Scientology is trying to transform its image from that of a shadowy cult When Scientology officially opened its spectacular new British church in the Square Mile, the movement was given an unusually warm embrace by the Establishment. Ian Luder, an Alderman of the Corporation of London and a magistrate, lauded the organisation’s anti-drugs efforts. “The work which you do in this area is greatly to be welcomed,” he said, “and I wish you growing success.” It was a satisfying moment for ...

Scientology leaders say they want peace. They say they want to stay out of court. But with both foes at home and foes abroad, that goal may be elusive. The spiritual home of the Church of Scientology is in Clearwater, but for many years now its leaders have had worldwide ambitions. But as disciples have carried L. Ron Hubbard's teachings away from America's shore, the reception has been almost universally chilly at best – and at times openly hostile. At one ...

The Church of Scientology, stung by a five-part series in the Boston Herald that raised questions about its practices, has hired a private investigator to delve into the Herald reporter's private life. The Rev. Heber Jentzsch, president of the Church of Scientology International, confirmed that the church's Los Angeles law firm hired the private investigative firm to look into the personal life of reporter Joseph Mallia, who wrote the series. "This investigation will have to look at what's riving this" coverage, ...

Pressure from the Church of Scientology International was at least partly responsible for the recent shutdown of a well-known Internet messaging service based in Helsinki, according to the Finnish operator of the service. The service, known by its Internet address, anon.penet.fi, was used by hundreds of thousands of people worldwide to send and receive electronic messages without divulging their true identities. It was the best known of a small, global network of special computers known as remailers, whose legitimate users include ...

A telex sent in April 1987 to Scientology's Melbourne Office of Special Affairs from its Australian-New Zealand headquarters tracks the church's defensive strategy in response to an investigation by the former television program 'Willesee'. The program was looking at a woman's claim that her trip into the Russell Street headquarters had almost cost her $43,000. The telex spelt out a seven-step program for defusing the story. One course of action was to loudly brand the investigation a "set up". "(The) Church ...

NEWKIRK, OK – A proposed drug treatment and rehabilitation center which could be in operation on Indian land at the former Chilocco Indian School north of Newkirk by June 15th may be part of a notorious religious cult. Narconon was approved for a 75-bed facility by the State Health Planning Commission in January of this year as part of The Chilocco Development Authority. The projected cost is $400,000 for renovation and the five Indian tribes involved are projected to receive $16,000,000 ...

"Corrupt, sinister and dangerous" were the words used to describe the Church of Scientology in a judgment given by Mr Justice Latey this summer. He also referred to it as "immoral and socially obnoxious". But who controls the Church now? A major Sunday Times Magazine investigation into the activities of the cult in America and Britain has uncovered a disturbing and extraordinary story — the takeover of the organisation by a small band of youthful fanatics following the disappearance of the ...

The Church of Scientology contends that for more than 20 years it has been the target of a systematic campaign by the United States government, together with "vested-interest pressure groups" such as the medical professions, to "suppress the church's spiritual practice and expansion." The church advances this accusation as the fundamental rationale for its aggressive policies of defense-by-attack against individual critics, private groups and government agencies perceived as "harassing" Scientology. Church spokesmen, moreover, expand upon the allegation of systematic persecution to ...

On May 14, 1951, Lafayette Ronald Hubbard wrote to the U.S. attorney general to plead for help in fending off a Communist conspiracy, dedicated, he averred, to destroying him. "When, when, when," he wrote, "will we have a roundup?" Rambling through seven single-spaced typewritten pages, the letter was, to all appearances, the heartfelt cry of a troubled man. A successful science fiction writer in the 1940s, L. Ron Hubbard, as he signed himself, had gone on to bigger things. ...

Robinson v Church of Scientology of California and Others Before Mr Justice Ackner Mr Kenneth Robinson, former Minister of Health, is to receive a substantial sum from the Church of Scientology of California as damages for libel in respect of statements published in various of its broadsheets. He sued the church; Mr Lafayette Ronald Hubbard, its founder; and Mr Peter Ginever, editor of the broadsheets. Mr F. P. Neill, QC. and Mr Michael Curwen for Mr Robinson; Mr James ...

RELIGION OR BUSINESS? Practices of Scientology Being Investigated Again By John Dart Times Religion Writer [Picture / Caption: YOUNG INITIATES — The Rev. Robert Bobo talks with two children who are taking Scientology courses. The photo on the wall is of the founder of the worldwide group, L. Ron Hubbard.] The mimeographed notice looked more like a secret police communique than a church message. It informed "those concerned" that a certain 20-year-old girl "is hereby declared a Suppressive Person and assigned ...

The Church of Scientology of California was ordered in the High Court yesterday to pay the costs of the publishers of three national newspapers whom they had brought to court to face injunction proceedings. Mr. Justice Fisher also ordered that the church could not proceed with libel actions against the News of the World Ltd., Beaverbrook Newspapers Ltd., and Daily Mirror Newspapers Ltd. until the costs are paid. At the start of yesterday's hearing, Mr. Leon Brittan, counsel for the church, ...

The Church of of California has issued writs claiming damages for libel against four newspapers. The writs also seek injunctions restraining publication of the "said or any similar libels". The newspapers concerned are the News of the World, the Sunday Express, the Sunday Mirror, and the Daily Express. The church, stated in the writs to be a non-profit-making corporation incorporated under the laws of California and with a registered office at Fitzroy Street, W., is suing the publishers — the News ...

The Government yesterday announced steps to curb the growth of scientology, the cult which has its world headquarters in 30 acres of Sussex countryside near East Grinstead. Mr. Robinson, Minister of Health, said in a written reply to Mr. Geoffrey Johnson Smith, Conservative M.P. for East Grinstead, yesterday that the Government had been increasingly concerned at its spread in this country during the past two years. He announced six steps to stop foreign students, teachers and administrative staff coming to study ...