ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times

DATE: Friday, February 7, 1997               TAG: 9702070012
SECTION: EDITORIAL                PAGE: A-8  EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: HAL H. EATON

BEHIND THE SCIENTOLOGY CONTROVERSY

THE CURRENT squabble between the United States and Germany over the Germans' denouncing Scientology is a loaded cannon.

On the one hand is the freedom of religion and human rights; on the other is the supposed harm that might be done by a group of religionists.

Frankly, I don't know which side of the issue is more worthy of support. But your news articles (Jan. 15, ``U.S. stars say Germany persecutes Scientologists'' and Jan. 27, ``Scientology view creates rift'') indicate that because several Hollywood luminaries support Scientology, our country is suggesting that Germany reverse its condemnation of the religion.

For those who are unacquainted with the origin of the ``Church'' of Scientology, a few significant facts are needed before any conclusion can be reached.

The Church of Scientology has no worship programs, no places of worship, no defined order of clergy. It never mentions God, and its membership is closed to anyone who cannot afford its escalating fees. Its basic, so-called doctrine begins with the hodgepodge book, ``Dianetics.'' It progresses through many stages of development thought up, one after the other, by L. Ron Hubbard, as the desire for new levels of belief could be inculcated in his followers and as need for replenishing the organization's coffers arose.

The only quality of Scientology that makes it appear to be a religion is its tax-exempt status in the United States.

As for famous Hollywood people who have petitioned Germany's government to treat their ``church'' kindly, I suspect that - after having devoted thousands of their dollars to the organization and having never taken the trouble to research its origins - they are too ashamed to admit they have been duped.

For the true story of the events surrounding the beginnings, type in ``Bare-Faced Messiah'' in a computer-search engine and go from there.

This, of course, is just my opinion. If I didn't say that, I would probably be sued by a horde of Scientology lawyers, as they have sued most other sources of truth regarding their group.

Hal H. Eaton of Mouth of Wilson is a retired pastor of a church in the Mouth of Wilson area.

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