Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 3, Nos. 2 &3, 2004, Page 129
Nonetheless, she allowed her daughter to finish the course. ―This is the best time she‘s had
all summer. ...You wouldn‘t believe how much she learned from this class.‖
The teacher, who declined to state her religious background, said: ―I‘m teaching a study
skills class — it‘s a totally secular class.‖ The head of continuing education at the college is
aware that the course is based on Hubbard‘s methods, but said she observed the class and
does not believe it promoted the church.
Carnegie Mellon University professor David Touretzky, who has studied Scientology, said
that course concepts are central to Scientology teachings, and that teaching them in public
schools violates church-state separation. (Nahal Toosi, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Internet,
7/30/04)
French President Turns Down Cruise
French President Jacques Chirac has refused Tom Cruise‘s offer to visit the Elyseé Palace
[the French White House]. Chirac was afraid Cruise would use the visit to promote his
Scientology beliefs. But Chirac‘s great rival, Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy, received
Cruise, which occasioned great publicity. (The Times, London, from FAIR News, Britain,
2/2004, p. 7)
Play About Founder Hubbard
Maureen FitzGerald has written Moonchild, a ―quasi-historical living-room comedy‖ based on
the life of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. According to press releases, the
production, which was to have run from August 14–28 this year at the Access Theater, on
lower Broadway, ―examines the relationship between a young, broke, and struggling
Hubbard and the brilliant, half-crazed rocket scientist Jack Parsons, a Satanist and disciple
of the infamous Aleister Crowley.‖ The playwright ―speculates on how a meeting between
two of the twentieth century‘s most controversial figures led to the birth of a multi-billion
dollar empire. (Robert Simonson, Playbill, Internet, 8/4/04)
Whenever the Hubbard character is by himself he practices his mantras, written on index
cards, and chants to himself: ―You are courageous,‖ ―You are charismatic.‖ Ultimately,
Moonchild ―is a smart (and given the Scientologists‘ legal department, brave) farce
betraying a real affection for shallow, power-hungry flakes up to no good.‖ (Ada Calhoun,
New York Times, Internet, 8/15/04)
Google Scrutinizes Scientology Ads
Internet search engine Google‘s recently disclosed advertising policy tells employees to
make sure Scientology ads clearly say they come from the church, presumably so named
in the policy. Also rejected: ads ―bashing‖ politicians, abortion ads that refer to religion,
hacker sites and spam software, and uncertified online pharmacies. (Verne Kopytoff, San
Francisco Chronicle, 8/9/04)
Detox Program Charges
Scientology says it‘s planning to charge $5,000 for its heretofore free detoxification
program offered to people officially involved in the 9/11 rescue effort. The group‘s New York
Rescue Workers Detoxification Project — partly funded by Scientologist Tom Cruise — wants
to get a $1 million government grant to test whether or not the program works. Experts in
such matters say it doesn‘t. (Heather Gilmore, New York Post, Internet, 8/15, 04)
Film Critical of Scientology
Infernal Bridegroom Productions has released a film entitled Me-sci-ah, by Troy Schulze, a
―merciless ribbing‖ of actor Tom Cruise‘s involvement in Scientology. The movie is based
on ―found‖ materials — interviews given by Cruise, Scientology materials, and other sources
Nonetheless, she allowed her daughter to finish the course. ―This is the best time she‘s had
all summer. ...You wouldn‘t believe how much she learned from this class.‖
The teacher, who declined to state her religious background, said: ―I‘m teaching a study
skills class — it‘s a totally secular class.‖ The head of continuing education at the college is
aware that the course is based on Hubbard‘s methods, but said she observed the class and
does not believe it promoted the church.
Carnegie Mellon University professor David Touretzky, who has studied Scientology, said
that course concepts are central to Scientology teachings, and that teaching them in public
schools violates church-state separation. (Nahal Toosi, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Internet,
7/30/04)
French President Turns Down Cruise
French President Jacques Chirac has refused Tom Cruise‘s offer to visit the Elyseé Palace
[the French White House]. Chirac was afraid Cruise would use the visit to promote his
Scientology beliefs. But Chirac‘s great rival, Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy, received
Cruise, which occasioned great publicity. (The Times, London, from FAIR News, Britain,
2/2004, p. 7)
Play About Founder Hubbard
Maureen FitzGerald has written Moonchild, a ―quasi-historical living-room comedy‖ based on
the life of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. According to press releases, the
production, which was to have run from August 14–28 this year at the Access Theater, on
lower Broadway, ―examines the relationship between a young, broke, and struggling
Hubbard and the brilliant, half-crazed rocket scientist Jack Parsons, a Satanist and disciple
of the infamous Aleister Crowley.‖ The playwright ―speculates on how a meeting between
two of the twentieth century‘s most controversial figures led to the birth of a multi-billion
dollar empire. (Robert Simonson, Playbill, Internet, 8/4/04)
Whenever the Hubbard character is by himself he practices his mantras, written on index
cards, and chants to himself: ―You are courageous,‖ ―You are charismatic.‖ Ultimately,
Moonchild ―is a smart (and given the Scientologists‘ legal department, brave) farce
betraying a real affection for shallow, power-hungry flakes up to no good.‖ (Ada Calhoun,
New York Times, Internet, 8/15/04)
Google Scrutinizes Scientology Ads
Internet search engine Google‘s recently disclosed advertising policy tells employees to
make sure Scientology ads clearly say they come from the church, presumably so named
in the policy. Also rejected: ads ―bashing‖ politicians, abortion ads that refer to religion,
hacker sites and spam software, and uncertified online pharmacies. (Verne Kopytoff, San
Francisco Chronicle, 8/9/04)
Detox Program Charges
Scientology says it‘s planning to charge $5,000 for its heretofore free detoxification
program offered to people officially involved in the 9/11 rescue effort. The group‘s New York
Rescue Workers Detoxification Project — partly funded by Scientologist Tom Cruise — wants
to get a $1 million government grant to test whether or not the program works. Experts in
such matters say it doesn‘t. (Heather Gilmore, New York Post, Internet, 8/15, 04)
Film Critical of Scientology
Infernal Bridegroom Productions has released a film entitled Me-sci-ah, by Troy Schulze, a
―merciless ribbing‖ of actor Tom Cruise‘s involvement in Scientology. The movie is based
on ―found‖ materials — interviews given by Cruise, Scientology materials, and other sources
