The Scientology Story: Six-Part Series

Los Angeles Times, reprinted February 23, 2006

Part 1

The Mind Behind the Religon
By Joel Sappell and Robert W. Welkos
From a life haunted by emotional and financial troubles, L. Ron Hubbard brought forth Scientology. He achieved godlike status among his followers, and his death has not deterred the church's efforts to reach deeper into society.
June 24, 1990

Defining the Theology
By Joel Sappell and Robert W. Welkos
What is Scientology?
June 24, 1990

The Man in Control
By Joel Sappell and Robert W. Welkos
The Church of Scientology today is run by a high-school dropout who grew up at the knee of the late L. Ron Hubbard and wields power with the iron-fisted approach of his mentor.
June 24, 1990

Burglaries and Lies Paved a Path to Prison
By Robert W. Welkos and Joel Sappell
It began with the title of a fairy tale -- Snow White.
June 24, 1990

Church Scriptures Get High-Tech Protection
By Robert W. Welkos and Joel Sappell
Scientology is determined that the words of L. Ron Hubbard shall live forever.
June 24, 1990

Part 2

Church Markets Its Gospel With High-Pressure Sales
By Joel Sappell And Robert W. Welkos
Behind the religious trappings, the Church of Scientology is run like a lean, no-nonsense business in which potential members are called "prospects," "raw meat" and "bodies in the shop."
June 25, 1990

Shoring Up Its Religious Profile
By Joel Sappell And Robert W. Welkos,
The church has adopted the terminology and trappings of traditional theologies. But the IRS is not convinced.
June 25, 1990

The Courting of Celebrities
By Joel Sappell And Robert W. Welkos
Testimonials of the famous are prominent in the church's push for acceptability. John Travolta and Kirstie Alley are the current headliners.
June 25, 1990

Part 3

Defectors Recount Lives of Hard Work, Punishment
By Robert W. Welkos and Joel Sappell
Doris Braine says the transformation of her Patty Jo was heartbreaking.
June 26, 1990

Part 4

Church Seeks Influence in Schools, Business, Science
By Robert W. Welkos and Joel Sappell
Emerging from years of internal strife and public scandal, the Scientology movement has embarked on a sweeping and sophisticated campaign to gain new influence in America.
June 27, 1990

Courting the Power Brokers
By Joel Sappell and Robert W. Welkos
From politicians to the leaders of business, the courts and the media, the church works to win allies to smooth the way for expansion.
June 27, 1990

Foundation Funds Provide Assist to Celebrated Teacher Escalante
By Robert W. Welkos and Joel Sappell
The Scientology movement's Foundation for Advancements in Science and Education has befriended one of America's most celebrated teachers, Jaime Escalante of Garfield High School.
June 27, 1990

Part 5

Costly Strategy Continues to Turn Out Bestsellers
By Robert W. Welkos and Joel Sappell
Call it one of the most remarkable success stories in modern publishing history.
June 28, 1990

Part 6

On the Offensive Against an Array of Suspected Foes
By JOEL SAPPELL and ROBERT W. WELKOS
"Never treat a war like a skirmish. Treat all skirmishes like wars." --L. Ron Hubbard
June 29, 1990

Suits, Protests Fuel a Campaign Against Psychiatry
By Joel Sappell and Robert W. Welkos
As part of its strategy, the movement created a nationwide uproar over the drug Ritalin, used to treat hyperactive children.
June 29, 1990

When the Doctrine Leaves the Church
By Robert W. Welkos and Joel Sappell
The Church of Scientology hates "squirrels."
June 29, 1990

Neither Side Blinks in a Lengthy Feud
By ROBERT W. WELKOS and JOEL SAPPELL
Among its many adversaries, the Church of Scientology's longest-running feud has been with the Internal Revenue Service. So far, neither combatant has blinked.
June 29, 1990