Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 8, No. 2, 2009, Page 68
Scientology‘s usual promise of millions of reincarnations. In a stroke, Scientology positions
itself as Mac in the Mac-versus-PC rivalry.‖
The German government recently blocked filming of the film ―Valkyrie‖ in certain locations
partly because star Tom Cruise is a Scientologist. ...A ―non-religious‖ primary school has
been established in Brno, Czech Republic, that will employ Scientology founder L. Ron
Hubbard‘s teaching methods.
Scientology ―escapee‖ Paul Grosswald gave a talk at the Jefferson Market Branch of the New
York Public Library in August telling how the organization deceptively recruited,
psychologically manipulated, and emotionally tortured him during his six-month
involvement. Grosswald‘s parents threatened Scientology‘s New York leader with ―fair
game‖ treatment—the phrase Scientology itself uses [for its policy toward ―enemies‖] if he
were not released. Allowed 45 minutes with their son, the Grosswalds spirited him away for
successful ―exit counseling.‖
The children and former husband of Gloria Lopez have filed a complaint against Scientology,
in France, claiming that her experience in the church played a significant role in her 2006
suicide. The family cites, among other issues, Lopez‘s payment of several hundred thousand
dollars for church courses over a period of 10 years, despite an income of less than $3,000
a month when she died. Scientology financial advisors, they say, counseled her to sell
property she had inherited in Spain in order to free up capital for more courses. The family
and her former boyfriend finally stepped in and persuaded her to quit Scientology when the
organization asked her to move into its Celebrity Center to cut her costs she could receive
courses as part of her pay.
Also in France, 48-year-old Martine Boublilhas filed a complaint alleging that her brother—
an ex-doctor and prominent Scientologist—had kidnapped her and tried to treat her
psychological problems himself. She is said to have been found, half-naked, on a vermin-
infested mattress in a house in Sardinia in 2008.
Meanwhile, in the government‘s trial of six important French Scientologists on charges of
fraud, Aude-Clairwe Malton, a former hotel housekeeper, detailed the process by which she
was persuaded by Scientology to empty her savings accounts and life insurance policy, and
take out loans to pay for courses, all on the advice of her Scientology personal financial
advisor. The state prosecutor referred to Scientology‘s ―universe of secret rules‖ as well as
its ―deliberate, planned, fraudulent maneuvers.‖ Malton said that the church‘s personality
tests and electrometers were designed to deceive members. Just before the trial began,
former Scientologist Alain Stoffen published a book, ―Voyage to the Heart of Scientology,‖
which tells of his ―descent to hell‖ during a decade as a member. He says he was recruited
at a music school — he called it a Scientology recruiting ground—and was inspired to join
because his jazz hero, Chick Corea, is a Scientologist. .
Recently released United Kingdom Department of Health files show that British diplomats
investigating L. Ron Hubbard‘s qualifications some 30 years ago found that his claim to have
received a legitimate doctorate was fraudulent. ..The British Crown Prosecution Service
(CPS) dismissed as ―misleading‖ and ―inaccurate‖ claims by senior correspondents of The
Mail on Sunday newspaper that it has recognized Scientology as a religion for the purposes
of the new religious hatred law. The journalists say they relied on a credible leak from
within the CPS for their report, and that one or more senior CPS officials had joined or come
under the influence of Scientology.
John Duignan, a 22-year Scientologist who recounts his experience in the The Complex,
asserts that the volume was taken off Amazon because Tom Cruise objected to it. ..
Scientology, according to the European cult watchdog FECRIS association, has sent 60,000
books about Scientology to 3,800 libraries in Poland. ..An automated telephone invitation
Scientology‘s usual promise of millions of reincarnations. In a stroke, Scientology positions
itself as Mac in the Mac-versus-PC rivalry.‖
The German government recently blocked filming of the film ―Valkyrie‖ in certain locations
partly because star Tom Cruise is a Scientologist. ...A ―non-religious‖ primary school has
been established in Brno, Czech Republic, that will employ Scientology founder L. Ron
Hubbard‘s teaching methods.
Scientology ―escapee‖ Paul Grosswald gave a talk at the Jefferson Market Branch of the New
York Public Library in August telling how the organization deceptively recruited,
psychologically manipulated, and emotionally tortured him during his six-month
involvement. Grosswald‘s parents threatened Scientology‘s New York leader with ―fair
game‖ treatment—the phrase Scientology itself uses [for its policy toward ―enemies‖] if he
were not released. Allowed 45 minutes with their son, the Grosswalds spirited him away for
successful ―exit counseling.‖
The children and former husband of Gloria Lopez have filed a complaint against Scientology,
in France, claiming that her experience in the church played a significant role in her 2006
suicide. The family cites, among other issues, Lopez‘s payment of several hundred thousand
dollars for church courses over a period of 10 years, despite an income of less than $3,000
a month when she died. Scientology financial advisors, they say, counseled her to sell
property she had inherited in Spain in order to free up capital for more courses. The family
and her former boyfriend finally stepped in and persuaded her to quit Scientology when the
organization asked her to move into its Celebrity Center to cut her costs she could receive
courses as part of her pay.
Also in France, 48-year-old Martine Boublilhas filed a complaint alleging that her brother—
an ex-doctor and prominent Scientologist—had kidnapped her and tried to treat her
psychological problems himself. She is said to have been found, half-naked, on a vermin-
infested mattress in a house in Sardinia in 2008.
Meanwhile, in the government‘s trial of six important French Scientologists on charges of
fraud, Aude-Clairwe Malton, a former hotel housekeeper, detailed the process by which she
was persuaded by Scientology to empty her savings accounts and life insurance policy, and
take out loans to pay for courses, all on the advice of her Scientology personal financial
advisor. The state prosecutor referred to Scientology‘s ―universe of secret rules‖ as well as
its ―deliberate, planned, fraudulent maneuvers.‖ Malton said that the church‘s personality
tests and electrometers were designed to deceive members. Just before the trial began,
former Scientologist Alain Stoffen published a book, ―Voyage to the Heart of Scientology,‖
which tells of his ―descent to hell‖ during a decade as a member. He says he was recruited
at a music school — he called it a Scientology recruiting ground—and was inspired to join
because his jazz hero, Chick Corea, is a Scientologist. .
Recently released United Kingdom Department of Health files show that British diplomats
investigating L. Ron Hubbard‘s qualifications some 30 years ago found that his claim to have
received a legitimate doctorate was fraudulent. ..The British Crown Prosecution Service
(CPS) dismissed as ―misleading‖ and ―inaccurate‖ claims by senior correspondents of The
Mail on Sunday newspaper that it has recognized Scientology as a religion for the purposes
of the new religious hatred law. The journalists say they relied on a credible leak from
within the CPS for their report, and that one or more senior CPS officials had joined or come
under the influence of Scientology.
John Duignan, a 22-year Scientologist who recounts his experience in the The Complex,
asserts that the volume was taken off Amazon because Tom Cruise objected to it. ..
Scientology, according to the European cult watchdog FECRIS association, has sent 60,000
books about Scientology to 3,800 libraries in Poland. ..An automated telephone invitation
