I read with curiosity Tim Kearns’ column of Feb. 26 about the discrimination of the Scientology religion in France. It was sent to me by parishioners who live in Ames.

There were a couple of points I felt needed clarification.

The book “Dianetics” was referred to somewhat derisively in the column. I felt it should be pointed out that the 52nd anniversary of its publication was just celebrated May 9, and interestingly, over the years, this book has appeared on the New York Times best-seller list a record 95 times! I don’t know of another book with comparable popularity that seems to span generations.

In light of recent survey findings in which 80 percent of respondents indicated that they suffer from stress-related disorders and/or diseases, it is very likely to see another resurgence of interest in the book that is touted for providing answers.

The author correctly assesses the case of discrimination on the part of the French government towards the Church of Scientology and 172 other minority religions they accuse of “mental manipulation.” Ironically, in the late 1970s and early 1980s, it was the Church of Scientology which was credited for sponsoring a group that uncovered the mind-control experiments of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency in cahoots with certain psychiatrists.

Overall, it was an interesting read, although I wasn’t quite sure what to make of the column when I was done.

Ellen Maher-Forney

Director of Community Affairs for the Scientology Church of the Midwest

St. Louis, Mo.