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
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
