Manifestations des anonymous contre la politique du "fair game" de la scientologie

Billionaire media and gambling mogul James Packer has quit the Church of Scientology, according to reports.

Mr Packer, who had been a member of the Church since being introduced by friend Tom Cruise in 2002, is now said to be quietly slipping out of the organisation, Fairfax Media reports.

It is believed years of negative publicity over allegations the Church is a cult and it's radical stance against psychiatry have driven Mr Packer out.

It is also understood Mr Packer's pursuit of gambling assets has run against the grain of the Church's stance on gaming. "An obsessive gambler is a psychotic just like a drug addict or an alcoholic," Scientology's founder L. Ron Hubbard wrote.

Scientology, which pitches itself at "able" individuals, has faced months of mounting criticism from pressure groups, including online group Anonymous. Thousands of activists are today also expected to gather around Australia to protest Scientology.Anonymous says the Australian protest will coincide with other worldwide protests.

"The worldwide protest on May 10th will focus specifically on Scientology's 'Fair Game Policy', which states that persons or agencies that Scientology considers to be enemies may be: '… deprived of property or injured by any means by any Scientologist without any discipline of the Scientologist. May be tricked, sued or lied to or destroyed.'," the group said in a statement yesterday.

Although the group has no real leader, it's organisation has seen several high profile campaigns mounted in the United States, Europe and Australia.

Packer quits Scientology

Billionaire James Packer has apparently turned his back on the Church of Scientology. Some of Packer's closest mates have reportedly revealed he's quietly removed himself from the controversial religion, labelled as a cult by critics.

His close buddy and Scientology nut Tom Cruise introduced Packer to the church in 2002. Packer is yet to comment, but friends reportedly say he's still close with Tom.

Packer's pregnant wife, failed songstress Erica Baxter, has also distanced herself from the church. Apparently mounting negative publicity and the church's radical psychiatry stance have presented issues for Packer of late.

Not to mention Packer's growing casino empire. The church's founder, science fiction author L Ron Hubbard, denounced gambling.

Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes and James Packer onboard the Arctic P in Sydney Harbour.
Photo: Andrew Meares

The billionaire's closest friends have revealed that he has quietly distanced himself from Scientology, labelled a cult by some former members, as it faces international controversy about its anti-psychiatry stance.

Members of Mr Packer's inner circle have confirmed that the billionaire, who had ranked as Scientology's wealthiest member in the world, was no longer undertaking Scientology courses and had slowly moved away from the religion, telling his closest friends he no longer "needs it".

Mr Packer was introduced to Scientology by his friend Tom Cruise in 2002. Friends say they remain close. They were most recently photographed dining together with their wives in Germany.

The religion entered Mr Packer's realm at one of the lowest points in his personal and business life. He was overweight and depressed, his marriage to his first wife, Jodhi Meares, had ended and he was reeling from the humiliating and very public collapse of One.Tel, losing $350 million from the family business on the way.

He has spoken publicly of his involvement in the religion only once, telling The Australian Financial Review Magazine in 2006 that he spent an hour or so "every couple of days" practising Scientology. "I think it has been very good for me," he said. "It has been helpful. I have some friends in Scientology that have been very supportive. But I think it's just helped me have a better outlook on life."

Thanks to his Hollywood confidant Cruise, Mr Packer and his fortune were embraced at Scientology's highest levels.

A video from 2004 shows Mr Packer in the front row with the world's most senior Scientologist at a convention in Los Angeles at which Tom Cruise was awarded a large medal before a roaring crowd.

However, Scientology caused discomfort within Mr Packer's old circle of Sydney friends. When his lifelong friend David Gyngell quit Channel Nine in May 2005, it was Mr Packer who called in Scientologists to counsel the TV executive.

Out of respect for his friend, Mr Gyngell listened to them but politely said he did not need their help. In a blaze of negative publicity, he left the network his father, Bruce, had launched. Mr Gyngell has since returned to Nine and resumed his friendship with Mr Packer.

However, observers suggest Mr Packer's expanding casino empire has presented issues difficult to reconcile with Scientologist beliefs.

Scientology's founder, the science fiction author L. Ron Hubbard, denounced gambling. "An obsessive gambler is a psychotic just like a drug addict or an alcoholic," Hubbard wrote in 1977.