Sunday Age (Melbourne), Sun 10 Apr 1994

[Note: Scientology is only mentioned in the first letter.]

Letters to the editor

Inside the cults of mind control

CULTS: Article ignored other side of the story

from the Reverend Mary Anderson,
director of public affairs,
Church of Scientology

I write to express my amazement and concern that 'The Sunday Age' (3/10) published an article on Louise Samways and her book 'Dangerous Persuaders' without presenting the other side of the story.

Scientology is an applied religious philosophy which contains solutions to the problems of living. Its end result is increased awareness and freedom for the individual and rehabilitation of his basic decency, power and ability. It can and does accomplish these ends routinely, daily, all over the world.

Also, the church was not asked to respond to the item by an anonymous correspondent, "Joseph". This is a false representation: I particularly noted the false description of the E-meter, and I do not understand how this could be printed when your reporter was in possession of accurate information on the matter.

Mary Anderson,
Melbourne

Kenja misrepresented

from Wendy Tinkler and Sue Capell,
co-directors,
Personal Communications Training Centre

In the article 'Inside the cults of mind control', Kenja, was misrepresented. Kenja refers to diverse, self-motivated individuals and families, with their own lives, careers and pursuits, who use the Kenja training for their own reasons.

No-one signs up for anything, there is no dogma: only a simple, practical approach to human communications.

The work enhances the individual's ability to handle personal energy, through a technique called energy conversion.

Wendy Tinkler and Sue Capell,
Melbourne

So just who's crazy?

from Michael J. Moore

I have always regarded 'The Sunday Age' as an adult and responsible newspaper which is both informative and interesting. I was very disappointed therefore to read a biased article with no balance viewpoint.

I am talking about the Gary Tippet article on Ms Samways book, which appears to attack anything that moves.

Amway is one of the most successful debt-free companies in the world with excellent products. It recently floated 1 per cent of its total operation on the stock markets of the world and this stock was snapped up by the financial institutions, resulting in a value put on Amway of around $26 billion.

Does that make the financial institutions of the world crazy?

Michael J. Moore,
South Caulfield

A bona fide religion

from Karuppiah Chockalingam

The Hare Krishna movement came to the West only in 1965. It has, however, been accepted as a bona fide religious movement in India for over five thousand years. Two points:

How could a psychological technique developed in the 1970s be used to influence westerners to join in 1965?

Yes, Hare Krishna centres around the world do receive substantial quantities of money. But whatever is received is immediately utilised for maintenance of temples, distribution of food, and other projects to spread the message of the ancient Indian scriptures. I challenge you to find any active member of the Hare Krishna movement who possesses more than five or six cotton shawls and a set of beads, let alone a bank balance.

Karuppiah Chockalingam,
Box Hill North

Healing based on love

from Barbara Stone,
a Reiki master

I write in reply to your article on Louise Samways' book 'Dangerous Persuaders'. She mentions a multinational "healing cult" known as Reiki - and a Reiki master asking for $10,000 from a client so that she may become a master and cure her son of leukemia. I am not questioning the authenticity of this statement, however I would like to go on record as saying that I personally do not know one Reiki master who would stoop to such a low grade act.

Barbara Stone, East Burwood


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