1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 ⇑ Latest ↑ Later Earlier ↓ Earliest ⇓ Nov 17, 2005
Councillor starts Scientology row — BBC News
Type: Press
Source:
BBC News A councillor in East Sussex has asked for Scientologists in his town to be stopped from working for the council. Councillor Michael Murphy has had his proposal seconded by councillor Paul Scott, but other members of Crowborough Town Council have raised objections. He suggests the council "refrains from using the voluntary services of the Scientologists until a full investigation has been carried out". A Scientology centre in nearby Saint Hill has invited Mr Murphy for a visit. His motion was supposed ...
Nov 15, 2005
Alarm in prisons at Scientology drug cures aimed at inmates — The Guardian (UK)
Sep 1, 2005
Why I fled Scientology — GlamourMore: holysmoke.org , link
Type: Press
Source:
Glamour Tom cruise calls his religion "extraordinary," but 26-year-old Astra Woodcraft, who grew up in the Church's inner circle, has a different story to tell — about bizarre beliefs, pressured rules and how she finally broke tree to start her life over. On a chilly February evening in 1998, I strode quietly through Los Angeles International Airport, clutching a Virgin Atlantic ticket for London in one hand and a duffel bag stuffed with my clothes in the other. I was drenched, having ...
Jul 22, 2005
Exclusive: Weird Science — Daily Mirror (UK)
Type: Press
Author(s):
Laurie Hanna Source:
Daily Mirror (UK) Undercover inside the disturbing world of Tom Cruise's church IT'S the belief system which actor Tom Cruise says has changed his life and made him a better man. But the controversial Church of Scientology was criticised last week after claims it was preying on people caught up in the London bombings. Packs of yellow-shirted believers arrived at the scenes of carnage, offering "spiritual healing" to distraught relatives - and £3 booklets titled How To Improve Conditions In Life. And yesterday 200 ...
Jul 21, 2005
Church of stars set for city — Birmingham Mail
Mar 27, 2005
Scientologists will 'purify' drug addicts - for £15,000 — The Observer (London, UK)
Type: Press
Author(s):
Jamie Doward Source:
The Observer (London, UK) It boasts an 80 per cent success rate, the rock star Beck is a fan, and schools are inviting the Narconon centre into the classroom. So why are some people worried? Jamie Doward reports The following clarification was printed in the Observer's For the record column, Sunday April 3 2005 In the article below we state that 'The use of ear [auricular] acupuncture in treating acute drug withdrawal began in Hong Kong in 1972.' We should clarify that in 1972 surgeons ...
Nov 27, 2004
News in brief // Scientologists fuel up — Estates Gazette
Type: Press
Source:
Estates Gazette [...] Scientologists fuel up The Church of Scientology, advised by Tuckerman, will make the 31,000 sq ft former BP building at 146 Queen Victoria Street, EC4, its London HQ. HBA Investments bought the building from Daviot Investments for the church for [pounds sterling]10m. CWHB advised BP; CIC advised Daviot. [...]
May 16, 2004
Lure of the celebrity sect / During an exclusive tour of Scientology's Celebrity Centre, Jamie Doward quizzed personnel about the church's teachings — The Observer (London, UK)
Type: Press
Author(s):
Jamie Doward Source:
The Observer (London, UK) For a second or so the needle proceeds smoothly along the dial. I watch its progress while clutching two can-shaped metal devices, wired to the small machine housing the dial. Suddenly, the needle jerks violently. 'What was that?' asks Janet Laveau, head of the UK Office of Special Affairs, the Church of Scientology's PR machine. I'm disturbed and temporarily impressed - the needle jumped just as I was thinking of a friend who is seriously depressed. How could the machine 'know' ...
Apr 30, 2004
Fears at intention of lecture on drugs — Courier News
Type: Press
Author(s):
Ian Read Source:
Courier News Fears have been sparked about the intentions of an anti-drugs talk in Markbeech after it turned out to be led by people with links to a controversial group. Geraldine Ormond, the organiser of the hour-long lecture last week, admitted she would not have got involved if she had known the main speaker was linked to the Church of Scientology. However, she said the talk did not peddle the group's beliefs and only one leaflet which was handed out made reference to ...
Apr 24, 2004
Church anger at 'cult' space — Birmingham Post
Type: Press
Author(s):
James Cartledge Source:
Birmingham Post Church leaders and council bosses were locked in a row today after a group branded "little more than a cult" was allowed to take over prominent public space.
The Diocese of Birmingham attacked the city council's decision to let the Church of Scientology launch its volunteer ministers' centre in Centenary Square.
Diocesan spokesman Arun Arora said the controversial movement, founded by science-fiction writer L Ron Hubbard and backed by Hollywood stars Tom Cruise and John Travolta, was "as much a religion ...
Apr 22, 2004
Therapy head dimisses healing claims — Birmingham Post
Type: Press
Author(s):
Sarah Probert Source:
Birmingham Post Nathan Coley is showing visitors around the Scientology Volunteer Minister exhibition. "Scientology means knowing how to know. "Volunteer ministers know how to help people," he says, pointing to a large display depicting the World Trade Centre terrorist outrages. "On September 11, they helped people in shock through spiritual healing." Mr Coley, aged 29, became involved in Scientology two years ago after reading a book on the subject. When pressed for more information, he points me in the direction of a book ...
Mar 18, 2004
Scientology-link group is banned — The Scotsman (UK)
Type: Press
Author(s):
Alan McEwen Source:
The Scotsman (UK) A DRUG counselling group linked to the controversial Church of Scientology has been banned from Edinburgh University's student union. The organisation called Narconon put up posters about its services on Edinburgh Student Association (EUSA) notice boards without permission. Now union officials have pulled the posters down and outlawed any further adverts being displayed. They are concerned Narconon may be used to recruit new members for Scientology, which has often targeted students in the Capital. The Narconon posters contain no references to ...
Jun 25, 2003
DIY rubbish collectors help council clean up area — icSurreyOnlineMore: web.archive.org
Type: Press
Source:
icSurreyOnline VOLUNTEERS have been giving a brush-up to the Park Road Bridge site in East Grinstead over the past couple of weekends. The team spent two consecutive Sundays clearing the site in liaison with the Town Council.
The area has been a concern to residents as rats, feeding on discarded food, had been increasing in numbers. About 120 bags of rubbish were removed with 11 shopping trolleys and a host of other debris, such as traffic cones, signs and old batteries. The ...
Mar 27, 2003
Cult church censured on drug ads — Guardian Unlimited
Type: Press
Author(s):
Stephen Bates Source:
Guardian Unlimited A Church of Scientology advert claiming that its programmes had "salvaged" 250,000 people from drug abuse has been censured by the Advertising Standards Authority as unproved, following a complaint by the Church of England. The ruling related to a poster coinciding with a campaign run two years ago by the church. In effect it claimed that the church had saved all those who had completed its drug programmes. It did not mention that its definition of drug use included an occasional ...
Mar 27, 2003
Scientology advert rapped — The Guardian (UK)
Type: Press
Author(s):
Stephen Bates Source:
The Guardian (UK) A Church of Scientology advert claiming that its programmes had "salvaged" 250,000 people from drug abuse has been censured by the Advertising Standards Authority as unproved, following a complaint by the Church of England. The ruling related to a poster coinciding with a campaign run two years ago by the church. In effect it claimed that the church had saved all those who had completed drug programmes. It did not mention that its definition of drug use included an occasional alcoholic ...
Mar 19, 2002
Binman wins 'rubbish' film case — BBC News
Type: Press
Source:
BBC News Benjamin "the binman" Pell, known for rifling through celebrities' rubbish, has won a court victory against a man who promised to make a film of his life. He will now get £77,500 back from businessman John Mappin, who told Mr Pell he could turn his story into a Hollywood blockbuster. Mr Pell said he had been "duped" into handing over the money to Mr Mappin, who claimed he would sign up a famous film director. But instead, he enlisted his best ...
Mar 12, 2002
Benji's claims con — Birmingham PostMore: highbeam.com
Type: Press
Source:
Birmingham Post Benjamin Pell — better known as Benji the Binman - yesterday launched a High Court damages action claiming he was misled into handing over money for a Hollywood blockbuster to be made out of his life. Mr Pell has brought an action for fraudulent misrepresentation against businessman John Mappin. He is seeking the repayment of pounds 77,500 and unspecified damages. Mr Pell's counsel, Marion Smith, told Mr Justice Gray that his primary case was that he was 'duped' into paying out ...
May 6, 2001
Binman Benji sues jewellery empire heir — The Observer (London, UK)
Type: Press
Author(s):
Conal Walsh Source:
The Observer (London, UK) He is best known for rummaging through the dustbins of the rich and famous. But Benjamin Pell has betrayed an appetite for Hollywood glory in a bizarre legal action launched against John Mappin, an heir to the Mappin and Webb jewellery empire. 'Benji the binman' has been a legend in Fleet Street since the Sunday Times and other papers began to base exclusives on his smelly but newsworthy discoveries. And when the idea arose to make a movie about his life, ...
Dec 10, 1999
Scientologists are refused charitable status — The Independent (UK)More: rickross.com
Type: Press
Author(s):
Damien Pearse Source:
The Independent (UK) THE CHURCH of Scientology failed in its attempt to become a registered charity yesterday because the organisation was not of "public benefit". The Charity Commission rejected the application for charity status after detailed consideration and despite taking a "broad and flexible" view of the law, it emerged. The Church of Scientology had sought to be registered as a charity on the grounds that "it was established for the advancement of religion or to promote the moral or spiritual welfare or improvement ...
Dec 9, 1999
Britain denies Scientologists status as charitable group — Seattle Times
Type: Press
Source:
Seattle Times LONDON - Government officials denied the Church of Scientology charitable status today, saying it does not provide any public services.
Scientologists said they would appeal the decision, announced by the Charity Commission, which regulates charities.
The commission said the church did not meet the essential test for charitable status - "that of conferring public benefit."
Graeme Wilson, public-affairs director for the Church of Scientology in Britain, called the decision "wrong on the law and wrong on the facts."
"If the same ...
Nov 17, 1999
DECISION OF THE CHARITY COMMISSONERS FOR ENGLAND AND WALES MADE ON 17TH NOVEMBER 1999 — UK Charity CommissionMore: charity-commission.gov.uk
Type: Document
Source:
UK Charity Commission [...] 2. Conclusion The Commissioners having considered the full legal and factual case and supporting documents (including expert evidence) which had been put to them by CoS and having considered and reviewed the relevant law, taking into account the principles embodied in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR ), the Commissioners concluded that CoS is not established as a charity and accordingly is not registrable as such. In so determining the Commissioners concluded as follows -: CoS is not charitable as ...
Nov 10, 1999
Sect loses battle to become a charity // Scientology 'is not a religion' — The Guardian (UK)
Type: Press
Author(s):
James Meek Source:
The Guardian (UK) The controversial Church of Scientology had its application to be recognised as a religion turned down yesterday. After more than three years' deliberation, the Charity Commissioners rejected the organisation's claim saying that it did not qualify because it was not a religion and did not benefit the public. Critics of Scientology portray the organisation as a wacky cult that brainwashes individuals and exists to make money. But adherents say such hostility amounts to religious persecution and that Scientology puts them on ...
Sep 1, 1999
Virtual Book Burning — Wired
Type: Press
Author(s):
Mike Romano Source:
Wired When A Piece of Blue Sky , a book critical of the Church of Scientology, suddenly disappeared from Amazon.com's online catalog early this year, newsgroups such as alt.religion.scientology buzzed with conspiracy theories. Then, in June, Amazon.co.uk, the online bookseller's British division, expunged a controversial book, The Committee , which implicates David Trimble, head of the Ulster Unionist Party, in atrocities against Catholics. Amazon's decision to remove two books from its online list demonstrates the perils of balancing a billion-dollar book business with a ...
Jul 13, 1999
Cult or religion: What's the difference? — BBC News
Jun 9, 1999
Scientologists pay for libel — Guardian Unlimited
Type: Press
Author(s):
Clare Dyer Source:
Guardian Unlimited The Church of Scientology agreed yesterday to pay £55,000 libel damages to a former member the church accused of waging a "hate campaign" against it. The controversial church, founded in the early 1950s by the late science fiction writer L Ron Hubbard, apologised at the high court in London for publishing a defamatory leaflet about Bonnie Woods, an American who became a Scientologist in the 1970s but left the church in 1982. The out of court settlement ends a six-year legal ...
May 25, 1999
Scientology book an open issue — Wired
Type: Press
Author(s):
Polly Sprenger Source:
Wired A book removed from Amazon's site because of alleged legal troubles is now among the top 150 books sold by the online bookstore. The book, a controversial exposé of the Church of Scientology, languished deep in Amazon's list of 4.5 million titles before being dropped in February. A Wired News report on that decision prompted Amazon to reinstate the book late last week. The book jumped to No. 700 before hitting a high of 148 on Tuesday. Author Jon Atack, reached ...
May 21, 1999
Amazon reverses decision on book ban — ZDNet
Type: Press
Author(s):
Charles Cooper Source:
ZDNet After absorbing withering criticism for its decision to stop selling a book critical of Scientology, Amazon.com has reversed itself. The move to withdraw the book, "A Piece of Blue Sky," comes a day after a report published in Wired News triggered a rash of postings on Internet newsgroups. The book, a critical examination of Scientology and its founder, L. Ron Hubbard, was pulled by Amazon (Nasdaq:AMZN) in February after an injunction against its distribution in the United Kingdom. The courts had ...
May 20, 1999
Amazon to restore Scientology title — CNET
Type: Press
Author(s):
Troy Wolverton Source:
CNET Responding to customer criticism, Amazon.com today said it will restore a book critical of Scientology to its list of available titles. Amazon spokesman Bill Curry said Amazon removed Jon Atack's A Piece of Blue Sky from its virtual bookshelves in February after being advised that sales of the book were subject to a cease-and-desist order in the United Kingdom. Curry said the order stemmed from a ruling barring distribution of the book in that country because of defamatory language. Amazon has ...
Mar 29, 1999
Abroad: Critics public and private keep pressure on Scientology — St. Petersburg Times (Florida)
Type: Press
Author(s):
Lucy Morgan Source:
St. Petersburg Times (Florida) 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 ...
Tag(s):
Anti-psychiatry •
Bankruptcy •
Bonnie Woods •
Canada •
Casey Hill •
Church of Scientology of Toronto •
Copyright, trademark, patent •
Death •
Denmark •
Detox •
France •
Fraud, lie, deceit, misrepresentation •
Germany •
Greece •
Hard sell •
Heber C. Jentzsch •
Infiltration •
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) •
Italy •
Karin Spaink •
Lawsuit •
Legal •
Lucy Morgan •
Medical claims •
Membership •
Mental illness •
Michael J. "Mike" Rinder •
Monique E. Yingling •
Nazi labelling •
Netherlands •
Office of Special Affairs (OSA) (formerly, Guardian's Office) •
Oxford Capacity Analysis (aka, "free Scientology personality test" aka "U-Test" aka "Pape Test") •
Patrice Vic •
Private investigator(s) •
Purification Rundown ("Purif") •
Recruitment •
Refunds •
Richard Woods •
Russia •
Silencing criticism, censorship •
Spain •
St. Petersburg Times (Florida) •
Suicide •
Sweden •
Switzerland •
UK Charity Commission •
United Kingdom (UK) •
Xenu (Operating Thetan level 3, OT 3, Wall of Fire) •
Zenon Panoussis Dec 14, 1998
Investigative Reports: Inside Scientology [Part 2 of 10] — Arts and Entertainment Channel
Type: TV
Source:
Arts and Entertainment Channel footage of hippies; picture of LRH with other Scienos VO: The United States of the early ’60s saw a new generation of Americans, suspicious of traditional authority. The atmosphere was ripe for L. Ron Hubbard, a sci-fi writer gone spiritual leader, to spread his promises of do-it-yourself healing to the people. L. RON HUBBARD (from video): We live in a world where, where, where, where we have governments and we have societies and so forth, who are desperately trying to help ...
Page 5 of 16 :
⇑ Latest ↑ Later Earlier ↓ Earliest ⇓ Permalink