I listened to the radio program, and this is my response to Mr.

Gallagher:

Hello, I recently had opportunity to listen to excerpts from your show in which you had a conversation re: scientology with John Carmichael. I was wondering why you allowed him to immediately launch into a pathetically sophomoric ad hominem attack on Mrs. Stacy Brooks. While I may disapprove of marital unfaithfulness even if the allegation is true, Mr.

Carmichael had no business beginning his attempt to discredit the Lisa McPherson Trust in such a pitiful manner. This has nothing whatsoever to do with whether or not Mrs. Brooks's position in reference to Scientology is correct, and goes a long way to reinforce the critics' assertion that Scientology is a viscious and dishonest cult that uses the trappings of ersatz religiousity to conceal a fraudulent money-making scheme.

Mr. Carmichael exhibited an amazing lack of real substance, and you should have picked up on that and called him on it.

Scientology has recently moved to purchase an old hotel in my city of Battle Creek, Michigan. After writing two letters to the editor providing local residents with addresses of Internet sites containing vital information on Scientology, Mr. Carmichael appeared in town and met with me over coffee. He wasn't nearly as sophomoric with me as he was on your program, but he nonetheless had much ill to say about those who take issue with Scientology's practices, and nothing truly substantive to refute their actual arguments. Indeed, the materials he provided to me on Scientology's theology and doctrine only reinforced what I had found in my researchings into their doctrines.

Carmichael asserted that one can be a Christian and be a Scientologist, for example. When he was with me, he was ultimately forced to admit that the two theological systems were incompatible (I am a lay evangelical theologian whose focus is on apologetics and countercult studies.) But once on your program, free from the influence of someone equipped to refute him, he let it all hang out, so to speak, and I believe you did your listeners a grave disservice by not being more critical in your approach. This is especially true in light of the trend in our society that downplays the role of critical thinking skills in building one's epistemolgy (system of knowledge.)

Thank you for your time, best wishes, Todd A. Phipps
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Todd A. Phipps and his silly dogs Obie and Honey theb3nut at home dot com http://b3nut.tsx.org

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