Lawsuits by ex-members of Scientology’s elite Sea Org allege labor violations

Ex-Scientology lawsuits reveal elite Sea Org group

FOUNDER: L. Ron Hubbard.

YEAR ESTABLISHED: The first Church of Scientology was founded in Los Angeles in 1954.

HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: The Church of Scientology International, the umbrella for all Scientology churches worldwide, is headquartered in Los Angeles. Scientologists consider the church’s spiritual headquarters to be the Church of Scientology in Clearwater, Fla., a religious retreat and training center that is also called the Flag Service Organization.

MEMBERSHIP: Membership numbers are unclear. Scientology spokesman Tommy Davis estimates membership in the millions worldwide and says the church is rapidly growing. The American Religion Identification Survey, however, found the number of Americans who identify as Scientologists dropped from 55,000 in 2001 to 25,000 in 2008.

FAMOUS SCIENTOLOGISTS: Tom Cruise, Kirstie Alley and John Travolta.

BASIC PHILOSOPHY: A blend of Eastern religion, alternative psychology and management theory. Practitioners believe they can eliminate negative energy from past lives through study and “auditing” sessions that use electronic devices called “e-meters” to detect mental trauma. Adherents hope to attain a state called “clear” before becoming “Operating Thetans,” or pure spirits.

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Sources: Information from the Church of Scientology International (www.scientologytoday.org/) and the American Religion Identification Survey.