Scientology Criticism |
From modemac@netcom.com Sun Jul 2 12:53:19 BST 1995 (This article appeared in a newspaper, as yet unidentified, on March 2, 1994, page 47. Help identifying the source of the article would be most appreciated. Family Torn Apart by Scientology AN OPEN LETTER: WE ARE WRITING to warn the public about the dangerous, mind control cult called Scientology. The Reader's Digest and Forbes Masgazine has called Scientology "a frightening cult." Courts of law in the United State and abroad have called the organization "schizophrenic and paranoid", "corrupt, sinister and dangerous." Our son first read the book DIANETICS written by the founder L. Ron Hubbard in the spring of 1992 and started taking Scientology courses in Philadelphia. The founder was a pulp science fiction writier who wrote the book in thirty days and has used it as the basis of his "religion." Ron Hubbard has said that the best way that he had to make $1 million was to create his own religion. This religion has been called "a very controversial religion" by the Los Angeles Times. TIME Magazine has called it "the cult of greed." As the courses cost a great deal of money our son, who at the age of 20 was studying engineering and biology courses at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, dropped out of college and joined Scientology as a staff member. Staff members were able to take these courses at a reduced rate. Even though he appeared to be normal, we as his parents had noticed definite changes in his personality and his attitude toward the family and friends. As Indians we believe in a strong family base and since we had been an especially close family these changes were worrying. Our son gradually reduced his visits home which distressed us even further. Based upon his changes we as a family carried out extensive research on the organization. We started our research by reading material given to our son by Scientology. At our son's invitation we also visited and met with people at the organization on more than one occasion. We tried very hard to understand the organization that our son was involved in. At the same time we also discovered a huge ammount of material which seemed to contradict all that our son had told us about Scientology and its activites. This material includes books and articles written by ex-Scientologists and acclaimed newspapers. We also met with Steve Hassan, author of the critically acclaimed book "Combatting Cult Mind Control" in order better to understand the thought processes and measures that had obviously been used to create this altered state of mind and behavior in my son. Last week on a visit home, we asked our son to sit down with the family and the experts whom we were in touch with to review this information. As parents we were concerned that our son should see this information in order to make an informed decision about his involvement with Scientology. This attempt altered our son's personality right before our eyes. He became paranoid that we his family had been brainwashed and would allow him to be kidnapped and deprogrammed. This was not what we were doing. No amount of reassurances from us succeeded in persuading our son that all we as his parents wanted was for him to look at the material and documentation available in order to make an informed decision for something that would affect him for the rest of his life. Our son became so petrified that he left the house in a very agitated state and has since then refused to come home. No parent should have to see their child run away from his own house in that manner. We still talk on the telephone but are constantly aware of whispering and other voices on the other end. The family is totally devastated by this entire reaction. He was previously a young man who insisted on doing detailed research before making any kind of decision. His altered behavior seems to have changed this thought process and in turn his emotions towards the family. The very next day we hand delivered a letter to Scientology requesting them to encourage our son to return home and review the material. It has been six long days and nights and he has still not come. If Scientology has nothing to hide, it seems strange that a simple request like this from concerned parents is being refused. We want our son to know that we love and care for him and we are concerned for his mental and physical well being. Indira and Manu Bajaj Plainsboro, NJ, February 27, 1994 ______________________________________________________________________ WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: Ruined lives. Lost fortunes. Federal crimes. Scientology poses as a religion, but it is really a ruthless global scam and aiming for the mainstream. --Richard Behard, TIME Magazine, May 6, 1991. ______________________________________________________________________ Scientology is dangerous because it is out to capture people, especially children and impressionable young people, and indoctrinate and brainwash them so that they become the unquestioning captives and tools of the cult. --Justice Latey, ruling in the High Court in London in 1984. ______________________________________________________________________ L. Ron Hubbard was an opportunitst who lied consistently about his past, as part of a process of self-glorification. He was an arrogant, amoral egomaniac. Incapable of admitting his mistakes, he continually created scapegoats. The pure motives of his followers were exploited to build a secret mountain of cash. --Jon Atack, former Scientologist and author of "A Piece of Blue Sky." ______________________________________________________________________ People offering more infomation or assistance in dealing with Scientology should write to the Bajaj family in care of U.S. 1 Response Box 200194, 12 Roszel Road, Princeton NJ 08540.