Was in Palm Springs for the PS International Film Festival. When I'm there, I always check out the 2 used bookstores in downtown PS.

One had TONS of Hubbard books, both SF and Scientology-related stuff. Funny thing was, this stuff was there 6 months ago when I was in PS for the Shorts Festival. There were about 6 copies of Fear, single copies of a few other Hubbard SF books, and 2 full sets of Mission Earth, plus single copies of certain volumes of ME. There were about 10 Scientology related titles as well (alas, no pre-86 copies of History of Man).

Inside Dianetics 55, on the copyright page, was "FOR RELIGOUS PURPOSES ONLY"

(as opposed to "combustion purposes"?). The person I was with said that this was probably a ploy to get religious-status from the IRS (which they have since obtained). The proprieter heard us chuckling over this and came over.

Scientologists? she asked. No, we just think it's funny, we said. She sighed and said, I can't get rid of any of this stuff, and we've got so much of it. I suggested donating it to a Scientology mission (is there one in PS?). She thought that was a good idea, and said she might just do that.

The other bookstore had no Hubbard books. I mentioned that I had a bunch I'd be willing to sell, and the guy passed, saying he wouldn't be able to sell any of it.

So much for the fastest-growing religion on the planet.

Go Back