MEDIA WATCH | PORTSMOUTH.CO.UK

Correction in Reference to L. Ron Hubbard

George Orwell, on the other hand, wrote to a friend in 1938: “…always thought there might be a lot of cash in starting a new religion.”

His letter was later published as part of a collection of letters that was circulated widely. Orwell’s comment has been misattributed to Mr. Hubbard.

December 1, 2017

Editor
Portsmouth.co.uk

Dear Mr Waldron,

Thank you for making reference to L. Ron Hubbard and to Scientology in Clive Smith’s, “Our mollycoddling society is breeding out common sense” article. However a correction is in order. L. Ron Hubbard did not write, “You don’t get rich writing science fiction. If you want to get rich, you start a religion.”

L. Ron Hubbard never made such a statement.

George Orwell, on the other hand, wrote to a friend in 1938: “…always thought there might be a lot of cash in starting a new religion.”

His letter was later published as part of a collection of letters that was circulated widely. Orwell’s comment has been misattributed to Mr. Hubbard. (Excerpt is attached from the correspondence of Eric Blair, also known as George Orwell).

Courts that have examined the evidence have issued judgments finding that the statement was never made by Mr Hubbard.

Please correct this article and in future reference to L. Ron Hubbard or the Church of Scientology make use of www.lronhubbard.org or www.scientology.org. They are there for your use.

Sincerely,
Edward Parkin
International Director STAND