Scientology Freezone

[Akshi]

The Scientology Free Zone, also known as Freezone or Independent Scientology, refers to a diverse array of groups, organizations, and individuals who practice Scientology beliefs and techniques outside the official Church of Scientology (CoS). These practitioners operate independently, often rejecting the CoS’s organizational structure, leadership, or perceived deviations from the original teachings of Scientology’s founder, L. Ron Hubbard. The Free Zone is characterized by its non-hierarchical, decentralized nature, allowing for a spectrum of practices ranging from strict adherence to Hubbard’s original “Tech” (Scientology technology) to innovative adaptations that may diverge significantly from traditional Scientology. Below is a highly detailed description of the Free Zone, its history, practices, key groups, controversies, and scholarly perspectives, followed by a bibliography and relevant links.

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### Detailed Description of the Scientology Free Zone

#### Origins and Historical Context
The Free Zone emerged as a response to dissatisfaction with the Church of Scientology’s leadership, policies, and practices, particularly following significant internal upheavals in the early 1980s. A pivotal moment was the 1982–1983 power shift within the CoS, led by David Miscavige, who assumed control after Hubbard’s death in 1986. This period saw the expulsion of many senior Scientologists, including high-ranking Sea Org members, who were declared “suppressive persons” (SPs) by the CoS, a designation used to excommunicate members deemed harmful to the organization. These expulsions, combined with allegations of financial exploitation, authoritarianism, and deviations from Hubbard’s teachings, prompted many to leave the CoS while continuing to believe in and practice Scientology independently.

The term “Free Zone” was first used by Bill Robertson, a former Sea Org member, who founded Ron’s Org in 1982, one of the earliest and most prominent Free Zone groups. However, the California Association of Dianetic Auditors (CADA), established in December 1950, predates even the CoS and is considered the oldest breakaway group still in existence. The Free Zone gained traction as a broader term to encompass all non-CoS Scientology practitioners, though some prefer the label “Independent Scientology” to distance themselves from specific groups like Ron’s Org.

The Free Zone’s formation was fueled by several factors:
- **Discontent with CoS Leadership**: Many Free Zoners, as noted in a *Miami Herald* article, felt that the CoS under Miscavige had “strayed from Hubbard’s original teachings.” They criticized practices such as high financial costs, aggressive recruitment, and the “Fair Game” policy, which targeted perceived enemies of the Church.
- **Hubbard’s Philosophy**: Free Zoners often cite Hubbard’s own words, such as a purported command quoted in a 2004 International Freezone Association press release: “…before you go, whisper this to your sons and their sons: ‘THE WORK WAS FREE. KEEP IT SO.’” This reflects their belief that Scientology’s teachings should be accessible without the CoS’s financial and organizational barriers.
- **Internet as a Catalyst**: The rise of the internet in the 1990s and 2000s was a game-changer, allowing Free Zoners to share Hubbard’s texts, discuss practices, and form communities outside the CoS’s control. This led to a proliferation of Free Zone groups and individuals, as noted by scholars like James R. Lewis and Carole M. Cusack.

#### Beliefs and Practices
Free Zone Scientology is not a monolithic movement but a spectrum of practices and beliefs united by a shared foundation in Hubbard’s Dianetics and Scientology principles. Key aspects include:

1. **Auditing and the “Tech”**:
- **Auditing**: The core spiritual practice of Scientology, auditing is a form of counseling where a trained auditor guides a practitioner (referred to as a “preclear”) through processes to remove “engrams” (mental imprints of traumatic experiences) and advance toward spiritual freedom. Free Zoners emphasize auditing as a central practice, but approaches vary. Some adhere strictly to Hubbard’s “standard tech,” while others innovate, incorporating new methods or blending Scientology with other spiritual practices.
- **E-Meters**: Free Zoners often use homemade or alternative versions of the E-Meter, a device used in auditing to measure emotional responses. Unlike the CoS, which holds copyrights on official E-Meters, Free Zoners create their own to avoid legal issues.
- **The Bridge to Total Freedom**: Free Zoners follow Hubbard’s framework of spiritual progression, which includes levels like “Clear” and “Operating Thetan” (OT). However, some groups, like Ron’s Org, claim to offer advanced OT levels beyond those provided by the CoS, purportedly based on channeled messages from Hubbard after his death.

2. **Diversity of Beliefs**:
- **Purists vs. Innovators**: Scholar Aled Thomas divides Free Zoners into “purists,” who emphasize fidelity to Hubbard’s original teachings, and “innovators,” who adapt or reinterpret Scientology. Purists often accuse the CoS of “squirreling” (altering Hubbard’s tech), while innovators may integrate Scientology with other philosophies or practices.
- **Thetan and MEST**: Free Zoners generally adhere to Hubbard’s concept of the “thetan” (the soul or spiritual self) and its interaction with the physical universe of Matter, Energy, Space, and Time (MEST). This underpins their belief in spiritual evolution and past lives.
- **Galactic Narratives**: Some Free Zone groups, particularly Ron’s Org, embrace Hubbard’s cosmological narratives, including stories of the Galactic Confederacy and Xenu, which are often downplayed or kept secret within the CoS.

3. **Organizational Structure**:
- The Free Zone is characterized by its “horizontal structure,” contrasting with the CoS’s rigid, vertical hierarchy. There is no centralized authority, leading to a decentralized, fluid movement. Practitioners operate independently or in small groups, often connected through online platforms.
- Key organizations include:
- **Ron’s Org**: Founded by Bill Robertson in 1982, headquartered in Switzerland, with affiliates in Germany, Russia, and former Soviet states. Robertson claimed to channel Hubbard’s spirit, developing new OT levels.
- **California Association of Dianetic Auditors (CADA)**: Established in 1950, focuses on Dianetics, the precursor to Scientology, and claims to predate the CoS.
- **International Freezone Association (IFA)**: Promotes independent Scientology and cites Hubbard’s directive to keep the work free.
- **Advanced Ability Center**: Founded by David Mayo in the 1980s in Santa Barbara, California, but closed after legal battles with the CoS.
- **Independent Practitioners**: Individuals like Marty Rathbun, a former CoS Inspector General, who began offering auditing services independently in the 2000s, coining the term “Independent Scientology.”

#### Relationship with the Church of Scientology
The CoS is vehemently opposed to the Free Zone, labeling its practitioners “squirrels” (a pejorative term for those who misuse or alter Scientology tech) and their activities as heretical. The CoS argues that only its sanctioned practices ensure the correct application of Hubbard’s technology, claiming that Free Zone practices are dangerous or ineffective. The CoS has pursued legal action against Free Zoners, such as the 1985 injunction against David Mayo’s Advanced Ability Center, which led to its bankruptcy.

Free Zoners, in turn, accuse the CoS of “squirreling” by altering Hubbard’s texts posthumously and exploiting members through high fees and authoritarian policies. They view the CoS as having deviated from Hubbard’s original intent, particularly under Miscavige’s leadership. This mutual hostility has created a complex dynamic, with Free Zoners positioning themselves as reformers or purists seeking to preserve “true” Scientology.

#### Scholarly Perspectives
Scholars have increasingly studied the Free Zone as a distinct phenomenon within the broader context of new religious movements (NRMs):
- **Aled Thomas**: In his book *Free Zone Scientology: Contesting the Boundaries of a New Religion* (2021), Thomas argues that the Free Zone represents a “fluid religion” with a horizontal structure, contrasting with the CoS’s top-down hierarchy. He uses auditing as a case study to explore how Free Zoners negotiate authenticity, innovation, and material culture (e.g., E-Meters).
- **James R. Lewis**: Lewis suggests that the Free Zone’s sincerely held beliefs provide evidence that Scientology qualifies as a religion in a legal sense. He notes that the CoS’s policies, such as declaring members SPs, have inadvertently fueled the Free Zone’s growth.
- **Elizabeth Tuxen Rubin**: After interviewing 16 Free Zoners in Denmark, Rubin found that they maintained Scientology’s belief system despite rejecting the CoS, highlighting the movement’s resilience.
- **Carole M. Cusack**: Cusack notes the internet’s role in enabling Free Zoners to access and share Scientology’s once-secret documents, challenging the CoS’s control over knowledge.
- **Kyle D. Byron**: In a 2015 article, Byron describes the Free Zone as a reform movement critical of the CoS’s institutional corruption, emphasizing its significance in Scientology’s history.

#### Controversies and Criticisms
The Free Zone is not without controversy:
- **Fundamentalism vs. Reform**: Some Free Zoners are seen as fundamentalist, adhering strictly to Hubbard’s teachings, which critics argue retain authoritarian or manipulative elements. Others, like Claude-Alain Humbert, caution that Free Zone groups may replicate the CoS’s “totalitarian ideology” in new forms.
- **Legal Battles**: The CoS’s litigious nature has led to lawsuits against Free Zone groups for copyright infringement, particularly over the use of Hubbard’s texts and E-Meters.
- **Public Perception**: The Free Zone is often overshadowed by the CoS’s negative public image, with critics questioning whether Scientology, in any form, is a legitimate spiritual practice or a “psychocult.”
- **Internal Divisions**: The lack of centralized authority leads to disputes among Free Zoners over authenticity and practice, with purists clashing with innovators.

#### Global Presence and Digital Influence
The Free Zone has a global presence, with active communities in Europe (e.g., Ron’s Org in Switzerland and Germany), Russia, Israel (Dror Center), and the United States. The internet has been crucial, with websites like Freezoneearth.org, Freezone.org, and online forums (e.g., alt.clearing.technology) providing platforms for sharing resources, auditing services, and discussions. Social media, such as Reddit’s r/scientology, also hosts conversations about Free Zone practices, though these are often mixed with skepticism and debate.

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### Bibliography
Below is a bibliography of key sources on the Scientology Free Zone, including academic studies, articles, and primary sources. These are drawn from the provided references and additional scholarly works.

1. **Books**:
- Thomas, Aled. *Free Zone Scientology: Contesting the Boundaries of a New Religion*. Bloomsbury Academic, 2021. [A comprehensive ethnographic study of Free Zone Scientology, focusing on auditing and the movement’s fluid structure.]
- Wallis, Roy. *The Road to Total Freedom: A Sociological Analysis of Scientology*. Columbia University Press, 1976. [An early sociological study of Scientology, including its organizational dynamics and schisms.]
- Urban, Hugh B. *The Church of Scientology: A History of a New Religion*. Princeton University Press, 2011. [Provides context for the CoS’s history and the emergence of breakaway groups.]

2. **Articles and Chapters**:
- Byron, Kyle D. “Free Zone Scientology: The Social Structure of a Contemporary Reform Movement.” *The Hilltop Review*, vol. 7, no. 2, 2015, article 16. [Analyzes the Free Zone as a reform movement critical of the CoS.]
- Lewis, James R. “Free Zone Scientology and Other Movement Milieus: A Preliminary Characterization.” *Temenos*, vol. 49, no. 2, 2013, pp. 255–276. [Explores the Free Zone’s religious legitimacy and diversity.]
- Hellesøy, Kjersti. “Scientology Schisms and the Free Zone: A Study of Ron’s Org and the Dror Center.” *International Journal for the Study of New Religions*, vol. 7, no. 1, 2016, pp. 3–30. [Fieldwork-based study of two Free Zone groups.]
- Rubin, Elizabeth Tuxen. “Disaffiliation Among Scientologists: A Sociological Study of Post-Apostasy Behaviour and Attitudes.” *International Journal for the Study of New Religions*, vol. 2, no. 2, 2011, pp. 201–224. [Examines Free Zoners’ continued belief in Scientology post-CoS.]

3. **Primary Sources**:
- International Freezone Association. “The Truth Is Out Here! : The Scientology Free Zone could be described as the pioneer of truth in the tradition of the Great Western Pioneers of the US who carved out a place in history.” Press release, November 16, 2004. http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/11/prweb178508.htm.
- Hubbard, L. Ron. *Scientology 8-8008*. Bridge Publications, 1952. [A key Scientology text discussing the thetan and MEST.]
- Hubbard, L. Ron. *Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health*. Hermitage House, 1950. [Foundational text for Dianetics, widely used by Free Zoners.]

4. **News and Media**:
- Sappell, Joel, and Robert W. Welkos. “When the Doctrine Leaves the Church.” *Los Angeles Times*, June 29, 1990. http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-sc ... ws-comment. [Discusses Free Zone motivations and CoS criticisms.]
- “Into the Freezone: Practicing Scientology Outside of the Church.” *Vice*, August 25, 2015. https://www.vice.com/en/article/into-th ... the-church. [Profiles Free Zone practitioners and their beliefs.]

5. **Online Resources**:
- “Free Zone (Scientology).” *Wikipedia*. Last modified January 18, 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_Zone_(Scientology). [Overview of Free Zone history and groups.]
- “Index Online Research Materials - Scientology.” *WikiLeaks*. https://wikileaks.org/wiki/Index_Online ... cientology. [Collection of critical resources on Scientology, including Free Zone references.]

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### Links
Below are relevant links to websites, organizations, and resources related to the Scientology Free Zone. Note that some links may be controversial or biased, and users should approach them critically.

1. **Free Zone Organizations**:
- **Freezoneearth.org**: http://www.freezoneearth.org – A hub for Free Zone resources, including auditing materials and links to other Free Zone sites.
- **Freezone.org**: http://www.freezone.org – Website of the Freie Zone e.V., an international Free Zone association registered in Germany.
- **Freezoneplanet.org**: http://www.freezoneplanet.org – Chronicles the history of Free Zone Scientology, including Mike Goldstein’s “New Regime Takeover” and “Life After The CoS” series.
- **Rons-org.de**: http://www.rons-org.de – Official site of Ron’s Org, detailing its history and practices.
- **California Association of Dianetic Auditors**: http://ca-da.org/whoweare/whoweare.html – Information on the oldest breakaway group.

2. **Academic and Informational Resources**:
- **Bloomsbury Collections – Free Zone Scientology**: https://www.bloomsburycollections.com/b ... w-religion – Access to Aled Thomas’s book (institutional access required).
- **Religion in Public Blog – Q&A with Aled Thomas**: https://religioninpublic.leeds.ac.uk/fr ... led-thomas – Insights into Thomas’s research on Free Zone Scientology.
- **ResearchGate – Free Zone Scientology and Other Movement Milieus**: https://www.researchgate.net/publicatio ... terization – James R. Lewis’s article on the Free Zone.

3. **Critical and Archival Resources**:
- **WikiLeaks – Scientology Research Materials**: https://wikileaks.org/wiki/Index_Online ... cientology – Archives of Scientology-related documents, including critical perspectives.
- **Ex-Scientology Kids – Freezone/Independent Scientology**: https://exscientologykids.com/the-freez ... cientology – Introduction to the Free Zone for former Scientologists.
- **RationalWiki – Free Zone**: https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Free_Zone – A skeptical perspective on Free Zone Scientology.

4. **Social Media and Forums**:
- **Reddit – r/scientology**: https://www.reddit.com/r/scientology – Discussions on Free Zone practices, including advice on finding auditors.
- **Alt.clearing.technology and alt.religion.scientology**: Archived discussions on Free Zone history and practices (accessible via web archives or forums like Freezoneplanet.org).

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### Notes
- **Critical Evaluation**: The Free Zone is a contested space, with varying perspectives from supporters, critics, and scholars. Always cross-reference information from multiple sources to avoid bias.
- **Legal Considerations**: The CoS’s litigious history means some Free Zone websites or resources may face legal challenges. Links provided are current as of July 18, 2025, but may change.
- **Accessing Resources**: Some academic sources (e.g., Bloomsbury Collections) require institutional access. Public libraries or universities may provide access to these materials.

This detailed overview, bibliography, and links provide a comprehensive understanding of the Scientology Free Zone, its diversity, and its significance within the broader context of Scientology and new religious movements. If you have specific aspects you’d like to explore further (e.g., a particular group or practice), please let me know[](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zona_Libr ... 3%25ADa%29)[](https://exscientologykids.com/freezone/)