Sir, - Scientologist Gerard Ryan appears upset that his religion, the Church of Scientology is discriminated against. He may be interested to know that his religion had its origins in a science fiction article written by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, entitled Dianetics - The Evolution of a Science, published in the May 1950 issue of Astounding Science Fiction Magazine.
Scientology did not always claim to be a religion. In fact, in the Hubbard Information Letter of April 12th, 1961, Hubbard wrote: "Scientology auditing [i.e. counselling] is today the only validated, psychotherapy in the world.
Scientology is a precise science . . . The first science to put the cost of psychotherapy within the range of any person's pocketbook."
Many believe that Scientology's claim to be a religion is only a pretence. Not only does the original intent of Dianetics/ Scientology support this idea, it exposes one of the many contradictions in Scientology.
Today, Scientology strongly denies any identification with psychotherapy; in fact, one of its arch enemies and targets for attack is psychiatry Mr Ryan should check his origins to be sure that what he is experiencing is, in fact, "religious" discrimination. - Yours, etc.,
Castle Treaure,
Douglas,
Cork.