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 What Is Scientology?

What Is Scientology?
Reading Level
     edHelper's suggested reading level:   grades 4 to 6
     Flesch-Kincaid grade level:   6.61

Vocabulary
     challenging words:    typical, auditor, controversial, lieutenant, mathematics, nomadic, philosophy, realization, tribal, successful, naval, commander, stress, based, environment, writing
     content words:    Ron Hubbard, Blackfoot Indians, Old Tom, Ron Indian, United States, George Washington University, World War II, Modern Science, Mental Health, Los Angeles

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What Is Scientology?
By Colleen Messina 		  
1     Scientology is not a typical religion. Its founder, Ron Hubbard, was a scientist who wanted to help people achieve their potential. He tried to understand how the mind works, and his followers believe that his ideas help them live better lives.
 
2     L. Ron Hubbard was born on March 13, 1911 in Tilden, Nebraska. His family moved often because his father was a naval commander. They moved to Montana when he was two, and by age three, he could ride horses well. He soon learned how to break broncos and rope horses. His mother decided to teach Ron how to read and write at a young age. Ron's mother also helped him keep up with his studies even though his family moved a lot.
 
3     The Hubbards moved to Helena, Montana. Ron met some unusual friends. The Blackfoot Indians lived around Helena, and Ron became friends with "Old Tom." Old Tom was a medicine man. He taught Ron Indian legends and tribal secrets. Ron also learned how to survive in the wild. When he was only six, the Blackfeet made him a blood brother. This was a big honor for the small boy.
 
4     Ron had more adventures as a teenager. He went to Asia when he was only 16. He met unusual people who taught him about eastern philosophies. An old magician taught him about ancient Chinese wisdom. Buddhist monks and nomadic tribes in Mongolia also shared their secrets with the inquisitive young man. Ron also visited Japan, Guam, and the Philippines. All of his trips added up to a quarter of a million miles. That is a long field trip! Everything that he learned helped him develop his ideas.
 
5     Ron Hubbard went back to the United States in 1929 and attended a prep school. He studied engineering and mathematics at George Washington University. He liked science, and he wanted to understand the human mind by using scientific research. His goal was to help people. He later left school and became a successful writer. He earned money through his writing so that he could afford to do his research about the mind.

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