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La surveillance des sectes en France
Interview d'Arnaud Palisson, auteur d'une thèse de doctorat sur la scientologie
Témoignage d'un musicien happé par la scientologie
Alain Stoffen a été happé par la scientologie à l'âge de 24 ans , il était alors sous l'influence de la propagande mensongère de Chick Coréa et celle de l'école du Rythme. Alain Stoffen a été victime d'intimination et de contrainte pour signer une reconnaissance illégale de dette et faire des donations. Il a suivi des cours de scientologie pendant 15 ans. Autres témoignages d'Alain Stoffen: Audio: Interview d'Alain Stoffen à la radio canadienne (www.985fm.ca - 20 juin 2009) Audio: "Je suis déterminé à faire éclater la vérité" - (TSR - 25 mai 2009) Un pianiste belge dépose plainte contre la scientologie pour «escroquerie en bande organisée, extorsion en bande organisée, chantage, exercice illégal de la médecine, exercice illégal de la pharmacie» (L'Express - février 2002) |
| Bulletin du Cercle Laïque pour la Prévention du Sectarisme (CLPS)
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La scientologie a été exemptée de TVA suite à l'attribution par l'administration fiscale du statut d'organisation sociale à but non lucratif. En effet ce 14 décembre 2009 une lettre du Ministère espagnol de l'Economie a informé la scientologie que le statut d'«organisation sociale à but non lucratif » lui avait été accordé. En Espagne cette reconnaissance peut être obtenue quand tous les critères de la loi sur la TVA (loi 37 de 1992) concernant l'exemption sont remplis. Cette reconnaissance va donc permettre à la scientologie d'être exemptée de la taxe TVA sur ses ventes de livres (La Dianétique), d' électromètres et de sa thérapie pseudo-psychiatrique... L'article 20 de la loi sur la TVA précise à l'alinéa 3: «Au regard de cet article, les entités considérées comme entités sociales, sont celles qui remplissent les critères suivants: 1° Elles sont sans but lucratif et, s'il y a des profits, ceux-ci sont dédiés au développement des activités exemptées de même nature. 2° Les postes de président, dirigeant ou représentant légal doivent être bénévoles et ces personnes ne doivent avoir aucun intérêt financier dans les résultats économiques tirés de l'exploitation, directement ou indirectement. 3° Les membres ordinaires ou actifs et leurs épouses ou proche famille jusqu'au second degré, ne peuvent être les principaux destinataires des opérations exemptées ni bénéficier de conditions spéciales dans la fourniture de ces services.» La scientologie va donc devoir montrer à l'avenir que l'argent qu'elle redistribue à ses vendeurs (les FSM qui recoivent 10 à 15% de commissions sur les ventes) ne va pas à l'encontre de ce statut. Une telle démonstration qui nous semble d'or et déjà bien difficile à faire lorsque l'on sait par exemple que certains vendeurs de scientologie ont pu se payer des voitures de sport avec leurs commissions... Bien entendu la scientologie s'est empressée de transmettre aux médias ainsi qu'à tous ses membres la fausse information comme quoi elle avait été reconnue comme religion en Espagne alors qu'en réalité son statut d'«orga- nisation sociale à but non lucratif» n'est qu'un dispositif fiscal et aucunement une reconnaissance de sa religion.
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RÉSEAUX ET LOBBYING SECTAIRES
A Genève, l'ONU a repoussé cet été une tentative d'infiltration en ses murs par un organisme d'obédience sciento- logue. Une illustration des stratégies d'influence déployées par certains groupes à connotation sectaire, aux fins d'instrumentaliser les institutions, selon la spécialiste Danièle Muller-Tulli. Le 28 août 2009, la Tribune de Genève consacrait un important article à la mise en échec, par l'ONU, d'une tentative d'infiltration dans ses locaux de Genève par la multinationale scientologue. Cette prise de position de l'organisation onusienne a été répercutée dans le monde entier tant elle fut exemplaire. Pour mémoire, le vendredi 28 août, l'organisation «Des Jeunes pour les droits de l'homme international» YHRI, organisait, conjointement avec l'ONG Village Suisse, une grande manifestation à l'occasion du 6e Sommet annuel international des droits de l'homme 2009. Il faut savoir qu'YHRI dépend de la Scientologie, bien que celle-ci s'en défende tout en disant soutenir les mêmes valeurs morales, et s'attaque à un angle très prisé par les sectes, celui des droits de l'homme. YHRI sillonne l'Europe et délivre des messages d'éducation aux droits de l'homme, enregistre une vidéo superbe passant en revue les articles de la Déclaration universelle des droits de l'homme déclinés et illustrés par des jeunes, sains, beaux et de toutes races et couleurs. Quant à l'ONG Village Suisse, il s'agit d'une organisation non gouvernementale ayant un statut consultatif à l'ONU, le statut ECOSOC. Ce titre donne des droits à l'ONG accréditée qui peut faire entendre sa voix dans les diverses commissions de l'organisation onusienne. Cela ne présente aucun intérêt pour la Scientologie. Par contre, utiliser des locaux mis à disposition pour organiser des conférences ou des réunions, obtenir des documents et avoir accès aux documents de presse répond à ses objectifs. C'est là qu'entre en jeu l'ONG Village Suisse. Elle est le Cheval de Troie. C'est elle qui formulera la demande à l'ONU. Grâce à la vigilance d'ONG «non contaminées», l'ONU s'aperçoit du stratagème et refuse ses locaux à la manifes- tation, qui se replie alors sur les salons de l'Hôtel Intercontinental, tout en annonçant sur son invitation «à l'occasion de la semaine des droits de l'homme aux Nations Unies, Village Suisse, ONG ayant un Statut Consultatif à l'ONU (ECOSOC) organise avec Des Jeunes (sic) pour les Droits de l'Homme International le 6e Sommet, etc.». La stratégie de séduction du public est claire. On va lire «Nations Unies», «des jeunes», «droits de l'homme». Des sujets d'actualité. La caution d'un organisme prestigieux fait le reste. On ne se méfie pas d'une ONG à but humanitaire. Voilà clairement établie une des stratégies de la Scientologie pour conquérir son public, à défaut de la planète, bien que cela soit un des objectifs poursuivis. Pour cela, une somme de «cibles vitales»dans lesquelles il faut investir temps et argent est définie dans les écrits de Ron Hubbard, le fondateur de la multinationale: - Prendre le contrôle ou obtenir l'allégeance des dirigeants et propriétaires de tous les médias d'actualités; - Contrôler ou obtenir l'allégeance de personnalités politiques clés. L'avocat américain Graham Berry, véritable «bête noire» de la Scientologie, cite des noms prestigieux dans son pays. Il en est de même dans nos pays européens; - Utiliser des groupes similaires comme alliés. Il y a donc bien des «réseaux» d'influence. L'OSCE, Organisation pour la sécurité et la coopération en Europe, organisme créé en 1973 et constitué sous sa forme actuelle en 1999 pour ouvrir puis maintenir le dialogue entre tous les pays européens dans le respect des droits de l'homme et de la démocratie, tient annuellement la conférence de son Bureau des institutions démo- cratiques et des droits de l'homme (BIDDH) à Varsovie. Le BIDDH est l'une des trois institutions de l'OSCE susceptible d'oeuvrer contre les «manifestations d'intolérance et les pratiques discriminatoires» et de protéger la liberté de pensée, de conscience, de religion ou de conviction. C'est le rendez-vous annuel des groupes à dérives sectaires, ou sectes, se réclamant de l'appellation religieuse pour pouvoir venir, sans aucune vergogne, s'asseoir aux côtés de réelles victimes de gouvernements au compor- tement totalitaire pour se plaindre de «manifestations d'intolérance et pratiques discriminatoires» à leur encontre. On y voit, tous les ans, la Scientologie, Moon, les Raëliens, les Témoins de Jéhovah, les Hare Krishna, entre autres, unis contre ceux qui les «victimisent», dont l'organisation française la MIVILUDES, Mission interministérielle de vigilance et de lutte contre les dérives sectaires, qui dépend du cabinet du Premier Ministre, François Fillon, et la FECRIS, Fédération européenne des centres de recherche et d'information sur le sectarisme, qui fédère plus de 50 associations européennes. Les premiers ne demandent rien moins que la dissolution de ces organisations de défense des victimes de leurs dérives. Lobbying intensif A l'intérieur de l'OSCE, des réseaux d'influence permettent à ces groupes de pratiquer un lobbying intensif et de pouvoir ainsi être «très attentifs à la composition du panel d'experts du BIDDH sur la liberté de religion et de croyance» (2). Lors de la dernière session de septembre 2009, à Varsovie, le Président de la FECRIS fut vertement rabroué par la modératrice, Mme Elena Miroshnikova, professeur au département d'études religieuses à l'université de Toula, en Russie, pour avoir employé le mot «secte». Puis la modératrice passa la parole à un représentant de la Scientologie. Le 20% des intervenants de cette session provenaient de mouvements sectaires ! L'appel à la caution de sociologues, historiens des religions ou autres experts universitaires est aussi une pratique courante dans ces réseaux lobbyistes. Pas étonnant puisque certains d'entre eux, en Suisse comme ailleurs, les soutiennent dans leur volonté d'être reconnus comme «religion». Le lobbying au sein des institutions européennes et onusiennes conjugué avec le soutien des universitaires a fait que certains pays ont reconnu en tant que religions des sectes estimées dangereuses pour les individus. On peut citer l'Espagne pour la Scientologie, la Bulgarie et l'Arménie pour les Témoins de Jéhovah. Ces groupes ont par ailleurs des procès en cours pour des faits graves. On trouve des requêtes identiques dans les rapports du Département d'Etat américain, à travers sa Commission des libertés religieuses, ainsi qu'à l'ONU ou encore au Conseil de l'Europe. Dans son rapport de septembre 1999, ladite Commission des libertés religieuses stigmatise la politique européenne de répression des activités criminelles des sectes, la taxant d'atteinte aux libertés religieuses. Ce qui ne manque pas de faire le miel des Raëliens (qui vont régulièrement se plaindre à l'ONU, interpellant l'experte nommée par le Département d'Etat étasunien, Mme Asma Jahangir), et autres Moonistes, Témoins de Jéhovah etc. qui fréquentent assidûment l'OSCE. Cette organisation se met, dès lors, à auditionner un certain nombre de témoins et victimes de la «ségrégation religieuse en Europe» commise par des Etats, des institutions et, bien entendu, nos organisations. Parmi les membres du panel figure l'avocat des Témoins de Jéhovah. La FECRIS fut elle-même victime des actions de ces mêmes réseaux lobbyistes. Alors que toute ONG se voit attribuer le statut participatif au Conseil de l'Europe dans l'année qui suit le dépôt de sa demande, la FECRIS a du attendre trois années tumultueuses pour l'obtenir. Entre 2002 et 2005, les bureaux du secrétariat des Organisations non gouvernementales du Conseil de l'Europe étaient inondés de littérature destructrice concernant les membres de la FECRIS, des tracts s'empilaient sur les tables et de plus, des dossiers disparaissaient. Impossible sans infiltration ou complicités internes. Or, à cette époque, quatre personnages arborant un badge de visiteurs ont été repérés fréquentant le bar des parlementaires à chaque session du Conseil (ce que les visiteurs ne font habituellement pas) – «Une dame à cheveux blancs qui fume clope sur clope, un bellâtre à chemise turquoise, un chauve respectable et un jeune loup en costard», selon le journaliste Antonio Fischetti (3). Pas difficile de monter ensuite dans les étages et de pénétrer dans les bureaux, toutes les portes étant ouvertes et les bureaux souvent vides durant les sessions parlementaires. En avril 2001, un groupe de parlementaires signe une déclaration dénonçant les menaces sur la liberté religieuse en France. En novembre 2002, une résolution invite le gouvernement français à revoir la loi About Picard (4). En janvier 2003, une déclaration recommande les bienfaits de Narconon, le centre de désintoxication pour toxicomanes de la Scientologie. Coïncidence? On a de la peine à le croire. Pour en revenir à l'article d'Alain Jourdan dans la Tribune de Genève du 28 août 2009, il mentionne ceci: «Les anti-sectes vont siéger avec les ONG». Effectivement, la FECRIS, qui jouit déjà du statut participatif auprès du Conseil de l'Europe, a obtenu le statut spécial ECOSOC en août dernier. Qu'en attend-elle ? Elle sera représentée à New-York, Genève et Vienne, dans les sessions concernant le respect des droits de l'homme, de la femme, de l'enfant. Ces deux derniers étant les victimes dont on parle le moins. Or le travail abusif, l'exploitation sexuelle, les mauvais traitements, voire la pédophilie ne sont pas absents du comportement abusif des groupes déviants. Sans oublier la précarité et le manque de couverture sociale la plupart du temps. lls font des victimes et il faut agir Il est donc important que les représentants de la FECRIS rappellent aux gouvernements représentés tant à l'ONU qu'aux institutions européennes que ces problèmes sont bien réels, qu'ils font des victimes et qu'il faut agir. Les sectes sont présentes dans les institutions européennes et internationales, certaines y sont reconnues comme ONG, leur infiltration dans les instances politiques est claire et pas seulement limitée à l'Europe de l'Ouest. La chute du Mur de Berlin a permis un déferlement de ces groupes dans les pays de l'Est. La Croatie est infestée par la Scientologie, la Méditation transcendantale, etc. La Russie est un terrain de choix où l'on ne compte plus les mouvements. Les autres pays de l'Est ne sont pas épargnés. Moon, Brahma Kumaris, Soka Gakkai, entre autres, sont à l'ONU depuis des années. La FECRIS souhaite faire le contrepoids à ces «groupes dont le comportement constitue un véritable défi aux droits de l'homme, dès lors qu'ils se réfugient derrière un droit – la liberté de religion – pour mieux en bafouer d'autres» et qui instrumentalisent les institutions internationales et européennes dans le seul but «de figurer dans les actes de leurs travaux, et par-là même acquérir une légitimité» (5).
Note: 1. Fecris: Fédération européenne des Centres de recherche et d'information sur le sectarisme 2. MIVILUDES, Rapport au premier ministre 2007, La documentation française. 3. Charlie Hebdo – Hors série, «La secte la plus bête du monde», Antonio Fischetti, mai 2004. 4. Loi française de 2001, qui «tend à renforcer la prévention et la répression des mouvements sectaires, portant atteinte aux droits de l'homme et aux libertés fondamentales», ndlr. 5. Déclaration d'un représentant de la FECRIS à L'OSCE, Varsovie, septembre 2007.
Lettre de lecteur RÉACTION DE LA SCIENTOLOGIE Juerg Stettler répond au texte intitulé «Réseaux et lobbying sectaires», paru le 10 novembre dans le cadre de la rubrique «Contrechamp». Une fois de plus, on constate que les principaux intéressés n'ont pas été consultés afin de donner leurs avis avant la parution de cet article. Le fait d'être critiqué n'est pas nouveau. Toute religion établie a été la cible d'attaques lors de ses débuts, chacune d'elle fut mise au pilori par les pouvoirs établis. Chrétiens, Luthériens, Mormons etc., en ont fait les frais, comme l'exemple de l'Armée du Salut en Suisse romande accusée d'organisation cupide et interdite dans le canton de Vaud. Les déclarations faites dans cet article dénotent une méconnaissance de l'histoire des religions et de leur réel parcours. Mais pourquoi autant de virulence, d'acharnement sur la scientologie? Les actions qu'elle mène, comme d'autres mouvements religieux, pour endiguer les fléaux de notre société, peuvent sembler une menace pour ceux qui bafouent en permanence les droits de l'homme. Oui, nous soutenons des programmes d'éducation sur les droits de l'homme, la prévention contre la drogue, souhaitons une restauration des valeurs morales. Comment peut-on accuser ces activités d'infiltration? Ce critère subjectif pourrait tout aussi bien s'appliquer aux autres institutions religieuses, chrétiennes ou pas! A l'inverse, que dire de la manière dont la FECRIS cherche à infiltrer les organisations internationales, envoyant sans cesse ses lobbyistes à Bruxelles, Genève et autres instances politiques de par le monde. N'est-ce pas de l'infiltration ça ? Enfin, il serait important de rappeler que le Sommet des droits de l'Homme à Genève, organisé par l'association des jeunes pour les droits de l'homme, a été accueilli très positivement par les nombreux participants. Ils ont confirmé l'importance de mener une telle campagne et de faire connaître et appliquer les droits de l'homme partout dans le monde. Jürg STETTLER, porte-parole pour la Suisse, Eglise de scientologie de Zürich Précisions de la rédaction Le Courrier a invité la Fédération européenne des centres de recherche et d'information sur le sectarisme (FECRIS) à rédiger un état des lieux sur le lobbying sectaire dans les organismes onusiens et les institutions européennes. Ce texte a suscité plusieurs réactions à charge, adressées dans le cadre du courrier des lecteurs. A ce propos, quelques précisions s'imposent. 1. Il s'avère que les différents auteurs de ces lettres entretiennent des liens avec la scientologie, bien que certains n'aient pas jugé utile d'en faire mention. En conséquence, nous avons, par souci de transparence, fait le choix de publier uniquement le texte émanant d'un porte-parole officiel de l'Eglise de scientologie. 2. Pour répondre à M. Juerg Stettler au sujet de l'unilatéralité du texte publié, il nous semble utile de repréciser ici que la rubrique «Contrechamp» est un espace d'expression réservé aux contributions extérieures au journal, dans le but de stimuler le débat démocratique. Les intervenants s'y expriment en leurs qualités propres ou en tant que représentants de groupes d'intérêts. Leurs contributions, qui ne sauraient être assimilées à des productions journalistiques, ne sont pas soumises aux contraintes de la profession. Dans le cas présent, le fait que l'Eglise de scientologie n'ait pas été consultée ne peut constituer un manquement déontologique. D'autant que nous lui ouvrons ici un espace de réaction. 3. Nous laissons à M. Stettler la responsabilité de ses propos mettant en cause la légitimité de la FECRIS. Il faut cependant souligner que l'organisation décriée, qui bénéficie du statut consultatif Ecosoc et du statut participatif auprès du Conseil de l'Europe, est reconnue d'utilité publique et subventionnée par le gouvernement français. LA RÉDACTION |
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Man Says Scientologists Enslaved Him as Boy By Tim HULL
LOS ANGELES (CN) - A man claims the Church of Scientology forced him to work as a "virtual slave" for 16 years at jobs ranging from washing pots and pans to restoring old films produced by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. John Lindstein says he was kept "busy, poor, tired, and uninformed" by Church of Scientology leader David Miscavige at the church's ranch in Hemet, and feared that "things would get even worse if he did not work as ordered." Lindstein's Superior Court complaint alleges human trafficking and violations of hour and wage laws at the church's "Gold Ranch" compound near Hemet, a semirural area east-southeast of Los Angeles. Lindstein says that from 1990 until 2006, starting when he was just 8 years old, he "performed this work as a virtual slave, working 16 to 24 hours days with no sleep, no time off and no personal freedom" at Gold Base, a mysterious and once-secret headquarters that "resembles a prison camp," with razor wire, security guard patrols, surveillance posts and three roll calls each day. By age 16, Lindstein says, he was working for Golden Era Productions, Scientology's film production company, restoring Hubbard's films from the 1970s. He says he often worked 24-hour days at the "tedious, frame-by-frame work that would normally cost more than $400,000 per movie to accomplish at industry rates." Lindstein and his crew of five were paid $50 per week, he says. Lindstein says Miscavige and others "intentionally, consciously and wrongfully made a tactical decision to ignore labor laws, take [their] chances with a compliant and intimidated work force, and hope that the running of the statute of limitations would in the long run save [them] millions of dollars." Lindstein says that Miscavige "runs the Scientology enterprise with an iron fist, according to his own rules, and enjoys the lifestyle and job benefits of royalty while those at the bottom of the food chain live like slaves and inmates." Those who tried to escape from Gold Ranch and were caught were assigned to the "Rehabilitation Project Force," in which workers faced "a brutal regime of manual labor, have no freedom of movement and are subjected to almost total deprivations of personal liberties," according to the complaint. Church of Scientology spokeswoman Karin Pouw said the church would not comment on the allegations. "The complaint filed by John Lindstein against the Church of Scientology International and others has not been served," Pouw said. "We do not comment on cases to which we are not a party." In his complaint, Lindstein says he was eventually "pushed to his breaking point and he found a way out." He says he has since been "declared an enemy of Scientology, given a large illegal bill for his purported scientology training, and cut off from friends and family who are still under the control of the Scientology enterprise." Lindstein wants the church to pay him at least minimum wage for his years of work. He is represented by Barry Von Sickle of Roseville, Calif. |
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Décès en Scientologie: Judith Richmond et sa fille Le Guardian rapporte le décès d'une scientologue Judith Richmond, 41 ans, souffrant de trouble bipolaire et de sa fille Millie 9 ans, atteinte d'«infirmité motrice cérébrale» La scientologie nie l'existence des troubles mentaux et l'avait convaincue de refuser toute aide psychiatrique. L'enfant est mort accidentellemt dit le coroner alors que sa mère lui administrait un traitement pseudo-scientifique conseillé par la scientologie. Judith Richmond s'est jetée dans un lac avec le corps de sa fille. Ces 2 morts auraient pu être évitées si la scientologie permettait à ses adeptes de recourir aux traitements médicaux psychiatriques au lieu de leur prescrire uniquement des vitamines. de la sauna ou des "auditions" rz des périodes illégales d'isolation. Scientologist Drowns Daughter and Herself Celebrity florist 'may have accidentally drowned daughter then killed herself' By Richard Savill A celebrity florist may have accidentally drowned her nine-year-old disabled daughter as she tried to "heal" her in the bath, before killing herself, an inquest heard.
Mrs Richmond, who had provided flowers for the late Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, and the rock band Pink Floyd, believed her daughter’s condition was due to metal poisoning and not to cerebral palsy. In the days before the deaths, Mrs Richmond had told friends, neighbours and family that she was trying to get help from celebrities including Simon Cowell and the motor racing champion David Coulthard. The Gloucestershire coroner Alan Crickmore recorded a verdict that Millie died accidentally, possibly while her mother tried to give her an “experimental” healing bath and massage. The coroner recorded an open verdict on Mrs Richmond. The bodies of Mrs Richmond and her daughter were found by police divers in the lake outside their home in South Cerney, Glos, on March 18 this year. The coroner said he believed the most likely scenario was that Millie had somehow drowned while her mother bathed and massaged her with oils and that Mrs Richmond had then gone into the lake with her daughter. But it was impossible to be sure whether Mrs Richmond intended to take her own life in her mental state at the time so he could not record a suicide verdict on her, he said. The coroner said: “It has not been possible to determine whether Millie died in the bath or the lake. The most obvious assumption is that in trying to assist Millie with one of the experimental treatments by massaging her with oils in the bath somehow Millie drowned and was carried to the lake by her mother who perhaps realised the enormity of the accident which had just occurred and took her own life. "The second possibility is that they went to the lake together, probably at Mrs Richmond's insistence to get away from the house and the metal and all of those things which she thought to be harmful to Millie. "Either of those two scenarios is entirely speculative but on the balance of probabilities I think it is more likely than not that Millie died in the bath.” He added: "I think whatever happened there is no evidence to suggest anything other than an accidental death in relation to Millie." The inquest in Cirencester had been told that Mrs Richmond and Millie returned to Britain from New Zealand two weeks before their deaths. They had been with Mrs Richmond’s husband, Nick, a City trader, who was keen to emigrate to New Zealand. But she had changed her mind about staying there and had returned to Britain without him. |
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Témoignage de Willy Fry, vendeur scientologue aux USA Will a été le manager des ventes d'ouvrages pour plusieursorganisations de scientologie aux USA. Il explique qu'il areçu reçu des ordres de la direction centrale de la maison d'édition scientologue "Bridge Publications" pour faire arriver leurs publications sur la liste des best-sellers du New-York Times. La scientologie avait réussi à se procurer une liste confidentielle de librairies ayant une connexion directe avec la New-York Times à propos des titres qui se vendent le mieux. La scientologie pour manipuler ses statistiques de vente forçait ses membres à acheter des quantités de livres et les envoyait aussi également acheter ses nouvelles publications dans ces librairies triées d'avance, et obtenait alors une position parfaitement mensongère Source: http://forums.whyweprotest.net/ Testimony of Willy Fry, Sea Org Sales Manager My name is Will Fry. I was recruited by Celebrity Centre Int but was transferred after the EPF to Bridge Publications Inc (BPI). Which, for those unfamiliar, is the publishing house for LRH's written works. At that time, they printed, sold and distributed his fiction works as well as his Scientology works. Though the organization was not considered part of the church, as it handled fiction works, it is a Sea Org operated business. It is structured as a management level org, just below Gold. We were also responsible in managing the sales of Hubbard's lectures and E-Meters under Gold. I soon became posted as the "Sea Org Sales Manager" or "PAC Sales Manager." My job was to manage the book and A/V sales of the following churches... AOLA ASHO Day ASHO Foundation LA Day LA Foundation Celebrity Centre International I was on post there from 1998-2000. In that time, I helped put three LRH books on the New York Times Bestsellers list. One of those books was "What is Scientology." The other two were fiction. 1. "Ai! Pedrito!" (1998), which was co-written by Kevin J Anderson. He was paid to finish the short story of L Ron Hubbard. and... 2. "A Very Strange Trip" (1999), which was co-written by Dave Wolverton. He was also paid to finish the short story of L Ron Hubbard." When these books were released, I and other BPI sales managers were responsible for managing church staff under our authority to sell these books to public. We sold them as well. This was done in the churches themselves. The sales were made during work hours by staff members supposedly doing religious work. They were making a profit for BPI and Author Services Inc (ASI), who controls the rights to L Ron Hubbard fiction works and reigns in authority over BPI. Not to mention the profits of the two fiction writers mentioned above. I will say it again... I managed church staff members who were under orders to sell LRH co-authored fiction books to church members for a profit. Needless to say, enough were sold. As their goal was to reach the NYT's bestsellers list. Many of the books were sold in bulk. They were donated to be put into libraries by BPI. The same thing was done at all orgs. It was part of the "Summer of Events" or "Maiden Voyage" event, where church officials released the books so the public would buy it after the event. In 1998, for the release of "Ai! Pedrito!", I was put on a special project. There were three of us. One man worked for CMO West US. The other worked for Celebrity Centre International. We were each given a list of independent bookstores in various parts of America. We called Scientologists around the areas of the bookstores, then told them to go into that specific store to buy "Ai! Pedrito!". And what was so special about these bookstores ?? The list we were given were bookstores that directly reported sales every week to the New York Times. Somehow, someone from BPI or the Church of Scientology Management had gotten this list. All I knew was, we weren't supposed to have it. How did I find out we weren't supposed to have it ? One day when I was doing my job. Calling public to go buy the book, I dialed the number of a very important figure to the Church... Their lawyer. Ken Moxon. He told me it would be very bad if someone found out we were doing this. And he wasn't going to buy the book at the store I wanted him to. After he hung up, I talked to my two co-workers. The man in charge of the operation said that's EXACTLY what we were supposed to be doing, per his orders from Management. He told me to call Ken back. I did, twice. Each time Ken insisted this would stop the book from reaching the bestsellers list if they found out about it. I was 17 at the time and too new to know who he was. But I sure found out. lol The next day, the operation was shut down. I was put on post as the Sea Org Sales Manager and the other two got into a little trouble before going back to their posts. They had to do lower conditions. That was about it. After all, they were under orders. BPI does not take in a low level Sea Org member at Celebrity Centre Int and put him in charge of a BPI and CMO member. It was ordered to happen that way. I'm told that, today, BPI no longer deals with fiction. Now they are just as much a part of the church as any other org. That was a smart move, if in fact they did this. Now they can get the same tax-benefits as the rest of the church. Now they don't have to worry about people witnessing what I witnessed and took part in directly. It's been a pleasure to meet you all. Thank you for being there for my family and I in this difficult time. For the record, I am the only person in my family who will be speaking out. None of them wish to say anything bad about the church at all. My Uncle's name was Bob Maracle, by the way. He took a refund from the Church of Scientology in Ann Arbor, MI. He was declared an SP in the mid-90's. That church no longer exists. It moved to a faraway town called "Battle Creek", where it currently resides. That's all for now. I just want to say, no matter what happens... I have the courage of my convictions. I may make mistakes along the way. But all I am trying to do is make sure other people are not harmed, the way my family was harmed. As they say, "the truth shall set you free". I feel that freedom now. I want to give that freedom to others. And I aim to. Sincerely, Will Fry Source: http://forums.whyweprotest.net/ |
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Scientology school gets $1m from government By state political reporter Mark Tobin
The school teaches from a booklet written by Scientology's founder. (AAP: Dean Lewins) The Athena School in Newtown says on its website that it teaches from the booklet The Way to Happiness, which was written by Scientology founder L Ron Hubbard. New South Wales Greens MP John Kaye has compiled data sourced from answers given to questions on notice in both federal and state parliaments. He found that over the next four years, the school will get about $1.4 million of government funding. "Public money is now being used to support a school that admits to using the discredited Scientology-based teaching methodology," he said. New South Wales Greens MP John Kaye told Parliament last week that recognising Scientology as a religion granted legitimacy to a cult that bullies, intimidates and exploits. He says governments should not be funding the Athena School. "It's time for both the state and federal education ministers to take this seriously," he said. "The whistle has been blown on Scientology by Senator Xenophon. "It's time for the state and federal governments to act to make sure that their money is not being used to promote Scientology." Scientologists 'targeting' schoolchildren By Sean Rubinsztein-Dunlop
The New South Wales Government says the Church of Scientology is targeting Year 6 students using "marketing" material that claims to promote human rights Education Minister Verity Firth has ordered principals not to distribute DVDs and booklets funded by the church and sent to schools by a group called Youth For Human Rights. The material outlines the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights and quotes Scientology founder L Ron Hubbard on a list of "famous human rights leaders". Ms Firth only learned of the material when she was contacted by a Sydney journalist on Friday, three days after federal independent Senator Nick Xenophon accused the group of widespread criminal conduct and abuse. A spokeswoman says the Minister later sent a memo to the state's primary school principals, warning them of the "marketing exercise for Year 6 students". Ms Firth wrote: "It would appear that this organisation has links to the Church of Scientology, which is not approved to conduct any activities in NSW public schools." Scientology spokesman Cyrus Brooks accuses the Minister of acting on misinformation about Youth For Human Rights, which he describes as "secular". Mr Brooks says he was aware the material was being sent to schools. "This promotes the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights," he said. "This is not information from us." He has defended the inclusion of L Ron Hubbard in the material, saying the Scientology founder's views are as valid as those of others quoted, including Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King and the Dalai Lama. The Youth for Human Rights website says, "a generous grant from the International Association of Scientologists (IAS) has enabled us to produce and distribute with no cost the ... educational DVDs and materials, which teach youth the Universal Declaration of Human Rights." "The IAS supports the purpose of many human rights organisations around the world to improve basic human rights, especially through making known the Universal Declaration of Human Rights document to young and old alike so that positive changes can be made through increased education," it says. Senator Nick Xenophon is calling for an inquiry into the Church of Scientology. He tabled seven letters from former members of the church in Parliament this week, detailing claims of abuse, forced abortions, fraud, blackmail and forced imprisonment. Senator Xenophon also questioned the church's tax-free status. Mr Brooks says the Senator's claims were an outrageous abuse of parliamentary privilege. |
Dr Helen Smith gave evidence this year to a coroner's inquiry after the death of David Sampson in December 2008. Sampson had won $651,000 in Lotto's first division in 1991, but battled with alcohol abuse and depression. A friend of Sampson was upset at the church's policy against psychiatric help: "He was suffering from depression, but he wasn't seeing a psychiatrist because they're against that." Smith, who treated Sampson on two occasions, confirmed she did not offer to refer him to a psychiatrist. "I definitely recommended he get some counselling, some extra help and get sorted out. But I know, from his own ideas, he wouldn't have wanted to see a psychiatrist anyway, because he didn't want to take medication for pretty much anything." She last spoke to him the day before his death, to refer him to an ear, nose and throat specialist for sinus problems, but said his death came "out of the blue". The coroner was satisfied the death was self-inflicted, and a full inquest was not held. Smith's actions were not criticised in any respect by the coroner, and the Church of Scientology's opposition to psychiatry was not mentioned in the findings. A Herald on Sunday investigation into the group has looked into two other suicides of church members. Aucklander Paul Cooper's grieving mother burnt a photo of church founder L Ron Hubbard, which she found among his possessions. And Aaron Saxton, the son of another Auckland church member who killed himself, afterwards worked in a nautically themed Scientology organisation in Australia. Saxton's allegations about behind-the-scenes church activities caused an uproar after they were quoted in the Australian Senate this month. Church of Scientology New Zealand secretary Mike Ferriss denied any link between the church and suicide: "In fact religions in general are noted to have far fewer suicides than the rest of society at large. So it is with us." Youth for Human Rights, a church-backed education group, has been distributing a DVD and booklet about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights since 2006. The DVD cover features a quote from Hubbard, and a booklet inside offers quotes from "famous human rights leaders" including Gandhi and Martin Luther King. The Education Minister of New South Wales has advised schools in the Australian state not to use or distribute the DVD. But Smith, the New Zealand organiser for Youth for Human Rights, said the resource enabled teachers to "show the kids how human rights work, which is pretty cool". Education Minister Anne Tolley said no concerns had been brought to her attention: "If parents have any concerns they should contact their school's board of trustees." Ferriss claimed the DVD was "endorsed" by the Human Rights Commission - but information about the DVD was this week pulled from the commission's website after inquiries from the Herald on Sunday. Gilbert Wong, spokesperson for the Human Rights Commission, said while Youth for Human Rights took part in a commission programme in 2006, this was historic and did not amount to an endorsement. Northcross Intermediate school in Browns Bay is using the DVD as part of class discussions. Principal Jonathan Treday described his school as "progressive" and open-minded, and he had no problems with where the material came from. "If someone like Tom Cruise wanted to come and talk about Scientology, saying 'This is who we are, make up your own mind,' he's welcome." Treday added any controversy over such a visit would possibly have positive spin-offs: "We might get a few more enrolments, with a few more mothers coming to class." Saxton, the former Scientologist whose allegations formed part of a blistering attack in the Australian Senate, said he suspected the DVD was an attempt to recruit new members - a claim denied by Smith. Sunday, November 29, 2009
 , Ex-Scientologist Aaron Saxton and XenuTV.com
author Mark Bunker.November 29, 2009 by XENU TV
I had the great good fortune to share the airwaves with Aaron Saxton in a live radio broadcast from New Zealand. It airs Sundays at 10pm down there but here it was 1 a.m. as the show went out live. Even wacky on the cold meds, I managed to make some sense of Scientology’s mythology and practices. At least more sense than the actual Scientology spokesperson who was the first to appear on the show, Mike Ferris. I have to hand it to Mike, though. I predicted he never would stick around to face questions from us but he did. Here’s Mike’s segment:
Listen or Download Part 1 (mp3) Next Aaron came on to tell some of his story before I was asked to join in.
Listen or Download Part 2 (mp3) In part three, we had a respectful free-for-all with all three of us.
Listen or Download Part 3 (mp3) It was a lot of fun and I was very impressed with host Pat Brittenden During the first segment, while Mike was talking about Christ, I emailed the
audio clip of Hubbard saying there was no Christ
to the show but the hour flew by so fast there was no time to use it. But I did
manage to organically slip in a plug for Blown for Good
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Le fondateur Ron Hubbard n'a pas été admis à la liste "English Heritage"
By Jasper Copping L Ron Hubbard has joined the likes of Wallis Simpson, Eric Morecambe, Marc Bolan and Keith Moon after an application for a coveted blue plaque was rejected by English Heritage.
Photo: GETTY The government agency, which runs the scheme, rejected the application by supporters of the founder of Scientology after its blue plaques panel decided that it was unconvinced about Mr Hubbard's "reputation". The decision has frustrated the Hubbard Foundation, which had nominated him. In an unusual move, a foundation representative went to visit English Heritage officials, following the verdict, to find out more about why he had been rejected and how his case could be helped. Under the rules of the scheme, no candidate can be reconsidered within 10 years of being rejected, but Mr Hubbard's backers say they do not consider the matter "closed" and are now proposing further talks in a bid to revive their cause. The organisation, which is considered a cult by some, is based on the premise that the human race is descended from Thetans, an exiled race from another planet. It was founded by Mr Hubbard, an American science fiction writer, in the 1950s, and now has millions of followers including the Hollywood actors Tom Cruise and John Travolta. From 1957 until 1959, Mr Hubbard based himself at Fitzroy House, in London's West End, and wrote many of his works there. It was a Scientology "church" until 1968, when it was sold. The organisation then bought it back around six years ago and the four-storey building, at 37 Fitzroy Street, is now open as a museum in Mr Hubbard's memory. According to minutes of a meeting in June last year, obtained using Freedom of Information legislation, the blue plaques panel decided that "more time was needed to make an objective assessment of Hubbard's reputation". Panel members present at the meeting included Professor Andrew Motion, the former Poet Laureate. The panel "also noted that [Hubbard] had no settled residence in London". However, other foreign personalities who only spent short periods of their life in the capital have been awarded plaques in their honour. Blue plaques are considered a high accolade and have been erected outside the London homes of some of the world's greatest minds. Eligibility guidelines state that nominated figures must have been dead for 20 years or have passed the centenary of their birth, and must have made an "important positive contribution to human welfare or happiness". Mr Hubbard died in 1986. A source who was involved in the deliberations said: "The decision was on the grounds that he wasn't well known or well respected enough. Controversies surrounding him come into the well-respected bit. The committee was not divided on this, I think." Sarah Eicker, director of Fitzroy House, who nominated Mr Hubbard, said: "I met with the administrator of the panel to get more data and clarify why the decision had been made. "I am planning to set up another meeting. I am aware of the 10-year rule. I don't think the initial proposal is a closed thing. "I definitely think Mr Hubbard warrants a plaque. Maybe the information we provided wasn't sufficient." She said some of the controversies surrounding the movement "might have" played a part in the decision. "I would hope not," she added. "I would have hoped their decision was made objectively." Ms Eicker insisted that Mr Hubbard was "well respected" enough to warrant a plaque, and said she would be asking English Heritage whether they had "discriminated" against Mr Hubbard. "I don't know if there was discrimination or not," she added. She said some of Scientology's well-known followers had visited the London property, but declined to reveal which ones. The number of Scientologists has been put as high as 12 million, but the movement remains controversial. The organisation has been described in Parliament by Michael Gove, the Tory MP, as "an evil cult founded by an individual purely in the interests of enriching himself and sustained by those who are either wicked or wayward". Recently, it was branded a "criminal organisation" in Australia, after a politician used parliamentary privilege to detail a series of allegations against its members there, including assault, imprisonment, embezzlement of church funds and blackmail. It was also claimed that the church had exerted pressure on some members to have abortions. A spokesman for English Heritage said: "It was felt that since Mr Hubbard had died only relatively recently, in 1986, that more time was required to make an objective assessment of the importance and longevity of his achievements. "The panel also noted that Mr Hubbard had no address in London which could be considered as comparatively settled, and moved around a great deal. "If a proposal is not successful, it can be put forward again 10 years from the date of rejection, and English Heritage encourages proposers of plaques to take advantage of this." |
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LA SCIENTOLOGIE DANS LES MÉDIAS
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Un must: "Ron Hubbard, le gourou démasqué" Ce livre de Russell Miller révèle la face cachée de la scientologie. On y découvre un Ron Hubbard, malade, mythomane et poursuivi par la justice. Il est disponible en format pdf ou html sur notre site. Nous avons également publié une version résumée.
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