International Association of Scientologists
Encyclopedia
The International Association of Scientologists (IAS) is an English
non-profit organization, which was formed in October 1984 by a group of Scientologists, who assembled at Saint Hill Manor
in East Grinstead
, Sussex, England. The stated purpose of the IAS is "To unite, advance, support and protect the Scientology religion and Scientologists in all parts of the world, so as to achieve the aims of Scientology
as originated by L. Ron Hubbard
."
The IAS followed the Hubbard Association of Scientologists International
as the official membership organization of the Church of Scientology
. It does not accept Free Zone
Scientologists.
There is also a related corporation called the Foundation International Membership Services Administration, Inc. that does business as IAS Administrations, which is based in Curaçao
, and has five branch offices in the United States
, and which purpose is "to provide services to members of the IAS".
For U.S. citizens to qualify for tax-deduction of donations to the IAS, the funds must be paid to another corporation known as the US IAS Members' Trust, which has its office in Los Angeles
, California
.
IAS membership is open to all Scientologists who are in good standing with the Church of Scientology
, and benefits include a 10% discount on Scientology materials, and "reduced donation rates for training and auditing services".
The IAS uses membership dues to fund various public outreach programs and political action committees, including the Citizens Commission on Human Rights
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
non-profit organization, which was formed in October 1984 by a group of Scientologists, who assembled at Saint Hill Manor
Saint Hill Manor
Saint Hill Manor is a country house at Saint Hill Green, Mid Sussex, near East Grinstead, West Sussex, England that serves as the location of the head office for the Church of Scientology in the United Kingdom.-Early history:...
in East Grinstead
East Grinstead
East Grinstead is a town and civil parish in the northeastern corner of Mid Sussex, West Sussex in England near the East Sussex, Surrey, and Kent borders. It lies south of London, north northeast of Brighton, and east northeast of the county town of Chichester...
, Sussex, England. The stated purpose of the IAS is "To unite, advance, support and protect the Scientology religion and Scientologists in all parts of the world, so as to achieve the aims of Scientology
Scientology
Scientology is a body of beliefs and related practices created by science fiction and fantasy author L. Ron Hubbard , starting in 1952, as a successor to his earlier self-help system, Dianetics...
as originated by L. Ron Hubbard
L. Ron Hubbard
Lafayette Ronald Hubbard , better known as L. Ron Hubbard , was an American pulp fiction author and religious leader who founded the Church of Scientology...
."
The IAS followed the Hubbard Association of Scientologists International
Hubbard Association of Scientologists International
The Hubbard Association of Scientologists or HAS was the original corporation founded in 1954 by L. Ron Hubbard that managed all Scientology organizations. The HAS evolved from the Office of L. Ron Hubbard located in Phoenix, Arizona...
as the official membership organization of the Church of Scientology
Church of Scientology
The Church of Scientology is an organization devoted to the practice and the promotion of the Scientology belief system. The Church of Scientology International is the Church of Scientology's parent organization, and is responsible for the overall ecclesiastical management, dissemination and...
. It does not accept Free Zone
Free Zone (Scientology)
The Free Zone comprises a variety of groups and individuals who practice Scientology beliefs and techniques independently of the Church of Scientology . Such practitioners range from those who closely adhere to the original teachings of Scientology's founder L...
Scientologists.
There is also a related corporation called the Foundation International Membership Services Administration, Inc. that does business as IAS Administrations, which is based in Curaçao
Curaçao
Curaçao is an island in the southern Caribbean Sea, off the Venezuelan coast. The Country of Curaçao , which includes the main island plus the small, uninhabited island of Klein Curaçao , is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands...
, and has five branch offices in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and which purpose is "to provide services to members of the IAS".
For U.S. citizens to qualify for tax-deduction of donations to the IAS, the funds must be paid to another corporation known as the US IAS Members' Trust, which has its office in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
IAS membership is open to all Scientologists who are in good standing with the Church of Scientology
Church of Scientology
The Church of Scientology is an organization devoted to the practice and the promotion of the Scientology belief system. The Church of Scientology International is the Church of Scientology's parent organization, and is responsible for the overall ecclesiastical management, dissemination and...
, and benefits include a 10% discount on Scientology materials, and "reduced donation rates for training and auditing services".
The IAS uses membership dues to fund various public outreach programs and political action committees, including the Citizens Commission on Human Rights
Citizens Commission on Human Rights
The Citizens Commission on Human Rights is an advocacy group established in 1969 by the Church of Scientology and psychiatrist Thomas Szasz. The group promotes several video campaigns which support views against psychiatry...
.