After serving in World War II, writer L. Ron Hubbard published a series of articles and then a book on what he described as a new approach to mental health. "Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health" was first published in 1950, and it quickly became a best-seller. In 1954, Hubbard founded the Church of Scientology.
After serving in World War II, writer L. Ron Hubbard published a series of articles and then a book on what he described as a new approach to mental health. "Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health" was first published in 1950, and it quickly became a best-seller. In 1954, Hubbard founded the Church of Scientology.
Gilles Bassignac/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images
Hubbard and his children in December 1959. They are testing a device called an E-meter, which Scientologists say measures the body's electric flow as an auditor asks a series of questions that they say reveals sources of trauma. <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Freligion.blogs.cnn.com%2F2012%2F07%2F03%2Ftom-cruise-divorce-raises-question-what-is-scientology-anyway%2F" target="_blank">At the core of Scientology</a> is a belief that each human has a reactive mind that responds to life's traumas, clouding the analytic mind and keeping us from experiencing reality.
Hubbard and his children in December 1959. They are testing a device called an E-meter, which Scientologists say measures the body's electric flow as an auditor asks a series of questions that they say reveals sources of trauma. At the core of Scientology is a belief that each human has a reactive mind that responds to life's traumas, clouding the analytic mind and keeping us from experiencing reality.
Chris Ware/Keystone Features/Getty Images
Hubbard works in his greenhouse in December 1959.
Hubbard works in his greenhouse in December 1959.
Chris Ware/Keystone Features/Getty Images
Hubbard in the south of France in May 1968.
Hubbard in the south of France in May 1968.
L. Ron Hubbard Library/AP
Hubbard talks with reporters in his office in 1974. Many groups and individuals have challenged Scientology's legitimacy as a religion. Scientologists have faced opposition from the medical community over the religion's claims about mental health, from the scientific community over its claims about its E-meters and from other religious groups about its status as a religion.
Hubbard talks with reporters in his office in 1974. Many groups and individuals have challenged Scientology's legitimacy as a religion. Scientologists have faced opposition from the medical community over the religion's claims about mental health, from the scientific community over its claims about its E-meters and from other religious groups about its status as a religion.
Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystine via Getty Images
Hubbard poses for a portrait in New York in January 1982. He died in 1986.
Hubbard poses for a portrait in New York in January 1982. He died in 1986.
Michael Montfort/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
The entrance to the Los Angeles headquarters of the church in March 1998.
The entrance to the Los Angeles headquarters of the church in March 1998.
DPA/Landov
Confetti rains down as actor Tom Cruise, left, embraces David Miscavige, the leader of the Church of Scientology, at the opening of a new church in Madrid in September 2004. Cruise is one of the world's most prominent Scientologists. "What I believe in my own life is that it's a search for how I can do things better, whether it's being a better man or a better father or finding ways for myself to improve," Cruise told Playboy magazine. "Individuals have to decide what is true and real for them."
Confetti rains down as actor Tom Cruise, left, embraces David Miscavige, the leader of the Church of Scientology, at the opening of a new church in Madrid in September 2004. Cruise is one of the world's most prominent Scientologists. "What I believe in my own life is that it's a search for how I can do things better, whether it's being a better man or a better father or finding ways for myself to improve," Cruise told Playboy magazine. "Individuals have to decide what is true and real for them."
Paul White/AP
Miscavige speaks during the inauguration of the Madrid church in September 2004.
Miscavige speaks during the inauguration of the Madrid church in September 2004.
Pierre-Philippe Marcou/AFP/Getty Images
Scientology made headlines in June 2005 when Cruise got into a heated debate with "Today" host Matt Lauer over psychiatric drugs. The Church of Scientology's website says that "the effects of medical and psychiatric drugs, whether painkillers, tranquilizers or 'antidepressants,' are as disastrous" as illicit drugs.
Scientology made headlines in June 2005 when Cruise got into a heated debate with "Today" host Matt Lauer over psychiatric drugs. The Church of Scientology's website says that "the effects of medical and psychiatric drugs, whether painkillers, tranquilizers or 'antidepressants,' are as disastrous" as illicit drugs.
Virginia Sherwood/NBC/AP
Actress Kirstie Alley and actor Tait Ruppert perform during the Church of Scientology's Christmas Stories XIV benefit in December 2006.
Actress Kirstie Alley and actor Tait Ruppert perform during the Church of Scientology's Christmas Stories XIV benefit in December 2006.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
A volunteer from the Church of Scientology touches an injured woman in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, after the devastating earthquake there in January 2010.
A volunteer from the Church of Scientology touches an injured woman in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, after the devastating earthquake there in January 2010.
Thomas Coex/AFP/Getty Images
An E-meter sits next to Hubbard's book "Self Analysis" in Zurich, Swizerland, in January 2011.
An E-meter sits next to Hubbard's book "Self Analysis" in Zurich, Swizerland, in January 2011.
Alessandro Della Bella/Keystone/Corbis
Actor John Travolta and his wife, actress Kelly Preston, attend the opening of a Scientology Mission in Ocala, Florida, in May 2011.
Actor John Travolta and his wife, actress Kelly Preston, attend the opening of a Scientology Mission in Ocala, Florida, in May 2011.
Michael Doven/Getty Images
A headquarters for the Church of Scientology is seen in Clearwater, Florida, in January 2013.
A headquarters for the Church of Scientology is seen in Clearwater, Florida, in January 2013.
Edward Linsmier/Getty Images
In November 2013, Miscavige dedicates the massive Clearwater building as the church's new spiritual headquarters.
In November 2013, Miscavige dedicates the massive Clearwater building as the church's new spiritual headquarters.
James Borchuck/Tampa Bay Times/ZUMAPRESS.com
L. Ron Hubbard and the Church of Scientology

Story highlights

The actor says he's not planning on seeing the buzzed-about documentary

He called Scientology "brilliant"

Travolta credits the church with helping him deal with his son's death

CNN  — 

Buzz has surrounded HBO’s new documentary “Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief,” but Scientologist John Travolta is not a fan.

Travolta told the Tampa Bay Times that he has not seen the documentary, “and I don’t really care to.”

“I’ve been so happy with my (Scientology) experience in the last 40 years that I really don’t have anything to say that would shed light on (a documentary) so decidedly negative,” Travolta said.

The actor, one of the Church of Scientology’s most high-profile members along with stars like Tom Cruise and Kirstie Alley, is premiering his new film, “The Forger,” in Clearwater, Florida.

The HBO documentary is based on the book “Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief” by Lawrence Wright and is critical of the organization, which has close ties to the showbiz industry.

Travolta said he believed the doc was a result of “people who were disgruntled with their experiences” with the Church of Scientology, which he touted as a positive experience for him.

“I haven’t experienced anything that the hearsay has (claimed), so why would I communicate something that wasn’t true for me?” Travolta asked. “It wouldn’t make sense, nor would it for Tom (Cruise), I imagine.”

He called Scientology “brilliant” and credited the church with helping him to survive the death of his teen son, Jett, after a seizure while the family was on vacation in the Bahamas in 2009.

“Oh, my God, I wouldn’t have made it,” said Travolta, whose wife, Kelly Preston, is also a member. “Honestly.”

scientology documentary Going Clear HBO orig_00021027.jpg
Video Ad Feedback
Scientology lashes back at documentary
03:37 - Source: CNN