Scientology Churches Celebrate Dianetics 60th Anniversary
Churches of Scientology around the world celebrate the original release of the religion’s first book this weekend. Published May 9, 1950, Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health became an overnight success and has been a continuing bestseller for 60 years. The work is the anatomy and full description of a portion of the mind that is the source of nightmares, unreasonable fears, upsets and insecurities. More than 20 million copies have been sold.
Based on author L. Ron Hubbard’s researches into the mind and human behavior prior to 1950, its release brought on the spontaneous formation of 750 Dianetics groups around the U.S. and establishment of the Hubbard Dianetics Foundation in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Mr. Hubbard lectured, instructed and otherwise met a staggering demand, while continuing research into the fundamental nature of man culminating in the founding of the Scientology religion in 1952.
Today, Dianetics remains a key substudy of the greater body of Scientology Scripture, its perennial popularity sustained by its workability. Before Dianetics, prevailing scientific thought held that Man’s mind was his brain, nothing more than a collection of cells and neurons, and IQ and personality were considered fixed and unchanging. With Dianetics, IQ and personality improved, its effectiveness documented in a multitude of case histories over more than half a century of application.
In 2009, Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center, announced the completion of translation in 50 languages of Dianetics and seven other basic Scientology books. Mr. Miscavige also released 32 new films of visual instruction in Dianetics procedures on DVD, part of a special Hubbard Dianetics Seminar now offered at Churches of Scientology, which include turnabout application of Dianetics procedure.
Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health is published by Bridge Publications and is available in 125,000 libraries in over 180 countries as well as public bookstores and Churches of Scientology. Dianetics Anniversary celebrations are open to the public.