2007-03-13 19:45:11 - In 160 countries around the world millions of people celebrate March 13th, the birthday of L. Ron Hubbard (1911-1986), founder of the Scientology Religion.

In 160 countries around the world millions of people celebrate March 13th, the birthday of L. Ron Hubbard (1911-1986), founder of the Scientology Religion.

As a young man L. Ron Hubbard asked the questions, "What is man?" and to his astonishment, no one could give him the answer. Thus began his life's work - a relentless search to

discover the truth.

In 1950, L. Ron Hubbard published the book Dianetics: the Modern Science of Mental Health, the first comprehensive text ever written on the human mind and life. Released on May 9th, 1950, the work immediately topped the New York Times bestseller list, gave rise to some 750 Dianetics groups within the first year of its publication and went on to sell over 21 million copies internationally.

In the last chapter of the Dianetics book, Mr. Hubbard's described his plans to "further research into life force," which led in 1952 to the birth of the Scientology religion, "The study and handling of the spirit in relationship to itself, universes and other life."

Today there are millions of Scientologists who have achieved greater spiritual awareness and are leading happier, more productive lives because of Mr. Hubbard's work.

As Scientology embraces every aspect of life, L. Ron Hubbard drew from the larger body of Scientology procedures to develop an array of social betterment technologies.

Programs using Mr. Hubbard's discoveries in drug rehabilitation are five times more effective than any other similar program. His breakthroughs in the field of learning and literacy are used in more than 500 centers and have been incorporated into whole educational systems, with dramatic increases in student achievement. His program for criminal reform, which produces a greater than 80 percent reduction in recidivism, is used in more than 2,000 prisons and penal institutions internationally. And the distribution of Mr. Hubbard's common sense moral code, The Way to Happiness, has statistically reversed declining moral trends across entire communities.

The Church of Scientology International recently released a digitally restored version of the exclusive 1966 filmed interview, An Introduction to Scientology, in which Mr. Hubbard explains why he dedicated his life to this work and answers the most commonly asked questions: "What is Scientology?" "Why is it a religion?" "How do people benefit from it?" The DVD is available from any Scientology church and can be ordered online at www.scientology.org/interview.

For more information on L. Ron Hubbard and the Scientology religion visit www.lronhubbard.org and www.scientology.org