300 INDEPENDENCE AVENUE S.E. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20003 (202) 544-1794
March 15, 1994
Mr. M. H[xxx].
Sacramento, CA 95816
Dear Mr. H[xxx]: I don't believe your letter of November, 1993 has never been
acknowledged. However, please accept this one in any case. As a new subscriber
you may not be aware that in the past we have supported Scientology and given
their spokesmen many opportunities to go on Radio Free America and have reported
on their activities in The SPOTLIGHT.
We certainly have nothing against the
thousands of Americans who are members of the Church.
Beginning last
October it has come to my personal attention that the upper level of the Church
has aims and uses methods kept secret from the membership.
From what we
understand, members have no knowledge of this activity nor do they have any
democratic control on the leadership. Thus, any article we might run on the
Church seen to be critical of Scientology must not be seen in any other light
but that.
I am very sorry for the long delay in responding to your letter.
Sincerely,
Willis A. Carto Treasurer
WAC/jp
[handwritten: NM "no match on file"]
K[xxx] L[xxx]
Los Angeles, Non-domestic CALIFORNIA REPUBLIC
02/03/94
Certified Mail # P 032 754 001
Paul J. Croke, Editor
THE SPOTLIGHT
300 Independence Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Re: February
7, 1994 Edition
Dear Mr. Croke,
I read your comment in the "Letters" section of the above-referenced issue to the Scientologist who had canceled his subscription to The Spotlight. Accordingly, I have three points for which I am in need of clarification:
(1) There appears to be a flaw in your reasoning. You stated:
"...we have written the writer and asked if the good members of Scientology have any knowledge of or control over their leadership, which seems to be involved in schemes kept secret from the members."
First of all, I can only assume that you are not referring to "knowledge of
... their Leadership," but rather "knowledge of ... schemes."
The construction of your sentence says you are talking about "their
leadership," but your intention conveys that you are talking about "schemes."
It is fairly obvious that anyone (including yourself) would have some
knowledge of the leadership, just by virtue of knowing who they are, what their
names are, where their offices are, etc. So, I will proceed under the assumption
that you are talking about knowledge of "schemes." Please correct me
if such is not the case.
Therefore, please explain to me how anyone,
Scientologist or not, could have knowledge of anything which was being "kept
secret" from them.
(2) I would also like to know: Are you making a blanket insinuation that the
leaders of Scientology are "absolute rulers" in their domain, i.e.,
subject to no influence whatsoever from "the members"? If this is not
your intention please clarify this for me.
There are many types of "control"
in organizational affairs. Please clarify what type of "control" you
are attempting to find out about. Also, would proof of any type of "control
over their leadership" prove the issue of "control," and thereby
render your implication invalid?
(3) Lastly, you have stated that the leadership of Scientology "seems to be involved in schemes kept secret from the members." That you have included the word "seems" in your statement mollifies the insinuation somewhat, but it does not, however, alter your intention to "attach" your subtle accusation to the "leadership." Do you have any documentation or hard evidence which would support such a suggestion, or are you merely passing along a rumor?
These are all interesting points to me, and I am very interested in your reply.
That you have gone out of your way to make these ambiguous commentations and
printed them in your paper I believe I am properly justified in asking for
clarification. If I do not hear from you within 30 days, at least with regard to
my request for documentation or evidence, I will assume that you have none and
have acquiesced on the issue and conceded that your position is not founded in
evidence or proof.
In closing, I would like to remind you that these
questions were evoked only after reading your incomplete comments. Awaiting your
response.
Sincerely,
/sig/
300 INDEPENDENCE AVENUE S.E. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20003 (202) 544-1794
February 20, 1994
Dear Mr. L[xxx];
I really appreciate your writing again after you have
checked out part of the facts.
Your para. 3 in your previous letter does
not address the questions I raised. I am sure that the Amway-type conventions
your people have are enthusiastic and upbeat and the plans announced for future
expansion are heartily approved of by all. But do these pep sessions have
anything to do with the secret plans, if any, of your leaders? Do the members
have the ability to audit them as they have the ability to audit you? As an
intelligent man you know very well that when there is a lot of money and power
around in an organization of whatever type, it inevitably becomes corrupt. This
is a simple historical law. Period.
My other question is that of control of
this organization -- rather, about 140 organizations, I discover. Is there any
way for the members to replace the leadership under some sort of democratic
procedure? Or is the leadership self-perpetuating, meaning do they vote each
other in?
I guess you know that I have some other questions in my mind
revolving about the "mysterious" tax exemption and deductibility
status suddenly granted by the IRS. I am told that this was completely
unexpected by the mid-level Scientologists. Why does the IRS keep this matter
confidential, in apparent violation of the law? Was there political pressure on
the IRS? If so, what was the pressure and why? Could it have been a quid pro quo
of some sort? What would your leader -- David Miscavage -- have been able to pay
for this status? I understand he is telling associates that he has been able to
do what even L. Ron was unable to do in 35 years!
I'll enclose herein the
fax I received from your public relations director on January 28 and my
response. I have not received an answer to this letter of February 2.
I thank you for your interest. Of course, there is a lot more to all of this
but, contrary to Marcellus, I am not a liar (my lawyer forced him to reverse his
testimony under oath on January 31) and have nothing to hide. So please
write again if you wish.
Sincerely,
Willis A. Carto
P.S. My address here is P.O. Box 28802, San Diego 92198.
M[xxx] J. L[xxx], Studio City, CA
February 12, 1994
Willis Carto
Liberty Lobby
300 Independence Avenue, S.E.
Washington,
D.C. 20003
Dear Mr. Carto:
Thank you for publishing my letter in your " letters to the Editor"
section in a recent SPOTLIGHT.
I am confused a little, however. By printing
the letter you give the apparency that your publication is willing to look at
both sides of the story. However, you add a response that says that no
Scientologist has responded to your inquiries as to whether members have any
knowledge of the Church leaders. I am enclosing a copy of a letter which I sent
you on December 28, 1993. If you'll take a look at point number 3 in that
letter, you'll indeed find a mention of this point. So, once again, you are only
mentioning part of the truth, which shows obvious negative bias.
I still
have not received a response from you on my requests for more data on this
purported "scandal" concerning the IHR. I finally found out the name
of the "high-ranking Scientologist" who you claim has made life
miserable for you: Torr Marcellus. Of course, I only found this out by scanning
through the "letters" section of the SPOTLIGHT. I have never heard
of Mr. Marcellus, and neither have several fellow Scientologists in the LA area.
I doubt sincerely if he is a Scientologist in good standing, as it is very
doubtful that any Scientologist would be involved in a revisionist historical
society, if that's what the IHR is supposed to be.
Thanks again for
publishing my letter. I just wish that you would give me more data, so that I
could assist you in getting to the bottom of it, if there is genuinely some
wrong-doing by a Scientologist.
My annual subscription expires in a few
weeks. I will not be renewing until this situation is resolved and you give the
Church of Scientology a fair chance to prove that it is an organization which
you should be allied with, not positioned against.
Sincerely,
M[xxx] L[xxx]
M[xxx] J. L[xxx] Studio City, CA
December 28,
1993
Willis Carto
Liberty Lobby
300 Independence Avenue, S.E.
Washington,
D.C. 20003
Dear Mr. Carto:
Thank you for taking the time to write to me and for
including a copy of your response to a Mr. D[xxx]. Your letter finally gives me
some clues as to your publication's sudden reversal regarding support of the
Church of Scientology.
I would like to bring up a few points, for
clarification:
1. The "fair game" reference which you mention is from an unauthorized fraudulent Policy Letter which made it ok to attack an enemy of the Church, without any fear of reprisal from Church authorities. Besides being basically immoral, this policy was also found to not have been issued by the Church's founder, Mr. L. Ron Hubbard, and has been cancelled. If you know of any purported Scientologist who is using this reference as a guide to their behavior, please let me know, and I will do what I can to see that it is stopped.
2. l'm sure you have found that, on the whole, the Scientologists which you have come in contact with have been intelligent, sane and very concerned for human rights. We rely heavily on facts and data in order to investigate a problem and thus solve it. Since I do not know your reputation for relaying true data (good or bad) I must ask for more data: who is this "high-level Scientologist" who is attempting the Institute for Historical Review, and what are the circumstances surrounding this? Logically, I must have the true facts so that I can decide for myself who is being unethical. If this person you mention is indeed involved in wrongdoing, you have my word that I will do what I can to see that justice is done. Scientologists are very self-determined and we attempt to do things which result in the greatest good for the greatest number.
3. As a historical note; unethical people with hidden agendas have tried several
times to ascend to the upper ranks of Church leadership, only to be caught every
time. However, since many of these people are very clever and devious, it
sometimes takes a while to catch them. We pride ourselves on being a very
ethical group, and we have a strict code of ethics which members try to adhere
to. This applies to both Church leaders and new Scientologists alike.
Scientology is not a cult, and we welcome ail people, except criminals and the
psychotically insane. Unfortunately, some people are better at putting on a
false facade than others, and they avoid detection until after their criminal
activities have driven away many potential Scientologists and alienated former
Church allies (such as yourself). We are not anything like the "Masons",
and we are constantly made aware of the aims of our "leaders" whose
plans and actions are quite visible. Of course it is conceivable that this "high-level
Scientologist" has done something unethical, but as I mentioned before, I
need more data and proof before I can assist in seeing that justice is served.
4. The only thing that scares me a little about what you wrote is the line "...but
I do know that the actions of top Scientologists have been grossly immoral and
contemptible...". One ought to be careful of gross, sweeping
generalizations like this. I used to think that all media outlets told the
truth. As I grew older, 1 began to think that ail media outlets published
falsehoods and deceptions. If I had kept that frame of
_2_
mind, I
would never have subscribed to the SPOTLIGHT. If you have specifics of instances
of highranking Church members doing immoral acts, I would like the data. For all
I know, the data you have received could have been falsified before it got to
you from someone who has a vested interest in seeing the Church fail. Or those
members involved in criminal activity (if verified) are probably long gone from
the Church.
I have been a Scientologist for 7 years, and I have seen
hundreds of people whose lives have improved using the technology contained in
the writings by Mr. Hubbard. I personally have improved my relations with my
friends and family, improved the quality of life and increased my general
awareness of what is REALLY occurring on this planet, ail due to my exposure to
Scientology. Scientology has led the way with social programs directed at
solving the problems of drug addiction, illiteracy and basic lack of moral
responsibility. I would hate to think that your opinion of Scientology and
all of its members would be alloyed by the rumor of wrong-doing by a few of its
members, even if they are allegedly "high-level Scientologists".
Once again, thank you for your correspondence. I look forward to your reply. If
you cannot provide any data which supports your allegations (including the
supposed tie to the ADL), I am afraid that I will not be able to subscribe to
the SPOTLIGHT with a clear conscience. l'm sure you can appreciate my position,
since you yourself have had a major reversal of opinion.
Best regards,
M[xxx] L[xxx]
[handwritten letter, noted: match on file]
1-11-94
Letters Editor The Spotlight
300 Independence Ave. S.E.
Washington,
D.C. 20003
Sir;
Stick to bashing internationalists and their helpers. Your recent
attacks on Scientology join you with a large band of establishment news media
and governments in a long and deadly struggle to extinguish this benign
religion.
As a former Church member who is thoroughly grateful for Hubard's
contribution to human understanding, I wonder what else The Spotlight is wrong
about.
Sincerely,
S[xxx] H[xxx]
Cowansville, Que
Letters Editor
The Spotlight
300 Independence Ave,SE.
Washington,D.C.
20003
12/6/93
Dear Sir;
It was with distress that I read your front page attack on the Church of
Scientology(Swiss to Prosecute U.S. Sect" Nov, 29, 1993). L. Ron Hubbard
once observed that the extent of distortion presented by news media is unguessed
at until they cover something we actually know about; then it becomes apparent
how consistently wrong information is conveyed. I'd hoped the Spotlight
was an exception to this tendency until I read this article, for I do know about
Scientology, having been a member of the Church and having read Hubbards
writings extensively with a critical eye.
You've joined a baying pack of "journalists"
prosecutors, politicians and "mattoids" worldwide who've done their
best to destroy Hubbard since the 1950's and now after his death, to destroy his
organization. Hubbards unpardonable sin? Offering a repeatable technology to
actually allow people to become self determined, free from the compulsions and
insanity that makes this planet such a snake pit for far too many people, and
able to help others and make the world a better place.
If one can indeed judge people somewhat by their enemies than Scientology
certainly has blue chip credentials. The CIA, FDA, FBI, Justice Dept,
pharmaceutical companies, APA, AMA, have all had their shots as well as every
network and virtually every newspaper in the country. Every would-be
totalitarian government in the "free first world" have mercilessly
harassed them; and now, the Spotlight.
Check your sources. Odds are you
will find a criminal element with something to hide behind this story that is
using some disgruntled former member as a foil and a weapon against the Church.
Such a story, even if true warrants no more than a paragraph, if that, in "News
You May Have Missed". I hear an axe being ground here--don't be a party to
it.....
A subcriber,
S[xxx] H[xxx]
Colchester,VT,05446
THE OFFICE OF E.J.McC[xxx]. SANTA ANA, CAL 92705
Mr. Vince Ryan
J. Perdomo
Liberty Lobby
300 Independence Ave.
S.E.
Washington D.C. 20003
Feb 3, 1994
Dear Mr. Ryan;
I was very encouraged to receive a letter from you (Jan 27) in response to my
letters. I know that the Spotlight has reported favorably on Scientology in
the past and has been a main reason for my support and membership - because your
publication prized the truth rather than trend. While I would be the last one to
inhibit your right to question acts of Scientology's or any other organizations
acts or motives, realize this: What is good for Scientology is good for the
nation. You are questioning the acts of our current leadership when our
current leadership has won a 40-plus year war with governmental suppression from
the highest level! This is a victory for Scientology of the highest order and is
a cause for celebration. And this is the fact of the matter. The aims, purposes
and policies of Scientology have been set down clearly by the Founder.
Scientology will carry out its aims of a civilization without war, insanity and
criminals. I suggest an inquiry into the motives/possible prejudices of
reporters in your organization. There were a few slurs in the Nov article about
"exorbitant prices" and Scientolgy becoming part of the "Establishment".
Remember that Scientology's purpose is not to fight what's wrong with society
but rather to evolve society to a higher state. We aren't out to "look for
a fight" and when a fight is over and a battle has been won - you shake
hands and go about your business.
Sincerely,
E.J. McC[xxx] Jr.
»V INDEPENDENCE AVENUE, S.E. WASHINGTON, D. C, 20003 PHONE! 202 LIBERTY 6-5611
January 27, 1994
Mr. E.J. McC[xxx], Santa Ana, CA 92705
Dear Mr. McC[xxx]:
We certainly appreciate your letters of January 16 and 17 and all the material
you sent about Scientology. You will be pleased to know that early this week we
met with two Scientology representatives, Sylvia Standard and Alex Jones, and
discussed differences.
As you know we have supported Scientology through
the years but now I must seriously question some of the arts of the leadership.
We will correct every error we have made on our stories if any, and continue to
print the truth.
Sincerely,
Vince Ryan
Chairman, Board of Policy
VR/jp c c
Signed by J.
Perdomo in Mr. Ryan's absence.
[Handwritten: not on sub, not on file]
THE OFFICE OF E.J.McC[xxx] SANTA ANA, CAL 92705
Jan 17, 1994
Mr. Vince Ryan
Editor Spotlight
300 Independence Ave. SE
Washington D.C., 20003
Dear Mr. Ryan;
I've just received the Spotlight article on Scientology
from the Nov 1 st, 1993 issue and I have some questions and issues to be taken
with your article:
1. Exactly who are your sources which allege a deal
between Scientology and the ADL? You make it sound like Scientology and the "powerful
Zionist lobby" were conspiring in some kind of clandestine operation. This
is a most amusing claim - perhaps even flattering with its implications of power
- but the article by Martin Mann is so devoid of specifics as to be laughable.
Your unfounded assertions put your article in the ranks of the very best
tabloids. What is astonishing to me is that I have respected the Spotlight for
its investigative journalism in the past and this article-style is so
inconsistent with what the Spotlight has stood for, what with the article's
outrageous assertions.
2. While it is true that Official Church Policy
scorns income tax, for anyone, not just Scientologists, Mr. Mann states that
Scientology's leaders did an "about face, stop their members' fighting
against the IRS and become part of the Establishment. " This is so silly!
Scientology fought a forty year war with the IRS against its discrimination and
WON!
- Our war with the agency, as a religion, is over. Why would we, as a
religion, want to continue fighting?
3. In another baseless assertion the
article says that, "the Scientologists are said to have turned over to the
IRS the names of hundreds of former members..." You make it sound like
Scientology is "siccing" the IRS on former members! Wow! I didn't know
we were that powerful! You better be nice to us or we might sic them on you too!
(joke). [That actually happened in the year 2000, when
a front group called "Americans against Neo-Naziism" printed contact
information for the IRS district director when leafleting the SPOTLIGHT's
neighborhood of 37 years. - Lermanet] While it is flattering for your
paper to grant us this much power, I can't help but believe that Mr. Martin Mann
needs a few screws tightened.
Sincerely,
E[xxx] McC[xxx] Scientologist
THE OFFICE OF E.J.McC[xxx] Jr. SANTA ANA, CAL 92705
Mr. Vince Ryan Editor
Spotlight Newspaper
300 Independence Ave. SE
Washington D.C.,
20003 Jan 16, 1994
Dear Mr. Ryan;
I have respected and recommended the Spotlight for many
years. I have recommended it to many friends of mine who are Scientologists.
This is the reason for my disappointment at the untrue and slanted
misrepresentations concerning Scientology in the series of articles by Peter
Wilcox.
Wilcox's last two stories center around a presumption that the
group extorts money from practitioners. I've been in Scientology for 20 years
and this is not the case. There is a refund policy wherein the founder, L. Ron
Hubbard states that people requesting refunds are to be given them on the
condition that they are not then allowed for further service.
No group is infallible and Jesus Christ himself had enemies to the point of
being nailed upon a cross.
Any honest and responsible Journalism
(sorely lacking today) would have to consider the overall benefits of a group if
it wished to give it fair representation.
Scientology offers the most effective drug rehabilitation program in the
world with a success rate of about 80%. Scientologists are one of the most
drug free groups in the world. Drug usage virtually stops spiritual advancement
- this has been demonstrated conclusively. Scientology has effective educational
programs aimed at reverting the 30 year decline of educational standards which
have ravaged this country.
Most of all Scientology does not condone the use
of drugs, electroshock therapy, lobotomies, sex therapies and the various
vicious methods employed by the field of Psychiatry and their related industries
such as the pharmaceutical industry which nonchalantly and routinely prescribes
drugs for all of society's maladies. This approach hasn't worked and never will
because it doesn't address the source of man's spiritual and ethical problems.
One only need look around at the deteriorating state of mental health in society
to know there must be a huge blank spot in man's knowledge regarding mental
health: crime, drugs, child abuse, education failure, ad infinitum.
page
two: Letter to Spotlight
Scientology has the courage to speak out against
this ill in society and therefore is attacked. But I was shocked to see such
vehemence coming from your paper. To get attacked by the media at large is no
surprise but for the Spotlight to print such "news" is shocking.
Still I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt and have sent the enclosed
materials whic might help to inform you of some facts about Scientology.
If I see that your paper acts responsibly and corrects its mistakes, I'll
let it go. Otherwise I' not read it and advise others to do the came, for you
will have made an enemy.
Even though I respect very much a lot of the
stories I've seen in the Spotlight, your thus far inaccurate representation of
Scientology - an extremely vital movement for this society and entir world -
outweighs this and I won't sponsor your paper further unless corrected.
Sincerely,
E[xxx] McC[xxx]
Note to "The Spotlight"
Please explain in more details the A.D.L. vicious and evil takeover of the I.H.R. by the ADL ! Please refer this to Willis Carto if possible, and reply in a private note or publish more in the Spotlight.
Loyally yours,
W[xxx] H[xxx]
J[xxx] L[xxx]
Clearwater, Fla. 34625
27 Jan. 1994
Dear Mr. Carto,
Thank you for responding to my letter. I would like to find out what
specifically the problem was with this particular person that you had "very
ugly experiences with". What is this persons name? What was the exact
problem? You say there is a controversy "that is not of our doing".
What is the controversy?
I am very aware of the fact that you have
supported Scientology over the years. We have a number of very effective social
reform groups that do excellent work and I have seen articles in your paper
regarding these works. That's why I was so shocked to see these recent articles
that were full of lies.
I want to tell you the aims of Scientology are very
clear and known by all which was laid out by the founder many years ago. Mr.
Hubbard states, The Aims of Scientology are: "A civilization without
insanity, without criminals and without war, where the able can prosper and
honest beings can have rights, and where man is free to rise to greater heights".
Mr. Hubbard spent his whole life developing a workable technology that could
achieve this. It is all known and available to those who wish to study it to
help themselves and others. The goals and objectives are very clear and are
known by all. The communication lines are open to all, from the individuals to
the management.
I look foward to hearing from you on this issue.
Sincerely,
J[xxx] L[xxx]
Thanks for your response of Jan. 27. I will enclose an exchange with Leisa Goodman which will interest you. I have had no response to my letter.
We are also in touch with your public relations people in Washington; in fact, late last month we met with them and discussed the matter. We made it clear that we will check out the facts of the recent story about the Swiss prosecution of Scientology and report on it. If any of our facts are wrong, we will correct them.
We have corresponded with numerous Scientologists since this started and no one has yet been able to answer our questions, to wit: Is the membership knowledgable of everything the top leadership is doing and do the membership have any control over their leadership or is the leadership self-perpetuating and totally insulated from the membership? Perhaps the top leadership should be audited by the membership since the leadership audits the membership at will.
Sincerely,
Willis A. Carto
Treasurer
[handwritten note]
Feb. 1, 1994
Liberty Lobby,
Have I missed something?? In letters to editor of Jan 31st
94 Spotlight you say Marcellus of IHR turns out to be a "mole" and has
assumed control. That is very difficult to swallow and I trust you will
enlighten the Board of present status of IHR. Certainly I will send no more
contributions until you request it.
First the Populist Party and now IHR -- Hope you will recheck all personnel.
Sincerely,
J[xxx] M. P[xxx]
Ormond Beach FL 32176
HEADQUARTERS OFFICE
300 INDEPENDENCE AVENUE, CE WASHINGTON, D. C. 20003
PHONE: LIBERTY 6-5611
FEB 20 1994
Dear Mr. P[xxx]
Unfortunately, control of the IHR has been seized by Tom Marcellus and other
employees in what their own lawyer, William Hulsy, has described as a "coup
d' etat." With his help--immorally paid for by Tom Marcellus out of the IHR
funds -- a bogus board of directors has been set up containing a man very well
known to be an ADL agent.
I know this sounds bizarre, and it is, but it is
true. Of course, there are a lot more details and eventually it will have to all
come out. In the meantime, we are trying to set things right but there are a
lot of very powerful people who do not want things to be right.
Sincerely,
Willis A. Carto
Your Influence Counts . . . USE IT !