2011: Scientology Greatly Expanded Its Internet Presence
The Church of Scientology reached out to the more than 2 billion Internet users in 2011 with ads, video, online training, iPad apps and Scientology-sponsored interactive humanitarian campaigns.
In 2011, the Church of Scientology reached out to the more than 2 billion Internet users—one-fifth of the world’s population—with a virtual explosion of information on the Scientology religion and Scientology-sponsored humanitarian campaigns.
The Church placed its “Know Yourself, Know Life” informational videos through online TV shows, music programs and news broadcasts, reaching an estimated 40 million viewers with videos providing a brief overview of basic Scientology principles and outlining the purpose and impact of Church-sponsored humanitarian programs.
Further, with Scientology banner ads and sponsored links generating 1 million views each hour, the Church’s public information campaign reached online visitors from 190 nations in 2011, bringing someone new to the Scientology website every second and generating more than 180 page views a minute. Visitors spent more than 1.6 million hours on the Scientology site in the past 12 months alone.
In October 2011, the Church of Scientology raised its Internet presence to entirely new levels by announcing the release of a 2 1/2-hour film, The Scientology Handbook—Tools for Life, and corresponding free courses, all available in 17 languages through the Scientology website.
Additionally, in the last weeks of 2011, the Church harnessed the power of the Internet to greatly increased the availability and impact of its humanitarian initiatives with interactive online “classrooms,” available through browsers, smartphones and tablets, in partnership with each of the programs it sponsors: human rights education, drug education and prevention and character education. These curricula are available for teachers, parents and community leaders to use. Designed to interest and engage young people, they bring these subjects to life for students of all ages.
A digital pioneer and leader in the online religious community, the Church of Scientology was the first religion to create its own official YouTube Video Channel in 2008. It has now been viewed by millions of visitors.
The Scientology religion was founded by author and philosopher L. Ron Hubbard. The first Church of Scientology was formed in the United States in 1954 and has today expanded to more than 9,000 Churches, Missions and affiliated groups, with millions of members in 165 countries.