More Scientology Problems… Just The Tip Of The Iceberg
Scientology has had a horrendous October.
They were convicted of fraud in France and both the St. Petersburg Times and ABC’s Nightline had very damaging reports from ex members who have spoken out.
A multitude of lawsuits are moving forward and the media continues to be a thorn in Scientology’s side.
One of Scientology’s long time members, celebrity Paul Haggis has recently flown the coop and has spoken out. Also many members, and high level “OT’s” have left the cult.
Two new books by ex members have just been published.
Marc Headley wrote “Blown For Good, Behind Scientology’s Iron Curtain” and Nancy Many has written, “My Billion Year Contract“. Kudos to them!
Both Books Available On Amazon.com
Well, November isn’t looking any better for Scientology.
Just yesterday, Australian Senator, Nicholas (Nick) Xenophon has called for a Senate inquiry into Scientology.
The Senator presented horrific stories that were sent to him by ex Scientology members, Aaron Saxton, Carmel Underwood, Paul Schofield, Anna and Dean Detheridge and Kevin Mackey.
Xenophon stated,
that the ex members claim that Scientology is an abusive, manipulative, violent and criminal organisation, and that criminality is condoned at the highest levels and thatand said he is seeing a worldwide pattern of abuse and criminality.
The Senator’s presentaion was well researched with highlights on the cult’s many abuses and their tax exemption status.
Click the following links to watch Part One and Part Two on YouTube.
For the transcript listed on the Parliament of Australia website, click here.
A little look into what was said by ex members and reported by the Senator.
Ex member, Aaron Saxton’s who was born into Scientology, was made a security guard for the cult at age 16. His time while in the cult, tells a horrific tale of what Scientology forced him to do or suffer their consequences.
Aaron said he had to commit many fraudulent acts on behalf of the cult. These acts included coercing Sea Org members into having abortions, family disconnection, he was made to falsify bank records, he blackmailed other members by using their private info from their files, and participated in defrauding of credit cards.
More disturbingly, Aaron had to pull out his own teeth because of lack of medical care. He was also told not to report that a man attempted to rape him.
A couple of snippets from the Senator’s transcript, (please read the entire transcript):
Aaron said he was so heavily under the control of the organisation’s bizarre power structure he was complicit in ordering the beating of one follower and facilitated the beating of another.
Aaron has now left the organisation and is willing to cooperate with police investigations into these matters. He was born into the cult, and he says he regrets the control it had over him and the things he did as a result.
Ex Sea Org member, Carmel Underwood.
Carmel worked for the cult in Sydney. She was also the financial planning arm of the cult. When she became pregnant, she was pressured to abort her child.
Some snippets on Carmel from the transcript:
She was working for the organisation in Sydney she fell pregnant and was put under extreme pressure to have an abortion. When she refused, she was put on a disappearing program.
Carmel says she chose to speak out because she knows there are many more victims of Scientology many of whom are still caught up in the organisation and are being physically, financially and mentally abused.
Carmel’s husband, Tim, supports his wife’s story and says the couple suffered serious financial hardship because of their involvement in the organisation. He says they were forced to pay more than $100,000 to publicise the organisation and for so-called religious texts and courses.
And finally on to the very sad story of Paul Schofield.
Paul lost his two young daughters while in the cult.
Snippets from the transcript on Paul:
He alleges the cover-up of child abuse by the organisation and admits being part of a campaign to cover up the facts surrounding the deaths of two of his daughters. Paul says his first daughter, Lauren, who was 14 months old, was being babysat at the organisation’s building in Sydney when she was allowed to wander the stairs by herself and fall. She died in hospital two days later. Paul says he felt pressured by Scientology executives not to request a coronial inquiry—pressure he ultimately gave in to. He was also told if he sought compensation from Scientology he and his wife would be ineligible for any other services.
His second daughter, Kirsty, who was 2½, died after ingesting potassium chloride—a substance used as part of a so-called purification program run by the organisation. Under the direction of Scientology executives, Paul says he perjured himself to the police, and during the coronial inquest, in order to protect the organisation. Under incredible pressure he agreed to lie because he was scared he would be heavily punished by Scientology if he told the truth. It is a decision he regrets to this day.
From ex members Anna and Dean Detheridge, taken from the transcript:
claim to have been subjected to physical and mental abuse during their time with the organisation.
From Kevin Mackey taken from the transcript:
Kevin Mackey wrote to me detailing his 26 years of abuse in the organisation.
Once you have taken the bait and become hooked, the real Scientology is presented, very slowly, over years.
This psychological conditioning Kevin is talking about eventually saw him and his wife hand over almost a million dollars to the organisation in exchange for services and products.
Senator’s closing statements to parliament pretty much sums up what anti Scientology protesters and ex members who have spoken out against the cult have been all saying right along:
Do we really want to be funding an organisation that turns supporters into victims in its pursuit of power and wealth? That is why I am calling for a Senate inquiry into this organisation and its tax-exempt status. In the past Scientology has claimed that those who question their organisation are attacking the group’s religious freedom. It is twisted logic, to say the least. Religious freedom did not mean the Catholic or Anglican Churches were not held accountable for crimes and abuses committed by their priests, nuns and officials—albeit belatedly. Ultimately, this is not about religious freedom. In Australia there are no limits on what you can believe. But there are limits on how you can behave. It is called the law, and no-one is above it.
Thankfully, the Australain Police are now taking complaints on Scientology.
Ex members are starting to come out from the veil of secrecy and fight more than ever. Yesterday, it was announced on the Ex Scientology Message Board, that former member Kevin Mackey, (mentioned earlier) is getting together a class action lawsuit along with twenty other former Scientologists.The lawsuit willbe filed against the I.A.S. (which stands for International Association of Scientology) and Super Power. Both are incorporated in California, so that is where the case is being filed. He is asking for any ex members interested in participating in this class action suit to please contact him.
Kevin and other ex members are demanding their money back for contributions that they made. The money they handed over to the cult, did not go where the cult promised it was going.
FYI … The Super Power they speak of is a building attached to the Ft. Harrison Hotel in Clearwater. It is of course called The Super Power Building. (<click to read about it, it’s a real hoot!)
Funds have been collected from members for years through Scientology’s “Super Power Expansion Project”. Where did all that money go?
The building was supposed to have been finished by the cult years ago. But it still remains an empty shell to this day. As of late March 2009, work on the building which is the length of a whole city block, is still at a standstill; the daily fines levied by the city now total $245,000.
Click here, for more info on why the Super Power Building remains closed by Marc Headley aka BFG which was written almost THREE YEARS ago.
Why Clearwater stands for Scientology’s shenanigans, is beyond me. I would imagine since Scientology has managed to slink their way in and buy up most of Clearwater over the years, (originally came in under a FAKE church name to purchase the Fort Harrison Hotel), that city officials are probably afraid of falling prey to the cult’s litigious nature and fair game tactics. Sad.
So once again America…
Why so lax? What’s it going to take?
The more our government sits idly by and allows the abuses and fraud of Scientology to continue, the more complicit they are in helping them to survive.
Again, as always…
you can believe in what you want, and that is your right. But when there is a continuous mountain of evidence that your “church” is being an abusive and corrupt organization that does not follow it’s own creed, it’s time to reavaluate the reasons why you joined Scientology in the first place.
Be part of the solution, not part of the problem. Plain and simple.
If you need help leaving Scientology, or just need someone to talk to:
Call 1-866-XSEAORG. (1-866-973-2674) This is a toll free call.
Visit the XSEAORG website:
http://www.exseaorg.com/
The people who contacted Senator Xenophon, are all listed on the “ex members who have spoken out” list on the Why We Protest Wiki along with their testimonies, interviews and videos. To view the WWP Wiki list click here. (Thanks Anonymous!)
Currently, the count on the Wiki has reached 812 names, and it continues to grow.
WOW! That’s an awful lot of people saying the same thing.
How many times can Scientology deny all these claims before everyone including our government, realizes that Scientology is nothing more than an abusive, fraudulent business that is far from credible?
WAKE UP AMERICA!
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Pingback by Celebrity Blog | Babelogs | Celebrity Gossip » Blog Archive » More Scientology Problems… Just The Tip Of The Iceberg — November 18, 2009 @ 5:45 pm
Both Nancy Many’s and Mark Headley’s books were published in late October.
Great work summarizing the current events. Hail Queen.
Comment by legion — November 18, 2009 @ 6:02 pm
Queen, a quick update: Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has stated that the accusations made are serious and will be looked into. As for class actions in CA, the Co$ is well known among the judges here and they are eagerly waiting a chance to pull the plug. But no, the federal govt. and Clearwater police will not do anything. Trust me. Oh, Bill O’Reilly just called me to say that he has no problem with Co$.
Comment by Jim — November 18, 2009 @ 6:18 pm
Hey Legion… yes I know… It took me an entire day to get this story up due to massive server problems.
The line “November doesn’t look any better”
was supossed to go UNDER the pics of the books.
I fixed it now.
And thanks Jim, yes I know. May add tomorrow.
thanks guys!
Comment by Queen — November 18, 2009 @ 6:25 pm
Scientology is not a religion or a self-help system, it is a human trafficking cult. The experiences of members are characterized by extortion, forced labour and psychological abuse. More exes feel safe opening up to media and law enforcement every day. The clock is ticking Miscavige
Comment by john doe — November 18, 2009 @ 6:32 pm
I thought Xenophon’s speech was very pointed and an inspired call to investigation, but I kept thinking, why couldn’t an American Senator have broken the silence on this home-grown criminal cult of ours?
One of the things that helped was a coordinated effort to submit personal stories to a politician who was known to be sympathetic, and would at least listen.
Here, what do we have. Politicians like Jeff Stone who are easily bribed by the crime cult. I guess there’s not any one of influence, who is interested in sticking their neck out, going up against Tom Cruise’s space cult.
Comment by Ian — November 18, 2009 @ 7:58 pm
Thanks for a great article, Queen. Isn’t it the most amazing irony? Xenophon? It just doesn’t get any better then that! It’s one, long party over at ESMB. Everyone’s invited. Except OSA. Oh hell, they can come too. Even they should get to see what real fun is rather then just in a clay demo!
Comment by sparky — November 19, 2009 @ 1:17 am
So many thanks are due Glossip. Dawn was the first to interview important exes like Marc Headley and Chuck Beatty, and kept at it for months early on.
October was indeed horrendous for the cult and its tiny dictator David Miscavige.
Now anons have taken to calling November “Pwnvember”.
Indeed.
Comment by Damian DeWitt — November 19, 2009 @ 2:15 am
Uh, Queen? I KNOW I submitted a comment. Checkplz?
Comment by A_Watcher — November 19, 2009 @ 2:31 am
I have to take exception to your report on Clearwater City government. Scientology is being fined $250 a day for not finishing the exterior of the building. There’s no sense in the city going after the fine right now since they’re still being fined.
Let’s wait and see if the city does go after that fine.
You need to remember that Clearwater was a sleepy, little beach town when the cult started trying to take over. Information wasn’t as prevalent nor as accessible as it is now.
One of the other comments on here mentions that the Clearwater Police Dept. won’t do anything about this. LOL The Clearwater Police Dept. doesn’t make the laws, they only enforce them. There are still people who refuse to believe that the Clearwater Police Dept. is not some corrupt organization. Clearwater Anons have been protesting here since Feb. 2008 with no problems with the CPD. The CPD keep the peace in a tense situation in downtown Clearwater.
Comment by Clearwater Here — November 19, 2009 @ 4:03 am
You might want to check out Marty Rathbun’s comments on Senator Xenophon and the class action. He claims the “hate and falsehood” within Xenophon’s speech will derail efforts of reform his former cult — yet the points in the speech are largely based on the Saint Petersburg Times series (in which he featured prominently) and the recent french criminal conviction. Can you say denial?
http://markrathbun.wordpress.com/2009/11/19/noise/
Comment by Eldon Braun — November 19, 2009 @ 7:33 am
A_Watcher,
checked. I can’t find your comment. Perhaps you forgot to hit submit? Can you resubmit?
To Clearwater Here:
I never mentioned the Clearwater Police Dept. in the article.I do mention “city officials”
And I don’t see any mention of the plocie dept in any of the comments here either. Perhps you were thinking of something else you read.
TO Eldon, Marty is a walking contradiction, but at least he is agianst the “church” part of Scientology.
The magnitude of reform needed to “fix” the “church” will never happen.
Main reason…. without the Sea Org, there would be no Scientology “church”.
They would never be able to survive without their slave labor doing ALL the work, all the printing, all the maintenance of the buildings and all the foot work in finding fresh meat.
And to reform the “church” the Sea Org must end.
Comment by Queen — November 19, 2009 @ 8:29 am
Re-submitting post:
Queen, in case you haven’t heard, they recently convicted and sentenced Tony Alamo, the ‘preacher’ who took many young girls, as young as 8 YEARS OLD, as ‘brides’. he was sentenced to 175 YEARS in prison.
Here’s the thing though; he was convicted on little more than the testimonies of five woman, with LITTLE PHYSICAL EVIDENCE. It was enough for prosecutors and the judge to put together a very clear and disturbing picture of what happened.
This sets a precedent; quite a few OSA bots have been posting about how the victims that have come forward about abuse in Scientology have no evidence that it took place. But if you look at the case of Tony Alamo, they were able to convicted ant sentence him for his actions.
What kind of sentence can be expected for Miscavige with the personal testimonies of (currently) OVER 800 AND GROWING exes and critics?
Not pretty to think about, huh OSA?
These STILL TIME to change your mind! 1-866-XSEAORG. (1-866-973-2674) But this window of opportunity won’t stay open for too much longer. Now’s a good a time as any to BLOW!
Comment by A_Watcher — November 21, 2009 @ 3:26 am
There is one thing to be happy about, it is that $cientology is draining its active present time members for more money, and causing many to leave or be financially ruined.
Aside from the abuse, the lives of these poor fools is getting harder and harder.
I have met a few that did not know I am THE RONBOT HUNTER, and they told me their story of why they failed and lost their homes to foreclosure.
Their buildings are always empty of students and the few left are hit-upon for more and more donations.
The Godless cult of greed is failing and the conditions formula is not working to get them out of the hole.
THE RONBOT HUNTER
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Comment by THE RONBOT HUNTER — December 1, 2009 @ 11:37 am
Now Ronbot, these people who were in for 30 years don’t know what they are talking about. Those who fight child labor and fraud are a hate group (I just thought of something—if a group hates the Nazis, are they a hate group?). Celebrities know everything (that’s why they drive while under the influence and always get divorced) and they love Co$.
Comment by Jim — December 4, 2009 @ 2:10 pm