Since the founding of the Church of Scientology in 1952 the organization has strongly opposed established mental health care practices and the fields of psychiatry and psychology.

To this day, Scientologists abhor mainstream psychiatry and view it as a barbaric and corrupt profession. Scientology members are denied access to psychiatric care and medication, and instead are encouraged alternative care through the ‘Church’ based on spiritual healing.

This in turn has led to controversial accounts of the Church forcing members off their prescribed medication, (or as in the case of Jeremy Perkins switching the subject’s medication to vitamin supplements).

The results have been sadly predictable and in some cases alleged to have been a direct cause of death. Perkins stabbed his mother 77 times after following treatment in accordance with Scientology.

However, true to form when it comes to the Church of Scientology, further controversy is never far away. This little known fact that we are about to explore, demonstrates the gross hypocrisy of Scientology founder L Ron Hubbard himself.

Hubbard was such a pervasive user of psychiatric drugs throughout his adult life, by the time of his death he was completely addicted to them.

This did not stop him preaching the fact that his members could not have access to such treatments, and that the path to spiritual and mental freedom stemmed from his teachings, (which of course came at a price both financially and to the detriment of the subject’s health).

Furthermore, Hubbard was clearly aware of his own mental health problems. Before starting his religion he wrote a letter to Veteran’s Administration begging for psychiatric help. He had yet to make his fortune through Scientology so could not afford private mental health care or the medication that he was already dependent upon.

A section towards the end of the letter explains:

“I was placed on certain medication back east and have continued it at my own expense.

After trying and failing for two years to regain my equilibrium in civil life, I am utterly unable to approach anything like my own competence.

My last physician informed me that it might be very helpful if I were to be examined and perhaps treated psychiatrically or even by a psycho-analyst.

Toward the end of my service I avoided out of pride any mental examinations, hoping that time would balance a mind which I had every reason to suppose was seriously affected.

I cannot account for nor rise above long periods of moroseness and suicidal inclinations, and have newly come to realize that I must first triumph above this before I can hope to rehabilitate myself at all.

I cannot leave school or what little work I am doing for hospitalization due to many obligations, but I feel I might be treated outside, possibly with success. I cannot, myself, afford such treatment.

Would you please help me?

Sincerely,

L. Ron Hubbard”

The letter in its entirety can be viewed below:

The fact that L Ron Hubbard was in need of mental health care does not come as a surprise, however that the ‘Church’ continues to inflict such harsh control over its members forbidding them psychiatric care, is yet another example of how warped core Scientology doctrine really is.

(Sources / Image Credits: xenu.net, Wikipedia, Gagdaily, kizaz)