Sea Org
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Sea Org

The Sea Org logo
Formation 1968
Type An association of Scientologists
Headquarters Hemet, California, USA
Chairman of Religious Technology Center David Miscavige
Website Scientology.org

The Sea Organization or Sea Org is an association of Scientologists established in 1968 by L. Ron Hubbard, the science fiction writer and 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.

Contents

History

On September 1, 1966, L. Ron Hubbard officially resigned from all directorships and management of Scientology churches. He then formed the "Sea Project," which he said 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 (including Clearwater, Florida). In 1987 they purchased a ship called "La Bohème", 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

In more recent times, the Sea Org is primarily based on land; however, the highest levels of Scientology were still delivered at sea on board the Sea Org's vessel, the Freewinds, until April 2008 when it was sealed for extensive asbestos contamination, and the Sea Org still maintains its naval uniforms and character.3 Only Sea Org members are staff members in Scientology's Advanced Organizations.1

Space Opera and the Sea Org

Main article: Space opera in Scientology scripture

According to Hubbard's teachings, the Galactic Confederacy was the political unit formerly ruled by the tyrant Xenu. It ruled a broad swath of the galaxy, and lasted for "eighty trillion years" 4, an assertion disputed by scientists who place the age of the universe at around 13.7 billion years. Hubbard claimed that 75 million years ago, at the time of Xenu's mass murder, the Galactic Confederacy comprised 26 stars and 76 planets, including Earth (then called Teegeeack). 5

The Church of Scientology consciously models itself on aspects of the Galactic Confederacy. The Sea Org's insignia has a laurel wreath said by Hubbard to be based on the symbol of the "Loyal Officers", an anti-Xenu faction within the Galactic Confederacy. Each of the leaves on the laurel wreath is said to represent one of the Galactic Confederacy's stars. According to the Dianetics and Scientology Technical Dictionary, "the Sea Org symbol, adopted and used as the symbol of a Galactic Confederacy far back in the history of this sector, derives much of its power and authority from that association."

Billion-year contract

Members of the Sea Org sign an employment contract with the organization for one billion years.6 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.7 These Scientologists may not receive any services at any Scientology organizations until they pay off this bill and perform an amends project.

Salary and benefits to members

Most Sea Org members are given room, board and a small weekly allowance of about US$24 per week (though some sources list US$75).8910

Rehabilitation Project Force

Main article: Rehabilitation Project Force

The Rehabilitation Project Force, or RPF, is a system of work camps11 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." 12

Dating, marriage, and family

Marriage and family are discouraged in the Sea Org, as they are distractions from serving the Church.1314

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.15 16 However, Scientology presents itself as a pro-life religion and actively speaks out against abortion both in its publications and commercials. 917

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b Hubbard, L. Ron. Dianetics and Scientology Technical Dictionary. Publications Organization, Los Angeles 1975 ISBN 0-88404-037-2
  2. ^ "What is the Sea Organization?". Basic Facts About the Scientology Religion. Retrieved on 2006-06-23.
  3. ^ a b c Jon Atack, A Piece of Blue Sky 1990. Link to online version
  4. ^ Hubbard, The ITSA Line
  5. ^ Hubbard, Assists
  6. ^ Copy of Sea Org agreement form, LA Times.
  7. ^ Robert Farley (2006-06-24). "The unperson", St. Petersburg Times, pp. 1A, 14A. Retrieved on 15 August 2006. 
  8. ^ Jesse Prince affidavit
  9. ^ a b "About Scientology". Scientology's town. St. Petersburg Times (2004-07-18). Retrieved on 2008-01-28.
  10. ^ Welkos, Robert W.; Sappell, Joel (1990-06-26). "Defectors Recount Lives of Hard Work, Punishment". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved on 2008-01-28.
  11. ^ Reitman, Janet Inside Scientology Rolling Stone, Issue 995. March 9, 2006. Page 57.
  12. ^ 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. 
  13. ^ Lattin, Don. "Leaving the Fold: Third-generation Scientologist grows disillusioned with faith", San Francisco Chronicle, February 12, 2001
  14. ^ Kozlowski, Carl (2005-08-01). "Debunking a movement", Pasadena Weekly. Retrieved on 25 May 2006. 
  15. ^ Stephen A. Kent (July 1999). "Scientology — Is this a Religion?". Marburg Journal of Religion 4 (1), http://web.uni-marburg.de/religionswissenschaft/journal/mjr/kent.html. Retrieved on 25 May 2006. 
  16. ^ ESK - The Sea Org / Cadet Org
  17. ^ Youth For Human Rights Ads, http://www.youthforhumanrights.org/watchads/psa03_h.html. 

External links

Scientology portal
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