Applied Scholastics
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported on July 23rd that at a Catholic cemetery for nuns, the buried remains are being transferred to make room for a Scientology facility. "Workers have begun moving the remains of 752 nuns from the cemetery at the former Villa Gesu center in north St. Louis County to Resurrection Cemetery in Affton. Transferring the remains of the nuns, members of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, became necessary when the center was sold last year. "Nuns are buried in simple pine boxes in keeping with their vows of poverty. As a result, the workers have found that many of the caskets have deteriorated. Each sister's remains will be placed in a small casket. Ten of those smaller containers will be buried in a single plot at Resurrection. "Applied Scholastics International bought the complex for its world headquarters for $2.9 million. Applied Scholastics also set aside $1 million for relocating the nuns' remains, Bates said. The nonprofit, educational organization promotes the teaching methods of L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Church of Scientology." Message-ID: 86jtjugf6ai2c535f9qbi6qtqiopmn0r3p@4...
Clearwater
The St. Petersburg Times reported on July 28th on the progress of the Super Power building in downtown Clearwater, Florida. "From arched 31-foot windows to the 1,140-seat dining room, there is much that will be grand in the Church of Scientology's new downtown religious center. It will have 889 rooms, 447 windows, 42 bathrooms. A two-story lighted cross will perch atop the highest tower, 150 feet up. The building even has a hefty nickname, 'Super Power.' "A decorative pedestrian bridge will span Fort Harrison Avenue connecting Scientology's Fort Harrison Hotel to the new building, named the Flag Building after the local Scientology Flag Service Organization. The building, on which work began in early 1999, is expected to be completed by the end of 2003. "Bob Wright, a Scientology staff member overseeing the project, says people linger on downtown sidewalks every day staring at the building. There is much to see as the construction nears its final year. Work has begun on the 124-foot bridge 17 feet above Fort Harrison Avenue. It will connect the third floor of the Fort Harrison Hotel to a landing between the second and third floors of the Flag Building. "The shell of the building is almost done and interior construction will begin around the end of October. Church staff members will build the wood furniture and accents for the new building at Scientology's mill and workshop on Grand Central Street in Clearwater. "Clearwater Mayor Brian Aungst: 'It's going to be a big building, a nice building, in an area we're trying to redevelop and I think it will help in that regard.' Downtown business owner Michele Homer said she's not sure of the building's purpose and described it as 'intimidating.' 'It makes a huge statement,' she said. 'It is clear to me they own downtown and that's not a bad thing. They've done more for downtown than the city itself.' "Mike Meidel, president of the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce, is glad the church didn't build 'a giant cube' downtown. 'I think it's an attractive building,' he said. He predicted the new building will bring in more well-to-do people. Plus, he said, with the new building, the church might be able to free space in the Coachman Building for retail, another boost for downtown. "Dr. Mack Sigmon, pastor of Peace Memorial Presbyterian Church across the street, said his parishioners have been asking how the new building will affect their church. 'Obviously, it dwarfs our church. It makes us less visible,' he said. 'The greatest concern I hear from my parishioners is, 'Does this turn the downtown into the Scientology mecca? What about the other churches? What about businesses?' ' Sigmon said he hopes city officials are committed to fostering economic prosperity downtown. He said he still hears people say they don't have any reason to come downtown - that there's nothing in downtown but Scientology. "City Commissioner Frank Hibbard said he too has heard people worry that the city is giving downtown to the Church of Scientology. But, he said, the city is still working hard on downtown revitalization. 'I haven't given up on downtown,' he said. 'We have too much potential.' "Unlike other Scientology facilities such as the Fort Harrison Hotel and the Sandcastle, the Flag Building will not have any hotel rooms. It will be used primarily for the delivery of religious services and for office space. The building will feature 300 rooms where as many as 900 Scientologists a day can receive 'auditing,' Scientology spiritual counseling. "At the Flag Building, Scientologists for the first time will be able to do 'Super Power,' an auditing process designed to provide 'full restoration of one's perceptions,' Shaw said. Developed by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, Super Power has not been released until now, Shaw said, because the church needed to build a facility specifically designed for Super Power. The new building will include a 150-foot running track on the sixth floor, which will be used as part of Super Power. "Dining facilities for Scientology staff members in the Clearwater Bank Building will relocate to the basement of the Flag Building, which will feature a massive kitchen capable of preparing up to 11,500 meals a day. "Offices for various Scientology social programs will be on the first floor, along with a heritage museum depicting the history of the Sea Organization, Scientology's fraternal organization of uniformed staff members who pledge their life in service to the church. The first floor of the Flag Building will be open to the public. Shaw said opening the facility will alleviate any concerns in the community." Source Magazine reported news from Scientology in Clearwater. "In recent months the Super Power Project has rapidly moved forward with the construction of the new Flag Mecca building. Major progress on the building includes installation of wall panelings, interior masonry, installation of the mechanical equipment - air conditioning, plumbing and heating. And very visibly, the exterior wall stucco and installation of windows. It is now more urgent and vital than ever to complete construction of the Flag Mecca building so Super Power can be released. Your help is needed. "The LRH Images of a Lifetime Exhibit was the site of a special validation of Clearwater theater owners by L. Ron Hubbard's Personal Public Relations Officer at Flag, Judith de Saldarriaga and Honorary LRH PRO, Cass Warner. The award reads: 'The Friends of Ron wish to acknowledge Socrates and Dru Charos for bringing the Royalty Theater to life in downtown Clearwater, Florida and for all their passion in bringing all forms of art and music to the city of Clearwater, thereby uplifting its culture.' "The Scientology group, Story Tellers of Tampa Bay, have been telling stories to enlighten children all over the Clearwater/Tampa area recently. They also spent a day at the state capitol in Tallahassee performing and meeting with lawmakers to promote LRH Study Tech. "The 10th Annual Easter Egg Hunt in Coachman Park drew 1,500 children and parents, double the number attending last year. The popular event is sponsored by the Community Volunteers of the Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization." Message-ID: 3D4410EE.7020004@v... Message-ID: 52f83b0976171eba7a05bb403e28fd2f@a...
Faith-Based Groups
A column in the Washington Post by Colbert I. King on July 27th criticized the U.S. administration for including Scientology on a list of religious groups that will help administer programs for prisoners who have been released into the community. You've got to hand it to Attorney General John Ashcroft and D.C. Mayor Tony Williams. Who would have expected that in an effort to help the District of Columbia cope with droves of violent offenders returning from jail that the spirit-filled Ashcroft and holier-than-thou Tony Williams would seek the assistance of the Church of Scientology. "The Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) looks after more than 26,000 individuals under pretrial supervision, probation or parole. The CSOSA director is nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate. CSOSA disclosed that it had joined with partners in the District's faith community to create a mentoring program for offenders recently released from prison. Citing the Bush administration's faith-based initiative as the guiding light and quoting president Bush's desire to 'rally the armies of compassion' spread throughout America, CSOSA announced it had assigned a dozen offenders presently living in D.C. halfway houses to eight faith-based institutions 'for mentoring services.' Among those providing mentoring relationships to D.C. offenders were seven local protestant churches and, according to CSOSA's press release, 'the Church of Scientology.' "Scientology was founded in the 1950s by Lafayette Ronald Hubbard, a George Washington University student from 1930 to 1932 who died in 1986. According to several published accounts, L. Ron Hubbard believed a galactic ruler named Xenu banished alien evil spirits called body thetans to Earth more than 75 million years ago, and that said thetans were implanted in volcanoes. Hubbard, it has been reported, wrote that the volcanoes exploded and the thetans invaded mankind, accounting for our present ills. Although the human mind and body are infected with beaucoup body thetans, there are, the stories go, specific instructions advanced by Hubbard for undoing the damage done by the galactic cataclysm - a process called auditing. If faithfully followed, and carefully monitored by an E-meter (two wired metal cans capable of detecting truth), a person can overcome negative experiences, undergo a regeneration of native abilities, and find a natural spiritual awareness of self, reaching the highest level in Scientology teachings called Operating Thetan or OT. "Now there are those who insist that Scientology, a truly worldwide movement, is a paranoid cult possessed with pseudo-scientific theories - despite its recognition as a religion for nonprofit status by the Internal Revenue Service in 1993. Scientologists, on the other hand, reject that characterization, strongly asserting that their religion provides the means by which people can find spiritual fulfillment and improve their lives, and they cite Scientology community projects to prove their point." Message-ID: 3D428E7D.9070908@v...
India
New Delhi Newsline reported on July 23rd that Scientology is opening a publishing branch in India. "New Era International recently opening a branch in Delhi, under the name N.E. Publications India. According to Thomas Goldenitz, MD of NE Publications India, the group will be bringing out books in the fields of health, science and management, 'areas which have made New Era International one of the leading publishers in Europe.' Headquartered in Copenhagen the group which has published books in over 53 languages, and is one of Denmark's leading exporters, are perhaps best known for publishing works of L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the bestselling Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health and Scientology. The group is looking to to India 'because Hubbard's research into the human mind did include an extensive study of the Vedas. In fact the fundamental basics of the subject have been derived from there.' Other books that the publishing house have introduced is an education series Learning How to Learn, drug rehabilitation Clear Body Clear Mind and The Management Series - a three volume reference book and another book entitled The Way to Happiness." Message-ID: 3D3D85E5.2090607@v...
Jenna Elfman
Supermarket tabloid the Globe reported in its August 6th issue that Scientology celebrity Jenna Elfman is despondent over the cancellation of her television series. "Customers at an L.A. bookstore were surprised to see a sobbing Jenna Elfman being consoled by her loving husband Bodhi. Word is, the Dharma & Greg star was weeping because she still can't get over the cancellation of her show in April. She's been making frequent trips to the L.A. Scientology center to help deal with what she describes as a 'major defeat' in her life. 'She's taking this real hard,' says a pal. 'Jenna is not getting any good movie offers and she's starting to panic a bit over her career.'" Message-ID: l0n3kukc5cq3ssbfo61800177voncetgaj@4...
Keith Henson
Keith Henson posted a filing by Scientology in which RTC President Warren McShane asked the court to find that distribution of an original work in the style of Scientology's NOTS series is a violation of their copyright. "Henson's claim that NOTs 56 is not an RTC work is false. As explained in the accompanying Reply Declaration of Warren McShane, contrary to Henson's representation, NOTs 56 is an unpublished, copyrighted work in which RTC holds the rights. Thus, while Henson may wish to refer to something he allegedly created as NOTs 56, the paragraph in Exhibit 13 to which he refers does not convey the meaning he is ascribing to it. Furthermore, his request for people to send him 'NOTs 56' if they can find it on the Internet is a solicitation of an RTC Advanced Technology work, as prohibited by the Permanent Injunction. "There is no reason in Henson's opposition to deny RTC's motion for an Order to Show Cause. Henson obviously believes that his absence from the United States enables him to violate this Court's injunction with impunity. Action needs to be taken now so that he is disabused of that notion." Message-ID: 3d4262d8.168360109@n...
Narconon
The Battle Creek Enquirer published two letters on July 24th and 26th concerning the new Narconon center being established in Battle Creek, Michigan. "I find it interesting that the proprietors of the soon-to-open Narconon 'rehab' center disavow connection to the Church of Scientology. This is a flat lie. Narconon is a well-known front group for Scientology. Further, the techniques used are dubious at best and dangerous quackery at worst. Their purported 'detoxification' process is unproven medical nonsense. Former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop had this to say: 'It's dangerous. I don't think L. Ron Hubbard has credibility in the scientific world. The author's suggestions about detoxification can be detrimental to your health.' "An excerpt from a Detroit News article dated Feb. 11 1980: 'Michigan Corrections Department psychologist John Hand calls Narconon 'so misleading as to be termed a con.' Hand says, 'They are phony, a front for the Church of Scientology. We found out in Michigan that most of the money that we were paying Narconon was laundered back into the Church of Scientology.' Funding for the program was terminated. "Michigan's prison system found early on they didn't need Narconon, and Battle Creek doesn't need it either. Reputable organizations exist that are more than adequate; why trust an addicted loved one's health and safety to the hands of this group? - Todd A. Phipps" "The Narconon program is licensed to use only L. Ron Hubbard's secular research and development in drug rehabilitation. The organization has been corporately separate and independent of any church or other organization since the first nonprofit public benefit corporation was founded by William Benitez on May 20, 1970. Narconon staff have long been fortunate to have friendship and support in terms of volunteer hours, donations, etc. from many churches and their congregations. Not just Scientology but many churches have been glad to support Narconon centers saving lives in their communities. Narconon centers are working in close association with different U.S. Christian churches, with a Buddhist temple in Taiwan and people of many different faiths. President Bush announced in his Faith-Based and Community Initiative that he hoped churches and drug rehabilitation professionals would work together to reduce drug addiction. "The technical methodology used by Narconon has been scientifically studied. After early confusions were cleared up decades ago, Narconon staff continue to work with justice departments worldwide, including a Utah juvenile court program; in Pretoria, South Africa; in Baja, California; Mexico prisons, etc. - Kate Wickstrom, Executive director, Narconon Stone Hawk" Message-ID: 20020724141717.28062.00000435@m... Message-ID: l0c09.123859$_51.88299@r...
Protest Summary
Keith Henson reported a protest at the Toronto, Canada org on July 21st. "Al Buttnor was in deep lurk inside the org, Brian McPherson as usual was the front man, on a tight leash by Pat Felske. Bob Pearce was videotaping from the coffee shop across St. Mary's St. Mad Mike was there too plus several other actives and a bunch of spectator 'day orgers' inside the org looking out. Their only obvious function must have been cheer at Gregg's expected arrest. "Martin met us at the door to the coffee shop. Martin was the ED of the Quebec City org and has been out a long time. This was his second picket. This was the first time in about two years they have paid to have an officer there for a picket. Brian did an outstanding job of misinforming, misleading and manipulating the police officer. The officer had been predisposed by Brian's efforts to be an enemy and indeed was vocally hostile at first. Gregg reminded him bluntly that he was supposed to be professionally neutral. "He obviously thought about that and listened to what Gregg was telling folks on the street. Within minutes the officer was not only acting professionally neutral, he was emotionally neutral and willing to listen. The officer asked to read all the material Gregg had with us, not only the flyers but also the things we don't reproduce, like Gregg's laminated copy of Fair Game and OT3. The officer read the OT3 flyer and that really opened his eyes and he understood what the fraud was, not a belief but it is being sold fraudulently as a 'science.' Then Gregg showed him the Fair Game Policy and the cancellation of its name and Martin explained to him about what the Fair Game Policy meant to Scientologists. "The officer appeared to realize the Scientologists had manipulated him. The tensions between the picketers and the officer completely disappeared. At one point when Gregg was talking about Lisa McPherson, Brian was trying to disrupt the discussion. The officer just gave Brian a cold hard stare. Brian shut up and vanished inside. He and Pat were just steamed that Martin and Gregg had turned the officer they had bragged uplines would arrest Gregg. "Toward the end of the picket, three officers in the van were taking a cool break and had brought our officer a slushy and air conditioned space for respite from the heat. Our officer thought it was important to inform the other officers about the volume and quality of false complaints made by scientology. The other officers were incredulous at his explanation so he opened the door of the van and called for Gregg to bring over some flyers. Gregg went over and found that the officers wanted to read all of his material. All were deeply interested in scientology's policy to destroy its enemies, and its attempted use of the police to further this goal. We ran entirely out of the 'A Parsonage?' flyers and gave out maybe another 200 Xenu and Child Sec Check flyers." Message-ID: 3d3b5bb7.39508199@n...
Russia
The Russian Institute reported on July 22nd that Scientology is making a new push for expansion in Russia. "On Saturday, July 13th, Scientology Yekaterinburg was to celebrate the birthday of its spiritual leader Ron Hubbard. Ural clergymen protested: 'Hubbard: a homosexual, paranoid, drug-addicted Satanist, and all his followers are cultists.' The legal protection organ took care that the conflict between believers of either side did not escalate into open confrontation. "Another one of the surprises the Hubbard disciples had in store was the international marathon in support of the 'Universal Declaration of Human Rights.' The marathon planned by the Church of Scientology started July 16 in Saint Petersburg and is to end August 20 in Paris. The Torch of Freedom will be displayed in ten European countries. Russia is participating in this 'premiere world-class event,' reported the Hubbardists' information sheets. It was anticipated that at the starting gate would be Governor Vladimir Yakovlev, a religious and social figure, representative of the UN Information Center in Russia and Apparatus Representative for human rights in the RF, along with more than 25 Olympic and world champions. A statement was also to be signed with an appeal to observe hum an rights and with a proclamation of 'freedom for all.' "The document, which will be conspicuously carried about by marathon participants, contains the following words, 'We appeal to France, as a leading nation in Europe, to end government discrimination against religion, which has criticized groups that support human rights all around the world, and to stand as an example for all humankind.' Why name France? And what kind of religion? And what does that have to do with Scientology? Back in October 1996, Scientologists in Lyon were convicted of homicide. Cult member Patric Vic, not having money to pay for the next 'course,' jumped out the window, and his wife brought the case to court. After the case was heard, representatives of the cult were convicted at the highest level of government. "In the Archdiocese Council Ruling of the Russian Orthodox Church 'On pseudo-Christian cults, neo-paganism and occultism' (December 1994), the Church of Scientology was called a pseudo-religion. In 1999 the Ostankinski intramunicipal court of Moscow declared the regional registration invalid for the 'Hubbard Humanitarian Center' social organization and made the decision about its liquidation in connection with violations of the registration law. The violation of registration procedure was discovered in the course of the investigation into the criminal case, brought up in dealing with the Hubbard Humanitarian Center and the Scientology Church of Moscow. In court, the defendant called the court's decision 'a violation of social rights to visit a church.' "On May 17, 2002, in the Moscow city Duma as session was held on the theme 'of destructive totalitarian cults (sects).' Deputy Mikhail Moskvin-Tarkhanov presented in his proposal, government and society in Russia tended to underestimate the extent and danger of cult proliferation in current times. The analytical bulletin of the RF State Duma 'On the national threat in Russia from the direction of destructive religious organizations' of 1996 reads, 'Cults present a danger to the individual, the family and to society. According to official texts from the MVD in Russia, the Church of Scientology is one of a variety of satanic cults that has a manifest criminal tendency and actively applies psychotropic substances so that its adepts will obtain a controlled type of personality. Cult instructions have specially created structures of concealment, and it is engaged in superficial charitable activity, which also applies to the Hubbard Humanitarian Center. The police in many countries recognize that the Scientology organization has created a massive spy network and collects information by both legal and illegal methods.'" Message-ID: Pine.LNX.3.96.1020728074940.112A-100000@d...
Sweden
"Mucronate" reported a visit to the Scientology expo in Gothenburg, Sweden on July 17th and 22nd. "Lots of big pictures and some text about how incredibly much the Scientologists had helped people. They also showed various films about the Volunteer Missions and films with information about Scientology in general. There was a television set up with two nice little rows of chairs in front of it, an e-meter close by with information about the bridge, various monitors containing Dianetics in many translations, and three tables with various scriptures on it. Everyone who entered was asked if they wanted a guided tour. Both times there were more Scientologists than visitors there. "The second time I explained as well as I could what they were showing, and various things about Scientology in general. My friend was approached by a Scientologist asking if we wanted help, and as I explained my friend was not speaking Swedish, she was immediately taken to the table with English scriptures on it. I moved around and ended up close to a woman from the cult talking to a man about psychology. She was ranting about how insane it was to hand amphetamine to children and went on to talking about how much greater Scientology was. "She began talking about courses and that the man should try one to improve himself. I interrupted after a while asking the woman why she did not tell him how much the auditing cost, as I thought it would be fair to let him know. The only thing she would say was it would cost 'some money' after which the other man began realizing what it was all about. She proudly declared anyone could reach 'clear' without even one hour of auditing from just reading Dianetics alone, and when I asked how many had done so she replied with a very delayed 'hundreds of thousands of people.' I asked her if she knew anyone personally who had done so, and the question must have taken her by surprise because she was stuttering for a while before saying 'yes, well, several.' "She finally lost her temper with me and asked where I found such silly and wrongful information about Scientology. She wanted to know my name as she refused to say another word if I did not tell her, and she refused to talk to me in the vicinity of others. I stressed my name was not important, and she began ranting about how silly I was and how she always wanted to know who she was talking to. When I went on refusing to tell her my name she wanted to take a picture of me! I refused that as well asking her loudly why she needed to take my picture when I asked critical questions. I gave her some sources of information i.e. xenu.net and she was clearly shaking when she wrote it down on a piece of paper, even asking how to spell 'that name' Xenu. As I had to leave the exhibition in its final minutes before closing on that the last day she was shouting after me she did not have to find any information on the Internet since 'Scientology provided her with everything she needed.' I replied with saying she probably could not even visit the site at all since Scientologists are not allowed to do so. "When leaving the place with my friend who was clearly shocked by the way the woman acted I noticed there were people standing around listening to the whole thing. On top of facing another critic she had managed to act stupid in front of a lot of people." Message-ID: 3d3d9bdf.10048378@n...
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.
