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More than 20,000 top government officials learned about Scientology and Dianetics for the first time through distribution of this book, What Is Scientology?, to United Nations representatives, judges, business leaders and representatives of major religions in the United States, Canada, Africa, Australia, Europe and South America.
In September, the L. Ron Hubbard Images of a Lifetime photo exhibition opened at the Flag Land Base in Clearwater, Florida. Hundreds of never-before-seen photographs provided tens of thousands of Scientologists and non-Scientologists with new insights into Mr. Hubbard’s life.
The most significant legal recognition of the Scientology religion came in October 1993 when the United States Internal Revenue Service issued ruling letters which recognized the tax-exempt status of more than 150 Scientology churches, missions, social reform organizations and other entities because they operate exclusively for religious and charitable purposes.
IRS religious recognition was universal and unconditional, and it was the result of the most detailed and exhaustive examination of a religious organization in the agency’s history. The IRS was given unfettered access to every echelon of the Church’s ecclesiastical hierarchy. Thus, the IRS examination was not limited to United States entities, but specifically included the financial and other affairs of church organizations from Australia to Canada and from Europe to South Africa.
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