Dr.  Hexham wrote in 1978:

        I have been asked my professional opinion on the status of  Scientology as a religion.  I have studied materials of the church,  spoken with members of the church and read books about Scientology. As a result of this works, I am now in a position to comment on the status of Scientology as a religion.

        I ought perhaps to say something about myself to enable anyone who may read this to judge the validity of my conclusions.