliefs to their daily lives.