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Letters to the Editor // Leave Scientologists alone

Title: Letters to the Editor // Leave Scientologists alone
Date: Monday, 25 October 1993
Publisher: St. Petersburg Times (Florida)
Main source: link (84 KiB)

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It is appalling to see the intense scrutiny and negative examination of the Church of Scientology by reporters who assume expertise in the subject. Obviously, the subject is sensational: "Church of Scientology declared a bona fide religion by IRS!" But to stir it all up again, to continue to try to get the fire going again, is not only insulting to Scientologists, but I would say to all religions.

Has it been forgotten that the right to religious worship is one of the founding cornerstones of this country? Would you like to see your personal beliefs — be they Jewish, Christian, Buddhist — spread out under a microscope and referred to out of context and in highly exaggerated tones? Enough is enough. Let the church be!

Kate Sweet, Clearwater

* * *

Re: IRS: Scientology is a tax-exempt religion, Oct. 13.

In response to this headline, a recent letter writer stated: "Scientology is not a religion because it was written by a fiction writer. It definitely ought to be taxed heavily."

I agree wholeheartedly. However, it seems that this writer is very shortsighted.

All religions, including Judeo-Christianity, Hinduism, Christian Science, Mormonism, et al., were all written by fiction writers and, therefore, all definitely ought to be taxed heavily.

Jerry Morgenroth, St. Petersburg

* * *

Re: Ruling may cost Pinellas millions, Oct, 14:

The IRS' exemption of the Church of Scientology may doom the county's efforts to collect a tax bill exceeding $7.9-million.

"In Pinellas County, more than 3,000 parcels already qualify for a similar exemption, taking more than $1.2-billion in land and buildings off the tax rolls.

Isn't it time that people of all faiths recognize the inequities of tax-free churches? Why shouldn't churches pay at least a "maintenance" tax? Like every home and business owner, churches also are provided the protection of fire and police departments, along with other public services.

Ray A. Blett, St. Petersburg

* * *

I feel compelled to respond to the recent letter writer who defended Scientology by stating, " . . . We are not animals . . . you will not find any Scientologists convicted of rape, armed robbery . . . or murder." I know almost nothing about Scientology, but I do know that Charles Manson — who I'm sure the letter writer will acknowledge to be a fine, upstanding citizen — professes to be a Scientologist, and quoted L. Ron Hubbard's work extensively. (See Vincent Bugliosi's Helter Skelter for more information on this.) My point, of course, is that evil people are everywhere, in all religious faiths, and it is wrong for the letter writer to proclaim all Scientologists as saints when she has absolutely no way of verifying this.

Sharon Henry, St. Petersburg

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