Scientology Critical Information Directory

This site is best viewed using a highly standards-compliant browser

Sect is branded // Like Hitler, a cheat, immoral, obnoxious, corrupt, charlatan

Title: Sect is branded // Like Hitler, a cheat, immoral, obnoxious, corrupt, charlatan
Date: Tuesday, 24 July 1984
Publisher: Daily Star (UK)
Author: Chris Boffey
Main source: link (323 KiB)

Disclaimer: This archive is presented strictly in the public interest for research purposes. All the copyrights of materials reproduced here are the properties of their respective owners.

A HIGH Court Judge rescued two children from the clutches of the mind-bending Scientology cult yesterday.

And in a damning indictment he branded the sect and its founder as "corrupt, immoral, sinister and dangerous."

Its activities were "grimly reminiscent of the ranting and bullying of Hitler and his henchmen," said Mr Justice Latey.

A six-month tug-of-love battle ended when he ordered the children's father to hand them over to their mother.

She was divorced in 1979 and has since left the sect. Now she plans to marry a former Scientologist and take her son, aged 10, and eight-year-old daughter to Australia.

Severity

The judge said he was taking the unusual step of giving judgment open court as a warning "to others."

He declared: "If there is any intimidation or harassment of anyone connected with this case, it will be dealt with with the utmost severity."

He described the California-based Church of Scientology, founded by Lafayette Ron Hubbard, as "both immoral and socially obnoxious."

And he added: "It is corrupt because it is based on lies and deceit and has as its real objective money and power for its founder, his wife, and those close to him at the top.

"It is sinister because it indulges In infamous practices — both to its adherents who do not toe the line unquestioningly and to those outside who criticise or oppose it.

"It is dangerous because it is out to capture people — especially children and impressionable young people — and Indoctrinate and brainwash them so that they become the unquestioning captives and tools of the cult, withdrawn from ordinary thought, living, and relationships with others."

The judge branded Mr Hubbard as "a charlatan and worse — as are his wife Mary Sue Hubbard and the clique at the top who are privy to the cult's activities."

He said Hubbard lied to promote himself and build up the respect of the church's 6,000,000 members worldwide and the 200,000 In Britain.

Hubbard claimed:

* He was a war hero with many medals. He was not.

* HE commanded a naval squadron. That was wrong.

* HE was awarded the Purple Heart for being wounded in action. He was not wounded and was not so decorated.

* HE was crippled and blinded in the war and cured himself by Scientology. He was neither crippled nor blinded.

* HE was sent to California by U.S. intelligence to break up a black magic ring. Wrong — he was himself a member of that society and practised ritual sexual magic.

* HE was graduate of George Washington University and an atomic physicist. He was neither. The facts were that he completed only one year of college and failed the one course in nuclear physics in which he enrolled.

Evils

Hubbard has now disappeared and is being sought by the police the United States.

Awarding care and control of the children to the mother, the judge said the father, who has remarried, had promised to try and correct the evils of Scientology.

"But what could he do against the power of the church? Nothing," he said.

"The result would be that he would be declared a suppressive person — with all that that would entail for him and his family.

"The baleful influence of the church would, in reality be there and the children would remain gravelv at risk."

The children are currently living with their father in East Grinstead, West Sussex, where the Scientologists have their UK headquarters. They attend a school run by the sect.

Of the sect's recruiting methods, the judge said: "Once the fish is on the hook, Scientologists must go to all and any lengths to stop it wriggling free."

To escape from the clutches of Scientology called for great courage and resolution, he said.

Slavery

He described Scientologv as "a training for slavery," and said it was already beginning to have an effect on the children.

After the hearing the 28-year-old mother said: "I can't believe it. It's so nice to be free.

"I'm looking forward to a new life with my children."

A Scientology spokesman said the judge's comments were "like Alice in Wonderland."

TORY MP Sir Geoffrey Johnson-Smith said last night he would be asking Home Secretary Leon Britten to take a close look at the Scientologists' activities in this country.

[Picture / Caption: Founder Hubbard he is being hunted by police in America]