**Detailed Summary:**
- **Philosophical Views:**
- Hubbard believed that humans were placed on Earth by a higher force and were meant to navigate their own path. He described human consciousness as being manipulated and hypnotized, with Scientology aiming to awaken individuals from this state of mental suppression.
- **Early Life and Education:**
- Born on March 13, 1911, in Tien, Nebraska, to Harry Ross Hubbard and Ladora May Hubbard. His father’s naval career led to frequent relocations, influencing Hubbard’s worldview and creativity. Attended various schools and briefly studied engineering at George Washington University, but dropped out after two years.
- **Career Beginnings:**
- Hubbard's writing career began in adolescence, with his first significant publication in 1934. He gained prominence in the pulp fiction industry, known for his imaginative and adventurous tales. His early works reflected a fascination with exploration and science fiction.
- **Development of Dianetics:**
- In 1950, Hubbard published "Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health," which proposed a method for clearing negative past influences through auditing. This book laid the foundation for Scientology, focusing initially on mental health.
- **Creation of Scientology:**
- Scientology was officially established in 1953, expanding on Dianetics by introducing the concept of the Thetan, an immortal spiritual being. The church offered spiritual enlightenment through practices like auditing and the use of the e-meter, a device intended to measure mental states.
- **Controversies and Criticisms:**
- Scientology faced significant criticism from the scientific and medical communities, particularly concerning the lack of empirical support for its methods. The church’s practices, including the e-meter and auditing, were contested as pseudoscientific.
- **Legal Issues:**
- Hubbard and the Church of Scientology encountered numerous legal battles, including the infamous Operation Snow White, which involved infiltration of government agencies and resulted in convictions for several church members. The church’s fight for tax-exempt status and its financial dealings, including allegations of exploitation and abuse, have been a persistent source of controversy.
- **Aggressive Tactics Against Critics:**
- Scientology has a history of targeting critics and defectors through harassment, legal threats, and surveillance. Notable cases include Paulette Cooper and Mike Rinder, who faced severe repercussions for their criticisms.
- **Hubbard’s Personal Life:**
- Hubbard’s personal life was marked by controversy, including allegations of abuse and manipulation. His claims about his experiences and achievements, such as being a war hero, were often exaggerated or unsubstantiated. His complex relationships and erratic behavior contributed to a tumultuous personal and professional legacy.
- **Legacy and Influence:**
- Despite ongoing controversies, Scientology remains influential and financially strong, partly due to high-profile endorsements from celebrities. Hubbard’s writings continue to shape the church’s teachings, but his legacy is overshadowed by the church’s contentious history and the practices it employs to maintain control and manage its public image.
**Simplified Essay:**
L. Ron Hubbard's last interview within the Church of Scientology reveals a complex and controversial figure whose impact extends far beyond his imaginative fiction. Hubbard's philosophical views posited that humans were placed on Earth by a higher force and needed to awaken from mental manipulation, a theme central to his teachings in Scientology. His transition from a pulp fiction writer to a religious leader was marked by ambitious and groundbreaking ideas, but also by significant controversies. Scientology's rise was accompanied by accusations of pseudoscience, financial exploitation, and aggressive tactics against critics. Hubbard’s personal life, characterized by contradictions and allegations of abuse, further complicates his legacy. Despite the church's ongoing financial success and influence, the shadows of its contentious history and Hubbard's problematic practices continue to shape perceptions of Scientology.
