Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 3, Nos. 2 &3, 2004, Page 132
Use of Public Space Draws Criticism
The Catholic Church in Birmingham, England, has criticized the city council‘s decision to let
Scientology use Centenary Square to launch its volunteer ministers‘ center. The diocese
said Scientology was ―regarded by many as little more than a cult,‖ and noted the
government had refused to accord the group charitable status. But the council said
Scientology could use the square because it was not a banned or illegal organization.
(James Cartledge, Evening Mail, Internet, 4/24/04)
Shock Therapy Trial
Officials at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital say that a civil trial to determine if shock therapy
patient Victor Akkerman suffered permanent memory loss is an attempt by the Church of
Scientology to shut down the electroshock therapy treatment center, the only one in
several counties. [Scientology has long carried out a campaign against psychiatry and
electroshock treatment.] Akkerman now lives alone, his wife having left him and his children
saying they feel alienated from their father. (Chuck Schultz, Santa Barbara News-Press,
4/29/04)
Fear Drug Lecture May Lead to Recruiting
Some residents of Markbeech, Kent, England, are concerned that an anti-drug lecture by a
person linked to Scientology may have been part of an attempt to recruit new members
for the group and its drug rehab program. Graeme Raeburn, a local man who is a vice-
president of the Royal College of Art Students‘ Union, said: ―The rehab involves complete
surrender to the controlling people so effectively they [the recruits] are handing over their
money and putting their complete belief into the Church of Scientology.‖ (Ian Read, This is
Kent, Internet, 4/30/04)
Stars Open Scientology Center
Entertainment personalities David Pomeranz and Ernie Reyes recently visited Manila to open
the new Hubbard Dianetics Center and Church of Scientology. Both stars say Scientology
has helped their professional and personal lives greatly. (Shirley Pizarro, Manila Bulletin,
Internet, 5/14/04)
Settlement in McPherson Case
Scientology recently settled out of court — on terms undisclosed — the wrongful death suit
brought by the estate of former member Lisa McPherson, who died in 1995 in the church‘s
custody while receiving medical treatment. The suit generated ―nightmarish‖ publicity for
the church for a number of years, and a lengthy trial would have drawn international media
attention. ―It‘s over,‖ said a church spokesman. ―We look forward to the future and carrying
out our mission of helping people attain spiritual freedom.‖ (Robert Farley, St. Petersburg
Times, Internet, 5/29/04)
What Was Nature of McPherson Settlement?
Regarding the recent settlement of the bitter and protracted suit brought against
Scientology by the estate of Lisa McPherson, the Scientologist who died while in the
church‘s care: ―At one point the church is reported to have agreed to settle for $20,000,
and the estate wanted $80 million. Where on that scale did the settlement fall? With the
church‘s spiritual headquarters in Clearwater and with its presence in Tampa expanding,
that is a question of legitimate public interest.‖ (Editorial, Tampa Tribune, Internet, 6/4/04)
To some, the settlement is the result of Scientology wearing down a critic in the course of
litigation. To others, it was the church‘s way of avoiding an embarrassing trial. California
attorney Ford Green, who accused the church of mental abuse on behalf of a client for
whom he won an $8 million settlement, said: ―The church bought silence.‖ A trial would

Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 3, Nos. 2 &3, 2004, Page 133
have given the public ―a copious education of what Scientology is and how it operates. The
millions of dollars that go out [in a settlement] aren‘t nearly as much as the millions that
don‘t come in if they get bad press.‖ (Robert Farley, St. Petersburg Times, Internet,
6/6/04)
―The McPherson case and the avalanche of negative publicity it brought down on
Scientology may be over, but the questions her death raised remain. How did she die? Was
she kept in the Fort Harrison [building, Scientology headquarters] against her will? Why
wasn‘t she in a hospital? What doctrines and procedures of the Church of Scientology came
into play during those 17 days [she was in its care]? (Editorial, St. Petersburg Times,
Internet, 6/15/04)
Narconon Program Threatened
The San Francisco school system is threatening to end the Scientology-linked Narconon
anti-drug program unless it stops teaching inaccurate and misleading information. The
system‘s health education staff does not want the program to continue to make sweeping
generalizations that all drugs are bad, or to claim that drugs are stored in body fat for
years, where they allegedly cause repeated flashbacks and drug cravings until ―sweated
out.‖ [Scientology offers the public a program to achieve this.] Addiction physicians say
there is no scientific evidence to support such claims. Indeed, the concepts in the program
are straight out of the Church of Scientology, including medical theories that some addiction
experts describe as ‗irresponsible‘ and ‗pseudoscience.‘ ‖
Superintendent Arlene Ackerman says: ―The fact that (Narconon) is addressing drugs is a
positive. But some of the facts that they were teaching the kids support a philosophical or
religious belief, as opposed to science, so we had to say ‗no.‘ ‖ Ackerman became interested
in the issue when the San Francisco Chronicle asked her questions about the program.
Scientology has replied to the demand for change by saying: ―There is sound science behind
the basic truths we present to children,‖ and, ―Let‘s be frank. Do you seriously think we will
do better (with students) if we just parrot what others are saying and do not offer a fresh
point of view?‖ (Nanette Asimov, San Francisco Chronicle, Internet, 6/9,10/04 Mitch
Earleywine, San Francisco Chronicle, Internet, 6/14/04)
Tom Cruise Opens Narconon Center
Scientologist Tom Cruise in June opened up a Scientology ―detoxification‖ center in New
York City dedicated to treating rescue workers exposed to toxic materials following the
September 11 attack. Declaring that thousands are still suffering, he claimed the
Scientology treatment is so effective that a center he opened in 2002 has been inundated
with patients. (Agence France Presse, Internet 6/10/04)
Deficit in Ireland
Scientology in Ireland has a massive debt of 1.1 million Irish pounds, a rise from 17,755
pounds in a little over a year. The increase is due, according to a church director in Ireland,
to settlement of suit brought by businesswoman Mary Johnson alleging conspiracy,
misrepresentation, breach of constitutional right, and deliberate infliction of emotional
harm. (Tom Lyons, Irish Independent, Internet, 6/15/04)
Negative Downtown Image
The presence of the Church of Scientology establishment in downtown Clearwater, FL
[the church‘s international headquarters], is one reason voters have consistently rejected
government plans to redevelop the city center, according to a recent survey. (Adrienne P.
Samuels, St. Petersburg Times, Internet, 6/9/04)