Scientology holidays
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There are many holidays, commemorations and observances in the Church of Scientology, including but not limited to:
- January 25: Criminon Day
This commemorates the 1970 founding of Criminon, a program which seeks to rehabilitate prisoners by disseminating free copies of Scientology-related materials such as The Way to Happiness.
- February 19: Narconon Day
This holiday celebrates the 1966 creation of Narconon, which seeks to cure drug addiction by administering Scientology's Purification Rundown and various "training routines".
- February 22: Celebrity Day
This is a major holiday for Scientology's many Celebrity Centres, highlighting their achievements and celebrating their existence. The date is specifically the anniversary of the opening of the Celebrity Centre International in Los Angeles in 1970, which, in the Church's words, is "dedicated to the rehabilitation of the culture through art".
A celebration of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights, an anti-psychiatry advocacy group established in 1969 by the Church of Scientology and Thomas Szasz. They maintain the "Psychiatry: An Industry of Death" Museum in Hollywood, California.
- March 13: L. Ron Hubbard's birthday
Hubbard, the founder of Dianetics and Scientology, was born on March 13, 1911.
- March 24: Student Day
This holiday celebrates the commencement of the Saint Hill Special Briefing Course in 1961.
- April 20: L. Ron Hubbard Exhibition Day
According to the Church's official website, this day is "to celebrate the opening in 1991 of the L. Ron Hubbard Life Exhibition in Hollywood, California. Featuring impressive audiovisual displays on the life and accomplishments of L. Ron Hubbard, the exhibition is visited by thousands of Scientologists and non-Scientologists annually."
Hubbard's book Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health hit store shelves on this day in 1950. The church regards it as "the occasion when Scientologists and community leaders from around the world acknowledge the contributions Dianetics has made to the betterment of individuals and society at large and the daily miracles that occur through its widespread application."
- May 25: Integrity Day
A day of contemplation of Hubbard's 1965 study on Scientology Ethics.
- June 6: Maiden Voyage Anniversary
The church describes this holiday thus: "On this date in 1988, the Sea Org Motor Vessel Freewinds began her maiden voyage, during which New OT VIII was released publicly. In memory of that day, OT VIII completions convene aboard the Freewinds for a week of special briefings and acknowledgments to new OT VIII completions for their work in disseminating and expanding Scientology."
- June 18: Academy Day
A celebration of Hubbard's Study Tech.
Sea Org Day is a special event for all Sea Organization members, with rank and rating promotion ceremonies. It has been alleged by former members that recreational Sea Org Day events are mandatory: one ex-Scientologist claims "the one day a year you are supposed to get the day off, you are made to go on a bus to the beach, be there for roll call, participate in group games, etc." [1]
- September 4: Clear Day
Clear Day marks the inauguration of Hubbard's Clearing Course, which debuted in 1965.
- 2nd Sunday in September: Auditor's Day
A day of special recognition and acknowledgment for Scientology/Dianetics auditors. This occasion has also been popular with anti-Scientology protestors, as an opportunity to reach students. [2] [3] [4]
From the Church's site: "Held at a different host city each year, members of the IAS gather to commemorate the founding of the IAS and to rededicate themselves to its aims. The annual IAS freedom awards are presented. This event coincides with the annual convention of IAS delegates."
- November 27: Publications Day
A commemoration of the day "Publications Worldwide" opened at Saint Hill Manor in 1967.
- December 7: Flag Land Base Day
Celebrates the opening of the Flag Land Base in Clearwater, Florida in 1975.
- December 30: Freedom Day
According to the Church, this day celebrates the official recognition in 1974 of the Church of Scientology in the United States.
- December 31: New Year's Eve
This is the only secular and non–Hubbard–based observance on the official Scientology calendar, which states "This event welcomes in the new year with a review of accomplishments over the previous year and a look forward to the upcoming year and plans for further reach into new areas of society with L. Ron Hubbard’s technology. Stellar accomplishments of Scientology parishioners helping new people to move up the Bridge to Total Freedom are acknowledged."
Additionally, there are many more holidays which are remembrances of various dates in which Scientology has established itself around the world. Examples include January 28 which celebrates the founding of the Church in New Zealand, March 31 which is the anniversary of the founding of the Church of Scientology Vienna in 1971, and September 25 which marks the 1980 opening of the first Scientology and Dianetics College in Tel Aviv, Israel, where the concept is presented as a College, not a religion.
[edit] External links
- Official list of Scientology holidays
- Tory Christman's critical view of Scientology holidays
- Criticism of Scientology's stance on Christmas
