Anyone who regularly reads this blog will know that I have been scathing in my criticism of recent court rulings concerning the supposed scientology "religious arbitration" agreements that courts have enforced to prevent plaintiffs from pursuing legal recourse against scientology entities. See earlier articles: Scientology "Religious Arbitration" -- Giving Kangaroo Courts a Bad Name and this one: Concerning Scientology "Religious Arbitration." Now comes an article from the Reason.com website which is rather more scholarly than my layman's analysis. A leading expert on religious arbitration … [Read more...]
Scientology “Religious Arbitration” – Giving Kangaroo Courts a Bad Name
Recently, one of the OSA bots on Twitter announced that the Judge in the Masterson civil case had "found me to be a liar" in the case "I lost." This is their twisted interpretation of the following statement by Judge Steven Kliefield in his ruling that the Masterson plaintiffs must submit to religious "arbitration," (see Tony Ortega's site for the full order): Defendants argue the Court should disregard the March 6, 2020 declaration because Rinder is biased, dedicated to falsely attacking the Church and has no foundation for much of his testimony. CSI and CCI also make specific objections … [Read more...]
Religious Protections Run Amok
This is a thought-provoking, and somewhat alarming article by Professor Marci Hamilton, Founder and CEO of Child USA Marci appeared on The Aftermath and was part of the team who filed the civil lawsuits on behalf of the Masterson victims and Valerie Haney. She is one of the country's foremost experts on First Amendment Law as it relates to religion. Marci eloquently and persuasively highlights something I have often said, conservative Supreme Court justices are overly zealous in their efforts to protect religions, and the umbrellas they establish allows scientology to get away with … [Read more...]
Sanity or Anarchy?
Anyone who almost sheds a tear when studying Introduction to Scientology Ethics is either completely delusional or more likely has been abused with the application of this "tech" and the memories are so raw they bring tears. Let's take a look at some of the "incredibly sane" stuff in this book? For example, here are some of the specific "Crimes" and "High Crimes" that are listed. These are things for which you can be declared Suppressive: These are what passes for the most sane ethics and justice system ever invented. Don’t testify or use the court system or cooperate with … [Read more...]
Concerning Scientology “Religious Arbitration”
Many readers here also follow Tony Ortega's blog and will therefore know that at a court hearing in Los Angeles this morning, LA Superior Court Judge Richard Burdge Jr. agreed with scientology that Valerie Haney has no right to a trial before a jury of her peers, but instead must submit to scientology "religious arbitration." I have no other information or insight into this hearing than what is available on Ortega's site. But I do have information of relevance and opinions to offer on the subject. Judge Burdge is not the first to fall for the scientology ruse, and I am sure that once … [Read more...]
Keeping Abuses Secret Under the Guise of Religion
John Redwood posted this on Facebook. I think it deserves WIDE reading. It is the same position scientology takes, and they too appealed the decision to turn over the incriminating preclear folders of Laura Dieckman in her civil case to the USSC. Thankfully, they did NOT win. It is my sincere hope that Watchtower is unsuccessful in this effort to overturn a decision against them. John said the following (I added a link to the petition): Jehovah's Witnesses are appealing to the Supreme Court of the United States, but this time it has nothing to do with preaching or saluting the flag. … [Read more...]
Police Report: CC Int False Imprisonment
A recent escapee from Celebrity Center in Los Angeles filed the report below with the Hollywood PD. They will likely do nothing about it, but the cumulative effect of filing police reports cannot be underestimated. What happened to this woman is SO normal inside the scientology bubble. Nobody there gives it a second thought. This is "normal" and "appropriate" behavior when you are convinced that what you are doing is saving every man, woman and child on this earth and in the universe. What are the human rights of a single individual in the face of saving the universe? It's why … [Read more...]
More on “Confidential” Files in Scientology
No Thursday Funnies this week due to Tom Cruise the cruise. But someone sent this to me as a follow up to the earlier post I had done about the use of priest/penitent files: Scientology Violates Priest-Penitent Confidences -- When It Suits Them. What is so interesting about this issue is the lengths it goes to in order to ensure scientology can assert a privilege to withhold information being turned over in a legal or law enforcement action. This issue comes on the heels of the Christofferson trial and the subsequent jury award of $39 million. The Wollershiem case was coming … [Read more...]
Laura DeCrescenzo (Dieckman) Hammered Scientology
Some thoughts about the settlement of Laura's case. For the few Monday Morning Quarterbacks out there who think she should have gone through to trial -- please read this earlier post about Debbie Cook settling her case. Of course the circumstances are different, but the sentiment remains. Unless you have walked in the shoes of someone engaged in litigation with scientology, you should not dare be critical. I believe there are many more who have congratulated Laura for her persistence and are happy she was able to get to a successful outcome, especially in light of this: The newest … [Read more...]
Looking for ex-Sea Org Victims
I have been speaking with people about the Sea Org’s practices and about a possible lawsuit against scientology alleging abuses of Sea Org members. I am particularly interested in anyone brought into the U.S. by the Church of Scientology on a visa, and then brought to a Sea Org base where they lived and worked for little or no pay. I am looking for people who have left the Sea Org in the last ten years, and particularly people who feel they had a hard time leaving due to physical or psychological coercion. Please let me know if you or someone you know fits this bill, and would be willing to … [Read more...]