Was L. Ron Hubbard a Satanist?
L.A. Metroblogger David Markland says “no” after investigating this “urban legend”–but it’s one of those debunking exercises that does a lot of bunking too. Hubbard does seem to have been involved, at some level–along with Jack Parsons, the co-founder of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory–in the “black magick” of Aleister Crowley and his Order Templi Orientis. [T]he major flaw here is that while while the O.T.O. may be heavily involved in “black magick”, it isn’t Satanism, although the Satanism that was popularized by Anton LaVey in the late 60s was based heavily on the O.T.O. Well, alright then! P.S.: According to a quotation from Paul Young cited by Markland, “Hubbard based his own religion, Scientology, on some of Aleister Crowley’s writing including specific symbols, his grading system, his use of hypnotic implants, and the concept of the OTO.” I’d say the best parts of this urban legend are undebunked. … [via L.A. Observed] 11:23 A.M. Friday, March 16, 2007 I probably deserved thi
