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)

Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 3, Nos. 2 &3, 2004, Page 131
Growing Presence in Downtown Clearwater
A St. Petersburg Times‘ survey finds that Scientologists own more than 200 restaurants,
shops, service outlets, and small businesses in and around downtown Clearwater, FL, the
church‘s international headquarters. In addition, some 900 condos and townhouses are to
be developed in the area, mostly by Scientologists. (St. Petersburg Times, Internet, 9/9/04)
Wins Claim against Former Member for Public Disclosures
A Marin County, CA, judge has agreed with Scientology that former member Gerry
Armstrong breached a 1986 settlement — he received $800,000 to drop a harassment suit
against the organization — by continuing to make public information he gained as a
Scientology insider and by speaking out against the church.
Armstrong is now ordered to pay Scientology $500,000 in restitution. This, added to
$300,000 previously awarded the church from Armstrong, equals the amount Scientology
paid in its original settlement with him. Armstrong, who now lives in Canada, says he will
never pay the judgment. ―I will outlast them, he added‖ (Nancy Isles Nation, Marin
Independent Journal, Internet, 4/10/04)
Call for Tax Agreement with IRS to Be Made Public
―The Church of Scientology may routinely operate by shrouding its practices, but its
interactions with the government should be a matter of public record. Taxpayers need to
know if they are being treated fairly and whether the IRS, as Judge Silverman queried, has
made Scientologists its ‗chosen people.‘ ‖
In 1993 the Church of Scientology came to an agreement in a tax dispute with the
Internal Revenue Service that revolved around the issue of tax exemption for certain
activities of religious organizations. A Jewish couple sued the IRS to get the same kind of
tax deduction for the religious education of its children that Scientologists get for ―training‖
and ―auditing‖ costs paid to Scientology. Two years ago, the suit was denied, although the
court criticized the secrecy of the Scientology-IRS agreement and one judge encouraged
litigation of Scientology‘s special tax exempt status, which seems to give preferential
treatment to one religion. The couple is now back in court challenging the apparent
disparity.
―The response to this disparity should not be an expansion of tax deductibility for religious
training but closer scrutiny of ‗auditing‘ sessions with counselors.
―As to the ‗secret‘ agreement between the IRS and Scientologists, it is time to open that
document to the public. The law demands special disclosures by tax-exempt organizations
such as churches and the public has a right to know the details of any agreement relative
to a church‘s tax exemption.‖ (Editorial, St. Petersburg Times, Internet, 3/25/04)
Establishing in Boston Neighborhood
Scientology has set up a storefront outlet in Boston‘s [largely black] Codman Square
neighborhood saying it will offer free adult and child literacy tutoring, drug education and
prevention programs, and training for other clergy who want to help in the community.
The director of a local health care center worries about Scientology‘s ―aggressive
proselytizing,‖ while a caretaker at the nearby Church of the Nazarene says: ―It bothers and
scares me because I don‘t think a lot of people here know what they are. They don‘t tell the
whole story when they recruit. They appeal to the needs of the community. But it‘s just a
way for them to get new members and more money.‖ (Jimmy Cronin, Boston Globe,
3/28/04)