Scientology is a body of beliefs and related practices created by American science fiction author L. Ron Hubbard. Hubbard developed Scientology teachings in 1952 as a successor to his earlier self-help system, Dianetics. Hubbard later characterized Scientology as an "applied religious philosophy" and the basis for a new religion with the first Scientology church being established in New Jersey, December 1953. A commonly held belief among Scientologists is that psychiatry and psychology are destructive and abusive fields, which must be abolished.

Scientology advocates that people are immortal spiritual beings (or thetans) which have lived many lifetimes. Scientologists believe that the primary purpose of existence is survival. One controversial aspect of Scientology beliefs is the idea that thetans lived among extraterrestrial cultures before becoming trapped in bodies on Earth. It is believed that thetans were brainwashed by these extraterrestrial cultures as a means of population control. The belief of extraterrestrial origins is not taught to new members, but is only presented after members have advanced through the ranks of Scientology.

There are a large number of organizations overseeing the application of Scientology, many of which are separate legal entities. These organizations have remained highly controversial since their inception. Most notable of these organizations is the Church of Scientology, whose primary concern is to uphold the belief system of Scientology. Former members, journalists, courts, and authorities in multiple countries have described Scientology as a cult and an unscrupulous commercial enterprise. Critics claim that the organization has a history of harassing its critics and abusing the trust of its members. Time Magazine describes Scientology as "a hugely profitable global racket that survives by intimidating members and critics in a Mafia-like manner." Scientology has consistently litigated most actions which it has perceived to be threatening. One major litigation point is that of copyright infringement.

The Church of Scientology upholds the notion that individuals can discover for themselves whether Scientology works through personal observation and experience rather than blind faith. The Church promotes a type of counseling called "auditing" as a means of spiritual rehabilitation. Scientology runs several promotion campaigns through closely related organizations in the form of a set of moral standards, an anti-drug program, an education methodology, a volunteer organization and a business management method.