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 Healing
Came across this the other day, right from the desk of L. Ron Hubbard. It offers some fascinating insight into how he believed scientology could be sold to cure literally everything, and how to avoid running afoul of the law. The "nod, nod, wink, wink" is thinly disguised and his disdain for government and medical authorities is palpable. It is interesting that this is written in 1962 and, like he had done since 1950, he claimed "we can clear" (until next month or year when he would announce the NEXT "breakthrough" that "now" made clearing possible) and that "of course, Clearing resolves … [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...]
Moscow Ruling
The details are skimpy so far, but the essence of it seems to be that a Moscow City Court has ordered the church of scientology in Moscow to close up shop within 6 months for being in violation of business laws. They seem to conclude that scientology must be a business because the name (and other things) are trademarked. Tony Ortega has a pretty concise summary at his blog. This order will of course be appealed by scientology. And the last time the government in Moscow refused to register the church it eventually made its way to the European Court of Human Rights which sided with … [Read more...]