Independent Scientology. How Ron's Org and Dror Center schismed out of the Church of Scientology

Abstract

This thesis is about Ron’s Org and Dror Center, two independent Scientology groups. They schismed away from the Church of Scientology at different times and under different circumstances. Ron’s Org is the older of the two, and are spread over large parts of the world, with their main activity focused on Europe. I have visited the headquarter in Switzerland and some of the many Ron’s Orgs in Moscow, Russia. Dror Center has only been independent for a little over three years. They are located in Haifa, Israel, and I went to visit them and attend courses and auditing with them for two weeks. I will look at the underlying factors contributing to schisms, asking the questions: Which factors within the organizational structure of CoS makes the organization more likely to produce schisms? Why become independent? What kind of resources are necessary to establish a successful schismatic group? What kind of strategies do Ron’s Org and Dror Center use to survive as independent Scientology groups? I will frame my analysis within theories on charisma, religious authority and schism.