FROM THE FILES OF THE FBI 264
[BLACKED OUT]
February 13, 1973
_CONFIDENTIAL_
_Certified Mail_
Chief, Federal Bureau of Investigation
Ninth and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
This letter is being written to request your immediate investigation and
assistance in connection with a critical situation that involves my son,
[BLACKED OUT] It is so critical that I am literally petrified at this
point that he has been brainwashed by the "processing" he has undergone in
"Scientology" to the point where he has become extremely dangerous to
himself, to members of his immediate family and his friends, and
eventually could become a danger to society.
Three years ago, when my son was a junior in college, he was introduced to
"Scientology." He then dropped out of school and since that time has
given all of the money he could earn or obtain to this organization in San
Francisco, Berkeley, and Los Angeles. It appears that the techniques used
result in self-hypnosis, and the the brainwashing procedures begin. At
this point my son is concerned about his own sanity, but as a result of
the conditioning through "Scientology auditing" he is so deluded that he
has utter contempt for any established form of psychiatry or
scientifically-endorsed approach to mental health problems. He is now
convinced that the only way he can make it through "Scientology," its
founder--L. Ron Hubbard, and continued "auditing" until he reaches the
state of "clear" or "thetan." If anyone interferes or tries to discourage
him from continuing his "auditing," he is instructed to "disconnect" from
them.
Through investigation I have located reports on "Scientology" in the
American Medical Association's magazine, _Today's Health_, pages 34 to 39,
inclusive, of the December, 1968, issue. This article is entitled
"SCIENTOLOGY--Menace to Mental Health," by Ralph Lee Smith. In this
article he states, "Few have heeded the warning of the American
Psychological Association that Hubbard's claims are not supported by
empirical evidence.' They ignore the statement by the late Dr. William
Menninger, one of the founders of the famed Menninger Clinic, of Topeka,
Kansas, that Hubbard's system and ideas can potentially do a great deal of
harm.' "
I quote, also, from pages 37 and 38 of the above-mentioned article:
"What goes on in Scientology auditing sessions? Preclears won't tell
you--they are forbidden to discuss their experience with anyone. They
also are forbidden to speak any word of
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Chief, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Wash., D.C. 2/13/73 Page 2
disparagement of Scientology to the press or to listen to any condemnation
of the cult. If the preclear's superiors think that he is guilty of any
conduct undertaken knowingly to suppress, reduce, or impede Scientology or
Scientologists,' he may find himself labeled a P.T.S.--potential trouble
source--and charged with high crimes.' The penalty is dismissal from
Scientology. Others in Scientology, who might presumably include his
friends and/or members of his family, are instructed to disconnect' from
him.
However, the procedures used in Scientology auditing are easily obtained
without imperiling any preclears. Hubbard goes into them in detail in his
books.
The first step is to get a preclear securely under the auditor's command.'
"
In spite of the action taken against this organization in some foreign
countries where, I understand, it has been banned, it seems to be uncurbed
in the United States. From the last paragraph of the _Today's Health_
article, page 30, I again quote: "Before it finally goes the way of all
cults, Scientology may leave behind a legacy of tragedy unmatched in the
annals of fads and fallacies to mental health."
I call your attention, also, to an eleven-page article in _Life Magazine_,
November 15, 1968, issue, entitled "SCIENTOLOGY - A growing cult reaches
dangerously into the mind." On page 100B of this article Alan Levy begins
an account of his personal experiences. This article has the following
heading: "An exploring writer becomes personally involved A TRUE-LIFE
NIGHTMARE' by Alan Levy."
These articles in _Today's Health_ and _Life Magazine_ will, I am sure,
convince you of the seriousness of the situation and further convince you
that I am not just an overly-concerned mother.
A most serious episode occurred during the Christmas holiday season which
could have had disastrous consequences. I firmly believe that my son is
"hooked" and cannot get well unless he receives professional help to
remove the "auditing" brainwashing now imbedded in his mind. He has not,
since becoming involved with "Scientology," been able to hold a position
of any kind for any length of time. He states that he is, through
"Scientology," going to control his environment and everyone in it.
I have read some of the "Scientology" literature--both books authored by
L. Ron Hubbard and some of the endless free literature with which my son
has been bombarded. The minute, limited investigation I have been able to
make of this organization has put me, at times, in a state of panic. I
have seen my son's personality deteriorate and become progressively worse
to the point where now there seems to be
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Chief, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Wash., D.C. 2/13/73 Page 3
no sanity present in his reasoning. The "auditing" costs have already run
into many thousands of dollars.
Is this the type of organization, which calls itself a church in this
country (in other countries I am told they are not permitted to call
themselves a church) licensed to probe into the mind up to the point of
removing the so-called "reactive" mind--the subconcious or unconcious? It
is my understanding thta the subconcious and/or the unconscious mind are
extremely important to the well-being and sanity of an individual. My son
is intending to resume his course--the "auditing"--within a couple of
weeks; I am afraid he will be reduced to a zombie or "vegetable." They
predicate their ability to remove the "reactive" mind through their
auditing processes.
Have you made any reports on and/or investigation into this organization?
If so, I would like to know where they are available. If this has not
come under your direct scrutiny, I would request some kind of initial
investigation immediately. It is impossible for me to communicate with my
son on "Scientology." If he brings up the subject, I try to avoid
becoming at all involved. If I should ask any questions about it, he
displays a jaded personality and seems to be obsessed and under the
influence of some magnetic force. You can see the change in his eyes
whenever "Scientology" takes over. Members of the organization are
constantly after him for more money, suggesting what will happen if he
doesn't continue with it, calling him on the telephone, and keeping him in
a constant state of turmoil.
I urgently request that you recognize and respond to this letter and
contact me for any further information or assistance in connection with an
investigation in an effort to determine what can be done before it is too
late. I am most sincere about the urgency of the problem. I live in
dread of what might do to those close to him whom he is now determined to
"control."
I shall depend on your professional expertise to make the investigation
without revealing how, where, or by whom it was instigated. If my son
knew that I initiated it, I fear that my life would be in serious
jeopardy. Please contact me and recognize and respond to this letter. My
phone nubmer is [BLACKED OUT] My son is not now living with me.
Thank you for your assistance.
Very truly yours,
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