Scientology, right-wing politics, and apartheid
Ron Newman
(subtitle: How I Joined Scientology and Became Superhuman), published
in 1972 by The Olympia Press of London and New York. The book is a
first-person account of Kaufman's own experience in Scientology during
1967 and 1968.
----- Begin quote: page 31 ----
Umberto conjectured that one who became an Operating Thetan might
tend to look back upon Scientology as merely a tool which had helped him
to dedicate himself to the full pursuit of his highest inclinations:
art, philosophy, esthetics, or whatever. This was possible. Umberto had
even met a few people at the Hill [Saint Hill, East Grinstead, UK]
who coexisted amiably with non-Scientologists, tolerated differences
of opinion, and thought of themselves as human beings first and Scientologists
second.
Unfortunately, such people were in the minority. Most of the
Scientologists were culturally green, interested only in Hubbard's
pronouncements. Many were reactionary, almost Fascistic, in their
political views. The attitude of this breed was that the poor and
oppressed of the world, the dwellers in mud villages and ghettos, were
suffering solely from their own inadequacies; they were dominated by
their reactive minds and were getting exactly what they deserved.
Scientologists from South Africa were almost unanimously in favor of
apartheid.
------ End quote ----
--
Ron Newman Email: <rne...@media.mit.edu>
Web: http://rnewman.www.media.mit.edu/people/rnewman/
(No longer officially at the MIT Media Lab, but still logging in here.)
Kim Baker
but I e-mailed her this quote, and she e-mailed me back this
comment to post for her. -- Ron Newman <rne...@media.mit.edu>]
In article <1995Mar20....@news.media.mit.edu>,
Ron Newman <rne...@media.mit.edu> wrote:
>The following is a quote from Robert Kaufman's INSIDE SCIENTOLOGY
>(subtitle: How I Joined Scientology and Became Superhuman), published
>in 1972 by The Olympia Press of London and New York....
>Many [Scientologists] were reactionary, almost Fascistic, in their
>political views. The attitude of this breed was that the poor and
>oppressed of the world, the dwellers in mud villages and ghettos, were
>suffering solely from their own inadequacies; they were dominated by
>their reactive minds and were getting exactly what they deserved.
>Scientologists from South Africa were almost unanimously in favor of
>apartheid.
Interesting. Yes, I have encountered this "they were very
abberated Beings to pick up black bodies in South Africa
in the first place" viewpoint among South African Scientologists.
One Indian man kept saying that he had "picked up the wrong body,
he was meant to be White."
This viewpoint was very prevalent before the elections. I recall,
during the run-up to the Elections, I was the only Scientologist
(at that time) who got out there, and trained as a Peace Monitor
and became involved at "grass roots level". <laugh!> The others
were stock-piling canned food because they thought the country was
going to end, and hiding in their homes. When the Election was
obviously going well, they came out, and joined in in the general
euphoria of experiencing a miracle.
I no longer am spoken to by Scientologists in my area, but
I recall towards the end of last year, before I became persona non
grata, some of the younger ones had embraced the changes
enthusiastically. And some of the older Scientologists steadfastly
stuck to their views that the "Blacks were going to ruin the
country". Many are making plans to emigrate, so they can avoid
being there when the country finally falls apart! But there
were some who were hopeful about the future.
Most are concerned now about the economy - because they need to
continue earning in the top percentile in order to afford
their Scientology services, and as a redress to the past
imbalances, the government is trimming all the perks
of this income sector. They are not happy. Shouts of
"out-exchange", etc. No sense of responsibility for the
state of the nation at all. We are *all* feeling the financial
bite, some of us are bearing it willingly, knowing that it is
being used to put in housing, sanitation, etc for the people,
and going towards the Reconstruction and Development Plan.
A worthy cause. But not if you're trying to buy your next service
at ANZO or Flag, and the exchange rate has just increased
AGAIN! So, they want to emigrate.
Personally, I found that attitude strange. My view is rather,
stay here, and make it work, make that vision of South Africa
as a model for peaceful transformation, SUCCESSFUL transformation,
work, and work WELL, set a shining example to the world.
Kim