Answers to Key Questions About Scientology and the Freezone

- What is Scientology really?
- What are the goals of Scientology?
- What is the Freezone?
- What is the difference between the Freezone and the Church of Scientology?
- Structure of the Freezone
- How Do I Know the Freezone is Independent?
- What is Auditing and How Does it Work?
- Who Can Provide Auditing?
- How Does the Bridge Work?
- What is the Scientology View of the Soul?
- Role of God in Scientology
- Where Can I Practice Scientology?
- Cost of Scientology Services
- Is Membership Required?

What is Scientology?

The word Scientology comes from the Latin scio, meaning “to know” in the fullest sense of the word, and the Greek logos, meaning “teaching.” Scientology is a philosophy developed by L. Ron Hubbard. Its roots reach into Buddhism and other Eastern doctrines, uniting them into a workable system applicable to the Western world. Scientology is a philosophy of knowledge whose purpose is to provide man with the means and tools to find his way back to himself.
When dealing with Scientology and working within it, we do not offer ready-made solutions, because every human being is a unique individual. Instead, we provide tools through which a person can Clear himself and determine for himself what is true and what is not. This path is based on ancient Eastern principles such as: “All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think, we become.”
Applying Scientology is a step-by-step process, and each individual must develop his own path, since only the person himself can truly realize himself as a being — as a Thetan.

What Are the Goals of Scientology?

The goal of Scientology, as defined by members of the Free Zone, is the gradual rehabilitation of man as a spiritual being, step by step, restoring all his original capabilities. By rehabilitation we mean the process of recovering the innate abilities and purposes that each being once had but lost during his long history. These abilities still exist and can be restored — similar to the Buddhist concept that every being carries within himself the essence of the Buddha.
Through Scientology, working together with other people and the areas of life with which one is connected, a person can find his path back to his true nature and spiritual power — as a being of Theta.

What is the Free Zone?

The term Free Zone was originally introduced by Captain Bill Robertson through the Free Zone Decree. Its original definition, given in his book Sector 9, refers to an area free from control by suppressive organizations or “implanters,” where spiritual progress is possible. The term is also used to denote the independent practice of Scientology outside of the Church of Scientology.
Captain Bill established the lines of the Galactic Patrol in 1982, and soon afterward he created the “Ron’s Orgs” in 1984.
The Free Zone of Dianetics and Scientology was founded in 1984 by Bill Robertson in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. It clearly distinguishes itself from both the official and unofficial organizations of the Church of Scientology. The purpose of the Free Zone is to apply the technology of L. Ron Hubbard in an atmosphere of freedom and in its original sense — as it was intended by Hubbard himself — a method that works and helps a person improve the conditions of his own life.
We are supporters of the principle of the Golden Mean and do not regard this philosophy as the only possible path to happiness.
Many members of the Free Zone were once part of the Church of Scientology but were expelled because they adhered to the original philosophy of L. Ron Hubbard — or left voluntarily when they saw that the Church no longer engaged in constructive application of the technology. Others became acquainted with this philosophy for the first time within the Free Zone, receiving reliable information without pressure or coercion.
Our purpose is to apply the technology of L. Ron Hubbard in an atmosphere of freedom and in the way we understand it — to help others find their own path to self-realization. We do not subject people to “authoritarian training,” but rather assist them in discovering for themselves what is true for them.

What is the Difference Between the Free Zone and the Church of Scientology?

We make a Clear distinction between our concept of L. Ron Hubbard’s philosophy and that which exists within the Church of Scientology. We see ourselves as part of society, not separate from it, and we have no desire to isolate ourselves or others. Our intention is not to gain control over society through our philosophy, but to enrich it. Each of us has gained much through applying this philosophy — in terms of greater understanding, awareness, ability, and inner peace.
The Church of Scientology claims ownership of all of L. Ron Hubbard’s works and attempts to prevent the use of his philosophy outside its control. Yet, to this day, the question of copyright remains unresolved. We believe that L. Ron Hubbard devoted himself to humanity and never desired anything other than to help others. The Church of Scientology, however, turns individuals into subjects of the organization, maintaining their apparent happiness with the illusion of freedom or coercing them when necessary.
In our view, the way Hubbard’s technology is practiced within the Church of Scientology has little to do with the original philosophy and its true purpose. Within the Church, the technology is used against people — to gain power over them and to extract as much money as possible. The true goal has been lost from sight.

What is the Structure of the Free Zone?

The main reason for the failure of the Church of Scientology lies in its structure. Being built on hierarchical principles, it lost control over itself and turned into a dictatorial, suppressive system that uses people instead of helping them.
Taking these mistakes into account, we in the Free Zone chose to create a network of organizations that remain in contact with each other yet are entirely autonomous. There are various groups in different cities and countries providing auditing and Training. They cooperate and exchange information about their work and projects. In the Free Zone, there is no central governing authority.
Once a year, a major conference is held where free Scientologists from all over the world meet and exchange experience.

How Do I Know the Free Zone Is Not Another Masked Organization of the Church of Scientology?

To outsiders and newcomers, the difference between the Free Zone and the Church of Scientology is not always immediately apparent — both in structure and content. Only through personal experience can one perceive the difference, comparing it with the negative information they may have received from the media about the Church. Yet they will soon realize that here something is different — despite the same name, Scientology.
Perhaps this example will strengthen your confidence. The Office for the Protection of the Constitution (Verfassungsschutz) of the German state of Baden-Württemberg stated years ago that the Free Zone is not a part of the Church of Scientology and that there is no reason to monitor its activities, since the Free Zone does not pursue anti-constitutional goals. In fact, some cooperation exists between members of the Free Zone and state authorities who observe and investigate the Church of Scientology. Major magazines such as Focus (Germany) and Facts (Switzerland) have reported that the Free Zone operates independently of the Church and has even been attacked by it. Numerous lawsuits prove that the Church of Scientology has tried to slow down or stop any attempt by people to study and practice the philosophy of Scientology freely and outside its control.
Finally, you may refer to the Statutes of the Association “Freie Zone e.V.” (http://www.freezone.org/e_assoc.htm). Although these statutes do not apply to the entire Free Zone, they were written by individuals operating within its framework and therefore reflect the viewpoint of those in the Free Zone.

What Is Auditing and How Does It Work?

The word auditing comes from the Latin audire, meaning “to listen.” auditing is a technology in which a trained practitioner, called an Auditor, asks specific questions to a person seeking improvement and listens attentively to the answers. When the person completes his answer, the Auditor acknowledges it neutrally. One of the fundamental principles of auditing is never to evaluate or interpret the person’s answers. This allows the person, through his own self-determinism, to discover more about himself and about life.
The subjects addressed during an auditing session concern those areas of life where the person has difficulties — where he feels under Other-Determinism, where he is being controlled by others or mechanisms. When the underlying causes of these conditions are found, they turn out to be unconscious blocks — Engrams — that obscure the person’s true abilities. These blocks stem from past incidents that, to varying degrees, threatened the person’s survival. As a result, he developed mechanisms that gradually took control over him.
The purpose of auditing, therefore, is to allow a person to regain awareness of these areas of life, enabling him once again to determine his own path and to restore his abilities as a Thetan.
An important point we emphasize is that auditing never employs techniques that lower awareness — such as hypnosis, suggestion, drugs, or similar means. The Auditor must follow a strict Code that clearly prohibits auditing a person who is under the influence of drugs, alcohol, medication, or who is physically ill or overly fatigued.

Who Can Provide Auditing?

To deliver auditing, one must undergo thorough Training that includes both theoretical study and practical exercises. A trained Auditor is someone capable of guiding another person through the areas of life problems that the person wishes to understand and resolve. Such work is done under the supervision of a Case-Supervisor (C/S), who ensures correct application of the technology and that Rudiments are properly in.

How Does the Path Work?

L. Ron Hubbard developed a method for the effective improvement of man, addressing the different areas of his life in a specific sequence. We call the path that leads a person toward total spiritual freedom the Bridge.
The Bridge is a sequence of levels that one ascends step by step, gaining new abilities at each level. These abilities include, for example, the capacity to communicate freely with anyone on any subject. The achievement of these abilities and their sequence are laid out in the Classification, Gradation, and Awareness Chart.
To make a person even more capable, Scientology also includes TRAINING. The purpose of Training is to help the individual gain greater understanding of life and its mechanisms, enabling him to handle his environment and comprehend why people react the way they do. It is desirable to maintain balance between auditing and Training, since greater ability also increases one’s responsibility for self and others. To assume that responsibility effectively, one needs higher understanding and knowledge.
In addition, there is the possibility of Co-auditing — that is, two people learning to audit each other. This is a very effective and inexpensive way for partners to make remarkable progress together on the Bridge.

What Definition Does Scientology Give to the Human Soul?

The soul of man is the person himself — the Thetan; it is you. It is not your body, not your brain or mind. You are the being who thinks, observes, and decides. Everything we discuss concerns your ability to return to your original state as a conscious, causative Thetan — a Staticcapable of postulating and perceiving without MEST limitations.

What Role Does God Play in Scientology?

This question is left open because each person has his own understanding of it. Scientology is non-denominational; anyone, regardless of religious belief, can apply it for self-betterment. Unlike the Church of Scientology, we do not view Scientology as a religion per se, but rather as a philosophy of knowledge — a means by which one can find answers to questions that undoubtedly touch upon the realm of religion, such as “Where did I come from?” and “Where am I going?”

Where Can I Practice Scientology?

Within the Free Zone, there are many organizations providing services and maintaining open communication with each other. If you are interested, you can find the nearest group and talk to its members without any obligation.
The Free Zone has a sufficient number of trained Auditors who are willing to share their knowledge with new people and help others on their way up the Bridge.

How Much Does Scientology Cost?

Prices vary widely, and each organization has its own policies. The cost of one hour of auditing ranges from 0 to 75 euros (in the CIS countries from 0 to about 4000 rubles per hour), depending on the Auditor’s level of Training. As mentioned earlier, there is also the possibility of Co-auditing, in which two partners audit each other after proper study, making it an affordable and productive path toward release and eventually Clear and OT states.

Must I Belong to a Group to Practice Scientology?

No. You are an individual Thetan, and your personal needs are what count. There are many ways to study and apply Scientology: you can read books, attend courses, or receive auditing sessions. You may work within a group if you wish, but it is not required. Membership in any group is not a prerequisite for advancing on the Bridge. The goal is spiritual freedom and the ability to be cause over life — and all efforts are directed toward achieving this Final Phenomenon.