Children used to shill for scientology’s PR campaign
Scientology takes great pains to present itself to the world as a champion of human rights. Their tag line is “Making Human Rights A Global Reality.”
Look at their website – the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is prominently featured. And their efforts to “ensure the human rights of everyone” are mentioned extensively. Same in Freedom magazine (when it is published — seems to have dried up of late). Videos showing their wondrous human rights programs are routinely shown at Miscavige’s Nuremberg Rally events.
Here is the Freedom magazine home page:
Scientology has a very prominent front group called “Youth For Human Rights” — the head of which was awarded the IAS Freedom Medal. They use children (mostly of scientologists) to give an air of purity and innocence, most of them are completely unaware of the real truth about scientology’s abusive practices.
Scientology even bestows the title “humanitarian” (and silver, gold, platinum humanitarian) on the big donators to their ideal org fundraising boondoggle.
They have gone so far as to produce videos for each of the 30 Articles of the UDHR — you can find all of these on their scientology.org website too as well as other “Human Rights” DVDs and PSAs and infomration materials.
This is one of two cornerstones of scientology’s efforts to gain credibility and acceptance — the other being its anti-drug efforts (though this prong has taken it in the shorts of late with the mess that is Narconon, but they soldier on with their Say No To Drugs campaign).
But, as with most things in the world of scientology PR, their claims about their wondrous human rights campaigns don’t stand up to even the most cursory scrutiny.
Exhibit One — following is the full text of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that they proclaim to stand so strongly in favor of.
I have highlighted certain sections in red. To even the most casual observer of scientology, it is pretty apparent why. But for the sake of anyone who knows little about the subject, I have written a short explanation in blue under each one that gives a little context as to why scientology should not hold itself out as the paragon of “making human rights a global reality.”
UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
OFFICIAL DOCUMENT
Article 1.
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Article 2.
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.
This is not true in scientology. If you depart scientology in an unauthorized fashion (as they determine it) or you criticize scientology, you are declared a “Suppressive Person” and no longer have any rights in the eyes of scientologists. You are an “anti-scientologist” which is a special status of non-believer. You are “fair game” and anything done to you is excused because no real harm can be done to an SP, because anything bad that may befall an SP is considered a necessary step to try to get the SP to “see the light” and “return to the fold.” All scientologists are forced to disconnect from anyone who is declared “SP” or suffer the consequences of being declared SP themselves. This routinely results in families being torn apart, people losing their livelihoods and lifelong friends suddenly ceasing any and all communication. None of the human rights described in this document are things that SP’s are entitled to.
Article 3.
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
Article 4.
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.
Staff members in scientology work very long hours with little or no pay. Yes, this is “voluntary” — though the means of enforcing their servitude is described above. Scientology staff are threatened with SP declare and “Fair Game” should they depart before completing their “contract” (either 2.5 or 5 years in length). For members of the Sea Organization it is far more draconian. They sign a billion year “contract”and live and work in church premises — they have no access to their passports, communication to the outside world is controlled and so are their movements.
Article 5.
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment is routine in scientology. From sleep deprivation, which is the norm for Sea Org members, to being forced to clean garbage dumpsters and toilets with toothbrushes to being held confined in a guarded, locked office space 24/7 for months on end, and from being thrown fully clothed into a lake in the middle of winter to physical beatings, scientology (especially at its highest levels) takes pride in how “tough” they are and how much they can “stand.” Of course, the alternative to “taking it” is to be declared SP (or in some locations, being physically prevented from leaving) and the consequences inherent in that.
Article 6.
Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.
Article 7.
All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.
Unless, as above, you are declared an SP. And are thus fair game.
Or, you are a member of a profession that is generally categorized as “suppressive” — psychiatrists, drug company employees, FBI agents, members of the CIA or military intelligence, the IRS, or similar agencies in other countries. All these people are NOT entitled to “equal protection against any discrimination.”
Article 8.
Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.
Unless you are a former scientologist engaged in a dispute with a church of scientology. In that case, they have required that you sign a document foregoing your right to an independent judicial proceeding, instead you must submit your dispute to “scientology justice procedures.” As a matter of doctrine, scientologists believe the “wog” (non-scientology) Justice System is not to be trusted and is arbitrary and unfair (to scientology). The church of scientology does NOT believe there are any such things as “competent national tribunals” (unless they file a complaint as a plaintiff to remedy some perceived wrong).
Article 9.
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.
There are numerous reports of people being held against their will at scientology’s international base in Hemet California. Similarly, there are reports of people being prevented from leaving or being tracked down and strong-armed into returning. There are also numerous examples of Sea Org members in disfavor being sent to remote countries to “serve” without their spouses. This is routine in scientology as a means of controlling dissenters.
Article 10.
Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.
See Article 8 above.
Article 11.
- Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.
- No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.
Article 12.
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
Scientology makes a habit of attacking the honor and reputation of people it dislikes. One only has to look at the Freedom magazine website to see the smear articles and videos about those scientology believes are its enemies. From me and others who have left and spoken out to respected film-makers and journalists, scientology is notorious for its attempts to intimidate and smear critics, media, psychiatrists and anyone else it finds distasteful. Even to the extent of sending hired thugs to sit outside someone’s home 24/7 for months on end and shout abuse at them when they ventured outside (see Rathbun and The Squirrel Busters e.g.) Or setting up video camera surveillance on people’s homes (see video of birdhouse surveillance camera outside my home). Hacking into their emails (see prosecution of Eric Saldarriaga in US District Court in NY). Sending false and derogatory letters to employers. In the Sea Org, all incoming and outgoing correspondence is read by “Security Guards.”
Article 13.
- Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each State.
- Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.
Sea Org members surrender their passport to church officials. And Sea Org members generally may not travel from church premises without permission.
Article 14.
- Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.
- This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from nonpolitical crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 15.
- Everyone has the right to a nationality.
- No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.
Article 16.
- Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.
- Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.
- The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.
Unless you are in the Sea Org. Children are forbidden and women who become pregnant are encouraged to have abortions. At scientology’s international base at various times there have been “bans” on marriages, it being deemed “inappropriate due to current circumstances” — these bans have lasted for years until outside attention and exposure has forced the policy to be relaxed. The reason for not allowing marriages was to prevent women getting pregnant.
Article 17.
- Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.
- No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.
In the Sea Org one forfeits his rights to his own property. If you own a vehicle, your keys may be confiscated if you displease someone in authority. If you own a TV set, it will be confiscated.
Article 18.
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
Unless you change your belief in scientology. In which case you can be declared SP and deprived of any rights.
Article 19.
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
Unless you express opinions that scientology does not like. Then you are deprived of all human rights. It is a “High Crime” in official scientology doctrine to speak to the media about scientology without “authorization” from the church.
Article 20.
- Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
- No one may be compelled to belong to an association.
Scientology would argue that people involved in scientology are free to choose to participate in the practices or to leave.
It is a position that makes some sense on its face, as long as you ignore the facts that:
- The abuses are not disclosed up front, people become involved in scientology without knowing what they are getting themselves into
- People are kept in line by use of “SP Declares” and “Fair Game” — as time goes on, their ability to exercise “free choice” is diminished as they become entangled in scientology and thus the result of being declared SP takes on greater and greater consequences.
But this argument would perhaps be unresolvable.
But what is not is this: if you are going to hold yourself out as champions of the UDHR, you should not be guilty of violating so many of its Articles. You cannot have your cake and eat it too by claiming you have the RIGHT to abuse people because it happens as part of the practice of your religion, and then out of the other side of your mouth proclaim you are “making human rights a global reality.” That is newspeak every bit as Orwellian as “War is Peace.”
Off topic but Arnie Lerma has started a new blog. On Marty Rathbun’s site he states “PS: Reminder, it is ok to chat if you want a 2nd opinion from a nearly ancient warrior” arnielerma.wordpress.com
Hi Richard, Thank you for the note about a web site from Arnie Lerma. I always learn something new here.xo Ann.
Interesting news and photo. When looked closely, noticed 15 bodies, 14 teen including half minors and majority of them are of South East Asian descent. That’s all they found on earth for protest.
Article 17 (2)
No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property….
To How many does the church give back (willingly) the money that they still have in AP, once they have been (silently) or otherwise declared ?????
Dave,
Today’s word clearing list:
1. hypocrisy
2. evil
Davey boy responding: “I love hypocrisy & evil! I revel in the feeling that I just may be the most evil person on Teegeeack. As for hypocrisy, how’s this: Yeah, yeah, Hubbard said if you wanted your money back, the cherch would give it to you……BUT I WON’T! Bwahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
Sadly the US government have never actually fully ratified the UDHR. So my first question to the parents of those kids would be “Do you realise your children are marching for rights they don’t even have in your country?” (the supposed home of the free & one of the wealthiest?). I suppose once they have word cleared the UDHR with LHR tech it doesn’t mean the same to them. Now for those of you lurking you may want to ask your church sponsored CCHR to put up copies prominently of the UDHR in all church owned facilities, let’s say all SO sleeping, eating and working quarters, all public areas and printing up a miniature version to cover your pope up with. Might be the best thing you ever did to free mankind, just saying.
This is an excellent list, but in fairness I can find several more articles that Scientology routinely violates and in fact is required even demanded to violate by the doctrine in policies laid down by the founder and source of Scientology Ron Hubbard himself. Many references make it quite clear that Hubbard for example felt his critics and enemies should have no civil rights whatsoever in his philosophy. And by insisting others follow this he made denial and violation of human rights required for all Scientologists.
I’m stuck on Article 1. The babies in the Scientology nursery weren’t given this respect. *tears*
I’ll never make it to Article 2. Correction. THEY don’t even make it this far.
Looking forward to the day when this is a mere memory.
Great article, Mike. Comprehensively covered. I agree on all points. They don’t deserve to call themselves champions of/for human rights. And aligning themselves with the likes of Farrakhan, Baca and others further demonstrates this fact.
I’ve always wondered what happened to the article What is Greatness by LRH which states something along the lines of “being able to love in spite of all reasons not to”. The church is the master of discrimination, hatred, vitriol and spewing of venom. Nothing great or humanitarian about them at all.
This is a very powerful post, Mike. I believe you should place it in your Important Articles section.
This whole thing reminds me of a pack of “constitutionalists” who claim that the President of the US should not fill a vacant seat on the Supreme Court. Invoke the sacred text to puff yourself up. Ignore its contents utterly.
Article 12.
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
When I read this I immediately remember the frustration when on Jan 23, 2000 I was sent to the RPF. I knew the RPF Flag Orders and the LRH policy about being removed from post etc. and I hadn’t done anything wrong so I refused the assignment. I ended up there anyway awaiting the ‘immediate’ Committee of Evidence.
I pulled my old file of letters back and forth to my husband at the time and found 3 of my letters to him that were sent back to me – refused to deliver to him with notes about why. I also recall several of his to me having lines cut out of them with a blade.
I have had family tell me they wrote me for years and never heard back. I never got their letters Per policy all mail is opened by the Director of Communications and it’s left up to him and policy who to send the mail to – not necessarily the recipient. I had a Grandma who was a member of the USA Communist Party so of course I did not get her mail. Seems I also did not get her Sisters – my Aunts.
These church members do not have human rights themselves ~ why should anybody else. To may of them these UDHR articles are only speaking of backwards nations. Most do not pay attention to news because it’s depressing or there is some church emergency created for the distraction from current affairs. It is like Lawrence Wright says ‘The Prison of Belief’.
Hi Cece, A very powerful,post. I salute you. Love, Ann.
Ann, I hope you had a chance to read Tony O’s post today from our very own Chuck Beatty. The more we open our eyes and hearts to what really went on the better it feels. I hope you are healing up just fine 🙂
Hi Cece, Thank you so much for reminding me to check Tony’s Blog. I will try again today, because all of a sudden something or someone is blocking it from me.Sigh,do those that feel the need for this really have nothing better to do?!
Thank you too for your kind wish for my good healing.This Blog and all of you help me more than you can know.Reading here really pushes me forward.I am working on sorting out the super bad memories and letting them go for good.As for my two cancers,right now in remission until the next check and then I go from there.Laughter, Love & Light are very very strong healers for me too.I look forward to more of your posts.Love Always,Ann.
Hi Cece, Just more proof of their crimes: Mail theft: a Federal Crime, a felony charge for each theft. People have to start complaining; and since you saved this evidence, you’ve got a case against these thieving bastards.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!
If people want to see action, they have to get off their duffs and unite to do SOMETHING about it! … Anyone else who has evidence like this should gather it all up and ***NOTIFY*** Mike AND Tony at the Underground, and I’m sure they’ll help out with getting the RIGHT LAWYERS to take your case.
I’m sure you folks didn’t give the scion freaks the right to open, read and black-out your personal mail; or prevent it from getting to the addresses you posted them to. They should be PUNISHED for this, amongst all their other crimes.
Now that Lee Baca is enjoying some time off to catch up on his “way to happiness reading”;
we can again ask that question: “Well, where is Shelly?”
The Church of Scientology has no foundation in humanity. Not only do not they not have any respect for human rights, they have no respect for the rights of people that have explored Scientology. You are expected to surrender all of your rights upon becoming a member.
And they have zero respect for the most minute part of that social machinery called a “Church”, that justifies it’s existence. Auditing / counseling. They are now filming every conversation as intelligence gathering. And if you step out of line it is uploaded and shared on the Internet.
The TREASON is THICK!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Mt9RsvEjW0
Their ONLY source of “clean” income, (not beggar dollars), is counseling. When someone PAYS your organization just to LISTEN in confidence, and you can’t even maintain that valuable exchange within your group, you have NO value left. What does the Church of Scientology have left to offer anyone anymore? I mean, REALLY?
“What does the Church of Scientology have left to offer anyone anymore? I mean, REALLY? ” Even in the best of times it was NUTS at least half the time. Now it’s full blown insane with no bed covers on. It’s a parody of itself with full knowledge but the brakes are worn out and it’s metal on metal screeching and catching everything on fire. Talk about Glee of Stupidity, it’s a full blown parade celebrating the “pride of insanity and stupidity”.
Boom! Laughter!
They have the words of a dead CONfidence man El Ron hisself and also the yelling and sherman spewing violent slapping sociopath. Most all of which could be considered provable BS. From the claims about Clear and those ‘clinically’ cleared all the way to the total freedom and cause state of OT, and additionally 47x expansion.
And as Mike said, Human Rights that are comparable to the Orwellian ‘war is peace’, to which I must say thank you Mike, I now understand the ‘aims of scientology’ much clearer now…’A world with out War…….oh…LRH meant ‘A world without peace’ as does the sole purpose of suing is, harassment is justice, and ‘What is greatness and the being able to love despite of all temptations to hate…, is served up as a conman’s dish to win the hearts of humankind while he spewed some form of hate in almost every taped lecture of his to which I ever listened.
So there you have it Oracle, Greatness, Peace, Cause all as PR wrapping, to the actual contents of Duplicity,War and delusional Cause. That is what the cherch has to offer and is working hard to deliver it daily.
So much lost and such a pity as unfortunately it was a lost founder leading the rest to also become lost, myself included for far too long.
Ahh well…the universe is unfolding as it should……Really??? ha ha
is it that they work for the CCHR and never actually READ the human rights declarations that they’re supposedly fighting for? or perhaps they’re told that the people in these places where there are little human rights have it worse than your average sea org or staff member?
thank you for writing this, it’s so stunning to actually see it written out and compared with the life of a Scientologist. and that religious argument is bullshit. as you say, a “religion” that champions human rights in one side should not be allowed to flagrantly go against those same principles. do as I say, not as I do, eh?
I worked at a huge law firm in the late ’80s. One day there were three repair people toiling away in the printing room ensuring that the air conditioning/heating system kept the printers at a precise 68 degrees so they functioned at peak efficiency.
One of the senior partners asked me what was going in and I blew a sweaty lock away from my face as I explained.
He let out a sharp laugh and said “so we treat our machines like people and our people like machines”.
Scientology does not see the irony in promoting human rights because they do not view staff or public as human.
Boom! Or, if they do see them as human, they have some justify-er tape running through their minds for their crimes against them, such as, “All humans are evil”.
I think the computation goes more like this: LRH says Scientology is senior to life itself, and it is the only thing that will guarantee spiritual freedom for eternity, thus is it is OK to ignore transitory and junior human meat body considerations like “human rights” to forward Scientology.
Well, about the “LRH says”…he was not 100% right 100% of the time. Neither was he holy 100% of the time.
I can only be forgiving when I compare myself. Now, I think I am right roughly 65% of the time right now, give or take conditions and stress, education.
I think I am holy, really, about 85% of the time. For real. But that 15% of me that floats around in the “evil” zone, can make the 85% of me that is holy, disappear real fast when certain buttons get pushed.
Everyone has a God given right to fight back when pushed up against a wall. The problem I have with Hubbard’s war tactics, is that , I know his patience was tried with fakers and sociopaths. But he got brutal when he was not pushed up against a wall. He validated evil way too much. Evil only matters when you validate it. Otherwise, it is easy to put behind you.
He was in a good place when he wrote Dianetics, The Original Thesis. The purpose of auditing was to help and heal. When he decided to use it for police investigations, that was the beginning of the end. But I don’t think it was on him to “save me” or “the planet”. It is on each person to save or heal or better themselves. Once you throw it on someone else to “save” you, you have given away your power. And what you depend on, you do become the effect of.
Personally, I allow people to contribute and co create towards better days and pleasure moments. Every once in a while, someone who is really tripping takes that to mean I have become a dependent. I can rely on people, until I catch them trying to burn down the house. But I do not depend on them. I always have a plan B.
Some of Hubbard’s fuck ups really annoy me. But if you are woman, in a man’s world, you learn to make the best of things. At least, I have. A man can put you in heaven or hell. Hellish men can save your life, and holy men can put a knife in your heart.
I have had the best of chance, with the hellish ones. They never rip the rug out from under me. The “holy” ones, one for one, turned out to be fkn demons.
I knew when I read the K.S.W. series on H.Q.S., that Hubbard could be a mthr fker.
I guess what I mean to say is, unless you are a Hornet whisperer, you should not tread through the honey bees. Hubbard had a life, because he had a mother. I was just able to recognize source.
L Con was never a humanitarian. Cruelties to mankind (his staff and the public, imprisoning him, ripping them apart, bleeding them dry financially, etc) were an extensions of his contempt for his fellow man. Anything he wrote to the contrary was hot air – PR bs – of which there was a plenty. He always had an agenda when he wrote and he wrote accordingly.
This entry outlines the sheer perfidy of Scientology. Not enough to steal and kidnap and abuse, Scientology takes credit for supporting human rights, fighting the good fight.
Anyone can walk down a road with signs dragging children along.
Anyone can spew words at a podium then slink away.
Not many organizations have the gall to starve their employees while proclaiming to feed the hungry.
Scientology, lying liars that lie.
I couldn’t believe it the first time I ran across this document at an org. At the time, they had compelled me to continue working for them for free so they could avoid going to the trouble of hiring and training someone who actually wanted to be there, so I was AMAZED that they could read article 23 with a straight face, since they themselves were profiting from unwilling free labor enforced through threat of destruction of my family.
The utter hypocrisy is hard to take.
It is difficult because the general public is unaware that COS runs these organizations. We wogs 😉 see something like ‘citizens for human rights’ and think oh well I’m for human rights, of course! Donate away! We don’t know the real org behind it. If it said brought to you by your local Scientology org…..Well let’s just say it would not work out. Very deceptive.
Amen Mike. Thank you for keeping it real. The Church, as an entity, seems to have shape shifted into a sociopath. Pathological lying, social manipulation through false reports, pointing the finger at others for the very crimes against humanity they commit routinely, as a “normal condition”. The Church is firmly parked in a treason condition.
And speaking of “Freedom Magazine”, the out ethics of that group as “journalists” is shameful against the backdrop of the journalists code of ethics:
Preamble
Members of the Society of Professional Journalists believe that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. Ethical journalism strives to ensure the free exchange of information that is accurate, fair and thorough. An ethical journalist acts with integrity.
The Society declares these four principles as the foundation of ethical journalism and encourages their use in its practice by all people in all media.
Seek Truth and
Report It
Ethical journalism should be accurate and fair. Journalists should be honest and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information.
Journalists should:
– Take responsibility for the accuracy of their work. Verify information before releasing it. Use original sources whenever possible.
– Remember that neither speed nor format excuses inaccuracy.
– Provide context. Take special care not to misrepresent or oversimplify in promoting, previewing or summarizing a story.
– Gather, update and correct information throughout the life of a news story.
– Be cautious when making promises, but keep the promises they make.
– Identify sources clearly. The public is entitled to as much information as possible to judge the reliability and motivations of sources.
– Consider sources’ motives before promising anonymity. Reserve anonymity for sources who may face danger, retribution or other harm, and have information that cannot be obtained elsewhere. Explain why anonymity was granted.
– Diligently seek subjects of news coverage to allow them to respond to criticism or allegations of wrongdoing.
– Avoid undercover or other surreptitious methods of gathering information unless traditional, open methods will not yield information vital to the public.
– Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable. Give voice to the voiceless.
– Support the open and civil exchange of views, even views they find repugnant.
– Recognize a special obligation to serve as watchdogs over public affairs and government. Seek to ensure that the public’s business is conducted in the open, and that public records are open to all.
– Provide access to source material when it is relevant and appropriate.
– Boldly tell the story of the diversity and magnitude of the human experience. Seek sources whose voices we seldom hear.
– Avoid stereotyping. Journalists should examine the ways their values and experiences may shape their reporting.
– Label advocacy and commentary.
– Never deliberately distort facts or context, including visual information. Clearly label illustrations and re-enactments.
– Never plagiarize. Always attribute.
Minimize Harm
Ethical journalism treats sources, subjects, colleagues and members of the public as human beings deserving of respect.
Journalists should:
– Balance the public’s need for information against potential harm or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance or undue intrusiveness.
– Show compassion for those who may be affected by news coverage. Use heightened sensitivity when dealing with juveniles, victims of sex crimes, and sources or subjects who are inexperienced or unable to give consent. Consider cultural differences in approach and treatment.
– Recognize that legal access to information differs from an ethical justification to publish or broadcast.
– Realize that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves than public figures and others who seek power, influence or attention. Weigh the consequences of publishing or broadcasting personal information.
– Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity, even if others do.
– Balance a suspect’s right to a fair trial with the public’s right to know. Consider the implications of identifying criminal suspects before they face legal charges.
– Consider the long-term implications of the extended reach and permanence of publication. Provide updated and more complete information as appropriate.
Act Independently
The highest and primary obligation of ethical journalism is to serve the public.
Journalists should:
– Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived. Disclose unavoidable conflicts.
– Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatment, and avoid political and other outside activities that may compromise integrity or impartiality, or may damage credibility.
– Be wary of sources offering information for favors or money; do not pay for access to news. Identify content provided by outside sources, whether paid or not.
– Deny favored treatment to advertisers, donors or any other special interests, and resist internal and external pressure to influence coverage.
– Distinguish news from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two. Prominently label sponsored content.
Be Accountable and Transparent
Ethical journalism means taking responsibility for one’s work and explaining one’s decisions to the public.
Journalists should:
– Explain ethical choices and processes to audiences. Encourage a civil dialogue with the public about journalistic practices, coverage and news content.
– Respond quickly to questions about accuracy, clarity and fairness.
– Acknowledge mistakes and correct them promptly and prominently. Explain corrections and clarifications carefully and clearly.
– Expose unethical conduct in journalism, including within their organizations.
– Abide by the same high standards they expect of others.
http://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp
This one was worth hitting that DONATE button up top! Actually many of Mike’s writings are worth doing such – I’m just thankful he persists in getting the truth out there for all to see!
Thank you GMan. I appreciate your kind words and the contribution. It all helps keep the wheels turning.
To keep things straight, Gman is not TheGman who has posted here regularly.
Hi GMan, Good to meet you.I totally echo your post and want nothing more than giving Mike the ability via my donation and all donations, to juggle all the balls he has in the air knowing we have his back. Always,Ann.
One of your most important posts Mike. Congrats and thank you.
The conflict between your own common since on how to treat another in a just way and the way you are treated in the Sea Org creates, in some, a numbing effect that turns them into craven robotic interverted
kool aide drinkers that inflect harm on others with the feeling they are doing it for their own good.
Even if you are a public, if you or the father of your child is in any way involved in making a lot of money for the cherch you will be coerced into an abortion, should you become pregnant.
I don’t know how many public women this has happened to, but surely I am not the only one.
You get the full package, threats of declare, revocation of certs, trying to make your partner turn against you, ect.
The only thing I guess they’re unlikely to do is physically hold you prisoner until you give in.
Good one Mike.
I have wondered for those formally in the sea org how did y’all function on so little sleep? We’re there ever accidents or illness due to sleep deprivation? Also could sleep deprivation be a reason people stay in because you cannot think clearly?
Scientology criminals, organized crime with a horrific human rights criminal history and these shitting criminal assholes hide their financial and human rights crimes behind children.
Update, this occurred a starting this year and is still ongoing:
The operations are moving to FLAG in a sense or at least a great reshuffling/musical chairs is occuring, all SO members at remote orgs in FR and FBO , D/FBO positions have been recalled to LA for “debrief” (interrogation) and retraining and shipped to FLAG to get a new assignments, the young but old SO crews, IE Ideal Org SO staff are being consolidated into FLB under close watch while Fresh on the boat SO members are shipped out to orgs as replacement’s, this is don’t so the false Promise’s of Ideal Org are not enforceable or remembered at the SO local level, because singular local Org SO members for the most part try to help an Org achieve COBs pie in the sky promises, and if they are ripped away, the new SO member just says, ‘I was not here for that evolution so I don’t know what was promised’, and shrugs it off.
Wagstaff
The new recruits are probably from foreign countries and have not been exposed to Google searches of “Scientology” because of a language barrier. They are also from some pretty poor countries where almost anything (like a uniform and rice and beans) is impressive. Miscavige’s cult within a cult.
Thanks for letting me know. I have several friends from my old org who are members of the SO and this has me wondering about what happened to them.
Wagstaff – An international real estate corporation can’t keep its properties in shape with minimal service personnel. As the house of cards tumbles I would expect the devout to retreat and entrench themselves in Clearwater, Los Angeles and Hemet.
Property maintenance would be subcontracted to locals. COB could continue his lifestyle with Tom Cruise and a few whales around him to bolster his ego.
If you or anyone else has specifics that could be forwarded to Mike it would be an interesting topic
Correct, scientology was built and, up to this second, follows its tradition of just lie, deceive and all with the intention to make money for the leader who holds the reins.
Compassion, real care for another, honesty are all foreign words in its practices.
Thank you Mike for another great post, even if done on the fringes of the internet.
Nice thorough job, Mike.
I don’t think there’s any reason to use a “?” in your blog post’s title, particularly when you have firsthand experienced a laundry list of human rights abuses from CoS . There is absolutely no question that CoS as a group are among some of the worst human rights abusers in the USA. The idea of them as “human rights champions” is downright laughable if not for very real lives they have and continue to tragically destroy.
When I was 18, the Church of Scientology meant the world to me. I was doing TR’s, I didn’t want to go to college because I was becoming an auditor, I was on staff, my parents and friends were excited that I was able to communicate with them. THEN…..came the “decree” “the declare” from the NY FDN ED Raymond Baiardi “Lawrence is no longer allowed to receive communications from LRH on the SO#1 Line”. My letters from LRH were confiscated before they reached. AT 18, not even in the DM era. Does that beat all? 🙂 It is a miracle that I tolerated them as long as I did. 🙂
Wow, Ray moved from registrar up to E.D.? I somehow can’t picture that. Ray had one dynamic, his desk. He must have co habitat-ed with that desk for over 30 years? Sometimes, I just talked to the desk. I have to say he did right by me as a registrar. Any redeeming qualities I maintain in the spirit of persuasion, I learned from him. He was always sincere, mainly listened, never used force, threats, inval or personal attitudes in a conversation. He was a potent force in my life, through his sincere and caring nature. He helped me make the impossible, possible. Him and Ellen Shoengold (spelling). Probably two of the best friends I ever had.
There was probably another side to the situation. I seriously doubt he volunteered to be E.D.. He was probably ordered and forced into the position. It must have caused an identity crisis for him. And a huge loss to part with his desk. Last I heard, they had the book store officer, Pete, as E.D..
.
Laughter! That sounds like a Dilbert cartoon strip, the follies of corporate life. Poor Ray being pried away from his beloved desk. Well, maybe they had the courtesy to move it to his new office?
I predict that this piece will be referenced by many who are trying to educate the public of the abuses of scientology and its front groups.
Thank you, Mike.
Then I has a sadz. The children who are used in this campaign are the ones who are heavilty recruited to join the SO.
I agree.
I would like to see today’s article listed as one of the permanent links under”Important Articles”.
Criminals accuse others of what they themselves are doing.
Hey David Miscavige , how many are in the “HOLE” or have
you lost count?
“Criminals accuse others of what they themselves are doing.” And that, folks, IS scientology. And you couldn’t get a bigger criminal that DLHDM. Not stature wise, crime wise.
I didn’t think it possible but miscavige has tarnished criminality with even a worse reputation than its already got. Career criminals must look at him with both disgust & envy.
Perhaps it has something to do with his hair and those ill fitting suits?
Not intended as a wisecrack about David Miscavige “SKILLS”
BUT, Criminals in Prison are much better fed and get better healthcare
than the SEA ORG.
Factual statement that is Public Information.
I think this is the area that disturbs me the most. Shane’s father, Martin Weightman ran a big part of the “European Human Rights” office in Belgium. This same man said it “was for Shane’s own good” to have him on “watch” and imprisoned with 2 guards on him at all times while at Flag. Shane’s crime… dating someone who may be associated with Suppressive people and he wasn’t willing to break up with me. This same Human Rights Champion also disconnected from his son for not wanting to be a Scientologist and doesn’t know his grandchildren. (Actually he didn’t disconnect he left it to Shane’s mother to disconnect for him, a real stand up guy).
Unfortunately he does not see the wrong in his thinking because anything done for Scientology is right and everybody else is wrong. The dangerous part is that they are hiding behind “human rights”.
When I called the Clearwater police to get Shane out of Flag in 2010, they told me they are aware Scientology is falsely imprisoning people and violating human rights but their hands are tied until someone who is actually being held says they are being held against their will. The police searched Flag for him but OSA had put him in a hotel in Orlando (2 hrs away) because they were afraid of me and potentially Mike Rinder coming for him. If they weren’t doing anything wrong there would be nothing to hide and run from.
Martin is at Flag getting on OT VII right now. May he find what he has been waiting his entire 40 yrs of Scientology to find….
Thanks Chrissie. Looking forward to seeing you guys next month. Perfect example of scientology “human rights” at work from one of the stalwarts of the scientology human rights campaigns.
As for Martin finding what he has been waiting for these 40 years, he will find the promised land on OT VIII, not OT VII (that is only the promised land BEFORE you get onto it). When he gets onto OT VIII, then it’s coming at OT IX and X…
lol Mike yes! Remember I was on VII when I left. It’s actually what fully woke me up. The VII’s are treated so horribly and turned into mindless robots. Zero affinity, zero emotion, zero anything is what the materials state. The inconsistencies and contradictions in the tech are abundant on VI & VII. When a qual terminal accidentally let the cat out of the bag, so to speak, of what my c/s thought of me, I knew there was no “spirituality” in Scientology only being judged, evaluated and manipulated.
Definitely looking forward to seeing all of you! =)
You speak sooth Chrissy! In addition to the C/S viewpoint of the public, it was also nice to know how warm and fuzzy the MAAs felt about those they were ‘helping’ to guide into eternal bliss.
I used to marvel how the ‘still wet behind the ears’ MAAs such as Alphonso and Jasmin dealt with parishioners. As the collapse continues I wonder if they will notice how much their own actions have contributed to the debacle?
Short answer is of course ….. NO!
Absolutely Newcomer! Alfonso was actually a huge part of the dwindling spiral that led my entire family to leave. I have had a few MAA’s tell me that they knew certain people were criminals but some mysterious someone uplines would not allow them to handle those people (obviously because they were big donors).
Hi Chrissie,
Having had my son recently disconnect from me, I totally feel the effect of this horrible policy of the cult. I am not aware of the full story of what Shane and you had to endure, so if you could elaborate or direct me to a link, I would love to know more. However, either way, I hope it all worked out well for you both in the end.
Hi Clearlypissedoff, Sorry to hear your son disconnected =(
Shane has done a series of videos with Chris Shelton on his youtube channel. I think the one explaining his Flag experience will be out tomorrow. Other than that we were on Marty’s blog back in late 2009/early 2010. That doesn’t really explain our story other than me fighting to get him freed from Flag. It did work out well for us in the end, definitely quite a story.
Thanks Chrissie. I’ll definitely check Shelton’s video. Glad it worked out!
That ain’t right! Cops know this shit us going on yet say their hands are tied? Sounds like there’s a need to turn our blog into a grass roots movement of some sort to put a stop to all this! I’m open to suggestions.
I’d say this is already a movement and has been for years. The problem is they hide behind the protections of the First Amendment in the US. Like the cop said, unless somebody on the inside has a moment of clarity and calls the cops to report they are being held against their will there is not much they can do.
The best we can do is to keep exposing this stuff as much as possible and spreading the message as to as many that will listen.
Mike, I agree with others, this is one of your best!!
alcoboy – Reprint the Articles with Mike’s observations and distribute it wherever. Most people, myself included, have never read the Articles and would be interested in them for their own sake.
Alcoboy, police cannot free someone who does not declare himself a captive. You wouldn’t want to live in a country where the police could take you away from a group or a place because someone ELSE (not you) said you were being held against your will! But, hey, I get it. We all get it. My only answer is that this is why Lawrence Wright titled his book “The Prison of Belief”. You see, the cult cannot hold anyone who wants to leave. The “prison” is not the cult, but their BELIEF.
I think that is the best explanation I’ve seen Aquamarine. Thank you.
Well said Aquamarine.
Good grief! That is as bad as the auditor who takes on a P.C. with the sole purpose of fair gaming them. You can spot them because after a few sessions they fair game the hell out the person they are auditing. It is thick treason when the person auditing you is sitting there in an enemy condition. I mean, it is very dark. And twisted. This is what happens with sec checks and K.R’s. The person pledged to “help you”, is set up to destroy you and your reputation. It is very unholy.
Most of these people are only self interested and will run over dead bodies to cover their own position or reputation. It is really a minus integrity.
Oracle you nailed it! Nothing like realizing the people that you are paying to help you are actually intent on destroying you or at the very least think you are a piece of crap. Heartwarming..
Actually Chrissie, you said it better than I did.
And this is where I could have a great debate with Miscavige.
Hubbard said, “Purpose is senior to policy”, it is right there on the admin scale. The auditing technology in Scientology is policies to follow. If you have a “highly trained” auditor in front of a P.C., who has the purpose to undermine, degrade or unmock the P.C., the technology is worthless. The auditor will use it in unholy ways to harm, attack and suppress.
If you have another kind of therapist using some other form of technology in front of a P.C., maybe they do not have the tools of Scientology, but if they have the purpose to really help that other person, the person is in better hands. Kindness, hope and mercy , care for the person in front of you, is essential to healing someone else.
Miscavige is all the way south on the admin scale pushing “ideal scenes” and attacking psychs because of their tech. Meanwhile tweeting p.c. folder data on the Internet, using session film and auditors to harm attack and suppress P.C.s. Auditing used to gather and share case data as some kind of “intel” against clients.
Scientology becomes a mind fkn weapon in the hands of a person of ill will, who is actually a criminal, if they are taking your money, resources, time or labor, to fk you, your family, allies and friends over. And many are willing to go into that unholy treason, for personal agendas. It is anti religious.
I would rather sit in front of shrink any day of the week, than an auditor who needs to throw me under the bus for their next meal.
.
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Hi The Oracle, I missed you! Good to see your post and I must tell you that what you wrote exactly parallels what was done to me starting really slowly at the end of Nov 76- and really ramping up into 77 and into 78 after which I could not take one more second of the way the tech was used with me.Goodness if all that had never occurred I would still be drinking the KoolAid and be 99% gone in body, mind & spirit.Happy to read more of your posts,Always,Ann.
Always nice to read your posts Ann. And I do think of you even when I am not reading them! XXOO
I’ve been one of those espees explaining (before a lot of justice specialists) how the crime cult was in fact abusing each and every article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
No matter what PORE brtainwashed cultists think, they are in a totalitarian cult violating and abusing each and every article of that.
That’s worse when they are young people, kids, whose even parents are abusing of many of their own kids rights.
My wife and me were between those, (by far not the very worse of the scn parents).
Roger, ce genre de choses peut vraiment pisser beaucoup de gens, beaucoup de temps. Ils le font juste en face de vos yeux et disent “Shhhhhhh! Ne dites pas à personne OK?” Ils me arraché tant de fois que je ne compte plus! 🙂
In English: Roger, that really makes me mad, big time. They do it right in front of your eyes and then say “Shhhhhhh! Don’t tell nobody OK?” They ripped me off so many time I lost count! 🙂
I treat my dog better than I have seen staff (SO and non SO) treat each other.
In fact my dog eats better than them and gets all the rest she wants.
Human rights my ass.
Potpie, you mean to tell me my ass actually has human rights? That is so bitchin’!
Yes of course it does…..feel it….it is there.
Mmmm, depends.
Is that ass a human ass ? ;P
No, it’s my donkey, aka an Ass.
Both cheeks? Get outa here!!! Really?
I wonder what Shelly would actually think about all this if she was ever afforded those rights?
I would hope she would bitch slap her husband into the next county. But, she does seem loyal to the sociopath…..
Thank you, Mike, for laying this all out. Seems like that “religion angle” has allowed for too much “freedom” to abuse. These are, after all, Human Rights. It’s as if when you sign the contract you become owned and no longer have Human Rights. Isn’t that Human Slavery? Your statement at the end of the post says it all, “The abuses are not disclosed up front…” Being tricked into thinking it’s a worthy organization falls under Article 20, I believe. Most people I know don’t know much about Human Rights and I’m sure CofS counts on that. That way they look like the big hero. Ugh!
Picked that little pack of lies apart pretty good mike. Well said. Well said. Hip hip horray (for mike)
And “knee knee hooray” for DM. He’s too short for hip
Small toe toe Hooray!
Scientology trying to present itself as a fighter for human rights reminds me of how the Panama drug lord, Manuel Noriega, used to present himself as a leader in the fight against drugs. He even received PR awards for the fantastic work he was doing on drug prevention. I was in the Sea Org for 27 years. There is never a thought about human rights there except for using it as a little smoke screen by OSA, the KGB of Scientology.
This is why the work you do on your site is so important, Mike. This site provides counter information to the lies and PR of the CoS. It provides a place that people can go to to find out the truth behind those lies and PR. And armed with this added information, people can then make a more sane and intelligent decision in regards to whether or not they want to become involved in the CoS. Your work is greatly appreciated. Again, thank you.
🙂
Joe Pendleton you echo my thoughts…. it is important that we all support Mike’s efforts to analyse and expose the many, many obfuscations that sucked us in, in the first place and then brought us together here, after escaping the cult of Scientology.
Let me add my voice to the chorus; I’m happy to be able to donate to help Mike.
You’re so right,Joe!
I say bless Mike and Tony at the Underground Bunker, and all the other anti sites!
I know I’m doing my part to spread the word — I’m telling all my friends to visit here, the Bunker and a few others sites. They don’t have to post; I simply tell them to just read it and spread it to all their friends, especially ones with kids.
“Get the word out!” “Spread the news.” PUBLICITY: This, too, is what Mike means when he says, “SOMETHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT.” Make the Public more aware!
Countering SCIENTOLOGY’S lies is SO POWERFUL! They won’t be getting the people in droves like they were in the 60s, 70s & 80s. And that’s for sure. Pretty soon this HUGE FAKE RELIGION will flop on its ass, and will be nothing but a tiny hiccup in the tomes of history (if that much, LOL).
In Brooklyn, just mention the sci-fi freaks and everyone BUSTS OUT LAUGHING, and singing the Twlight Zone tune; besides other funny antics referring to aliens. I get a kick out of watching them, too! 😉
GREAT JOB, MIKE! 😉 Pat
Amen. Very grateful for Mike Rinder, his continued efforts to help people by shedding light into these darkened hallways. Whatever he left behind in the Church, it wasn’t his heart or his beautiful mind. That traveled with him.
Prisoners in the U.S. penal system have more rights than Sea Org members. Disgusting.
And they eat better food too