Hubbard texts in classrooms? State finds no religion problem

The Church of Scientology’s publishing arm, Bridge Publishing, submitted a five-volume series based on the educational teachings of its late founder L. Ron Hubbard to the California Department of Education last year for possible classroom use. Approval of the study skills materials has been stymied twice by the way the materials represent people with disabilities and people of color.

The materials will be revised and presented again later this fall, said Ian Lyons of Applied Scholastics, the Church of Scientology's nonprofit wing that licenses the use of Hubbard's learning methods.

The American Civil Liberties Union and some former Scientologists have concerns that the classroom materials that the may also serve as a proselytizing hook for the organization.

Scientology isn't mentioned in the Hubbard books or the "about the author" section, which highlights Hubbard's career as a science fiction writer and an explorer of "the human condition." However, certain "study technology" terms are also key Scientology concepts found in his other works.

The Sacramento Bee - October 13, 1997
Hubbard Text in classrooms? State finds no religion problem
by Jan Ferris
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