Bethany Divinity College Now Boasting AAHEA Accreditation

Why not, others are doing that very thing. :no:

 

L. Ron Hubbard (Scientology) is supposed to have said that if you want to make real money, start a new religion. I'm not sure if he actually said that or not. Sources differ.

J.

 

From the Wiki:

"...Hubbard has been quoted as telling a science fiction convention in 1948: "Writing for a penny a word is ridiculous. If a man really wants to make a million dollars, the best way would be to start his own religion."...Scholar J. Gordon Melton notes, "There is no record of Hubbard having ever made this statement, though several of his science fiction colleagues have noted the broaching of the subject on one of their informal conversations."...The Church of Scientology has denied that Hubbard said this and insists that it is a misattributed quote that was said instead by George Orwell."

It's all here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L._Ron_Hubbard

Whether it was Hubbard or Orwell who said this - it doesn't seem like a totally bad idea. :smile:

J.

 

I remember hearing a story once, I believe it was told by Isaac Asimov, that Hubbard created Scientology as a result of a bet with a bunch of other sci-fi writers, that he could create a religion. I'm pretty sure my memory is accurate on this but I have no idea if the story is true.

 

I think I heard this story too. However, it sure looks like L. Ron created Scientology gradually, as a way to keep his Dianetics scam going and hopefully make it more lucrative. He was indeed a moderately successful sci-fi author, so it's conceivable he also boasted about it before his buddies in that community.
I read a fair amount on the whole affair. It is fascinating; Hubbard just might be the most famous pathological liar/sociopath in recent history. And it's a testament of the power of First Amendment that a "church" can have a second-in-command convicted of a conspiracy to break into multiple government offices and steal documents - and still keep its status and operate unimpeded. Fascinating.
What I come to believe is starting a successful religion requires way more than just an unaccredited MDiv. You also need a set of specific talents to go with it.