Subject:	Isaac Hayes, Scientology's Ambassador for Literacy
Author:	keshet <keshet@cyberpass.net>
Date:	11999/06/03
Forum:	alt.religion.scientology
Msg-ID:	<7j6n9a$2u3m @enews5.newsguy.com>

Isaac Hayes, Scientology's Ambassador for Literacy

There was a recent ARS posting about the Isaac Hayes fan club which prompted me to visit Mr. Hayes' web site. These are my impressions. Keep in mind that Mr. Hayes is Scientology's spokesperson for the World Literacy Crusade—it will become apparent why this is significant.

The Isaac Hayes web site is at: <http:// www.isaachayes.com/>

1. I might as well get this out of the way first: In the "How Ironically Appropriate" department, the cover page of the site features a very Xenuish picture of Mr. Hayes. I wonder if he has done OT III?

Note: "OT III" is the level in Scientology where members first learn of the evil galactic overlord "Xenu" and their own alien origins. The disembodied souls (called "thetans") of space aliens murdered by Xenu now infest humans, causing all manner of physical and emotional problems. [Xenu is frequently depicted by critics as a "Grey", with large, goggle-type eyes, similar to the dark glasses Mr. Hayes is wearing in this photo.]

2. On the Charities page,

<http:// 192.41.22.199/ dox/ charities_frame.html>

is the mission statement of "Literacy Links 2000: The Ghana Project":

"Literacy Links 2000" seeks to irradicate illiteracy and foster human understanding by building cultural exchanges via the Internet between the children of Africa and the children of America.

I had a serious M/U on "irradicate". A(n) "M/U" is a misunderstood word, which, according to Scientology founder, L. Ron Hubbard, is "THE ONLY REASON A PERSON GIVES UP A STUDY OR BECOMES CONFUSED OR UNABLE TO LEARN". (LRH's emphasis)

So, as LRH directs, I consulted a dictionary. In fact, I consulted dozens of them at the OneLook Dictionaries web site <http:// www.onelook.com/>. "Irradicate" could not be found.

If I were a Scientologist, I would be stuck at this point because Study Tech does not address the use of context to determine word meanings, only dictionaries. It's quite fortunate, then, that I am not a Scientologist and can employ this simple skill to figure out that the author probably meant "eradicate".

Mr. Hayes' M/U on the word "eradicate" causes his readers to become "confused" and "unable to learn". Bad show for someone hawking literacy.

Note: I realize that Isaac Hayes did not write his web pages. Still, it is ultimately (if indirectly) his responsibility to ensure the quality of his promotional material. May I suggest hiring a better proofreader next time, preferably one not impaired by Study Tech.

3. Quoting from the Ghana and Literacy Crusade page at

<http:// 192.41.22.199/ dox/ ghana.html>

Naa Asie contacted her father, Nene Kubi III, Dzasetse (King Maker) of the Ada Traditional area and made arrangements for the enstoolement of Mr. Hayes as an Honorary King for Development of the Ada Tradition area in Ghana.

Another M/U on "enstoolement", another dead-end at OneLook. Using a little common sense, I assume it has to do with enthroning Mr. Hayes as king on his royal "stool" (no toilet jokes, please!), so I should think it is spelled "enstoolment" (without the extra "e"). But then, it's a nonword so I guess you can spell it anyway you like.

In the next paragraph:

This is why I was moved to arrange for Nene's enstoolment.

Er, which is it? En- STOOLE or STOOL -ment? Even invented words should be spelled consistently.

Actually, I don't mind made-up words and use them myself on occasion. The problem here is Study Tech itself. It makes no provision for using anything other than a dictionary to resolve M/Us. What, then, does a Scientologist do when a(n) M/U cannot be found in the dictionary?

4. From the "Letter from Isaac" page at

<http:// 192.41.22.199/ dox/ letter_frame.html>

I have to tell you that these wins and incredible changes would not be possible without Scientology.

I have to tell you that this web site might have been better proofed and more readable without Scientology. Misspellings, awkward grammar and confusing idiom (all signs of Scientological authorship…hmm, the results of Study Tech?) are not exactly an effective way to advertise a literacy program and learning methodology.

Note: I leave it as an exercise for the reader to discover the rest of the grammatical problems on Mr. Hayes' site.

How effective can a literacy program be if that program's ambassador has a problem with literacy? Scientology seems determined to shoot themselves in the foot, in this case, with the high-profile help of Isaac Hayes.

On the one hand, Mr. Hayes, I say thanks — for helping critics point out the ineffectual teaching methods of Scientology. On the other hand, however, I must say, shame on you — for proudly supporting the cult's insidious agenda.

Keshet

--
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