International Association of Scientologists
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The International Association of Scientologists (IAS) was formed in October 1984 by a group of selected 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 replaced the Hubbard Association of Scientologists International as the official membership organization of the Church of Scientology; it does not accept Free Zone Scientologists. The IAS does not divulge its location of incorporation, nor does it publish its expenses for members to review.
There is also a related corporation called the Foundation International Membership Services Administration, Inc. that does business as IAS Administrations, which is based in Curacao, Netherlands Antilles, and has five branch offices in the United States. A similar corporation in the United Kingdom is called Membership Services Administration (UK) Ltd. with one office in East Grinstead.
For U.S. citizens to qualify for tax-deduction of donations for membership status, the funds must be paid to another corporation known as the US IAS Members' Trust, which has its office in Los Angeles,California.
Unlike the HASI, the IAS does not control any Scientology organizations and is the first continuing Scientology-related organization to engage in fund-raising. The IAS collects millions of dollars in contributions from its members but does not account for alleged expenditures to them.
IAS members receive a 20% discount on church services and bookstore items.
IAS membership is open to all Scientologists who are in good standing with the Church of Scientology, and it is required for "public" Scientologists (members who are not full-time Church staff) who wish to undertake the church's advanced training levels. The IAS claims that membership dues fund IAS projects, such as public relations campaigns against psychiatry and are used in defense of Scientology's legitimacy as a religion, which has historically been a source of controversy and court battles. In the latter function, it is a continuation of the now-defunct Safe Environment Fund.
[edit] External links
- Welcome to The International Association of Scientologists. Official site: http://www.iasmembership.org. The International Association of Scientologists.
- What is Scientology:. The International Association of Scientologists. Church of Scientology.
- The International Association of Scientologists. A description of the IAS. Church of Scientology.
- Dam, Robert. Welcome to my site about the International Association of Scientologist!. A critical history of the IAS.
- Snoeck, Michel. Scientology® Membership: HASI vs IAS. A Comparison or Fundraising: How to go about it & how not to go about it.
- Steven Fishman. A complaint letter from Steven Fishman to the IRS. A complaint about the Church of Scientology claiming IAS irregularities. Factnet.
