I heard that scientology all started because Hubbard made a bet with another writer that he could start a religion first. Anyone else heard this??

I hadn't heard that.

I did hear that he started it because he realized there was more money in religion than there was in writing Science Fiction. So he used his science fiction writing skills to create a religion.

This is what I heard too, but it wouldn't surprise me if a bet was involved.

It's true. He bet fellow science fiction writer Philip K. Dick that he would start a religion in order to become rich and famous.

But he messed up - he had forgotten that he was already rich and famous as a prolific writer and author of Dianetics.

Not only that but he became brainwashed by his own religion and spent 16 hours per day engaged in research and development. He was even a victim of extortion and donated all his money to Scientology.

Sources?

Does it matter why he started it? He might have had different intentions or better said a different motive, but again just like The Secret, things happen for a reason and people are going to get out of his Ideas what they need. There is a bigger picture and we are all part of that bigger picture. If he had an idea, that Idea was to bring forth a new understanding and will/did help mankind all together in their spiritual growth, even if it is/was just to define who we are not. We would not be where we are in understanding (collectively) if he never brought forth his ideas.

I went to speak with a group at Poole Mission this week and will be going back on Friday

I may not agree 100% with all of the ideas - but they listened to what i said with respect and we found many core truths
I made it clear I cannot change what I know - yet that has not stopped them inviting me back so I will let you know how it went

At the fair I had a little chat with some folks from scientology. They had a booth their and were testing peoples stress level. I had mine tested too. The test goes that you hold in both hands metal tube that are connected to an instrument with a pendelum. He "instructor" ask me to think of something that stresses me. But no matter how hard I tried I could not think of anything. It stressed me out and the pendelum went to the other side. The instructor said yes, you need to get rid of that. I told him that I was not thinking of anything. He said o.k. lets try it again. Think of a specific person that worries you or upsets you (and I thought of E.H. LOL just kidding) and again I tried really hard to think of someone, and again before I could think of someone the pendelum went way to the other side. Make a long story longer, this went on and on. I witnessed all this with a smile on the inside, knowing that thought itself stresses us out : )

Lol

I have just done the questionaire for Friday and have already starred certain questions where i need to ask them if i am to answer it from truth or the dream ?

I am sure it will be interesting and i suspect like just about everything else there will be some helpfull ideas

scientology is just weird all the way