AFTER reading so many news articles of violent deaths and murders in the past few weeks I am sure I am not alone in wanting a solution to the problems that cause such occurrences. Frustrated politicians and social commentators tell us that we have to stop the killing, and the primary solutions offered are more police, tighter gun controls, "intervention" with enforced mental health "treatment" and tougher prison sentences. And while it is obviously true we have to do something about ...

People who spend money unwisely or damage their own reputation could be classified as mentally ill and forcibly taken away for treatment in an institution, under new mental health legislation due to come into effect within two weeks. Under the new laws, police will be able to take people from their home to hospital for psychiatric assessment for three days or longer. The changes to the Mental Health Act are strongly supported by relatives and friends of the mentally ill. However, ...

As the mother of an ex-Scientologist, I believe if Henry Bartnik (S-H 19/5) researched official records he would find the autobiographical accounts of Scientology founder Ron Hubbard to be grossly inaccurate. The problem with Hubbard's achievements in education and science is his lack of scientific process. His work is not subject to ongoing public discourse, criticism and reproduction with controlled studies. His most damning legacy is a policy which effectively suppresses critical analyses internally, and attacks external critics with vengeance. Hubbard, ...

In response to the comments made about the George Street Volcano (Nightmare on George Street, S-H 26/5), I wish to make certain facts clear. My company, Woodbridge Associates Pty Ltd, owns the lease on the volcano. We are leasing some of the screen time to New Era Publications, not the Church of Scientology. New Era Publications is advertising the Dianetics book on the screen. They are the publishers of the works of L. Ron Hubbard. There have been no breaches of ...

Free speech has come under renewed threat because of a little-noticed decision by the Australian Broadcasting Authority. In an ominous echo of moves to restrict free speech via racial hate laws, the ABA has ruled that radio station 3RRR breached acceptable standards on religious vilification. The unprecedented case centred on criticisms of the Church of Scientology by ex-Scientologist Cyril Vosper on 3RRR's The Liars' Club program last year. Among other criticisms, Vosper likened Scientology to an extremist political regime and ...

Australia's most elaborate billboard, a giant three-dimensional volcano unveiled in Sydney's George Street theatre district, won't be selling soft drinks or hamburgers but the path to religion. The 330-square-metre billboard, including a five-metre-high television screen, will be used to promote L. Ron Hubbard's 1950 book Dianetics, the foundation stone of the Church of Scientology. Unveiled by Hollywood scientologist Nancy Cartwright — the voice of cartoon character Bart Simpson — the volcano has been positioned on the facade of the Metro Theatre ...

AN Adelaide journalist was yesterday cleared of theft charges in a London court case billed as the battle of the hidden cameras. The Church of Scientology in London used hidden cameras to try to entrap Alison Braund while she was using a hidden camera in the church while working undercover, the City of London Magistrates' Court heard. Ms Braund was preparing an investigative report for a British television company. Chairman of the bench, Hinda Style, said there had been an abuse ...

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 ...

If Moses did not receive the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, but only said he did, Judaism would still constitute a valid religion. This hypothetical argument was put to the High Court in the recently concluded Scientology case. Mr D. Bennett, QC, representing the Church of Scientology, said that a movement's claim to be accepted as a religion did not depend on the sincerity or honesty of its founder or leaders - what counted was the attitude of the members. The ...

MELBOURNE. - A Supreme Court judge in Melbourne ruled yesterday that the Church of the New Faith, practising scientology, was not a religious institution. The church had asked Mr Justice Crockett to rule that it was a religious institution and not liable to pay State payroll tax. The church had appealed against the refusal of the Commissioner of Payroll Tax to exempt it from paying payroll tax. Mr Justice Crockett said an institution did not become religious in character simply because ...

By Herald reporter Geoff Easdown who was tested today by Mrs Elaine Allen, Victoria's first registered minister of the Church of Scientology. Scientology is operating in a bigger way than before it was banned in 1965, its first officially recognised minister in Victoria claimed today. Controversial files are still kept on those who seek counselling from its ministers. The controversial E-meter is again in use. At the Church of Scientology, 724 Inkerman Rd., Caulfield, I was given an E-meter test today ...

"Scientology is a religion which deals with the increase of awareness of the spirit and the achievement of higher spiritual standards." The Reverend Mrs Helen Pickett, of the Church of Scientology, April, 1974. "Scientology is evil; its techniques evil; its practice a serious threat to the community medically, morally and socially; and its adherents sadly deluded and often mentally ill." The Victorian Anderson Report on scientology, October, 1965. "How many shoes do you have on your feet?" '''Scientology worker at George ...

LONDON, Wednesday. — A 25-year-old prospective English migrant claims he has been banned from going to Australia because he once worked for the Church of Scientology. He is Geoffrey Silver, of Mill Hill, an outer London suburb. At least 20 of his relatives have emigrated to or are already in Australia. Australian migration officials both in London and Canberra have rejected successive applications by him to come to Australia. They have also rejected his appeals from those decisions. They told him ...

A group of 20 scientologists demonstrated against the Premier, Sir Henry Bolte, at Essendon Airport today. Sir Henry and Lady Bolte arrived back in Melbourne after a 96-day world trip. The demonstrators held placards. Some said: "What's the next religion to be banned, Sir Henry?" The State Government has banned scientology. One of the demonstrators, Mr I. K. Tampion, wearing a clerical collar and a metal cross around his neck, said the demonstration was by the Church of Scientology of California ...

A meeting of six people in a Noble Park house is hardly a dramatic resurgence. But the cult gained one objective — publicity. The cult invited police and State Cabinet Ministers to the meeting. None attended. Scientology is banned in Victoria, and the State Government has made it clear it will act to prevent any revival of the cult. The practice of Scientology is banned under the Psychological Practices Act, and the Crown Law Department, following Sunday's meeting, is considering whether ...