Since its incorporation in December of 1953, the Church of Scientology has created or sponsored several entities and corporations, which are connected, each with a place in the Church's organizational structure.
Known as the Command Channels of Scientology, the organizational structure of the Church includes the routes through which authorizations and permissions find their way to the higher echelons of the Church of Scientology. The Command Channels bring order to the various facets of the Church, allowing them to operate together at maximum efficiency.
The organizational structure of the Church is made up of different types of corporations, organizations, or units, with command channels between the organizations and between each echelon. The Command Channels of Scientology are followed rigidly.
The Religious Technology Center oversees the trademarks, symbols, and texts of the Church of Scientology, and controls their licensing and use. As part of the Church's international management, the RTC also polices Scientology's command channels.
While the RTC oversees the trademarks of the Church of Scientology, the Church of Spiritual Technology owns all of the copyrights, and does business as L. Ron Hubbard Library.
Sea Org is described by the Church as a fraternal religious order, made up of its most dedicated and trusted members. Although not controlled by Sea Org directly, all of the management organizations of the Church are controlled by members of Sea Org. Originally based on four ships, hence its name, it Sea Org moved to land-based operations in 1975.
The Commodore's Messenger Org is the enforcement and execution arm of the Watchdog Committee, responsible for communicating orders and verifying compliance with orders given by the WDC. Its functions are carried out through investigations and reports, executing programs, and operating missions ordered by the WDC.
The top echelon is the Church of Scientology International (International Management) which provides strategies for each part of the Church through several dependent units.
Foremost of these units is the Watchdog Committee, the highest ecclesiastical body of the Church. The WDC is responsible for evaluating the management units of the Church.
The Flag Service Org operates a religious retreat, which also serves as the spiritual headquarters for Scientologists, and is the hub of the Church's international community. It includes the Flag Ship Service Org, the Flag Crew Org, Freewinds Ship Org.
Celebrity Centres are Scientology churches intended mostly for celebrities, such as artists, politicians, sports figures, and business leaders.
Scientology Missions International manages Scientology Missions, which are beginner organizations within the Church, offering basic Dianetics and other Scientology services to Scientologists and the general public.
World Institute of Scientology Enterprises is a worldwide membership organization. Members of WISE are businesses and firms, not connected to the Church, who want to provide Scientology training to their employees and staff.
The Association for Better Living and Education was established to promote the secular uses of L. Ron Hubbard's works. ABLE oversees four other Scientology-sponsored organizations: Applied Scholastics, Criminon, Narconon, and The Way to Happiness Foundation.
Staffed by Sea Org members, Golden Era Productions produces promotional material for the Church of Scientology, and is housed on a 500-acre compounds known as Gold Base in Riverside County, California. Gold Base also serves as the headquarters for Scientology.
Bridge Publications is the chief publishing arm of the Church of Scientology. It publishes the written works of L. Ron Hubbard. Outside of North America, it operates as New Era Publications.
A wholly owned subsidiary of the Church of Spiritual Technology, Author Services represents the literary, theatrical, and musical works of L. Ron Hubbard, managing his personal, business, and literary affairs. Author Services also holds an annual Writers and Illustrators of the Future contest, which includes sponsors from outside the Church.
Originally known as the Guardian's Office, the Office of Special Affairs has responsibility for directing the legal affairs and investigations of the Church of Scientology.
These and other organizations of the Church of Scientology are the focus of topics in this category. Others include, but are not necessarily limited to, Dianetics Centers International, Dianetics Foundation International, Hubbard Dianetics Foundation, Scientology International Reserves Trust, Trust for Scientologists, Scientology Defense Trust, Citizens Commission on Human Rights, International Hubbard Ecclesiastical League of Pastors, and Scientology TV Network.
Recommended Resources
Formed in 1972 to promote the study techniques devised by L. Ron Hubbard, the Church of Scientology’s founder, Applied Scholastics operates the Hollywood Education and Literacy Project, the World Literacy Crusade, Education Alive, and the Literacy, Education, and Abilities Program. Its programs are summarized, including its educational issues, study technology, training programs, schools, and programs, and results.
http://www.appliedscholastics.org/
Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre
Situated in Hollywood, California, the Centre is one of several around the world, serving as Scientology churches that are intended largely for celebrities, such as artists, sports figures, politicians, and corporate leaders. Scientology and Dianetics are outlined, an introduction to its founder, L. Ron Hubbard, is included, with information on how to get started in Scientology, a calendar of events, and contacts.
http://www.scientology.cc/
Citizens Commission on Human Rights
The CCHR is a non-profit organization formed by the Church of Scientology in 1969 and largely concerned with opposing what it views as abuses of the mental health system. An overview of the organization and its accomplishments are presented, along with leadership contacts, informational articles, and video purporting to give the truth about psychiatry. Action items and alternatives to psychiatric care are included.
https://www.cchr.org/
Criminon is a prisoner rehabilitation program set up according to the teachings of L. Ron Hubbard. Administered by the Association for Better Living and Education (ABLE), a non-profit organization sponsored by the Church of Scientology, it is a prison-based version of Narcanon. An introduction to the program is offered, including reports of its successes, statistics, and programs.
http://www.criminon.org/
Foundation for a Drug-Free World
Often working in conjunction with Narcanon, FDFW is a non-profit organization with a mission to combat problems of drug and alcohol abuse, largely through the publication and distribution of anti-drug booklets, public service announcements, and various drug awareness events. Associated with the Church of Scientology, the organization offers free online courses, downloadable booklets, and a drug education package for schools.
https://www.drugfreeworld.org/
Administered by the Association for Better Living and Education (ABLE), Narcanon is sponsored by the Church of Scientology. Based on the theories and principles of L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology’s founder, Narcanon operates residential centers worldwide, but primarily in the United States and Western Europe. An overview of the program is given, with client testimonials, and a list of centers.
https://www.narconon.org/
The RTC controls and oversees the trademarks and copyrights of the Church of Scientology and Dyanetics, as a way of ensuring the future of Scientology. Its origins, goals, and mission are posted to the site, with an introduction to the chairman of the board of the RTC, a calendar of events, and notices of openings of new Scientology churches. Other matters of RTC concern are discussed, and reports may be sent online.
http://www.rtc.org/
Scientology Flag Service Organization
The Church of Scientology FSO serves as the spiritual headquarters of the Church. Headquartered in Clearwater, Florida, the FSO operates several other buildings as religious retreats, each of which are highlighted here, along with a history of the Church, biographer of its founder, L. Ron Hubbard, and an overview of its beliefs and practices. The programs of the Church are outlined, and a calendar of events is included.
https://www.scientology-fso.org/
Scientology Volunteer Ministers
Created in response to an appeal by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, the VM program is designed to assist communities in improving conditions, rescuing failing students, helping addicts get off of drugs, alleviating the emotional trauma of physical injuries, salvaging troubled relationships, and solving human conflicts. Free online training is offered, and a bookstore allows interested people to purchase Scientology books, courses, DVDs, and other products online.
https://www.volunteerministers.org/
UHR is an international, non-profit organization, sponsored by the Church of Scientology for the purpose of implementing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at the local, regional, national, and international levels. A free online course on human rights is offered, along with information about joining a Human Rights chapter. A free information kit for teachers may be requested.
https://www.humanrights.com/
Youth for Human Rights International
YHRI is a worldwide movement to educate youth around the world about human rights, teaching them to become advocates for the promotion of peace. Founded and staffed largely by Scientologists, the organization promotes the teachings of L. Ron Hubbard on human rights and the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Available in several languages, its programs, actions, and contests are highlighted.
https://www.youthforhumanrights.org/
