In Scientology, the security check (or sec check) is an interrogation technique put into practice by founder L. Ron Hubbard in 1960.[1] It involves an "Ethics officer" probing the thoughts, attitudes and behavior of an individual member by asking them large numbers of questions.[1] The bulk of the questions deal with criminal or sexual activity or intentions, or other things that the interviewee might be ashamed of, and probe negative thoughts that the person might have about Scientology or Hubbard.[2][3]: 85–92 As with "auditing", the person holds the electrodes of the E-meter, a pseudoscientific device that measures electrical conductivity in the human body, while they are given a series of highly probing, personal questions.[2]
Sec checks are also known within the Church of Scientology as "Integrity Processing" or "Confessional Auditing".[1]
A security check is sometimes compared to the practice of confession in other religions, however with its guided questions a sec check is closer to an interrogation than it is to the free-form unburdening of voluntary repentance.[1][2]
Hubbard described security checking as a remedy for "the compulsion or obsession to commit actions" the person feels must be kept secret.[1][4]: 379 Sec checks are performed on every Scientologist on the Bridge to Total Freedom, and every six months for those on the OT VII level "to make sure they're using the tech correctly",[5] and on staff members who wish to leave staff.[6]
Susan Raine observes that the questions asked in security checks show that L. Ron Hubbard was intensely preoccupied with scrutiny, surveillance and betrayal.[1] She notes that this intense form of surveillance makes sense from a bureaucratic perspective as a way of making sure all individuals follow (and internalize) the organisational goals.[1]Bent Corydon compares security checking to the use of thought police in the novel Nineteen Eighty-Four.[1] He writes that Scientologists are punished for having negative thoughts about Hubbard or Scientology and so learn to think only positively.[1] David Mayo reported that sec checks included the question, "Have you ever had any unkind thoughts about LRH?" and that such "discreditable thoughts" could land a follower in trouble.[7]: 288–289
Jon Atack writes that sec checks could be applied either as a "confidential" confessional or as a non-confidential investigation. He alleges that former members have been silenced by the fear that their "confidential" secrets will be used in blackmail against them.[8]: 147
In response to public outrage towards Scientology and increasing government investigations into its practices, head of Public Relations Bureau of the Guardian's Office David Gaiman issued in 1968 a "Code of Reform" announcing the cancellation of the practices of disconnection, declaring people fair game, security checking as a form of confession, and a prohibition of writing down confessional materials. The PR move was to assure the press and governments that a severe puritanical and punitive approach was no longer necessary and so Scientology was taking a new liberal attitude. However, it changed nothing for practices in the organization. Later Scientology documents refer to the practice, and former members report that it still continues.[9][1][8]: 190 [10]: 171–172
In 1972, the South African Commission of Enquiry published a report on Scientology. It recommended that there should be legislation against sec checks. However, no legislative action was taken as a result.[8]: 203
ExamplesEdit
Pre-processing security checkEdit
This check is given to every person applying to start auditing for the first time.[11][2][12]: 149
Are you a pervert?
Are you guilty of any major crimes in this lifetime?
Have you been sent here knowingly to injure Scientology?
Are you or have you ever been a Communist?
Are you closely affiliated to any person or organization violently opposed to L. Ron Hubbard or Scientology?
Johannesburg security checkEdit
The Johannesburg (also known as "Joburg" or "Jo'burg") Security Check was described by Hubbard as "the roughest security check in Scientology". An amended form continued to be used for some time thereafter.[8]: 150–151 Amongst Hubbard's list of primarily crime-related questions is the question "Have you ever slept with a member of a race of another color?"[13][2] Other questions include:[13]
Have you ever embezzled money?
Have you ever been a drug addict?
Have you ever bombed anything?
Have you ever murdered anyone?
Have you ever raped anyone?
Have you ever had anything to do with a baby farm?
Only Valid security checkEdit
The contents of the Joburg security check were later revised into what became "The Only Valid Security Check". Added to the Sec Check are new questions such as:[2][14]
Do you collect sexual objects?
Do you have a secret you are afraid I'll find out?
Are you upset by this security check?
Have you ever had unkind thoughts about L. Ron Hubbard?
Auditor's sec checkEdit
This sec check, comprising 170 questions, was meant for staff auditors and field auditors.[15][16][2]
Do you hope you won't be found out?
Do you think there is anything wrong with having your privacy invaded?
What do you wish you hadn't done?
Are you upset by this security check?
Children's security checkEdit
Designed to be applied to children aged 6 to 12, it includes 100 questions, such as:[17][8]: 151
What has somebody told you not to tell?
Have you ever decided you didn't like some member of your family?
Have you ever taken something belonging to somebody else and never given it back?
Have you ever pretended to be sick (ill)?
Have you ever made yourself sick (ill) or hurt yourself to make somebody sorry?
Whole Track security checkEdit
This long Sec Check, consisting of hundreds of questions, takes stock of the subject's entire time track, including their "recollections" of any "past lives" they believe they have had. It includes questions such as:[8]: 151–152
Did you come to Earth for evil purposes?
Have you ever smothered a baby?
Have you ever enslaved a population?
Have you ever destroyed a culture?
Have you ever torn out someone's tongue?
Have you ever zapped anyone?
Have you ever eaten a human body?
Have you ever made a planet, or nation, radioactive?
ReferencesEdit
^ abcdefghijRaine, Susan (2009). "Surveillance in New Religious Movements: Scientology as a Case Study". Religious Studies and Theology. Equinox Publishing. 28 (1): 63–94. doi:10.1558/rsth.v28i1.63. ISSN 1747-5414.
^ abcdefgUrban, Hugh B. (June 2006). "Fair Game: Secrecy, Security, and the Church of Scientology in Cold War America". Journal of the American Academy of Religion. Oxford University Press. 74 (2): 356–389. doi:10.1093/jaarel/lfj084. ISSN 1477-4585.
^Hubbard, L. Ron (29 November 1968) "Code of Reform" reproduced in Powles, Sir Guy Richardson; E. V. Dumbleton (June 30, 1969). Hubbard Scientology Organisation in New Zealand and any associated scientology organisation or bodies in New Zealand; report of the Commission of Inquiry. Wellington. p. 26. OCLC 147661.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
^ abHubbard, L. Ron (April 7, 1961), HCOPL 7 April 1961, Johannesburg Security Check, Church of Scientology
^Hubbard, L. Ron (May 22, 1961), HCOPL 22 May 1961, The Only Valid Security Check, Church of Scientology
^Anderson, Kevin Victor; Board of Inquiry into Scientology (1965). Report of the Board of Inquiry into Scientology (Parliamentary paper 1-6502/65). Melbourne: State of Victoria. OCLC 152418521.
^Hubbard, L. Ron (July 7, 1961), HCOPL 7 July 1961 II, HGC Auditor's Sec Check, Church of Scientology
^Hubbard, L. Ron (September 21, 1961), HCOB 21 Sept. 1961 Security Check Children, Church of Scientology
External linksEdit
October 27, 2023
list, scientology, security, checks, scientology, security, check, check, interrogation, technique, into, practice, founder, hubbard, 1960, involves, ethics, officer, probing, thoughts, attitudes, behavior, individual, member, asking, them, large, numbers, que. In Scientology the security check or sec check is an interrogation technique put into practice by founder L Ron Hubbard in 1960 1 It involves an Ethics officer probing the thoughts attitudes and behavior of an individual member by asking them large numbers of questions 1 The bulk of the questions deal with criminal or sexual activity or intentions or other things that the interviewee might be ashamed of and probe negative thoughts that the person might have about Scientology or Hubbard 2 3 85 92 As with auditing the person holds the electrodes of the E meter a pseudoscientific device that measures electrical conductivity in the human body while they are given a series of highly probing personal questions 2 Sec checks are also known within the Church of Scientology as Integrity Processing or Confessional Auditing 1 Contents 1 Description 2 Examples 2 1 Pre processing security check 2 2 Johannesburg security check 2 3 Only Valid security check 2 4 Auditor s sec check 2 5 Children s security check 2 6 Whole Track security check 3 References 4 External linksDescription EditA security check is sometimes compared to the practice of confession in other religions however with its guided questions a sec check is closer to an interrogation than it is to the free form unburdening of voluntary repentance 1 2 Hubbard described security checking as a remedy for the compulsion or obsession to commit actions the person feels must be kept secret 1 4 379 Sec checks are performed on every Scientologist on the Bridge to Total Freedom and every six months for those on the OT VII level to make sure they re using the tech correctly 5 and on staff members who wish to leave staff 6 Susan Raine observes that the questions asked in security checks show that L Ron Hubbard was intensely preoccupied with scrutiny surveillance and betrayal 1 She notes that this intense form of surveillance makes sense from a bureaucratic perspective as a way of making sure all individuals follow and internalize the organisational goals 1 Bent Corydon compares security checking to the use of thought police in the novel Nineteen Eighty Four 1 He writes that Scientologists are punished for having negative thoughts about Hubbard or Scientology and so learn to think only positively 1 David Mayo reported that sec checks included the question Have you ever had any unkind thoughts about LRH and that such discreditable thoughts could land a follower in trouble 7 288 289 Jon Atack writes that sec checks could be applied either as a confidential confessional or as a non confidential investigation He alleges that former members have been silenced by the fear that their confidential secrets will be used in blackmail against them 8 147 In response to public outrage towards Scientology and increasing government investigations into its practices head of Public Relations Bureau of the Guardian s Office David Gaiman issued in 1968 a Code of Reform announcing the cancellation of the practices of disconnection declaring people fair game security checking as a form of confession and a prohibition of writing down confessional materials The PR move was to assure the press and governments that a severe puritanical and punitive approach was no longer necessary and so Scientology was taking a new liberal attitude However it changed nothing for practices in the organization Later Scientology documents refer to the practice and former members report that it still continues 9 1 8 190 10 171 172 In 1972 the South African Commission of Enquiry published a report on Scientology It recommended that there should be legislation against sec checks However no legislative action was taken as a result 8 203 Examples EditPre processing security check Edit This check is given to every person applying to start auditing for the first time 11 2 12 149 Are you a pervert Are you guilty of any major crimes in this lifetime Have you been sent here knowingly to injure Scientology Are you or have you ever been a Communist Are you closely affiliated to any person or organization violently opposed to L Ron Hubbard or Scientology Johannesburg security check Edit The Johannesburg also known as Joburg or Jo burg Security Check was described by Hubbard as the roughest security check in Scientology An amended form continued to be used for some time thereafter 8 150 151 Amongst Hubbard s list of primarily crime related questions is the question Have you ever slept with a member of a race of another color 13 2 Other questions include 13 Have you ever embezzled money Have you ever been a drug addict Have you ever bombed anything Have you ever murdered anyone Have you ever raped anyone Have you ever had anything to do with a baby farm Only Valid security check Edit The contents of the Joburg security check were later revised into what became The Only Valid Security Check Added to the Sec Check are new questions such as 2 14 Do you collect sexual objects Do you have a secret you are afraid I ll find out Are you upset by this security check Have you ever had unkind thoughts about L Ron Hubbard Auditor s sec check Edit This sec check comprising 170 questions was meant for staff auditors and field auditors 15 16 2 Do you hope you won t be found out Do you think there is anything wrong with having your privacy invaded What do you wish you hadn t done Are you upset by this security check Children s security check Edit Designed to be applied to children aged 6 to 12 it includes 100 questions such as 17 8 151 What has somebody told you not to tell Have you ever decided you didn t like some member of your family Have you ever taken something belonging to somebody else and never given it back Have you ever pretended to be sick ill Have you ever made yourself sick ill or hurt yourself to make somebody sorry Whole Track security check Edit This long Sec Check consisting of hundreds of questions takes stock of the subject s entire time track including their recollections of any past lives they believe they have had It includes questions such as 8 151 152 Did you come to Earth for evil purposes Have you ever smothered a baby Have you ever enslaved a population Have you ever destroyed a culture Have you ever torn out someone s tongue Have you ever zapped anyone Have you ever eaten a human body Have you ever made a planet or nation radioactive References Edit a b c d e f g h i j Raine Susan 2009 Surveillance in New Religious Movements Scientology as a Case Study Religious Studies and Theology Equinox Publishing 28 1 63 94 doi 10 1558 rsth v28i1 63 ISSN 1747 5414 a b c d e f g Urban Hugh B June 2006 Fair Game Secrecy Security and the Church of Scientology in Cold War America Journal of the American Academy of Religion Oxford University Press 74 2 356 389 doi 10 1093 jaarel lfj084 ISSN 1477 4585 Cooper Paulette 1971 The Scandal of Scientology Tower Publications OL 39467941M Hubbard L Ron 1975 Dianetics and Scientology Technical Dictionary Church of Scientology ISBN 0884040372 OL 5254386M Reitman Janet February 23 2006 Inside Scientology Rolling Stone Archived from the original on May 2 2018 Farley Robert June 24 2006 The unperson Scientologists who cross their religion can be declared suppressive persons shunned by peers and ostracized by family St Petersburg Times Archived from the original on March 16 2018 Miller Russell 1987 Bare faced Messiah The True Story of L Ron Hubbard Henry Holt and Company ISBN 0805006540 OL 26305813M a b c d e f Atack Jon 1990 A Piece of Blue Sky Scientology Dianetics and L Ron Hubbard Exposed Lyle Stuart Books ISBN 081840499X OL 9429654M Hubbard L Ron 29 November 1968 Code of Reform reproduced in Powles Sir Guy Richardson E V Dumbleton June 30 1969 Hubbard Scientology Organisation in New Zealand and any associated scientology organisation or bodies in New Zealand report of the Commission of Inquiry Wellington p 26 OCLC 147661 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint location missing publisher link Malko George 1970 Scientology The Now Religion Delacorte Press OL 5444962M Hubbard L Ron October 23 1961 HCOPL 23 October 1961 HGC Preprocessing Security Check Church of Scientology Wallis Roy 1977 The Road to Total Freedom A Sociological Analysis of Scientology Columbia University Press ISBN 0231042000 OL 4596322M a b Hubbard L Ron April 7 1961 HCOPL 7 April 1961 Johannesburg Security Check Church of Scientology Hubbard L Ron May 22 1961 HCOPL 22 May 1961 The Only Valid Security Check Church of Scientology Anderson Kevin Victor Board of Inquiry into Scientology 1965 Report of the Board of Inquiry into Scientology Parliamentary paper 1 6502 65 Melbourne State of Victoria OCLC 152418521 Hubbard L Ron July 7 1961 HCOPL 7 July 1961 II HGC Auditor s Sec Check Church of Scientology Hubbard L Ron September 21 1961 HCOB 21 Sept 1961 Security Check Children Church of ScientologyExternal links Edit Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title List of Scientology security checks amp oldid 1180090492, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
