Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 1, No. 1, 2002, Page 77
Scientology
Georgian Church Warns against Scientology /Georgia
The office of the Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church has issued a statement warning
the public not to fall under the influence of the "false doctrine of the totalitarian sect of
scientology." The sect, which preaches ridding the individual of "reactive mind" and
understanding the "power of personal cognition," has been operating in Georgia for the past
three years and poses a danger to the spiritual and physical health of the individual,‖ the
statement issued by the Patriarch's Office said. (BBC Monitoring Newsfile, 12/28/01,
Internet)
Black Tie Affair in Clearwater
The Church of Scientology, long on the fringe of the Clearwater, FL community [where
Scientology has its world headquarters], was expecting a full house on Jan. 26 at its black-
tie affair for the area's power elite. The party is another indicator that Scientology is gaining
acceptance in a community historically suspicious of the church, if not hostile to it.
Politicians and civic leaders who years ago would have had serious reservations about
wining and dining with Scientologists are writing checks for the gala dinner. "As recently as
ten years ago, I don't think a lot of people would come to the event, or even consider
coming," said Clearwater businessman Phil Henderson, who will attend with his wife,
Denedin (FL) City Commissioner Janet Henderson, a candidate for state representative. "But
they (Scientologists) have changed their ways." Others who reportedly plan to attend
include the Pinellas County Sheriff, Everett Rice, the mayor of Clearwater, and leaders of
the Clearwater YMCA and NAACP. "The Church is trying to reach into the community and
show off their facility. They're just trying to be good citizens," said Assistant City Manager
Garry Brumback. It is estimated that the event will cost about $400 per person, and a total
of $100–$200,000.
Recalling a political forum to which Scientolgy invited local candidates, the wife of State
Sen. Jack Latvala said that very few attended. Now, she says, Scientologists belong to the
same civic groups she does. "I really don't think of it as the church. They are out in the
community being citizens ...They are involved with nonprofit organizations that do good
things. They give money to non-profits and charities."
Local officials who sent regrets include Police Chief Sid Klein and the editors of the St.
Petersburg Times. Scientology is not allowing the Times to send a reporter and
photographer to cover the event. [The Times has for some years criticized Scientology for
some of its activities in Clearwater] Assistant City Manager Garry Brumback said of the
gala: "I think they're making genuine efforts to reach out and be good citizens. This is but
one example. They've got quite a hill to climb. The history of the organization in the city of
Clearwater is not all that glowing, but the current folks over there have worked hard to live
that down." (Deborah O'Neil, St. Petersburg Times, 1/26/02, Internet)
German States to Stop Scientology Scrutiny /Germany
German states plan to end their surveillance of the Church of Scientology after a Berlin
court ordered intelligence agencies to stop using spies to monitor the organization,
according to Der Spiegel. Germany refuses to recognize Scientology, saying it masquerades
as a religion to make money. In some regions, Scientology members are barred from
government jobs.
Several states should stop telephone surveillance and using inside informers to monitor
Scientology's activities. The court said the domestic security service could no longer use
paid informers to spy on Scientology. While the judgment applies to the capital, the Church
of Scientology is planning to take the case to other regional courts to have the ruling
Scientology
Georgian Church Warns against Scientology /Georgia
The office of the Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church has issued a statement warning
the public not to fall under the influence of the "false doctrine of the totalitarian sect of
scientology." The sect, which preaches ridding the individual of "reactive mind" and
understanding the "power of personal cognition," has been operating in Georgia for the past
three years and poses a danger to the spiritual and physical health of the individual,‖ the
statement issued by the Patriarch's Office said. (BBC Monitoring Newsfile, 12/28/01,
Internet)
Black Tie Affair in Clearwater
The Church of Scientology, long on the fringe of the Clearwater, FL community [where
Scientology has its world headquarters], was expecting a full house on Jan. 26 at its black-
tie affair for the area's power elite. The party is another indicator that Scientology is gaining
acceptance in a community historically suspicious of the church, if not hostile to it.
Politicians and civic leaders who years ago would have had serious reservations about
wining and dining with Scientologists are writing checks for the gala dinner. "As recently as
ten years ago, I don't think a lot of people would come to the event, or even consider
coming," said Clearwater businessman Phil Henderson, who will attend with his wife,
Denedin (FL) City Commissioner Janet Henderson, a candidate for state representative. "But
they (Scientologists) have changed their ways." Others who reportedly plan to attend
include the Pinellas County Sheriff, Everett Rice, the mayor of Clearwater, and leaders of
the Clearwater YMCA and NAACP. "The Church is trying to reach into the community and
show off their facility. They're just trying to be good citizens," said Assistant City Manager
Garry Brumback. It is estimated that the event will cost about $400 per person, and a total
of $100–$200,000.
Recalling a political forum to which Scientolgy invited local candidates, the wife of State
Sen. Jack Latvala said that very few attended. Now, she says, Scientologists belong to the
same civic groups she does. "I really don't think of it as the church. They are out in the
community being citizens ...They are involved with nonprofit organizations that do good
things. They give money to non-profits and charities."
Local officials who sent regrets include Police Chief Sid Klein and the editors of the St.
Petersburg Times. Scientology is not allowing the Times to send a reporter and
photographer to cover the event. [The Times has for some years criticized Scientology for
some of its activities in Clearwater] Assistant City Manager Garry Brumback said of the
gala: "I think they're making genuine efforts to reach out and be good citizens. This is but
one example. They've got quite a hill to climb. The history of the organization in the city of
Clearwater is not all that glowing, but the current folks over there have worked hard to live
that down." (Deborah O'Neil, St. Petersburg Times, 1/26/02, Internet)
German States to Stop Scientology Scrutiny /Germany
German states plan to end their surveillance of the Church of Scientology after a Berlin
court ordered intelligence agencies to stop using spies to monitor the organization,
according to Der Spiegel. Germany refuses to recognize Scientology, saying it masquerades
as a religion to make money. In some regions, Scientology members are barred from
government jobs.
Several states should stop telephone surveillance and using inside informers to monitor
Scientology's activities. The court said the domestic security service could no longer use
paid informers to spy on Scientology. While the judgment applies to the capital, the Church
of Scientology is planning to take the case to other regional courts to have the ruling
