Battle Creek
Randy Enerson reported that Scientology is trying to handle critics who are informing Battle Creek, Michigan locals of the implications of a new org in their community. "John Carmichael is currently in the Battle Creek Michigan area attempting to 'handle' the local media as well as any critics in the area that are already speaking out and exposing the truth of scientology. The CoS is closing their Ann Arbor Org, and trying to purchasing the historic old Hart Hotel in downtown Battle Creek. Carmichael has reportedly been busily shopping a huge load of DA materials on critics of the cult around town to the local media. "Yesterday John Carmichael met with a local critic in an attempt to discourage him from further letters to the Battle Creek Enquirer newspaper exposing the criminally convicted cult." Kristi Wachter posted information from Scientology about the new Battle Creek org. "The Battle Creek building is 58,600 square feet, and they got a really good price on the building. The new building will be 12 times bigger than their current building but will cost them a third of what they're currently spending. Since the new building is a hotel, they plan to use a lot of the rooms for staff and visiting Scientologists to stay in. The mailing notes that it will officially be the biggest Class 5 org in the world. Apparently this is not a new org; the Ann Arbor org is moving to Battle Creek, which may be more convenient for some area Scientologists, since Ann Arbor org currently serves people from as far away as Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids. "According to the mailing, they're still raising funds for the downpayment. The mailing also says the Detroit org is working on purchasing the building they're currently in, and are also still working on putting together the downpayment." Message-ID: 95uj3n$vlq$1@nnrp1.deja.com Message-ID: 3a8705ba.0@news2.lightlink.com
HELP
The Boston Herald reported on February 9th that a Scientology literacy program has been awarded money from the city of Boston. "Mayor Thomas M. Menino has endorsed a literacy project affiliated with the Church of Scientology, which critics say is a step towards offering cult-like teachings to school children. When Menino posed for a photo at a December awards ceremony with the director of H.E.L.P. Boston - and gave a $1,000 city grant to the group - aides said they were aware that the group teaches a 'study technology' developed by L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the movement. "But Menino, through a press office spokesperson, said yesterday that he did not know of H.E.L.P. Boston's Scientology connection. In any event, city officials say the group's program is nonideological and nonreligious, and are standing behind the grant to be used for the city's school-aged youth, even as a Scientology-watch Web site is urging the public to 'complain about Boston's support of this cult scam.' "An academic researcher claims that 'study technology' is a disguised effort to proselytize for the Church of Scientology. 'Scientology jargon and religious beliefs are inseparable from Study Tech,' writes David S. Touretzky of Carnegie Mellon University's Computer Science Department, in a paper entitled 'The Hidden Meaning of Hubbard's Study Tech.' 'These concepts are presented in a doctrinaire manner that is also characteristic of Scientology religious instruction. Study Tech actually helps lay the groundwork for introducing Scientology into the schools,' Touretzky maintains. "Scientology critic Teresa Summers, assistant director of the McPherson Trust based in Clearwater, Fla., said, 'The city of Boston should know that in a roundabout way it is supporting the Church of Scientology. The city is supporting a study technology that has no scientific basis or proof of efficacy. There is no proof these children do well.' Summers, who said she was a Scientologist for 20 years before leaving the church, characterized the city's grant as 'highly unusual.' From The Boston Herald on February 10th: "A top Menino administration official said yesterday that a literacy project with ties to the Church of Scientology will be closely monitored in its use of city funds to help school-age children read. The grant was approved by officials who knew of the program's connection to the controversial Scientology movement. But they apparently failed to tell Mayor Thomas M. Menino, who in a statement released by his office said he had no knowledge of the Scientology connection. "A photo of Menino posing with H.E.L.P. Boston director Tasia Jones appears in promotional material for a fund-raising concert scheduled for tomorrow evening. 'Money is not the issue,' read one e-mail sent to City Hall. 'It's an endorsement. Menino and the city of Boston have now endorsed the program and all that it stands for, good and bad.'" Message-ID: 960pjs$qpp@netaxs.com Message-ID: mvca8tketlajk8am9ocg04t9sgofnor0r8@4ax.com
Animal Cruelty
The Associated Press reported this week that a Boston Scientology staffer has been accused of involvement in dog fights. "Police have charged a Weare man with animal cruelty and were looking into whether his pit bulls were used in dog fights. Authorities seized eight malnourished and scarred pit bull terriers last week. Bobby Jones, 38, was charged Wednesday. Police said the dogs and documents found at Jones' home suggest the dogs were used in animal fighting. Jones is an administrator at the Church of Scientology in Boston. He was released on personal recognizance bail and ordered not to own any animals." Message-ID: iosn8t0ns5p9l1vqif7qk3q6taa6rr4gh0@4ax.com
Mark Bunker
Bob Minton reported on the trial of Mark Bunker, accused of trespassing on Scientology property during the filming of two Chicago Scientologists applying for a refund. "Monday a jury was selected and the trial started late in the day with the prosecutor and one of Mark's attorneys, Denis deVlaming making their opening arguments. Present for Scientology's mafia-like cult was the former Mafia lawyer for the Gambino's, now Scientology's in house legal counsel, Elliott Abelson accompanied by Mary Ann Ahmad, OSA Chicago, Pam Valinski, OSA New York, and 2 OSA Int guys. The morning consisted of the prosecutors case starting with testimony of Mary Ann Ahmad who in typical OSA fashion stumbled and mumbled her way through the events on the night of the incident. During cross-examination by deVlaming Ahmad had some trouble explaining how a notary public could get the date wrong by a month on a document the Scientologists had submitted in the case. The 2 off-duty cops were not credible at all according to the report I got and did not hold up well under cross by Aimen. After that the defense team of deVlaming and Aimen presented the Zizics and Mark Bunker who were all three credible, compelling and believable witnesses. At 3:45 PM Chicago time the defense rested and the prosecutor brought a rebuttal witness. The Judge went through instructions to the jury and at 4:35 Chicago time the jury was charged to decide the case. "At 5:00 PM sharp the jury came back and announced a verdict of NOT GUILTY." From Mark Bunker: "Its been one full year since Scientology had me arrested on trumped up charges but I finally have had the chance to tell my story to a jury of 12 good people who saw fit to find me not guilty. I'd like to thank my attorneys for their superb job. Denis deVlaming is top notch. The man knows what he is doing and he is not afraid to go toe to toe with Scientology. I couldn't have been in better hands. Julie Aimen was completely unfamiliar with Scientology. When Denis and I first flew to Chicago last summer to discuss whether she would like to become involved with my case, we could see it was going to take some time to explain to her just how bizarre the world of Scientology is. She quickly found out first hand when she and her P.I. went to the Chicago Org to take some photographs and Mary Anne Ahmad came out of the Org to take pictures of them. Miss Ahmad informed them that the sidewalk was their private property and they had to leave. At least she didn't hire police to arrest them. "Within minutes of the start of the trial, the jury had a very chilling thought to consider. What church investigates people? And why did the Zizics pay a church over $100,000 for courses? And why didn't this church want to return the Zizics money? The trial may have been won right there. Next, the officers were brought to the stand. First up was Officer Foria, the larger of the two officers. Foria's testimony was hard for me to listen to because it galls me to hear a duly sworn officer not tell the truth. He claimed I was the first at the door and trying to barge my way in shouting 'it's a free country. I can go in if I want to!' He claimed he asked me three times to leave and I refused each time. Virtually every aspect of his testimony was not accurate. And he quite often contradicted himself as when he first said I set down my camera, reached into my pocket and pulled out my cell phone. Moments later he claimed I had my cell phone in one hand, the camera in the other and when he cuffed me, the camera was knocked from my hand and fell to the ground. "The state rested their case then we called Bill Zizic. Barbara Zizic did great and she even got to say the X word. She told the jury that I was the cameraman for XENU TV. Finally it was time for me to take the stand. I guess I did okay. The state tried to make fun of my documentaries and the fact that I had done some voices for animated programs but I don't think she was very effective. She made a face that Mary DeMoss would have been proud of when she asked 'In fact, weren't you. an ACTOR?' Her expression added the 'failed' actor charge Scientology loves so much. "When the not guilty verdict was read I tried to make eye contact with each juror and thank them for the job they did. Afterwards, I shook the hands of several of them including the foreman and one juror who worked for the Department of Justice. When he was being questioned during the selection process I knew he was a straight shooter and was happy he was on board. "I would like to thank Bob Minton who is the most remarkable man I have ever met. How many people would Scientology squash under their thumb if Bob wasn't there to level the playing field? I certainly wouldn't have been able to fight this case alone. And if truth be told, I wouldn't even be a presence in this fight if it weren't for the courageous stance that Bob has taken. Without his example, I would still be a lurker, not a fighter." Message-ID: 4k218t8cms3qtij916f00skncm640920og@4ax.com Message-ID: 3a8234f0.0@news2.lightlink.com
Applied Scholastics
MSNBC reported this week that Scientology's Applied Scholastics program may be one of the ones funded by President Bush's administration in their faith-based charities program "Officials at the controversial religion which many critics have called a cult have been boasting about its ties to the current administration, and are saying that the presidents support of faith-based social programs could mean that the government will funnel tax money its way. One such program is Applied Scholastics, a Los Angeles-based operation that promotes the teaching methods of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. Applied Scholastics has been successful with church and community tutoring programs, especially in some inner cities in California but Scientology foes have charged that its a front for the church and a recruiting tool. "A recent issue of Freedom, the official Scientology magazine, features a picture, taken back at the Presidents Summit for Americas Future, with Barbara and George H. Bush embracing both a high-ranking executive of the Church of Scientology and John Travolta, the actor who is a member and vocal advocate of Scientology. "The Bushes have long been associated with faith-based programs that address the needs of our society, says cult and alternative religion expert Rick Ross, whose Web site, www.rickross.com, outlines the Bushes connections to the Rev. Moon and his various programs." Message-ID: lsbt7tkcqubasid84stamm2fb6hstiok9b@newszilla.xs4all.nl
CCHR
The Age, a newspaper in Melbourne, Australia reported on February 6th that Scientology's CCHR program is publicizing alleged mistreatment of elderly patients in New South Wales. "Elderly psychiatric patients in New South Wales are being singled out for 'dangerous and outmoded' electro-convulsive shock treatment (ECT), an activist group said today. The Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR), established by the Church of Scientology, said a disproportionate number of involuntary psychiatric patients aged over 70 underwent ECT in NSW last year. CCHR Commissioner Dr Julie Redfern said 'There is no medical reason as to why a large percentage of very old people is receiving this controversial treatment. 'It is a dangerous and outmoded form of therapy anyway. To be giving it to people who, in likelihood, have other health problems because of their age, and in such disproportion, is cause for grave concern.' "However, Dr Bill Lyndon, spokesman for the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, said ECT was an effective treatment used at private and public hospital across Australia. 'ECT is an important treatment - it is a safe and effective treatment for some illnesses in particular depression,' he said. 'It is used in all age groups. The age is not relevant, it is the disease they have that is.'" Scientology issued a press release on February 12th on the awards even of CCHR, in which Priscilla Presley participated. "Priscilla Presley presented an international Human Rights Award on Saturday, February 10, to a courageous New York mother, Mrs. Patricia Weathers. Mrs. Weathers fought an agonizing, but ultimately successful battle to get her 11-year-old son, Michael, off the psychiatric drugs which his school had coerced him to take. She has since become a national voice for countless mothers across America, who have experienced similar pressures to drug their children with heavy, mind-altering drugs. "Ms. Presley stated, 'This sort of problem is quietly epidemic in our schools today. Too many parents have been unknowingly disenfranchised by a schooling system which runs according to the drug-based dictates of psychiatrists and psychologists, rather than sound and workable educational principles. Psychiatric 'disease' labeling of children is the psychiatrist's first step to pushing a child onto drugs through the schooling system.' "Emmy Award Winning actress, Michelle Stafford, presented CCHR's Human Rights Award to French author and drug educator, Marie-Christine d'Welles for 10 years of mental health reform work. At the age of 12, Ms D'Welles was hospitalized for meningitis. In her weakened state following discharge, her grandfather sent her to a psychiatrist, who placed her in a cell, stripped her naked and drugged her. It was a drugged nightmare that lasted four years before her escape at age 16. In 1990, she wrote a book about her experiences, Folle Moi (Crazy Me), which has sold more than 100,000 copies. Today, Ms. D'Welles conducts successful anti-drug lectures to students, warning them about both street and prescribed psychotropic drugs." Message-ID: kpvv7t8lupov4633tulgev076o74nedjqq@4ax.com Message-ID: 6kgg8t0f6nk4ftlvh24b23vusq1gkl0j96@4ax.com
Chicago
Daily Southtown, a Chicago, Illinois newspaper reported on February 6th that a day honoring L. Ron Hubbard has been withdrawn. "L. Ron Hubbard, the controversial founder of the Church of Scientology, will not be honored on March 13 in Tinley Park--after Mayor Edward Zabrocki moved quickly Monday to avoid such an embarrassment. A clerical error resulted in a proclamation declaring March 13 as L. Ron Hubbard Day in the village making it onto the agenda for tonight's village board meeting. "When a reporter questioned Zabrocki about the agenda item on Monday, Zabrocki said he knew nothing about it and would check into it. Zabrocki called back a short time later and said the proposed proclamation was placed on the agenda in error when a clerk's office employee mistakenly thought Zabrocki had given his blessing to the item. 'It's off the agenda. There's a conflict of church and state. We don't want to get involved in that,' the mayor said. "The proclamation had arrived at the village hall resembling an official proclamation. The Church of Scientology routinely sends such documents to communities nationwide, hoping they'll honor Hubbard on March 13, his birthday, church spokeswoman Sue Strozewski said. "'One of the major things (followers) lose is money,' Rutgers said. 'It's one heck of a money-making scheme.' Village trustees said Zabrocki was right to pull the proposed proclamation from the agenda--even though it had no chance of being approved by the board. 'It's a cult,' Trustee Mike Bettenhausen said of Scientology." Message-ID: dhvv7t41d8sdaul5105op0bo013qkfbafh@4ax.com
Astra Woodcraft
The San Francisco Chronicle published an article on February 12th on Astra Woodcraft and her experiences in Scientology "Astra Woodcraft, apostate and defector, is the latest enemy of the Church of Scientology. Woodcraft, 22, never really joined this controversial psycho-spiritual movement, at least not as a free-thinking adult. Astra was born into it. Recruited at age 14 into the movement's elite 'Sea Organization,' Woodcraft describes a brave new world of authoritarianism, greed and spiritual manipulation. Two generations of her family have been torn apart by Scientology. Holding her 2-year-old daughter, Kate, in her arms, Woodcraft vows that there will be no fourth generation in her clan. 'I don't want her to have any connection to Scientology,' said Woodcraft. "All cults have problems with apostates, insiders who leave the fold and denounce their former faith. But the Church of Scientology plays hardball with defectors, investigators and others seen as church enemies. 'They are very hard on apostates,' said Gordon Melton, director of the Institute for the Study of American Religion in Santa Barbara and the author of a recent scholarly study on the Church of Scientology. "'Scientology is something people feel very, very strongly about,' said Jeff Quiros, a church spokesman in San Francisco. 'It's not a go-to-church-on-Sunday kind of religion. It's an intense religion. If people get in your way, they need to be dealt with one way or another.' "Two ways the church deals with critics are lawsuits, its own undercover investigations and public denunciations of those attacking the church. 'Make it rough, rough on attackers all the way,' Hubbard once advised his troops. 'Start feeding lurid blood, sex crime, actual evidence on the attack to the press.' "Astra said her formal education stopped at age 9. Over the next few years, she was sent to a series of makeshift schools run by Scientologists. 'There were no lessons, and hardly any books,' she said. 'Mostly, we just hung around.' 'We were only getting five or six hours a week,' Astra said. When she was 14, young Woodcraft was recruited to follow her mother's footsteps and join the Sea Organization. From age 14 to 19, she said, she was working from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., laboring for months without a day off, doing administrative work at the church world headquarter building in Hollywood. 'Every week, you're supposed to do more than the week before,' she said. 'You are in such a state of paranoia. All these kids are running around yelling at you. They'll come up to you and yell, 'What are you doing! Your statistics are down! What are your crimes?' "Astra Woodcraft says she was tricked into joining the Sea Org over lunch with Scientology recruiters at a Denny's restaurant in Hollywood. She was offered a job at Bridge Publications, she said, which publishes books by L. Ron Hubbard. 'In the regular Sea Org, they only pay you $45 a week, but Bridge is a for- profit company, so they have to pay minimum wage, about $300 a week,' she said. 'I thought it would be great. I was 14, and I'd be making $300 a week.' Astra signed the standard billion-year contract promising loyalty to the Sea Org. 'They say you join the Sea Org for a billion years, and every time you die you get a 21-year leave of absence between lifetimes,' she said. 'It's ridiculous.' Once she signed up, however, Astra was told she would be working, not at Bridge Publications, but for Scientology's international justice chief for $45 a week as a secretary. "At age 15, she married a 22-year-old Scientologist who also grew up in the movement. That same year, Woodcraft became an 'ethics officer' authorized to mete out punishment to anyone breaking Scientology rules. It's not uncommon in the Sea Org to have young teenagers supervising and disciplining other members two or three times their age, she said. 'It's like in (George Orwell's novel) '1984,' when they have all the kids spying on their parents,' she said. "In July 1998, Woodcraft received a detailed bill from the Church of Scientology International office in Los Angeles demanding payment for all the 'free' training courses and auditing sessions she had received while in the Sea Org. The total amount was $89,526. "Today, Astra lives in her father's Van Nuys home with her 2-year-old daughter and 16-year-old sister, who left the church last year. Her mother and stepbrother remained in the Sea Org, along with her maternal grandmother. According to Astra and Lawrence Woodcraft, their family has spent at least $100,000 of inherited money on Scientology classes. "Her mother, Leslie Woodcraft, declined to be interviewed. But in a written statement, she charged that Astra was 'being conned by people from the Lisa McPherson Trust,' an anti-Scientology group in Florida that is trying to 'pry money out of Scientology.'" The Chronicle published an accompanying article on the family life of L. Ron Hubbard. "According to his unofficial biographers, Hubbard, who lived from 1911 to 1986, had at least seven children by three different wives, including one bigamous marriage. Hubbard Jr., who later changed his name to Ronald DeWolf, helped build his father's Scientology empire in the 1950s but later denounced his dad as a 'fraud.' 'Scientology is a power- and money- and intelligence-gathering game,' he said in a 1983 interview. "Hubbard's second wife, Sara Northrup Hubbard, gave birth to Hubbard's third child, Alexis Valerie Hubbard, on March 8, 1950. In divorce papers filed in Los Angeles Superior Court in 1951, Sara Hubbard said the founder of Scientology did not mention that he was already married - and had two children - when they exchanged their vows on Aug. 10, 1946. Hubbard did not secure a divorce from his first wife until Dec. 24, 1947. "In her divorce papers, Sara Hubbard accused the self-help guru of 'systematic torture, beatings, strangulations and scientific torture experiments.' She also accused Hubbard of kidnapping Alexis, a story that made headlines in Los Angeles in 1951. "Hubbard married his third wife, Mary Sue Whipp, in 1952. Three years later, Mary Sue Hubbard was among nine of Scientology insiders indicted for infiltrating the Internal Revenue Service and stealing more than 30,000 pages of government documents on the Hubbards and the Church of Scientology. Mary Sue Hubbard was convicted and served one year of a four-year federal prison term. "One Hubbard ancestor who could be tracked down was Jamie Kennedy, the grandson of Ronald DeWolf, making Kennedy Hubbard's great-grandson. Kennedy, 23, lives in Vallejo and is a nationally recognized slam poet. He said his mother and ex-girlfriend have been visited by Scientology agents asking about his references to Scientology in his poems and his decision to appear at an anti-Scientology benefit last November. 'They can't shut me up,' Kennedy said." Letters to the Editor were published in response to the article. "You've got it wrong on Scientology. You take one dissatisfied ex-Scientologist and give her almost two full pages, then you give hard-working, productive citizens who are not 'apostates' about six paragraphs (the Latch family), ignoring the thousands upon thousands of happy and successful Scientologists from all walks of life. Congratulations on continuing the long line of superb yellow journalism. - ROBERT LAUFFER "I am responding to your article about Scientology children. I found the article biased and not very factual. The woman featured in your story and I are the same age. She is right about one thing - she never really was a Scientologist. Truthfully, it is hard to imagine a person who would break her husband's heart by intentionally conceiving a child solely so she could break her commitment to her religion. - HEIDI PARK" Message-ID: t8hdipec8k0a1c@corp.supernews.com Message-ID: 86lg8t8b4t8289bnvqc3c57hikttkrkrci@newszilla.xs4all.nl Message-ID: ohom8ts4a0eb8thmgjdouq4obf48dmkdpp@4ax.com
Cruise / Kidman
The separation and upcoming divorce of Scientology celebrities Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman have many interested in the role Scientology had in their break-up. From the New York Post on February 7th: "Superstar Scientologist Tom Cruise tried desperately to save his marriage to Nicole Kidman by undergoing bizarre and grueling counseling with a senior Hollywood member of the church, insiders say. Kidman, 34, is disenchanted with the controversial religion and wants their two children raised as Catholics. Sources familiar with Scientology said Monday's announcement that Hollywood's 'marriage made in heaven' had come to an end sent shock waves through its substantial celebrity membership. "Marriage counseling in Scientology is a labyrinthine and intrusive affair. Members give themselves and their partners written citations for infractions. Acts that damage the relationship are known as 'overts,' and passive behavior that causes conflict in the relationship are known as 'withholds.' If the counseling does not change the couple's behavior toward each other, the written records of the 'overts' and 'withholds' may be sent to an 'auditor' or counselor who will analyze them with the couple. 'The goal is to reduce the number of arguments, or as they call them 'ARC breaks' between the couple,' said another Scientology insider. An ARC break - Affinity, Reality and Communication break - is a total relationship breakdown. 'A couple's compatibility is often judged by what is called the 'communication lag.' A communication lag is basically how long someone thinks before answering a question. "'Someone who answers quickly and someone who doesn't are judged to be incompatible and there is an effort to get the slower one to speed up. 'Sometimes couples are given security checks. They will have to answer intimate questions about their sex lives while holding a device called an e-meter. The auditor judges the frankness of the answers by how the needle on the device floats. It can get very bizarre.' "But no amount of counseling could resolve the fact that Kidman did not want the couple's adopted children, Isabella, 8, and Connor, 6, to be raised as Scientologists. According to MSNBC's Jeanette Walls, Nicole had indicated to friends that she was not as dedicated to Scientology as her husband and that raising the children in Scientology had become 'a major issue.'" From The Evening Standard on February 7th: "Hollywood pretended to be shocked but insiders say Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman's marriage has been heading for disaster for at least 18 months. Ever since they finished filming the biggest critical bomb of their careers, Stanley Kubrick's Eyes Wide Shut, their relationship has been struggling. "The couple's first child Isabella, came to them through adoption in 1993. Cruise found her through Scientology, the religion he joined in 1990, just before his marriage. He is thought to give the church about 1.3 million pounds a year. He discovered an impoverished member of the church was pregnant and wanted to give up the child. Isabella's natural mother was allegedly persuaded by Cruise and other church members to follow strict Scientology rituals during her pregnancy, which included maintaining absolute silence during the birth. "Kidman became a Scientologist soon after the couple's marriage. But friends believe her different approach to the church is also a factor in the break-up. 'Tom has always been far more into Scientology than Nicole,' said Naomi Watts, an actress friend of Kidman's. 'He is somewhat of a fanatic, Nicole never wanted to go down that road.'" From USA Today: "There are reports that conflicting religious beliefs may have been a factor. The couple are practicing Scientologists; word is that Kidman is having second thoughts about raising their two young adopted children in the controversial religion. 'I was raised a Catholic and a big part of me is still a Catholic girl,' she told Newsweek in 1998. "'We do not discuss anything regarding our parishioners,' says Church of Scientology International spokeswoman Janet Weiland." From The Times on February 8th: "Reports yesterday suggested the break-up of the marriage may have occurred because of the growing religious, rather than physical, chasm between them; that they disagreed over the extent to which the Church of Scientology should govern their family. Kidman, a Roman Catholic, is said to be increasingly angry that Scientology, an organisation started by L. Ron Hubbard, the writer, is winning the battle. Cruise is intractably dedicated to the organisation, which believes that in the past billions of surplus beings from other planets were herded to earth and slaughtered by an evil alien called Xenu. These dead beings are supposed to haunt us and are the cause of all ills. The Evening Standard published an article on February 8th on the kind of testing done at the London org and the possible impact on Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. "For non-believers, Scientology is a jargon-heavy enigma; not a religion, a cult. It demands complete dedication to its highly prescriptive teachings, as Nicole Kidman has perhaps discovered to her distaste. News that Scientology might have driven a wedge between Kidman and her husband Tom Cruise has fuelled curiosity about the 'Church' and its high-profile devotees, Travolta and Kirstie Alley among them. "My own curiosity was aroused, so I paid a casual visit, as an enquiring punter, to the Tottenham Court Road branch. I was seeking an explanatory literature, a leaflet or two. Scientology works by inducting its members into a system of 'audits', a series of sessions involving the airing of personal problems and their attempted resolution according to strict processes laid down by LRH (as Hubbard is fondly known). But instead of leaflets, the friendly receptionist offered me a 'personality test' - and so began a strange exchange designed, as far as I can tell, to shatter any remaining fragments of self-esteem a genuinely troubled person might have. "'What is the test for?' I asked. 'Well, to see how we can help you,' she replied. How long will it take? 'Half an hour or so,' she said, smiling warmly. At her direction, I sat down at the table in front of a sheet of paper headed The Standard Oxford Capacity Analysis. What has Oxford got to do with this, I wondered - other than to lend a spurious veneer of academic credibility to the Scientologists' test? A second booklet of questions was then pushed in front of me, and I was told how to fill in the test paper. I had three options for each question - yes, no, and maybe. Easy enough, I thought - and then, feeling a bit like a nervous student, I began to read the 'paper.' "The questions were repetitive, often odd in the extreme, and sometimes just plain loony. One asked if my muscles twitched when I was nervous? Did I often entertain suicidal thoughts? Could I kill an animal if it was in pain? Did my friends think I was a warm person? Would I criticise someone's personal or professional attributes? Did I bite my nails, or pull my hair, or chew pencils? If I wasn't expert in a subject, did I think my views on it were still worthy of expression? Did I think colour bar or class distinction important? "I was handed my results - a curious scientific-looking graph detailing 10 aspects of my personality, ranging from my happiness to my stability, to my aggressiveness. According to the analysis sheet I am hopelessly unstable, (minus 50), depressed (minus 65), irresponsible (minus 80) and withdrawn (minus 95). In fact, only in three of the 10 categories did I appear to be demonstrating any sign of good mental health (though, how I can be withdrawn and aggressive at the same time?). "The Scientologists clearly wanted me to think I needed help - and who better to cure me than the people who had diagnosed my 'problems'? I was advised to buy an LRH book and think about joining the church. But, to their credit, I wasn't asked to part with any money at this point, or to sign up there and then, so I didn't. "Maybe Nicole Kidman has done, or is doing, something vaguely similar. In truth, though, while I sat in that office and listened to a total stranger utterly trash my personality and character - on the basis of no evidence at all - I began to feel vaguely insecure. Paranoid even. The Church of Scientology claims to help people attain a deeper, richer existence - but it clearly does so by erasing all sense of self-respect first." From the Australian News Network on February 11th: "The sole reason Nicole Kidman left Tom Cruise was because his devotion to the controversial Church of Scientology suddenly deepened in the past two months, The Sunday Telegraph can reveal. Kidman feared the growing hold her husband's religion had on their family. A close family friend from Los Angeles said yesterday Kidman had fought against the strong influence of the LA-based church throughout her 10-year marriage. "'Nicole had been pursuing him for some years to get away from the church, and his passion had cooled,' the friend said. 'She had some success, but for some reason -- and she doesn't really know why -- he has become really deeply involved in the past two months. 'She couldn't bear it because she was worried about the children. But in the end, he had to choose between her and the church, and she lost.'" From The New York Post on February 11th: "The world was shocked last week when Scientologist couple Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman announced they were splitting up. It was almost as shocking as when Cruise broke up with first wife Mimi Rogers, another Scientologist. When that happened, I wrote a story about how members of Rogers' family were muck-a-mucks in the church, and mentioned the elitist Scientology 'Celebrity Center' and a magazine it published called 'Celebrities.' "Within days, the wrath of L. Ron Hubbard was upon me. Callers identifying themselves as members of the Church of Scientology threatened my life, and my very soul. But nothing beat the missive from a Scientologist customs agent at Kennedy Airport informing me that he'd put my name into their computer. He said next time I came through customs, I'd be body-searched and caught with the illegal drugs I was smuggling in. The government doesn't look too kindly on employees who threaten to plant drugs on weary travelers - at least not when they sign their own names to the letters." From the New York Post on February 12th: "Cruise is so dedicated to the controversial Church of Scientology that he insisted the children were born according to a Scientology ritual. Kidman, on the other hand, left the church nearly a year ago. Sources say she does not want the children, Isabella Jane, 8, and Connor, 6, raised according to the teachings and methods of the controversial religion. "Parents who have some experience with Scientology's child-rearing practices say Kidman is right to be concerned. Teresa Summers, of Clearwater, Fla., who raised one child inside Scientology and one outside, told the Post: 'I was a Scientologist for years and worked in the Sea Organization, Scientology's religious order. We had a terrible experience.' "She said Scientologists are encouraged not to treat sick children with conventional medication, not to comfort and nurture children, and to cut or restrict ties with grandparents if they are not Scientologists. 'Mothers who have raised children in the Church of Scientology and come out have a terrible sense of guilt over what our children went through,' Summers told the Post. 'They had children doing physical work, sometimes 40 to 60 hours a week. It could be anything - shoveling gravel, laying carpet, but mostly it was clerical work,' she said. 'I also worked in one of their schools, in Clearwater, Fla. Many of the children don't do as well as they should academically. 'Teachers don't have college degrees. They are trained in Scientology technology. They don't explain. They don't help. If some child doesn't understand, it's because they don't understand a particular word, so kids are constantly being told to just look up a word.' "After 20 years as a Scientologist, Summers now works for the Lisa McPherson Trust, an organization that actively opposes the Church of Scientology. The church runs a network of private schools in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oregon, Virginia, Florida and Vancouver. Stephanie Graham, of Orlando, Fla., who put two children through Church of Scientology schools, said her children had difficulty keeping up in state schools after she left the church. 'Children raised in Scientology are often given only minimal basic education,' she said. 'It's not an education; it's propaganda and pseudo-science.' "A child who falls and hurts himself is taken to the place where he was hurt and the injury is pressed against the object that caused it. It is believed the pain can be made to flow back into the object. 'That's called a contact assist,' Teresa Summers said. 'There is also a fever assist. We were discouraged from seeking medical help or giving medication, even Tylenol, to bring down a fever. 'Instead, you get the child to hold an object still. That's supposed to bring down the fever. When it doesn't work, it's because you aren't doing it right or didn't repeat it often enough. I tried it on my child. Naturally, it didn't work.' "Teresa Summers also claimed that children are routinely asked to spy on one another and are subjected to grueling punishments. 'It's called making amends, and it can be anything - my daughter was made to scrub poles, paint walls, report on her friends. I let her do all that,' she said." From the New York Daily News: "Is the divorce of Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman turning into spy versus spy? Word is that lawyers for the couple are been huddling with two of Hollywood's heaviest private eyes. Due to join Cruise's team, we hear, is Anthony Pellicano. The investigator has gained fame as a take-no-prisoners dirt-digger for clients like Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, Sly Stallone, Roseanne, James Woods, Priscilla Presley and Mike Myers. He helped former LAPD Detective Mark Fuhrman to fight charges of racism. "Kidman's lawyer, William Beslow, doesn't appear to be shrinking from a rumble. Beslow is known for being a peacemaker, but we hear he's been consulting with Gavin DeBecker. The best-selling author has advised the CIA and the U.S. Supreme Court on security and stalking. His clients have included John Travolta, Cher, Keanu Reeves, Mary Hart, Joan Rivers and Gary Oldman. "'Cruise looks like he's trying to crush her,' says one source acquainted with the couple, who have no prenuptial agreement. 'If he just calmed down and did nothing, things would probably go smoothly. But he seems to be worried about Nicole using something against him. At this rate, he may push her to do just that.'" Message-ID: 95rks2$jmo@netaxs.com Message-ID: ojn28tcf0bmkniutjc3slaatudi3raft83@4ax.com Message-ID: 95sfr3$7ir$1@nnrp1.deja.com Message-ID: 95udkm$q7m$1@nnrp1.deja.com Message-ID: 95v0ig$cp7$1@nnrp1.deja.com Message-ID: dLBtSVA5Lvg6EwDE@lutefisk.demon.co.uk Message-ID: 04bd8tg4cpm5lf8kflaguv9bser533lvnj@4ax.com Message-ID: aogd8tsrjuren0scusqmmg6etl18lv7k2c@4ax.com Message-ID: 968qbf$bu$1@nnrp1.deja.com Message-ID: a1no8t49qupdbg5qhec79b3bak946otaoh@4ax.com
Germany
Stuttgarter Zeitung reported on February 2nd that the Stuttgart Labor Office is involved in a scandal for referring a job applicant to Scientology. "The agency fully officially offered a business management assistant a job with the Scientology organization. It listed an opening 'for advertisement and marketing.' Gerdi W. (name changed) opened the letter from the Labor Office expectantly. The business manager assistant was looking for a job and had subscribed to the AIS ('Arbeitsinformationservice'). The agency told her to get in contact with an employer whose name she was somewhat familiar with - 'Dianetics Stuttgart' - a branch of the Scientology organization, which is under observation by Constitutional Security. "The sect was looking for 'full-time staff in the fields of management, bookkeeping, reception, advertising and marketing.' The requirements for applicants were well within limits. The only requirement was 'the desire to help other people and to improve oneself.' The case was more than sobering for SPD city assemblyman Andreas Reissig. He spoke of sloppiness, demanded response from the agency and wants to get party colleagues at the state level involved. The embarrassing break-down is viewed by the leading assemblyman as reason for the observation of the sect being continued. "Uwe Zink from the Labor Office in Stuttgart does not want to make excuses for the incident. 'It should not have happened,' he said. The faux pas was committed by 'a trainee with a foreign passport' who could not have known anything about Dianetics or Scientology. According to Zink's statement, the Labor Office, by law, may not exclude job announcements from the sect. In the past though, job applicants were made aware of the background of such offers. Those who did not apply did not have to worry about forfeiting support." From Stuttgarter Zeitung on February 3rd: "In a parliamentary initiative, Carla Bregenzer, sect-political spokeswoman of the SPD state assembly faction, demanded intervention by the state administration. 'We are mobilizing all legal means to fight the totalitarian psycho-business and the Stuttgart Labor office is blithely and heedlessly going on its merry way - we have to put a stop to this unspeakable business,' said a press release. "The woman from Stuttgart is not the only one who was offered a job in the sect's Dianetics Center. Quite an array of unemployed called in yesterday to report that the Stuttgart Labor Office had referred them to the Scientology organization. One woman reported that she had gone to the sect to ask about the position. There she was told that in order to get the job she would have to become a member." Stuttgarter Nachrichten reported on February 6th that the Executive Presidium is trying to revoke the legal status of Scientology. "The Executive Presidium ['Regierungspraesidium'] is not giving up its goal of revoking legal capacity for Dianetics Stuttgart, a branch of the Scientology organization which is resident in Stuttgart. The Executive Presidium has stated that it filed an appeal to the negative decision by the Stuttgart Administrative Court in the Mannheim Superior Administrative Court. Presidium President Udo Andriof said, 'We are convinced that Dianetics Stuttgart can be shown to be not a so-called idealist association, but an organization which is active as a business and which pursues commercial goals.'" Message-ID: Pine.LNX.3.96.1010205125236.118B-100000@darkstar.zippy Message-ID: Pine.LNX.3.96.1010205125306.118C-100000@darkstar.zippy Message-ID: Pine.LNX.3.96.1010207114040.122C-100000@darkstar.zippy
Graham Berry
Graham Berry reported this week that Scientology has dropped its case against him involving Michael Hurtado. "This week, Moxon and Byrnes suddenly and unilaterally dismissed the Hurtado v. Berry lawsuit less than one month before trial. The Hurtado dismissal came as Moxon unsuccessfully tried to replace discovery referee, Hon. Stephen Lachs, and awaited the outcome of a motion to compel the deposition of his 'investigator' Eugene Ingram, as well as an almost certain ruling that the crime-fraud exception to the attorney-client privilege applied to communications between the Moxon & Kobrin lawyers, Elliot Abelson, Donald Wager, Hurtado and the Church of Scientology. "The evidence in the Hurtado v. Berry case is corroborated by one lawyer's testimony, over six different witnesses and over sixty different documents - many of which bear Moxon's own signature and handwriting. It includes multiple incidents of alleged blackmail, bribery, witness tampering, subornation of perjury, perjury, wire tapping, obstruction of justice, frauds upon various courts, attorney misrepresentations and lies to various courts, false criminal complaints, false state bar complaints and possibly judicial corruption." Message-ID: 20010210012400.09047.00000253@ng-cj1.aol.com
Gerry Chaleff
CNN Reported on February 5th that Scientologist Gerry Chaleff has been fired from the Los Angeles civilian police commission. "Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan on Monday fired the civilian police commission president in an apparent effort to shake up the leadership of the Los Angeles Police Department. In an interview with CNN, commission president Gerald Chaleff said he received a letter from the mayor early Monday outlining the reasons for his dismissal. Chaleff said the mayor expressed an interest in changing directions for the beleaguered and scandal-plagued LAPD." Message-ID: 3A7F895C.CFC4446B@bc.cc.ca.us
Web Complaint
Scientology lawyer Ava Paquette successfully complained to the owner of a web site containing Scientology materials this week. "By this letter I am hereby notifying you that our office represents Religious Technology Center, the owner of the confidential Advanced Technology of the Scientology religion and the holder of exclusive rights under the copyrights applicable to the Advanced Technology materials. The Advanced Technology materials are confidential, unpublished, copyrighted works. RTC's works include, among others, the individual works comprising levels known as 'NOTs' , 'OT II' and 'OT III'. We have been informed that you have placed a number these works on your 'Lianna Skywalker' home page on the Internet without the authorization of our clients. These works can be found under the URLs which are attached below. Your actions in this regard violate United States copyright law. Not only may your actions give rise to civil liability under United States copyright law, but also criminal liability as well, which may possibly involve your parents. Accordingly, we demand that you remove these works immediately." Message-ID: 3a8c5142.5087553@news.concentric.net
Lisa McPherson
Scientology this week countersued the estate of Lisa McPherson for alleged witness tampering. Comments from Ken Dandar, attorney for the estate, were posted to a.r.s this week. "This lawsuit is entirely frivolous. It's almost as bad to read as an L. Ron Hubbard novel, too fictional for anybody to believe. It's interesting that Scientology lists its damages as more than they have offered to settle the McPherson case for. They consider the harm done to them to be worse than the the harm done which led to the death of a young girl. "This countersuit has no cause of action. I expect it to be dismissed quickly, with prejudice, and with an award of attorney's fees." Message-ID: 95umbc$odv@netaxs.com
London
A What is Scientology exhibit was opened this week in London. A first hand account from "Shellac." "The shop is roomy. A much more impressive operation than previous exhibitions. Floor space, maybe 250m^2? The Jive Aces were set up in the entrance, willing us back to a time before the profanity of rock 'n roll. Helpers scurried around with drinks and nibbles. Scientologists were everywhere, outnumbering the public by a good 3 or 4 to 1. Several I recognised from TCR, and some from previous WIS visits. "Many large illustrations, done by an artist who favours a charmingly naive style; brandishing his/her amateurishness with a brash confidence that lesser beings would shy from. So we get a history of great, but misguided, thinkers (Socrates, Jesus, Buddha, Einstein etc) which culminates in the revelations of a man who chosen medium was pulp fiction: L. Wrong Hubbard. There was an emeter, but they were still trying to plug it in. There was an ABLE section. There was an explanation of the reactive vs analytic mind. "There was also a basement where the hard sell kicked in. Pretty much devoted to space for filling out personality tests. One girl pointed me to a computer with internet access explaining Scientology. This proved to web pages on a cdrom, alas, so xenu.net never made an appearance." From the Telegraph on February 10th: "The 1966 World Cup winner Sir Geoff Hurst opened an exhibition in London yesterday to promote Scientology, despite having no connections with the controversial movement. Sir Geoff said he was excited by the drug programmes which Scientologists are running in 21 countries, but not in Britain. He said he knew little about Scientology. 'I'm here because of the work they do in drugs.' The Narconon drugs programme, designed by the founder of the movement L Ron Hubbard who died in 1986, includes regular saunas to detoxify the body and spiritual 'drills'. "The free exhibition will be open every day for two weeks in an empty clothing store in Oxford Street. Visitors will be able to try a machine called the E-meter which is supposed to reveal a person's spiritual problems. Leaflets handed out on Oxford Street advertising the exhibition ask: 'How toxic are you?' The Scientology movement claims it can cure people suffering from 'severe body pollution'." Message-ID: m18znf9121.fsf@krusty.ath.cx Message-ID: 962i7p$cbt$1@nnrp1.deja.com
Drug Free Marshals
The Miami Herald announced a Drug Free Marshals essay contest on February 15th. "The Drug-Free Marshals program is an educational anti-drug program sponsored by the Church of Scientology International. The program started in California and is holding events and essay/art contests worldwide. This month the Drug Free Marshals Program is holding a state-wide essay contest for Florida youth between ages 5 and 14. The theme of the essays is 'How I can Help Create a Drug Free Community.'" Message-ID: 80tn8tou4oitm9sgmlj9pmhsebkhks7ms6@4ax.com
In Memorium
The St. Petersburg Times carried the obituary of Scientologist Fenton Jones on January 31st. "JONES, FENTON E., 88, of Largo, died Monday at home under the care of Hospice of the Florida Suncoast. He was born in Turtle Lake, N.D., and came here in 1986 from Riverside, Calif. He retired as a judge and was an Army veteran of World War II. He was a member of Church of Scientology. Survivors include two sons, Fenton Jr., San Diego, and John, Riverside; a daughter, Paula Jones, San Diego; and four grandchildren." Message-ID: aa4o8tk550qd106vbr5q1qq22t6blb4dt7@4ax.com
Nigeria
Nigerian newspaper TheNEWS published an article on Scientology critic Bob Minton and Scientology's efforts to discredit his past financial dealings in Nigeria. "Robert Minton, retired American investment banker and debt buy-back guru is undoubtedly a man of means. However, when the details of the deal came to light, Minton accused the whistle-blower, ex-footballer, John Fashanu of being a tool in the hands of the Scientology organisation. This is a vendetta on scientology's part against me: Fashanu has been hired by the scientologists to tarnish my reputation,' said Minton, who also explained that he was being hounded as a result of his sponsorship of a multi-million dollar law suit against the group for the death of one of their members, Lisa Macpherson. A Nigerian journalist who did several stories attacking Fashanu and the group, had his telephone bugged and his character assassinated, with agents of scientology telling his neighbours that he is a fraudster working for a gang that is fleecing Nigeria "The church has consistently moved swiftly and sometimes deadly to defend itself against attackers. Such enemies, labelled suppressive persons (SP in Scientology jargon) or those that actively seek to suppress or damage Scientology are designated 'fair game.' Their punishment ranges from loss of property to injury by any means, either by trickery, legal action, deceit or outright destruction. For scientologists, the best form of defence is attack: Total attack through exposure is Scientology's watchword; harassment and not victory, the prize. A stinging indictment of Hubbard and his movement and a condemnation of their tactics in silencing critics came from a Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Paul Breckenridge: 'In addition to violating and abusing its own members' civil rights, the organisation over the years with its 'fair game' doctrine has harassed and abused those persons not in the church whom it perceives as enemies. The organisation clearly is schizophrenic and paranoid and this bizarre combination seems to be a reflection of its founder.'" Bob Minton repeated his offer to meet Fashanu to debate the merit of his charges. "Many of you may recall that Scientology and its operatives John Fashanu and David Lebow aka David Lee aka Robert Clarke et al promised to show up at a public forum at Howard University in Washington DC in June 2000 to debate with me about the USD 5+ billion of Nigerian business I did between March 1988 and March 1993. Like every promise in Scientology, they failed to show up. I would be happy to sit down in another public forum in Clearwater Florida to layout Scientology's role in this matter and to debate both their involvement and my Nigerian business dealings. "Prince Ajibola, the Nigerian High Commissioner in London has admitted that he was duped by Scientology's Fashanu Report to write a letter to the Swiss Prosecutor in June 2000 to try and get criminal charges brought against me. Second, no charges have been brought against me in Nigeria or Switzerland because the Scientology claims had no merit. Thirdly, there is no current investigation of these allegations against me in Nigeria, Switzerland, England or anywhere else other than in the deluded world of Scientology's OSA." Message-ID: kv8v7tsfe69ch6p4bdvllbr7h0ee23ba68@newszilla.xs4all.nl Message-ID: pfn08t0pmre34dmkskt5mu476o3b5kq33j@4ax.com
Tom Padgett
Tom Padgett reported developments in his family court case in Kentucky with his ex-wife Laura. "Laura Vannoy Padgett filed a Motion in Limine to restrict evidence and gag the testimony from expert witnesses being flown from around North America for a critical 2 day hearing scheduled for February 23rd and 26th. Pending in the Western Kentucky circuit court are matters to 'UNdisconnect' the minor child from his declared SP father Tom Padgett, adjust and modify child support according to statutes, and to award costs and fees. "Lawyer Bill Whitledge argued that the following should be prohibited from the proceedings and records: Any testimony relating to the health, mental or physical condition of the parties or the minor child. Any evidence concerning Scientology or any matters re: religion in general. No testimony of the Petitioner's or Respondent's character. No testimony on alternative solutions to settlement of the issues, i.e. arbitration, mediation, or counselling. No testimony about division of property or breakdown of the marriage. No testimony which goes to custody of the minor child." Message-ID: 16346-3A828229-8@storefull-213.iap.bryant.webtv.net
Protest Summary
Keith Henson reported six protests in one day in the San Francisco area. "Arel and I started picketing at 9:40. First was the Mt View org. They got 15 minutes. A few people saw us, but no reaction except to avert their eyes. I mostly used the new one, 'Things will go right for you when you're ready to leave Scientology.' Arel was carrying one which said. 'I know Ex-Scientologists and I believe them.' and on the other side it said 'Meet a (former) OT VII' (referring to picketing with Tory). "On down the road to the Dianetics testing center. They still have not put up curtains on the floor-to-ceiling windows so those inside have a good look at anyone picketing. The place was deserted. We gave them 5 minutes and then got back on 101 headed down to San Jose. We arrived at 10:20 and spent a little over 20 minutes picketing the San Jose org on Rosemary. The place is not in the best neighborhood, and it looking more run down than ever, lots of beer cartons in the Ivy between the sidewalk and the street. "From there we went over to the San Jose Mission at Hedding and Winchester. There was one person at the desk inside, who saw us, but no reaction from them either. The sign on the front has about faded out. Last for the South Bay was the Los Gatos org on Bascom Ave. It is actually in Campbell. One guy came out with a camera here and took pictures of us and our signs. Arel photographed him back. After ten minutes we left. "Then it was on to the SF org. I noticed Robyn handing out flyers and Arel said she saw Jeff Quiros. Craig spent a lot of time talking to me. Here Arel got to carry only one sign, since the OT VII was also picketing, wearing devil's horns." St. Anton's ski resort in Austria was the site of information booths to inform the public about Scientology. "Our presence was marked by stunning success from our highly visible information booths. Within the shortest amount of time possible the informational material on the Scientology commerce sect was snatched up. Many people recognized us from Kitzbuehel and waved hello to us or showed their approval with upraised thumbs. Between times the ARS-CC staff went throughout the village and distributed information leaflets and got positive feedback from the people as to how important our information work was for our beautiful Austria, and that we should continue with it. "We have quarters in a 4-star hotel; we are allowed to run one of our information tables in the foyer, which is visited continuously by celebrities from the worlds of business, politics, culture and art, as well as residents, many of whom want information about the Scientology sect." Bruce Pettycrew reported a protest in Mesa, Arizona. "Kathy and I picketed at the Mesa Mission for an hour today, starting about 8:45. 6 cars and 1 bicyclist arrived for the 9:00 start of classes. There were about 13 members attending, counting two pre-teenage children. The traffic was very light today. We handed out one flyer to a pedestrian." John Ritson reported a protest at the new What is Scientology exhibit on Oxford Street in London. "I started handing out Xemu leaflets and loudly informing people that Scientology was a scam. Scientologists started clustering round me like bodythetans. I got Tone 40 'COME WITH ME' - 'No thank you, I'll just carry on leafletting' I got repetition 'What are you afraid of?' - ' 'What are you afraid of?' - 'What are you afraid of?' I got threats 'I am putting you on notice that I am recording your words so our solicitors can sue you for slander' - Hint to Hodgkin & Co. - You can't slander a dead person such as convicted fraudster, bigamist and wife-beater L. Ron Hubbard. I got photographed - and I photographed them back. I got total weirdness - 'Why don't you go to Bournemouth?' I got more Tone 40 'STOP IT! GO AWAY NOW' Then they tried to block me off from the public by starting up the Jive Aces, and having a girl with balloons between me and the public "It got very silly when one Scientologist, who had been 'hatted' with the task of snatching Xemu leaflets from passers-by, tried to snatch one from a Scientologist who had been talking to me practically from the beginning So I had to explain the rules to the snatcher - I had earlier told the leaflet-holder that I didn't want to give him the Xenu leaflet if it would damage his case, and I would take it back if it caused a problem, which only made him determined to hang on to it like grim death. "Then a major foot-bullet for the Scientologists. They called the police, who had no objection to me handing out leaflets, but wanted to avoid any trouble. So I offered a compromise. Me on one side of the road, them on the other. I was happy, the police were happy, but the Scientologists were not happy that I could exercise my right of free speech without being surrounded by Scientologists and harangued the policemen. So I spent about an hour handing out leaflets and informing passers-by of the evils of Scientology." Message-ID: 95kmir$i66$1@nnrp1.deja.com Message-ID: Pine.LNX.3.96.1010207114106.122D-100000@darkstar.zippy Message-ID: LkCj6.1984$8t2.643063@news1.rdc1.az.home.com Message-ID: qgxvU2DdUsj6EwO1@jritson.demon.co.uk
Spain
The Associated Press reported on February 6th that the trial of Scientologists in Spain began without an appearance by indicted Scientology president Heber Jentzsch. "A long-awaited trial began Tuesday against Church of Scientology members accused of tax fraud and other crimes, although the main defendant, the church's American leader Rev. Heber Jentzsch, failed to show up. Because of Jentzsch's absence, prosecutors asked for another postponement in a case that dates back to 1984. But Judge Pilar Olivan, presiding over a three-judge panel at the Madrid Provincial Court, denied the request and said the trial should proceed against 16 other defendants. They are all Spaniards who either belonged to or worked for the Church of Scientology. "The charges against Jentzsch still stand, and Spain will attempt to put him on trial at a later date, Olivan said, according to the news agency Efe and Fernando Castro, a spokesman for the 10,000-member Scientology branch in Spain." From dpa on February 6th: "The chief of the organization, Heber Jentzsch, for whom the state attorney's office was demanding 56 years in prison, was supposed to be among the accused. From a source in the legal circles though, the American did not appear before the court because the authorities in the USA did not forward the summons from the Spanish court. The accused have been charged with an illegal association, deprivation of liberty, tax evasion and other crimes. According to Spanish press reports, Scientology is described in the indictment as an 'extremely dangerous organization' which resembles a 'sect' more than it does a church." Message-ID: ge908toh7ahs7362vraak06t0ilgepfbri@newszilla.xs4all.nl Message-ID: Pine.LNX.3.96.1010207113927.122A-100000@darkstar.zippy
Clearwater
The St. Petersburg Times reported on February 11th that Scientology members and critics are charged with violating a judge's order imposed to keep peace during the December protests in Clearwater. "The Church of Scientology and its Clearwater nemesis, critics known as the Lisa McPherson Trust, spent a full day in court Saturday trading accusations and trying to get the other rebuked by a judge. In nearly seven hours of testimony from a dozen witnesses, these points emerged: Confrontations between church critics and process servers hired on behalf of the church have played out in bay area restaurants. "Trust founder Robert Minton has challenged Clearwater police officers hired to do security work for the church while off duty. The Church of Scientology has more than 100 cameras monitoring the outside and inside of its Clearwater properties. Both sides were in court trying to get the other held in contempt of court for violating a Nov. 30 injunction issued by Circuit Judge Thomas E. Penick. The injunction orders church and trust members to stay 10 feet from each other and delineates where each group can picket in downtown Clearwater." Message-ID: 3lqg8t4n6j0jcugusc7s4gpmqgdldnhran@newszilla.xs4all.nl
A.r.s. Week in Review is put together by Rod Keller ©
This collection is organised for WWW by Andreas Heldal-Lund.
Only edits done by me is replacing word encapsuled in * or _ with bold and underscore, and made links into HTML.
