#28: A “Pseudo-science?”

The Question

Alicia Says:
March 23rd, 2005 at 7:09 pm
Dear Shaun,

Why do Scientologists have such a problem with psychiatry? There are posters all over Central Square decrying the mental health industry in the name of L. Ron Hubbard.

sincerely, and admiringly,

Alicia

The Answer

Scientologists have a problem with psychiatry because the founder of the Scientologist religion, L. Ron Hubbard, has a problem with psychiatry. Basically, a little while before Scientology was founded, Hubbard released a work describing a new way of treating mental illness, called Dianetics. The psychological powers of the day did not accept this work and in fact warned those in their field to stay away from it. Since then, Hubbard’s opposition (and those of his followers) to mainstream psychiatry has continued unabated.

I find it rather ironic that this question was asked WAAAY before the whole Tom Cruise thing got going. Kudos to Alicia for being ahead of the curve on this one!

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