Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 1, No. 1, 2002, Page 78
applied nationwide, Spiegel said. An internal report compiled jointly by the states' interior
ministries says that Scientology "presents itself as a religion which poses no threat to the
safety of the constitution," Spiegel reported. The court said that intelligence services could
still use other forms of surveillance. (Reuters, 12/13/01, Internet)
Former Minister Allegedly Cheated Investors Out of Millions
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has banned former Wall Street icon Reed E.
Slatkin, who is accused of running one of the largest Ponzi schemes in American history.
Authorities say Slatkin, an ordained minister in the Church of Scientology, offered people
huge returns on investments in such legitimate companies as Colgate-Palmolive Co. and
Schering-Plough Corp. But instead of investing their money, Slatkin allegedly maintained a
$593-million triangle scheme in which early investors — including Fox News commentator
Greta Van Susteren and other media celebrities — would be paid off with the funds collected
from later clients. Slatkin, who allegedly pocketed more than $65-million in the scam,
denies any wrongdoing. (Michael Friscolanti, National Post, 1/12/02, Internet)
Photo Exhibit on Scientology Founder
An exhibition of more than 200 rare photographs that portray the life and work of
Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard opened in early February at the Amerisia Building, on
Broadway, in New York City. Actress Catherine Bell, who portrays Lt. Col. Sarah "Mac"
MacKenzie on the CBS television series "JAG," will open the exhibit with a ribbon-cutting
ceremony. The exhibit is sponsored by the Friends of L. Ron Hubbard Foundation, and titled
"Images of a Lifetime." (Deseret News, 2/202, Internet)
Tom Cruise lobbies for Scientology in Germany
Actor Tom Cruise, an outspoken adherent of the Church of Scientology, has lobbied the U.S.
ambassador to fight for the group's rights in Germany, where it is not recognized, diplomats
say. Cruise was in Germany on a promotional tour for his latest film "Vanilla Sky" with his
lover and co-star Penelope Cruz.
Embassy officials said Cruise had met Ambassador Dan Coats, a former U.S. senator, in
Berlin for more than an hour last week during which he made a passionate appeal for his
support for improving the organization's status in Germany.
The government placed Scientology under official scrutiny in 1997, provoking an outcry
among supporters in the United States, including several celebrities. They say Germany's
refusal to recognize Scientology undermines their human rights.
In the January issue of the U.S.-based magazine Vanity Fair, Cruise credited his 13-year
devotion to Scientology with helping him deal with adversities from dyslexia to his
estrangement from his late father to persistent rumors that he is gay. (Adam Tanner
Reuters, 1/30/02, Internet)
Sengoku /Jesus Ark
Cult leader 'Sengoku Jesus' Dies /Japan
Takeyoshi Sengoku, the founder of a controversial religious cult, Jesus Ark, that hit the
headlines in 1980, has died at age 78. He attracted considerable public attention when his
followers — mostly young women who had family problems — severed contact with their
relatives between 1978 and 1980. The press nicknamed him "Sengoku Jesus," and reported
that his followers had been "spirited away." After 1980, following the dissolution of his
group, Sengoku settled in Fukuoka Prefecture and managed a bar, where he held Bible
study sessions. He also worked as a private counselor for local residents. (Japan Times,
Kyodo, 12/15/01, Internet)
applied nationwide, Spiegel said. An internal report compiled jointly by the states' interior
ministries says that Scientology "presents itself as a religion which poses no threat to the
safety of the constitution," Spiegel reported. The court said that intelligence services could
still use other forms of surveillance. (Reuters, 12/13/01, Internet)
Former Minister Allegedly Cheated Investors Out of Millions
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has banned former Wall Street icon Reed E.
Slatkin, who is accused of running one of the largest Ponzi schemes in American history.
Authorities say Slatkin, an ordained minister in the Church of Scientology, offered people
huge returns on investments in such legitimate companies as Colgate-Palmolive Co. and
Schering-Plough Corp. But instead of investing their money, Slatkin allegedly maintained a
$593-million triangle scheme in which early investors — including Fox News commentator
Greta Van Susteren and other media celebrities — would be paid off with the funds collected
from later clients. Slatkin, who allegedly pocketed more than $65-million in the scam,
denies any wrongdoing. (Michael Friscolanti, National Post, 1/12/02, Internet)
Photo Exhibit on Scientology Founder
An exhibition of more than 200 rare photographs that portray the life and work of
Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard opened in early February at the Amerisia Building, on
Broadway, in New York City. Actress Catherine Bell, who portrays Lt. Col. Sarah "Mac"
MacKenzie on the CBS television series "JAG," will open the exhibit with a ribbon-cutting
ceremony. The exhibit is sponsored by the Friends of L. Ron Hubbard Foundation, and titled
"Images of a Lifetime." (Deseret News, 2/202, Internet)
Tom Cruise lobbies for Scientology in Germany
Actor Tom Cruise, an outspoken adherent of the Church of Scientology, has lobbied the U.S.
ambassador to fight for the group's rights in Germany, where it is not recognized, diplomats
say. Cruise was in Germany on a promotional tour for his latest film "Vanilla Sky" with his
lover and co-star Penelope Cruz.
Embassy officials said Cruise had met Ambassador Dan Coats, a former U.S. senator, in
Berlin for more than an hour last week during which he made a passionate appeal for his
support for improving the organization's status in Germany.
The government placed Scientology under official scrutiny in 1997, provoking an outcry
among supporters in the United States, including several celebrities. They say Germany's
refusal to recognize Scientology undermines their human rights.
In the January issue of the U.S.-based magazine Vanity Fair, Cruise credited his 13-year
devotion to Scientology with helping him deal with adversities from dyslexia to his
estrangement from his late father to persistent rumors that he is gay. (Adam Tanner
Reuters, 1/30/02, Internet)
Sengoku /Jesus Ark
Cult leader 'Sengoku Jesus' Dies /Japan
Takeyoshi Sengoku, the founder of a controversial religious cult, Jesus Ark, that hit the
headlines in 1980, has died at age 78. He attracted considerable public attention when his
followers — mostly young women who had family problems — severed contact with their
relatives between 1978 and 1980. The press nicknamed him "Sengoku Jesus," and reported
that his followers had been "spirited away." After 1980, following the dissolution of his
group, Sengoku settled in Fukuoka Prefecture and managed a bar, where he held Bible
study sessions. He also worked as a private counselor for local residents. (Japan Times,
Kyodo, 12/15/01, Internet)
