Biography of: L. Ron Hubbard
Author: Ben Jacobs
Timeline
Leadership Style
Political Philosophy
Timeline
- Mar 13,1911 Born in Tilden, Nebraska.
- Jan 1,1927 At the young age of 16 started asking questions: "Why?" Why so much human suffering? Which would later prove to be the basis for his religion Scientology.
- Oct 1934 Through scientific grants Ron finally had the money to direct his time towards his writing. He had become one of the most popular writers of this time.
- Jan 8,1938 Ron compiled years of findings and wrote, but never published his philosophic manuscript, "Excalibur."
- Dec 1949 Ron again compiled sixteen years of investigations and wrote "The Original Thesis" later to be published under the name of "Dianetics." This thesis was again at first not published, but given to a few of his friends. They in turn gave it to their friends and soon it was passed on to thousands.
- May 9,1950 The book Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health was published.
- June 1950 The book became such a hit that Ron began to lecture in front of packed halls. The first Hubbard Dianetics Foundation was formed in Elizabeth, New Jersey.
- Nov 1950 750 groups across the nation were formed applying Dianetic techniques.
- Jan 1954 The first Church of Scientology was started in Los Angeles, CA.
- Jan 1959 Ron moved to England and bought the Saint Hill Manor in East Grinstead, Sussex. This became the worldwide headquarters for the Church of Scientology.
- Sept 1,1966 Ron resigns his position as Executive Director of the Church.
- Jan 24,1986 L. Ron Hubbard dies.
- 1988 The book Dianetics returns 38 years later as the number 1 best seller, a true feat in literary history.
Leadership Style
L. Ron Hubbard was and still may be in a sense the Leader of Scientology. However the interesting fact is the first Scientology/Dianetic groups were not formed by Ron. These organizations formed through Hubbard's writings. Later when Ron accepted his seat as leader of the Church of Scientology his type of leadership could be thought of as Laissez-faire in nature. Hubbard gave his followers a new way of life. He let the individual decide what to do with his teachings. "Through his writings and lectures, he continued to make his discoveries available to all those seeking answers." Hubbard was known for both his novels and his lectures. "L. Ron Hubbard founded the subject-early Scientologists began the Church." In 1954 the first Church of Scientology was started, but not by Hubbard, it was started by his followers. He gave minimal direction to his followers. He gave to them novels about man and the inevitable struggle for survival and happiness in hopes that they would take his knowledge and act on it. And that they did. His followers have given birth to hundreds of Churches worldwide. Hubbard was more along the lines an intellectually giving figurehead.
Political Philosophy
Hubbard in terms of political philosophy can be categorized as a Liberal with progressive arguments. Hubbard was a religiously philosophical human being. His ideas were not radical they were thought to be simple and straightforward. Hubbard was a calm individual and simply wanted change slowly and thoroughly, "We seek no revolution. We seek only evolution to higher states of being for the individual and for society." He also expressed his feelings of equality and his political stance; "Nonpolitical in nature, Scientology welcomes any individual of any creed, race or nation." Hubbard dreams by saying, "A civilization without insanity, without criminals and without war, where the able can prosper and honest beings can have rights, and where man is free to rise to greater heights, are the aims of Scientology." He knows that these goals are not going to come immediately but wishes some day for his way of life to peacefully become all of ours some day.
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