Center for Inquiry WestJanet Reitman in conversation
Sunday, Sept. 18, 2011
11:00 am in Hollywood
Scientology, which created in 1954 by prolific sci-fi writer L. Ron Hubbard, claims to be the world’s fastest growing religion. The organization claims it has millions of members around the world and huge financial holdings. But Scientology is also a notably closed "faith," harassing journalists and others through litigation and intimidation, even infiltrating the highest levels of the government to further its goals. Its attacks on psychiatry and its requirement that believers pay thousands of dollars for salvation have drawn scrutiny and skepticism. And ex-members use the Internet to share stories of harassment and abuse.
Based on her five years of research, unprecedented access to Church officials, confidential documents, and extensive interviews with current and former Scientologists, Janet Reitman now offers the first full journalistic history of the Church of Scientology. She provides an evenhanded account that at last establishes the truth about the controversial religion. More
