The News-Gazette (Champaign, IL)
23.3.2000 In her March 12 letter, Elizabeth Cameron wrote that the movie "Battlefield Earth" has nothing to do with the Church of Scientology, and the church doesn't make a nickel from it. On the surface, that may be true, but according to Mike Rinder, a spokesman for the Church of Scientology, any deal for merchandising benefits Author Services, the agency that manages works of the late L. Ron Hubbard. This would include toys, dolls and other memorabilia. I wonder how many nickels that will add up to. Aron Mason, another church spokesman, has said that the church has no financial interest in "Battlefield Earth." Author Services is not part of the Church of Scientology. It is a literary agency with no connection to the church. How interesting that Author Services Inc. in the past has been staffed mostly or entirely of members of the Sea Organization, the Scientology hub group whose recruits are required to sign a billion- year contract. Furthermore, in the early 1980s, while touting itself as the manager of L. Ron Hubbard's personal accounts and literary works, Author Services was in fact the senior management entity in the Church of Scientology hierarchy. It seems clear that Author Services is a stakeholder in Scientology, and vice versa. Before paying to see this movie or buying associated collectibles (or allowing your children to do so), please consider whom and what you are supporting. STEVEN O. ELLIS Urbana

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