The Scientology cult was branded "corrupt, sinister and dangerous" by a High Court judge in London yesterday when he ordered two young children to be placed in the custody of their mother. He described the practices of the founder of the so-called "church", Ron Hubbard and his helpers, as "grimly reminiscent of the ranting and bullying of Hitler and his henchmen". Mr Justice Latey ordered a Scientologist father to hand over his son, aged 10, and daughter, aged eight ...

LAFAYETTE Ron Hubbard's face stares down from practically every wall in the Church of Scientology's headquarters in East Grinstead, Surrey. It is not especially prepossessing. It is the face of a foxy charlatan and begs the question: would you buy a used cult from this man? In previous years an insult like this to the great Hubbard would have been enough to guarantee perpetual harassment and investigation by his Scientology sect whose code of honour states: "Never fear to hurt another ...

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 ...

WASHINGTON — After doggedly filing more than 150 Freedom of Information Act requests for documents, members of the Church of Scientology have obtained thousands of government papers that had been hidden in files of offices ranging from the Central Intelligence Agency to the Labor Department. "We were appalled at some of the things on file about us," said Kathy Flanagan, an ordained minister of the 22-year-old church, who has been working on the FOI project. "Outright lies. Gross distortions. Stuff right ...

The Church of Scientology is suing three Metropolitan Police officers over a report on the movement. They say the report has been circulated all over the world by Interpol. Mr David Gaiman, press officer of the sect, who is named in the report, said yesterday that it accused scientologists of numerous offences, including causing grievous bodily harm and drug trafficking. In September the movement issued a High Court writ against Sir Robert Mark, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, alleging libel in the ...

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 ...

Hubbard and Another v Vosper and Another Before Lord Denning, the Master of the Rolls, Lord Justice Megaw and Lord Justice Stephenson. The court allowed an interlocutory appeal by defendants, Mr Cyril Ronald Vosper, of Inverness Terrace, W, and Neville Spearman Ltd, publishers, and set aside an injunction granted to Mr. Lafayette Ronald Hubbard and the Church of Scientology of California, of Saint Hill Manor, East Grinstead, Sussex, by Mr Justice Kilner Brown in chambers on October 4 restraining the defendants ...

In reply to a written question in the of Commons a few days ago, the Secretary of State for Social Services, Sir Keith Joseph, declared that he would be making an announcement about the publication of the Foster Report on Scientology "soon". However soon "soon" may be, he has certainly taken time about it. For the report, which was commissioned by his predecessor, Mr Richard Crossman, in January, 1969, has now been in his hands for the best part of ...

At the end of the longest libel action in recent legal history, Mr. Geoffrey Johnson Smith, M.P., was cleared yesterday by a High Court jury of libelling the Church of Scientology of California.

ON 5 OCTOBER, 1969, Spectrum published an article "The odd beginning of Ron Hubbard's Career". The Church of Scientology has sent us the following information. Hubbard broke up black magic in America: Dr Jack Parsons of Pasadena, California, was America's Number One solid fuel rocket expert. He was involved with the infamous English black magician Aleister Crowley who called himself "The Beast 666." Crowley ran an organisation called the Order of Templars Orientalis over the world which ...

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 ...

Homer records that when the Greek warrior Ulysses was shipwrecked on the island of Corfu, his ship turned to stone. He struggled ashore naked and met Princess Nausicaa. She took him to the court of her father, King Alcinous, who lavished hospitality upon the adventurer before he sailed for his homeland, Ithaca. The was in mythological days. Now in 1968 a new Odyssey is being played out in the waters of Corfu. ''The latter-day Ulysses is Lafayette Ron Hubbard, one-time science ...

The scientologists have issued a writ against a senior Sussex police officer and another against Mr. Peter Hordern, M.P. for Horsham. Mr. David Gaiman, aged 35, chief spokesman at the scientologists' international headquarters at East Grinstead, Sussex, said today: "The writs have been issued but not yet served. "One, is against Chief-inspector Robert Marshall, of the East Grinstead police division, for unlawful imprisonment of Evert Doeve, aged 42, a Dutch citizen. Mr. Doeve, a minister in the Church of Scientology, spent ...

A verdict of suicide was recorded at an East Grinstead inquest today on a South African, Johannes Hermanus Scheepers, aged 29, described on his alien registration card as a student of scientology. Mr. Scheepers was said to have been staying at the home of Mr. David Gaiman, Harwood House South, Harwoods Lane, a mile from the scientologists' international headquarters at Saint Hill Manor, East Grinstead. Mr. Gaiman, aged 35, a senior executive of the cult, denied on oath that the dead ...

The stage at the international scientology congress was bare but for flowers and a bust of Mr. L. Ron Hubbard, the founder, which stood like some Roman God in the corner. His jowled features were spotlit and from hidden amplifiers his tape-recorded voice addressed the people who packed the hall. Yesterday was the second day of the congress which was held at Croydon, Surrey. As the founder of the movement spoke of truth, understanding and power, there were occasional gasps of ...

A headmaster has refused the son of a scientologist entry to a preparatory school until, he says, the cult "clears its name". The boy, Neil Gaiman, aged 7, was to have started at Fonthill School, East Grinstead, Sussex, at the beginning of next term, but the headmaster, Mr. Michael Carter, has told the boy's parents that he cannot offer him a place. Mr. David Gaiman, the father, aged 35, former South Coast businessman, has become in recent weeks a prominent spokesman ...

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, ...

Mr. Lafayette Ron Hubbard, aged 57, American founder of the scientology movement, sent a telex message yesterday to the cult's headquarters at East Grinstead, Sussex, saying: "I finished my work. Now it is up to others." Mrs. David Gaiman, wife of the movement's chief spokesman, said the message gave no clue to Mr. Hubbard's whereabouts. It read: — "I retired from directorship in scientology organization two or more years ago to explore and study the decline of ancient civilizations and so ...

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 ...