Having won out of court settlements and apologies from publishers of four recent books exposing the "inside story" on the "religion" of Scientology and its founder, Ron Hubbard, defenders of Sci- entology have vowed to take to court any Canadian library or bookstore that refuses to get rid of these; '*libelous" books. The Scientologists have con- ducted similar suits in England. Austra- lia, and the-U.S.. The books in question are The Mind Benders by Cyril Vosper (reportedly once a high oflicial at Scientology world headquarters): Scientology: the Now Religion by George Malko: In- side Scientology by Robert Kaufman. and Scandal of Scientology by Paulette Cooper.

Canadian libraries in Hamilton and Etobicoke have refused to remove the critical books from circulation, and they're now facing lawsuits. The books have reportedly been taken off the shelves of Sir George Williams University and St. Mary's University. One Canadian li- brary has reported the theft of an anti- Scientology book and has complained of the difficulty in replacing it because most

publishers have withdrawn such books from the market. They're available mostly from second-hand stores. While some booksellers have given in to pres- sure. others have either refused to discard the controversial books or they've retali- ated by refusing to sell both pro- and anti Scientology titles.

The Canadian Library Association has started a legal defense fund to aid smaller libraries in particular, and it has plans for organizing authors, publishers,

booksellers, and libraries into a common front against allegations from the Scien- tology group. Libraries, says CLA, are being asked to remove books that have not been found libelous in Canadian courts.

In the U.S., two publishers (Dell and Belmont-Tower Books) have agreed to out of court settlements: they paid dam age fees of $7500 and $500 respectively, agreed not to republish, and offered pub- lic apologies.

The Scientologists' California chap- ter has written LJ to complain about fa- vorable reviews which were given to both the Scandal of Scientology and Scien- tology: the Now Religion. The books were reviewed for LJ by Eleanor Smith of the Office of Education's New York Regional Office, who said, "libraries seem to have licked the sex problem, and they're now facing attacks on political and religious grounds."

The Scientologists' current drive is being compared to those launched by the Christian Scientists years ago against critics and to the John Birch Society campaign to get pro-Bircher looks into libraries and anti-Bircher books out.

One report on the Scientology battle noted that there have been several in- cidents reported of unidentified persons raiding files of newspapers and removing materials evidently considered damaging to the Scientology cause.

KAUFMAN, Robert. Inside Scientolo- gy or, "flow l Joined Scientology and Became Superhuman." 304p. Olym- pia. 1972. $6.95, LC 73-189412.

This insider's view of Scientology was written as an exorcism, as a way of re- turning to the WOG world (the world outside of Scientology, a modern cult aswim in such terminology). In his search for a "quick and easy solution" to life's problems, the author wound up expend- ing a good deal of money and personal anguish (including a complete break- down) before returning to the "human" world of weakness, doubt, and worry. A musician by trade, the author writes competently of his experiences and gives a good indication of the appeal, the hor- ror, and the hypnotic effect of Scientol- ogy; he also describes the cult's structure and inner workings. The book does not pretend to be scholarly or scientific. It is a guide for the layman provided by a perceptive man who wishes he had re- d mained uninitiated.-Russell Schoch Jr.,

Associate Editor, "West," Los Angeles Times

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