Dianetics 75: What the Nobel physicist got out of Scientology’s bible

 
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: As we count down to the 75th anniversary of Dianetics tomorrow, we’ve heard from readers about various reviews written soon after the 1950 appearance of L. Ron Hubbard’s magnum opus, the book that led to Scientology. But for us there is one review that towers above the rest. [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

 
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Technology Cocktail

“Religion exists in no small part to handle the upsets and anguish of life. These include spiritual duress by reason of physical conditions. Ministers long before the Apostles had as a part of their duties the ministering to the spiritual anguish of their people. They have concentrated upon spiritual uplift and betterment. But where physical suffering impeded this course, they have acted. To devote themselves only to the alleviation of physical duress is of course to attest that the physical body is more important than the spiritual beingness of the person which, of course, it is not. But physical anguish can so distract a being that he deserts any aspirations of betterment and begins to seek some cessation of his suffering. The specialty of the medical doctor is the curing of physical disease or non-optimum physical conditions. In some instances he can do so. It is no invasion of his province to assist the patient to greater healing potential. And ills that are solely spiritual in nature are not medical. The ‘psych-iatrist’ and ‘psych-ologist’ on the other hand took their very names from religion since ‘psyche’ means soul. They, by actual statistics, are not as successful as priests in relieving mental anguish. But they modernly seek to do so by using drugs or hypnotism or physical means. They damage more than they help. The minister has a responsibility to his people and those about him to relieve suffering. e has many ways to do this. He is quite successful in doing so and he does not need or use drugs or hypnotism or shock or surgery or violence. Until his people are at a level where they have no need of physical things, he has as a duty preventing their spiritual or physical decay by relieving where he can their suffering. His primary method of doing so is the ASSIST.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1978

 
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THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON

We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.

 
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THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?

[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH

— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see

[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf

— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond

[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter [42] John Sweeney [43] Tory Christman [44] Kate Bornstein [45] Christian Stolte [46] Mark Bunker [47] Jon Atack [48] Luke Y. Thompson [49] Mark Ebner [50] Bruce Hines [51] Spanky Taylor and Karen Pressley [51] Geoff and Robbie Levin [52] Sands Hall [53] Jonny Jacobsen [54] Sandy Holeman [55] Mark Bunker [56] Trish and Liz Conley [57] Trish Conley [58] Alex Barnes-Ross [59] Alex Barnes-Ross [60] Alex Barnes-Ross [61] Alex Barnes-Ross [62] Alex Barnes-Ross [63] Alex Barnes-Ross [64] Tory Christman [65] Tammy Synovec [66] Dennis Erlich [67] Alex Barnes-Ross [68] Valerie Ross [69] Kat in Austin [70] Mark Bunker [71] Phil Jones

 
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Source Code

“The nitty-gritty of the West German raid on the dollar is to be found in a proposal to form a World Central Bank that ‘adjusts all the worlds currency.’ This is about the most cold-blooded effort at world domination I’ve ever seen. A country that surrenders its currency surrenders its sovereignty. It was Nazi banking expertise that saved the Third Reich and opened the door to WW II. What we DON’T need is Nazi control of all nations. Along with that goes psychiatric control, gas chambers, obliterated ‘impure’ minority groups. Heil Hitler. For the sake of German Scientologists of which there are now many, and the rest of the world, the new Nazi resurgence must end before it winds up in another blood bath.” — L. Ron Hubbard, May 8, 1971

 
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Avast, Ye Mateys

“FB: The FB including CS-G did a splendid fast job on the program to beef things up in event of a hostile UK ‘Enquiry’ finding release. Some Enquiry! Never called on us to testify on anything. Its secretary, Miss Lee, was a member of Smersh! Correction: Sir Joseph is the Minister of Social Services. He has it now. When the cabinet okays it maybe it will be out.” — The Commodore, May 8, 1971

 
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Overheard in the FreeZone

“LRH said that he had devised plans to survive a last effort by the SPs to end up taking over this planet. I don’t know if those plans were the underground bunkers like the one in Trementina or California that protect the technology for future generations. I would suppose those bunkers were to protect the tech against nuclear war. Now it seems that the danger of nuclear war was taken care of. So, if now the underground bunkers have to protect the tech materials from hordes of Democrats joining and supporting the ranks of BLM and Antifa, then I would say that that is an improvement on the situation of the planet. Nuclear war downgraded to BLM/Antifa/Dem hordes running around California intent on destroying every vestige of civilization.”

Past is Prologue

1998: Lawrence Wollersheim released a filing to the Court of Appeals asking them to uphold the judgment of the lower courts, and allow him to finally collect. “Nearly twelve years ago, Respondent Lawrence Wollersheim, having already braved six years of litigation in this case, endured a five month circus trial and finally prevailed. A unanimous jury awarded him a multimillion dollar judgment against the Church of Scientology of California. By the time of his victory, as he would later learn, a years-long campaign to divest CSC of its property, income and authority was nearly complete. Although the Honorable Ronald Swearinger, who presided over the 1986 trial, would characterize that series of asset-depleting maneuvers as ‘mere jiggery, pokery,’ they have nonetheless been an important part of Scientology’s drive to ensure there would be ‘Not One Thin Dime for Wollersheim. A protracted appeals process resulted in the judgment becoming final in 1994, and Mr. Wollersheim began collection efforts. In ultimately moving to amend the judgment to add CSI and RTC as defendants and judgment debtors, Mr. Wollersheim submitted a total of 40 exhibits and 19 declarations. As the six-page Order amending the judgment confirms, the trial court gave proper and thoughtful consideration to all the admissible evidence that was before it; appellants’ indignant assertions of ‘fact’ contrary to those found by the court below are almost universally incompetent, since they are based primarily on the statements of CSC’s president, Neil Levin, whose declaration demonstrates his utter lack of personal knowledge. In the end, RTC’s and CSI’s assignments of error are impotent and do nothing to undermine the fact that the amendment of the judgment in this case is more solid and thoroughly supported than any in California’s reported decisions. There is no basis to disturb the trial court’s well-documented findings that the defense of this case against CSC was financed and controlled through RTC and CSI. Neither appellant has been deprived of due process. Nor does either of them even claim to have been prejudiced by the passage of time since the judgment was entered. For all the foregoing reasons, Respondent Lawrence Wollersheim respectfully urges the Court to affirm the Judgment.”

 
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Random Howdy

“They sent me a notice for jury duty last year and I scrawled across it ‘I am a Scientologist and we do not recognize your authority in this sector of the galaxy.’ They sent me a notice back about having to get a letter from my clergyman and to bring it down to the court. I threw that in the garbage.”

 
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker

Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Found guilty on two counts on May 31, remanded to custody. Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7, 2023. DA’s response to appeal brief due May 14.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing May 12.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, convicted of fraud. Pre-sentencing conference was held April 4. Sentencing hearing scheduled for May 5.

Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Judge Hammock’s ruling is on appeal. Leah’s appeal brief due June 3.
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to arbitration.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson. Judge Upindra Kalra’s ruling denying Scientology’s motion to strike is on appeal.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, gets ruling to depose Jane Doe 1. Trial has been set for January 10, 2028.

 
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SCIENTOLOGY: FAIR GAME

After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.

LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH

An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.

SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z

Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!

 
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?

 
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THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] Rock ‘n’ roll was their fame, Scientology was their game
[TWO years ago] Alanna Warren: What a Scientology PI report looked like when I was following Mike Rinder
[THREE years ago] YouTuber takes a deep dive into Teami Blends and its connections to Scientology
[FOUR years ago] With lawsuit in limbo, Danny Masterson accusers still trying to serve David Miscavige
[FIVE years ago] Scientology’s mystery sandwich: A ‘church’ where deception is a sacrament
[SIX years ago] New York Scientologist chiropractor pleads guilty in $80 million Medicare scam
[SEVEN years ago] Witness to Dianetics: For the first time, the letters of key Hubbard ally Donald H. Rogers
[EIGHT years ago] DRONE FLYOVER: Scientology’s Int Base and its hilltop camouflaged ‘Eagle’s Nest’
[NINE years ago] Giant certificates and other weirdness from Scientology in our weekly online review
[TEN years ago] A voice from inside the Church of Scientology: Yes, the ‘Survival Rundown’ drives you insane
[ELEVEN years ago] OREGON SENATOR RON WYDEN ASKS IRS FOR SCIENTOLOGY REVIEW

 
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Posted by Tony Ortega on May 8, 2025 at 07:00

E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.

Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.

The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2023 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2023), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)

Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ

Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…

Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.

Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele

 

Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast

 

Tony Ortega at Rolling Stone