Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 3, Nos. 2 &3, 2004, Page 130
— that ―debunk‖ Scientology and founder L. Ron Hubbard. The film suggests that Cruise
was Scientology‘s savior in the 1980s, when it was [allegedly] deep in debt and besieged by
lawsuits. (Everett Evans, Houston Chronicle, 10/15/04)
Warns of Scientology Recruiting
The Jerusalem-based cult-watching group Yad L‘Achim warns residents that Scientology is
attracting religious women from the Shaarei Hessed neighborhood to an office nearby that
offers a course entitled ―Scientology.‖ Although she denies any connection to Scientology,
the director, according to the Scientology main office in Tel Aviv, represents the
organization.
Yad L‘Achim says Scientology tells those who respond to its ads for secretaries that if they
want to be hired they have to take a course in ―dianetics,‖ which is central to the belief and
practice of Scientology. A justice of the Victoria, Australia, Supreme Court called Scientology
―evil,‖ and a former British Minister of Health said it was socially harmful. (Israel National
News, Internet, 8/25/05)
Narconon Banned
Scientology’s anti-drug program, Narconon, has been banned from the San Francisco
school system, despite revisions in content, due to continuing concerns about its scientific
accuracy. Superintendent Arlene Ackerman has, however, commissioned an outside
scientific appraisal and might reverse her decision if the report is positive.
Ackerman became concerned when she learned that Narconon lectures reflected Scientology
beliefs about drugs and anatomy. Five addiction specialists told the Chronicle that Narconon
introduced students to some of the beliefs and methods of Scientology without their
knowledge. The unrevised program directed the Narconon speaker to lead students in
thanking Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard for the program. (Nanette Asmov, San
Francisco Chronicle, Internet, 8/25/04)
Workshop in Nigeria
The Education Tax Fund of Nigeria organized a six-day workshop in Lagos in August on
―Applied Scholastics Teaching Technology Training.‖ [Applied Scholastics is a Scientology
program.] Attendees at the workshop, organized by the consulting firm of McCrae &Co. and
addressed by the Nigerian Minister of State for Education, included directors of education,
senior school administrators, and classroom teachers. One of the goals of the workshop
training was ―to expose participants to modern pedagogical skills developed by the
Association for Better Living and Education, a non-governmental organization based in the
United States of America.‖ (Bukola Ogunnowo, The Day [Lagos], Internet, 8/25/04)
Against Mental Health Funds
Proposition 63 on the November ballot in Santa Cruz, CA, asked for approval of a one
percent tax on taxable personal income in order to prevent mental health services from
further deteriorating. Scientology’s Citizens Commission on Human Rights [known for its
campaigns against traditional mental health delivery systems] loudly opposed the measure,
on the ground that passage would cause tax increases in other areas. (Brian Seals, Santa
Cruz Sentinel, Internet, 8/25/04)
Cruise Seems Out of Control
Tom Cruise was so vehemently opposed to psychiatry and drug therapy when he
expressed his Scientologist’s hostility to traditional mental health treatment that ―I start
to feel nervous [during a long interview] and not a little agitated no examples from me and
my friends who have benefited from therapy or Prozac will be allowed in discussion here.‖
[Mike Goodridge, Evening Standard [UK], 8/19/04)
— that ―debunk‖ Scientology and founder L. Ron Hubbard. The film suggests that Cruise
was Scientology‘s savior in the 1980s, when it was [allegedly] deep in debt and besieged by
lawsuits. (Everett Evans, Houston Chronicle, 10/15/04)
Warns of Scientology Recruiting
The Jerusalem-based cult-watching group Yad L‘Achim warns residents that Scientology is
attracting religious women from the Shaarei Hessed neighborhood to an office nearby that
offers a course entitled ―Scientology.‖ Although she denies any connection to Scientology,
the director, according to the Scientology main office in Tel Aviv, represents the
organization.
Yad L‘Achim says Scientology tells those who respond to its ads for secretaries that if they
want to be hired they have to take a course in ―dianetics,‖ which is central to the belief and
practice of Scientology. A justice of the Victoria, Australia, Supreme Court called Scientology
―evil,‖ and a former British Minister of Health said it was socially harmful. (Israel National
News, Internet, 8/25/05)
Narconon Banned
Scientology’s anti-drug program, Narconon, has been banned from the San Francisco
school system, despite revisions in content, due to continuing concerns about its scientific
accuracy. Superintendent Arlene Ackerman has, however, commissioned an outside
scientific appraisal and might reverse her decision if the report is positive.
Ackerman became concerned when she learned that Narconon lectures reflected Scientology
beliefs about drugs and anatomy. Five addiction specialists told the Chronicle that Narconon
introduced students to some of the beliefs and methods of Scientology without their
knowledge. The unrevised program directed the Narconon speaker to lead students in
thanking Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard for the program. (Nanette Asmov, San
Francisco Chronicle, Internet, 8/25/04)
Workshop in Nigeria
The Education Tax Fund of Nigeria organized a six-day workshop in Lagos in August on
―Applied Scholastics Teaching Technology Training.‖ [Applied Scholastics is a Scientology
program.] Attendees at the workshop, organized by the consulting firm of McCrae &Co. and
addressed by the Nigerian Minister of State for Education, included directors of education,
senior school administrators, and classroom teachers. One of the goals of the workshop
training was ―to expose participants to modern pedagogical skills developed by the
Association for Better Living and Education, a non-governmental organization based in the
United States of America.‖ (Bukola Ogunnowo, The Day [Lagos], Internet, 8/25/04)
Against Mental Health Funds
Proposition 63 on the November ballot in Santa Cruz, CA, asked for approval of a one
percent tax on taxable personal income in order to prevent mental health services from
further deteriorating. Scientology’s Citizens Commission on Human Rights [known for its
campaigns against traditional mental health delivery systems] loudly opposed the measure,
on the ground that passage would cause tax increases in other areas. (Brian Seals, Santa
Cruz Sentinel, Internet, 8/25/04)
Cruise Seems Out of Control
Tom Cruise was so vehemently opposed to psychiatry and drug therapy when he
expressed his Scientologist’s hostility to traditional mental health treatment that ―I start
to feel nervous [during a long interview] and not a little agitated no examples from me and
my friends who have benefited from therapy or Prozac will be allowed in discussion here.‖
[Mike Goodridge, Evening Standard [UK], 8/19/04)
