Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 3, Nos. 2 &3, 2004, Page 134
Gov. Schwarzenegger’s Office Open to Scientology Lobby
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is giving ―gubernatorial courtesies and a level of
entrée to his administration not even some lawmakers get,‖ including an audience to Jenna
Elfman, co-star of the TV sitcom ―Dharma and Greg.‖ She met with the Governor‘s chief of
staff to talk about Scientology and ―drop off fliers.‖ Elfman said she wanted to introduce
Scientology‘s ―non-religious‖ program, Criminon, an alternative for rehabilitating prison
inmates based on the work of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. (Peter Nicholas, Los
Angeles Times, Internet, 6/20/04)
Display Dismissed as Unscientific
Scientology’s anti-psychiatry display in Palmerston North (New Zealand), set up outside a
K Mart by Scientology‘s Citizens’ Commission on Human Rights, was characterized as
destructive propaganda by Professor Ian Evans, head of the School of Psychology at Massey
University. Responding to the claim that psychiatry had been a failure for the past 300
years, Evans said: ―A lot of people are receiving really first-class psychiatric care (in New
Zealand). To try to vilify all psychiatry (with a display of this type) is really a mistake.‖
(Evening Standard (NZ), Internet, 7/2/04)
Anti-Psychiatry Tour
Scientology’s Citizen‘s Commission on Human Rights‘ traveling exhibition, ―Broken Life:
Psychiatry Exposed,‖ is finishing up a month-long run at St. Petersburg‘s Peter and Paul
Fortress and will soon move on to Moscow. The exhibition stresses the abusive treatment of
children in Russian institutions for the mentally disabled and the mis-classification of many
children as mentally ill. Some 10,000 people reportedly visited the exhibition and 600
signed a petition protesting alleged violence in Russian psychiatry. (Vladimir Kovalev, St.
Petersburg Times, Russia, Internet, 7/16/04)
Consultants Help Build Community Connections
Scientology has hired a lawyer and public relations expert to help break down barriers to
the acceptance of the organization in Clearwater, FL, site of Scientology‘s international
headquarters. Bennetta Slaughter, a charismatic businesswoman deeply involved in the
community, was recently elected to the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce Board
of Directors following an appeal by board member Ed Armstrong, a prominent citizen and
attorney who represents Scientology.
Board members were concerned that some rank and file members might quit, protesting
Slaughter‘s nomination — as one of them had when Armstrong himself was nominated two
years ago. But Armstrong told them: ―Think if there is a legitimate reason for opposing her
or if it‘s only because of religion. Think about that.‖
For Scientology, ―it was yet another step in its long march toward acceptance in Clearwater.
It also was another successful negotiation by the deft Armstrong, a noted real estate lawyer
[Scientology is heavily invested in downtown real estate] who, along with former political
consultant Mary Repper, opened many doors for the church.‖
The church‘s use of Armstrong and the other consultants is part of Scientology‘s ―safe
pointing‖ strategy, developed by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, to woo community
leaders. (Robert Farley, St. Petersburg Times, Internet, 7/19/04)
Spiritual Healing/Faith Healing
12 Years for Abuse
Harold Mearon has been sentenced to 12 years in jail in Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada, for
posing as a medicine man and then sexually abusing women and girls under cover of
Gov. Schwarzenegger’s Office Open to Scientology Lobby
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is giving ―gubernatorial courtesies and a level of
entrée to his administration not even some lawmakers get,‖ including an audience to Jenna
Elfman, co-star of the TV sitcom ―Dharma and Greg.‖ She met with the Governor‘s chief of
staff to talk about Scientology and ―drop off fliers.‖ Elfman said she wanted to introduce
Scientology‘s ―non-religious‖ program, Criminon, an alternative for rehabilitating prison
inmates based on the work of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. (Peter Nicholas, Los
Angeles Times, Internet, 6/20/04)
Display Dismissed as Unscientific
Scientology’s anti-psychiatry display in Palmerston North (New Zealand), set up outside a
K Mart by Scientology‘s Citizens’ Commission on Human Rights, was characterized as
destructive propaganda by Professor Ian Evans, head of the School of Psychology at Massey
University. Responding to the claim that psychiatry had been a failure for the past 300
years, Evans said: ―A lot of people are receiving really first-class psychiatric care (in New
Zealand). To try to vilify all psychiatry (with a display of this type) is really a mistake.‖
(Evening Standard (NZ), Internet, 7/2/04)
Anti-Psychiatry Tour
Scientology’s Citizen‘s Commission on Human Rights‘ traveling exhibition, ―Broken Life:
Psychiatry Exposed,‖ is finishing up a month-long run at St. Petersburg‘s Peter and Paul
Fortress and will soon move on to Moscow. The exhibition stresses the abusive treatment of
children in Russian institutions for the mentally disabled and the mis-classification of many
children as mentally ill. Some 10,000 people reportedly visited the exhibition and 600
signed a petition protesting alleged violence in Russian psychiatry. (Vladimir Kovalev, St.
Petersburg Times, Russia, Internet, 7/16/04)
Consultants Help Build Community Connections
Scientology has hired a lawyer and public relations expert to help break down barriers to
the acceptance of the organization in Clearwater, FL, site of Scientology‘s international
headquarters. Bennetta Slaughter, a charismatic businesswoman deeply involved in the
community, was recently elected to the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce Board
of Directors following an appeal by board member Ed Armstrong, a prominent citizen and
attorney who represents Scientology.
Board members were concerned that some rank and file members might quit, protesting
Slaughter‘s nomination — as one of them had when Armstrong himself was nominated two
years ago. But Armstrong told them: ―Think if there is a legitimate reason for opposing her
or if it‘s only because of religion. Think about that.‖
For Scientology, ―it was yet another step in its long march toward acceptance in Clearwater.
It also was another successful negotiation by the deft Armstrong, a noted real estate lawyer
[Scientology is heavily invested in downtown real estate] who, along with former political
consultant Mary Repper, opened many doors for the church.‖
The church‘s use of Armstrong and the other consultants is part of Scientology‘s ―safe
pointing‖ strategy, developed by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, to woo community
leaders. (Robert Farley, St. Petersburg Times, Internet, 7/19/04)
Spiritual Healing/Faith Healing
12 Years for Abuse
Harold Mearon has been sentenced to 12 years in jail in Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada, for
posing as a medicine man and then sexually abusing women and girls under cover of
