Democratic Underground Latest Greatest Lobby Journals Search Options Help Login
Google

Tom Cruise: Scientology, has the only successful drug rehab program

Printer-friendly format Printer-friendly format
Printer-friendly format Email this thread to a friend
Printer-friendly format Bookmark this thread
This topic is archived.
Home » Discuss » The DU Lounge Donate to DU
 
LynneSin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 07:51 AM
Original message
Tom Cruise: Scientology, has the only successful drug rehab program
http://www.nypost.com/gossip/pagesix_u.htm
((scroll down))


TOM Cruise just can't stop talking about Scientology. When German magazine Spiegel asked him if he saw it as his "job" to recruit new followers, Cruise answered: "I'm a helper. For instance, I myself have helped hundreds of people get off drugs. In Scientology, we have the only successful drug rehabilitation program in the world. It's called Narconon." Spiegel countered: "That's not correct. Yours is never mentioned among the recognized detox programs. Independent experts warn against it because it is rooted in pseudo-science." Cruise answered: "It's a statistically proven fact that there is only one successful drug rehabilitation program in the world. Period." Spiegel noted, "With all due respect, we doubt that."

Tom, admit it - you're in a cult and the cult has fucked up your brains. No one you're dating someone young'un like Katie Holmes. Older women are smart enough to realize that Scientology is a load of crock.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
Name removed Donating Member (0 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 07:57 AM
Response to Original message
1. Deleted message
Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.
 
ScreamingMeemie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 07:58 AM
Response to Reply #1
3. Some are, some aren't. Choice of profession is not an
Edited on Mon May-02-05 07:59 AM by MrsGrumpy
indicator of intelligence...
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Misunderestimator Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 08:02 AM
Response to Reply #3
6. Indeed... there are plenty of very intelligent actors in Hollywood.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Name removed Donating Member (0 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 08:02 AM
Response to Reply #3
7. Deleted message
Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.
 
ScreamingMeemie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 08:03 AM
Response to Reply #7
8. Sure. Welcome to DU. I know of several who could probably string
together more sentences than you have in your visit here. :hi:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Name removed Donating Member (0 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 08:05 AM
Response to Reply #8
10. Deleted message
Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.
 
ScreamingMeemie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 08:07 AM
Response to Reply #10
13. Is that a personal insult? Take it as you wish.
Edited on Mon May-02-05 08:09 AM by MrsGrumpy
No need to get hot and bothered by it...After all, as you stated, it's my opinion that they may be of higher intelligence. ;)
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
JI7 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 08:05 AM
Response to Reply #7
11. that's because you are thinking of people like Arnold and Reagan
all actors are not like them.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
bleedingheart Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 08:21 AM
Response to Reply #7
18. by that logic all republicans should be in jail...
Edited on Mon May-02-05 08:24 AM by bleedingheart
they have no brains for math and money based on the deficits they are running up on a war that had no logic behind it...

I also think they should all be in jail for many other reasons like their pandering to corporations and the lack of concern they have for others..
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
trotsky Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 08:26 AM
Response to Reply #7
20. Would that include such notable actors as
Bruce Willis, Arnold Gropenator, and Charlton Heston?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Kathy in Cambridge Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 09:01 AM
Response to Reply #7
32. Funny
sweeping generalization, wouldn't you say? Meryl Streep has a Masters from Yale, and I doubt she'd qualify as brainless.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Mizmoon Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 07:57 AM
Response to Original message
2. I think scientologists and their beliefs
are pretty wacky. However, I also think that people give them too much crap. So they're freaks. Whatever. The world is full of freaks.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
trotsky Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 08:04 AM
Response to Reply #2
9. Freaks whose beliefs harm people.
The cult presents a danger to others.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
LynneSin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 08:06 AM
Response to Reply #2
12. I'm not one to begrudge someone's "faith"
But representing a drug treatment program that experts have deemed "not reliable" (and honestly to me seems like another method of recruitment) is just not a smart idea.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
ET Awful Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 08:42 AM
Response to Reply #2
25. They're freaks that have killed their members, have engaged in
operations to financially ruin their critics, have attempted assassinations against other critics and have threatened, intimidated and prosecuted anyone who stands in their way.

They're not just freaks, they're menaces.

http://www.clambake.org for more info.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
amazona Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 09:40 AM
Response to Reply #25
43. and this is different from other religions how?
I am not an apologist for scientology by any means, however, there is no Christian sect of any significant size that has not been involved in war, which does more than financially ruin its critics, it kills them.

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72


Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
ET Awful Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 10:31 AM
Response to Reply #43
47. I suggest you go to
http://www.clambake.org or xenu.net and read the information provided. These people are MUCH worse.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
rooboy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 08:00 AM
Response to Original message
4. The Germans are way down on the Scientologists.
no surprise that Tom Cruise would be challenged by der Spiegel. I believe it's actually against the law for a Scientologist to be employed by the state government of Bavaria.

Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
BlueIris Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 08:48 AM
Response to Reply #4
28. The Germans know from abusive, destructive cults.
And they would, wouldn't they?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
ET Awful Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 09:33 AM
Response to Reply #4
42. That's because the "church" has teaching that tell it's members
to insinuate themselves into and subjugate governmental agencies to the will of the "church":

The goal of the department is to bring the government and hostile philosophies or societies into a state of complete compliance with the goals of Scientology. This is done by a high level ability to control and in its absence by a low level ability to overwhelm. Introvert such agencies. Control such agencies.

--L. Ron Hubbard, evidence in Church of Spiritual Technology v. U.S., November 22, 1989.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
amazona Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 09:45 AM
Response to Reply #4
45. Bavaria is very Catholic
No religion welcomes a competitor. Nonetheless, are we seriously to believe that discrimination against people on grounds of religion is a good thing? All religions have issues. Scientology is not for me, but clearly it has helped Cruise live a very successful life beyond the wildest hopes and dreams of most. Catholicism is not for me, but it has provided hope and comfort to many of my friends. I think we need to live and let live about some of this stuff. Cruise has found something that works for him, it's only natural he should want others to know about it.


The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72


Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Zuni Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 08:01 AM
Response to Original message
5. man the electroshock
and diet of low protein cornstarch gruel at cult gatherings has made his brain a little mushy
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Az Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 08:15 AM
Response to Original message
14. Cults such as Scientology appeal to those in need
This means that people that have survived to an older age have developed their own means of making it through this life. This doesn't mean they are immune, just more resistant.

Thus cults look to appeal to young adults recently out on their own or facing new unfamiliar stresses. They offer them the comfort of answers or family. Once brought into such an environment the pressure rapidlly builds while the individuals further wraps themself in the culture within the sect. Eventually no matter how extreme the claims may be the individual is no longer able to percieve the distance between reality and their beliefs.

In the case of Scientology they keep the more high profile individuals away from the more extreme beliefs. Using their fame as advertising for their beliefs they do not want to taint them with the more extreme beliefs. Thus they often are kept in the dark concerning these matters and never question such things. So when critics complain about the organization they can in all honesty object saying they have never heard anything of the kind.

Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
KittyWampus Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 05:47 PM
Response to Reply #14
60. Thanks For Posting That. It Makes Sense.
plausible deniability?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
sniffa Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 08:16 AM
Response to Original message
15. no, but they have the worLd's best brain washing center
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Az Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 08:20 AM
Response to Reply #15
17. Do you really think the best brain washing center
would be so easy to identify? :evilgrin:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
ET Awful Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 08:18 AM
Response to Original message
16. Yeah, we all know that massive doses of niacin and sitting in a sauna
are the only forms of drug treatment that work.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
elehhhhna Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 08:23 AM
Response to Original message
19. Ask Tommy about their bang-up marriage counseling program.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
YellowRubberDuckie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 08:48 AM
Response to Reply #19
27. It's funny, actually...
The reason he and Nicole broke up was because he was shoving the "faith" down her throat. She's Catholic and pretty much told him to shut up. I think she's waaaaaay better off without him. He's insane. And if anyone thinks that Katie Holmes is seeing him for something more than just the publicity, well, I'd say they are crazy. She hasn't exactly had a wonderful career since Dawson's Creek ended, and this is a good way to get into the press.
Duckie
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Bridget Burke Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 09:19 AM
Response to Reply #27
37. Nicole's marriage to Tom helped her career.
Katie's career needs a boost & so does Tom's "image." I'm sure it will be mutually beneficial.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
YellowRubberDuckie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 09:24 AM
Response to Reply #37
39. Divorcing him helped her even more.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
imenja Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 08:30 AM
Response to Original message
21. If it gets them off drugs, who cares?
I've heard a few celebrities say Scientology had cured them of drug addiction. So if it works, more power to them.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
ET Awful Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 08:39 AM
Response to Reply #21
23. Anyone who cares about the welfare of human beings would care
Sorry, but supporting an organization that bilks thousands of people out of millions of dollars a year and actually starves its members to death in some cases (Lisa McPherson for example), or electrocutes people to death and covers it up (as was the case at their property in California).

I don't believe that giving such an organization publicity or money is acceptable under any circumstances.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
imenja Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 08:50 AM
Response to Reply #23
29. and how do you know this?
Is it based on anything other than gossip?

And when you say "bilks thousands of people" out of money? Do you have any evidence that these are anything other than voluntary donations, like you or I might make to DU or the Democratic party, or millions of people give to their churches every week? Are there any convictions or criminal charges pending against the church?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
ET Awful Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 08:58 AM
Response to Reply #29
31. Does knowing people who were involved for 20+ years and fled
Edited on Mon May-02-05 09:03 AM by ET Awful
count?

DU and churches don't charge their members hundreds of thousands of dollars to get to the next level of teachings. They don't charge their followers hundreds of dollars an hour for "religious" counselling.

I walked into a Scientology center one time when I was flat broke, they tried to convince me that giving my last $500 to them for "auditing" was more important than paying my rent and buying food.

They tried to talk a friend of mine into getting a second mortgage on her house to pay for their "services."

I know first hand what they do, and I know through court records how far they will go.

You are talking about a group of people who teach their followers that every problem in their life is caused by the ghosts of aliens that are clinging to their body and must be audited away at a cost of hundreds of dollars an hour. The highest level of their teachings teaches that this activity is the result of an alien overlord that ruled the galaxy billions of years ago and was imprisoned in a volcano. They say this information can't be viewed by anyone who hasn't purchased their way up the "bridge" because if someone who isn't prepared sees the information, they will contract pneumonia and die.

They assault Google to block listings of critical sites: http://research.yale.edu/lawmeme/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=350

If you want to see their policies in their own words: http://www.xenu.net/archive/co_pls.html

Do the research, it's readily available.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
LynneSin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 09:07 AM
Response to Reply #31
33. Well hell, that's enough for me to believe it's a cult
glad you weren't sucked in

I know religons get a bad reputation because they sometimes border between non-profit and profit. Any "religon" including Christian ones that demand money in order to 'advance' or 'be saved' is a cult in my book.

I posted an article several month ago at how Pat & Jan Crouch ministries promised to use faith to rid of debt. A comment they made when someone didn't get rid of their debt after donating was that they didn't donate enough and need to donate more and on the credit cards they wish to have the debts removed.

SCAMSCAMSCAM
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
imenja Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 09:07 AM
Response to Reply #31
34. Temples charge
Edited on Mon May-02-05 09:11 AM by imenja
If you are Jewish, you have to pay to become a member of a temple. And they don't allow non-members to attend services on high holidays. This is what a Jewish friend of mine, who also teaches college level Judaic studies, informs me.

I agree that the religion sounds nuts and I myself would certainly never be interested in it. They approached me on a daily basis when I was in grad school, since they had a place right across from campus. But I also believe strongly in tolerance. I don't believe it's my place to tell others what church they should belong to if any or what they should believe. If they want to worship aliens or marshmallows, that is their business.

What you describe about the scientologists going after money sounds a lot like some of the evangelical protestant churches in Brazil. They go into poor neighborhoods, collect money and send it back to the US. Obviously these people don't have valuable homes to mortgage, but the churches take a great deal from very poor people.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
ET Awful Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 09:11 AM
Response to Reply #34
36. So how many members have Jewish temples starved to death
Edited on Mon May-02-05 09:24 AM by ET Awful
like the CoS did to Lisa McPherson? http://www.lisamcpherson.org/

Once again, DO THE RESEARCH.

Let's look at what L. Ron Hubbard himself had to say:

The goal of the department is to bring the government and hostile philosophies or societies into a state of complete compliance with the goals of Scientology. This is done by a high level ability to control and in its absence by a low level ability to overwhelm. Introvert such agencies. Control such agencies.

--L. Ron Hubbard, evidence in Church of Spiritual Technology v. U.S., November 22, 1989.


Of critics of the "church" Hubbard said they "May be deprived of property or injured by any means by any Scientologist without any discipline of the Scientologist. May be tricked, sued or lied to or destroyed. -- Hubbard Communications Office Policy Letter of 18 October 1967

I don't recall a Synagogue ever taking such actions.

As far as lawsuits against critics, they teach this:

The purpose of is to harass and discourage rather than to win. The law can be used very easily to harass, and enough harassment on somebody who is simply on the thin edge anyway, well knowing that he is not authorized, will generally be sufficient to cause his professional decease. If possible, of course, ruin him utterly.

"A Manual on the Dissemination of Material" (first published in Ability, the Magazine of DIANETICS and SCIENTOLOGY, 1955)

Don't even try to compare them to a Jewish Synagogue. Somehow I don't think Synagogues charge on price structures like this:

OT III THE WALL OF FIRE. Get through OT III at AOLA Today!
THROUGH THE WALL OF FIRE
CLEARS ARE AT RISK!!

"Anyone who is Clear but not OT III had better be pushed
up to OT III fast because otherwise HE IS AT RISK. (HCO
Bulletin of 23 Dec 1971 RA, re-revised 1 July 1985)

If a Clear does not move rapidly up through OT III, certain
aspects of the case found on this level can impinge on his
universe. Due to the magnitude of the case on OT III it is
vital that a Clear move rapidly through the No-Interference
Zone and through The Wall of Fire. Contact AOLA immediately
about getting through The Wall of Fire today.

AOLA has "Special Offers" to get you up the Grade Chart
fast!

AOLA "Go OT" Package.
(Solo 1 - OT III and 3 Intensives)
Full Donation Rate . . . . $35,450.00
AOLA "Go OT" Package Rate . . . . $19,500.00
You Save $15,950.00!!

AOLA NOTs Sliding Scale
(4 Intensives)
Full Donation Rate . . . . $30,400.00
AOLA NOTs Sliding Scale Rate . . . . $19,760.00
You Save $10,640.00

At these prices, how can you afford to pass this up?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
imenja Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 09:29 AM
Response to Reply #36
40. so why haven't they been arrested?
If there actions are criminal? I can't believe there is a strong Scientology bias in police departments or DAs offices. James Baker went to prison. Other ministers have as well. There were a number of them being rolled up in the 1980s.

If there is criminal activity--if they swindle or harm people, then they should be prosecuted. But I don't feel it's my place to pass judgment on what they or anyone else believes, whether they worship Jesus Christ, Allah, aliens, marshmallows, or nothing at all.
That's what tolerance is about. In this country, we are all free to make our own theistic or non-theistic choices. I realize that's not a very popular view these days. Most are determined to assert the superiority of their own worldview, whether religious or materialist, above those of others. I try not to. I think this country would be a far better place if people were more tolerant.

As for comparing the Church of Scientology to synagogues, I am not. I simply pointed out that your contention that no other religious denomination charges money is mistaken.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
ET Awful Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 09:32 AM
Response to Reply #40
41. Have you actually read the information with which you've been presented?
Edited on Mon May-02-05 09:51 AM by ET Awful
Read the links.

This is not a theistic choice. They are a harmful cult on a scale unheard of before.

Once again, READ THE INFORMATION THAT'S OUT THERE. If they weren't harming people, I might agree, but they DO harm people, all you have to do is read to understand this.

Since this topic was initially about narconon, let's see the truth about that:

http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Narconon/safety.htm

Or, we can just follow L. Ron's teachings:

"Somebody some day will say 'this is illegal'.
By then be sure the orgs say what is legal or not."
L. Ron Hubbard, HCOPL 4 January 1966

BTW, many courts have ruled against Scientology in both criminal and civil cases:

Justice Anderson, Supreme Court of Victoria, Australia:

"Scientology is evil; its techniques are evil; its practice is a serious threat to the community, medically, morally, and socially; and its adherents are sadly deluded and often mentally ill... (Scientology is) the world's largest organization of unqualified persons engaged in the practice of dangerous techniques which masquerade as mental therapy."

Kenneth Robinson, British Minister of Health:

"The government is satisfied that Scientology is socially harmful. It alienates members of families from each other and attributes squalid and disgraceful motives to all who oppose it; its authoritarian principles and practice are a potential menace to the personality and well being of those so deluded as to become followers; above all, its methods can be a serious danger to the health of those who submit to them... There is no power under existing law to prohibit the practice of Scientology; but the government has concluded that it is so objectionable that it would be right to take all steps within its power to curb its growth."

Federal prosecutor's memorandum to the judge urging stiff jail sentences for 9 top leaders of Scientology who had pleaded guilty to criminal charges:

"The crime committed by these defendants is of a breath and scope previously unheard of. No building, office, desk, or file was safe from their snooping and prying. No individual or organization was free from their despicable conspiratorial minds. The tools of their trade were miniature transmitters, lock picks, secret codes, forged credentials and any other device they found necessary to carry out their conspiratorial schemes."

Justice Latey, ruling in the High Court of London:

"Scientology is both immoral and socially obnoxious...It is corrupt sinister and dangerous. It is corrupt because it is based on lies and deceit and has its real objective money and power for Mr. Hubbard... It is sinister because it indulges in infamous practices both to its adherents who do not toe the line unquestionably and to those who criticize it or oppose it. It is dangerous because it is out to capture people and to indoctrinate and brainwash them so they become the unquestioning captives and tools of the cult, withdrawn from ordinary thought, living, and relationships with others."

Judge Breckenridge, Los Angeles Superior Court:

" replete with evidence is nothing in reality but a vast enterprise to extract the maximum amount of money from its adepts by pseudo scientific theories... and to exercise a kind of blackmail against persons who do not wish to continue with their sect.... The organization clearly is schizophrenic and paranoid, and this bizarre combination seems to be a reflection of its founder, L.Ron Hubbard."

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Paul Breckenridge, June 1984, in the Gerry Armstrong case:

"In addition to violating and abusing its own members' civil rights, the organization over the years with its 'fair game' doctrine has harassed and abused those persons not in the church whom it perceives as enemies."

California appellate court, 2nd. district, 3rd. division, July 29, 1991, B025920 & B038975, Super. Ct. No. C 420153:

"In January 1980, fearing a raid by law enforcement agencies, Hubbard's representatives ordered the shredding of all documents showing that Hubbard controlled Scientology organizations, finances, personnel, or the property at Gilman Hot Springs. In a two week period, approximately one million pages were shredded pursuant to this order."

California Supreme Court, United States v. Lee <455 U.S. 252,257,258 (1982)*/:[br />
"When a person is subjected to coercive persuasion without his knowledge or consent ... develop serious and sometimes irreversible physical and psychiatric disorders, up to and including schizophrenia, self-mutilation, and suicide."

USDJ Judge Leonie Brinkema 4 Oct 96 Memorandum Opinion, RTC vs Lerma:

"The dispute in this case surrounds Lerma's acquisition and publication on the Internet of texts that the Church of Scientology considers sacred and protects heavily from unauthorized disclosure. Founded by L. Ron Hubbard, the Scientology religion attempts to explain the origin of negative spiritual forces in the world and advances techniques for improving one's own spiritual well-being. Scientologists believe that most human problems can be traced to lingering spirits of an extraterrestrial people massacred by their ruler, Xenu, over 75 million years ago. These spirits attach themselves by "clusters" to individuals in the contemporary world, causing spiritual harm and negatively influencing the lives of their hosts ".

Lord Denning:

"...capable of such danger that the public interest demands that people should know what is going on"

Judge Constandia Angelaki:

"It is an organization with medical, social and ethical practices that are dangerous and harmful,"

"It claims to act freely so as to draw members who subsequently undergo ... brainwashing by dictated ways of thinking that limit reaction capabilities."

Supreme Court of Victoria, Australia, Justice Brookings, 1982:

" ...the teaching of Scientology and the practice of Scientology will result in the commission of many offenses and may well result in the commission of many others."

California 9th Circuit Appeals court in the Zolan case, after secret Scientology tapes were remanded from the U.S. Supreme Court:

"The purpose of the MCCS project was to cover up past criminal wrongdoing.... The MCCS project involved the discussion and planning for future frauds against the IRS in violation of 18C USC 371."

Ted Gunderson, former head of the FBI's Los Angeles office, quoted in TIME May 6, 1991:

"In my opinion the church has one of the most effective intelligence operations in the U.S. rivaling even that of the FBI."

IRS Final Adverse Ruling re "Church of Spiritual Technology," July 8, 1988:

"The California case also demonstrates inurement... amid continuous representations denying control by and benefit to Mr. Hubbard, and a tenacious denial of the actual state of the organization's actual affairs in the face of overwhelming evidence establishing the true nature of the organization's operations." ...Such self dealing does not lose its identity as private benefit and inurement merely because it is conducted through intermediary individuals and\or organizations.

California appellate court, 2nd district, 7th division, Wollersheim v. Church of Scientology of California, Civ. No. B023193 Cal. Super. (1986):

"Substantial evidence supports the conclusion Scientology leaders made the deliberate decision to ruin Wollersheim economically and possible psychologically.... We do not mean to suggest Scientology's retributive program as described in the evidence of this case represented a full scale modern day "inquisition." Nevertheless there are some parallels in purpose and effect. "Fair game" like the "inquisition" targeted "heretics." "Other testimony established Scientology is a hierarchal organization which exhibits near paranoid attitudes toward certain institutions and individuals---in particular the government, mental health professions, disaffected members, and others who criticize the organization or its leadership... During trial, Wollersheim's experts testified Scientology's "auditing" and "disconnect" practices constituted "brainwashing" and "thought reform" akin to what the Chinese and North Koreans practiced on American prisoners of war." "A religious practice which takes place in the context of this level of coercion has less religious value than one the recipient engages in voluntarily. Even more significantly, it poses a greater threat to society to have coerced religious practices inflicted on its citizens." "Using its position as religious leader, the church and its agents coerced Wollersheim into continuing auditing even though his sanity was repeatedly threatened by this practice... Thus there is adequate proof the religious practice in this instance caused real harm to the individual and the appellant's outrageous conduct caused that harm... Church practices conducted in a coercive environment are not qualified to be voluntary religious practices entitled to first amendment religious freedom guarantees." "We hold that the state has a compelling interest in allowing its citizens to recover for serious emotional injuries they suffer through religious practices they are coerced into accepting. Such conduct is too outrageous to be protected under the constitution and too unworthy to be privileged under the law of torts."

U.S. v Kuch 288 F Sup. 439 (1968):

"Those who seek constitutional protections for their participation in an establishment of religion and freedom to practice its beliefs must not be permitted the special freedoms this special sanctuary may provide merely by adopting religious nomenclature and cynically using it as a shield to protect them when participating in anti social conduct that otherwise stands condemned."

United States v. Article or Device, Etc., 333 F.Supp. 357 (D.D.C. 1971) :

"The bulk of the material is replete with false medical and scientific claims devoid of any religious overlay or reference." (333 F.Supp. at 361) "The Court's opinion directly and forcefully confronts the issue of claimed First Amendment protection by Scientology. The Court then held that the practice of Scientology was secular." (333 F.Supp. at 359

Commissioners of the City of Clearwater, Florida, public hearings, May 5-10, 1982. The Commission received documentary and testimonial evidence with respect to the operation, activities and conduct of Scientology. Based upon the sworn testimony of witnesses, affidavits, state and federal court decisions, and miscellaneous documents reviewed and considered, the Commission made the following factual recitation:

"Evidentiary fact:
The Church of Scientology is currently engaged in a nationwide conspiracy to impede and obstruct municipal, state and federal taxing authorities, by adopting a religious and charitable guise to avoid payment of taxes.
"Scientology's internal policies state: "They (the public) want ministers. We will show them what ministers look like" (Vol. 1 p.41). "Churches are looked upon as reform groups. Therefore, we must act like a reform group" (Vol.1 p.196).
"Scientology has nothing to do with religion. The Church did not adopt the religious guise until it was necessary to seek First Amendment protection (Vol.4 p.405).
"Scientology uses a religious image checklist designed to falsely portray a religious image to mislead officials (Vol. 2 p.238,239). "Church policy instructs members to lie to inquiring officials (Vol.1 p.226,227).

Documentary evidence in Church of Spiritual Technology vs U.S., November 22, 1989

"The goal of the department is to bring the government and hostile philosophies or societies into a state of complete compliance with the goals of Scientology. This is done by a high level ability to control and in its absence by a low level ability to overwhelm. Introvert such agencies. Control suchagencies." -- LRH
"The purpose of the legal officer is to help LRH handle every legal, government, suit, accounting and tax contact or action... and to bring the greatest possible confusion and loss to its enemies." -- LRH

"Guardian Order 060971" seized in FBI authorized search of Scientology headquarters:

"The vital targets on which we must invest most of our time are:
(T1) Depopularizing the enemy to the point of obliteration.
(T2) Taking over the control or allegiance of the heads or proprietors of all news media.
(T3) Taking over the control or allegiance of key political figures.
(T4) Taking over the control or allegiance of those who monitor international finance..."

Documentary evidence in the Armstrong case:

"You can be merciless whenever your will is crossed and you have the right to be merciless." -- LRH

California Supreme Court, in United States v. Lee 455 U.S. 252,257,258 (1982):

"When a person is subjected to coercive persuasion without his knowledge or consent ... develop serious and sometimes irreversible physical and psychiatric disorders, up to and including schizophrenia, self-mutilation, and suicide."

Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
imenja Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue May-03-05 01:50 PM
Response to Reply #41
66. What is it that you want here?
Evidently there have been prosecutions. That is a good thing. Criminal activities should be dealt with appropriately. It does beg the question of why Ron Hubbard himself is not locked up in a federal prison as Jim Bakker. But Evidently a number of judges have taken action against the group, which is quite appropriate if they have engaged in criminal activities.

So what is your purpose in arguing with me? You know quite well that I am not a scientologist, yet you object to my expressed views of tolerance toward all religions. You will not be satisfied until I echo the kind of remarks that are common place on these threads: "idiotic freeper cultists, Nazis, they are going to hell"? Unlike the judges you list above, I try not to denounce anyone as evil (I have used the term in reference in certain political or criminal actions, but in a spiritual sense I know that it is not I who determines the spiritual fitness of another human being). The group remains a religion, at least in the eyes of some, like Tom Cruise, who evidently find value in it. What you or I think about what they believe is really quite irrelevant. Criminal activities are of course another matter, and they evidently are being dealt with in the courts. That, I would think, would satisfy you. Unless of course your intent is to enforce the views of these judges and yourself on the rest of us who have nothing to do with Scientology. I've seen enough threads on DU denouncing my own religion. I'm not going to be hypocritical and demonstrate the same kind of disrespect toward others that I object to when directed toward me.

Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
KamaAina Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 05:28 PM
Response to Reply #31
57. They even have "reverse credit counselors"
who tell you how to get as many "Special Introductory APR!" credit cards as you possibly can, so you can max them all out to pay for more training*.

Hmmm... wonder how the Bush** bankruptcy bill will impact this practice... or will they claim they're only subject to Xenu's bankruptcy code? :sarcasm:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
roguevalley Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 06:05 PM
Response to Reply #31
62. If they were secure, they would allow that tin can machine they
Edited on Mon May-02-05 06:05 PM by roguevalley
have you connected to out to be evaluated. They can't. Its a kooky rube goldberg fake.

Too weird, money-power oriented and blackmailing for me. Some say that Travolta and Cruise got into Scientology because they were gay and wanted to get it off their backs. They also don't believe in pschology in any form, for any reason. Heaven forbid they cure you of going to scientologists. :+
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
BlueIris Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 08:50 AM
Response to Reply #23
30. ET, you are so right.
It only took me a few hours at www.xenu.net to be convinced that Scientology is quite terrible.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
roguevalley Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 06:01 PM
Response to Reply #21
61. California is kicking it out because they proselytize. They recruit.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
RetroLounge Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 06:32 PM
Response to Reply #21
63. I hear nazi's cure drug addicts too.
More power to them, right?

:eyes:

RL
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
CanuckAmok Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 08:34 AM
Response to Original message
22. yeah, that's why he's dating Katie Holmes...because he's in a cult...
:tinfoilhat: :eyes:



Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
ET Awful Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 08:41 AM
Response to Reply #22
24. Scientology was a huge part of why Nicole Kidman split.
http://www.clambake.org will tell you all you need to know about Scientology.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
SKKY Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 09:08 AM
Response to Reply #24
35. Well, if it gets me all the hot A$$ Mr. Cruise seems to be enjoying...
...lately, I'm game for a little bit of mind control and brain washing.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
ET Awful Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 09:19 AM
Response to Reply #35
38. Nice. . . . even if you're joking, that says a lot about you. n/t
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
SKKY Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 04:51 PM
Response to Reply #38
49. Oh come on! Lighten up a bit will ya?????
You gotta admin, dumping Penelope for Katie is not bad, is it? Unless, you're not into "that" sort of thing.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
ET Awful Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue May-03-05 08:18 AM
Response to Reply #49
65. I'm more into staying loyal to someone than dropping someone
and looking for someone newer, younger, and more easily influenced. If by "that" sort of thing you mean betraying someones trust in order to take advantage of someone else, then you're absolutely right, I'm NOT into that type of thing.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
amazona Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 10:08 AM
Response to Reply #24
46. nicole kidman was dumped actually
She was "let go" only days before she would have been married to Cruise for 10 years, which would have entitled to her to significantly more of his earnings -- approximately half of all he earned while they were married instead of the $10 million or so she had to settle for because she didn't make the ten year mark. The claim that Kidman walked is a pretty hilarious re-writing of history.

Cruise was a Scientologist the day she met him, so I'm not too impressed about what clambake.org has to say about it. They are a fun site and I can enjoy the silliness of Scientology as much as anyone else, but once you get into claiming there is something uniquely dangerous about this particular religion just because it's unpopular...there you have lost me. The Catholic Church in its various wars has killed hundreds of thousands, but we do not dump on the entire church or the individual believers because of the wrong-doing of some of its leaders.



The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72


Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
ET Awful Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 10:39 AM
Response to Reply #46
48. LOL . . . then you haven't actually read anything
Edited on Mon May-02-05 10:43 AM by ET Awful
If you had, you'd know that Scientology has actually imprisoned and killed people.

Trying to compare them to any real "church" is ludicrous at best.

It's not silliness, it's cultish.

It has nothing to do with popularity, it has to do with reality. They are more dangerous to their membership than any other organization that purports to be a "church."

I'm happy you're so defensive of them though. It's also interesting that you use their justification for the Cruise Kidman split to explain it away. Maybe you should read up on the Sea Org and what they do to children and why Kidman wanted to keep their adopted children away from it.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beaverhausen Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 05:39 PM
Response to Reply #48
58. I have many friends who are scientologists
In fact one of my best friends is one and has been since the seventies.

I don't want to defend the church or anything but not all of them are wackos. I think you are painting with a very wide broad brush. You have to look at all sides of the issue. It is a system that helps some people and harms others. That could describe many religions.



Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
ET Awful Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue May-03-05 07:57 AM
Response to Reply #58
64. I have looked at all sides.
Using your argument, the Mafia gave money to charities in New York, so they're A OK right?

Ask your friends about Xenu. Ask them if they've gotten far enough up the ladder/bridge to find out that "Clear" isn't the goal, but there are many more levels they will be expected to pay for beyond that. Ask them what they would be required to do by the church if you were declared a "Suppressive Person." Ask them what they know about the OT levels and what Thetans are. Ask your friends if they've been told yet that the reason they're "auditing" is to shake loose Thetans which are the ghosts of aliens killed billions of years ago.

Not all Nazis were whackos either, that doesn't mean the party was acceptable . . hell they helped people too, they gave people jobs and land right?

As I said above, I've known many Scientologists, and I've known some that left after 20+ years.

I urge you to read the material I referred you to, look at what Scientology does to their critics. Look at what they do to people within the organization who don't meet their quotas (all based on bringing money into the organization). Ask your friends if they've ever felt pressured to pay money beyond their means for "auditing" or courses.

If all you're doing is listening to what people within the organization tell you, then you're the one that isn't looking at both sides.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Chicago Democrat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 05:09 PM
Response to Reply #24
55. And the fact that he's probably
a gay man.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
LynneSin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 08:47 AM
Response to Reply #22
26. He's probably dating Katie because he's thinking he can get her into the..
...cult. It's obvious that none of his ex-wives nor Penelope Cruz were willing to embrace his religon
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Rambis Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 09:43 AM
Response to Original message
44. If it is a panacea Tom...
Why is Kirstie Alley overweight? Shouldn't she be "cured" by the cult?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
tjdee Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 04:56 PM
Response to Original message
50. Oh my sweet Tom, why are you such a wacko.....
Mostly, I can ignore that he's a Scientologist. I enjoy his films (post-Mission Impossible), I enjoy that he specifically requested a black actress for MI2, I enjoy that he's a dad, I enjoy that he's a crazy hard worker.

His Scientologyness, I don't enjoy.

Ah well. I'm sure he thinks Christianity is wacko too.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
mitchum Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 05:01 PM
Response to Original message
51. Cruise is a tool and a fool
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Book Lover Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 05:04 PM
Response to Original message
52. Oh please. Like no one ever got off the merry-go-round until
you schmucks came along. And I'm insulting schmucks.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
AngryAmish Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 05:04 PM
Response to Original message
53. i don't like Tom Cruise
I think he is a really shitty actor. The look of him makes my skin crawl.

I think his marriages have not worked because he is gay. Either deeply repressed or deeply closeted. Katie Holmes is highly lovely, but I have heard that she has not had sex. She may be is very virtuous or gay or just plain not interested in sex.

BTW, I don't think he is gay because I hate him. I have an unfortunate weakness for celebrity gossip () and that is the gossip. It makes sense to me.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Chicago Democrat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 05:08 PM
Response to Original message
54. Poor Tom.... That cult is bad, bad, bad, bad, bad money oriented
non-religion religion. They have completely brainwashed him.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Debi Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 05:14 PM
Response to Original message
56. What do you say to people who have been to Narcanon and said
it's the only program that helped them be drug free?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Lilith Velkor Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon May-02-05 05:43 PM
Response to Original message
59. He sounds as deluded as any 12-stepper.
No more and no less.

And he's dating as young as his looks and money will allow.

Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
DU AdBot (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view 
this author's profile Click to add 
this author to your buddy list Click to add 
this author to your Ignore list Thu May 02nd 2024, 09:05 PM
Response to Original message
Advertisements [?]
 Top

Home » Discuss » The DU Lounge Donate to DU

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators


Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.

Home  |  Discussion Forums  |  Journals |  Store  |  Donate

About DU  |  Contact Us  |  Privacy Policy

Got a message for Democratic Underground? Click here to send us a message.

© 2001 - 2011 Democratic Underground, LLC