Scientology: cult of abuses

En Australie, le ministère de la Santé a interdit à la Scientologie de distribuer aux aborigènes des brochures censées favoriser la désintoxication à l’alcool. Par ailleurs, ce même ministère n’autorise plus la Scientologie à dispenser des conseils médicaux pour traiter la toxicomanie et les symptômes de sevrage.

Quant au personnel médical de l’hôpital Tennant Creek, il a lancé un avertissement: le programme scientologue pouvait être potentiellement dangereux et même entraîner la mort. (Source: d’après traduction de Herald Sun, Paul Toohey, 20.11.2010 & ABC News, 22.11.2010).

En Europe, la Scientologie utilise son département Narconon pour utiliser l'argument santé du sevrage des drogues et diffuser ses préceptes. Là encore la méthode est dangereuse, quant aux objectifs réels...

Le gouvernement d'état a été accusé de parrainer Narconon, un centre de recrutement de la Scientologie.

''Le but de Narconon est d'amener les gens vulnérables vers la scientologie et d'enrichir financièrement l'organisation de Scientologie,'' a déclaré M. Schofield, un ancien dirigeant de Narconon et ministre ordonné de Scientologie.

Des critiques dont le sénateur indépendant Nick Xenophon et l'ex-scientologue Paul Schofield ont demandé au gouvernement d'examiner le bail obtenu par Narconon.

La propriété est gérée par les "Parcs Victoria" et est louée à des compagnies et des groupes communautaires dans le but de décharger les coûts de maintenance.

Avec l'expiration de l'ancien bail la propriété a été mis en adjudication publique et c'est Narconon qui a remporté cet appel d'offres et qui est négocie en ce moment un bail de 21 ans.

Andrew Minack, directeur commercial des "Parks Victoria", a indiqué que seulement deux soumissions ont été reçues pour la propriété et que tant que l'organisation exerce ses activités en respectant la loi qu'il ne faisait aucune discrimination au sujet des croyances  ni ne cautionnait aucun ensemble particulier de croyances.

Note d'anti-scientologie: Narconon New Life est un centre de désintoxication et de réhabilitation qui est controversé par les professionnels de la santé. Ce programme consiste en de longues séances de sauna et une prescription de doses intensives et dangereuses de vitamines et de niacine. Durant leur séjour à Narconon les patients doivent également lire de nombreux écrits de Ron Hubbard et faire l'apprentissage du vocabulaire et des croyances de la secte de scientologie.

La semaine dernière le sénateur Xénophon a déclaré: ''Il est très important que Narconon ne puisse être utilisé comme prétexte pour recruter des gens pour l'Église de Scientologie.

Après tout c'est d'une propriété de l'état dont nous parlons ''Il a demandé que le gouvernement fasse une évaluation de l'efficacité de Narconon en tant que programme de désintoxication".

M. Sullivan qui défend le programme de la scientologie a nié que Narconon cherche à convertir ses étudiants à la scientologie.

''Nous ne sommes pas ici pour recruter'' at-il dit. ''Nous sommes ici pour offrir le programme et pour sortir les gens de la drogue et c'est notre première motivation.''

Paul Schofield qui a quitté Narconon et la Scientologie en 2008 après des décennies consacrées à la secte a déclaré que "le coût du traitement chez Narconon est de 25.000$ (frais d'hébergement et repas non inclus) et qu'il s'agit d'un programme à 99 % scientologue. Au moment où les patients ont terminé le programme, ils sont souvent endoctrinés par la Scientologie et ne le savent même pas.''

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State accused of supporting sect

by Royce Millar

http://www.theage.com.au/ - septembre 13, 2010

[Texte intégral]

The state government has been accused of sponsoring a Scientology recruiting ground by granting the group's controversial drug treatment arm long-term control of a historic property in the Yarra Ranges.

Critics including former Scientologist Paul Schofield and independent South Australian senator Nick Xenophon have called on the government to review a Parks Victoria offer of a 21-year lease on O'Shannassy Lodge to Narconon, a group closely linked to Scientology.

''The point of Narconon is to get vulnerable people signed up to Scientology and to push money up to Scientology management,'' said Mr Schofield, a former Narconon executive and ordained minister of Scientology.

''Why is the Brumby government sponsoring a Scientology recruitment group aimed at vulnerable people?''

In 2008 The Age revealed that a drug treatment program based on the teachings of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard had operated a secretive and secluded rehabilitation centre at the publicly owned lodge east of Warburton. The lodge, which sits behind a locked gate at the end of a five-kilometre bush track, is one of hundreds of properties managed by Parks Victoria but leased to companies and community groups in a bid to offload maintenance costs.

With the lapse of the old lease, the property was put out to public tender. Narconon won that tender and is now finalising negotiations over the 21-year lease.

Parks Victoria has defended the decision, noting that only two bids were received for the property, neither proposing a public use.

Only the Narconon bid provided reasonable rental income and sufficient investment to maintain the buildings. ''As long as an organisation is operating within the law, we don't discriminate on the basis of their belief, nor do we endorse any particular set of beliefs,'' Parks Victoria commercial manager Andrew Minack said.

Narconon's ''New Life'' detoxification and rehabilitation program is contentious in drug rehab circles with its emphasis on long sauna sessions and heavy use of vitamins.

Last week Senator Xenophon questioned the state's lease to Narconon. ''It's very important that this not be used as a stalking horse to recruit people to the Church of Scientology. After all, this is a state asset we're talking about,'' he said.

Senator Xenophon called for Narconon's books to be opened to the government and an assessment made of its effectiveness as a drug rehabilitation program.

Senior Narconon figure and practising Scientologist John Sullivan confirmed that the drug treatment program adhered strictly to standards set by the Association of Better Living and Education - an international Scientology offshoot.

Mr Sullivan defended the program and denied that Narconon sought to convert its students to Scientology. ''We're not here to recruit.'' he said. ''We're here to deliver the program and to get people off drugs. And that's our prime motivation.''

Paul Schofield, who left Narconon and Scientology in 2008 after decades devoted to the sect, said families of drug users booked into Narconon paid as much as $25,000 (plus room and board) for a program that was ''99 per cent Scientology''.'

'By the time they've finished the program they're often indoctrinated into Scientology and they don't even know it.''

The Australian Senate inquiry into religious exemption from tax has reported, and gone further than critics had hoped ! Full credit to Today Tonight for sticking to this story despite the big news of the week, the formation of a new Australian government:

Today Tonight - Australian Senate Inquiry Release Special - 2010-09-07

"There are no limits on what you can believe, but there are limits on how you can behave. It is called the law, and no one is above it." - Senator Nicholas Xenophon

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Bipartisan support for charities commission

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/09/07/3005360.htm - September 7, 2010

[Texte intégral]

A federal parliamentary committee has recommended the creation of a charities commission. The commission would ensure charitable and religious organisations were open and transparent. They would also need to be able to prove they deserved a charitable status.

Independent Senator Nick Xenophon has welcomed bipartisan support for the commission, saying organisations such as the Church of Scientology are on notice.

"I believe reform is now inevitable. We can't continue to have business as usual when it comes to organisations that have been beyond any reasonable level of accountability," Mr Xenophon said.

He believes reform in the sector is inevitable.

"This inquiry came about because of legislation I introduced for a public benefit test for religions and charities, and it was as a direct result of being approached by many victims of the Church of Scientology," he said.

"Their evidence, their complaints played a key role in triggering this inquiry."

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Australie: une enquête fédérale va être diligentée sur la scientologie

Australie: Un comité parlementaire fédéral a recommandé la création d'une commission de surveillance des organismes caritatifs.

Résumé:

Une Commission de surveillance en Australie a été mise en place pour s'assurer que les organisations caritatives et religieuses sont transparentes et qu'elles méritent un statut de bienfaisance.

Une réforme inévitable

Le sénateur indépendant Nick Xenophon a déclaré: «Je crois que la réforme est désormais inévitable. Nous ne pouvons pas continuer à fermer les yeux quand il s'agit d'organisations irresponsables comme celle de scientologie".

"Cette enquête est le résultat des nombreux témoignages de victimes de l'Eglise de Scientologie. Leurs témoignages et leurs plaintes ont joué un rôle clé dans le déclenchement de cette enquête" a dit le sénateur Xenophon.

The Economics Legislation Committee of the Australian Senate reported Tuesday on their investigation into the matter of investigating the benefits of religious charities in Australia, and recommended the formation of a Charities Commission. The recommendation has recieved bipartisan support. The inquiry began as the result of legislation initially introduced in the Senate by Senator Nick Xenophon after he had received complaints from former members of the Scientology organization in Australia.

The Charities Commission recommended by the Australian Senate Committee would have responsibilities including investigating charitable organizations in order to make sure that their business dealings were forthright. Such organizations would be required to prove they were worthy of maintaining charitable status from the government.

"it was as a direct result of being approached by many victims of the Church of Scientology. Their evidence, their complaints played a key role in triggering this inquira - Senator Nick Xenophon

Senator Xenophon commented that the recommendation would begin a process towards increasing accountability of these organizations, "I believe reform is now inevitable. We can't continue to have business as usual when it comes to organisations that have been beyond any reasonable level of accountability."

He emphasized such inquiry came about due to controversial revelations from former members of the Church of Scientology, "This inquiry came about because of legislation I introduced for a public benefit test for religions and charities, and it was as a direct result of being approached by many victims of the Church of Scientology. Their evidence, their complaints played a key role in triggering this inquiry."

Senator Xenophon said that recommendations included in the Report served as a warning to cult-like organizations such as the Church of Scientology. The Report requested that the Attorney-General of Australia investigate laws relating to cults in the country. The "Tax Laws Amendment (Public Benefit Test) Bill 2010" was introduced into the Senate by Senator Xenophon in May 2010; the Economics Legislation Committee investigated this proposed legislation and completed a report on the matter in the form of a series of recommendations for the new government in Australia to consider.

A member of the inquiry committee itself, Senator Xenophon pointed out that the recommendations of the Report went beyond the scope of his initial proposed legislation through a recommendation that a Charities Commission use a "Public Benefit Test" in order to assess non-profit organizations active in the country. Senator Xenophon provided an addendum to the Report in the form of a special notes section, wherein he wrote that due to the nature of the disturbing accounts told before the committee regarding controversial activities of organizations in the country, legislation to setup a Charities Commission should be completed before June 30, 2011.

The Committee's Report included recommendations regarding concerns about controversial activities of cult-like organizations. The Report stated there was sufficient evidence heard before the Committee such that the activities of cults should be investigated in the country with the goal of forming policy broader than simply with respect to taxation laws. For the purposes of the Committee's investigation, the Macquarie Dictionary was cited to define the term cult as, "A religious or pseudo-religious movement, characterised by the extreme devotion of its members, who usually form a relatively small, tightly controlled group under an authoritarian and charismatic leader."

With regard to behavior of cults in the country, the Committee recommended the Attorney-General report on operations of governmental organization which investigate these groups such as the French government organization, MIVILUDES. The recommendation to the Attorney-General stated, "The Committee recommends that the Attorney-General's Department provide a report to the Committee on the operation of Miviludes and other law enforcement agencies overseas tasked with monitoring and controlling the unacceptable and/or illegal activities of cult-like organisations who use psychological pressure and breaches of general and industrial law to maintain control over individuals."

In the summary and recommendations section of the Report, the Committee concluded, "Religions and charities, and other not-for-profit organisations ... play an important role in the community and in the economy. They receive significant tax concessions. It is therefore important that they are transparent and appropriately accountable."

Charities may have to 'open books' to prove they benefit community Lauren Wilson From: The Australian September 09, 2010 12:00AM Increase Text SizeDecrease Text SizePrintEmail Share

Add to DiggAdd to del.icio.usAdd to FacebookAdd to KwoffAdd to MyspaceAdd to NewsvineWhat are these?THE Church of Scientology is among religious and charitable organisations that would come under greater scrutiny after a Senate committee recommended yesterday that not-for-profit organisations open their books to prove they provide a benefit to the community.

The Senate economics committee, inquiring into South Australian senator Nick Xenophon's private bill for more accountability on the tax-exempt status of charities and religious organisations, recommended that a commission be established to probe the finances of the not-for-profit sector.

The commission would scrutinise the books of not-for-profit organisations exempted from paying tax against a public benefit test, to ensure they were providing a genuine service to the community.

It was also recommended that the Attorney-General make inquiries about the establishment of an anti-cult taskforce.

Senator Xenophon, who has also pushed for a Senate inquiry into the Church of Scientology, said he was very pleased with the committee's findings

"It's one of those rare cases where I've gotten more than I asked for," he said.

Senator Xenophon said that although the overwhelming majority of religious organisations did good work, the establishment of a charities commission would be "a very significant deterrence" for some organisations alleged to have engaged in cult-like behaviour.

A spokeswoman for the Church of Scientology yesterday said any suggestion that it was a cult "is absurd".

"The church has none of the features of a cult, as defined by the Senate committee, and was declared a religion by the High Court of Australia," the spokeswoman said.

She said the Church of Scientology did not support the setting up of a new agency to monitor and control minority religious organisations.

She said Senator Xenophon was on a "campaign" against the religious organisation.

Senator Xenophon said the committee recommendations were a win "for people whose lives have been significantly damaged by the actions of certain organisations who have been enjoying tax exemption under the label of 'charity' or 'religion', but whose behaviours have been far from charitable".

Jannette Vonthenthoff, a former Scientologist who has alleged she was coerced into having two abortions in her 13 years within the church, yesterday welcomed the committee's recommendations for greater accountability for all not-for-profit organisations.

The Scientology spokeswoman said the church "rejects completely" her claims.

LAST week a senate committee urged the new government to establish an independent charities commission that would apply a public benefit test.

The commission should be modelled on the charities commission in Britain, which ruled Scientology didn't qualify for tax-exempt status there.

The report also recommended that the federal Attorney-General should examine the monitoring of cults by the French agency Miviludes, the report said.

The committee report is a response to the private member's bill proposed by Senator Nick Xenophon to amend taxation laws for churches and other not-for-profit organisations. The inquiry took evidence on the operations of Scientology in Australia.

It calls for legislation to be changed to include a definition and test of ''public benefit'' for organisations seeking tax-free status.

The committee found there was an urgent need for reform of tax rules covering the sector, which Senator Xenophon said should happen before June next year.