Alt.religion.scientology
Week in Review Volume 6, Issue 12
7/8/2001
by Rod Keller [rkeller@...]
copyright 2001

Alt.religion.scientology Week in Review summarizes the most significant
postings from the Usenet group Alt.religion.scientology for the preceding
week for the benefit of those who can't follow the group as closely as
they'd like. Out of thousands of postings, I attempt to include news of
significant events, new affidavits, court rulings, new contributors,
whatever. I hope you find it useful. Like many readers of a.r.s, I have a
kill file. So please take into consideration that I may not have seen some
of the most significant postings.

The articles in A.r.s Week in Review are brief summaries of articles
posted to the newsgroup. They include message IDs for the original
articles, and many have a URL to get more information. You may be able to
find the original article, depending on how long your site stores articles
in the newsgroup before expiring them.

Free A.r.s Week in Review subscriptions are available. Subscriptions are
also available on Yahoo. Email weekinreview-subscribe@yahoogroups.com or
see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/weekinreview. PDA channel available at
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Week in Review is archived at:
http://www.xenu.net/archive/WIR/
http://wpxx02.toxi.uni-wuerzburg.de/~krasel/CoS/ars-summary.html
http://www.uni-bonn.de/~uzs1dc/scientology/wir.html
http://www.religio.de/publik/arsfaq.html

#####

> ABLE

A letter from the Deputy Executive Director of the Association for Better
Living and Education (ABLE) was posted to a.r.s this week,

"We currently have staff working full time on fundraising. This means
getting ABLE known in the government and corporate fields and thus
opening doors to new funding resources. We have hired a professional
grant writer to assist us on this. As well, we are opening up a new
office in Washington, D.C. to establish a stable dissemination point
for ABLE right in the heart of the government.

"It means more Narconon centers,
more literacy centers, and more Way to Happiness groups, resulting in
a total revolution in the fields of drugs, crime, literacy, and
immorality!
You can help us by getting your ABLE membership today!"

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#####

> Clearwater

The
St. Petersburg Times reported on
July 4th that Clearwater officials are considering ending the hire of off-duty
police officers by Scientology.

"'I think we have reached a point where it would be prudent for our removal
of off-duty officers from (Watterson) Alley,' Klein wrote in an e-mail to
Horne last week.
Horne says that he is 'obviously receptive' to that idea, because he
understands 'there is a sensitivity to the level of police presence, even
if they're off duty' at Scientology facilities.

"The Lisa McPherson Trust, a group critical of the church, has accused
police officers of becoming biased as a result of their financial
relationship with the church. The church has paid off-duty police officers
more than $150,000 since January 2000 for providing security daily on
Watterson, city records show.

"Although there are no immediate plans to remove the officers, Horne said
he supports the chief in trying to find other ways to keep the peace
downtown.
Church officials have talked with city officials about applying for grant
funding to increase foot patrols downtown and eventually pulling back the
off-duty officers, said church spokesman Ben Shaw.

"In April, Mark Bunker of the Lisa McPherson Trust wrote that two officers
laughed at concerns raised by trust members. He also said the officers
were eating identical meals that appeared to have been provided by the
church.
Rob Surette, the Police Department's attorney, responded in May, saying
one of the officers had been advised to maintain an impartial demeanor on
the street. Meanwhile, Klein revised instructions to all officers doing
off-duty work on Watterson.
Among the revisions: Officers must allow people to walk on the sidewalk
along Watterson as long they are not picketing, and officers must prepare
reports for alleged violations of the court injunction -- whether or not
they had seen the incident in question.
The new instructions emphasized that officers are not to accept food or
drink from the church.

"Lisa McPherson Trust president Stacy Brooks said Tuesday that it would be
a relief to trust members if the off-duty officers were pulled back from
Watterson.
'It's pretty intimidating to have armed police officers putting their
hands to their guns as we walk down the street to our cars in the parking
lot,' Brooks said."

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#####

> Denmark

Catarina Pamnell summarized an article in the Danish newspaper Dagbladet,
published
on July 6th, on a possible new location for Scientology.

"A secret international church wants to start a giant building project
in an almost undeveloped mountain area in the municipality of Tinn in
Telemark.
There are previously
very few houses in the area, which borders to a large natural
preserve.
The plans presented by the church's negotiators say there will be
investments for about half a billion kroner [$ 5.3 million]. All
financed by the secret cult.

"The local rumours in Tinn are that the American/International Church
of Scientology is behind the plans and supplies the money. The
negotiators for the investor has not verified this.
The municipality sees it as essential to know who is behind the
development plan. All we have learned so far is that it's an
international church. Not even the land owners have been told who is
behind it."

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#####

> FSM

Excerpts from the May, 2001 Flag FSM Newsletter were posted to a.r.s this week.

"A special FSM Award Game has been launched for all FSMs who work
with the Flag World Tour, starting one week prior to the Flag
World Tour Event and extending three weeks after the Event.'
For any FSM who selects a person to Flag for a major service on
which the FSM receives a minimum commission of $500.00, that FSM
will be awarded with 1/4 of one level of the SAINT HILL
Special Briefing Course or equivalent in training awards.'

"A special award of one night in a Flag Hotel Suite is awarded to
any FSM who raises $5,000 (or multiples thereof) in any given
week. This award will be made in addition to the regular FSM
fundraising commission."

"The Top Ten ASHO FSMs for 10 May -
24 May, 2001':
Frank Aggio $1,863.40;
Steve Fabos $1,612.30;
Alice Kartuzinski $1,421.75;
Jim Frankel $1,251.14;
Carol Woodruff $739.31;
David Howsen $682.40;
Tracey Andruscavage $682.40;
Ty Dillar $663.14;
Heidi Yanovich $454.96;
Ofra Bahat $454.96.

"FSM standings among
Individuals, Groups, Missions, and Orgs:
1. STERLING MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS WUS 9,127;
2. SINGER ENTERPRISES CW 4,701;
3. FIELD ASSOCIATES WUS 4,334;
4. HOWSON GROUP WUS 2,612;
5. MACE-KINGSLEY CW 1,887."

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#####

> Germany

Scientology's Citizens Commission on Human Rights branch issued a press
release on July 2nd describing a protest held in Berlin against Psychiatry.

"Over 1,000 people marched through Berlin
today in protest against the World Congress of Biological Psychiatry.
Organized by the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR). The protest
included people from France, Hungary, UK, Denmark, Sweden,
Holland, Germany and America.

"Marla Filidei, Vice President of CCHR International said, 'Psychiatry
should be held accountable for its questionable diagnoses and the
devastation left by its treatments. Psychiatrists create
'diseases' - supposed 'chemical imbalances' for which no scientific proof
exists - and drugs are developed to 'treat' them. Children are becoming
legal drug addicts because of biological psychiatry's false theories.'

"A truck carried child-like mannequins stuffed with psychiatric pills,
illustrating the drugging of millions of children. Grim Reapers and
gravediggers symbolized the tens of thousands of deaths while undergoing
brutal psychiatric practices. Large photos showed the cemeteries of German
psychiatric institutions. Protesters carried signs saying: 'Psychiatric
drugs destroy the will to live,' 'Psychiatry Kills' and 'Psychiatry: Death
instead of Help.'"

Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported on July 2nd that a State Representative in
Munich may no longer call for a boycott of advertising companies that do
business with Scientology.

"Joachim Haedke, State Representative and regional chairman of the Munich
'Jungen Union,' on penalty of up to a 500,000 mark fine, may no longer
call for the boycott of advertising companies that advertise for
Scientology. The decision of the Munich I State Court's 30th civil chamber
has now been released. Haedke is said to have
threatened to publish the names of the firms which had not accepted his
call to boycott Scientology's advertisement. In a press release he had
already named the New Era Publications GmbH, which had done poster
advertising for the book 'Scientology - the Fundamentals of Thought' by L.
Ron Hubbard."

From Sueddeutsche Zeitung on July 3rd:

"Joachim Haedke, CSU State Assembly Representative and Chief of the Munich
Junge Union (JU) wants to appeal a decision whereby he was prohibited from
calling for a boycott against the businesses of the Scientology sect. 'It
is a shame that a Bavarian court is being counterproductive this way in
the fight against Scientology.
It is unbelievable that a
youth organization is no longer allowed to say that Scientology is
dangerous,' Haedke criticized the court's decision. He posed the question
of whether the judge 'would have decided in like manner if it had been
about advertisement for Nazi propaganda.' He said the court 'had not been
prepared to adequately deal with the topic.' Haedke announced that he
would appeal. Provided, however, that the CSU had the money to continue
with the proceedings.' So far the legal process has cost the Junge Union
15,000 marks."

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#####

> Entertainment Seminar

A recent advertisement in the Hollywood Reporter announced a seminar
for people interested in the entertainment industry to be held at Scientology's
celebrity center in Los Angeles.

"Making it in the Industry Seminar given by Manager/Producer Gay Ribisi
and Casting Director
Lisa London, C.S.A. with special guest actress Elizabeth Moss, who is
currently a series regular on NBC's 'The West Wing.'
The do's and don'ts of how to work;
What casting directors are looking for;
How to market yourself - How to Audition;
How to increase chances of getting that part Bring picture and
resume.
Wednesday, July 18th, 7:30pm admission $11 includes booklet
'Components of Understanding' by L Ron Hubbard at the Church of
Scientology Celebrity Centre International 5930 Franklin Ave."

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#####

> Criminon

The Independent reported on July 1st that Criminon is under investigation
by the Home Office in the U.K.

"The Church of Scientology, once described by a judge as 'corrupt,
sinister and dangerous' is under investigation by the Home Office
for targeting drug-addicted prisoners.
The Home Secretary, David Blunkett, is considering banning
leaflets used by the sect to recruit inmates to its anti-drug
programme.

"Harry Fletcher, from the National Association of
Probation Officers, said the circulation of Church of Scientology
literature to prisoners and people on probation was 'extremely
worrying'.
The leaflets are being circulated by Criminon UK, the charity which
runs the sect's drugs programme. It says it uses vitamins, minerals
and saunas to sweat out toxins, thereby curing addicts. Criminon
says it treats up to 200 prisoners a week."

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#####

> The Profit

Tampa television news on channel 28 this week broadcast a news story on
a local screening of The Profit,
a film which parodies Scientology.

"Reporter Kelly Swoope: The story was written and directed
by a man that's a former Scientologist. Now the names and dates
and locations have been changed, but the storyline is familiar,
and it actually leaves you wondering how much is fact, and how
much is fiction.

"In the movie The Profit, Leland Conrad Powers did
make history, much like L. Ron Hubbard, the man who started the
church of Scientology. In the movie, Scientology was never
mentioned. It was Scientific Spiritualism and the story of
Powers' life from 1945 to 1995.

"Director Peter Alexander: I was in Scientology for 20 years.
I found out the truth about it and when I did I
thought, Oh man, you know, I gotta make up because I gave these
guys a million bucks in 20 years as my donations so I have to
make up for doing that, by telling the truth about how
these cults take you over and what they do.

"Former Scientologist Frank Oliver: I mean, obviously the guy was
a con artist, he got ahold of little tidbits of information,
something that he could use to control people.

"Kelly Swoope: Officials with the church said 'This movie has
nothing to do with us. They are telling lies that are nothing
but publicity stunts to manufacture interest in a very bad
movie.'

"Peter Alexander: Everybody is subject to mind control, and this
film shows you exactly what happens to those who are subject to
it."

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#####

> Russia

On June 27th ITAR-TASS reported more details on the conviction of the
Scientology
leader in Khabarovsk in Eastern Russia.

"Olga Ukhova, director of the regional
Dianetics scientology centre, has been sentenced to six years
imprisonment conditionally for illegal entrepreneurship and money
laundering in particularly large amounts. Ukhova professes to be a
follower of Ron Hubbard, the founder of the teaching of dianetics and
scientology. It has
been proved by investigators and during court session hearings that
the scientology centre did not limit itself to 'enlightenment' but
also impaired people morally, materially and physically."

Pravoslavaya Gazeta reported on July 6th that Scientology has been denounced
by the leader of Russian Islam, the Grand Mufti.

"The Grand Mufti believes that the methods of the
Scientologists are like those of the 'Vaxxobiti and
other religious extremists that catch stray sheep.' 'All
of them come from the same school: they zombify
people and steal them away from reality,' reasoned
Taglat Tajuddin.

"He is delighted to hear that the Scientology sect was
not able to get re-registered in Russia, and even
promised 'to sacrifice a lamb to celebrate.'
Besides that he reckons that that was more 'than just
a matter of registration on paper, it would still be
necessary not to give Scientology the option of
developing in our country. It goes through the
motions of a religion to play pranks across Russia.
Let them idle away where they spring up, we have
our spirituality and our good sense,' said Taglat Tajuddin."

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#####

> Reed Slatkin

The Los Angeles Times published an article on
July 1st, warning investors against the advice of friends as financial advisors
like Scientologist Reed Slatkin.

"A retired Tarzana businessman said he handed over
$6 million to Slatkin based on a friend's recommendation and a single
meeting.
'I just figured [the friend] is a brighter fella than I am, and he had
money with Reed,' said the retiree, who recently had sold a successful
construction-related business and who asked not to be named. 'That's kind
of a dumb reason, isn't it?'
Many of the investors were multimillionaires who met Slatkin through their
equally rich friends - proving that the wealthy can be just as capable of
being duped as those with less money at stake, experts said.

"Gathering business cards at a neighborhood party or picking up names
through the grapevine at work can be problematic if that's the end of the
selection process, attorneys and regulators say.
'We tell people to get referrals, but how good are the referrals?' asked
Charles Rettig, a Beverly Hills attorney representing several of Slatkin's
investors. 'Not very,' if the person making the recommendation hasn't
checked out an advisor's background.

"Slatkin started his investment management business in 1985 by accepting
money from fellow members of the Church of Scientology. But many of his
wealthiest clients came after his 1994 investment in EarthLink Inc., which
went on to become one of the nation's three largest Internet service
providers. He invested for Internet executives, socialites and Hollywood
celebrities.
Investors' attorneys say Slatkin got a foothold in each group, which led
to more clients who simply took the word of their friends without doing
any background checks. Bankruptcy officials say investor claims could
reach $600 million.
A phone call or two to regulators would have revealed to any of Slatkin's
investors that the Santa Barbara man was not registered to invest other
people's money, as required by law."

The Santa Barbara News-Press published an article on Reed Slatkin and
his history in Scientology on July 8th.

"In 1985, Reed E. Slatkin and his wife, Mary Jo, were working as ministers
for the Church of Scientology in Los Angeles when they realized that their
growing family needed more money to live on.
Mr. Slatkin turned to a successful member of the church, Robert Duggan, to
teach him the ins and outs of trading stocks and securities.
In the 10 years that followed, Mr. Slatkin, who co-founded the Internet
provider EarthLink, made millions for himself and investors, all the while
remaining active in the church as a minister and counselor.
And then he lost it all.

"Earlier this year, federal regulators charged Mr. Slatkin with defrauding
hundreds of investors out of at least $230 million in an alleged Ponzi
scheme, in which early investors are simply paid with money taken from
more recent ones.

"'I really don't know what happened,' said Santa Barbara businesswoman
Gillian Christie, a member of the local Scientology church who met Mr.
Slatkin through a mutual friend. 'Nobody really knows, because he's not
allowed to talk. But I have this policy of saying that if you point a
finger at someone, what you get is a sore finger. Reed is not responsible
for me. I am responsible for me.
The work (Mr. Slatkin) did over the last year allowed me to give money to
many local charities, including the zoo and Civic Light Opera,' she said.
'I know of others who did the same, and I know that (Mr. Slatkin) donated
immense amounts. I would like to emphasize how much good came out of it.
We don't consider ourselves victims.'

"Ms. Christie, who runs a successful communications and public relations
firm, said that her losses are nothing more than 'a blip on the horizon.'
'I am not concerned about myself and my well being because I have the
technology (through Scientology) to make it all better,' she said. 'I'm
not slowed by this. I see that others need more help than I do, and that's
where I want to put my attention.'

"Longtime Scientology practitioners Keith and Judy Code of Glendale, who
also gave large sums to Mr. Slatkin, seemed similarly unfazed by their
losses.
'A lot of people I know are not crushed by it,' Mr. Code said, referring
to Scientologists who invested with Mr. Slatkin. His wife added: 'People
in general tend to be pretty wacky on the subject of money, and people in
Scientology seem not to be compelled to make a big drama out of it.'

"'Ethics play a significant role in Scientology,' said the Rev. Lee
Holzinger, who leads the 300-member Santa Barbara Church of Scientology,
which meets at 524 State St. 'The thing is that Reed has not been a
parishioner of our church, so questions about his involvement are not
applicable here. It is of course very upsetting when an investment goes
bad, but it's doubly bad when there seems to be a personal relationship,
and I understand that.'

"In depositions given to federal Securities and Exchange Commission
investigators in January, Mr. Slatkin spent considerable time explaining
his religious beliefs and how they have benefited him over the years. He
told the investigators that he wanted them to understand the truth about
his religion, which has been criticized over the years by some religious
scholars and former Scientologists. Others defend Scientology's teachings
and say that as a new religion, it has been unfairly maligned.

"Mr. Slatkin told investigators that he was healed after his uncle used
Scientology practices on his wound: 'And almost miraculously, within a
couple of days I had full use of my hand again. And it was a big moment
for me. And at that point I said, 'Well, I don't know how this works but
it works for me,' so I decided that I was going to find out about this.'

"Eventually Mr. Slatkin and his wife opened their own counseling center in
their home. Between them, the couple never earned more than $45,000
annually, which they accepted in the form of donations for their work. At
the same time, they were spending some of their income on new and
continuing church training programs to keep their ministry and counseling
certificates current, Mr. Slatkin told investigators.

"Then, in 1983, their second son was born. They agreed that they needed
more money: 'And my wife and I were looking at each other and we said,
well, we've been volunteering this stuff here for, you know, 20 years
between us and it might be a good idea to see if, while we're doing all
this volunteer work, that we have enough money to raise our family.'
That's what led Mr. Slatkin to fellow Scientologist Mr. Duggan, a
successful investor, to learn about investing, according to Mr. Slatkin's
deposition.
When he started making money, he brought church members and
friends on board, promising returns of up to 60 percent, according to
court documents.
In 14 years, Mr. Slatkin made a fortune, and so apparently did his
investors. And then he lost it all."

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#####

> WISE

The World Institute of Scientology Enterprises announced a festival on L. Ron
Hubbard Way in Los Angeles and other scheduled events.

"This starts Friday night with a vital technical briefing for ALL
Scientologists by Chairman of the Board RTC. This event opens
at 7:30 pm with a special performance by the Golden Era Musicians.
(Friday, July 6th on LRH Way.)
Then on Saturday night, July 7th at 8:00 pm, attend the LA premiere of
the new LRH music album 'THE JOY OF CREATING.'
This will be a live concert of songs written by Ron and performed by
the Golden Era Musicians and top celebrity Scientologists.
It's a perfect opportunity to introduce your
friends and family to Scientology and will bring them way up tone
scale!

"Then the next weekend, beginning Friday, 13 July and throughout
Saturday and Sunday 14 and 15 July is the 12th Annual WISE US
Convention at the Burbank Airport Hilton!
The next Maiden Voyage Anniversary Event is on the 14th of July at
8:30 pm. At this event
you'll find out about a major triumph for Scientology that involves
LRH admin tech in a bigger way than ever before!
You'll also hear landmark breakthroughs that will accelerate planetary
clearing and make your own goals an actuality.

"On Saturday the 21st of July at 7:15 pm we will have the IAS Event
where you'll hear of some major victories against psychiatry!
Additionally, you will experience an evening of special guest
performers, and hear from IAS Freedom Medal winners.

"Love,
Don Drader
President"

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-end-