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FBI

The H-Files

FBI files on L Ron Hubbard


FROM THE FILES OF THE FBI 210

[newspaper article, London Daily Telegraph, 8-8-68]

SCIENTOLOGY A HIGH-PRICE RACKET'

By ALEX FAULKNER

NEW YORK, Wednesday.

A CRITICAL account of scientology appears today in the New York publication _Women's Wear Daily,_ which is devoted essentially to fashions, but often explores other matters.

It says that "a new and quite apparently phony religion' called scientology is beginning to emerge from the lower depths.

"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'.

"Its bible is a compilation of mawkish platitudes offering instant happiness for $5 ([pounds]2 ls 8d), or a six-month course in understanding for $1,500 ([pounds]625).

"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.

"Its services are conducted on Sundays at 2 p.m. in Central Park behind the Metropolitan Musuem 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 itself, pure and simple."

"Astounding growth"

The debates in the House of Commons, says this publication, really come down to the question of whether scientology is or is not a religion.

"It isn't," it asserts. "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 32nd street, headquarters of one of its thriving branches, followers of founder Hubbard include miniskirted girls, bearded youths, part-time advisers and ministers.'

"There are also the curiosity seekers pondering whether to take the initial step called processing' at a cost of $15 ([pounds][?] 5s).

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

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