Scientology: The Now Religion
 Book cover | |
| Author | George Malko |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Subject | Scientology |
| Genre | non-fiction |
| Publisher | Delacorte Press |
Publication date | 1970 |
| Media type | Hardcover |
| ISBN | [[Special:BookSources/ISBN+1112963731+%2C+%3Cbr+%2F%3EISBN+978-1112963735 |ISBN 1112963731 , ISBN 978-1112963735]] Parameter error in {{ISBNT}}: invalid character |
| Followed by | Take What You Will (book) |
Scientology: The Now Religion is a non-fiction book on Scientology, written by George Malko. The book was the first full length analysis of the history surrounding the founding of the Church of Scientology, and L. Ron Hubbard. The author conducted interviews with members, and provides analysis about certain practices. The book was published in 1970 in Hardcover format by Delacorte Press, and then in a paperback edition in 1971, by Dell Publishing.
Cited by other works
The book was later cited by other works on Scientology, including: New Religious Movements and Rapid Social Change,[1] The Challenge of the Cults and New Religions,[2] The Scandal of Scientology,[3] The Road to Total Freedom,[4] Bare-Faced Messiah,[5] and A Piece of Blue Sky.[6]
The book was also cited by published reports, including: the Christian Research Institute,[7] Review of Religious Research,[8] Sociological Analysis,[9] and an article in Marburg Journal of Religion, by Benjamin Beit-Hallahmi, Ph.D.[10]
Sued by Church of Scientology
Paulette Cooper wrote in The Scandal of Scientology, that "On September 30, 1970, it was reported in the New York Post that the Scientologists were suing Delacourte Publishers and author George Malko for a book they did on Scientology."[3] A motion for summary judgment by the defendant was later denied, in 1973.[11] The Church of Scientology decided to sue after they had sent a letter demanding a retraction to the publisher, but the book was subsequently reprinted in paperback.[11] The publisher later paid a legal settlement and did not release the book again in a printed format.[4]
Attempt by Church of Scientology to ban book
The Church of Scientology of Canada attempted to ban the book in libraries in Canada. In June 1974, libraries were advised that if they do not remove the books: Scientology: The Now Religion, Inside Scientology, The Scandal of Scientology and The Mind Benders from their shelves, they would be named in a lawsuit.[12] Two different library boards in Ontario, Canada had been served with writs.[12]
After obtaining out-of-court settlements of USD$7,500 and USD$500 and apologies from the publishers of two of the works (Dell Publishing and Tower Publications), the Church of Scientology further threatened to sue any library or bookstore that carried them.[13] After certain libraries in Canada refused to remove the books from their shelves, they were sued by the Church.[13] One Canadian library reported the theft of a book critical of Scientology from its shelves.[13] These incidents were later reported in a chronological timeline of censorship in British Columbia.[14]
References
- ^ New Religious Movements and Rapid Social Change, James A. Beckford, Sage Publications Inc, 1992, ISBN 0803985916
- ^ The Challenge of the Cults and New Religions, Ron Rhodes, 2001, ISBN 0310232171 , P. 331.
- ^ a b The Scandal of Scientology, Paulette Cooper, P. 70-1.
- ^ a b The Road to Total Freedom: A Sociological Analysis of Scientology, Roy Wallis, Columbia University Press, May 1977, ISBN 0231042000 , ISBN 978-0231042000 , P. 7, 22.
- ^ Bare-Faced Messiah, Russell Miller, (London, Michael Joseph books, 1987, ISBN 0-7181-2764-1)
- ^ A Piece of Blue Sky, Jon Atack, Part 3, Chapter 1: Building the Bridge.
In Scientology: The Now Religion, author George Malko wrote that "Hubbard's extensive discussion of things sexual, his concern with abortions, beatings, coitus under duress, flatulence which causes pressure on the foetus, certain cloacal references, all suggest to me a fascination which borders on the obsessive, as if he possessed a deep-seated hatred of women. All of them are being beaten, most of them prove to be unfaithful, few babies are wanted." - ^ SCIENTOLOGY: From Science Fiction to Space-Age Religion, Christian Research Institute, DS170, John Weldon, Christian Research Journal, Vol. 16, No. 1, 1993.
- ^ Merrill Singer, Review of Religious Research, "The Social Context of Conversion to a Black Religious Sect", Vol. 30, No. 2 (Dec., 1988), pp. 177-192
- ^ Bainbridge, William Sims (1980). "Scientology: To Be Perfectly Clear". Sociological Analysis: A Journal in the Sociology of Religion. 41 (2): 128–136.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Marburg Journal of Religion, Benjamin Beit-Hallahmi, Ph.D., Scientology: Religion or racket?, Volume 8, No. 1 (September 2003)
- ^ a b The CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY OF CALIFORNIA a religious corporation, and Reverend Robert H. Thomas, Plaintiffs, v. DELL PUBLISHING CO., INC., a New York corporation, and George Malko, Defendants., No. C-70-2089., United States District Court, N.D. California. Aug. 3, 1973. As Corrected Sept. 17, 1973.
- ^ a b Libraries Face Libel Threat, Winnipeg Free Press, 27 June 1974
- ^ a b c Anti-Scientology Books Targets of Lawsuits, The Library Journal, November 1, 1974.
- ^ Censorship in British Columbia, BCLA Intellectual Freedom Committee, 1970-1979., retrieved 2/28/07.