On this day...the 7th August..just in case the internet has a problem with time

Scientology... Lend-lease racket
Date: Wednesday, 7 August 1968
Publisher: Women's Wear Daily (New York)
Author: Denis Sheahan
Main source: link (274 KiB

NEW YORK — A new, and quite apparently phony "religion" called Scientology is beginning to emerge from the lower depths.

For many weeks it has been a frontpage story in Great Britain where the government has been moved to act against the new cult.

In the United States, it is still basically unknown except to cultists and a few curiosity seekers. But in recent days, subway posters have appeared in New York urging everyone: "Step into the world of the totally free."

However, a WWD report by Denis Sheahan indicates there is nothing "totally free" about Scientology. His WWD report follows:

Its bible is a compilation of mawkish platitudes offering instant happiness for $5, or a six-months course in understanding for $1,500.

Scientology is a racket with offices in key cities throughout the United States and England. Its main teaching is "total freedom" and it worships no god but its founder, L. Ron Hubbard a sort of Western guru with an unholy smile.

It is a cult of smooth-talking "ministers" who don't know the difference between a Ph.D. and a Doctor of Divinity.

ITS SERVICES are conducted Sundays at 2 p.m. in Central Park behind the Metropolitan Museum of Art with flower children, hippies, high school dropouts and disillusioned adults.

And one of the principal "dynamics" or commandments for the cult's worshippers is the sex act for itself, pure and simple.

For the last few weeks Scientology has dominated the pages of British newspapers, including the staid Times of London, citing the Home Secretary and the Minister of Health's declarations that the cult is "socially harmful."

Debates have raged in the House of Commons over whether British government bans on entry of persons connected with Scientology are really attacks on freedom of religion.

The debates boil down to the issue of whether Scientology is, or is not, a religion. It isn't.

IT'S A high-priced confidence game.

However, as a movement, Scientology continues to grow at an astounding rate here in the United States and abroad. In New York City its membership reportedly has increased more than 500 per cent in two years.

At the Martinique Hotel on 3rd Street, headquarters of one of its thriving branches, followers of Hubbard include mini-skirted girls, bearded youths, part-time advisors and "ministers." There are also the curiosity seekers pondering whether to take the initial step called "processing" . . . at a cost of $15.

One "convert" who was processed told WWD that "one thing led to another, and before I knew what happened, I spent $1,000."

ANOTHER UPSTATE New York youth said money for the courses presented no problem because the cult schools you on how to obtain the fees for the curriculum.

"If money is a barrier," the youth said, "Scientology teaches you how to overcome it."

According to Eric Barnes, one of its so-called seminarian ministers, the cult has grown in [illegible words] by word of mouth and has attracted followers of almost races and creeds except Negroes.

"We only have a few blacks," Barnes said.

THE RECEPTION room of the Hotel Martinique is filled with only a smathering of founder Hubbard's writings which include pocket books, paperbacks technical manuals, major texts and reference works. The prices range from 50 cents to $7. A life-size poster of Hubbard sells for $5.

According to Barnes, teaching is done on three floors of the premises. And it is through Hubbard's books that the "thetans," or converts, are taught. And taught they are.

It's almost a bargain basement sale, one follower said.

No one under 13 years of age is admitted simply because they don't have money.

Adults are permitted to work part-time to pay for the processing and training.

Discounts are also provided. And if a "thetan" doesn't like a course, he can get his money back. So far, no one has asked for it.

[Picture / Caption: WELL ORGANIZED: Church of Scientology's founder L. Ron Hubbard, center, controls a cult that is apparently increasing in numbers from [?] of organization chart, left. Attractive Hermin[?] Nichols is behind stacks of books and pamphlets on sale at cult's headquarters in New York City's Hotel Martinique.]

Yeah right...

Scientology founder says he forgave 13M dollars
Date: Wednesday, 7 August 1968
Publisher: The Guardian (UK)
Main source: link (83 KiB)

Mr Lafayette Ron Hubbard, founder of Scientology, claimed in a statement issued yesterday that he was owed the sum of $13 millions by the organisation, and had forgiven it. He had drawn no salary for years.

The statement was one of two from Mr Hubbard issued from Saint Hill Manor, East Grinstead, Sussex, the cult's headquarters. A spokesman said they were received late on Monday night from Tunisia, where Mr Hubbard is believed to be on his yacht. The statement added:

"Even my own income has been invoiced into Scientology organisations.

"I paid for all the research for 18 years, and it is not included at all. All the millions have been totalled up, and, aside from some cash loans, the balance has been forgiven.

"

It is typical of these attacks on Scientology that truth is the other way. It is upsetting to make a 13-million-dollar gift and be hammered for it."

In the other statement, Mr Hubbard says Scientology brought millions of dollars into England "before Robinson slammed the door on students."

"

Older practices take millions of dollars from the United Kingdom taxpayer. Medicine and mental groups are paid countless millions while Scientology makes money for the country. Even with medicine free, the people want to pay for Scientology. No wonder older practices are afraid. Authority belongs to those who are getting their job done."

Scientology founder 'forgives' $13m debt // Cable from his yacht
Date: Wednesday, 7 August 1968
Publisher: Daily Telegraph (UK)
Main source: link (107 KiB)

MR. LAFAYETTE RON HUBBARD, the American founder of Scientology, has cabled the cult's headquarters at East Grinstead, Sussex, that although he was owed $13 million by the organisation this debt has been "forgiven."

This was said in a statement issued yesterday from Saint Hill Manor and was one of two received late on Monday from Tunisia, where Mr. Hubbard is believed to be in his yacht.

The statement added: "Even my own income has been invoiced into Scientology organisations.

"I paid for all the research for 18 years and it is not included at all. All the millions have been totalled up and, aside from some cash loans, the balance has been forgiven."

SWISS BANK
'Millions of dollars'

Mr. Hubbard also said it was "upsetting" to make a $13 million gift and be hammered for it. He was referring to reports which state Mr. Hubbard has a £3 million bank acount with a Swiss bank.

In the second statement Mr. Hubbard said Scientology brought millions of dollars into England "before Robinson slammed the door on the students."

Despite the apparent diespread unpopularity of the cult, especially in the East Grinstead locality, very few demands for an inquiry into their activities have been called for in this country — certainly nothing parallel to the inquiry which resulted in the State of Victoria, Australia, outlawing any teaching or advertising Scientology within the state borders.

'DEBASED TECHNIQUES'
Often mentally ill

The Government Board inquiry sat for 160 days, heard 151 witnesses, gave four million words of evidence and presented a 202 page report. Known as the Anderson Report, it found that Scientology constituted a medical, moral and social threat to the community.

Its techniques and principles were "perverted, debased and harmful."

The Anderson Report also found adherents of Scientology "sadly deluded and often mentally ill." It was a grave treat to family life causing not only financial hardship but also dissension and suspicion among families.

Although not recommending a specific band, Anderson suggested a law forbidding unqualified people practising Scientology, hypnosis and mental therapy. The Victorian Government established an eight-member Psychological Council and specifically banned Scientology, making its practice subject to fines and imprisonment.

 

CALL FOR INQUIRY
'Gravely concerned'

So far, in this country, apart from individual complaints received by the East Grinstead urban council and local members of Parliament, including Mr. Geoffrey Johnson Smith, Conservative M.P. for East Grinstead, only the National Council for Civil Liberties has demanded a Government inquiry.

This demand was made immediately following the statement in the House by Mr. Robinson, Minister of Health, announcing Government plans to curb the growth of Scientology in this country.

Then Mr. Tony Smythe, secretary of the council, issued a statement saying it was "gravely concerned" at the implications of the Minister's statement and found them "objectionable in principle and dangerous in practice."

 

STRONG CASE
Talk to young Tories

It added that there was a strong case for a Government White Paper on what was known about Scientology in this country and no reply has yet been received in answer to a letter from the council asking Mr. Callaghan, the Home Secretary, to see a deputation to discuss students being refused entry to continue their studies here.

Mr. Stuart Adam Jones, an estate agent and former Liberal chairman of East Grinstead U D C has also stated there should be a full-scale Government inquiry into this cult.

Police watch on Scientologists // Letters sent to girl
Date: Wednesday, 7 August 1968
Publisher: The Scotsman (UK)
Main source: link (41 KiB)

The activities of Scientologists in Edinburgh are being kept under the scruitny of the police following the Government's clamp-down on the growth of the cult in Britain.

Mr Robert Campbell, deputy Chief Constable of Edinburgh City Police, said yesterday: "We are interested in this organization and we are keeping an eye on things."

The police, he said, were investigating a complaint made by Councillor Rupert Speyer regarding letters received by a 15-year-old girl who had been employed by the Scientologists' Publications Organisation World Edinburgh.

No hall letting ban on cult
Date: Wednesday, 7 August 1968
Publisher: Evening News (Edinburgh)
Main source: link (29 KiB)

The Scientology organise- will not be barred from holding meetings in Edinburgh Public Halls, provided they abide by the Corporation's hall letting regulations.

This decision was made today by the Vacation Sub-Committee of the Finance Committee of the Town Council.

The Scientology organisation, the Committee were told, have made telephone inquiries about the letting of public halls, but so far no formal applications have been submitted.

Councillor James Slack, who took the chair at today's meeting, said: "We are adhering to normal practice. 

As far as we are concerned these people have not offended against any letting instructions and we are passing no comment on their organisation."

He added that the committee felt they had no reason to keep a specially careful watch on any Scientology meeting which might be held.

Man behind the cult
Date: Wednesday, 7 August 1968
Publisher: Scottish Daily Mail (UK)
Main source: link (186 KiB

THE first picture of Lafayette Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology movement, on board his 3,300-ton yacht Royal Scotsman. Smiling and wearing a nautical cap, he sits behind a desk in his elegant wood-panelled cabin.

This is where he holds court, this man who talks of 'visits' he has made to Heaven, to Mars, and to Venus. 

This man who is banned from entering Britain.

From the yacht, which is lying off Bizerta, Tunisia, Mr Hubbard issued a statement yesterday claiming that he was owed 13 million dollars by the Scientology organisation — and had forgiven it. He said be had drawn no salary for years.

High court costs order against Scientologists
Date: Wednesday, 7 August 1968
Publisher: The Guardian (UK)
Main source: link (83 KiB

The Church of Scientology of California was ordered in the High Court yesterday to pay the costs of the publishers of three national newspapers whom they had brought to court to face injunction proceedings.

Mr Justice Fisher also ordered that the Church would not proceed with libel actions against the News of the World, Ltd., Beaverbrook Newspapers, Ltd., and Daily Mirror Newspapers, Ltd., until the costs are paid.

At the start of yesterday's hearing, counsel for the Church, Mr Leon Britton, told the Judge that he was no longer asking for the interlocutory injunctions restraining further publication of the alleged libels.

After a 65-minute hearing in private, the Judge gave permission for his judgment to be published.

He said the Church claimed damages alleging libel in articles in the "News of the World," "Sunday Mirror," and "Daily Express." An application on Thursday for ex parte injunctions was refused. The defendants had filed evidence for yesterday's hearing, but counsel for the church now said he no longer asked for the orders. 

Accordingly the applications would be dismissed, and the only question he had to decide was on costs.

The newspapers had asked that the costs of the hearing should be taxed and paid at once. Counsel for the church had not resisted the application, and he would make an order accordingly. He refused to make a special order on the method of assessing costs which the defendants had sought.

The defendants also asked that the proceedings should be suspended until the costs of the hearing were paid. The judge said that one of the church's officers had stated that it was a nonprofitmaking organisation incorporated in California but also registered in this country.

"They are a foreign corporation," he said, "and I have no grounds for being satisfied that the defendants could successfully execute for the costs on property of the plaintiffs in this country." He would make the order accordingly.

The judge said that the order for costs would also be against Mrs Jane Kember, an official of the church, of Challow, Courtlands, Sharpthorne, near East Grinstead, Sussex, in actions where she was coplaintiff.

Costs order against scientologists
Date: Wednesday, 7 August 1968
Publisher: The Times (UK)
Main source: link (60 KiB)

The Church of Scientology of California was ordered in the High Court yesterday to pay the costs of the publishers of three national newspapers whom they had brought to court to face injunction proceedings.

Mr. Justice Fisher also ordered that the church could not proceed with libel actions against the News of the World Ltd., Beaverbrook Newspapers Ltd., and Daily Mirror Newspapers Ltd. until the costs are paid.

At the start of yesterday's hearing, Mr. Leon Brittan, counsel for the church, told the judge that he was no longer asking for the interlocutory injunctions restraining further publication of the alleged libels.

After a 65-minute hearing in private the judge gave permision for his judgment to be published.

He said the church claimed damages alleging libel in articles in the News of the World, Sunday Mirror, and Daily Express.

An application last Thursday for ex-parte injunctions was refused. The defendants had filed, evidence for yesterday's hearing, but counsel for the church now said he no longer asked for the orders. Accordingly, the applications would be dismissed and the only question he had to decide was on costs.

Mr. Justice Fisher went on "I was asked to direct that the hearing of this summons should take place in open court. I undoubtedly have power to do so, but it seems to me that there was little or nothing left to hear and it was quite unnecessary to hear applications for costs in open court."

The newspapers had asked that the costs of the hearing should be taxed and paid at once. Counsel for the church had not resisted the application, and he would make an order accordingly.

The judge refused to make a special order on the method of assessing costs which the defendants had sought alleging that the applications were vexatious and unnecessary. He said he thought the ordinary order for costs was sufficient. The defendants also asked that the proceedings should be suspended until the costs of the hearing were paid.

The judge said that one of the church's officers had stated that it was a non-profit-making organization incorporated in California but also registered in this country.

"They are a foreign corporation", he said, "and I have no grounds for being satisfied that the defendants could successfully execute for the costs on property of the plaintiffs in this country."

He would make the order accordingly.

The judge said the order for costs would also be against Mrs. Jane Kember, an official of. the church, of Challow, Courtlands, Sharpthorne, near East Grinstead, Sussex, in actions where she was co-plaintiff.

After the hearing, a spokesman for all the defendants said that they would strongly resist the proceedings and would plead justification, fair comment, and privilege.

Church told to pay court costs
Date: Wednesday, 7 August 1968
Publisher: Daily Telegraph (UK)
Main source: link (107 KiB)

THE Church of Scientology of California was told by Mr. Justice Fisher in the High Court yesterday that it cannot continue libel actions against three newspapers unless it pays their costs incurred in preliminary proceedings which it has now abandoned.

Costs are estimated at more than £500.

Mr. Justice Fisher had earlier been told by Mr. Leon Brittan, counsel for the church, that it was no longer seeking injunctions sought at a previous hearing, restraining further publication of the alleged libels pending the hearing of the full action.

The judge, sitting in the Vacation Court, said that the order for costs would also be against Mrs. Jane Kember, an official of the church, of Sharpthorne, near East Grinstead, in actions where she was concerned.

Referring to the church the Judge said: "They are a foreign corporation and I have no grounds for being satisfied that the defendants could successfully execute for the costs on property of the plaintiffs in this country."

 

Applications refused

The three newspapers concerned are the Daily Express, Sunday Mirror and News Of The World. They all deny libel.

At the previous hearing, last Thursday, ex-parte applications for injunctions against the three newspapers were refused by Mr. Justice Fisher.

The judge beard yesterday's case in private but opened the court to the Press for his judgment. He said that he had heard it in private because he thought it was "unnecessary" to hear applications for costs in open court.

Outside the court a legal spokesman for all the three newspapers said that they would "strongly resist" the forthcoming libel actions and would plead justification, fair comment and privilege.

Churches surveyed on probes by IRS
Date: Monday, 7 August 1972
Publisher: Journal Sentinel (Milwaukee)
Main source: link (69 KiB)

Washington, D. C. — U P I — The Church of Scientology said Sunday it has sent questionnaires to more than 7,000 churches on the East Coast to determine the extent of Internal Revenue Service "harassment" of churches and religious agencies.

A church spokesman said it took the action after hearing a number of complaints that the IRS was investigating churches involved in social action programs.

The Rev. Arthur Maren, of the church's headquarters In Los Angeles, said a similar survey had ben completed on the West Coast and the results were beginning to come in.

The questionnaire attempts to determine the extent to which churches, especially those actively engaged in social action programs, have had I R S investigations launched into their operations. Present law holds that churches and other nonprofit organizations may be granted tax exempt status if "no substantial part" of their activities are directed towards propaganda, "or otherwise attempting to influence legislation."

Maren said his questionnaire, sent to churches of every denomination and reflecting a cross section of liberal and conservative religious activity, was completely confidential.

The questionnaire comes on the heels of a recently released report by the Guild of St. Ives, an Episcopal group of lawyers centered in the New York area.

The report said the IRS "seems to be taking a tougher approach to churches in an attempt to curb their activities on political and matters."

According to the Scientologists, most of the churches in the IRS probes have been involved with such issues as the Vietnam War, poverty, housing, welfare systems, medical care and economic maldistribution.

The Scientologists have had their difficulty with the IRS and their tax exempt status was lifted several years ago, but church officials claim there is no relationship between the questionnaire and their own difficulties with the IRS.

Recently Americans United for Separation of Church and State, which has lobbied heavily against federal aid to parochial education, had its tax exempt status lifted. And on the other side of the spectrum, the anti-Communist Christian crusade of Billy James Hargis had its tax exempt status lifted in 1966 because it supported amendments favoring a return of prayer and Bible reading in public schools. A federal court later reinstated the exemption, suggesting that the IRS was entering "a dangerous area."

Congress is considering at least two bills that examine the lobbying and political activities of tax exempt organizations. One of them, sponsored by Rep. Al Ullman (D-Ore.), would limit groups to spending one-fifth of their budget on lobbying before Congress without losing their exempt status.