Scientology Lies

by Denys Horgan

Two psychiatrists whose names appear on the letterhead of one of the arms of the Church of Scientology in Toronto say they didn't give the organization their permission to be listed as advisers.

Diane Dobson-Smith, a public affairs officer with the Scientologists, said the names of Dr. Malcolm MacFarlane and Dr. Lela Korenberg were used as a result of a misunderstanding on the part of a young woman who had visited them to ask them questions about civil rights and mental health.

"Yes, we did make a mistake because we thought they had consented to be advisers, but not members. . . . . Their names will definitely be taken off. As I say, it was a mistake."

When asked in an interview about their names being on the letterhead, Dr. MacFarlane and Dr. Korenberg, who are husband and wife, said they didn't know anything about it.

Both psychiatrists, who are neither Scientologists nor members of the commission, said that they don't advise the commission.

"I am not averse to talking to people. Educating people is part of my profession. But to call me an adviser, that I'm on their stationery, that's pushing it," Dr. MacFarlane said. "If they had asked me I would have said, 'no.'" The MDs said that their only contact with the Citizens Commission on Human Rights, a self-appointed watchdog on abuses in psychiatric medicine, took place two years ago when the woman visited them.

However, Scientologist members of the commission maintained there was regular consultation between the group and the psychiatrists.

"They contact us every now and then for information regarding certain medical diagnoses or drugs that are being put into people. . . . . We can ask them about various cases and ask them if psychiatric cases were okay or not," said Zoltan Rona, a medical doctor and member of the commission's advisory board.

His statement was supported by the chairman of the commission, Barry Hobbs, a roofer. "We depend on these people's help," Mr. Hobbs said. "We seek consultation with her on patients, what alternatives are available."

The past chairman, Joe Dunphy, said he could recall only one instance, about two years ago, when the psychiatrists were talked to.