Scientology holidays
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Holidays, commemorations and observances in the Church of Scientology include the following:
- February 22: Celebrity Day
This is a major holiday for Scientology's many Celebrity Centres, highlighting their achievements and celebrating their existence. The date is specifically the anniversary of the opening of the Celebrity Centre International in Los Angeles in 1970, which, in the Church's words, is "dedicated to the rehabilitation of the culture through art".
- March 13: L. Ron Hubbard's birthday
- March 24: Student Day
This holiday celebrates the commencement of the Saint Hill Special Briefing Course in 1961.
- April 20: L. Ron Hubbard Exhibition Day
According to the Church's official website, this day is "to celebrate the opening in 1991 of the L. Ron Hubbard Life Exhibition in Hollywood, California. Featuring impressive audiovisual displays on the life and accomplishments of L. Ron Hubbard, the exhibition is visited by thousands of Scientologists and non-Scientologists annually."
- May 9: Anniversary of Dianetics
Hubbard's book Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health hit store shelves on this day in 1950. Another very important holiday in Scientology.[1][2]
- May 25: Integrity Day
A day of contemplation of Hubbard's 1965 study on Scientology Ethics.
- June 6: Maiden Voyage Anniversary
The church describes this holiday thus: "Each year the annual Maiden Voyage event, commemorating the anniversary of New OT VIII, has come to be one of the most important gatherings of dedicated Scientologists and an opportunity for senior Church officials to meet and work directly with these parishioners to advance their religion. Scientologists who attend this annual spiritual cruise become “OT Ambassadors” and initiate programs to help Scientologists all over the world advance the aims of Scientology and to reach the top of the Bridge at New OT VIII."[2][3]
- June 18: Academy Day
A celebration of Hubbard's Study Tech.
- August 12: Sea Org Day
Sea Org Day is a special event for all Sea Organization members, with rank and rating promotion ceremonies. It has been alleged by former members that recreational Sea Org Day events are mandatory: one ex-Scientologist claims "the one day a year you are supposed to get the day off, you are made to go on a bus to the beach, be there for roll call, participate in group games, etc."
- September 4: Clear Day
Clear Day marks the inauguration of Hubbard's Clearing Course, which debuted in 1965.
- 2nd Sunday in September: Auditor's Day
A day of special recognition and acknowledgment for Scientology/Dianetics auditors. This occasion has also been popular with anti-Scientology protestors, as an opportunity to reach students.
- October 7: IAS Anniversary
From the Church's site: "Held at a different host city each year, members of the IAS gather to commemorate the founding of the IAS and to rededicate themselves to its aims. The annual IAS freedom awards are presented. This event coincides with the annual convention of IAS delegates."[2]
- November 27: Publications Day
A commemoration of the day "Publications Worldwide" opened at Saint Hill Manor in 1967.
- December 7: Flag Land Base Day
Celebrates the opening of the Flag Land Base in Clearwater, Florida in 1975.
- December 31: New Year's Eve
This is the only secular and non-Hubbard-based observance on the official Scientology calendar, which states "This event welcomes in the new year with a review of accomplishments over the previous year and a look forward to the upcoming year and plans for further reach into new areas of society with L. Ron Hubbard’s technology. Stellar accomplishments of Scientology parishioners helping new people to move up The Bridge to Total Freedom are acknowledged."
Additionally, many more anniversaries of notable events in Scientology history are remembered. Examples include January 25 (Criminon day), marking the 1970 founding of the Criminon program, January 28 which celebrates the founding of the Church in New Zealand, February 19 (Narconon Day), marking the 1966 founding of Narconon,[4] March 31, the anniversary of the founding of the Church of Scientology Vienna in 1971, and September 25, which marks the 1980 opening of the first Scientology and Dianetics College in Tel Aviv, Israel, where the concept is presented as a College, not a church.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 First Things, December 2010, Issue 208, pg. 69
- ↑ "Churches, Missions and Groups", What is Scientology?
- ↑ "February 19 is Narconon Day!", Narconon International News
External links
- "Scientology religious holidays" on scientology.org
