Letter to the Editor on Investigative Reports

Documentary covered basics of Scientology

Mark Warlick (Feedback, Jan. 10) says A&E's "Investigative Reports" had "nothing about Scientology's basic beliefs and tenets." He is mistaken. The show covered the basics of Dianetics, including Scientology's fraudulent claims that Hubbard's pop therapy cures illnesses such as asthma, arthritis and cancer. There were also several mentions of Scientologists' belief in immortality, reincarnation and self-improvement.

The show covered Scientology's Fair Game practice in some depth. Scientology scripture states that an enemy of Scientology "may be tricked, sued or lied to or destroyed."

Scientology's ruthless attacks on its critics, including Keith Henson (Palo Alto) and Grady Ward (Arcata), demonstrate that it is a current Scientology practice.

Of course, a two-hour documentary could not cover everything. Scientology beliefs about evil intergalactic space aliens were barely mentioned, and the teaching that there was no Christ was completely absent.

The reporters also failed to note that Lisa McPherson's incarceration was in accordance with another Scientology scripture, the "Introspection Rundown." The state of Florida did notice, and cited that practice in its affidavit when filing felony charges against Scientology in November.

Mr. Warlick may be correct that "interest in Scientology has never been higher." Investigative reporters, government agencies and concerned individuals are increasingly interested in the evidence of Scientology's criminal and deceptive acts. And Scientology may have become the most-picketed church in the world, averaging a picket every day somewhere in the world, including frequent protests at their offices in San Jose, Palo Alto, Mountain View and San Francisco.

Readers looking for more information about Scientology can find it at Scientology's own Web site, www.scientology.org, and at numerous critical sites, including www.xenu.net and www.scientology-lies.com.

Kristi Wachter
San Francisco

This page was last updated on May 8, 1999.