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)
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)
