All of them, those in power, and those who want the power, would pamper us, if we agreed to overlook their crookedness by wilfully restricting our activities.
Disclaimer: Dianetics and Scientology are trademarks of the Religious Technology Center (RTC.) These pages and their author are not connected with the Church of Scientology or RTC, or any other organization residing under their corporate umbrella.
This site is best viewed using a highly standards-compliant browser
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.
SANTA CLARA — Former employees of Applied Materials have filed suit alleging that the Silicon Valley manufacturing firm forced them to undergo Church of Scientology seminars.
Trial proceedings began Tuesday as lawyers for both sides argued motions before Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Frank Cliff.
In their suit, former employees Steven Hunziker, Virginia Sanders and Kate Schuchmann allege that Applied Materials hired an outside firm to teach workers communication and time-management skills.
But the seminar firm, Applied Scholastics of Fremont, was really a recruitment arm of the Church of Scientology, a religious group that has been accused of financially exploiting followers and ruthlessly attacking critics, the lawsuit says.
When they refused to take the courses, the former employees claim, they were driven out of the company. They also allege that the seminars violated their religious freedom. The central issue in the case is whether the firm retaliated against the employees after they refused to take part.
Applied Materials has denied the charges, saying it was not aware that the seminars had any link to Scientology. The classes were dropped in October 1988 after workers complained.
Lawyers for Applied Materials have asked that any reference to Scientology be excluded from the trial. But lawyers for the former employees said Scientology is at the heart of the lawsuit.
Lawyers for Applied Materials acknowledge that materials clearly stated that the seminars were based on the writings of the late Scientology founder, L. Ron Hubbard, but they say the management didn't know the seminar was Scientology related.
Applied Scholastics maintains that it uses Hubbard's educational teachings, not his religious philosophy.