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SCIENTOLOGY IN BELGIUM Scientology to stand in the dock before the end of the year In the fall of 1999 the Belgian government raided 10 different
Scientology Churches and then nothing really much has been reported
about the outcome of these raid since that time. See: http://tinyurl.com/nk5dh for more information about these
raids. Two weeks ago Le Soir Magazine published a scathing article about the Church of Scientology and the upcoming Belgian court case. http://www.anti-scientologie.ch/lesoir-magazine.htm (original article - in french) Scientology Europa: In the line of fire of Belgian justice (Le Soir Magazine, Brussels, May 16, 2006) |
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The Church of Scientology international besieges Belgium: An ultimately political decision BRUSSELS: Scientology's new European headquarters
Scientology's
mask drops. Their objective: seizing power. It was a summit
meeting. Saturday, April 8, 2006, 1 pm at the Best Western Hotel
in Brussels, the 'crossroads of Europe'.
Several delegations hurry in to attend an unusual conference. Scientologists who have come from Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Switzerland are jostling in front of the hotel doors. An hour later, a couple of hundred people are seated in one of the basement meeting rooms, waiting impatiently for speeches by the stars of the event, the European leadership of Scientology. They are about to witness the unveiling of the church's new expansion plans for the old continent. At last, a man strides towards the podium, leans into the microphone, and says in English, loudly and full of conviction: "We are at war!". The tone for what follows has been set. This is no joke7000 square meters, right under the windows of the Ministry of Justice Only three years after the controversy caused by buying a building at No. 91, Rue de la Loi [“Law Street”, where the Belgian federal parliament and a host of other government buildings are located], Scientology strikes again. The American mother Church has set its sights on Belgium. The European center of operations is being transferred from Copenhagen to Brussels. The international Church of Scientology has the means to back its ambitions. It has accumulated a vast war chest, which it doesn't hesitate to use. It has also bought other buildings, Numbers 100, 101, 102 and 103, Boulevard de Waterloo! That is no less than 7000 square meters, located between the Ministry of Justice and the Palace of Justice ... The location is as strategic as it is symbolic. This sensational bit of news is announced to the followers during the first part of the meeting. "This building will be twice as large as the largest Church of Scientology in Europe. It will have fourteen auditing rooms, and will be able to accommodate hundreds of people", the speaker proudly proclaims. Perspective sketches of the building are displayed by the overhead projector amidst deafening applause from the audience. The grand opening is planned for October. The conference doesn't stop there. The acquisition of real estate by Scientology in Brussels is only the first step in their plan to infiltrate EU institutions. The road to power In fact, the Scientologists are already in the process of trying to organise a human rights conference within the European Parliament itself, their ultimate target. Scientology wants to acquire power, slowly but surely, and always insidiously. Their goals are clear. "We must take control in Belgium !” “They have the same intentions as the Nazis !” “We must educate these forces of the Fourth Reich about human rights !" [Standing ovation]. To clarify these statements: governments that don't recognize Scientology as a legitimate religion are considered by Scientologists to be Nazis. Hence, the use of the term ‘Fourth Reich’, meaning in this case the EU Commission and the European Parliament. Scientologists believe it is their duty to ‘educate’ these institutions to rally them to their cause, and to take control of them in order to save the planet ! Scientology's internal rhetoric is that of a totalitarian ideology. Anything that stands in its way is seen as a malignant power, working towards the destruction of mankind, at the root of all the evils from which our planet suffers. Under the pretext of being a ‘minority religion’ as it calls itself, Scientology is a de facto political organisation whose ultimate goal is to seize power and establish a dictatorship. The last act: a massive recruitment effort Acquiring sumptuous buildings and having an unquenchable thirst for power aren't enough. Scientology announces that it wants to create ten missions and fifteen groups as satellites of the main church in Brussels. For this titanic task, it will need a lot of manpower. The first cloud on the horizon is this: its human resources are entirely inadequate. In fact, eventhough the Church of Scientology Belgium recently claimed to have at least 5000 members, in reality there are probably no more than about 200 active ones, meaning people in regular contact with the church. So the goal of this conference was not just to reveal the new action plan to Europe’s most devoted Scientologists, but also to recruit between 70 and 150 new members that very same day! The speakers attempt to stir up the audience: "Europe is in danger; we need to wake up! If you want to win this war, you've got to take part in it !" The second half of the meeting is taken up by reading aloud a series of quotes (too many to count, and also displayed by an overhead projector) of L. Ron Hubbard, concerning the need for activism and participation. After this interminable recitation of absurd phrases, a woman with a strident voice exhorts all new volunteers to join her at the podium. After some hesitation, a lone figure stands up to thunderous applause. In total, about a dozen people wind up volunteering ... somewhat short of what will be needed to fill up the new building. Hungry for power, Scientology aims for the top. But there will be plenty of obstacles along the way. For starters, their forthcoming trial. Julie Barreau Scientology sneaks in quietly... [French idiom: Scientology approaches with wolf steps...] The assault of Scientology on the capital of Europe has advanced in stages. Until recently, they only owned two buildings in Brussels. The first one, on Rue du Général McArthur, is used for auditing sessions (Scientology practices that are supposed therapeutic). A second one, in the Rue au Beurre, near the Grand-Place, is used for recruitment. Here, Scientologists administer personality tests to members of the public as an attempt to draw them in. In August 2003, the international Church scored a major coup by acquiring a building at No. 91, Rue de la Loi [Law Street], a name with such rich symbolism. On a mission to seduce, Scientology gave itself a facelift. It wants a new look, that of a charitable organisation. It puts on its most innocent guise. Modestly called the "European Office of Public Affairs and Human Rights", this three-story centre is one big advertisement for the Scientologists' cause. The building is magnificent. The walls are spotlessly white; antique chandeliers accentuate the ceiling moldings. The pseudo-humanitarian efforts of Scientology are depicted with pomp and circumstance. The guided tour, which takes half a day, lauds the efforts of the volunteer ‘ministers' of Scientology who descend on disaster areas wearing their traditional yellow T-shirts. It also prominently features Narconon (a drug rehabilitation program without medical supervision or methadone) and Criminon (a rehabilitation program for criminals). A whole floor has been devoted to the biography of L. Ron Hubbard, the guru and founder who died in 1986. He is portrayed as a true hero, a superman. What else would we expect ? Another room is dedicated to educating the public about human rights, with the cult attempting to position itself as the new spokesperson for this cause. A large part of the exhibition is devoted to virulent attacks on psychiatry, its sworn enemy. Scientology attempts to combat this branch of medicine because it believes it has the power to heal mental illness through the practice of 'Dianetics'. Finally, the center offers a number of explanations of what Dianetics and Scientology are. "Our embassy for human rights is a showcase. Every day, we receive members of the EU Commission and the European Parliament, ambassadors and ministers from far and wide. Our aim is to throw light on what Scientology is doing beyond what people see in the newspaper headlines", declares the high-ranking Church member in charge of showing visitors around the center. Obviously, this establishment is not aimed at Scientologists. It has been created entirely for outsiders. During the guided tour, not a word is said about Scientology’s political ambitions. The double-talk from the cult is disarming. But despite the efforts of the staff, the place has very few visitors. The new building in the Boulevard de Waterloo will be reserved for followers. It remains to be seen whether there will be enough of those to make it viable. Julie Barreau Photo caption: At left, the address plaque of 91, rue de la Loi. Opposite, the buildings on boulevard de Waterloo where the cult plans to establish its European headquarters.
Scientology to go on trial by the end of the year
After
an investigation lasting nine years, with no less than 27 search
warrants executed and multiple complaints filed by former members,
the long-awaited trial of the Church of Scientology in Belgium
is finally due to start. The stakes are high, and the case will
have repercussions far beyond our borders. For the very first
time, Scientology itself could be convicted of being a criminal
organisation.
Four main charges The judicial investigation, started in 1997, concerned nine Scientologists. The files on Scientology gathered since then, four meters of them, cover offenses from the end of the 1980s until 2004. The formal charges being drawn up to complete the case will be finished within two months. The investigation took so long because two additional plaintiffs came forward. They are former members of Scientology who had risen to high levels within the church hierarchy, and were thus able to provide extremely important information. Four main charges have been established: being a criminal organisation (1), fraud, the illegal practice of medicine,and violations of the privacy law. (1) Under Belgian law, a criminal organisation is a group of more than two people existing over a period of time, having as its aim the concerted commission of criminal offenses to obtain, directly or indirectly, material advantages by using intimidation, threats, violence, fraud or corruption, or by using commercial or other entities to conceal or facilitate the commission of such offenses. Photo caption: The infamous center in Los Angeles, where Katie Holmes recently produced a daughter for Tom Cruise. Until now, Scientology has managed to avoid any convictions as a criminal organisation. However, this legal concept is very important, because it is the organization "Church of Scientology Belgium" as a legal entity that is on trial, not its individual officials. "The people responsible will have probably made sure they are insolvent by the time the trial begins. But if the organisation itself is found guilty, things will be quite different", explains Jean-Pierre Jouglas, a lawyer with UNADFI, the 'Union nationale des Associations de Défense des Familles et de l'Individu victimes de Sectes' [national union of defense groups for families and individuals victimised by cults]. If the Church of Scientology were found guilty on this charge, it would probably be dissolved instantly, based on the 1998 law that defines the criminal responsibility of legal entities. At the same time, the judge could also order the confiscation of all real estate Scientology owns in Belgium, including the newly acquired buildings in the Avenue de Waterloo in Brussels. What's more, such a conviction would inflict serious damage on Scientology's attempts to create an image of respectability through its volunteer ministers and various front groups. But we are not yet at that stage. Moreover, Belgian justice has to walk on eggshells in this situation. A conviction of Scientology as a criminal organisation might provoke a serious diplomatic incident with the United States, where the cult is considered respectable and has support at the highest levels of government. On the other hand, the charges of fraud are easier to prove. However, the testimony of people who believe they have been defrauded by Scientology will be essential. "The prohibitive prices of courses sold to members as well as the price of the e-meter may also be taken into consideration", adds Jean-Pierre Jouglas. As for illegal practice of medicine, the prosecutors will build their case on the ‘purification’ or ‘sweating’ courses prescribed to members. The expert explains: "During these courses, Scientologists exercise, spend three hours a day in a sauna and take hugely excessive doses of vitamins, which weakens them considerably. The rest of the time is devoted to the lectures of L. Ron Hubbard, the only intellectual sustenance members are allowed". The auditing sessions, which are very similar to psychoanalytic sessions, may also be taken into account. The last point of the charges, violations of the privacy law, should be provable without any difficulty, thanks to the documents seized during the raids. As Jean-Pierre Jouglas explains: "Scientology keeps a file on every one of its members, containing everything that has been 'confessed' during auditing sessions". Defense through attack With the charges nearly complete, both sides are now readying their weapons. The prosecutors are using every legal means at their disposal. On its side, Scientology has hired a number of well-known Brussels lawyers, and is working on its defense strategy of -- attacking the plaintiffs ! Many victims of Scientology don't have the courage to demand justice. Even after they've left the Church, it still holds a considerable grip on its former members. Jean-Pierre Jouglas explains: "Many victims never file a complaint. This is because these people continue to think along the lines of the cult's belief system for a long time. Breaking away happens very gradually, and is quite distressing. Victims don't want to hear anything about Scientology anymore, and are afraid to go further than that because they are still intimidated." As an example, not one of the plaintiffs in this case was willing to have their identity revealed in this article. One plaintiff says: "When you leave Scientology, all your values, all your truths fall apart, and you're left in total confusion. You don't have any certainties left. You feel guilty and afraid. The only thing you want to do is unplug the phone and lock yourself in at home." In a stroke of luck for Scientology, its victims continue to protect it indirectly. For those who might be brave enough to contact the authorities, it has several means available to persuade them otherwise. The plaintiff: "Scientology knows all the weaknesses of each of the plaintiffs, and knows how to manipulate them to achieve its aims. They have no scruples. They are well-trained, willing to do anything, and think they're immortal. They are real kamikazes". In this case, three people have been offered settlements for undisclosed amounts. Jean-Pierre Jouglas explains: "Scientology's method of defending itself against any charges is to pay the people who come forward to withdraw their complaint. They usually pay the amount the plaintiff is demanding. With the plaintiff gone, Scientology concludes that there was no breach of the law. What's more, plaintiffs are often in debt as a result of paying for courses. Therefore, they often prefer getting their money back immediately rather than sit through ten years of legal proceedings". Other methods have also been revealed by former members. "Through intimidation, spying, slander, threats, harassment, dirty tricks, blackmail -- and suing people at every possible opportunity. That's how Scientology defends itself", former member Roger says angrily. The Church of Scientology has its own intelligence service in Belgium, called the 'Office of Special Affairs'. Jean-Pierre Jouglas adds: "Scientology believes it is all- powerful. It has its own police, its own system of justice... it is really a state within the state. Thus, the system of values in any country where it chooses to operates is considered irrelevant.” This is why the cult thinks it is above any law that doesn't suit it. It threatens to blackmail its supposed enemies with the information it gathers on them. Also, confidential information revealed during auditing sessions is used to put pressure on people to stay in the cult, or not do anything that might damage it. But despite all of Scientology's efforts to keep its alleged crimes from being put under the public spotlight and avoid a conviction, the trial is definitely going ahead. In criminal law, even if the plaintiffs withdraw their complaints, the judicial authorities continue their work. All over the world, organisations that combat cults are impatiently awaiting the start of this trial. Will Belgium succeed where others have failed? The 65 boxes of documents seized during the raids could make all the difference ...
The trail at Lyon
A follower
had hurled himself out of a window … It was the first big lawsuit
against Scientology in France. In September 1996, twenty-three
Scientologists appeared before the correctional court of Lyon
charged with fraud, attempted fraud, complicity in fraud, and
breach of trust. The president of the Church of Scientology
of Lyon in 1988, Jean-Jacques Mazier, was indicted for fraud
and involuntary manslaughter.
Here is the background: On March 24, 1988, Patrick Vic committed suicide by leaping through the window of his thirteenth-floor apartment. He had joined the Church of Scientology six months before. The day before, Jean-Jacques Mazier had tried to convince him to borrow 30,000 French francs [roughly $5,000 US or £3,500 British at the time] to take a purification cure. Patrick Vic, whose income was modest, was torn between his desire to spend money on Scientology and the need to provide for his family. He could not find any solution except suicide, says Jean-Pierre Jouglas, a UNADFI attorney (I).“ Patrick Vic’s wife brought the complaint. Following this event, 38 more people filed civil cases. Yet astonishingly, when the investigation was complete, only seven victims remained; the rest had withdrawn their complaints. After several years of active investigation carried out by Judge George Fenech, Scientology went to trial. “I was badgered. I received messages from all over the world on my fax. They practised what they call ‘black propaganda’ to put pressure on me”, recalls Judge George Fenech (2). Jean-Jacques Mazier was convicted of fraud and manslaughter. Other Scientologists were found guilty of abusing confidence, fraud or complicity in fraud. This lawsuit was emblematic. It revealed the psychological influence Scientology can have an individual. It also raised awareness that existing legislation was insufficient to effectively combat cults. It enabled the development of a law that made it feasible to restrain psychological manipulation, adds Jean-Pierre Jouglas. Julie Barreau
The true face of Scientology How Scientology treats its members Scientology claims 8 to 10 million members worldwide. In reality, the total would be more like 100'000 to 200'000 active followers. “Scientology is the biggest pseudo-religious swindle of the 20th and 21st centuries!” declares Roger, a former member who established the Church of Scientology of Lyon (1). Scientology promises supreme freedom and absolute power. But if you believe the testimony of former followers, it can only ruin and destroy you. A person’s ruin Open to all sectors of the public, Scientology proclaims itself to be both science and religion in order to avoid losing a single “prospect”. People study it to answer their questions. It is supposed to provide answers about the origins of mankind and the complexity of being human, explains a former member. Scientology “recruits” followers by different means. Initially, it is through word of mouth: Followers are duty-bound to proselytize. Front groups such as Criminon, Narconon, U-man [business consultants] or Management Efficiency [corporate training] are also used. But the most widespread method is the personality test. “These tests are a crock!” says Roger, laughing. “ In fact, the results are always catastrophic. ‘You are depressed, you have no goals, no control over your life…’ That’s the explanation you’ll get when a Scientologist administers the test. But they’ll offer a solution -- courses in Dianetics !” A huge number of courses is available. But watch out -- at each step, the price increases. In all, there are about thirty levels to go from “raw meat” (non-Scientologist status) to OT 15, the ultimate level. To traverse all these stages, the devotee will pay between 300,000 and 500,000 euros. People spend fortunes for courses that never bring the answers they’re searching for. “They’re selling hot air”, says one despairing former member. Scientology is a program that stretches over a long duration. The ‘truth’ is delivered drop by drop. When you arrive at Level OT III, you’ll be taught that each one of us is not a single human being, but that thousands of spirits are interacting inside us. Yes, it is a serious belief that there are numerous souls in each body ! “If they knew those things at the beginning, nobody would have ever joined Scientology,” continues Roger. For people within the system, this belief is cast in stone, insists a former member. Besides taking courses, followers need “auditing”. This is a type of psychoanalysis where the person describes a traumatic event until he finds it laughable. Then the event supposedly has no more influence. Imagine a girl who was a victim of incest quaking with laughter about describing the crime! Finally, every good scientologist must be equipped with an e-meter. Price: 5,000 euros (manufacturing cost: about 100 euros). Scientologists often go to work for the organization because that way, their courses are supposedly free. But should they decide to leave the church, they will have to pay back the total price of the courses they took. Scientology has various contracts with durations ranging from two-and-a-half years to five years, or for a billion years -- since members believe themselves to be immortal ! Building a robot The unacknowledged goal of Scientology is to teach its followers absolute obedience to its authority. “After a few years, I had become a genuine robot. I was ready to defend scientology at any cost,” admits Roger. “Scientology convinces people that they are deeply evil; the way to improve is by spending enormous sums of money to reach the upper OT levels.” Another former member adds: “And by defending Scientology with body and soul.” Reports of expulsion are mandatory. Notices of excommunication from Scientology are made in writing, publicly displayed in sixteen languages on one of their websites (www.rtc.org/) established for this purpose, states Roger. Scientology teaches its members how they are supposed to behave. These indoctrination sessions can last hours and even whole days. They are spread out over months, even years. “It’s worse than a major military attack!” says a former member. And of course, in the event of an error, Scientology also has its own ‘justice’ system. Any person with an ‘ethics folder’ accusation must go before a ‘committee of evidence’, actually a court. If you are summoned by this pseudo- jurisdiction, your judgment is certain. You do not have a lawyer, are rarely allowed to testify, and are not present most of the time. These evaluations are practised undercover, by people with no legal competence. “My committee of evidence lasted more than a week,” recalls Roger. Finally, Scientology has little tolerance for critics. It categorizes them as ‘suppressive’. Ron Hubbard stated that 2.5% of the world’s population are ‘suppressive’ people. Here is how David Miscavige, the current leader, plans to conquer his opponents: “We’ll shoot down suppressives like ducks in a pond.” The ultimate goal of Scientology is to have complete power over time, matter, energy and space. In two words: Become Superman ! Beginning at a certain level, you supposedly gain the ability to levitate a building, to travel through time, and so on. But it is forbidden in Scientology to demonstrate these super powers to anyone, because that might be traumatic, explains an apostate. Former members of Scientology still continue to suffer from this fraud for a long time after leaving the church. The aftereffects are incalculable, he concludes. They rip lives apart. Julie Barreau
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When Scientology attacks the establishment This is an extract from a document seized by the FBI by order of the US Justice Department in 1977. It clearly illustrates the ambitions of L. Ron Hubbard
The power of censorship
The creators
of the subversive American TV serial South Park dared to take
on Scientology. In an hilarious episode called “Trapped in the
closet”, the truth about Scientology’s methods and religious
secrets were revealed.
Stan, one of the four famous kids, takes a personality test at the Church of Scientology to kill time. He learns, to higreat surprise, that he suffers from depression. Then he has other tests with the church’s famous instrument, the e-meter. Immediately, it shows extraordinary results. The scientologists then take him for the reincarnation of their guru, Ron Hubbard. The animated cartoon doesn’t neglect Tom Cruise, the enthusiastic ambassador of Scientology. After Stan says his acting is poor, Cruise locks himself in a closet and refuses to come out. John Travolta and Nicole Kidman try to convince him to come out of the closet, a reference to the actor’s alleged homosexuality. Scientology beliefs like the “Wall of fire” are also objects of ridicule. “Trapped in the closet” is one of the program’s more incisively satirical episodes. It was scheduled to be repeated on a British channel in March 2006, but… Scientology used its clout to prevent the repeat broadcast and succeeded. Comedy Central , the cable channel that produces and broadcasts the series, suddenly decided to cancel the repeat broadcast of this polemical episode. Tom Cruise may have threatened to boycott promotion for the premiere of his current film, Mission Impossible III. The film is, in fact, produced and distributed by Paramount, which owns the Comedy Central channel. And that’s not all! South Park lost its chef in the battle. The character of Jerome McElroy, the school cook, will not appear in future episodes. Isaac Hayes’ suave voice lends a high level of sarcasm to the animated cartoons. But the singer is a follower of Scientology. He did not appreciate this affront to his ‘beliefs’ … so he turned in his audio apron. Trey Parker and Matt Stone didn’t lose their sense of humour. They gave Chef a spectacular finale. In the episode entitled “The return of chef”, Jerome Mc Elroy is brainwashed by the “Super Adventure Club”, a reference to the Church of Scientology. This organization turns him into a paedophile before he falls from a bridge onto the rocks below to be burned, impaled, and finally devoured by a lion and a bear simultaneously! Julie Barreau You can download these two episodes free at the site: www.anti-scientologie.ch |
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Exposing Scientology through streaming video
Ces reportages vidéo dénoncent les dangers de la thérapie de scientologie. La scientologie est une nébuleuse sur laquelle ont enquêté de nombreux journalistes. Il suffit de répondre une fois à un questionnaire pour recevoir des prospectus et des invitations. Au départ elle peut même paraître séduisante mais très rapidement les premières dérives apparaissent. |
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