CHAPTER 14
SCIENTOLOGY AND ITS ATTACKS ON PSYCHIATRY
14.1 Scientology has attacked neuro-surgery, psychiatry and psychiatrists unmercifully
over an extended period of time. The originator of these attacks is Mr. Hubbard himself as some
of his books such as Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health, Dianetics: The Evolution of
a Science and Science of Survival clearly show. These original attacks were often destructive
and harsh and have been well-sustained up to the present time. They have been regular and, in
the words of Dr. M.B. Feldman, a former chairman of the National Group of Psychiatrists of the
Medical Association of South Africa who testified before the Commission, couched in a manner
"... wicked in its purpose and in its intent and to bear no relationship whatsoever ... to the
truth of psychiatric practice."1 These attacks as a rule emanate from Mr. Hubbard himself but
also come from other adherents of Scientology. Counsel who appeared on behalf of the Church of
Scientology in South Africa (Pty.) Ltd., stated in the course of cross-examination of Dr. Kruger
that his clients condemn psychiatry outright.*
14.2. The attacks are often claimed to be counter attacks in response to attacks of
psychiatry on Scientology. However, whatever the position may be in other countries, it cannot
in fairness be said that organized psychiatry or even individual psychiatrists took the
initiative against Scientology in the Republic of South Africa. The reverse seems to be nearer
the truth as attacks on the psychiatric profession in general have been freely and spontaneously
published in the Republic of South Africa in Mr. Hubbard's various text books, in the regular
publications of Scientology such as The Auditor, its monthly journal, Total Freedom, a three
monthly South African publication, and Freedom, a three monthly publication mainly distributed
in the United Kingdom and the United States of America and in various pamphlets distributed from
time to time. An issue of Total Freedom published during March, 1970, claims that its readership
in South Africa alone is well over 100,000.**
14.3. It is necessary to refer at some length to instances and examples of this form of
attack which, for reasons which will appear later, the Commission views with concern.
14.4. The following are a few quotations from Mr. Hubbard's books:
(a) "According to a modern writer, the single advance of psycho-therapy
was clean quarters for the madman. In terms of brutality in
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1Record of Evidence, Vol. 24, p. 59 - Dr. M.B. Feldman.
*Record of Evidence, Vol. 37, p. 63 - Dr. C.F. Kruger.
**Total Freedom AF No. 5., last page.
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