What Scientology does

Scientology, organized under Church of Scientology International (headquartered at 6331 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, California), is a religious organization founded by L. Ron Hubbard — initially through the 1950 publication of Dianetics and formally established as a religion in 1954 — that delivers spiritual services, auditing, and training across a global network of churches, missions, and Ideal Organizations. Its core technology stack centers on Hubbard's writings (12,000+ works and 3,000+ recorded lectures), the proprietary E-meter auditing device (trademark held by Religious Technology Center), and a tiered service architecture known as the Bridge to Total Freedom, supplemented by online courses covering Communication, Ethics, Study Technology, and other subjects, plus the Oxford Capacity Analysis (OCA) freemium personality test as a lead-generation funnel.

The organization's revenue mechanics are diversified across four streams: one-time sales of books and audiobooks ($20-30 per title) through the online bookstore, fees for religious services and courses (auditing, training, beginning services), recurring International Association of Scientologists (IAS) membership contributions, and a global broadcast and advertising platform anchored by the Scientology Network (24/7 in 17 languages to 240+ countries via DIRECTV and streaming) and 14 consecutive years of Super Bowl advertising. Customer segments are entirely consumer-facing: individuals seeking spiritual advancement (primary), at-risk youth reached through the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, students served by Applied Scholastics literacy programs, and human rights advocates reached through United for Human Rights and CCHR. An integrated subsidiary ecosystem — Narconon, Criminon, Applied Scholastics, The Way to Happiness Foundation, United for Human Rights, CCHR, Volunteer Ministers, WISE, and ABLE — coordinates social betterment programs that double as brand-building and recruitment infrastructure across roughly 200 nations.

Geographically, Scientology operates through Continental Liaison Offices covering North America, Canada, Europe (managed from Church of Scientology Europe in Glostrup, Denmark), Australia/New Zealand/Japan, Latin America (Mexico City), South Africa, and the United Kingdom, with recent 2026 expansion moves including the first Ideal Church in the Caribbean (San Juan, Puerto Rico), the Oceanview Waterfront Religious Retreat at Flag Land Base in Clearwater, Florida, and a municipally approved L. Ron Hubbard auditorium project in downtown Clearwater. The ecclesiastical structure is unified under David Miscavige as Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center; the organization is privately held as a nonprofit religious body with no equity, funding, or M&A events, and reports no financial disclosures to standard regulatory frameworks.

Name

Scientology

Legal name

Church of Scientology International

Website

https://scientology.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Church of Scientology International is a global religious organization founded in 1954 by L. Ron Hubbard that delivers auditing, training, and religious services through a worldwide network of churches, broadcasting to 240+ countries via the Scientology Network and operating an integrated portfolio of social betterment programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (81311), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621), Broadcasting and Content Providers (516), Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Cable & Other Pay Television Services (4841), Communications Services, Nec (4899), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Media, Publishing & Broadcasting (Radio, TV, Digital, Press) (BPAGAJAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Religious/Faith-Based Broadcast Networks (MPABAAAF), Religious/Faith-Based Cable Networks (MPABAFAK), Devotional & Prayer Publishing (Devotionals, Prayer Books, Meditation Guides) (MPAJAHAB), Seminaries (Graduate Theology & Ministry) (EDAHAKAA), Religious Radio Broadcasting (MPAIAEAF)

Keywords

• Religious services
• Spiritual counseling
• Humanitarian programs
• Drug rehabilitation
• Religious broadcasting

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Book and Material Sales: Sale of Scientology and Dianetics books, audiobooks, introductory lectures, and films. Prices range from $20 for paperback books to $25 for audiobooks. Free shipping available.
2. Religious Services and Courses: Fees for Scientology courses and services including auditing, training, and beginning services like the Success through Communication Course.
3. Membership (IAS): International Association of Scientologists membership organization uniting and supporting Scientologists worldwide, supported by member contributions.
4. Advertising Revenue: The organization generates visibility through major advertising campaigns including Super Bowl commercials and Olympic broadcast advertisements, promoting messages of purpose and human potential.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Scientology is a religion that delivers spiritual services including auditing sessions, training courses, and Sunday services through a worldwide network of churches. The organization also runs the Scientology Network global media channel, sells books/audiobooks/films through its bookstore, and operates a portfolio of humanitarian and social betterment programs (drug rehabilitation, literacy education, human rights advocacy, moral guidance, and disaster relief).

Product overview

The Church of Scientology offers a religion-based portfolio centered on its core religious services (churches and spiritual counseling) with a global media broadcasting platform (Scientology Network) and extensive online educational offerings (online courses and bookstore). The organization also operates a comprehensive suite of social betterment and humanitarian programs through the Association for Better Living and Education (ABLE), including drug prevention (Foundation for a Drug-Free World), drug rehabilitation (Narconon), criminal reform (Criminon), education (Applied Scholastics), human rights (United for Human Rights), mental health reform (Citizens Commission on Human Rights), moral guidance (The Way to Happiness), and disaster relief (Scientology Volunteer Ministers). Supporting these are the Oxford Capacity Analysis personality test, Dianetics materials, and a bookstore selling books, audiobooks, and films.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Scientology Network: Global media channel broadcasting religious programming 24/7 in 17 languages to over 240 countries and territories, available on DIRECTV, streaming platforms, and mobile apps.
• Scientology TV
• Ideal Organizations
• Freedom Magazine
• Oxford Capacity Analysis

Products and services

• Scientology Religious Services (Auditing and Training) In-person religious services delivered through Scientology churches worldwide, including auditing sessions using the E-meter device, training courses, and Sunday services. Designed for individuals pursuing spiritual advancement along the Bridge to Total Freedom.
• Scientology Network The Church of Scientology's global media channel broadcasting religious content, documentaries, and educational programming 24/7 in 17 languages to over 240 countries and territories.
• Online Courses Self-paced online courses covering Scientology principles including Communication, Dynamics of Existence, Study Technology, Ethics and Conditions, Integrity and Honesty, and personal-development topics, available through the scientology.org website.
• Scientology Bookstore Online bookstore offering Scientology and Dianetics books, audiobooks, introductory lectures, and films including titles like 'Scientology: The Fundamentals of Thought' and 'Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health.'
• Oxford Capacity Analysis (OCA) Personality Test Free online personality test offered by Scientology to help individuals understand their personality traits. The OCA is used as a lead-generation entry point to recruit potential members into Scientology services.
• Dianetics Dianetics is the foundational methodology and substudy of Scientology, developed by L. Ron Hubbard for understanding the mind. Offered through its own set of books and introductory services.
• Narconon Drug Rehabilitation Drug rehabilitation program operated by the Association for Better Living and Education (ABLE), with facilities established in more than 40 nations providing drug-free rehabilitation services based on L. Ron Hubbard's technologies.
• Foundation for a Drug-Free World The world's largest nongovernmental anti-drug campaign producing educational content including The Truth About Drugs documentary, operating through more than 92,000 partnerships with schools and community groups across nearly 200 nations.
• The Way to Happiness Moral guidance code based on L. Ron Hubbard's principles, spanning 135 nations, promoting values and restoring brotherhood of Man.
• United for Human Rights Human rights educational initiative promoting the 30 Articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, part of the world's largest nongovernmental human rights public information campaign.
• Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) Mental health reform organization that has spotlighted and worked to outlaw enforced drugging of schoolchildren, psychiatric brutalities of electric shock and lobotomy, and biological warfare experiments.
• Criminon Criminal reform program aimed at rehabilitation of offenders and reducing recidivism, part of the Association for Better Living and Education (ABLE) initiatives.
• Applied Scholastics Global education program bringing literacy to tens of millions of students in America, Europe, Asia and Africa, based on L. Ron Hubbard's study technology.
• Scientology Volunteer Ministers Volunteer chaplain program bringing emergency relief to more than 10 million people at disaster sites worldwide over the past twenty years.
• Beginning Services Introductory Scientology services designed as entry points for new practitioners, including courses like the Success through Communication Course, offered to help newcomers begin their religious practice.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reaches tens of millions of at-risk youth annually through anti-drug campaign
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Foundation for a Drug-Free WorldcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Church supports the Foundation for a Drug-Free World which operates the world's largest NGO anti-drug campaign reaching tens of millions of at-risk youth annually. The foundation operates through more than 92,000 partnerships with schools and community groups across nearly 200 nations, producing educational content including the Voices for Humanity series and The Truth About Drugs documentary.
• NarcononcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDrug rehabilitation centers established in more than 40 nations, providing alternative drug recovery programs based on L. Ron Hubbard's technologies. Coordinated by Association for Better Living and Education (ABLE).
• Applied ScholasticscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal education programs bringing literacy to tens of millions of students in America, Europe, Asia and Africa through study technology based on L. Ron Hubbard's methods. Coordinated by Association for Better Living and Education (ABLE).
• CriminoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCriminal reform program providing rehabilitation for offenders based on L. Ron Hubbard's study technology and moral codes. Coordinated by Association for Better Living and Education (ABLE).
• United for Human RightscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe world's largest NGO human rights public information campaign, broadly promoting the 30 Articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Includes Youth for Human Rights International.
• Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health watchdog organization that has spotlighted and worked to outlaw enforced drugging of schoolchildren, psychiatric brutalities of electric shock and lobotomy, and biological warfare experiments. Has worked to protect human rights from psychiatric abuse.
• The Way to Happiness FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Way to Happiness movement spanning 135 nations, uplifting populations and restoring the brotherhood of Man through a moral guide based on common-sense principles.
• Scientology Volunteer MinisterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDisaster response program bringing emergency relief to more than 10 million people at every major disaster site through the last twenty years. Responds to crises globally with volunteer personnel.
• Association for Better Living and Education (ABLE)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOrganization coordinating Social Betterment Campaigns in the fields of morality (The Way to Happiness), drug rehabilitation (Narconon), criminal reform (Criminon), and literacy (Applied Scholastics). Coordinates church-supported humanitarian programs.
• International Association of Scientologists (IAS)coreOthersOfficial membership organization of Scientology uniting, advancing, supporting and protecting the Scientology religion and Scientologists worldwide. Provides grants to sponsor Social Betterment and Humanitarian Programs supported by the Church.
• Religious Technology Center (RTC)coreOthersHolder of trademarks including SCIENTOLOGY, DIANETICS, E-METER, and other core religious technology. Licenses marks for use by Church of Scientology International and affiliated organizations.
• World Institute of Scientology Enterprises (WISE)minorOthersInternational membership organization whose members use L. Ron Hubbard Management Technology and embrace responsibilities and ethical standards. Members include business professionals using Hubbard's administrative technologies.
• Church of Scientology Europe (CSEU)coreOthersMain European establishment managing Scientology Churches and Missions in Europe, located in Glostrup, Denmark. Processes personal data for EU compliance.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Hillsong Church: Hillsong is a global megachurch with multi-country campuses, music publishing (Hillsong Music), conferences, and broadcast media. Comparable in operating global churches, producing and selling religious music/content, and running member-funded religious programming — though smaller in absolute scale than Scientology.
• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: The LDS Church operates a global religious network with extensive media (Bonneville), publishing (Deseret), humanitarian (Latter-day Saint Charities), and education arms. Comparable as a much larger global faith-based nonprofit with analogous ecosystem of media, publishing, humanitarian programs, and physical real estate assets.

Direct peers

• Daystar Television Network: Daystar is a global Christian TV network reaching ~200 countries with religious programming, comparable to Scientology Network in distribution scale and faith-based broadcasting model. Operates as a nonprofit media ministry with donation-based funding similar to Scientology's member-contribution model.
• Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN): EWTN is the world's largest Catholic media network, broadcasting religious content globally via cable, satellite, and streaming. Directly comparable to Scientology Network as a faith-based broadcasting operation with multi-language reach, charitable funding model, and similar reliance on premium religious content IP.
• Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN): CBN operates the Superchannel and related global religious TV networks, alongside humanitarian programs (Operation Blessing) similar in structure to Scientology's social betterment arms. Comparable as a faith-based broadcaster with parallel humanitarian-program branding strategy.
• Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN): TBN is one of the largest Christian broadcasting networks, operating multiple global channels and streaming platforms with faith-based content. Comparable as a multi-channel religious broadcaster with global distribution, donor-supported revenue model, and emphasis on inspirational programming.

Emerging players

• Lakewood Church: Lakewood Church is one of the largest megachurches in the US with broadcast distribution and a global humanitarian footprint. Comparable in operating a flagship physical megachurch with broadcast reach, large paid staff, and social programs — though its geographic and broadcast footprint is narrower than Scientology's.

Others

• Thomas Nelson Publishers (HarperCollins Christian): Thomas Nelson is a major religious book publisher producing devotionals, Bibles, and theology titles. Comparable as a religious publishing operation selling books at similar price points to Scientology's bookstore, though structurally a for-profit commercial publisher rather than a religious-nonprofit operator.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/scientology
• YouTubeyoutube.com/scientology
• Facebookfacebook.com/churchofscientology
• Instagraminstagram.com/scientology
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/scientology

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Scientology