Scientology
From Mrs Jennifer Wakley Sir: Nils Bohr's remarks (Letters, January 19), about the Church of Scientology betray a sad lack of rationality.
I have been a member of the Church of Scientology for fourteen years now and have seen this accusation about the unfamiliar language of Scientology time and time again. We do have our own words it is true: but does one condemn Freud for introducing words such as libido, ego, id and Oedipus complex into the English language? Mr Bohr may not understand Scientology words. It is not, however, a logical progression from this one fact to the conclusion that Scientology is quackery.
Mr Bohr attacks the Church for the respect it has earned itself not only in this country but abroad. Unfortunately he does not substantiate this attack with anything resembling a reasoned argument. He neglects to point out that while the rest of the country is going downhill, Scientology is booming. And it is Scientology's executives, trained in Scientology's organisational techniques who are causing it to boom despite the government and media.
Scientology technology is also used in the world's largest and most successful drug rehabilitation programme. Narconon. In education Scientology study technology is operating in programmes not only in this country but all over the world. So much for Mr Bohr's statement that nothing worthwhile has been produced by the Church in recent years.
It is also surprising to see Mr Bohr questioning the Church's religious identity. The Church of Scientology is internationally recognised as a religious body from American to Australia. Indeed, the United Kingdom is a peculiar exception in that while everyone else in the country from the media (the IBA will not allow Scientology to advertise on TV or radio because it is a religion) to Lord Soper and the Catholic Herald, consider
Scientology to be a religion, the Registrar-General does not This is not unusual, however, as there is often a marked discrepancy between public opinion and the decisions and activities of a government.
The fairest thing one can say about Mr Bohr's letter is that the overwhelming stench of hackneyed illogic contained in it signals 'Bohrdom' loud and clear to all who come in contact with it.
Jennifer Wakley The White House, Coombe Hill Road, East Grinstead, Sussex
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