Translation of a letter to the editor, printed in Stavanger Aftenblad (Norway) May 18 1999: --------------------------------------------------------------- Groundless hate or just concern? By Andreas Heldal-Lund Stavanger In Stavanger Aftenblad (May 5 1999) the spokesperson for the Church of Scientology claims that my criticism against them is based on hate and anti-religiosity. There is nothing more to expect from someone who has neither will nor is allowed to discuss the actual claims I make. It is standard policy in Scientology to rigorously strike down on anybody who criticize them. Confronted with a critic Scientologists shall "always attack, never defend". Since 1996 I have, on my own initiative and cost, built one of the most comprehensive and visited critical Internet sites about the Church of Scientology internationally (www.xenu.net). The information I have collected on Scientology does not come from hate or anti-religiosity, but is based on a sincere concern after meeting many victims of the Church of Scientology and a relatively comprehensive research on the subject. Anybody can visit my pages and make up their own opinion if the concern is just, since most of the background material is available there. The fact that I personally do not belong to any religion does not deprive me of the right to talk about religions or religiosity if that engage me. Neither does it reduce my ability to recognize pure con-games. It is well documented that L. Ron Hubbard (the sci-fi writer who invented Scientology) made his "self-help therapy" into a religion to escape tax claims and accusations of quackery. The Church of Scientology lure many Christians with the lie that one can be a Scientologist and still keep ones Christian belief. This is one of the lies I try to disclose. Studies of secret documents and testimonies from former members reveals that the Church of Scientology actually claim that other religions are false. But they are not allowed to say this publicly. Like I expect tolerance for who I am so does the Scientologists deserve it. But I can not sit still and accept crucial information being withheld because the Church of Scientology, in its brutality, manage to scare critics into silence. The price of a free society with a balanced and sensible set of laws and regulations is that the state never will be able to protect us all from everything and everybody who could constitute a threat. Only a police state would be able to provide such a "protection". We have all a individual responsibility to contribute so that our society is as good and just as possible for all. Some times that means we have to stand up against injustice ourselves. If the Church of Scientology is of the opinion they have something to contribute then they should take my challenge. I am willing to debate all the claims and documentation I have on my site. But if the price of unmasking Scientology is that they make pages with personal information about me on Internet, or continue their threats, then that is a price I am willing to pay. They will not manage to silence me.