HOME
UP
1950
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
1959
| |
Dr. Winter is leaving Dianetics (Foundation).
A Doctor's Report on DIANETICS Theory and Therapy, by J.A. Winter, M.D.
Introduction by Frederick Perls, M.D., Ph.D., Julian Press, Inc., New York, copyright 1951
By October, 1950, I had come to the conclusion that I could not agree with all the tenets of dianetics as set forth by the
Foundation. I could not, as previously mentioned, support Hubbard's claims regarding the state of "clear." I no longer
felt, as I once had, that any intelligent person could (and presumably should) practice dianetics. I noted several points
on which the actions of the Foundation were at variance with the expressed ideals of dianetics: one of these points
was a tendency toward the development of an authoritarian attitude. Moreover, there was a poorly concealed attitude
of disparagement of the medical profession and of the efforts of previous workers in the field of mental illness. Finally,
the avowed purpose of the Foundation -- the accomplishment of precise scientific research into the functioning of the
mind -- was conspicuously absent. (Articles on
Dianetics/Scientology)
by early 1951 income started to drop as the difficulties of getting predictable and reliable results from Dianetics started to become
evident There had also been hostile criticism by doctors and psychiatrists who pigeon-holed Dianetics with psychoanalysis and
hypnotism. In addition there was a lot of publicity given to Hubbard's divorce from
his second wife, a supposed 'Clear'. The biggest disappointment for many however was that the attractive state of Clear was not achieved as easily or quickly as
the book had promised.
Gradually Hubbard's colleagues resigned from the Board and the Foundation moved towards bankruptcy. Another supporter of
Dianetics Don Purcell, stepped in to provide a financial injection to the Foundation He closed down the branches and relocated the
Foundation in Wichita Kansas. Purcell became President of the Foundation with Hubbard as Chairman of the Board and
Vice-President. (The Sad Tale
of Scientology, Eric Townsend, Chapt. 5, pg. 16)
First Dianetics group formed in Australia. (CofS)
The New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners institute proceedings against
Hubbard for teaching medicine without a license. Hubbard flees to LA to
avoid prosecution.
(The Roots of Scientology)
Notes on the Lectures of L. Ron Hubbard published. (CofS)
Scientific American, January 1951
- By Isaac Isidor Rabi
DIANETICS: THE MODERN SCIENCE OF MENTAL HEALTH, BY L. RON HUBBARD. Hermitage House ($4.00). This volume
probably contains more promises and less evidence per page than has any publication since the invention of printing. Briefly, its
thesis is that man is intrinsically good, has a perfect memory for every event of his life, and is a good deal more intelligent than he
appears to be. However, something called the engram prevents these characteristics from being realized in man's behavior.
During moments of unconsciousness and pain and at any time from conception onward, the "reactive mind" can still record
experience, but experiences so recorded -engrams- are a major source of man's misery, his psychosomatic ills, his neuroses
and psychoses, his poor memory, and his generally inefficient functioning. By a process called dianetic revery, which resembles
hypnosis and which may apparently be practiced by anyone trained in dianetics, these engrams may be recalled. Once thoroughly
recalled, they are "refiled," and the patient becomes a "clear," who is not handicapped by encumbering engrams and who can
thenceforth function at a level of intellect, efficiency and goodness seldom if ever realized before in the history of man. The system
is presented without qualification and without evidence. It has borrowed from psychoanalysis, Pavlovian conditioning, hypnosis
and folk beliefs, but, except for the last, these debts are fulsomely denied. The huge sale of the book to date is distressing
evidence of the frustrated ambitions, hopes, ideals, anxieties and worries of the many persons who through it have sought succor.
(Articles on
Dianetics/Scientology)
The New York
Times: Zilboorg Denounces 'Dianetics' at Forum
The practice of "dianetics," a theory for the treatment of psychosomatic and other ills, was attacked as "dangerous" last night by
Dr. Gregory Zilboorg, psychiatrist, at a meeting held under the auspices of the Physicians' Forum at the New York Academy of
Medicine, 2 East 103d Street. The attack on "dianetics," the theories of which are expounded in a best-selling book of that name
by L. Ron Hubbard, was said by a spokesman for the Physicians' Forum to have been the first by a physician at a public meeting
in New York. Dr. Zilboorg declared the book was "unfair to human beings" in promising the hope of cures by persons without
scientific or medical training. He said the theory advanced that all illnesses stemmed from a single source, engrams, was a
dangerous one, and that its application would cause megalomaniacal phantasies. According to Mr. Hubbard, engrams are fixed
in the reactive (subconscious) mind by unpleasant experiences, and when eradicated the cure or "clearing" of the patient results.
The author declares that one who has mastered his book can act as an "auditor" for another person and get rid of the engrams by
helping the patient to relive the unpleasant experience. Dr. Zilboorg said many of theories set forth in the book were Freudian and
other well-known theories that had been given the terminology of the electronic age.
(Articles on
Dianetics/Scientology)
Hubbard goes to Wichita, Kansas at the invitation of wealthy real
estate developer Don Purcell. Soon after, with Purcell's backing, they open
a Dianetics center in that town.
(The Roots of Scientology)
1951, 4.5.
...the FBI agent in Wichita received an anonymous letter: 'Investigate No 211 West Douglas, under the
"Hubbard Dianetics Research Foundation", they are conducting a vicious sexual racket. There are four women
and a larger number of men. If they have moved go after them. They are bad, I know because I
am one of the victims...' This execrable piece of rumour-mongering was added to Hubbard's FBI file, along with a memo
from the special agent in charge in Wichita noting: 'General gossip at Wichita has it that the Los Angeles
branch of the Hubbard Dianetic Research Foundation went broke and the cost of operation in
New Jersey necessitated establishing headquarters of the organization in the central United States...'
(Miller:
"Bare-faced Messiah",
pg. 188)
Documented evidence indicates that as early as May 15, 1951, the FBI had begun building its file on Hubbard and his
adherents. On that date the Special Agent in charge of the Bureau's Kansas City office sent a memorandum to
J. Edgar Hoover, reporting what the memo itself indentifies as "general gossip" - the contents of an
anonymous hate letter which accused the Hubbard Dianetic Research Foundation
of operating a "vicious sexual racket." The FBI report admitted that the Foundation had broken no law, but suggested that the scurrilous
information be put on file because "numerous inquiries are expected both at the seat of government and at the Kansas City
office." (O. Garrison, Playing
Dirty, pg. 19)
As early as 1951, the FBI began an internal security
investigation of Hubbard and his organization. Documents reveal that
"contacts" inside the Chicago branch of the Hubbard Dianetics
Foundation (a precursor of the Church of Scientology) conducted a detailed
investigation and supplied the Bureau with details as to the business affairs,
office personnel, and procedures of various branches across the country. Later
the FBI planted undercover agents in the church to spy upon its members and
ministerial staff and to make regular reports to the agency. (O. Garrison, Playing
Dirty, pg. 61)
Science of Survival released at the 1st Annual Conference of Hubbard Dianetics Auditors in
Wichita, Kansas as a limited edition manuscript.
Ron meets 19 yr. old Mary Sue Whipp in Wichita, she is a student at
the University of Texas.
(The Roots of Scientology)
Self Analysis published. (CofS)
Consumer Reports:
dianetics
A critical appraisal of a best-selling book that originated in the realm of science-fiction and became the basis for a new cult.
(Articles on
Dianetics/Scientology)
Child Dianetics published. (CofS)
Advanced Procedure and Axioms published in Wichita, Kansas. (CofS)
Dianetics: The Original Thesis published. (CofS)
[ BACK ] [ HOME ] [ UP ] [ CONTINUE ] |
1951