American writer William S. Burroughs poses during a portrait session at Bourges Railway Station held in Bourges, France, on April 24, 1984.
Beat writer William S. Burroughs joined the Church of Scientology in the 1960s while living in London, and became a devoted follower, even preaching about its creative benefits to his friend Allen Ginsberg. But by the end of the decade, Burroughs grew deeply suspicious of the religion’s operational style and left the Church. His 1971 book Ali’s Smile: Naked Scientology was critical of the Church’s authoritarian rule, and Burroughs ultimately became vocal about his concerns. “Scientology is a model control system, a state in fact with its own courts, police, rewards and penalties,” the late author once warned. “It is based on a tight in-group like the CIA.”