POSTAGE: InUntf 9Jp Oversea* 12Jp Wednesday, February 22, 1978 No. 1589 SCIENTOLOGY BOSS GETS Hill Manor in 1959, was banned RON L. Hubbard, the from re-entering Britain in American born founder August. 1968. by the then Home of the Church of Secretary and Minister of Health of the day who stated in Scientology, who turned JAIL TERM the Commons that the Saint Hill Manor, East Go>ernmcnt was satisfied Grinstead, into the world outside territorial waters off the It found that the Church made Scientology was socially headquarters of the Bahamas. fraudulent promises to heal harmful. The case against him was mental or other illnesses and to I'nder pressure, the movement, was sentenced brought by the French Public make would-be members more Government some three years in his absence to four Prosecutor. financially successful; ! life. later set up an inquiry into the years in prison and fined M. Georges Andrews, Prospective memWrs w ere movement under Sir John RONHIBBARD 35,000 Francs for fraud President of the French branch induced to pay fur courses at a Foster, who subsequently ON MONDAY Scientologists of the Church, said to have ratC much higher than the recommended that the ban on demonstrated in front of the by the Paris Criminal 10.000 members, was given a courses were worth, the court foreign Scientologists be lifted. French Embassy. Representa Court last week. suspended prison term of one found. The Government is still tives delivered a Utter to the The court has issued a warrant year and fined 3.000 Francs, The court did not pronounce refusing entry into the country of French Ambassador to Britain for the arrest of f I uboard, who is The Court said the Church of on the religious or philosophical aliens who wish to study or work for forwarding to the French in his sixties and began the Scientology was a commercial base of the Church, which has in Scientology, despite President. It called for an movement in 1952. Meisihougbt enterprise which "Through about two million members strenuous efforts by the investigation of the French legal to live on a Panamanian fanciful and misleading throughout the world. movement to bring about a system of trial in 'absentia'. registered yacht, cruising promises duped third parties." Hubbard, who bought Saint change of mind. Category Newspaper Article
Title Scientology Boss gets Jail Term
Source “East Grinstead Courier” Author Date February 22nd, 1978
Contents:
On Monday Scientologists demonstrated in front of the French Embassy. Representatives delivered a letter to the French Ambassador to Britain for forwarding to the French President. It called for an investigation of the French legal system of trial in ‘absentia.’
Ron L. Hubbard, the American born founder of the Church of Scientology, who turned Saint Hill Manor, East Grinstead, into the world headquarters of the movement, was sentenced in his absence to four years in prison and fined 35,000 Francs for fraud by the Paris Criminal Court last week.
The court has issued a warrant for the arrest of Hubbard, who is in his sixties and began the movement in 1952. He is thought to live on a Panamanian registered yacht, cruising outside territorial waters off the Bahamas.
The case against him was brought by the French Public Prosecutor.
M. Georges Andrews, President of the French branch of the Church, said to have 10,000 members, was given a suspended prison term of one year and fined 3,000 Francs.
The Court said the Church of Scientology was a commercial enterprise which “Through fanciful and misleading promises duped third parties.”
It found that the Church made fraudulent promises to heal mental or other illnesses and to make would-be members more financially successful in life.
Prospective members were induced to pay for courses at a rate much higher than the courses were worth, the court found.
The court did not pronounce on the religious or philosophical base of the Church, which has about two million members throughout the world.
Hubbard, who bought Saint Hill Manor in 1959, was banned from re-entering Britain in August, 1968, by the then Home Secretary and Minister of Health of the day who stated in the Commons that the Government was satisfied Scientology was socially harmful. Under pressure, the Government some three years later set up an inquiry into the movement under Sir John Foster, who subsequently recommended that the ban on foreign Scientologists be lifted.
The Government is still refusing entry into the country of aliens who wish to study or work in Scientology, despite strenuous efforts by the movement to bring about a change of mind. East Grinstead Courier THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 1983 SCIENTOLOGISTS
THE ANNOUNCEMENT that the Scientologists have kick I DON'T THINK ed out 12 key members of their UK headquarters staff at Saint Hill Manor, East IT WILL WORK' Grinstead, as part of a policy change, has received a mixed reception in the town. SAYS VICAR East Grinstead's The "excommunications", for The Scientologists say the misconduct, follow an internal movement, as defined by its mayor Cr Ray Boulger investigation prompted by the founder, Mr Ron Hubbard, at said that if the Scien conviction and imprisonment ol least 20 years ago, was to use senior Scientologists in the legal means only as a last resort tologists were ge United States and to maintain friendly relations with the environment and public. nuinely trying to Several other staff in the Guar The Guardian's Office, which said that if The Scien conviction and imprisonment of least 20 years ago, was to use seiiioi Scientologists in the legal means only as a last resort tologists were ge United States and to maintain friendly relations nuinely trying to Several other staff in the Guar with the environment and public. purge themselves, dian's office at East Grinstead The Guardian's Office, which have been moved to other posi at one point had a staff ol about then it was in tions. The expulsion of the 12 40. was closed this year when everyone's interests was recommended by Mrs Edith the last expulsion happened. The Buchele, the movement's new international side of the Church to try to promote bet external affairs director in Bri of Scientology at East Grinstead ter relations. tain, after she uncovered what had now been transferred to Los she describes as "a complete Angeles. The original "open But the Rev Roger mess". policy" which had been taken Brown, vicar of St out by the 12 has been restored, Charges against the 12 includ a sect spokesman claimed this Swithun's parish church, ed misuse of funds to launch a week. East Grinstead, said the series of libel actions, particularly Mr Mike Garside, public affairs history of the sect showed against British newspapers but officer for the movement, said that it just shifted ground also against Scotland Yard and the announcement had come at the Departmenr of Health and the end of process which had 1/2 when the public seemed Social Security. been going on for about 2 not favourably disposed years. They had wanted to make It was also alleged that one sure the church and its external towards it. senior member of the Guardian's "I don't think the image- office staff had falsely claimed to changing will work," he said. be a barrister. •Turn to Page 39
THE team that stays - Mrs Edith Buchele, the new external affairs director (centre) of the UK headquarters of the Scientology movement at Saint Hill Manor, East Grinstead, pictured with other staff at Saint Hill. On the left is Mr Mike Garside, the movement's public affairs officer, iind Cnthy Sproule, diroctor officio! affairs. On the right is Mr Robert Sfiringall, director of piihiig affair*, and Barbara Bradley, public affairs assistant. In tho background can be seen the "castle" complex used for counselling, administration and as a study centre East Grinstead Courier CCQDIIARFEBRUARYY 9,'« 19819R44 Price 13P
MEMBERS. QUIT IN 'DISCONNECTION' PROTEST Sect row over
POLICY ROW policy public affairs officer at the Scien •From Page One tologists' UK headquarters at Saint Hill Manor, East Grinstead, International for personal said he thought the two doctor* AT LEAST 10 leading local members of reasons. We endorse and are in were taking the whole matter full agreement with the much too seriously. the East Grinstead-based Church of phloaophy of Scientology and teachings of L Ron Hubbard. "Local members of the church Scientology have resigned from the did get upset with them because sect over policy differences, it was "Because we are fully aware they were obviously in disagree that Mr Hubbard's writings en ment with the church. We are courage the unity of the family disclosed this week. we cannot tolerate a sure the doctors' differences can misrepresentation or misapplica- be resolved if they contact us." It is understood that the resignations tion of them that encourage* Mr Garside said: "About 2.000 follow disquiet over the reintroduction of otherwise." Scientologists are living in and Dr Davies of Portland Road, around East Grinstead and I "disconnection" practices whereby church East Grinstead. said the state know most of them end there are members are advised to completely severe ment summed up in a nutshell no problems, believe me. the reasons for their resignation. "There have been a couple of relations with fellow members. people over here from the Stat** to sort out any upsets hanging These policies were abandoned for a time in 1968. Concerned around. I know they have been It is alleged that these discon "We ere in full agreement with bending over backwards to son nection policies ere now beck in the philosophy of Scientology out what might be upsetting hj« force since a r»ew poScy and the fact that we have resign anyone. ed in no way changes that," he deted September 10, 1983. 'This sort of thing has hep- following nexww management of emphasised. the Church by what is known as His medical partner, Dr happen again. There is a bit of a its Religious Technology Centre. Stewart, who practises at Hove, noise for a couple of months and It is claimed that these policies said he understood there must then everyone gets back on with also apply to medical doctors be public concern ebout the what they were doing. and their patients who are Scien- revival of the disconnection "Our attitude is that the doors tologists. policy. They too were concern There has also been concern of Saint Hill are open for anyone. ed. They are welcome to come down over what the sect is charging for Hubberd's teachings that you here and talk with us and have a its courses. Only the wealthy can did not disconnect but handled look around." afford to buy these courses, it the situation was not being was alleged by some of the followed, he claimed. Mr Garside said later-. "We are disenchanted member* on Mon- in communication with the day. Their understanding was that doctors to try to resofve this Among those who have in the majority of cases you matter." resigned we Dr Stephen Davies discussed and tried to resolve the On tuesday Dr Davies said he and Dr Alan Stewart, partners in situation. Only in exceptional cir had been approached by a clinic of natural medicine, and cumstances, say if closely member of the sect who had their wives. Dr Shoura Davies, associated with a criminal or so taken note of their grievances and Mrs Maryon Stewart. They meone who had criminal inten The spokesman had said he was say that the sect's senior tions, did you disconnect, just as distressed to hear they had management is misrepresenting society disconnected by putting experienced misapplication of and misapplying the teachings of that person in prison. church policies and was taking Scientology's founder, L. Ron Dr Shoura Davies is a medical steps to rectify any Hubbard. graduate of Oxford University. misapplications that might have A joint atatement issued by al Mrs Stewart is a dental occurred. four, aeys: "We have resigned hygienist. from the Church of Scientology "If the situation is resolved, But a sect spokesman dismiss we would be happy to withdraw ed the resignations as "a storm our resignations," said Or trun to page 8 in a teacup". Mr Mike Garside, Davies. Daily Mail. saturday February 11, 1984 fAGt 10 Daily Mail exclusive: The return of a condemned ritual 'We disconnect you!' If PETER SIEMOif MP seeks A RELIGIOUS sect has reintro duced to Britain a policy that can lead to the break up of top-level homes and families. The Church of Scientology is prac tising "disconnection"on'—where mem bers disillusioned with the running of inquiry as the Church are sent to Coventry and declared a non-person. An exclusive Daily Mail Investigation has revealed many sad and bitter victims. 'Church' again disrupts families • A boy of 13 has told his father he will never see him again. • A woman claims her fiance was forced to give up plans for marriage and Anthony Beaumont Dark, Conserva Now the old reign of terror is 'We say that situation must get leave her. tive MP for Birmingham. Selly Oak, said back said dentist Ron Lawlay. com "handled", or you don't get any last night: 'I thought these evil prac menting on the re-introduction of more courses. They sort out the • A doctor was boycotted by some tices had been stamped out. theChurch's disconnection' policy. problem — or apply the policy of patients, who wrote to him saying they "These people have the powers to Once a senior executive in the disconnection.' would have no further contact with him. Church, he has been 'declared' make people very unhappy, and I shall a non-person. The 'church"' is expec One Scientologist, an attractive A similar policy 15 years ago led to be asking the Home Secretary on Monday ted to tell friends to have no fur businesswoman of 34, who once held public outcry and a Parliamentary inves if he is aware of this practice, and what ther contact with him. a senior executive post in the tigation. As a result. Scientologists from action can be taken.' 'Church', said : 'My boyfriend had Some 2,000 Scientologists are to disconnect from me because I re overseas were banned from entering the The Church of Scientology has six believed to have been 'declared' in country. signed from the "Church". million members worldwide, with the past two years—compared with 'We had known each other for The 'Church' was reluctantly forced 200.000 in Britain. average of 100 a year previously. It nearly a year, and were going to to abandon 'disconnection'. But the The 'Church' in this country has an has brought a spate of resignations get married.' policy has been back in Britain since annual turnover of £2 million, raised from the 'Church'. She resigned at the 'Church's' last September from the counselling courses it runs and home-breaking policy being re Now the Home Secretary is to be book sales the money it channelled Problem introduced. She said: 'I didnt asked to launch an immediate investiga through Saint Hill its headquarters in East Qrinstead. Sussex, built to look like The 'Church' itself' admits re realise that resignation is held to tion. Tunbridge Castle. introducing its disconnection policy., be a "suppressive" act. I wasn't-, It is a fact of life.' said public "declared" in print—but word gets Scientology was founded In 1950 affairs officer Michael Garside. out•. * by nuclear physicist Lafayette 'If somebody you are associated But her ex-boyfriend, a teacher at Ronald Hubbard—known as L Ro with directly makes your life a Greenfields School, near East Hubbard to his followers, it is aimed misery, it may be necessary to drop Grinstead. said : The fact that she to help a person understand bimself your contacts with them. It is split with the "Church" was a and others by using counselling certainly not our policy to split up factor, but hardly a major one. I techniques. relationships. was not influenced by the "Church' Counselling services can cost up 'But occasionally someone comes and it was a personal decision".' to more than £4.000 for a 121/2hr Into Scientology eged around 30, course. There are seven high street and where they have been out of Scientology shops around Britain, touch with their parents for years, including London, Manchester, Bir may return and tell tbetn they are mingham, Leeds, Edinburgh and making a mess of their lives, and Plymouth. recommend Scientology. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16,1984 Price 13p newsletter "it caused instant and catastrophic reactions, the result Courier exclusive prompt of which took more than 15 years to subside both within the ranks of the church and within the call for Scientolog^probt minds of the British public".
FOLLOWING the exclusive story in lats week East servative MP for Birmingham Selly Oak,, who said: "I Revulsion Grinstead Courier on the reintroduction of "disconnec- thought these practices had been stamped out". The memories of that era still tion" policies by the Church of Scientology and the The church is thought to have about 200,000 members in sent "shudders of revulsion" resignation of many members, including doctors, Britain, of whom about 2.000 live in the East Grinstead through church staff members there has been a demand for the Home Secretary to area. Worldwide membership is put at six million. Money who experienced the policy. The launch an immediate investigation. is raised from book sales and counselling courses based cancellation of disconnection The call came from Mr Anthony Beaumont Dark, Con on the philososophy of the sect's founder Ron Hubbard, practices in 1969 was the cause of much jubilation within the diminished ranks of the few staff left at Saint Hill. During the time the policies were in use, "the howls of the disaffected — those whose fami ly and friends were forced to disconnect from them — reached such a crescendo that MPs con demned the practice wholesale
"The Home Office imposed its ban on foreign Scientologists coming into the country and resignation 'stats' climbed. The public stayed away in droves." As a result, says the newslet ter, the church effectively apologised to one and all and cancelled the disconnection policies. But now the practices were back in force following a direc tive by the new management of the church through what is known is its Religious Technology Centre (RTC). Factions announce •Dirty taste' "It's tragic that each genera tion has to learn by the same mistakes again and again. It's plans to fight tragic also that, as night follows day, the repercussions of this current bout of RTC folly are now exploding into a field 'disconnections' already torn asunder by schism," says the newsletter. "As the destructiveness of THE monopoly of the East Grinstead- these policies ea?? its way into the lives of field members, the based Church of Scientology In greater will be the uproar, the marketing the philosophy of its founder greater the resignation list, the Ron Hubbard is being challenged by greater the public reaction. "To the British, disconnection two local groups of disaffected Scien leaves a dirty taste in the tologists. mouth." The British, says the newslet ter, had their own phrase for Both factions are disillusioned with the disconnection policy. It was sen ding a person to Coventry — a sect since it has reintroduced "disconnec practice vehemently condemned tion" policies which are said to be leading to by all British institutions and the break-up of some homes and families. organisations as inhuman and dictatorial. But the dissidents are themselves divided over the One girl who has resigned best way of either persuading the church to change its from the sect said: "I don't know any longer who to remain policies or overthrowing the present ruling body. connected to. 1 don't know who SOBfTOLOarS new dkector of ewtartml effmks at Saatt to talk to. Children are being One of the factions — whose members than the AFINITIES H/a% £tMf GfVtrtMKaV Mmr KrVCm AWCnMBMf St pfcftlW VMkre members still retain their church forced to disconnect from their MufeV Ovf aWttfchMa^tn Imm, 9m mhrtQmoftrmf, 7 group and is made up of all those parents. Families are splitting membership — is waging an who have resigned from the undercover fight within the UK up. church over policy differences. headquarters. Its strategy is to set up its own "These disconnection policies It has launched a campaign to organisation for spreading Hub are awfui. This is not spiritual buy out the Saint Hill Manor HQ bard's philosophy. Mr Atack told freedom. This is suppression and and set up a Scientologists' the Courier that in the past three enslavement." Saint Hit change university there — "free from the On Monday a church oppression" and policies which it years Saint Hill had tripled fees for Scientology courses and the spokesman Mr Mike Garside claims are leading to mass said: "There are a few people CANADIAN hat takan ovmr resignations from the organisa man-in-the-street could no longer afford them. locally who are harbouring taotthatoopoattatOtaUK tion founded by Hubbard in the grievances after we expelled them $adqiatttan oftna Ctaacn of 1950s. "It now costs about £100.000 to go through at the stages — from the church last year as they cJmntologr at Smktt MV There is also a plan to start a were found unsuitable to work in lonof. Cost Grimtoot+ ft woo about £70.000 more than three school for Scientologists' years ago." he claimed. the church. They had caused dif- tnouncoo oy uto tod tnlo children. ficulties for us and for their •ak. Ha It Mr Mick This faction goes under the friends. icfitriOnt% tho UK mow* banner AFINITIES. the acronym Many leaving ont't now iMoctor of ojrtot^ "Someone has deliberately at for "Association for Freely Incor The reintroduction of the tempted to stir up trouble porated Non Intimidatable, "disconnection" policy was one between families in the church by Trained and Independent Scien of the many reasons why church misinterpreting church policies Ho tOptOGOO nwFt KtOth tologists". members were leaving in droves and sending round forged letters. icnoao wno not MM flfo* It outlined plans for the Saint — both from the UK organisa "The whole purpose of Scien- JtoO tO tnO OOCwS mftOnWh Hill buy-out and the new Scien tion and from the church - tology is to increase the in nW ftmMi»i At Lorn tologists' school in the first edi worldwide. dividual's responsibility for his igrtb* Sto w0 bo mooonat tion of its newsletter which, Members of his group met in life and this includes the family. i rot tho AiowMiiTf Jntot* along with other material, carries each other's homes to discuss There are over 2,000 members of oottmtogotonStoo* an address in Cranston Road. policy. They were gaining in the church in the local area and East Grinsteed. strength by the day, he said. we have warned them to beware }kW MCnMVNt OQOO 9% Mflff But a former sect member Mr Atack said that he and his of any threatening letters or who lives at the address. Mr group could not support the way forgeries," said Mr Carside. dfrmdln Vancourar. M* w* John Atack, this week in which the AFINITIES were On the subject of Scientology *ttwH/o $ho wont oono by disassociated himself from the fighting church management charges for courses, Mr Garside t tbtchoto. Sho woo roopoo* views expressed in the newslet and its disconnection policies. said: "The price of our courses is *o tot nMfnpwfttonono tho ter. Disconnection polices were under constant review, but basic > coMod 'A apwt door"poMcy Mr Atack is one of the leaders first adopted by Hubbard in courses still cost less than £50. xf —ffliiy mony logol rmtm of the second faction which 1967. According to AFINITIES There are hundreds of different claims to have many more courses available and they can •Turn to Page 3 takeas many as they want." East Grinstead Courier THURSDAY. FEBRUARY 16, 1984 Price 13p
greater will be the uproar, the • From Page 1 greater the resignation list, the newsletter "it caused instant and greater the public reaction. catastrophic reactions, the result "To the British, disconnection of which took more than 15 years leaves a dirty taste in the to subside both within the ranks mouth." of the church and within the minds of the British public". The British, says the newslet ter, had their own phrase for disconnection policy. It was sen Revulsion ding a person to Coventry — a The memories of that era still practice vehemently condemned sent "shudders of revulsion" by all British institutions and through church staff members organisations as inhuman and who experienced the policy. The dictatorial. cancellation of disconnection One girl who has resigned practices in 1969 was the cause of from the sect said: "I don't much jubilation within the know any longer who to remain diminished ranks of the few staff connected to I don't know who left at Saint Hill. to talk to. Children are being During the time the policies forced to disconnect from their were in use, "the howls of the parents. .Families are splitting disaffected — those whose fami up. ly and friends were forced to "These disconnection policies disconnect from them — reached are awful. This is not spiritual such a crescendo that MPs con freedom. This is suppression and demned the practice wholesale enslavement.'' On Monday a church ''The Home Office imposed its spokesman Mr Mike Garside ban on foreign Scientologists said: "There are a few people. coming into the country and locally who are harbouring' resignation 'stats' climbed. The grievances after we expelled them public stayed away in droves." from the church last year as they As a result, says the newslet were found unsuitable to work in ter, the church effectively the church. They had caused dif apologised to one and all and ficulties for us and for their cancelled the disconnection friends. policies. "Someone has deliberately at But now the practices were tempted to stir up trouble back in force following a direc between families in the church by tive by the new management of misinterpreting church policies the church through what is and sending round forged letters. known as its Religious "The whole purpose of Scien Technology Centre (RTC). • tology is to increase the in dividual's responsibility for his 'Dirty taste' life and this includes the family. There are over 2,000 members of "It's tragic that each genera the church in the local area and tion has to learn by the same we have warned them to beware mistakes again and again. It's of any threatening letters or tragic also that, as night follows forgeries," said Mr Garside. day, the repercussions of this On the subject of Scientology current bout of RTC folly are charges for courses, Mr Garside now exploding into a field said: "The price of our courses is already torn asunder by schism," under constant review, but basic says the newsletter. courses still cost less than £50. "As the destructiveness of There are hundreds of different these policies eats its way into the courses .available and they can lives of field members take asonany as they want." last Grinstead Courier
East Grinstead Courier. FebruarvM iQfu
Poison-pen campaign A £1,000 reward is be ing offered by the East Grinstead-based Church of Scien tology for information leading to the pro alleged secution of "those responsible for theft caused by the letters. "Last year another", said an editorial in the we had to expel a few people group's newsletter. of materials from the from the church because they Management's "despotic church and a poison- persistently violated our basic policy" demanded that all who policy of maintaining friendly opposed its dominance be ex pen campaign of forg relations," he said. pelled from the church, vilified ed letters which have The church would not con and disconnected." done activities which seemed The core of Affinities com been sent to local designed to disrupt people's plaint concerned the present members". lives: "We have put the informa management's attempts to re tion we already have in the hands define the policy and technology In a Press statement of the police," said Mr Garside. of Scientology "in order to fur issued from its Saint Hill ther entrench its own dogmatic position, now that the founder-is headquarters, the sect 'Obnoxious' no longer in control of the church"- said it guaranteed protec The church statement is the tion for anyone providing latest development in the row information. It also urged over the sect's "disconnection" policy which has led to many people to turn over any in resignations and the formation of formation of criminal ac two breakaway groups. tivities to the police. One of the groups, whioh calls The statement claimed that itself AFFINITIES, said this week items stolen from the church that Scientology's application of recently included mailing lists of of "obnoxious disconnection members and confidential writ policies" was not in accord with ten materials. There had also the basic teachings of its been forged letters purporting to founder, Ron Hubbard. .Those come from senior church ex- who dared criticise church ecutives, and others on let management were being denied terhead stolen from a local their inalienable rights. school attended by children of "Democracy within the members. Church of Scientology is a thing The sect's public affairs of of the past. Recently many ficer, Mr Mike Garside, said that thousands of members have the offer was at the request of discovered this factor, often at local members who had demand the cost of their own family be ed action to prevent further ing torn asunder by becoming upset and annoyance being forced to disconnect from one East Grinstead Courier
East Grinstead Courier, April 26,1984:
Sect obtains High Court THE CHURCH of Scientology has obtained a High Court order against a fourth person for the return of documents which it says have been taken from its order European headquarters in Denmark. But local independent Mrs Morag Bellmaine, also of ben accused of taking away West Hill, and Mr Ron Lawley, documents and other papers Scientologists are hoping 41 of St James Road, East belonging to the sect. that the civil actions will Grinstead. They were asked to He said he had not acted for be dropped as a result of reveal any knowledge they had financial gain, but on grounds of of the whereabouts of further conscience. He was given a four the verdict of a scriptures or copies. month jail sentence with three Copenhagen court last In the Edinburgh High Court, months suspension. He was an Aberdeen woman was also banned from re-entry to Wednesday. ordered to return the sects Denmark for five years. The order, issued by the High scriptures. Earlier police in A man picked up by Swedish Court, London, on Friday (April Aberdeen and East Grinstead police at Stockholm for fraud 13), is against Mr Steven Bisbey, had recovered some of the and tax offences on his return by a former member of the Church missing documents. air from the United States, was of Scientology, of West Hill, East found to have documents in his Grinstead. Trespass possession believed to be copies "It requires him to return any The woman's husband was of missing Scientology papers. or all of the documents or copies found guilty on Wednesday of The international body of the relating to the teachirig or illegally entering the Church of Church of Scientology has principles of Scientology, taken Scientology's European offered a reward of £120,000 for in December, 1983," said a headquarters in Copenhagen by information leading to the return spokesman at the sect's UK a Danish court. He had been of material which includes headquarters at Saint Hill Manor, awaiting trial in Denmark. counselling papers. East Grinstead. A charge of theft was replaced Mr Lawley and Mrs Bellmaine Last month the High Court by one of trespass. The man had say they would like to set up, issued similar injunctions against with others, Scientology counselling courses independent, as opposed to being in opposition, to the established Church of Scientology. A former member of the sect for five years, Mr Lawley, who describes himself as a professional man, said: "Rightly or wrongly the Church of Scientology tries to monopolise the works of its founder, L. Ron Hubbard, and make them less available by charging very high prices. As much as £400 an hour for SO to 100 hours can be needed at a certain level called NOTs-" East Grinstead Courier 1964 Prica 13p
8_ East Qrinstaad Courier, August 2,1964 : East Grinstead Courier 20 London Road, East Qrinstaad RH1S1AB: Tel 23662/3 and 22659 Time to go THE DAYS when Scientology threw writs at anyone daring to criticise it may have passed — but do not be too sure. There has been no change in the function and purpose of the bizarre organisation at Saint Hill to which East Grinstead has been a - reluctant and embarrassed host for more than 20 years. The best news would be that the whole strange set-up had packed up and left. Mr Justice Latey's denunciation of Scientology in the High Court last week will be generally welcomed. in his judicial authority he was able to say what others in their unprotected state dare not. He used powerful words — "corrupt, sinister, dangerous" — in ordering the "Church" of Scientology to cease intimidating and harassing a mother who, to her credit, had broken away from the movement. She sought and won the custody of the children from their Scientologist father. Can anyone imagine anything less like a church than the money-making worship of L. Ron Hubbard?
Sect custody dad to appeal THE FATHER of two children who lost the Scientology custody tead home, the father, who is not case last week, said he is to appeal named to protect the youngsters' against the judgement. identities, said he had brought up The case made national head his children in a happy and caring lines when the High Court judge, home. Mir Justice Latey, awarded "We have two other sons, one custody of the youngsters to then- aged 10 who is my wife's by her mother because be said the first marriage and one aged three man's Scientology beliefs were which is ours," he told the "dangerous,' sinister and cor Observer. rupt ": "We love all our children and The six month tug-of-love have brought them up in a happy battle ended by the judge declar- and caring home." ing in open court that the "The decision of Mr Justice •influence of the sect would put Latey to split up my family after the children gravely at risk. the children have been with me. The church of Scientology for the past five years is unfair to resorts to lies and decit when- them, my wife, myself and their. step-brothers. I feel I am being penalised for my beliefs and I will be appealing everit thinks it will profit to do so, heagains said..t th e decision" Before his announcement, the Scientology press officer at the sect's UK headquarters in Saint Hill Mr Mike Garside, said this week "The judge made extensive comments on Scientology with out hearing any representation . from us. The judgement is con- children, a boy aged 10 and an sequently one-sided and in- eight year old girl - were living accurate." with their father in the town, He has since re-married after a divorce from- their mother in 1979.'. His ex-wife, a former Scientologist, has left the organi sation and was living abroad with. her future husband. Speaking from his East Grins- East Grinstead Courier Early MARCH ? 1986 Cult harasses THE leader of a "dissident" group of the Church of Scientology claimed in the High Court today that she m and others were being "harassed" by the official P» church. C Mrs Eileen Griswold, of The Spinney. Lewes Road. East Grin- ca stead. has been accused of making pirate tapes of lectures recorded W. by the late L. Ron Hubbard, the church's founder. Last Monday. New Era Publi us say cations International, which claims exclusive rights to the lecture series, were granted an A; order allowing them to search a ' Mrs Griswold's home for hs unauthorised tapes. But New Era's counsel. Mr Be David Pannick. said that "re on grettably" Mrs Griswold had dissidents on been given prior notice of the order which was obtained in open court and no incriminating tapes had been found. However other material had been discovered, including three tape sleeves, which, with other evidence collected by New Era. made a strong prima facie case that Mrs Griswold and her com pany, Villacroft Ltd. were involved in the unlawful copying of Hubbard tapes. Mr Pannick asked the court to order Mrs Griswold to swear a statement saying whether she had made unauthorised tapes and to whom and when they had been distributed. But Miss Fiona Clark, for Mrs Griswold and Villacroft. said Mrs Griswold and her hus- band were leaders of a break away group and had been "subject to harassment" by the official church. In these circum stances it would be wrong for the court to order them to di vulge names and addresses. "This is simply going to be used as a further instrument of oppression against them.- said Harrassment claim Miss Clark. Miss Clark said that Mrs Griswold's case when the matter came for a further hearing in two weeks' time, would be that by sect "dissident" THE LEADER of a -dissident- the sound recording were not iE LEADER of a "dissident" evidencevidencee coll«*-»
By SEAN RYAN The competition organisers distri- buting the leaflet, are the shadowy Concerned Businessmen's Association. Worst hit has been West Sussex, home whose address is a Victorian house base of the church, where booklets In North London. and contest details have been distri What every Documents obtained by the Daily buted at several schools. Mail reveal that the association was 'Literature has also been sent to child entering secretly set up by the Church of London borough youth officers, Scientology, branded "corrupt. libraries and businessmen, and the the contest Immoral and dangerous' by a High names of West Country mayors and Court Judge during a child custody council leaders have been used in an must read... case in 1984. effort to attract business sponsors to The author of The Way to Happi the campaign. with their ness. whose name is written in tiny But the civic dignitaries who print, is science fiction writer L. Ron endorsed it are now withdrawing their parents' help support, protesting they had no idea of any connection with the Church if necessary of Scientology when they were shown the booklet and asked to sign a scroll. Morals The Way to Happiness, loosely based on six of the Ten Command ments, was described as 'harmless' by the mayors, but 'unsuitable for children' by one education expert The Way to who criticised its language and some of its content. It warns children that promiscuity Happiness might lead to 'a knife in the back Sam... woman at deer or ground glass in the soup,' Among the literature, a comic strip Hubbard, founder of the church. tells of a youngster sent from outer A spokesman for the cult-monitor- space to earth to 'prove himself a ing group Family Action, Information leader of men'. and Rescue said last night: 'It's quite The door of the Concerned Busi appaling to get at children through nessmen's Association's address in what is a large-scale propaganda Duke's Avenue, Muswell Hill, was exercise for Scientology. opened yesterday by a young woman The cult, which was badly hit by Mr giving her name only as Sam, who Justice Latey's High Court condemna referred Inquiries to the Church's tion. and its leader's death last year. headquarters in East Grinstead. It is exuberant over the success of The claimed the association was a com Way to Happiness campaign. pletely separate organisation. Its internal newsletter, the Auditor. Mrs Sheila Gaiman. who works for says: 'Weekly, thousands of UK child the association, said: 'We are in touch ren are asking for competition entry with many groups concerned at the forms." decline of morals in society and with But many head teachers have been young people. We are getting people outraged by the Scientologists' being competent, industrious and approaches to them and their pupils. taking care of their environment' THURSDAY. MAY 12.1988 1 THE 'HARD SELL' CULT
AS a campaign by mem would be to get the person to pro the courses is such that a student Once all these hang ups have bers of the church of Scien cure and read Dianetics, The comes under increasing pressure been banished the student is Modern Science of Mental to complete their course and that "clear" and is considered to be tology to make Britain the Health." The letter goes on to tell they cannot successfully com "someone who could confront first Scientology country, the Scientologist how to get peo plete it without first signing on for anything and anybody in past. gains momentum, we can ple interested: "By two way com the next course. present and future. reveal the cost ofthc"hard munication. get the person to Anyone not finishing their The former Scientologist said: sell " 'religion' which has split families and which last week led one Ashurst Wood couple to the Bank ruptcy Court. Our investigations suggest the cult uses high pitch American style sales techniques to trap their hapless "believers" in a never ending web nf lengthy courses. Scientology is the religious philosophy which grew out of Dianetics. the counselling techni ques first published by the cult's founder L. Ron Hubbard in 1950. One former member describes the techniques as a refined form of abreactive therapy, a form of psycho therapy which is widely used by doctors. Converts are lead to believe they are spiritual beings progress ing across a "Bridge" towards total happiness. Each step on the road to total freedom, however. inevitably costs them dear. One former member of the organisation who is now a recognised expert on the subject told us that at current UK prices it THE hard and soft facesof L. Ron Hubb.ro. Above right ms he appeared with his fam.lv in the fifties on his arm.)« Saint Hill..and left, as head would cost a minimum of ofthe Scientologists. with. centre, the expensively bound Collectors Edition of his science fiction work. battlefield Earth £130.000 for a person to reach the Wow right the Concerned Businessman s Association stall with Mrs Sheila Caiman, seen centre, at the East Gnnstead Dons Club highest stages of Scientology Mav Fair. currently available. Thai figure docs not include the cost of expensive textbooks written by L. Ron Hubbard. The cull recruits its members from advertisements, by word of admit that help is possible, in course is sent on to one of two "Once you've started auditing mouth and quite literally by pick any zone. otherdepartments in order to find they've got you. You are ing up from the streets by offering "By a little direction of his con out what is wrong, but ex students hooked." them free personality tests. versation or motions, or by two have told us that this process, "In the early stages of Scientol But the stories of former mem way communication on good and which sometimes takes the form ogy people get quite extraor bers show how easily the road lo bad control, make the person see of counselling, is then charged to dinary gains and people think happiness can turn to the road of the student. that control is not always this is great and they are financial ruin. Documents in our horrible." An ex member of the Sea Org— hooked. possession show that the He said that when people star the staff organisation at Saint Hill organisation is structured in such ted to talk about their "overts" it — told us that any student want "You are told you are a spiritual a way that its members have lo made it easier for them to talk to ing to leave would have to see the being. That in itself is not a bad pay more and more money as the interviewer. registrar, (salesman or woman). thing but we were always told that they get further and further into At that point, he suggested the often up to three times on one the only road to awareness is by the organisation and further and interviewer should get the subject day. getting rid of our psychological further away from their friends, to read the book Dianetics, the He said: "There is no legal families and reality. Modern Science of Mental obligation to continue, but a lot of Turn to Page 2 In his governing policy to the Health. pressure is brought to bear. If a Finance Department given "No doubter or worrier could person wants to leave they are told before his death. L. Ron Hubbard they can leave at any time, but a instructed: "Make money ... lot of peer pressure is brought to Understand money flow lines not bear." only in an org(dcpartmentordivi- By "If someone is having trouble sion of Scientology), but org to org with someone who is antagonistic as customers flow upward ... Mike Ricks Editor towards Scientology they would Understand exchange of valuables be persuaded to handle that situa or service for money ... Make and tion or to disconnect from Money ... Make more money them." make other people produce so as Sarah Gorman He describes how staff too were to make money." put under pressure to keep their Members of the church's field students on the courses, with staff staff are encouraged to bring in members gaining bonuses or more recruits. in a policy letter stand up long to your approach privileges, including days off, for entitled How to sell Scientology to using these four steps." attaining certain targets. your friends, L. Ron Hubbard Other literature issued by Hub Failure to do so resulted in a says there are four principles bard includes advice on "Hard loss of privileges. If a student left a involving the sale of Scientology. Sell". He said that hard selling course, a process known as 1 Help. 2 Control. 3 Com meant insisting that people buy. "flunking" or "blowing", the munication. 4 Interest. "The art of hard selling is you course supervisor would lose He said one way to interest peo tell people to do something. Hard points which went towards their ple in the organisation's work sell is based on knowing and pro privileges. would be to talk to them and get moting in the line of truth ana not Most people enter Scientology them to admit they needed help being reasonable about people by taking a communication on any subject. who want other things." course. At the end of which they "Following this willingness for Former members of the church are introduced to the techniques the person to talk to you and con have described how the pressure of "auditing" — a process fess a few worries or upsets, or bet to move upwards through the designed to help them rid them ter overts (sins or transgressions), organisation is on from the selves and eventually other peo- would have to be managed. Then moment they step through the ple of the psychological hang ups interest would come about. The door at Saint Hill. L. Ron Hubbard believes that best way of handling interest They claim that the structure of everyone had. 2 HARD SELL' CULT The 'hard sell' cult • From P1 act . hang ups and ills and that Scien "When you have been indoc tology was the only way you could trinated that Scientology is the progress as a person. only salvation the prospect of "CJnce one becomes a member leaving and giving it up is terrify The Way to of Scientology more and more of ing. You are told you have had it one's time revolves around it. as a spiritual person, that you One's social life is spent entirely have had it To be disconnected Happiness with Scientologists. If you leave from, is to be condemned to Scientology you are likely to find oblivion." that noneof your friends will talk "When I left I had no money. to you. no one will have anything nowhere to go and none of my to do with you. Leaving Scientol Scientology friends would speak ogy is in itself a "suppressive CLERGY and members to me. You feel totally isolated." of the Lions Club have • The Hayman's story P6 and 7 expressed concern after a businessman's group aligned to Scientology handed out pamphlets and collected cash at the town's May Fair. About 200 people handed over 20p to sponsor the Concerned Businesman's Association cam paign to clean street signs in the town, although organisers of the fair had no idea the group was connected with the Church of Scientology. A Campaign organiser for the association, Mrs Mary Liber- son, said that the group was made up of Scientologists and non-Scientologist businessmen keen to promote a work written by L. Ron Hubbard called The Way to Happiness. Mr Alan Howson of the Lions said members had no idea of the connection and added that the club would not have allowed the stall if it had realised the association were promoting a work bv Hubbard. He said: "We have got to be fair to people but what we would say is that you can have a stall but in no way can you promote Hubbard's claims: Scientology." In his book The History of Man, Hubbard claimed this St Swithun's vicar The Rev Roger Brown warned local of auditing; "With it the blind again see, the insane organisations to beware. "I become sane and the saner become saner." think people organising events in He also claimed to be able to cure cancer, radiation the town ought to be vigilant sickness and leukemia. about this sort of thing." However, Mrs Liberson denied that the association was promoting Scientology by hand The levels. ing out the Way to Happiness pamphlet: "This book is not The most expensive single course at Saint Hill is level OT designed to convert people to 3, costing £3,830. Scientology. It sets out its own moral code based totally on At this level, students are given Hubbard's secrets of the common sense and it's imma universe. The course reveals that 75 million years ago terial who wrote it." Earth was part of a "galactic confedaration" of 70 She agreed that the group was planets. a form of chamber of commerce for Scientologists who cam They were overpopulated and the ruler of the Con paigned to promote what she federation, a titan called Xenu, rounded up all "artists," said was one of Hubbard's revolutionaries", and "criminals," Their lungs were shot "secular works" which had wide with glycol or alchohol and thev were transported to earth applications in the battle against drugs and the fight for aboard space ships. improved morals. When they arrived on Earth, Xenu dropped nuclear bombs down volcanoes and blew the Earth up. He then gathered the spirits or Thetans up. Each human being is now said to contain clusters of these Thetans and the dominant spirit is the one which causes the most unhappiness, and can only be removed by Scientology auditing. 6 East Grinstead Courier, May 12, 1988 5 The Brown's story "HOW could they be so gullible, we all ask when reading only appeal. Once the couple knowing that the person sitting had shown an interest after the opposite is listening and con yet another tragic tale of a family ruined by the elusive initial questionnaire or "analysis" cerned with you." dreams of Scientology, described by Mr Justice Latey in a they took the communication The Brown's feel that over the celebrated High Court case in 1984 as "Immoral and course — the bait and hook for year many have underestimated socially obnoxious... In my judgement it is corrupt, sinis anyone travelling on the road to the skills and charisma of the becoming a fully fledged church's founder. L Ron Hub ter and dangerous." Scientologist. bard. John believes that his The Hayman's are not the first, and will not be the last, The analysis invariably fiower lay in his ability to articu- to become embroiled in the Church of Scientology. But, shows that you need to get on a'te the fears and frustrations as two former Scientologists explained, for some people better with others — as Mr of others. the attractions are hard to resist. Brown points out. better com Who could argue with his call munication is a quality that for a world without insanity. The couple, who still live in leave, were ferocious. criminals or war? He held up East Grinstead. left the church THE HOOK this dream for a better world. several years ago. In a frank and Curiosity first drew them to anil in the idealistic 1960's many revealing interview they attempt the church. In the 1960's the 'Anything that was being people were drawn to this: "it's a toshed light on the inducements emerging cult was fashionable attacked must be very addictive feeling to know and pressures which draw peo game for the press and several people who feel quite deeply ple into the cult, and keep notorious court cases involving interesting' about subjects you feel deeply them there. Hubbard ensured maximum about." said John, "you want the For the purposes of this inter publicity. world to be a better place, who view we will call them John and Then, as now. it was a cult most people would admit to doesn't? And there you've got Julie Brown. The Browns, now under fire: "That's what got us in wanting to improve in some some means of achieving it. in their late 30s joined the cult in the rebellious sixties." said Julie ways. "I developed closer friend the 1960's. In terms of financial Brown, "because it seemed to us The first course is never very ships with Scientologists than investment the couple got off that anything that was being that expensive, possibly £40 or £40. I'd ever had before." said Julie. relatively lightly and estimate strongly attacked must be and a friendly reception is a "simply because you all know they spent £3.000 to £4.000 on interesting" — a feeling shared powerful pull. "It's an extraor what you arc doing, you know courses and counselling during by her husband John: "It's very dinary feeling to walk into a who you are and you know what an 18-year period. But the exciting being part of a small room of strangers when you've you're there for," emotional scars run deep, and group being attacked by a large just signed up for a course and THE PRESSURES their battles with the church. group and surviving." they accept you as though But the illusion faded in the once they made the decision to But confrontation was not the they've known you forever. face of hard-sell techniques and There's something very power growing dissatisfaction with the ful about that... it may sound purification" process. Mr very naive and childish, but Brown felt that a large part of the there is." said Julie. organisation and the people And. as John pointed out. it is work in it were devoted to raising difficult to be hostile in such an money by encouraging people environment: "It's hard to be to take more and more courses. antagonistic when everyone is After the first course and every being so friendly towards you course thereafter, scientologists and eventually you start to think write a "success story" listing they are not a bad group. "Then you start to go up to Saint Hill at weekends and evenings. You are not pressured 'eventually you start to to go up there, you are think they are not bad as encouraged: 'have a look at this a group' book, listen to this tape, take this course' and suddenly it's all for your benefit, suddenly people a re encou raging you to be pa rt of benefits or otherwise from the a group, whereas before you had course. Then they fill out a to fight your way and prove "Routing" form which outlines yourself. the courses and counselling necessary to complete the first of With Scientology it doesn't many steps on the road to Total matter. You can ne the most Freedom . an ideal state of tongue-tied, ugly individual mind and body promoted by around and you re still made to Hubbard. Scientologists also have to see various senior officers in the They accept you as organisation before finally visit though they've known ing the registrar whose job it is to sign them up for the next course. you forever' The system is organised so that nobody can leave one routing cycle before signing up for the feel welcome, you're still made to next. feel part of it — that's the reac The trick of Hubbard's game tion and it works virtually was to keep that ideal tan- every time." tilisingly elusive: "If you do a Soon after a basic com course and say 'well I didn't get a munication course recruits take lot out of it' their eyes light up their auditing sessions, a form of and they say 'Wow what you interview using Hubbard's need is ... and suddenly there famous E Meter which employs you are with yet another 25 a basic technique of psycho hours of auditing or another therapy known as abreactive course." explained Julie, "so it's Theory. Interviewees are taken never a question of the auditing back through childhood and being wrong or insufficient, it past lives to discover the course pushes it back on you all the of their malaise, a form of coun time and you feel guilty... This selling many people find attrac is what's so dangerous. tive: "It's very nice to sit down for "You end up doubting your several hours at a time and talk self and you pay-out for another about yourself exclusively. course or you mortgage the 6 East Grinstead Courier, May 12,1988 A Brown's story
house again to pay for it." will not be popular in the As the Scientologist pro organisation because he's made gresses through the system so them look bad. They don't sup the financial investments grow. port vou and when you're down each new course costing more because you're not producing than the last and each step tak anything anymore. ing him closer to the point of no Getting Out: The Brown's, while not suf- fering financially, endured 'You can be the most abuse, harassment and rejec tongue-tied ugly individual tion when they finally took the decision to leave the church: "It around and you're still was very difficult, we've lived made to feel welcome' here for many years and simply by the nature of what Scientol ogy is your children play with other Scientologists children. return: "You invest a lot of your they go to the same school. time and energy and money and Your social life and your busi you've probably deprived your ness life arc all tied up around self of quite a lot so you almost Scientology so when you leave have to go on to justify what it's very hard." recounted you've already done." Julie. THE COST "Children who had been The Hayman's spent so much close friends of my children on courses and Scientology weren't allowed to speak to artefacts that they made them them, they would cross the selves bankrupt, and the road to avoid them. That was Brown's quote cases of people the hardest thing — what the who have ruined themselves children went through, be finanically in order to stay in the cause as an adult you make system: "The more you do the your own choices and live with more you have to achieve what them, but when you watch your you are told you will achieve." children going through it's said John. rough." A lot of people that we know The feeling of alienation and joined staff (The Sea Organisa isolation makes leaving the tion. people who work full lime church a difficult step. The for the church in return for full Brown's say they gave each board, courses and about £5 a other the courage to stand up to week pocket money) because the cull but pointed to the they have run out of money. tremendous problems for They've mortgaged their houses. couples divided over whether sold their businesses and there's to leave or not. nothing left." said Julie. And a combination of "Most people leave the area in penalties, a desperate desire to our position, but our children continue the courses, and often were at school and also it an inflated sense of their own seemed like the cowardly thing ability encourages people to to do. continued Julie. borrow the money regardless: "One of the Scientology tenets is that it makes the able more 'Your social life and your able." said John. "You're told if business life are all tied up you'rea Scientologist you are the top one per cent of the top one around Scientology.' per cent." However the cult has no time for those who fail: The tragedy of She is critical of the cult and is someone like Adrian Hayman particularly concerned about the menial effects on the genera tion who grow up surrounded by Hubbard s philosophy: "The 'It's very nice to sit down only purpose these children for several hours at a time leave school with is to become a and talk about yourself Scientologist, there's nothing exclusively knowing the else worth doing... by the time you go through the system person sitting opposite is what's the point? because Scien listening and concerned tology's got all the answers. Why with you.' would you want to do anything else." "I don't agree that Scientology brainwashes people in the way and many others who haven't that people understand, there's been publicised because it no duress and no drugs. hasn't got that far. is there no "But it's much more dangerous way he can win." explained Julie than those things. ... "In Scientology terms he's now a loser, there s nothing else to squeeze out of him. 1 unders 'It goes deeper and it's tand that he and Jocclyn arc still very very difficult to in the Church, presumably throw off ... you beause they're go nowhere else to go. become absorbed in it... "But when he can't produce dangerous stuff, very any more he'll be in some kind dangerous stuff.' of 'ethics' trouble because he's created bad publicity... and he East Gfinstead Courier, May 12, 1988 7
low-numbered copy." them for such extortionate SCIENTOLOGIST sums." £ Adrian Hayman told the However a valuation expert in the book department of In a glossy brochure entitled bankruptcy court that he international auctioneers L. Ron Hubbard Collectors' had paid the church Christie's said this week that Editions and printed last year $30.000 for an E Meter despite keeping "pretty exhaus by Author Services Inc. book tive" records of world book prices are listed from £125 to "therapy" box and three auctions there was no sign of £750. with "show case" ten- leather-bound books Hubbard's special editions volume sets on sale for £5.750. signed by the cult's foun appearing on the international The leatherbound volumes. der L. Ron Hubbard. market: ""Given that they a mixture of Hubbard's science haven't come up for sale it fiction and philosophy are pre Mr Hayman said the doesn't sound like a good sented in glossy colour settings artefacts were an "investment" investment." he concluded. accompanied by quotes from and that there was a "specialist the author about his work. market" for them where they In a celebrated case in 1985 Readers are urged to com could be re-sold for at least the when a 22-year-old was res plete the order form "without same price. cued from the cult after spend delay" so that they do not miss Indeed the promotion litera ing £90.000 on Scientology out on an "extraordinary ture for Scientology's limited literature, an expert at the auc opportunity" to enjoy Hub edition books makes grand tioneer's Glasgow office was bard's "unprecedented literary claims about the investment far more dismissive about the achievements", while making a potential of Mr Hubbard's books' worth. sound investment works. When the boy's parents sent In court Mr Hayman refuted A sales leaflet printed by one Christie's the leatherbound suggestions by Assistant Offi of the cult's two publishing volumes for valuation, he con cial Receiver that the books companies New Era Publications cluded: "This is the worst were "virtually worthless". quotes some staggering price example of profiteering from After further questioning from rises for a "Special First Edi cheap and fairly commonplace Mr Harley he agreed he had tion" of Hubbard's last science material I have ever seen. Not not found a buyer and that his fiction yam. Battlefield Earth. only do I think the prices being scientologist accountant Mr It reads: "This was a signed asked are outrageous, but I also Derek Field, of Crown House. limited edition of 550 copies. feel that the investment will High Street East Grinstead. The market price escalated never be recoverable." had offered a "much lesser from S900 to S8.000 in early He continued: "I cannot but sum". 1985 with a top price of $24,000 reel back in astonishment that Mr Field was not available being paid in early 1985 for a anybody has the gall to offer for comment.
The Hayman's story COMPUTER analyst Mr Harley told Registrar T« Mr Hurley's suggestion Adrian Hayman, 38, of Judge Birk that Mr Hayman that they were "virtually borrowing bad not been bad run up debts of over worthless* he replied; "There "sensible". The Ferns, Woodshill £250,000 and had adeSdenCy is M Specialist market for Mr Harley said "that surely Lane, Ashurst Wood, of £109,000. such things",. is an understatement". At the gave £175,000 in 15 He bad obtained overdrafts He agreed however that he conclusion of his ouestfonning years to die Church of from banks including Bar, had not found a buyer and that Mr Harley told Judge Birk: elays, The Midlands, National hb accountant, Mr Derek '"There are areas in this case Scientology, Westminster and The Sank of Field, who was also a scien that cause me concern." lunhridge Wetts San- Scotland and from the use of a tologist, had Offered a "much "We have a situation of an kruptcy Court heard he had Barclay's Sovereign card, lesser sum". experienced businessman rec paid C7t,«oe to die church in Mr Hayman agreed with Mr Mr Hayman,38.said thathe klessly and cynically exploiting the past 17 months. Hurley's suggestion that he did had a degree in Mathematics the easy availability of ere ditto In return he got three not give details tohtscreditors and after first being employed obtain monies which he had no leather-bound books attto- of why he was borrowing the as a trainee computer pro real expectation of paying graphed by Ae ctdf* founder money,. He also agreed that the grammer he had become sen** back and immediately pro L ROB Hubbard, * black box banks might not bare been pre employed In 1*77 as a ceeding to put those out of called** C Meier and "some pared to let him have the consultant, and had then for reach of his creditors by pot quite lengthty courses on train money had they known much mer bis own Company ••*• ting them in the coffers of an ing and counselling" at the of it was being given to a cutt, E.S.M. limited, organisation, with a somewhat Scientologists British Head* which bad been described by Last year, he said, he had an Chequered past, that bad been miarters al Saint Hilt Manor, Mr Justice Latey in the High income of £42,000. He added severely Criticised by the East €mi*tead, Court as "immoral, socially that he thought he could repay judiciary of this country/' Replying to questions front obnoxious and corrupt*. the money he had borrowed by Mr Hayman's «ife, Jocelyn, AsMstantOfficiat Receiver Mr But he refuted such his deafings on the Stock 30, a co-director in her hus Stephen Harley, Mr Hayman allegations about the Church Exchange. He had however band's computer company, said that be bad banded over * of Scientology and claimed lost £30,000. He denied Mr also went bankrupt with a total of £175,906 to the that the artefacts he had Harley's'suggestion that he deficit of £13400. Judge Birk Church and its International bought were worth at least as had borrowedthe money in the said: 'The public examination Association over the past 14 much as he had paid for them knowledge that it could not be in both cases has been years* as an investment repaid, but admitted that his concluded." m East Grinstead Courier, May 12.1988 7 C
Cult denies allegations UK spokesman for the inter the goals and aspirations of Scien Roman Catholic Church or the national cult Mr John Fox refuted tologists. Hubbard's theory of the Methodist Church how would thev allegations that the cult used high universe stated that 75 million have any buildings how would they pressure sales techniques to get years ago the mean titan, Xenu have anything, how would they even people into the church and keep dropped nuclear bombs on earth be able to do any sort of campaign them there. releasing Thetans (individual ing?" Without money, he said, any He also denied that the cost of spirits) from the murdered organisation would cease to exist. the courses and counselling inhabitants. According to Hubbard Far too much attention, he offered by Scientologists rose as clusters of these exist in humans added, was given to people in the members went further into the sys today and auditing is a way to media to the small number disatis- tem: One can take a course for £20 remove the less dominant Thetans fied with the church: "It is a very to £2? and the introductory courses on the road to total happiness. small fraction who get the attention are kept very, very low." Mr Fox said the word Thetan had because they are the ones who talk Donations, he said, were the only been chosen to describe a part of about controversy." source of income. the person which was neither his He quoted from a four-paged He said that the case of the mind or body and which could not policy which showed members of ilaymans were "exceptional"' and be confused by other definitions of the church how to deal with people that the majority of their money had the spirit. who were very antagonistic towards been spent on collectors' items" An Operating Thetan he des them or Scientology. which in certain markets were valu cribed as "somebody who is "If all else fails then you have the able, particularly among Scientolo becoming more effective or more right to disconnect," this he said gists. aware. Somebody who can operate was a fundamental right of human The church he said was working in life," but he added that part of beings, based on the rights of to help the Ashurst Wood couple the pbilosphy of Scientology was privacy written into the con through their troubles: "We're in that "absolutes were not attain stitutions of many countries, such contact with them and we are work- able" But we can reach towards a as America's Bill of Rights. He said there was no question that members of the church were ever ordered to "disconnect" from anyone, and it was rare for there to be a "disconnection" between hus band and wife, and even then it was only by their choice.
Cult spokesman John Fox outside the group's headquarters at Saint Hill. ing out how we can help them right desired goal of freedom which goes now. It's something we are con along with the responsibility and cerned about and we are in very high ethics. close contact." lb be "Clear" he said was to be He added that he could not com unaffected by the interference of ment on what form this help would adverse things: "Clear is becoming take because that was not his more spiritual and very much a decision. desired state in Scientology." When questioned further about When asked what had gone the church's alleged "hard sell" wrong with Adrian Hayman if the techniques he replied: "There's no claim of Scientology was to "make pressure at all, somebody comes the able more able" he replied: "I and does courses and does some basically first only knew him about counselling and it's basically up to a week ago, but you are right there, him as to how long he stays." it's something I think we should Fellow members of the church, he look into at least." said would encourage a friend to He added: "I don't know what take a course if they thought it the extent of training was that he would do them good. had or what his own ambitions Allegations that ex-members were. Certainly Adrian needs to were harassed or ignored he des have a good look at himself and cribed as "ridiculous". If someone needs to take responsibility for chose to leave the church then that his debt." was "totally fine". \\ hen questioned about the high He pointed out (hat members prices of some courses available in could be expelled from the church the church and in particular the if they for example broke the law or "OT 3" course costing nearly offended against the rules of Scien £4.000 Mr Fox explained that it tology, but this was only in excep was a major course which took a tional cases: "There's a code of long time and involved a lot of ethics, but it's very much common organisation and administration. sense." Tie said that people who par In response to Mr Justice ticipated needed to-be very happy Latey's judgement describing •that things were working out for Scientology as corrupt and obnox them and if not refunds were avail ious he called it a comment which able — this, he said, had been a was "vague" and "hard to answer". policy for a long, long time. He said it was unfortunate that the He pointed out that it was judge had made the statement unreasonable to expect any especially when there had been no organisation, religious or other Scientologists in court to answer wise, to operate without money. him. "If there were no money avail Mr Fox also spoke about some of able in the Church of England, the Man loaned cash for Scientology courses AS the Church of Scien cautions: "I use a loan agreement another case he charged interest at tology hits hack at last which imposes heavy penalties, 30 per cent. even if only one day late, and I He adds that there is not much week's report outlining its ascertain that no more than two chance of him recovering his losses "hard sell" techniques, we thirds of the borrower's surplus on the falling value of "the pounds can reveal that some people income is required to make mon to which I converted my American were so desperate to raise thly loan payments." dollars in order to make these As a further check the lender loans." money for courses that they then says he will make sure that the He says he makes loans only used the services of a fellow applicant can make payments above £5,000 because he believes Scientologist who loaned without hardship. This is done by an able Scientologist can manage a them money at exhorbitant having every agreement checked smaller amount without borrowing and approved by the Director of the from him. rates of interest. Department of Income, part of the The maximum of a loan is two Dozens of people rang lo con senior management structure years and he says pre-payment is firm the details of last week's story (Advanced Organisation Saint Hill 'OK" so long as the loan is pre and some provided documents UK) at Saint Mill. paid in full — including an extra showing how one wealthy Scien The lender admits that his charge to repay the initial cost of tologist loaned his own money to interest rates are higher than banks making the loan. help people pay for the cult's — in 1983 he charged 25 per cent Closer inspection of the loan e\pcnsi»c hooks and courses. per annum on a loan of £5,800, agreement reveals some hefty On the literature accompanying compared with a High Street bank financial penalties for Scien the loan agreement the lender snvs rate on a personal unsecured loan tologists who default on the loans. his purpose is lo "help Scien of approximately 20.7% APR —but One applicant signed an agreement tologists up the bridge". he say s they must be high enough to which committed him to a £40 The man makes it clear that he is compensate for possible increases using his own money. To ensure in counselling and course prices, repayment he savs he takes two pre plus any losses from default. In • turn to P53
Scientology from PI penalty for each month or fraction take the church to the small claims of a month that he was late with court for the return of £1.500. payments. He said: "They did me no real harm and didn't get much of my The lender also has the rights to money but I survived intact because demand immediate payment of the of my strong character, being very total loan if the instalments are caring about money and having late, and that while the borrower seen enough of life not to be can chose to pre-pay his loan it impressed by all that American must include 110 per cent of the hype. unpaid balance plus accumulated "I look on my time with humour interest and penalties. and constant amazement at just He concludes: "I consider the how a human being can be breaking of agreements to be, as duped." Ron says in The Way To Happiness, 'not a casual matter', and it is n> • See letters Page 18. policy to be quite unreasonable au.. • Entrepreneur Richard Branson to resort promptly to Scientology has vowed to "review" a contract Ethics and Justice." with the church of Scientology Among the many people to con after discovering that his Crawley- tact us was Oswald Lindsay, of based distribution service has been Wray Close, Ashurst Wood. He sending out thousands of news joined the Sea Organisation at papers and magazines for the Saint Hill in 1980 but left after 10 cult months, but carried on taking Branson said he would make sure courses. that his company had no dealings He said he met some sincere peo with the church again, and had been ple with high ideals, but that he was unaware that a subsidary of his disillusioned. "I had my doubts Virgin empire. VIP Distribution, about the organisation and its had been dealing with the cult motives. Somethingjust didn't ring An agent for the church in Los true; L Ron Hubbard always put Angeles used the cargo company to ting himself on a pedestal as though fly in thousands of copies of Good he was God almighty and the News and Source Magazine last obsessions about money and pro February and April, and it was only duction which was quite unreal." when the literature arrived that the Mr Lindsay finally left Scientol distributors realized they were ogy in 1984. but ended up having to cult papers. East Grinstead Courier, May 19, 1988
Scientology defended I HAVE several points to make quotes completely distort the pic about your last week's coverage of ture. which is unfair on your the Church of Scienlology. readers — far more unfair than it 1. On your front page, you used is on Scientologists who read the photographs taken by two men article. Most of your readers have who at the recent May Fayre no way of realizing that they are heckled and abused the two not being told the truth. female Scientologists who were You will no doubt reply that my giving their help to get the street comments were also reported in signs cleaned. In fact these the article. This is true, but it mis photographs were taken while the ses the point. Scientology is not heckling was going on. Thus these about a response to a newspaper men have been rewarded" for interview. their hooligan anlics. It is easy to phone up or write in 2. You rely almost exclusively for to a newspaper and make your feature on allegations made allegations — anybody can do by former members of the that. It is far harder for a man to Church. Naturally, if one has left develop a religious philosophy an organisation after a long that will benefit millions of peo involvement one will explain ple. and to establish an organisa one's departure in terms which tion that will make that are critical of that organisation. It philosophy available to those is easily done and absolves one people even after he has passed from any personal responsibility. away. To build that organisation Does that mean, however, thai up in the face of vicious and the only bona fida organisation. unprincipled attacks from vested the only bona Fide religion, is one interests, while continuing to which has no ex-members? research and further refine the Where would that leave the philosophy, is another gigantic Church of England or the Roman step. Catholic Church, the Hindu com It is because Mr Hubbard did munity. the Islamic community. those things that people admire the Jewish community? I can him. image their reaction if you were to publish a front page article JOHN FOX explaining" their religion solely Community Affairs Director by using quotations from a dis Church of Scientology, illusioned ex-member! Saint Hill Manor. What matters in evaluating a religious philosophy is not whether it has ex-members but 'Leave us whether it is growing as a whole. and providing people with a alone' fulfilling way of life. Are their I WAS upset to read your story religious needs being met fully about the church of Scientology. and are these people of greater use- I feel my circumstances were to themselves and others as a used as a vehicle to mount a slur result? By these criteria Scientol campaign against my church. ogy passes with flying colours. This has been a very distressing 3. You use a tatty journalistic trick time for my family with national of quoting parts of Mr Hubbard's and local press calling at my writings without giving them their home day and night. It has been full context. For example, you difficult enough without an quote from carefully selected allack on my religion as well. p.ills of a policy document writ I would like to mention that the ten by Mr Hubbard on the subject church of Scientology is involved of finance. in many good works around the This document, read in its world. These include programs entirety, means something com for drug rehabilitation and cam pletely different from what you paigns against psychiatric abuse. imply. The entire document. I feel people should be left however, is merely one of several alone to practice whatever hundred policy documents con religion they choose. tained in a single large volume A. HAYM AN which sets out how the financial The Ferns, affairs of the Church are to be Woodshill Lane, conducted. This volume, in turn. Ashurst Wood. is only one of nine volumes in Editors note: We called at which general administrative Mr Hayman 's home once — during policies are discussed by Mr Hub- the early evening. Cbard in considerable depth. These volumes, in their turn, are distinct from the 12 large volumes in which general administrative policies are discussed by Mr Hub bard in considerable depth. These volumes, in their turn, are distinct from the 12 large volumes, the 600 books and titles. the 3.000 taped lectures, and the numerous videos and films in which Mr Hubbard sets out the religious and philosophical tenets of Scientology. And these religious works are completely separate from Mr Hubbard's secular writings, which include. by the way. not only his vast out- put of fiction but also the "Way to fHappincss" booklet. Thus your out-of-context US COURT CONFIRMS CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY IS A PROFIT MAKING ORGANISATION
MAY 26, 1988
THE churcCULh of Scientol This will comTe as a sever e bloTw At thaOt hearing the courPAt was "Swim in circles"Y. TAXEits dissemination practices and its of May. has Sbeen cancelle d by the to the church which has been told the conspiracy began two Agents for the IRS examined management decisions." hotel management. ogy has been ruled a profit fighting the Internal Revenue years after the IRS withdrew the over 2 million documents in their Despite Hubbard's claims in a The film, billed as "A new. full- making organisation. In Service since the late 1960's to cult's tax exemption status in 1967 attempts to establish the financial length motion picture written. the Supreme Court, Wash keep its tax exemption status. and continued for 10 years until piece entitled "What Your Fees status of the cult. In 1970 church Buy" ("Even today I draw less directed, narrated and photo ington DC. last Monday, The United States Tax Court the FBI searched the church's accountant Martin Greenberg graphed by L. Ron Hubbard". California premises and found than an org. staff member and the cult was refused leave heard in September 1984 how the told an assembled group of Scien they draw very little. So the fees (the founder of Scientology), was cult conspired to defraud the documentary evidence of the tologists. that he had purposely to have been shown as part of a to appeal against a 1984 tax fraud. you pay for your service do not go exempt ruling and must United States by "impairing. made the audit difficult for the to me'. ) the court heard that he world-wide release in venues obstructing, and defeating the Records were forged, plans IRS. had "unfettered control over from Los Angeles and London, to now pay $1.2 million back lawful functions of the IRS in the were made to burgle government He said he gave the examiners millions of dollars in funds pur Melbourne and Milan. taxes for 1970 to 1972 and determination, assessment and offices and L Ron Hubbard muddled boxes of original portedly belonging to OTC and Copthorne Manager Paul $287,614 in penalties for collection of income taxes" due issued policy letters depicting the records, disbursement vouchers the United States Churches of Borresen said: 'The event will not late filing. from Scientology organisations IRS as a danger to Scientology and invoices, with the aim of "so Scientology Trust." be happening here. Basically we and officials. and threatening to make the IRS hopelessly overwhelming and feel their business is not compat confusing" them they would be Hubbard also received royalty ible with our business. Scientol forced to give up their inves payments from the church's sale ogy was mentioned but there was ' tigations and accept the Scien of books and E Meters. The a misunderstanding when the tologists' version on the facts. judges did not dispute an author's booking was made, it was right to receive compensation in possibly as much our fault as any IRS investigations revealed ' the form of royalties for his body's. The event was perceived that although L. Ron Hubbard literary works: "However, this to be something else or we officially resigned as executive does not mean that an individual wouldn't have taken it anyway. head of the California and other can use a tax-exempt organisa The event is definitely off as far as Churches of Scientology in 1966 tion that he clearly controls, as is this venue is concerned'". he continued to have consider the case with L. Ron Hubbard to It coincides with a drive to able influence in the church and market his own works. hard-sell Dianetics: a -pro was a signatory to several Swiss The court ruled that Church of motional campaign by the Cen bank accounts which received 10 Scientology did not qualify for tax tral . Marketing Unit aims at per cent of member churches' exemption because "it is operated non-stop expansion "using any total weekly income. for a substantial commercial pur means possible ... Racing cars, The court heard that the church pose and because its net earnings racing motor cycles, jackets. T- had made a business out of sell benefit L. Ron Hubbard, his shirts, badges andf hats". The ing a religion, it had diverted family and OTC. a private non- purpose is said to be to promote millions of dollars through a charitable corporation controlled BDianetics as an acceptable bogus trust fund and a sham cor by key Scientology officials." "merchandisable product". poration to key Scientology It added that IRS officers had The organisers plan a print officials: "Certainly if language operated in the face of "flagrant campaign, radio commercials. reflects reality petitioner (Church and often illegal resistance and and pending approval, televi of Scientiology) had a substantial further the church was not sion commercials. commercial purpose since it des entitled to exemption because it They aim to create a campaign cribed its activities in highly com violated well-defined standards which will sell Dianetics on a mercial terms, calling parishioners of public policy by conspiring to large scale. 'customers', missions 'franchises' prevent the IRS from assessing "We are here to aid expansion of and churches 'organisations'". and collecting taxes. the UK through the use of LRH marketing technology, thereby The judges said: "The goal of • A week-long showing of the creating a huge flow of public up making money permeated vir film "Man the Unfathomable" The Bridge." tually all of petitioner's activities which was due to be screened at "Our major area of concentra — its services, its pricing policies. The Copthorne Hotel at the end tion is on raw public..." INSIDE THIS WEEK • Felbridge class • Dr Bjrwater retires room scandal P3 PS • Lite In Romania first hand P6-7 • Your village newt - LIngfield Pll, Cop- • Cinema Pz thorne Pll, Forest Row Po • Chemists PI • Obituaries Px • Four pages of ac tion packed Sport • TV PI8-19 P33-3* Cult targets MPs in expansion drive The controversial 'church' of Scientology is The project is designed to "reach" into the field cruited to mount a sustained campaign by writing which aims to get people off drugs through the use of poised to launch a series of campaigns to rally of arts and business and "develop and secure friends and phoning MP's and by arranging weekly meet Scientology auditing and a strict 'Purification Run politicians and influential people to its cause. for Scientology". ings at the House of Commons. Others will be asked Down' involving rigorous exercise and large doses of The cult has set up a special group to expand Sci The first of these campaigns is expected to pro to orchestrate campaigns and to "handle" the media. vitamins. entology influence in politics, arts, business and the mote the cult's opposition to drug taking. It will be This is the latest in a series of attempts by the The cult is also actively involved in the Citizens media, through a series ofsocial campaigns aimed at aimed at showing that Scientology is concerned at church to expand. Two years ago they launched a Commission for Human Rights, a group set up to ex improving its image. drug abuse, crime and violence. campaign to make East Grinstead Britain's first Sci pose what it sees as the excesses of the psychiatric Its main aim is to "help expand Scientology The cult, once described as being "corrupt, sinis entology town, but attempts to recruit young people profession. It is strongly opposed to many current through rallying opinion leaders in political, media, ter and dangerous" by a High Court judge, wants to in the High Street caused a storm of opposition. psychiatric practices and of the use of drugs and elec arts, business and social spheres." heighten awareness in politics, media, the arts, busi Since it was founded by science fiction writer tro convulsive therapy to control mental illness. The Safe Point UK group, based at the cult's ness, and "broad public." Ron Hubbard in 1954, the church has been behind a headquarters at Saint Hill, is aiming to "gain friends The campaigns are being coordinated by a group number of campaigns which were masterminded In January the cult completed work on Saint Hill for Scientology" among decision makers and leaders of senior Scientologists including a leading local originally by its Social Coordination Bureau, and Castle, at their headquarters. The project, which of opinion both in the town and the country as a property developer, an accountant and two finan since last year by the Association for Better Living started in 1965, is reputed to have cost many millions whole. The cult wants to rally 150 MP's to its cause ciers. and Education. of pounds and the "church" plans to use as a con through a series of campaigns on social issues. Scientology members are currently being re These have included Narconon, an organisation ference centre. East Grinstead Courier, March 15, 1990 Churches speak out on Scientology
WE write in support of the Cou St Mary's rier's recent coverage of mat The Rev Stephen Bow- ters concerning the cult of Sci en, St John's Felbridge entology. The Rev Donald We believe it is important Gleghorn, Trinity Meth that the general public should odist be kept aware of repeated at The Rev Michael tempts to present Scientology O'Hara, United Reform as something acceptable and Church beneficial to society. We believe The Rev Eric Pollard, St the opposite is true. Luke's The Rev Ian Edye, St The Rev Canon Roger Barnabas Brown, St Swithun's The Rev Christopher The Rev Kevin Gaskin.St Breeds, St Swithuns The Rev David Dominy, Peter's New Life Church The Rev Gordon Bond,
Cult's complaint against Panorama not upheld A COMPLAINT by the letters and press cuttings, were endured that they were clubbing justice in the programme relating Church of Scientology submitted. together to sue the church for to specific allegations, recorded about an edition of the At the hearing, counsel for restitution. before an interview with Scien the Scientologists said the church While the programme was tology representatives. In one BBC programme Panora had not been given the opportu further respect connected with ma has not been upheld nity to reply to specific allega not about the action which later failed as such, it provided an op the editing of the interview, the by the Broadcasting Com tions aired in the film, and com programme as broadcast was not prehensive and detailed responses portunity to look at the feud be plaints Commission. tween Scientology and some of entirely fair, but these two specif by Scientology spokesmen given ic points did not mean that the on camera had been deliberately its former members, who had or Scientologists, whose ganised themselves into a group programme as a whole was un headquarters are at Saint excluded from the transmitted just or unfair to the Scientolo programme. called Freedom for All in Reli Hill, had complained that the gion. gists. Panorama programme on It was alleged that Panorama April 27, 1987 was unjust had been heavily prejudiced The BBC said that from the against the church before the outset it had given the church and unfair both in its presen programme began and the pro every opportunity to participate tation and in not giving them gramme makers had approached as fully as it wished in the pro opportunity to reply to spe the church with in-built bias gramme. The organisation had cific allegations. which resulted in an unfair and chosen to withhold co-operation unjust programme. until the last possible moment. But the Commission said that and having done so, failed to ad although there were two in The BBC responded by say dress many of the points put to stances of unfairness in the edit ing that the programme had it. ing of filmed material, the pro been made after approaches by gramme as a whole was neither members of various cults, includ In spite of this. Panorama unjust nor unfair. ing the Church of Scientology. made strenuous efforts to be fair Rather than generalise about and accurate about the In its adjudication, the Com religious cults, Panorama decided organisation and to put to put to . mission said the Scientologists' to focus on one. The BBC said it its spokesmen on camera all the complaint was one of the most soon emerged that hundreds of substantive allegations made heavily documented to come be former members of the church against it. fore it. More than 150 docu were so incensed by the money ments, including affidavits, policy The Commission found only spent and the treatment they had one instance of unfairness or in Scientology links claim DRUGS GROUP ALERT YOUNGSTERS and traders have been somebody on drugs then they would refer that alerted to an anti-drugs charity based person to us. There are no financial ties." One of the people who approached Mrs Clay in East Grinstead, which is run accord at Crawley was 40-year- old Susanne Lawrence, ing to the principles of L.Ron Hub Narconon director and former alcoholic and drug bard, founder of the Church of Scien addict. tology. Ms Lawrence, a member of the Church of The alert follows an appeal to companies Scientology for 12 years, said she was "at the end of the road" and had given up life altogether in Crawley to contribute £1,000 towards the when she was introduced to the Narconon pro charity Narconon which provides a drug re gramme which cured her. habilitation programme. There was a pilot project in Britain in the The programme, which can cost up to £5,000 1970s but there was no permanent programme in and last for two to three months, uses nutritional the country until last year when several ex-ad supplements as well as exercise and saunas to rid dicts, two SRNs and several local residents in the body of drugs. The system was originally de East Grinstead decided to get it off the ground. vised by L. Ron Hubbard. Ms Lawrence said many individual scientolo Mrs June Clay, drugs counsellor at the coun gists across the world had chosen to work in the cil-run Crawley Drugs Advice Centre, said people Narconon programme but added: "Narconon is a should know Narconon had connections with the non-religious activity and its articles of incorpo Church of Scientology. ration as a charity preclude any activity other "I am concerned that the treatment costs than to address the problems of drug addiction £5,000 and concerned as to how many will find and prevention. this amount of money," said Mrs Clay. "Independently produced accounts done by "In my personal opinion, people should be outside auditors clearly show that monies raised aware of the link with the Church of Scientology, by Narconon for drug education and rehabilita especially as the sort of people that could come tion are spent on that and nothing else." to them will be at their lowest ebb." She said the cost of the treatment included Mrs Clay said two people from Narconon "full board and accommodation, 24 hour care, had approached her to talk over their plans to vitamins and nutritional consultations with quali set up a drug rehabilitation programme. fied practitioners and supervision by SRNs and "They never mentioned anything about Scien trained lay staff." tology but when I asked them they both ad mitted they were members of the Church of Sci Ms Lawrence would not say where the pro entology and seemed surprised I knew," said Mrs gramme takes place but said that all initial in Clay. quiries had to be made to the national office in She added: "I can't comment on the type of the High Street, East Grinstead. treatment used on the Narconon programme - Mrs Clay at the Crawley Drugs Advice Cen they say it works." tre said that contacting her organization was the Ms Lesley Zimmatore, executive director for first step forward. She said: "At Crawley we Narconon, denied there was any direct link be have been working for nearly 30 years to get a tween the church and the charity and said: "L. walk in-centre and now have one. Ron Hubbard was the founder of the Church of "We are funded by Crawley Borough Council Scientology and we also use his technology in the and are willing to help anyone free of charge. We drug programme, but Narconon is a secular have trained counsellors and a doctor visits twice group. a week. We are the first step towards directing "We are not connected to the church, but the someone to what is hopefully the right treat church validates Narconon. If they know of ment."
-I, 14 East Grinstead Courier, August 23, 1990
MY interest in writing to you ramme since it started in 1966. is humanitarian. I am a foday, the Narconon Chilocco Centre in Oklahoma is the larg founding member of est drug rehabilitation centre in Narconon in England and the entire world. have worked with young peo In the USSR, where there is ple on the Narconon pro an increasing drug problem the gramme. government has officially recog I have also assisted in the nised the Narconon drug rehabil writing of an authoritative book itation programme. The first of on the subject called Drugs and fice opens in Russia next week Drug Rehabilitation. and a 400 bed hospital has al Possibly your article on ready been allocated solely for Narconon last week failed in one the purpose of drug rehabilita respect, which was to delineate tion under Narconon. the difference between advice Anyone who has seen lives and total freedom from the ef ruined by drug addiction will un fects of drugs on young lives. It derstand the importance of the is worthy that there can be an work being done by this group. advice centre but what is also The results have long since been needed in this field is results. vindicated. By their deeds shall These are some of the hard yet know them. facts: A worker in this field is al According to the Social Ser ways dedicated and works long vices Department in Sweden, the hours. His religious affiliations Narconon programme there has are not the issue. What matters a 71 per cent success rate, i.e. 71 is whether or not he can save per cent of people who have youngsters from the horrendous been through the programme are ill effects (including death, all living completely drug-free lives too often) of drug addiction. Similarly, in Spain, 76 per cent Mrs S.W. Hebblewhite, success rate has been validated. Executive Council Member, In the United States, 66,000 Narconon UK, people have successfully complet High Street, ed this drug rehabilitation pro- East Grinstead. My priority is clear
NEARLY 20 years ago, a drug decision that has to be made for addict in an extreme condition those in the unfortunate position was released from the probation to have to make it, is 'Do I opt on which he had been placed for for the proven programme that possession of drugs, into my will bring a drug-free, healthy charge, and that of my wife, who happy future to the addict, or do is a State Registered Nurse and a I spend my £5,000 on a new registered sick children's nurse. car?" He was looked after on a pilot If the new car wins, one is project, which greatly refined left only with what Ms Clay calls and expanded, is now the 'the first step towards directing Narconon Programme. someone to what is hopefully the As the programme stands right treatment.' now, it is being lauded as effec In this day and age, I know tive in many parts of the world, what my priority would be. and government funded in coun Major P. Wakley,(ret'd) tries in f-urope. The White House, Having read your front page Coombe Hill Road article with interest, surely the East Grinstead. £120,000 REWARD OFFERED BY SECT A REWARD of £120,000 had been offered by the international body of the Church of Scientology for information leading to the recovery of what are said to be scriptures stolen from its European headquarters in Denmark. The sect is hoping to obtain information which will lead to the arrest of other people in Britain and abroad who were involved in the theft. The offer follows an interna week that they had recovered tional police operation and the some documents after interview issuing of High Court orders in ing two residents of the town. London »nd Edinburgh to They were acting on requests recover the documents and any from the Danish police through copies made of them. Interpol, following the arrest of .One man. Mr Robin Scott, 36, Scott in Denmark. of Aberdeen- is currently The High Court in London awaiting trial in a Danish prison last week issued an injunction after being arrested by police at ordering Mrs Morag Bellmain, Copenhagen airport on March of West Hill, and Mr Ron 13. He faces a charge of theft. Lawley, 41, of St James Road, East Grinstead police said las' both of East Grinstead to hand over any of the stolen documents, and any copies taken, and to reveal any knowledge they had of further scriptures or copies. The order was challenged by the two and confirmed in the High Court on Wednesday. On Friday the High Court in Edin burgh issued a similar injuction ordering Mrs Adrienne Scott, wife of the men held in Den mark, to return the sect's scrip tures. "It is understood that police in Aberdeen have recovered some of the documents." said Mr Gar- side, spokesman at the sect's UK headquarters at Saint Hill Manor, East Grinstead. Forty "disenchanted" placard :arrying Scientologists went on a srotest march through East Grinstead town centre during a mow flurry on Sunday in a de mand for reforms at the UK headquarters at Saint Hill Spokesman for the protesters, Mr Eric Ballard, a 31-year-old marketing consultant, of Pound Hill, Crawley, said they wanted the sect to end what he claimed was its "disconnection" policy, which split up friends and families, and to end its monopo ly which was resulting in exhorbi- tant fees being charged for courses of counselling. Mr Ballard, a former A GROUP of people who described themselves as "independent" Scientologists at , hold a "minister" in the church, said placard carrying demonstration outside the entrance to the Scientology college Saint Hill they wanted answers to questions Manor o» Sunday afternoon. The "disenchanted" Scientologists paraded through East such as whether the sect's Grinstead town centre before taking their protest to the gates of the sect's UK head founder L. Ron Hubbard, was quarters. (Report — Page 3> dead or alive and what happened to the huge sums of money paid into the church by its devotees. • See picture — Page 12 A HIGH COURT Judge has made the most outspoken condemnation yet of the Church of Scientology, which has its British headquarters it Saint Hill Manor, East Grinstead. He condemned it as ''corrupt, sinister and dangerous". Its founder, forfner, •and his henchmen American science fiction Sir Geoffrey Johnston Smith, writer L. Ron Hubbard former East Grinstead MP and how representing (?Wesiden)is to and his Wife Mary Sue ask the Home Secretary if, in were condemned by Mr view of the judge comments, Justice Latey as he will order a departemental "charlatan and worse." inquiry into the activities of And the sect, said the judge Scientology. was "both immoral and socially "I have had people quite obnoxious." recently come to see me Hubbard and his helpers were concerned about the effects this said to be "grimly reminiscent of organization is having on their the ranting and bullying of Hitler
daughter to their mother. She is 28 and had fought for almost six Mr Justice Latey's reason for Scientology years to be reunited with them giving judgment in open court he after she broke away from the described as "a warning to From page 1 Scientology. I others." The judge ordered the Church The judge made a detailed at family relationships," said Sir of Scientology to stop in tack on the character of Hub Geoffrey. timidating and harassing the bard. He was not, as claimed Scientology, which has been mother, warning that failure to wounded in the war and struggling to improve its image do so would be dealt with, with decorated. It was false to claim with a series of widely publicised the "utmost severity." that he had been crippled and reforms, found itself in the na- The father has since re blinded, then cured by Scien married. tology techniques. 'LIES, DECEIT" Hubbard, said the judge, had Mr Justice Latey said Scien disappeared and was being tology was corrupt "because it is sought by US police. based on ties and deceit, and has as its real objective, money and L. Ron Hubbard was a well- power for its founder, his wife known figure in East Grinstead and those close to him at the top. where he established Saint Hill as "It is sinister because it in the world headquarters of his movement. In August 1983 the dulges in infamous practices, Scientologists announced that both to its adherents who do not they had "kicked out" 12 key toe. the line unquestioningly, and members of their UK head to those outside who criticise or quarters staff at Saint Hill as oppose it. part of a policy change. "It is dangerous because it is out to capture young people, Subsequently splinter groups especially children and impres have emerged and challenge the sionable young people and in Church of Scientology's doctrinate and brainwash them monopoly on Hubbard's so that they become the unques teachings. tioning captives and tools of the cult, withdrawn from ordinary thought, living and relationships with others." L RON HUBBARD as he was The judge praised the mother's In his East grinstead days. He courage in escaping from the is now 72 "tight and unrelenting" hold of Scientology and its ruthless tional newspaper headlines on discipline. Tuesday, after considerable ex He said the children were at a posure on radio and television school controlled by Scien the night before. tologists where the "baleful in The judgment by Mr Justice fluence" was ever present and Latey in the High Court came the objectives were tb capture the unheralded. He had been hearing child's mind. It would be a grave in private a dispute about the risk to leave them with the custody of two children. Then he father, but they still loved him — went into open court to order a and he loved them — regular father, aged 32, who it a Scien- visits should be arranged. Friday, January 28,1994
Pupils in strip poker shock "Kent was shockingly cunning and A FORMER pupil of jailed pervert dreamed of telling any other mem ups." The man said none or xne bers of staff, so there is no way the pupils taking part thought there was skilful in the way he used blackmail Mark Kent spoke this week of how against the children to conceal his the ex-Greenfields School teacher rest of the school could have found anything suspicious about the out." games. appalling crimes. plied students with alcoholic drinks "As soon as his crimes became during bizarre games of strip poker. He described Kent as a very popu "I think at the time it all seemed lar teacher at very innocent apparent the school took every step Pupils taking part in the games possible to make sure he was would be made to strip off and do the Forest Row and I certainly school, who was Ex-pupil talks exclusively did not hear of brought to justice. exercises in front of the teacher if "Everybody's main concern in this they lost. But there was no way the liked by many to Robert Woollard anything unto students. ward happen case has been protecting the children rest of the staff could have known, — hopefully they will be able to live "He was one ing during my the former student said. normal lives." Speaking exclusively to the of the easiest teachers to talk to at time at Greenfields. I suppose on the school. He would give us drinks reflection it could be looked at in a Mark Kent's fiancee, Inga Maurus, Courier, the pupil, now in his 20s, who last week in court vowed to and who cannot be named for legal of vodka and play games of strip different light." poker with us. This week Greenfields School's stand by her man, declined to speak reasons, said: "Children of that age to Courier reporters this week from are very trusting. "Quite often the penalties for los solicitors said staff and parents had ing would be to take off our clothes been "shocked and stunned" by the her Benchfield Close home in East "We thought it was just a good Grinstead. laugh. None of us would have and do things like press-ups and sit- case. Solicitor Stephen Bird said: Category Newspaper Article
Title We’ve been gagged say Scientologists
Source “East Grinstead Courier” Author Date February 2nd, 1994
Contents:
Three sects, including the Church of Scientology, have been effectively banned from advertising on British television by the Independent Television Commission, provoking allegations of discrimination.
It follows a complaint from the Conservative Family Campaign (CFC) about an advert from the Church of Scientology on Superchannel, and sponsorship of programmes by the Worldwide Church of God and the Philadelphia Church of God on Sky 1 and Superchannel.
The CFC claimed that none of the services provided by the three groups was genuinely open and free to the public, and that as such they breached the ITC’s rules on religious advertising.
In the case of the Church of Scientology, the ITC said it did not appear possible to attend any meeting without having to buy a book on Scientology, and that in general the meetings available consisted of courses costing upwards of #30.
‘Personality Tests’
The church also encouraged members of the public to undertake free “personality tests” before further involvement.
Despite the church’s assertions to the contrary, the ITC decided that public access to Scientology’s activities was not sufficient for it to qualify as a religious advertiser.
It also suspended the advert because it propounded an aspect of the organisation’s philosophy.
The ITC recommends that for a religious group to be able to advertise or sponsor a programme its meetings must be generally open to the public, with access granted without financial charges, or unreasonable conditions being applied, and that the times and venues of meetings must be openly published and displayed.
As far as recruitment is concerned, while ‘gentle encouragement’ to take up membership might be acceptable, “convincing evidence that people were in any way coerced to join, or that once they became members, obstacles were put in their way if they wished to leave” could be classed as unreasonable.
The Church of Scientology, founded by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard 40 years ago and which claims to be “the fastest growing religion on the earth”, has accused the ITC of “blatant religious discrimination”, and says it is now taking legal advice to see whether or not the ITC is in breach of the Broadcasting Act.
Spokesman Peter Mansell argued that the church had produced evidence which showed that many of its activities were open to the public, including all church services.
He said the ITC had effectively precluded all but the Church of England from advertising.
“The ITC has determined that certain religions are to be denied any right to advertise on TV and to date have maintained their discriminatory stance.” The effect of the ruling was to declare some religions second rate, he said.
“We feel strongly that it is not for any government group to hint that some religious groups are better than others. The current system is blatant religious discrimination in the guise of guidelines.” Category Newspaper Article
Title Ex-Scientologists to ‘expose’ Cult
Source “East Grinstead Courier” Author Date March 4th, 1994
Contents:
The Church of Scientology succeeded in bringing to an end 10 years of legal action against two of its former senior members but now faces massive legal bills and possible publication of its “confidential” teachings.
East Grinstead dentist Ron Lawley and Staffordshire accountant Robin Scott - disaffected former members of the church - say they now intend to expose the cult as “an evil organisation that preys on the sick and vulnerable.”
Judge David Sumner ruled in London’s High Court that the church was entitled to discontinue legal actions against the pair, despite the latter’s wish for a “day in court.”
But he ordered the church’s solicitors to return to Mr Lawley copies of documents, reserved for the eyes of only its most senior members, and that the church pay all the legal costs of the action so far. Mr Lawley now intends to publicise the documents “in the public interest.”
Were the church allowed to retain the copy documents, Judge Sumner said it would gain “an advantage out of a litigation that had never proceeded.”
Mr Scott, a counsellor for the church from 1973 to 1981, and Mr Lawley, a counsellor from 1978 to 1982, “strongly feel they have been victims of this cult,” the judge said.
“They feel that the cult is taking money from the weak and vulnerable and the means used to retain members and keep them faithful to the cult are unlawful and repressive.”
Harmfull
The judge said that in 1983 Mr Scott decided to set up a splinter group of the church at Strathdon, Aberdeenshire, “using what he regarded as the better points of scientology but charging for his courses a tenth of what the cult was charging.”
“An unusual feature of this cult is that certain documents relating to its higher teachings or training are regarded by it as confidential. It may be that the cult accepts that these practices if placed in the wrong hands might be harmful,” he said. In 1983 the men gained entry to the organisation’s offices in Copenhagen, Denmark, and obtained copies of the church’s highest levels of teaching, described as New Operating Thetan Materials. “That their means of obtaining them were unlawful is undoubted.”
Mr Scott was later convicted by a Danish court of “gaining unauthorised entry for the purposes of obtaining information,” and received a four month prison sentance with three months suspended.
The judge said the church obtained injunctions against Mr Scott, Mr Lawley and others involved, and copy documents were returned to the cult’s solicitors. The originals had been seized by police at Mr Scott’s then home in Scotland and returned to the cult after his arrest by the Danish authorities, he said.
Outside court Mr Lawley, of St James’ Road, East Grinstead, said he was delighted with the result. “It now means we can expose this organisation for what it is,” he said.
Sheila Chaleff, Press Officer for the Church of Scientology, said the church was considering an appeal against Judge Sumner’s ruling. “These materials are very important to us and we will fight to keep them within our religion,” she said. Tel: EG 323652 Friday, March 18,1994
Scientologists picket house POLICE were twice called to dis The demonstrators left when the perse pickets from outside the East By David Thompson police were called to the scene. Grinstead home of an anti-Church of Scientology campaigner. They returned on Tuesday morn rest of us and Support your own ing but left again when the police On Sunday, three Scientology family and stop destroying ours. arrived. members stood outside Jon "They were an absolute nui Atack's house in Cranston Road. sance. I was incensed," he said. Scientology spokesman Peter Mr Atack said they carried plac "They had no answer when I Mansell said: "It was a peaceful ards proclaiming: Stop destroying asked them which families I had protest, they were just expressing families. Get a proper job like the destroyed." their views." Tel: EG 323652 Friday, April 15,1994
Escape route from Scientology 'has never been busier' A HUSBAND and wife team from their East Grinstead Box," said Mrs Woods, 45. "We Ingram, had been quizzing res cern I have is for my children. who help Church of Sci home. The couple claim to are rushed off our feet talking idents and church leaders in Obviously I worry about their entology members leave the have given advice to about 100 to people the whole time." East Grinstead about the cou safety. I can never let them an controversial organisation say former cult members. The Woods have a hectic ple, but has since left. swer the phone or the door. they have never been busier But the spotlight has been schedule giving talks and ar They have been concerned "It was very important de after a spate of national cover thrown on them and their ranging interviews on Scien by his probing and are worried cision when Richard and I set age surrounding the cult. work by a spate of stories in tology. about the possible effects on up Escape. There's a certain Bonnie Woods, a former Sci the national press and televi Last week, the Courier re their two daughters, Desiree, kind of risk in this work but entologist, and her husband sion. As a result, they say the ported that an American pri 16, and nine-year-old Andrean- you take that risk on." Richard formed Escape nearly phone has not stopped ringing. vate eye working for the na. • The contact number for Es three years ago and operate "It has opened a Pandora's Church of Scientology, Eugene She added: "The biggest con cape is 0342 316129. Tel: EG 323652 Friday, April 22,1994 I harassed no one, says private eye AN AMERICAN private ceptions, everytime I've who happens to represent the back in 1980, and was eye working in East Grin- seen allegations of harass the Church." disabled for two years. stead has denied harassing ment there's no name to go He said he has worked residents. along with it." Mr Ingram had been for a number of law firms staying on and off at the Eugene Ingram, 48, from "The question is who did representing the Church Felbridge Resort Hotel in California, has been inves I harass, how did I harass since 1982. East Grinstead but has tigating documents alleged- them? If knocking on a now left. ly stolen from the Church door and asking a person if Beliefs of Scientology UK base at I can talk is harassment, I Asked why he was not a He intends to stay in the Saint Hill. During the past have no control over that." Scientology member, Mr area for another two month he has approached Mr Ingram added: "I am Ingram replied: "I'm a weeks. some 150 people across the very open in the job that I Christian. I'm content with "I've been amazed at the south east. do. I do not need to harass my religious beliefs." co-operation of English cit-. Speaking exclusively to people." A former police sergeant, izens in assisting my oper the Courier about his Mr Ingram said that he Mr Ingram said he left the ation. Everybody I have work, Mr Ingram said: was not a Scientologist. Los Angeles Police Depart spoken to has been wonder "Apart from a couple of ex "I work for a law firm ment after being shot in ful. I've had a great time." Profit motive behind attack YOUS story Ex-Scien owe the church money. In fact Lawley seems to tologists to 'Expose' understand this perfectly. Cult (March 4) com He wrote to the church's so pletely missed the on Scientology licitor the day before the last hearing that "If these point. need to be. Not only is that ceration. Now, suddenly, stated that the church faces What your readers were they claim otherwise. massive costs in this case. costs are enforced against not told is that the two Sci act offensive to the church, us then we could face finan but the theft of sacred reli The only common denom Contrary to boisterous cial ruin". entology "ex-members" in gious material with the in claims of Lawley and Scott, question have been in inator is their disguised Mr Lawley and Mr Scott tention of black marketing profit motive. at the March 8 hearing the volved in removing materi for gain is abhorrent to so judge made it clear the only should have thought of that als from church premises Another minor detail before they decided to trav ciety at large. Scott failed to mention is costs Lawley and Scott are and using these for their entitled to are for those el to Denmark to steal the own ends. Scott was arrested by that his barrister would not church's material in order Danish authorities, tried, represent him any more. hearings where the church The true story is this. has not already won orders to line their own pockets. Robin Scott and Ron Lawley convicted and jailed for his Scott had been made a Scientology is thriving. involvement in the removal for costs — and the church engaged in a criminal con valid and generous offer for has won costs orders at al That is a story you have not spiracy in 1983. In further of the church materials. settlement which had al printed. Ron Lawley had escaped most every hearing ance of that conspiracy, ready been accepted by throughout the case. SHEILA CHALEFF Scott and others went to from Denmark before the three of the five defendants Public affairs director police could arrest him. Denmark, entered a church in the case. Scott refused to When it is added up and Church of Scientology using a subterfuge, and As a further result from accept, at which point his balanced out it is Scott and Saint Hill Manor stole sacred religious scrip the theft, a court ordered barrister could no longer Lawley who will probably East Grinstead tures. Why? So Scott and that Scott and Lawley to ethically advise him and others could exploit them gether pay the church over left the case. for profit. £125,000. This was all borne out in Part of Scott and Lawley's That is what the suit was the final hearing on March plans was to start up new about. Since it was filed, the 8. The judge, rather than re LETTERS Scientology organisations original materials that turn the copies to Lawley under a different and Scott uncon- name and pro • EDITOR'S NOTE: The Courier invited Mr d i t ionally , vide the church Lawley and Mr Scott to comment on this letter. granted an in services de Mr Lawley told us: "Eighty per cent of what definite stay of scribed in the they say we consider not true and 20 per cent his order pend stolen materials. debatable, but it seems to us that as we are ing appeal, bar Why an organ right in the middle of an appeal it would be ring the defen isation separate best not to make any further comment. dants from from the church? "When the appeal is over we would be happy obtaining copies So they could to go into it in more detail.'' of the stolen ma- personally profit terials. and enrich themselves. Scott and Lawley stole were Further, the judge made These materials are held collected by the police and Lawley agree to an under in a great deal of respect by Scott's and Lawley's organi taking that, should he ever church members and it is sations have shut down. get the copies back, he part of church procedures So in fact the Church of would not violate the copy that Scientologists be pre Scientology had no need to right of the materials or use pared to receive counselling continue with the litigation. them for publication. with these materials. Much Their businesses, bused on Robin Scott refused to co the same as in other reli their stolen inventory, were operate with the court on gions, preparation is need no more. this, thus revealing his real ed before one can move to Why were Scott and Law- intentions, whereupon the this higher spiritual level. ley still attempting to liti judge ordered him placed Not only have Scott and gate this issue? Again — under an injunction on the Lawley taken the materials money. No longer having same terms. for their own use, but they organisations that any per Both defendants were ad have deliberately aired son in the UK or anywhere monished and instructed them in public, knowing else in the world is willing that a violation of those this to be upsetting and of to frequent, they now want terms could result in a jail fensive to Scientologists. to profit by stating that the sentence of up to two years. Lawley made a point of materials they stole prove Appeal has now been bringing up in court the Scientology is bad. filed in the case and the ma contents of these materials Several years ago they terials are being held until even though this informa- deemed the materials to be the completion of the appeal tion was not part of the gen so valuable they were worth action. eral discussion and had no the risk of theft and incar Your article incorrectly Tel: EG 323652 Friday, June 17,1994 QVH snubs Saint Hill A SUMMER fete has sparked "I spoke to Lorraine Clifton, the Unit By David Thompson General Manager, two weeks ago on the controversy between the phone to let her know we had chosen the Queen Victoria Hospital and noyed" and "appalled" by the advertise hospital as one of our charities again this ments. year. I told her about the various activities the Church of Scientology. Mr Park added: "We discussed the issue we had lined up and how much we value of this particular organisation and we the work they do at the hospital. Hospital chiefs are seething decided that it was one we did not wish to over advertisements and flyers be associated with. "The advertising is almost identical to handed out to promote the "It does seem to have peculiar habits. last year's and had there been any change We have to do the right thing and we have of policy or hint of objection I would have event at the cult's Saint Hill to be seen to do the right thing. expected Mrs Clifton to mention this." headquarters which say money "We would be delighted to hear from Promotions for the fete on June 25 say it any other organisation raising money for is also in aid of the Great Ormond Street raised would go to the world-fa us but we like to know before the event so Hospital and St John Ambulance. mous burns unit. any conflict of interest can be averted." Mrs Clifton was on leave this week. But chairman of the hospital's Liz Dalrymple, fete organiser for the EDITORS NOTE: On Wednesday after trust, Jeffrey Park, told the Couri Church of Scientology, told the Courier: noon, The Church of Scientology request "Last year's fete was a tremendous success ed that their advert for the fete on page 4 of er: "We would not accept the and the hospital sent a gracious thank you this issue of the Courier be amended to re money." letter for the proceeds we raised for the move reference to the hospital. The hospital, he said, was "extremely an- hospital. • See letters, page 8. 8 East Grinstead Courier June 17,1994 LETTERS
Scientologists and QVH Hospital says: We don't want anything to do with them WE HAVE noted, with ship whatsoever with this some concern, an adver organisation and will not tisement by the Church of be associated with them. Scientology for an event Let me assure everyone purporting to raise money in East Grinstead that the for our hospital. advertisement appeared This advertisement ap without our knowledge and peared without our knowl there is no link between edge or permission. ourselves and the Church of Scientology. We have written to this organisation asking them J.PARK not to use our name in any Chairman, Queen Victoria way. Hospital NHS Trust Through this letter we Holtye Road would like to make clear East Grinstead that we have no relation • See story on Page 1 COME TO THE cientology is an applied religious philosophy. Its SAINT HILL goal is to bring an individual to an understanding of Shimself and his life as a spiritual being and in relationship to the universe as a whole. CHARITY SUMMER Scientology provides mankind the means to attain a comprehensive understanding of the human spirit and to achieve the traditional religious goals of spiritual In aid of enlightenment and salvation. This spiritual path is the result of almost 50 years of extensive research by the Queen Victoria Hospital Burns Unit, Founder of the Scientology religion, L. Ron Hubbard. Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital The millions of Scientologists and others who benefit from L. Ron Hubbard discoveriesregard him with great St. John Ambulance Detail from the ad: Ron Hubbard's spiritual path The Saint Hill fete ad: No link with us, say QVH High price on this kind of salvation r RECENTLY your paper misery? Is that what salva published a whole page ad tion is? vertisement which in Could it be that Ron formed us that the US Hubbard is looked on as government tax agency the saviour for Scientolo had declared the cult of gists, just because he Scientology as bona fide. I dreamed up all that they suppose this was an at learn? tempt to make the face of Heaven forbid! He was Scientology acceptable. just a man with no special However, in all the blurb power; just a fertile imagi about "benefits to man nation which he used to kind" and the wonders of produce writings to en Scientology teaching there snare unsuspecting people. was one word which Salvation as a Christian caught my attention — sal sees it is the deliverance vation. from the power of sin. In Now I am wondering the dictionary, it is de what is the salvation peo scribed as "the state of ple experience, and how is being preserved from that salvation acquired? harm". Presumably it is through Despite all the efforts of the process of going Scientologists and other through several courses, cults and religions to woo which cost thousands of the public into accepting pounds. their teachings, there is In this very paper we only one true salvation, have read of unfortunate, and that is through God people who have been dri and His Son, Jesus Christ. ven to near-suicide be He alone is the true Sav cause of enormous debts iour, and time alone will incurred due to the high prove that truth. His salva costs of different "levels". tion does bring peace of This does not speak of sal mind and healing — and it vation to me. doesn't cost money. Indeed, what of the peo (Mrs) M. WILLCOCKS ple, who have "come out" Woodpecker Way and tell of their fear and Turners Hill Tel: EG 323652 Friday, June 24,1994 Now other groups back off cult's fete CONTROVERSY opened by Radio Mercury. agreed to attend the fete. our best interests to be asso norance and intolerance." But the station's pro Mr Campbell added: "The ciated with them. We told Fete organiser Liz Dal- this week contin gramme director, Martin agreement was between them we will decline to ac rymple said: "QVH and ued to cloud to Campbell, denied it would him and the Church of Sci cept anything this year." Great Ormond Street were attend the event at the or entology. It's nothing to do St John Ambulance offi happy last year with their morrow's Saint ganisation's headquarters. with us at all." cer Roger Leonard, of Fel- involvement and with the Hill summer fete. He stressed: "Radio Mer The Courier last week bridge and East Grinstead funds they received. cury has no involvement disclosed that the Queen division, said the volunteer "This year all groups Other groups have whatsoever with the Victoria Hospital in East organisation would wel were told we would like to now denied links with Church of Scientology or Grinstead was "appalled" come donations. donate to them. There seem the Church of Scien the fete." by advertisements saying "We've no reason to ed to be no problem so for tology event after Mr Campbell said Radio money raised would be in doubt their generosity," he them to pull out at the last Queen Victoria Hospi Mercury was not contacted aid of its burns unit. said. "I know they have had minute is uncharitable, not tal last week refused to by Scientologists but had A spokesman for Great a pretty rough ride but to say unkind." accept cult money from spoken with fete organiser Ormond Street Children's maybe that's to do with (ig • See also page 8. Liz Dalrymple, who ac Hospital, said to be receiv the proceeds. knowledged it was wrong to ing donations, denied links. Advertisements and fly use the company's name. He said: "We did receive a ers pushed through East He said the station was gift from the Church of Grinstead letter boxes say billed as appearing after a Scientology last year. But the fete, with John Travolta former Radio Mercury we have reviewed the situa topping the bill, will be presenter, Chris Oxlade, tion and decided it's not in
Sad loss of cash for Queen Vic I WAS very saddened by the decision of Mr Jeffrey Park, chairman of the Queen Vic WHAT irresponsible toria Hospital NHS Trust, to I HAVE always been an turn down our offer of behaviour by chairman Jef frey Park. A communica admirer of the Queen Victo fundraising (report and let ria Hospital and in particu ter, June 17) tion problem exists at the Queen Vic, if some of the lar its wort in burns As the hospital has been management knew last year treatment in the past. glad to accept our donations and this year, but others in the past, it came as a It is extraordinary that I who should have, did not. will not be able to con shock that Mr Park had Surely most people will changed the policy, denying tribute to its welfare be regard this fiasco as dis cause of Mr' Park's not only Scientologists, but courteous, irresponsible all those who attend our comments. He seems more and a betrayal of trust to interested in the politics fete, the opportunity to sup QVH management and the port the hospital. and PR of the affair, than local community? the rights and wrongs. I have been reassured J.L. HODGSON M. CHAMPNESS that the medical staff at the Cantelupe Road hospital do have a policy of Eden Vale non-discrimination and East Grinstead East Grinstead give their highest standards DURING the past seven of health care and nursing years I have been closely as to all patients regardless of sociated with many Scien creed, race or religion. It is tologists and their families, a great pity that the man through my work as a peri agement staff do not seem to patetic teacher, and I have follow a similar non-dis only found them to be criminatory policy. friendly, kind, sympathetic, Scientologists were honest and hard working — among those who supported quite normal in fact. the Queen Victoria in its re I am extremely disap cent administrative crises. pointed that the QVH We were glad to do so as should have been swayed we appreciate the work into rejecting much needed done for us by the hospital fund-raising money from medical staff. the Saint Hill fete. Surely It is sad, when human the health service can't af rights and tolerance are be ford to be this fussy? coming the norm, that my contribution to my local NAME and ADDRESS hospital is restricted by a SUPPLIED narrow-minded and poor- Forest Row spirited decision. (Mrs) E. DALRYMPLE Saint Hill Manor East Grinstead Tel: EG 323652 Friday, July 15,1994 Second snub for Saint Hill By David Thompson 'We do not want to give credibility ST JOHN Ambulance is to an organisation of which we refusing to accept dona do not approve' tions from the Church of Advertisements and flyers for the "Roger Leonard, of the Felbridge and Scientology annual Scientology event on June 25 East Grinstead division of St John The announcement is another said it was in aid of St John Ambu Ambulance, was quoted in a previous rebuff for the cult after Queen lance and the two hospitals, which Courier article saying, 'We've no rea Victoria Hospital, and Great Or- have already denied links and refused son to doubt their generosity, I know mond Street Children's Hospital money. they have had a pretty rough ride but also turned down proceeds from The promotions also said it would maybe that's to do with ignorance and be opened by Radio Mercury, but the intolerance'. the cult's recent Saint Hill sum station strenuously denied links with "We have been raising money for mer fete. the fair. It later emerged that a former the St John Ambulance for many John Mills, communications di station presenter would be attending. years at Saint Hill, and have enjoyed a rector of the volunteer organisa Mr Mills added: "We are not happy long warm association with the local tion's London head office, said division. that the Church of Scientology used "The money was raised in good flatly: "We do not want to give cred our name on promotional leaflets. We faith, and given in good faith by many ibility to an organisation of which wrote to them saying we did not want people who, like us, support the good we do not approve. It could bring any publicity associated with them. work of the St John brigade and we the good name of St John Ambu "We gave first aid cover at the Saint will ensure that the brigade receives lance into disrepute." Hill fete, as we would for anyone with the money. To do otherwise would be out question, and would ask for dona an inappropriate re-allocation of char He stressed: "We will not accept do itable funds raised in their name." nations from any religious organisa tions to cover our expenses." • THE Hubbard College of Administra tion not recognised by the British He added that the East Grinstead tion, a management training project Council of Churches. and Felbridge division had accepted which uses techniques developed by "It is an easy rule to follow. There is money in the past but were not fully Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, no grey area, the Church of Scientol aware of the overall policy. has celebrated its first anniversary ogy is not recognised." Fete orgainiser Liz Dalrymple said: with a champagne reception. East Grinstead Courier
4 East Grinstead Courier, July 14,1995 NEWS New pressure group under fire from cult A NEW pressure group calling By Cathy Buss for government action to raise •We want the Government public awareness of cults has come "We want education in schools, colleges and to clarify the position of under fire from the Church of universities so people are aware of recruitment techniques used by cults. Scientology's religious Scientology. "We are also asking for fair, reasonable and ef Founders of Families Under Scien fective regulation through a Psychological Prac status. At law is it a tology Stress (Fuss) say that in the few tices Act that would protect the public from recognised religion or not?9 weeks it has been formed it has been dangerous 'therapies'. With over 500 cults in Britain, many practising mind control, do we the Theft Act. As the East Grinstead Courier amazed at how many people have have to wait for our own Waco before regulation went to press producer Claudia Milne said: "We come forward from all parts of the is in place?" are obviously seeking to have these summonses country pledging support. Summonses quashed. This attempt to interfere with free A group spokesman said: "Most of our Scientology spokesman Greg Ryerson. based at speech is a serious threat to journalism." supporters have been through difficulties the cult's Saint Hill headquarters, dismissed Mr Ryerson said: "This group Fuss is riding of having a family member in Scientology Fuss as a "made for television group". on the back of this television programme to give and it is not an experience we would wish His comments came as a half-hour programme publicity for the show." on anyone. We are determined the general investigating the Church of Scientology was due • The Church of Scientology is currently threat public should be warned." to be screened on Independent Television chan ening legal action against a Tonbridge man who Fuss wants government action on clarifica nels yesterday (Thursday) evening. it claims conspired to "injure and defame" the tion, education and regulation particularly in re On Tuesday the Church of Scientology issued cult lation to Scientology. summonses against Twenty Twenty Television Richard Price sought help from a support The spokesman said: "We want the Govern -- which makes Carlton's The Big Story — exec group in a bid to get his sister out after she be ment to clarify the position of Scientology's reli utive producer Claudia Milne and reporter Ali came a member of the cult five years ago. Mr gious status. At law is it a recognised religion or son Braund. Price also spoke to a researcher from The Big not? Under prison service rules it is a non-per The private prosecutions allege they obtained Story, and he claims that he and his wife are now mitted religion. services by deception, contrary to section one of suffering from harassment and intimidation.