As a Scientologist since 1973, I can tell you that the science fiction angle is blown all out of proportion in the press and online discussions.
While it's true that it figures prominently in the OT III materials, space opera is of little to no relevance in the rest of the technology.
Then why do they have it?
“As a Scientologist since 1973, I can tell you that the science fiction angle is blown all out of proportion in the press and online discussions.”
So... the science fiction part is there, but it’s on the dl. :D