>> True Information: Wright's allegation that the Church created the Scientology cross after the FBI raid on the Los Angeles church in 1977 is ludicrious.

The truth is published in the book What Is Scientology?, and evidence of his sloppy research in another book, Images of a Lifetime, A Photographic Biography.  Both of these books are widely available.

The Scientology cross was designed by L. Ron Hubbard in late 1954 in Phoenix, Arizona, where Mr. Hubbard founded the Scientology religion—23 years before 1977. Scientology is a religion in the oldest tradition of religions and it's Minister's Cross is described in the book.

In What Is Scientology? (hardback edition, page 909) below a photograph of the cross itself, the book states:

“The Scientology sunburst cross, the basic design of which was found by L. Ron Hubbard in an ancient Spanish mission in Arizona, is the official insignia for Scientology ministers. Large Scientology crosses of wood and other materials are displayed in Scientology churches. Very small versions are also worn as pins.” 

To further illustrate how Mr. Wright failed to do any research (and could have asked the Church one question about its religious artifacts as the Church asked him 15 times to please provide questions before writing his book and even offered to fact-check his complete manuscript prior to publication, so he could be assured of accuracy, all of which he declined) we also provide this:

In Images of a Lifetime (pgs 210-211) there is a photograph of the first publication with the Scientology cross and notes its first broad announcement of the Scientology religion in 1954 along with a photograph of Mr. Hubbard in front of the ancient Spanish mission in Arizona where he unearthed the sandstone cast of a unique "starburst" cross from which he modeled the Scientology cross.

Furthermore, pages 222-223 show Mr. Hubbard performing the first Scientology marriage ceremony in 1957, and wearing the Scientology Minister's medallion, as presented at ordination in 1962-years prior to the 1977 incidents Mr. Wright erroneously describes.

In closing, the Church of Scientology is a relatively new Church and new religion and has developed its Creeds and Codes to serve its growing congregation. As such, Church policy on the qualifications required to be ordained as a Scientology Minister were first issued in 1957 and have been in use continuously since-a quarter a century before Mr. Wright's "observation." 

This is yet another example of Wright’s shoddy research.

>> Appendix

Images of a Lifetime, A Photographic Biography, pages 210-211

The first publication with the Scientology cross and notes its first broad announcement of the Scientology religion in 1954 along with a photograph of Mr. Hubbard in front of the ancient Spanish mission in Arizona where he unearthed the sandstone cast of a unique "starburst" cross from which he modeled the Scientology cross.

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>> Appendix

Images of a Lifetime, A Photographic Biography, pages 222-223

Photos of Mr. Hubbard performing the first Scientology marriage ceremony in 1957, and wearing the Scientology Minister's medallion, as presented at ordination in 1962.

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