CONCLUSIONS
If there should be detected in this Report a note of unrelieved denunciation of scientology, it is because the evidence has shown its theories to be fantastic and impossible, its principles perverted and ill-founded, and its techniques debased and harmful. Scientology is a delusional belief system, based on fiction and fallacies and propagated by falsehood and deception. While making an appeal to the public as a worthy system whereby ability, intelligence and personality may be improved, it employs techniques which further its real purpose of securing domination over and mental enslavement of its adherents. It involves the administration by persons without any training in medicine or psychology of quasi-psychological treatment, which is harmful medically, morally and socially.
Its founder, with the merest smattering of knowledge in various sciences, has built upon the scintilla of his learning a crazy and dangerous edifice. The HASI claims to be "the world's largest mental health organization". What it really is however, is the world's largest organization of unqualified persons engaged in the practice of dangerous techniques which masquerade as mental therapy.
No acceptable or recognized standards are prescribed for its practitioners, whose ignorance of orthodox medicine and psychology make them each a menace to the health of the community. They are the more dangerous because of their spurious air of competence and the tremendous amount of mis-directed energy which has gone into promoting the organization and devising techniques, the mentally crippling qualities of which are cleverly concealed.
That many scientologists sincerely believe in the virtues and the efficacy of scientology is apparent from the evidence. Some have become so dedicated to it and have served it so faithfully that their sacrifices cannot but excite compassion. These ardent devotees, though quite rational and intelligent on other subjects, are possessed of an invincible impediment to reason where scientology is concerned.
If one considers self-dedication a criterion, those persons deeply involved in scientology are broadly of two kinds. In the first place, there are professional scientologists who have forsaken many careers, interests and comforts in order to " live" scientology in every sense of the word. Of such a kind were many of the officials of the HASI and the proprietors of the Geelong and Hawthorn centres. ~ many instances they are husband and wife teams, occasionally with young families. Their dedication to scientology has involved great sacrifices, which, however, they were prepared to make to reach and maintain their role as the elite of a New Order. Though they were egregiously wrong in their reasoning and outlook, though they suffered and are suffering the ignominy of exposure and ridicule, many of them are still as fanatically adherent as they were when the Inquiry began, and they are still prepared to immolate themselves for their ideals. They spurn the pity one feels for them ; the prospect of their rescue from their deluded state is problematical, since their continued intimate association with others of a like mind will probably result in their being permanently conditioned by auditing, co-auditing and other oppressive and compelling features of the HASI machine. Few, if any, of these dedicated scientologists whom the Board heard and saw seemed to be conscious that they were perpetrating a fraud masterminded by Hubbard. They seemed to be deluded, mistaken and almost innocent tools.
The other class of people who have been dedicated to scientology are those who have undertaken long courses of processing and training but who have not taken up scientology as a profession, though from time to time they may have been on the HASI staff and they may have done some auditing. While they have continued to be in communication with the HASI, their delusions and subjection to the HASI have been maintained. Their awakening will be distressing, for they once more must face the realities of life. As they emerge from the miasma of scientology there may be some residual effects, for Hubbard's ideas may be so entrenched in their minds that they will still feel compelled to shun the proper medical and other treatment which they may well require.
The overall picture of scientology is thus one of grave disquiet. In the foregoing Chapters of this Report, the Board has sought to deal as fully as the circumstances required with all relevant aspects of scientology in Victoria, and, with one exception, the matters raised in the twelve numbered paragraphs of the terms of reference have been already sufficiently discussed to make unnecessary anything more than a final comment and reference to those parts of the Report where the particular subject matter has been dealt with more extensively.
The one exception is in relation to paragraph 11 of the terms of reference which deals with scientology and children. This aspect is not dealt with in detail earlier in the Report because no extensive evidence was forthcoming in relation to it. Having regard to the effects which scientology processing has produced, not only on mentally disturbed adults but also on persons who were well within the range of normality, the potential danger of scientology processes to children has merely to be mentioned to be appreciated. It remains now to comment briefly on the subject matter of the twelve numbered paragraphs of the terms of reference.
The aims, objects and purposes thereof and whether it is capable of achieving to any and what extent such aims, objects and purposes.
Aims, Objects and Purposes.
The professed aims, objects and purposes have about them a laudable quality. In essence it may be said that the aim of scientology is to make the able more able.
The stated purpose of the Hubbard Association of Scientologists International is "To disseminate scientology, to advance and profit its membership. To hold the lines of data of scientology clean and clear. To educate and process people towards the goal of a civilized age on earth second to none, and to survive on all dynamics."
In respect of Australia, the object is to make Australia the first scientology continent or nation, but the broad objective of scientology is to clear the whole world.
The more immediate aim of scientology is said to be to make the able more able. This aim is variously described and presented to the public as a worthy method of improving personal efficiency ; in reality this supposed aim is the means whereby unsuspecting persons are lured into the organization to be exploited by fraudulent practices and subjected to techniques dangerous to mental health.
In a covert way, scientology and its companion science", dianetics, claim the ability to cure a great number of physical and mental ailments.
Whether scientology is capable of achieving such aims, objects and purposes.
The state of "clear" is a condition variously described and defined but may be simply expressed as free of all aberrations. It is a condition said to be capable of being produced by scientology auditing, but it is a fanciful and imagined state of ecstacy or exhilaration. During and for a short period after scientology auditing some few people have claimed to be clear, but the state is an illusory one. A concomitant of this illusory state is a large measure of detachment from reality. The state of "clear" is not attainable by scientology practices. What is claimed to be the state of clear is an euphoric state, where the mind of the "clear" is divorced from reality.
As to the more immediate objective of making the able more able, it must be said that scientology achieves no real success in this respect. All but the most elementary of scientology processes are of a hypnotic nature and they are conducted in a manner calculated to have harmful effects on those subjected to them. The effect of such processes may be to give to the individual on whom they are practised a temporary and subjective feeling of elation, but no permanent benefit is obtained and no increased abilities result. Some claim is made that persons who have been processed obtain, in effect, a better understanding of themselves and are more able to cope with their problems, but the Board found such evidence unconvincing. Many of the individuals who claimed to have benefited were still under the influence of processing which they had recently undergone.
At the lowest level of scientology, on what was called the personal efficiency course, the HASI conducts free lectures from which a number of individuals claimed to have benefited. The elementary techniques practised at this stage are not exclusive to scientology, but are comparable to methods available to and used in schools, clubs and welfare and social organizations for the benefit of members and others who need and find help and comfort from companionship and friendship. Such benefits as resulted from the personal efficiency department were not attributable to scientology processes, but to the application of well known and well understood psychological principles.
Neither scientology nor dianetics is capable of making good the claims they make for curing physical or mental ailments.
Far from being the boon to mankind which it claims to be, scientology and its practices are harmful. The aims, objects and purposes are not capable of attainment. They are fictitious aims based on fantastic and illusory theories and on techniques which are potentially, and in many cases positively, harmful to the mental health of the community.
The persons and organizations by whom and the place or places at which the same is so carried on, practised, or applied.
The Hubbard Association of Scientologists International, a company incorporated in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.A. and registered in Victoria as a foreign company, has carried on, practised and applied scientology at 157-159 Spring-street, Melbourne since about 1957, and is still currently so engaged. For a few years prior to 1964, until a date in the latter part of 1964, this company also carried on, practised and applied scientology at 2 Coates Lane, Melbourne.
Several business names have been registered which relate to scientology activities in Victoria. As the names of their proprietors and their addresses indicate, they are connected with the HASI. They are:
Melbourne Test Centre, proprietor, Peter Rogers Williams
Test Bureau of Australia, proprietor, Peter Rogers Williams
Academy of Personal Efficiency, proprietor, Lafayette Ronald Hubbard Hubbard Guidance Centre, proprietor, Lafayette Ronald Hubbard Academy of Scientology, proprietor, Lafayette Ronald Hubbard
Hubbard Communications Office, proprietor, Lafayette Ronald Hubbard.
In each of the above cases, the address has been 157 and/or 159 Spring Street, Melbourne.
On the 15th February, 1965, the College of Applied Philosophy was registered, the proprietor being the Hubbard Association of Scientologists International, and the address 157-159 Spring Street, Melbourne.
Mrs Katherine Steele, formerly the proprietress of a private school at S Mount Street, Heidelberg, called "The Sylvester Co-Educational College", practised or applied scientology on pupils in the school from about 1955 ; to what extent could not be determined. The school subsequently closed about 1959. Mrs. Steele practised scientology at the above address in respect of a few children in 1960-61. Though still an ardent scientologist, she did not appear to be in practice as an auditor at the time she gave evidence in September, 1964.
Eric Bruce Lake and June Margaret Lake conducted at 68 Yarra Street, Geelong, The Australian College of Personnel Efficiency from September, 1959. They originally held a franchise from the HASI to practise scientology and later had the status of a district office. They were still in practice as scientologists when they gave evidence before the Board in October, 1964. Prior to September, 1959, Peter John Crundall and Phyllis Dawn Crundall had been in partnership with the Lakes in this venture.
Peter Francis Gillham and Yvonne Doreen GilIham have practised scientology in partnership since the 17th February, 1959. They formerly carried on business under the business name of The Melbourne College of Personnel Efficiency, but since the 1st June, 1961, the name has been The Melbourne College of Personal Efficiency. For several years until about the 12th December, 1964, they carried on business at 39 Riversdale Road, Hawthorn. Thereafter, they have carried on business at 235 Camberwell Road, Hawthorn. From the 1st June, 1961, Peter Francis Gillham has also traded as the Hawthorn Test Centre.
James Hamilton Momsen traded under the business names of The Momsen School for Marriage Education and Momsen School of Personal Efficiency at 2 Hartley Avenue, Caulfield, from the 12th April, 1960, and the 1st July, 1960, respectively to the 1st December, 1961. Thereafter he conducted and still conducts the Brahma School of Yoga at 407 Nepean Highway, Frankston. He describes himself as a hypno-therapist and psychologist. He studied scientology at the Hubbard organization in London in 1957, and obtained his HPA certificate. He does not hold a franchise from the HASI and denies that he currently practises scientology and claims to have evolved his own techniques. He has, however, practised scientology, which has influenced the techniques he now uses.
D'Arcy Swain Hunt, of 526 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, who advertises as a psychologist and ability consultant, claims to have obtained in 1929 the degree of Bachelor of Arts or an equivalent degree at the Stamford University, U.S.A. His study in psychology was limited to his first year. He qualified for the HPA certificate and was intimately associated with dianetics and scientology for
several years. He was admittedly a dianeticist and/or scientologist from about 1951, when he arrived in Australia, until at least 1956. In his present business he does not now use an E-meter though he did use an E-meter up to 1956. His charges are £3 per hour. He denies that he is now a scientologist; however, some at least of his present procedures possess features which are found in dianetics and scientology. For the purpose of treating some mental conditions he still considers that it would be immaterial whether the treatment be given by a scientologist or a psychologist.
Roger David Meadmore and Helen McKinnell Meadmore conducted from the 1st February, 1960, to the 26th February, 1961, the business of Roger Meadmore and Associates, personal efficiency consultants, at 39 Riversdale Road, Hawthorn. Thereafter, they conducted the business successively at 505 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, and 474 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne. They appear to have been inactive since about 1962. They held a franchise from the HCO and part at least of their activities was the practice of scientology, the fees for which ranged from £2 2s. to £10 10s. per hour.
Clifford Edward John Hardy, by occupation a boilermaker, conducted at 336 Victoria-parade, East Melbourne, from the 7th April, 1960, the business of applying and teaching scientology. For this purpose he traded under the names of College of Ability Development arid Problem Clinic. He appears to have had very few clients.
Between 1957 and 1958, a few people - the precise number is uncertain - endeavoured to set up in business as professional scientologists. They do not appear to have succeeded.
David Maxwell Tooley conducts at 21 Bourke Street, Melbourne, The American College and the Australian Centre of Applied Psychology. This man and his businesses are dealt with at length in Chapter 29.
The methods, processes, practices, techniques, principles and treatment involved or used or applied in the carrying on, practice, or application thereof.
These aspects are dealt with extensively in preceding Chapters of this Report. Particular reference is made to Chapter 12, dealing with the teaching of scientology; Chapter 13, dealing with scientology auditing processes; Chapter 14, dealing with the E-meter, and Chapter 18, dealing with the parallel between scientology and hypnotic techniques.
The circumstances in which and the conditions under or in accordance with which the same is carried on, practised or applied.
Scientology is carried on, practised and applied
in lectures;
in private session with only the student or preclear and the coach or auditor present;
in co-auditing sessions wherein one student audits another. A strict routine is followed in auditing sessions and frequently hypnotic techniques are employed. The matters mentioned under this heading are dealt with extensively in Chapters 12, 13, 14 and 18.
The circumstances surrounding, the principles involved in, the conditions relating to, and the methods applied in the teaching thereof.
A distinction is to be drawn between -
the giving or receiving of scientology processing and
the teaching of scientology principles and practices to enable students to attain scientology qualifications and so practise on others.
A person who is not and has not been a student may undergo elementary processing, but advanced processing is not available to him unless he is a student whose education in scientology is of a standard appropriate to the processing techniques involved. it is a rule that a person may only be processed at a level appropriate to his knowledge of scientology. Accordingly, eligibility for anything beyond elementary processing involves a requirement that the individual shall have been a student at the Academy of Scientology. Auditing is conducted both at the Academy and at the Hubbard Guidance Centre. An individual may make his introduction to scientology by being introduced by a friend, through free lectures conducted by the HASI, or through the Melbourne Test Centre, or some other associated concern which advertises IQ and personality testing and offers a variety of scientology advantages.
The teaching of scientology is dealt with at length in Chapter 12. 6. The nature and amount of fees charged or remuneration received by persons or organizations engaged in the carrying on, practice, application and teaching thereof.
Fees are charged both for administering processing and training students in scientology theory and techniques. At the HASI processing fees have varied from time to time. The ordinary rate was
£4 14s. 6d. per hour for processing, but in various ways concessions were available because of various memberships, &c. and also where a "package deal" was done for a course of auditing for a specified period. For instance, an " intensive" of 25 hours was available for amounts ranging around £100; where long courses of processing were undertaken, e.g., for 250 or 300 hours, the rate was lower, in the region of about £2 per hour for the hours of processing actually given.
For processing, the Geelong organization has charged fees generally ranging from 3 to 41„2 guineas per hour.
For processing, the Hawthorn organization has charged up to 41„2 guineas. Other smaller charges were made for co-auditing and particular courses.
Individual auditors in "private practice" have charged various fees ranging around £2 2s. per hour. One such practitioner for a short period charged £10 10s. per hour.
For training, specific charges were made for individual courses. At the HASI, the following were the fees charged up to November, 1964
Hubbard Qualified Scientologist Course (HQS) £40 cash or £44 on terms Hubbard Professional Auditor Course (HPA) £140 cash or £160 on terms
From November, 1964, the scale was
Hubbard Qualified Scientologist £75 Hubbard Certificated Scientologist £75 Hubbard Professional Auditor £75
Hubbard Clearing Scientologist (a course in contemplation) £100
The actual amounts charged for processing and training were infinitely variable, the figures given being either the advertised, standard or normal figures.
A negligible amount of training was done at the Geelong and Hawthorn organizations. For six years to the 30th June, 1963, the income of the HASI was £273,373.
Full details of the financial position of the HASI and of the Geelong and Hawthorn organizations appear in Chapter 5.
The instruments, machines, devices or other apparatus used in the carrying on, practice, or application thereof and the manner of use of and the effectiveness of the same.
The only instrument, device or apparatus used is an electrical instrument called an E-meter, for which fantastic claims are made that it records the reaction of the thetan to questions asked. In practice, the preclear holds two electrodes attached to the meter and is thus part of the circuit the auditor asks the preclear questions and the claim is made that the meter records the reaction of the preclear's reactive mind. A variety of deductions are then drawn from the reading of the meter. In reality, the E-meter is akin to a lie detector and is an efficient instrument for recording electrical resistance, and nothing more. The claims made for the E-meter are entirely unjustified.
This subject is dealt with at length in Chapter 14.
The illnesses or ailments, mental or physical, treated in the course of the carrying on, practice or application thereof, the effectiveness of such treatment, and whether such treatment is in any way harmful or beneficial or likely to be harmful or beneficial to the persons treated.
The claim is made for dianetics, which is part of scientology, and inferentially for the whole of scientology, that between them they can positively cure all psychosomatic ailments, which it is claimed represent 70 per cent. of man's illnesses.
These claims are entirely unjustified.
On the contrary, scientology techniques, beyond the elementary stages, are potentially and, in some instances, positively harmful to mental health.
Scientology is practised by "auditors" who have no medical training; they use dangerous techniques; they are unable to recognize symptoms and diagnose particular mental and physical conditions of ill health; they indiscriminately apply dangerous techniques irrespective of the circumstances; they not only administer the wrong treatment, but also poison their patients' minds against orthodox medicine and thus prevent them from obtaining proper medical treatment which they may require.
These aspects are dealt with in Chapters 19, 22 and 23.
The advertisements used in the carrying on, practice, or application thereof and whether the same have been in any and what manner false or misleading, and whether the same should be prohibited, regulated, or restricted in any and what way.
With few exceptions, in recent years the advertisements addressed to the public generally in the press, pamphlet and preliminary brochure have been confined to offering free lectures, with "no
obligation" and "no financial obligation", and promising to make the able more able, to increase confidence, improve IQ and personality, &c. These advertisements have not mentioned advanced scientology theory or techniques, but have been of the "personal efficiency" kind, appealing to the anxious, worried, lonely and ambitious.
Such advertisements are part of a large scale deception, and are designed to inveigle unsuspecting persons into the organization, where high pressure techniques are designed to coerce the gullible..
In advertisements with a more limited distribution addressed to scientologists and to persons on mailing lists, reference is made to scientology processing and courses, and extravagant claims for scientology and dianetics in relation to healing and to attaining the states of clear and OT are common. These advertisements appear in such documents as the monthly Melbourne HASI magazine Communication, which frequently contains articles by Hubbard. The advertisements are false in that they offer the impossible and unattainable goals of scientology, promising attainment through scientology processing.
Books by Hubbard and others on scientology and dianetics are available at the HASI and at some booksellers for purchase by the general public. These books are, of course, a form of advertising of Hubbard's "sciences". Several of these books deal with advanced features of scientology and dianetics.
Advertising by the HASI is dealt with in Chapter 15.
The question of prohibition, regulation or restriction of such advertisements is dealt with in Chapter 31, where the broad topic of advertising generally is considered.
Whether persons or organizations engaged in the carrying on, practice, or application thereof have indulged in any and what unlawful, improper, harmful or prejudicial practices or activities.
This term of reference was taken to refer to the practices of scientology and the activities of scientologists qua scientologists.
In scientology there is a very great scope for coercion. Very intimate matters are revealed by preclears in the course of auditing and records are kept by the organization of such revelations.
There was no evidence that blackmail in the legal sense had been practised ; but the basis for such criminal activity exists in the files of the organization and preclears could readily be criminally exploited, though at this stage there is no evidence that it has happened.
However, that coercive use is made of the incriminating confessions contained in the HASI records is undoubted. These confessions, which are often of secret weaknesses and feelings, misconduct and prurient ambitions, are made in such circumstances that the organization develops domination over preclears.
The nature of the coercive use to which the HASI records could be put is dealt with in Chapter 24.
Though the practice of scientology has many undesirable features, such is the novelty of many of its activities that it is difficult to classify them precisely as being in breach of existing laws. That scientology practices and activities are improper and are harmful and prejudicial to mental health is evident. This is the most important and most serious feature of the practice of scientology. It is a
large subject, and is the burden of most of this Report; it is dealt with especially in Chapter 23.
Whether children under the age of sixteen years have been treated by any and what persons or organizations in the carrying on, practice, or application thereof the circumstances and conditions under which such children have been treated and whether such treatment has been or was likely to be in any and what manner harmful or beneficial.
The application of scientology processing to children does not appear to have developed in Victoria to any substantial extent.
What seemed to be half-hearted attempts were made to establish Saturday morning classes for children both at the HASI in Melbourne and at Geelong. These classes dealt with only the most elementary procedures, which were not novel or exclusive to scientology and were designed to do little more than teach children to mix and play games ; they were psychological techniques and were of a kindergarten nature.
At the Melbourne HASI, Saturday morning classes were conducted from 1961 to late 1962 about 15 to 20 children at a time, aged 8 to 14 years, attended. Saturday morning shoppers rather used the HASI as a creche. These classes were not successful; the children exhausted the auditors and the classes were discontinued.
The evidence showed that in a few instances children with one or both parents in scientology received scientology processing. They received such processing with the approval of at least one parent. The number of children involved was small, the techniques do not appear to have been advanced and the Board did not hear evidence that in fact harm did result from such processing. It appeared from the evidence that one scientologist, Mrs. Katherine Steele, who conducted a private school, introduced scientology techniques into her establishment. Some of these techniques were potentially harmful, though the Board heard no evidence that lasting harm was done to any student at the school. Parents of students became aware of and apparently alarmed by the practices being engaged in, and the school closed. Mrs. Steele also had as private clients a few children to whom she applied scientology techniques. Mrs. Steele was herself "addicted" to past experiences involving extraordinary encounters with electrical phenomena; she claimed, amongst other things, to have been struck by lightning at least twice; her peculiar acquaintance with electricity was reflected in past experiences which her suggestible child preclears revealed when she processed them. The Board did not hear any evidence of permanent harm to these particular preclears.
The Board heard evidence from a school teacher from South Australia, a woman dedicated to her task of teaching brain-damaged children, who gave evidence of some success she had at such work by the use of what she claimed were scientology techniques. However, from the evidence of an expert psychologist of wide experience both in Australia and abroad, it is evident that the methods claimed to be scientological are well known and commonly practised in various parts of the world. They are not in any way the discovery of scientology, but are virtually identical with principles and methods which were known and developed before scientology existed. As already mentioned, the alleged scientology methods of handling young children are those of school and kindergarten psychology. The Board heard no evidence of alleged scientology treatment being applied to brain-damaged children in Victoria.
As to older children under sixteen years, the Board heard very little evidence. Though the public was invited to come forward with any helpful evidence, there was no public response as to the teaching of scientology to children, and the Board on this aspect had to rely, in the main, on evidence of scientologists and the contents of a very few files. However, there seems to be no reason to
suppose that the application of scientology to children in Victoria assumed any substantial proportions ; and, except in cases where a parent is a scientologist, it is probable that children are not now being brought into contact with scientology. However, scientology is potentially the same danger to children as to adults, and the absence of positive evidence may well be due to the fact that the practice of scientology in relation to children has been desultory and negligible in Victoria. There is no reason to suppose that its application to children has been in any way beneficial.
A former Chief Probation Officer of the Children's Court, about eight years ago, investigated scientology sufficiently to satisfy himself that it was of no value in treating child delinquents. Of four delinquent children who had some treatment by scientologists, one appeared to obtain some benefit, one lapsed into criminal habits and no information was available as to the other two. The techniques applied were elementary and were not novel to scientology.
The terms and conditions under which and the circumstances in which persons are engaged for employment and employed by persons or organizations carrying on, practising or applying the same.
In Victoria, the Melbourne HASI at 157-159 Spring Street, Melbourne, was the only substantial employer of labour. The Geelong and Hawthorn organizations were each a husband-and-wife partnership whose staff establishments were very small ; on the occasions when staff was employed, generally only nominal payments were made ; some of the help was even voluntary. At the Melbourne HASI, the staff was remunerated on a unit basis, each member being allotted a particular number of units according to the position which he or she held. Staff was paid each week according to the number of units held.
The amount available for distribution amongst the unit holders was a fixed percentage of each week's receipts. it was a variable amount and the unit value varied accordingly. There were thus good and bad weeks. At the beginning of the Inquiry the staff of the HASI numbered approximately 70, some full-time and others part-time. The most senior and highest ranking in the organization were receiving an average of about £17 per week, and other full-time employees were receiving about £11 per week. Part-time employees were, of course, receiving less. A few appear to have been voluntary. Frequently, the weekly wage of an individual staff member fell far below the basic wage. By mid-November, 1964, the staff of the HASI was only about one third of what it had been at the beginning of the Inquiry, and the unit had fallen to 1s. 9d. At that time the chief executive officers of the HASI were averaging about £5 per week or less. Some may have been receiving slightly in excess of this amount by performing the duties of more than one position.
The remuneration of the HASI staff was not liberal. Long hours were frequently worked weekend work was common. Hubbard appears to have made it a practice to increase staff whenever the financial position of the HASI improved, thereby perpetuating the depressed rate of remuneration.
Further details of remuneration appear in Chapters 5 and 17.
The Anderson Report CHAPTER 31 RECOMMENDATIONS
The Inquiry has revealed the real nature of scientology and its serious threat to the mental health of the community, and it is evident that its continued practice should not be permitted.
There are indications that, temporarily at least, there has been a substantial curtailment of scientology activities in Victoria, due to unfavourable reaction to the publicity necessarily attendant upon the Inquiry. This has been reflected in the big decline in the income of the HASI, the drastic reduction in its staff and the discontinuance of the Academy of Scientology at 2 Coates Lane, Melbourne. There is reason to believe, also, that the Geelong and Hawthorn centres are now quite attenuated.
It appeared from the evidence that to be a scientologist has in some instances attracted ridicule and discrimination. To be, or to have been, a scientologist, should not, of itself, carry any opprobrium. For many people, dalliance in scientology has been an unhappy interlude-a somewhat unnerving experience unwittingly embarked upon and thankfully escaped from. Hubbard claims that once a person has been in scientology he is really never the same again; this may well be so because, when disillusionment dawns, there may still remain the seared memory of chastening experiences in scientology. Very often persons in scientology have been, and still are, normal people who, however, have lapsed into gullibility and have had disquieting experiences without which they would have been far better off. It is unfair to ostracize or otherwise punish these innocent victims of scientology's deception. " There, but for the grace of God, go 1," should be the fervent prayer of many who resisted the urge to sample scientology.
Unless some action is taken it is unlikely that the fortunes of scientology in Victoria will remain at tl1eir present low ebb for very long. Hubbard is very resilient; his organization is international, large, efficient and powerful, and can comfortably absorb the reverse which it is presently suffering in Victoria. Hubbard still has loyal henchman in Victoria. As well as the disillusioned persons mentioned above, there are those who are the hard core of scientology in Victoria. They are the professional scientologists; they may well be deluded and their dedication may be sincere, but they are the people who have been keeping the flag of scientology flying during the Inquiry, who sought to underplay certain features of scientology theory and practice - " to go very slowly and use watered down scientology" - and who proclaim in the Melbourne HASI Communication Magazine of January, 1965, that "We will be here teaching and listening when our opponents' names are merely mis- spelled references in a history book of tyranny".
Notwithstanding that their revenue has almost ceased and their numbers are decimated, they are waiting to re-establish themselves along much the same lines as formerly, though possibly under some disguise. The registration of a new business name by the HASI in February, 1965, namely, "The College of Applied Philosophy", almost suggests that plans are being laid for scientology to blossom forth as a new philosophy.
Scientology and Religion.
In considering the nature, extent and effect of recommendations which it deems proper to make, the Board has constantly kept in mind the distinction between the holding of beliefs on the one
hand and harmful practices based on such beliefs on the other. Such a distinction assumes added importance when the body of beliefs under consideration may reasonably be described as a religion. It is quite clear, however, that scientology in Victoria does not remotely resemble anything even vaguely religious, and no serious claim was made that it did.
Even if scientology could reasonably claim to be a religion, such are its practices that government action may be required to curtail or prohibit certain of its activities. In Adelaide Company of Jehovah's Witnesses Inc. v. The Commonwealth (1943) 67 C.L.R. 116, (1943) A.L.R. 193, the High Court of Australia unanimously ruled that, notwithstanding section 116 of the Australian Constitution which provides that " The Commonwealth shall not make laws for establishing any religion, and no religious test shall be required as a qualification for any office or public trust under the Commonwealth", the Parliament of the Commonwealth was not prevented from making laws prohibiting the advocacy of doctrines or principles which, though advocated in pursuance of religious convictions, were prejudicial to the prosecution of a war in which the Commonwealth was engaged. Thus, even where there are constitutional guarantees as to freedom of religious beliefs the advocacy of such beliefs may be curtailed or prohibited in the national interest. In the course of his judgment, the Chief Justice, Sir John Latham, referred with approval to a number of decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States dealing with restrictive action which the government was entitled to take to curtail or punish allegedly religious practices, even though constitutional safeguards for the freedom of religious belief existed. One such case, Reynolds v. The United States (1878) 98 U.S. 145, will serve as an illustration. In that case, Reynolds, a Mormon who had a religious belief in polygamy, and who had more than one wife, was convicted of bigamy. In announcing the unanimous decision of the Court, which refused to set aside Reynolds's conviction, Waite, C. J. said at p. 166, "Suppose one believed that human sacrifices were a necessary part of religious worship, would it be seriously contended that the civil government under which he lived could not interfere to prevent a sacrifice? Or if a wife religiously believed it was her duty to burn herself upon the funeral pile of her dead husband, would it be beyond the power of the civil government to prevent her carrying her belief into practice? So here, as a law of the organization of society under the exclusive domination of the United States, it is provided that plural marriages shall not be allowed. Can a man excuse his practices to the contrary because of his religious belief? To permit this would be to make the professed doctrines of religious belief superior to the law of the land, and in effect to permit every citizen to become a law unto himself. Government could exist only in name under such circumstances ".
Where there are no constitutional guarantees, the position of the State would be at least as strong.
Inadequacy of present laws.
There are many features of scientology which are to be condemned, but its disturbing features possess a certain novelty, and many of its aspects, criticized in this Report, are merely on the fringe of existing laws which have not been designed to deal with the particular problems which scientology presents.
The Board heard a submission by the Committee for Mental Health and National Security that much that the HASI had done was actionable civilly in fraud, negligence, for breach of contract and assault. The Board expresses no views on individual rights in respect of remediable grievances which persons may consider, or be advised, they have against the HASI or individual scientology practitioners.
The Board also heard submissions by the same Committee that the activities of the HASI and of scientology practitioners have revealed a variety of offences, including treason, sedition,
blasphemy, assault and conspiracy. Conduct of which one disapproves may readily be stigmatized by being vaguely denounced as criminal, without regard to the precise constituents of criminal offences and the insuperable difficulties of evidence and proof which often exist . The Board does not consider that the problems which scientology presents may appropriately be dealt with by invoking the criminal law in respect of the past conduct of the HAS1 and of scientology practitioners.
It is of this view for these reasons:
the real problem of scientology is not one of repeated and clearly defined breaches of existing laws, but rather of a special course of conduct not adequately controlled by law, namely, the invasion of the field of mental health and the propagating of harmful psychological practices. Such features as may be contrary to existing laws are merely incidental to the overall problem;
there are difficult questions of law as to whether such offences as have been enumerated and other similar offences have been committed and are capable of proof;
an unsuccessful prosecution would be claimed as a vindication of the past conduct of the HASI and of scientology generally;
even a successful prosecution for a breach of an existing law would be of little significance-like prosecuting a bank robber for driving his get-away car against the traffic lights.
The Board is of the view that scientology presents a problem which is not to be adequately dealt with by peripheral sniping. The Inquiry has revealed that many people, not necessarily scientologists, have taken advantage of the virtual absence of any control over practices or techniques which are concerned with the treatment of the mind and mental health generally. As the Board sees the matter, the problem which the Inquiry has revealed is not confined to practices and techniques which, for the time being, are labelled "scientology", but extends to a variety of pseudo- psychological practices which flourish under a variety of names.
Scientology, it is true, embodies a large number of fantastic theories and it so happens that the processes of scientology have been built around these theories. However, the processes of scientology could be administered with equal harm without one word of scientology theories being mentioned. People accept the fantasy of scientology theories because they have been processed and have become mentally crippled; it is not the fantasy that leads them into scientology though it may help to sustain their servitude.
The real dangers of scientology processing and of the harmful hypnotic and other techniques it uses are not in relation to the fantasy which its adherents believe; such beliefs are merely symptomatic. The harm is done by the processes used and it is the prohibition of such processes which is necessary.
Suppression of scientology by name insufficient.
An attempt to suppress or proscribe scientology and scientologists specifically by name would probably be ineffective, and, in any event, would be undesirable.
It would probably be ineffective because scientologists, who are not lacking in mental agility, would find ways of changing names of processes-even changing the name of scientology- and continuing to practise in much the same way under another guise. Hubbard changed the name of his " science " from scientology to dianetics, and back again to scientology. " Doctor" Marcus Tooley, dealt with in Chapter 29, has his " dynamic psychology " and, as earlier mentioned, the HASI has
now registered the business name of " The College of Applied Philosophy ".
Action against scientology specifically by name would be undesirable for at least two reasons: -
Though scientology is not, and does not claim to be, a religion, it is a system of beliefs. Notwithstanding its weird theories and the peculiar practices based on them, it is a system of beliefs which any person is at liberty to hold, just as whoever wishes may believe that the moon is made of green cheese. That the rest of the community believes that it knows better is not recognized as a reason for coercing the Green Cheese School to believe what the most recent lunar observations have revealed. The proscribing of persons for beliefs which they may hold has so many undesirable features as not to need elaboration.
An attempt specifically to proscribe scientology and scientologists would tend to bestow on them the quality of an oppressed minority suffering for its beliefs.
Hubbard is adept at turning to advantage any opposition to himself and his " science". He has often told his followers that they would meet opposition and persecution because of what they believe; when views are expressed or action taken hostile to scientology, such events are complacently accepted by his followers as further proof that " Ron is right". Misplaced compassion and sympathy for scientologists, who would parade as martyrs suffering for their faith, might well be engendered in sections of the community.
In the view of the Board, however, there are more effective and less controversial ways of dealing with the dangerous practices of scientology than by prohibiting it by name. In order to control scientology, it is necessary to strike at the heart of the problem. This involves an appreciation of the essential nature and quality of its processes. Hubbard claims that scientology is a form of psychology and the evidence shows it to be psychology practised in a perverted and dangerous way by persons who are not only lacking any qualifications which would fit them to practise psychology but who have been indoctrinated and trained in beliefs and practices which equip them to do no more than apply dangerous techniques harmfully and indiscriminately.
Control scientology by controlling Psychology.
There are no standards prescribed in Victoria for persons who wish to practise psychology. Very considerable use is made, of course, Of psychological theory and practice by the medical profession, especially in psychiatry and psycho-analysis. As used in medicine it is ancillary to the broader profession of medicine. It is, of course, a learned science in its own right and many universities and other recognized institutions of learning award degrees or diplomas in psychology, or award degrees and diplomas which comprehend or embrace the very extensive study of psychology
A person so qualified may properly describe himself as a psychologist and may practise psychology; yet, legally, so may the most ignorant and least qualified person. The absence of any legal restrictions has enabled many persons, including scientologists, to describe themselves in various ways and to practise psychology though quite unqualified to do so.
In Victoria there is no legal control of hypnosis which is generally a major technique in the routine of the pseudo-psychologist. In England, there are restrictions on stage hypnosis. In the Hypnotism Act 1952 (15 and 16 Geo. 6 and 1 Eliz. 2, c. 46), hypnotism is stated to include hypnotism, mesmerism and any other similar act or process which produces or is intended to produce in any person any form of induced sleep or trance in which the susceptibility of the mind of that person to suggestion or direction is increased or intended to be increased. Restrictions are imposed on
exhibitions, demonstrations or performances of hypnotism at or in connexion with an entertainment to which the public are admitted. They do not extend to the practice of hypnotism privately.
Despite the affinity between psychology and medicine no assistance in the control of the practice of psychology is to be obtained from Victorian legislation relating to the medical profession.
This year is the centenary of the Medical Practitioners Statute 1865 which enacted in substantially the same form as the law stands today sections which were the predecessors of section 24 of the Medical Act 1958. In Victoria, there is no statutory prohibition on the practice of medicine or surgery as such by other than legally qualified medical practitioners. Virtually the only control is that effected by section 24. Section 24 (1) provides that " No person shall be entitled to recover any charge in any court of law for any medical or surgical advice or attendance or for the performance of any operation or for any medicine which he has both prescribed and supplied unless he proves on the trial that he is registered in accordance with the provisions of Division two of this Part". Section 24 (3) makes it unlawful for any person unless registered " to pretend to be or to take or use the name or title of a physician doctor of medicine licentiate in medicine and surgery master in surgery bachelor of medicine doctor surgeon medical or general practitioner or apothecary or surgeon apothecary or accoucheur or licentiate or practitioner in midwifery or any other medical or surgical name or title".
After the passage of one hundred years and the tremendous advances in medicine and surgery, which cannot now be effectively practised except in association with a system of hospitals from which those regarded as unqualified are excluded, there are very few who would presume to practise medicine or surgery if not registered under the Medical Act. On the contrary the problem of the unqualified psychologist is substantial. Psychology is a relatively new science and similar safeguards in respect of its practice have not yet developed.
In the Board's view, rather more stringent provisions than those in the Medical Act are needed to curb the emergence of a class of unqualified pseudo-psychologists of whom scientologists are the prime examples. Prohibitions on the right to sue for fees and on the use of deceptive titles are, of course, necessary; but such minimal restrictions could readily be overcome by payment in advance or some form of psychological coercion afterwards, and by the dropping of deceptive titles which, though often used, are not a necessary part of the pseudo-psychologist's act.
Regulation of the Practice of Psychology.
In order adequately to control the practice of psychology, the Board considers that measures of a regulatory and economic nature are necessary. In essence, the Board envisages a system of registration of psychologists, and prohibition on the advertising of psychological services and on practising psychology for fee or reward, unless registered. The practice of scientology is a business, and its attraction lies in the opportunity it affords for making money. Without revenue to maintain its organization its activities could not continue, and even its most dedicated adherents would find it impossible to practise professionally unless financially endowed. The prescribing of minimum standards for the practice of psychology and a prohibition on receiving payment for substandard services appear, therefore, to be the most effective means of procuring the cessation of scientology practices, except in the most attenuated and honorary way.
Recommended Action.
Appropriate action to deal with scientology involves three steps:
Public Awareness.
As already mentioned the adverse publicity which scientology received during the lnquiry has seriously curtailed its activities. However, the HASI may well regard such a reverse as temporary and may be awaiting the time when interest in the Inquiry and this Report will have waned. Thereafter, either at 157-159 Spring Street, Melbourne, or elsewhere, it will, under its own name or some other name, seek to re-establish itself. The likelihood is that scientology is planning to extend, if it has not already done so, to new areas in Victoria. It is important, in the Board's view, that the public be repeatedly warned of the dangers to mental health of psychological techniques practised by unqualified persons.
Registration of Psychologists.
Psychologists Registration Board.
The system of registration of psychologists envisaged as a means of controlling the practice of psychology in Victoria is one which involves the establishment by statute of a Psychologists Registration Board and the prescribing of minimum standards for registration. In considering the structure of such a Board, it would be necessary to safeguard the interests of those who are not professional or academic psychologists, but for justifiable reasons should be permitted to practise psychology in particular circumstances and are entitled to be registered or, alternatively, to be exempted from registration. Some consideration is given later in this Chapter to the kind of persons who should be exempted.
It is not the function of this Board of Inquiry to determine minimum standards or qualifications. It is sufficient for the Board to say that, in its opinion, scientology qualifications should not entitle a person to registration as a psychologist.
Of prime importance in any system of registration would be the meaning to be given to the word "psychology". It would need to be defined in terms which ensured that scientology techniques came under control.
The full scope of such a definition involves a consideration of many factors as to which the Board heard little or no evidence. The techniques and practices of scientology include -
hypnotic and similar techniques, IQ testing,
personality assessment, the use of the E-meter.
Whatever else may be comprehended by " psychology ", the above particular activities should evidently be included.
Prohibited Practices.
The purpose of the proposed legislation should be to prohibit generally the practice of psychology for fee or reward by persons who are not registered or who are not exempted from registration.
It should also be an offence, unless in the case of permitted exceptions, for any unregistered person, for fee or reward,
to practise hypnosis, defined in terms similar to, but not necessarily identical with, the definition
of " hypnotism " in the English Act, and enlarged to describe more specifically scientology processes which involve a series of commands, repetitive or otherwise, designed or intended to be used for the purpose of inducing the absence or lessening of inhibitions and repressions;
to administer IQ tests or personality assessments or similar tests or assessments;
to use an E-meter or similar electrical device whether or not in conjunction with (a) or (b ).
Prohibition on Advertising.
It should also be an offence for any person, unless in the excepted classes or unless registered, to advertise -
that he is skilled in psychology or psychological or similar techniques, psychological or similar counselling, hypno-therapy, psycho-therapy or any other similar alleged skills; or
that he is available whether for fee or reward or not to render services in respect of any such skills, or
that he will render such services whether for fee or reward or not.
Prohibition of Deceptive Titles.
The trappings of scientology include the pretentious use of titles, referred to in detail in Chapter 15. The use by scientologists and others of the title "Doctor" in relation to their practising of psychological techniques is a calculated deception where they are not possessed of any recognized degree which justifies the use of the title. An unregistered person may not lawfully use the title of "Doctor" in the practice of medicine or surgery. A similar prohibition should exist in relation to those who practise any form of psychology. The Board is of opinion that the restriction on the use of deceptive titles and qualifications should go further. It considers that it should be an offence for a person practising any form of psychology to use any title, letters or abbreviations in association with his name, unless he possesses a degree, diploma, licence or other authorization to use it or them from a university, college or other institution recognized by the Psychologists Registration Board. The deceptive "degrees" of "doctor of scientology" and "bachelor of scientology", both in extenso and abbreviated to "D.Scn." and "B.Scn.", and the additions of such letters as "HCA" and "HPA" to the name of a person practising scientology or some other form of psychology should not be permitted.
Exemptions from Registration.
Exceptions to or exemptions from the requirement of registration would need to be carefully considered. Prima facie, persons proper to be excepted would seem to include -
legally qualified medical practitioners, dentists, ministers and other individuals engaged in recognized or usual activities of any bona fide religion, teachers in universities and registered or otherwise recognized schools and similar institutions, employees or other persons engaged by a person or organization for the purpose of determining the quality, capacity, ability or potentiality of persons employed or seeking employment, various social workers, officials of marriage guidance organizations, etc.
This list is by no means exhaustive; it is capable of being, and probably should be, substantially enlarged, for care has to be taken to guard against the establishment of too narrow a category of
persons who have the right to practise for fee or reward techniques of psychology which are in varying degrees of constant application in almost every occupation and walk of life.
The Board's recommendations, within its terms of reference, are of course limited to scientology, though the method recommended of dealing with scientology necessarily involves the surveillance of practices and conduct by persons other than scientologists.
The HASI Records.
In Chapter 24 and in other parts of this Report reference has been made to the nature and extent of records made and kept by the Melbourne HASI of the processing of preclears. These records, containing details of intimate and secret matters relating to preclears, are a potential threat to preclears who may be subjected to various forms of coercion. Preclears could be constrained to return to their earlier allegiance to scientology, and, in some hands, files could be used for the purposes of extortion and blackmail.
The Board has given consideration to the question of what action, if any, should be taken in respect of the HASI processing files. Though the files were not entitled to any form of privileged non- disclosure, the HASI created the false impression that the contents of its files were completely secret and that nothing in them would be disclosed, whatever the circumstances. Such a protection is considerably greater than the privilege which attaches to communications made by a patient to his doctor (see section 28 of the Evidence Act 1958), but, as a matter of law, no vestige of legal privilege attaches to the HASI files. Though the disclosure of the contents of the processing files is highly undesirable, to prohibit by legislation the disclosure of their contents would give to them an entirely unjustified quality of importance and security. The FIASI would probably boast that it was recognized by the State as of such importance that the contents of its files were by law made secret. However, while the files exist, they are a potential threat to the people to whom they relate.
All the HASI records, including the files, were tendered as exhibits before the Board, but their physical possession (other than of those which were specifically and individually tendered as separate exhibits) remained in Williams on his undertaking to produce them as and when required. The Board now sees no practicable way of procuring the files which are still in possession of the HASI, short of legislation requiring their surrender for the purpose of destruction. It should be pointed out that copies of preclear's processing reports are also kept by Hubbard at Saint Hill Manor in England, so that destruction of the files of the Melbourne HASI would not entirely remove the threat.
Interstate Aspects.
Though the Board was required to investigate scientology in Victoria and has made the foregoing recommendations for its curtailment in this State, it is proper to point out by way of final comment that while scientology is permitted to flourish in other States, any action taken in Victoria could not be fully effective. It seems certain that continental headquarters of the HASI would be transferred from Melbourne to another capital city from which residents of Victoria would be bombarded with a barrage of scientology literature. It is also probable that Victorians addicted to processing would readily travel interstate for courses in processing and training.
Commendations.
In concluding this Report, the Board wishes to thank the many persons whose co-operation very materially assisted the Board in its inquiry. Of these, certain persons merit particular mention.
The Board is grateful to counsel who appeared before it. Mr. Gordon Just, then of counsel (now his Honour Judge Just of the County Court), who appeared to assist the Board, brought to the Inquiry his customary courtesy, skill and thoroughness. Mr. J. R. O'Shea, who, until May, 1964, appeared as counsel for the scientology interests, and Mr. Ian G. Abraham, who thereafter and until November, 1964, appeared as counsel for the scientology interests, greatly helped the Board in the clear presentation of the views and the evidence of their clients; Mr. Abraham, in particular, bore the burden of his clients' cause for six difficult months during which he very competently and conscientious1y presented to the Board every relevant consideration in favour of his clients' case and tested evidence hostile to their cause. The Board regrets that his clients' instructions constrained Mr. Abraham to withdraw from the Inquiry on the 30th November, 1964. Mr. Warren C. Fagan, of counsel, who appeared for the Committee for Mental Health and National Security made an important contribution to the material placed before the Board by his cross-examination on a number of aspects of scientology which assumed increasing importance as the Inquiry proceeded. The Board is grateful to these counsel whose very considerable labours were of real value to the Board in its deliberations.
The evidence of the 151 witnesses was recorded by a team of shorthand writers, typists and their assistants under the direction of Mr. J. May, the Chief Government Shorthand Writer. These ladies and gentlemen performed the colossal task of recording nearly 4,000,000 words covering nearly 9,000 pages, with speed and accuracy. Their co-operation and efficiency resulted in a complete daily transcript being available shortly after the Board adjourned each day. The Board's task was greatly facilitated by the immediate availability of a complete and accurate transcript.
The Board also wishes to thank Mr. John Herbert Joseph Campbell, who conducted a thorough investigation of the financial affairs of the scientology organizations in Victoria and whose very valuable services to the Board are not to be measured by the relatively short time which he took to give his evidence, which was almost unique at the Inquiry for it was accepted by all concerned without challenge, and he was virtually not cross-examined. Mr. Campbell's evidence threw light on certain features of scientology in Victoria, which might not have been fully appreciated without his thorough investigation.
The Board also wishes to thank the Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Mr. R. T. M. Pescott, for the use of the theatrette at the National Herbarium, where almost all the proceedings of the Board were held. Though the presence for many months of the Board and its entourage involved Mr. Pescott in some inconvenience he readily made available for the Inquiry adequate facilities in idyllic surroundings.
The Board reserves for final mention the secretary to the Board, Mr. Ian Edward Crook. The Board cannot too highly commend Mr. Crook for the consistently efficient and thorough manner in which he cheerfully and unobtrusively carried out the very burdensome duties which fell to him. He performed the tasks normally performed by at least two persons, for he worked in collaboration with counsel assisting the Board in sifting material and preparing it for presentation to the Board, and he carried out the very substantial secretarial duties required of him both while the Board was sitting and while it was in recess. His services to the Board in the preparation of this Report were of incalculable assistance and were beyond the call of duty. The Board is aware that his Honour Judge Just shares the Board's views regarding Mr. Crook. The Board considers it fitting that its Report should end with its grateful acknowledgement to the secretary whose constant attention, intelligence, efficiency and skills sustained the Board and made more bearable the burdens involved in the conduct of the Inquiry and the writing of this Report.
Given under my hand and seal this twenty-eighth day of September, 1965. KEVIN ANDERSON
Owen Dixon Chamber, 205 William Street, Melbourne,
Victoria.