L. Ron Hubbard Scientology Death Briefing May Be The Weirdest Thing You Hear Today

L. Ron Hubbard is known as being a deity of sorts to Scientology followers, a talented writer to mystery and science fiction readers, and an absolute nut job to everyone else.

Such is the nature of religion. You back a course of faith, and to some you’re brilliant, while to others you’re crazy.

But no matter where you stand faith-wise, the notice of the Scientology founder’s death is a little out there.

The news came shortly after his death on January 24, 1986, at a special briefing led by church head David Miscavige.

Surprisingly, the secretive group has allowed this video to circulate on YouTube since August, 2014, when Wilfried Handl posted it to the video sharing platform.

In it, Miscavige comes out to applause like he’s the emcee of a variety show. He then starts talking about the “research” of L. Ron Hubbard and how Hubbard had left his church in the hands of people like Miscavige so he could focus on his writings.

Miscavige said he was now appearing to let supporters know that Hubbard had completed his research and is now in a new “O.T.,” but that this one operates independent of the body. The strange stuff happens shortly thereafter.

At points during the announcement, it almost seems like the audience doesn’t know what Miscavige is talking about when he references Hubbard’s death.

Then there is this line.

“I can understand that many of you are probably experiencing the effects of the Secondary. However, it is important that you can put this into the proper perspective. LRH (Hubbard) defines a body in the tech dictionary as ‘an identifying form or non-identifying form to facilitate the control of, the communication of, and with, and the havingness of a Thetan. … The body is a physical object. It is not the being himself.”

Um, here’s the video.

https://youtu.be/fsItIQjxsn0?t=3m11s

Since Hubbard’s death, the church of Scientology has undergone serious scrutiny from past members, like Leah Remini.

According to Us Magazine, the former King of Queens actress admitted she had to start receiving therapy after leaving the church, joking, “Now I have somebody to talk to who could prescribe drugs… I joke!”

Remini also confessed that she tried to convince several members of her family to join her in therapy, especially her mother, who spent several decades as a member of the church. However, she admitted that because they are “not used to dealing with certain emotions with each other,” they have yet to join her, even though she insists “it’d be very helpful.”

Meanwhile, the church of Scientology issued a response to People, stating that it came “as no surprise that someone as self-absorbed as Leah Remini continues to rewrite history and exploit her former religion in a pathetic attempt to get ratings for her cable show and seem relevant again.”

What do you think, readers? Is the church of Scientology a religion, a cult, or is there any difference? Weigh in on the comments section below.

[Image of L. Ron Hubbard / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain]