Although most references to Scientology are to the Church of Scientology, other groups also practice Scientology.
Most independent Scientologists are former members of the Church of Scientology, but there are new members as well.
In 1950, a founding member of Scientology, Joseph Augustus Winter, who wrote the introduction to the original edition of L. Ron Hubbard's Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health, broke with Hubbard and set up a private Dianetics practice in New York. In 1951, he wrote A Doctor's Report on Dianetics, which analyzed Scientology's Dianetics program. While he found value in Dianetics, Winter believed that its techniques had the potential for danger when performed by people without medical training. He also disapproved of the lack of verifiable scientific evidence for some of Hubbard's claims.
In private practice, Hubbard retained portions of the Dianetics program, but substantially changed or rejected others. He agreed with Hubbard's concept of prenatal engrams, where traumatic memories can be formed and stored during the prenatal stage, but felt that auditing should be used only by psychiatrists during psychoanalysis. He had disdain for Hubbard's disregard for the scientific method, and Scientology's practice of training people to become an auditor without medical training. He also disagreed with Hubbard's claims of patients recalling deaths from previous reincarnations. His program was better received by the mental health community that was Hubbard's.
In 1965, a longtime member of the Church of Scientology, Jack Horner, left the Church over a dispute over its "ethics" program and developed Dianology. While part of the Church of Scientology, Horner was one of the original founders of the California Association of Dianetic Auditors. Other than Hubbard, Horner was the only person allowed to run Advanced Clinical Courses, the highest course in Scientology during the 1950s. He wrote Summary of Scientology, which was published by the Church of Scientology.
After leaving the Church of Scientology, he incorporated a new group, the Association of International Dianologists, and began lecturing on Dianology, which he later renamed Eductivism.
In the early 1980s, Captain Bill Robertson broke away and formed Ron's Org, an independent group that applies the technology and philosophy of L. Ron Hubbard, as originally developed and taught.
Robertson had been a long-time member of Sea Org, a fraternal religious order made up of Scientology's most dedicated members, in which Captain is the highest rank. His new organization was initially made up of former members of the Church of Scientology, but now includes a large number of people who were never members of the Scientology Church.
In 1982, the Free Zone was formed by top Scientologists who were in disagreement with the Church of Scientology's establishment of the Religious Technology Center. The founders of this new organization believed that the Church of Scientology had departed from Hubbard's original vision after his death.
Originally, Free Zone referred to a single organization, but it is often used today to apply to all Scientology groups outside of the Church of Scientology, although not all of the breakaway groups would agree with that designation, as Free Zone was not the first independent Scientologist group.
Formed by David Mayo in 1983, the Advanced Ability Center was headed by former Scientologists who left or were removed from their positions with the Church of Scientology when David Miscavige restructured the Church, establishing the Religious Technology Center. Later, the Advanced Ability Center became the Theta International Movement, also known as the Church of the New Civilization.
The Church of Scientology regards breakaway groups or individuals who practice Scientology or Dianetics outside of the Church as squirrels, which is a disparaging term that was used by Hubbard, the idea being that they are looking for nuts to process.
Topics related to organizations, groups, or individuals practicing Scientology or Dianetics outside of the Church of Scientology are the focus of topics in this category. This may include groups not mentioned here.
Recommended Resources
Maintained by independent Scientologists, and not endorsed by any corporate entities, the site commemorates Mary Sue Hubbard, wife of L. Ron Hubbard, founder of Scientology. A tribute to Mrs. Hubbard is featured, with information about her involvement with Scientology, articles written by her, and a death certificate. Links to other Scientology resources are included, with contact data.
http://www.marysuehubbard.com/
Advanced Org of the Great Plains
Established in 2013, the organization has been delivering Scientology courses and auditing, traveling to clients nationwide while based in the Great Plains of the United States. Independent of the Church of Scientology, the organization offers a purification program, expanded grades, academy training, upper levels, L. rundowns, and case cracking. Organization members are introduced, and its successes are touted.
http://standardtechacademy.com/
Association of Professional Independent Scientologists
The APIS is a body of auditors, groups, and individuals who believe that, since the death of L. Ron Hubbard, the Church of Scientology has strayed from its original philosophy and purpose of Scientology. APIS practices Scientology independently of the Church of Scientology. Its mission statement, purposes, goals, and aims are outlined, along with its membership policies, member renewals, and a private login.
http://www.internationalfreezone.net/
Created to cut the noose imposed by the Church of Scientology, the organization was begun by former members of the Church of Scientology and now serves as a platform for independent Scientologists to connect with one another. A profile of the organization is presented, along with business listings, membership policies, and a private login for members. Links to those offering auditing, training, and ethics technology are presented.
http://www.freeandable.com/
Representing Freie Scientologen, a group of independent Scientologists, originally from Germany, the English-language version of its site uses a Wiki format, offering an analysis of the takeover of Scientology after the death of L. Ron Hubbard, and articles on various topics related to Scientology and Dianetics, such as auditors, clear, ethics, metering, remote viewing, and squirrels, as well as success stories.
http://english.freiescientologen.de/
Free Zone is an alliance of people and groups who practice Scientology outside of the Church of Scientology. Its purpose and goals are outlined, and a variety of resources for people seeking the benefits of Scientology are included, such as libraries of informational texts and audio from L. Ron Hubbard, a library of materials from Captain Bill Robertson, and its own Free Zone library, as well as links to other online resources.
http://www.0-48.ru/
Taking up where Free Zone America left off, this independent Scientologist group offers a variety of informational pieces on its site, including a handbook for self enlightenment by Ken Ogger, and other downloadable courses on Scientology, testimonies of people who had been involved with the Church of Scientology, recollections of L. Ron Hubbard, instructional videos, and other resources for Scientology and Dianetics.
http://www.freezoneearth.org/
Independent Scientology believes in the philosophies, discoveries, and technologies of L. Ron Hubbard, but not in the Church of Scientology. A history of the movement, its management, beliefs, training, and symbology are set forth, as well as what it means to be an independent Scientologist. Essays, informational articles, technical information, and references are published to the site, along with links to related sites.
http://www.iscientology.org/
Founded in 1984 by Bill Robertson, Ron’s Organization and Network for Standard Technology is separate from the official and unofficial organizations of the Church of Scientology, offering the application of the philosophy and technology of L. Ron Hubbard independent of the Church of Scientology. Available in several languages, the site posts its charter and statutes, a register of members, and contacts.
https://ronsorg.com/
Prepared by the Association of Professional Independent Scientologists, the site offers critiques, analysis, and informational articles on Scientology and the teachings of L. Ron Hubbard. Includes are the beliefs of Scientology, significant people in Scientology, the Scientology field, and the Church of Scientology. A glossary of Scientology terms is included, with links to outside resources.
http://www.the-scientologist.com/
