MEDIA WATCH | THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

The Hollywood Reporter’s Bigotry

Your reference insults not only members of the Scientology religion but also anyone who cares about respect for the religion or beliefs of others. Your article shows an utter lack of respect for anyone who believes in something you don’t.

28 March 2017

Ciara Wardlow
The Hollywood Reporter
Los Angeles, CA 90036

Dear Ms. Wardlow:

I write you in relation to the story “Life: How Sci-Fi Horror Gives Scientists a Bad Name.” I was enjoying your review of “Life,” that is until I came across your gratuitous comparison of Scientology that reflects disdain and discrimination toward people of our faith.

Your reference insults not only members of the Scientology religion but also anyone who cares about respect for the religion or beliefs of others. Your article shows lack of respect for anyone who believes in something you don’t. Were you to have said anything remotely similar about Jews, you would correctly be labeled anti-Semitic. And if you disparaged Islam in such a fashion, one can only imagine how that would be received.

Bigotry is bigotry.

Your comparison with the Scientology religion in your story was obviously intended to disparage. My point is to request that you take care with the comparisons and phrases you use to describe other people’s religions, about which you may not know anything at all.

Best regards,
Alicia Selverson
New York, NY