Sea Org
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The Sea Organization or Sea Org is an association of Scientologists established in 1968 by L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology. Its members are found in the central management organizations of the Church of Scientology as well as in individual churches. While it was initially created around maritime customs and traditions while at sea, those customs and traditions persist today even in the land-based branches of the organization.
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[edit] History
On 1 September 1966, L. Ron Hubbard officially resigned from all directorships and management of Scientology churches. He then formed the "Sea Project," which he claimed would assist him with researching tests regarding past life recollections. Called the "Sea Project", because it operated on ships and was intended as a temporary project, it was made up of a small group of Scientologists. In early 1967, upon seeing that Scientology churches were going into a decline, L. Ron Hubbard resumed management of the church in a non-directorship capacity. With the help of the Scientologists that had helped him on the project, he declared that the project was now to be a permanent organization called the "Sea Organization" or "Sea Org". He declared himself "Commodore" and organized the Scientologists with titles and uniforms similar to US Navy design, the Sea Org subsequently became the upper management group within the Church of Scientology. It operated for eight years in the Mediterranean Sea and over this time controlled a number of ships (hence the term "Commodore"). In 1975, they sold the ships they were working from and moved to "land bases" that now operate around the world. In 1987 they purchased a ship called "La Boheme", which they later renamed to "Freewinds". The highest levels of Scientology are taught on this ship. The Sea Org acts as goodwill representatives and administrators of Scientology with the stated purpose to "get ethics in on the planet" (Scientology Ethics rather than ethics in the conventional sense.)[1] Another primary function is "To safeguard the advanced levels of Scientology". According to the church, the Sea Org is a fraternal religious order rather than an incorporated entity.[2]
[edit] The Sea Org today
In more recent times, the Sea Org is primarily based on land; however, the highest levels of Scientology are still delivered at sea on board the Sea Org's vessel, the Freewinds, and the Sea Org still maintains its naval uniforms and character.[3] Only Sea Org members are staff members in Scientology's Advanced Organisations.[1]
[edit] Billion-year contract
Members of the Sea Org sign an employment contract with the organization for one billion years. Sea Org members, in accordance with Scientology beliefs, are expected to return to the Sea Org when they are reborn. The motto of the Sea Org is, "Revenimus" or "We Come Back" in Latin.[3] Official statements from the Church of Scientology contend the contract is merely symbolic of the dedication members are expected to hold to the organization, and that members are free to leave if they wish. It has, however, been alleged by former Sea Org personnel that members are restricted from leaving.[3] Members who do leave are issued a "Freeloader's bill", retroactively billing them for any auditing or training they have received.[4] These Scientologists may not receive any services at any Scientology organizations until they pay off this bill and perform an amends project.
[edit] Salary and benefits to members
Most Sea Org members are paid about US$24 per week (though some sources list US$75).[5][6] However, for those working in Scientology organizations (as opposed to organizations staffed only with Sea Org members), they receive pay based on the amount the local staff gets as they must provide for meals, housing, uniforms, etc. In some cases, Sea Org members are not given their weekly pay.[citation needed]
Members receive basic medical and dental care as resources permit.
Unmarried members of the same sex share common sleeping quarters. Married couples have their own quarters.
[edit] Rehabilitation Project Force
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The Rehabilitation Project Force, or RPF, is a system of work camps[7] set up by the Church of Scientology Sea Organization, intended to rehabilitate members who have not lived up to CoS expectations, failed Security checks or have violated certain policies.
Many ex-Sea Org members have reported grueling and torturous treatment, including Gerry Armstrong, who, during his time in the Sea Org, spent over two years banished to the RPF as a punishment. Says Armstrong:
"It was essentially a prison to which crew who were considered nonproducers, security risks, or just wanted to leave the Sea Org, were assigned. Hubbard's RPF policies established the conditions. RPF members were segregated and not allowed to communicate to anyone else. They had their own spaces and were not allowed in normal crew areas of the ship. They ate after normal crew had eaten, and only whatever was left over from the crew meal. Their berthing was the worst on board, in a roach-infested, filthy and unventilated cargo hold. They wore black boilersuits, even in the hottest weather. They were required to run everywhere. Discipline was harsh and bizarre, with running laps of the ship assigned for the slightest infraction like failing to address a senior with "Sir." Work was hard and the schedule rigid with seven hours sleep time from lights out to lights on, short meal breaks, no liberties and no free time... When one young woman ordered into the RPF took the assignment too lightly, Hubbard created the RPF's RPF and assigned her to it, an even more degrading experience, cut off even from the RPF, kept under guard, forced to clean the ship's bilges, and allowed even less sleep." [8]
Many similar complaints with Sea Org life have been lodged over the years to the present day, archived online on alt.religion.scientology and on skeptical websites. [2]
[edit] Dating, marriage, and family
Because there is little free time, dating prospective marital partners is not possible. This is further complicated by the difficulty in synchronizing days off so time can be spent together. Marriages come about mainly by acquaintance in the course of one's employment duties.[citation needed] Marriage and family are discouraged in the Sea Org, as distractions from serving the Church.[9][10]
Adolescent children may join the Sea Org with the consent of their parents. However, young children are not allowed to live at Sea Org residential units. Beginning around 1982, Sea Org members were actively discouraged from having children. Those that do are dismissed so that they can have the time needed raise their children. When the child becomes independent, that person is permitted to continue enrollment.
There are a number of statements from women formerly in the Sea Org who state that they were advised to get an abortion when they became pregnant so that they would not be sent to lower organizations.[11] This is striking as Scientology is a pro-life religion and actively speaks out against abortion both in its publications and commercials.[6][12]
[edit] Policy on the elderly
Elderly Sea Org members who have physical frailties are put on a reduced work schedule. However, if they reach a certain age where they are not comfortable working any more or wish to spend the rest of their life living peacefully someplace else, they are given a Qualifications Board, and can leave the Sea Org.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Hubbard, L. Ron. Dianetics and Scientology Technical Dictionary. Publications Organization, Los Angeles 1975 ISBN 0-88404-037-2
- ^ What is the Sea Organization?. Basic Facts About the Scientology Religion. Retrieved on June 23, 2006.
- ^ a b c Jon Atack, A Piece of Blue Sky 1990. Link to online version
- ^ Robert Farley. "The unperson", St. Petersburg Times, 2006-06-24, pp. 1A, 14A. Retrieved on August 15, 2006.
- ^ [1]
- ^ a b Times Writer (July 2004). "About Scientology". St. Petersburg Times.
- ^ Reitman, Janet Inside Scientology Rolling Stone, Issue 995. March 9, 2006. Page 57.
- ^ Gerald Armstrong affidavit, March 1986, pp.53ff, as cited in Atack, Jon (1990). A Piece of Blue Sky. New York, NY: Carol Publishing Group. ISBN 0-8184-0499-X.
- ^ Lattin, Don. "Leaving the Fold: Third-generation Scientologist grows disillusioned with faith", San Francisco Chronicle, February 12, 2001
- ^ Kozlowski, Carl. "Debunking a movement", Pasadena Weekly, 2005-08-01. Retrieved on May 25, 2006.
- ^ Stephen A. Kent (July 1999). "Scientology — Is this a Religion?". Marburg Journal of Religion 4 (1). Retrieved on 2006-05-25.
- ^ "Youth For Human Rights Ads".
[edit] External links
- Church of Scientology statement on the Sea Org
- ScientologyToday.org: What is the Sea Organization?
- Scientology.org: The Sea Organization Begin
- CESNUR: The Sea Organization by J. Gordon Melton
- Operation Clambake Presents: The Sea Organization
- Jesse Prince Affidavit
- Abortions in the Sea Org
- Interview with director of Planned Parenthood in Los Angeles, CA
