Quote:
Originally Posted by Martian
On a slightly tangential note, I remember hearing once that Scientology arose out of a bet between L Ron Hubbard and Robert A Heinlein. The deal was that they'd both found a church and the individual who was able to attract the most followers would win. As a result Hubbard wrote Dianetics and Heinlein wrote Stranger in a Strange Land, but when the time came to found a church based on his work, Heinlein refused to go through with it (being the moral paragon of our tale). Hubbard, with visions of Scrooge McDuck-esque piles of cash dancing through his head, had no such compunctions.
I have a feeling that it's one of those stories that isn't true but should be. Especially since I'll probably be labeled SP for relating it.
(expecting the burly scientologist men to knock on my door any minute now...)
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I've heard the same, but I think it's based on the comment that "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." I've also heard a similar story that he made a bet about starting a religion with Aleister Crowley. I don't think it's true.