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

Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 3, Nos. 2 &3, 2004, Page 135
spiritual healing. The judge said Mearon‘s role as a healer ―gave him access to the minds
and the bodies of his victims,‖ one of whom was 12 years old. ―He systematically
manipulated the young and vulnerable into believing his perverse practices were culturally
condoned.‖ (CBC News, Internet, 5/21/04)
Sri Chinmoy
Accused of Sexual Exploitation
Queens, NY-based guru Sri Chinmoy (Chinmoy Kumar Ghose), who preaches celibacy to
some 4,000 followers worldwide, is being accused by some of them of sexual abuse. One
reports in an online discussion board that the guru ―summoned‖ her for sexual encounters
in 1991 and 1996, and in 2000 asked her to have sex with another female disciple while he
watched. ‖I had never kissed a woman or touched a woman. It was not something I
fantasized about. ..my mind was completely blown. It was so hard for me, but not only did
I do it but I acted happy about it.‖ Another woman claims to have become pregnant by
Ghose, and says he paid for her abortion.
Sri Chinmoy‘s attorney said: ―You‘re going to have disgruntled people. His philosophy
attracts many people, and some of them are deeply troubled, some in a sexual way.‖
The guru‘s former attorney — a longtime member — says disciples went into debt
supporting him. ―Their whole existence is saving enough money to go on the [annual three-
month] Christmas trip. Celebrities attracted to Sri Chinmoy include Olympian Carl Lewis and
guitarist Carlos Santana. (Alex Ginsberg, New York Post, Internet, 5/32/04)
Sri Haribharanidhara Raghavendra Swamigal
Parents Abduct 13-Year-Old Holy Man
The parents of Sri Haribharanidhara Raghavendra Swamigal, a 13-year old boy who
has renounced worldly goods and set up his own monastery in the Indian State of Madras,
was recently abducted by his parents while giving a speech on spiritualism in a community
town hall. They say someone is using their son to make a fortune out of the ashram.
While as a minor the boy is legally under his parents‘ care, he has nonetheless returned to
the ashram to await a court decision in the matter. A reporter who heard the young swami‘s
comments when he returned to his devotees said the boy was ―taking his cue‖ from some of
them, who stood around him as he spoke. (Justin Huggler, Independent, U.K., Internet,
6/17/04)
Taxation/Unitarian Church
Official Says Unitarian Church Not Tax Exempt
Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn says the Unitarian Church is not a religious
organization, for tax purposes, because it ―does not have one system of belief.‖ Some 1,000
religious organizations have been granted exemptions from taxation since 1999 in Texas,
and 17 have been denied, several of the latter because, like the Unitarians, they do not
mandate a belief in a supreme being. Officials say their belief test of religion is necessary to
avoid abuse of the system. Critics of the policy say the federal government uses less
stringent rules for tax exemptions while still discouraging abuse. (R. A. Dyer, Fort Worth
Star-Telegram, Internet, 5/17/04)