What if L. Ron Hubbard had not founded Dianetics and Scientology? What if he had just continued writing science fiction books for the rest of his life? What would his legacy be? Would any of his books be remembered at all?
Probably, although without this thing what they do latch onto will probably be slightly more acceptable, although a few might go even more extreme.
Without scientology, would Hollywood types convert to Mormonism instead?
Because it's a gnostic religion designed to trick people to pay for revealed knowledge? Really, it seems tailored to rich people who aren't cultured but want to seem philosophical.Why did so many in Hollywood convert to Scientology?
I don't think so. Mormonism would probably be too conservative for those Hollywood hippies (prohibition against intoxicants, caffeine, tobacco, premarital sex, homosexuality, etc.).
To be honest, from what I've read of his stuff, it was fairly typical pulp sci-fi throughout. None of it was particularly good or memorable in my opinion. I did however find 'Final Blackout' full of some interesting ideas and I started a re-write some time ago, but I've haven't been writing for a while.
What if L. Ron Hubbard had not founded Dianetics and Scientology?
It would be supremely ironic if Thelema took its place.