Science in the City

Late 1940s: Pulp writer L. Ron Hubbard declared, "Writing for a penny a word is ridiculous. If a man really wants to make a million dollars, the best way would be to start his own religion."

Hubbard later created the Church of Scientology...

And yesterday marked the largest expansion for Scientology in the Church’s 50-year history in London. More than 5,000 members and friends (minus Cruise) of the Church of Scientology of London packed Queen Victoria Street in the heart of the City for the grand opening of their new £24m "church." Steps away from the Tate Modern and St. Paul’s Cathedral, the grandiose historic building (former home to British Petroleum) now serves the growing membership of London-area Scientologists. No doubt Alanis Morissette would agree, it is all just a little bit ironic.

And what's more, the also evangelical rooted, Salvation Army, similarly houses their headquarters just 100 metres down Queen Victoria Street in a building that looks far more Canary than charity. Apologies to any a) believers b) of charity starting at home. Oh, the fun we could have with this. For London is today, as Maverick would say, 'a target-rich environment.'

But, let's do be careful because after all "people who attack Scientology are criminals."--L. Ron Hubbard.