Replies

"Ann Blake Tracy, Ph.D. has written of the scope of the problem in her book "Prozac: Panacea or Pandora?" She tells me the problem is more widespread than you can imagine.

Ann Blake Tracy, Ph.D. received her doctorate in Health Sciences. Dr. Tracy is not a Psychologist, nor a physician.

However, on Dr. Ann Blake Tracy's website are referring links to Peter Breggin, M.D., well known Scientologist and Mary Ann Block, D.O., late in life Doctor of Osteopathy, book author and Board Member of Citizen's Commission of Human Rights (CCHR) a wing of the Church of Scientology.

Barbara Simpson may be a conservative writer, and may not herself have any affiliation with the Church of Scientology.

If Ms. Simpson is not a member of the Church of Scientology, it is highly irresponsible of Ms. Simpson to cite Scientologists or those with direct links to the Church of Scientology as proof of misdeed by pharmaceutical companies.

The Church of Scientology in the past twenty years has launched numerous lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies which manufacture psychotropic medication, including Eli Lilly and Novartis.

The Church of Scientology lost their suit against Lilly where they sued on behalf of patients' who died allegedly because they took prescribed Prozac.

The Church of Scientology also lost their lawsuit against Novartis, where the Scientologists alleged numerous patients deaths, addiction and side effects in patients who took prescribed Ritalin.

There are probably many legitimate cases where prescribed medication caused illness, death or otherwise did not medically perform as intended.

A responsible journalist would not require a magnifying glass to find cases with no ties to Scientology.

The Church of Scientology is active and recruiting on at least one college campus:

Daily Lobo - Culture
Issue: 10/12/04

TV actress to discuss scientology

by Amy Upah

Daily Lobo

Scientologist Sofia Milos is coming to UNM today to promote an important aspect of her religion - studying.

Milos, who has been on "CSI: Miami," "The Sopranos" and "Friends," will discuss scientology, which has gained popularity since L. Ron Hubbard founded it in the '50s.

"We are worldwide and the fastest growing religion on the planet," said Rob Ellis, president of Scientology for Students.

He said scientology bases its beliefs around knowledge and human survival.

"There are spiritual aspects to scientology, but it's not like you go to church and worship God," Ellis said.

He said the philosophy is an applied religion, meaning it gives followers specific tools to fix the problems of everyday life. These tools are called study technology.

He said there is a God in scientology, but followers can be any religion they want to be.

"Most scientologists have some other religious connections, including Islamic, Christians and Catholics," he said.

According to Scientology.org, John Travolta, Tom Cruise, Kirstie Alley, Nicole Kidman and Priscilla Presley practice the religion.

Ellis said scientology is not only endorsed by celebrities and millionaires.

"People who get involved with scientology become more successful and overcome their obstacles in whatever they do," he said. "There are certain applied techniques that work to help you become successful."

Ellis has been studying scientology for two years and said when he applied the study technology to what he thought was dyslexia, he realized he had been misdiagnosed.

"Dyslexia wasn't a problem," he said. "I just had to learn how to study, and there are scientology courses that will help you ease the barriers."

He said these techniques are so easy some miss them.

"It could be that you're not looking up every word that you misunderstood," he said. "People get their ego involved instead of opening up a dictionary."

Promotion of scientology at UNM in the past week has been lucrative and lavish - yellow tents pitched and draped on campus lured students in to collect pamphlets, take stress tests, and acquire massages.

"Scientology is too good of a thing to keep to myself," Ellis said. "There is so much help in so many areas of life, especially with study technology."

Although new-age religions may seem foreign and cultlike to some, Ellis said he doesn't agree.

"The mind is like a parachute - it only works when it is open," he said. " If you are closed-minded, that means you are fearful."

COMING ATTRACTION
Sofia Miles
Today at Noon
SUB Atrium

Church of Scientology at University of New Mexico