Los Angeles Times

Commentary: What makes Scientology different

In addition to being megalomaniac leaders of cult-like movements, the late L. Ron Hubbard and Donald Trump have shared an aversion to paying taxes. The founder of Scientology waged a ruthless battle to win a religious tax exemption from the Internal Revenue Service, while the president has boasted about his tax avoidance and refuses to release his returns. How ironic, then, that, according to a recent news report, the Trump administration may revoke Scientology's exemption.

Though Hubbard, ever the entrepreneur, founded Scientology as a for-profit entity in 1952,

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times3 min read
Dylan Hernández: James Harden Delivers A Trademark Disappearing Act At The Worst Time For The Clippers
LOS ANGELES — James Harden produced one of his trademark playoff performances on Wednesday night. Actually, that's not true. This was worse. In the Clippers' 123-93 loss to the Dallas Mavericks in Game 5 of their first-round series, the longtime post
Los Angeles Times2 min readCrime & Violence
Editorial: The Attack On The UCLA Protest Encampment Was Unacceptable
It is never OK to use physical violence against people with whom you disagree. This should be obvious, but the events that unfolded on the UCLA campus early Wednesday show the consequences when that message is lost. Late Tuesday night, a large group
Los Angeles Times4 min readCrime & Violence
Commentary: The Trump Prosecution Has A Michael Cohen Problem — And A Plan To Solve It
Since the opening of the Donald Trump’s New York trial — when the former president’s counsel told the jury that the prosecution’s star witness “cannot be trusted” — the defense has telegraphed its principal strategy: Eviscerate Michael Cohen. As Trum

Related Books & Audiobooks