Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 8, No. 3, 2009, Page 70
given by Tom Cruise on how to move bottles and other objects by mentally concentrating on
them. ..
Nick Xenophon, in the Australian parliament, denounced Scientology, claiming that it
―abuses its followers, viciously targets its critics, and seems largely driven by paranoia.‖ He
wants to challenge the church‘s tax-exempt status. Xenophon‘s ―long, impassioned‖ speech
included case studies of Scientology abuses of individuals as well as a detailed exposition of
the allegations of Aaron Sexton, who was born into Scientology and ―rose to a position of
influence in Sydney and the United States.‖
Malcolm Knox, in the September Monthly, online, reviews the history, style, and current
status of Scientology in Australia, where the organization has some 14 establishments in
the country‘s capital cities. He quotes the report of the 1963 commission of inquiry into
Scientology by the state of Victoria: ―There are some features of Scientology which are so
ludicrous that there may be a tendency to regard Scientology as silly and its practitioners as
harmless. To do so would be to gravely misunderstand the tenor of the board [of inquiry]‘s
conclusions ...Scientology is evil it‘s techniques evil it‘s practice a serious threat to the
community, medically, morally and socially and its adherents sadly deluded and often
mentally ill.‖
Knox says that although bans against Scientology by the states of Victoria, South Australia,
and West Australia—under the Psychological Practices Act of 1965—were lifted in 1973, the
psychiatric profession still believes that Scientology‘s claim to cure mental illness involves a
kind of brainwashing by unqualified practitioners, risks driving patients into deeper mental
disorder, and is predatorily costly.
Knox attended a Scientology religious service, which included a sermon that was ―as blandly
agreeable as most of what is said on any low-church Sunday. He [the speaker] told a story
about a couple he had counseled, quoted Hubbard three or four times, proclaimed that ‗the
great discovery of Scientology is to define life,‘ and stressed that the purpose of family life
is to ―get on well together.‖
Knox stresses what he sees on Scientology‘s emphasis on proselytizing. ―To get a ‗Diamond
and Two Sapphires‘ stickpin, one must recruit 1,000 annual or lifetime members. At a cost
of US$500 (annual) to US$5000 (lifetime) each, recipients of this stickpin have individually
raised anywhere between US$500,000 and US$5 million for Scientology.‖ He reports that
Scientology counts as members anyone who has taken its personality test and put his or her
name on a mailing list. Scientology claims 250,000 adherents in Australia and New Zealand
and nine million worldwide, but 2006 Australian census figures indicate only 2,513 who say
they are Scientologists. ―To an astonishing degree,‖ he remarks, ―Scientologists are
engaged with the media. Whenever an article is published, a church spokesperson wirites a
letter in response, usually containing boilerplate declarations about Scientology being a
recognized religion that believes man has an eternal soul, as well as denials of whatever
wackiness the article attributed to the church.‖
The Church of Scientology in Italy says it‘s going to sue, for libel, the Daughters of St.
Paul, as well as Catholic author Pia Gardini, a former Scientologist now returned to the
Catholic Church, who has written two books critical of Scientology published by the
Daughters—My Years in Scientology and The Courage to Speak Out–Stories of Ex-
Scientologists. The Daughters of St. Paul is dedicated to providing resources to counter
threats to Catholic families, including cults. ...
Three high-level Scientologists—―Operating Thetans‖—have left the organization, all of them
citing strong disagreements with church management policies. At the same time, they note
their continuing belief in Scientology.
given by Tom Cruise on how to move bottles and other objects by mentally concentrating on
them. ..
Nick Xenophon, in the Australian parliament, denounced Scientology, claiming that it
―abuses its followers, viciously targets its critics, and seems largely driven by paranoia.‖ He
wants to challenge the church‘s tax-exempt status. Xenophon‘s ―long, impassioned‖ speech
included case studies of Scientology abuses of individuals as well as a detailed exposition of
the allegations of Aaron Sexton, who was born into Scientology and ―rose to a position of
influence in Sydney and the United States.‖
Malcolm Knox, in the September Monthly, online, reviews the history, style, and current
status of Scientology in Australia, where the organization has some 14 establishments in
the country‘s capital cities. He quotes the report of the 1963 commission of inquiry into
Scientology by the state of Victoria: ―There are some features of Scientology which are so
ludicrous that there may be a tendency to regard Scientology as silly and its practitioners as
harmless. To do so would be to gravely misunderstand the tenor of the board [of inquiry]‘s
conclusions ...Scientology is evil it‘s techniques evil it‘s practice a serious threat to the
community, medically, morally and socially and its adherents sadly deluded and often
mentally ill.‖
Knox says that although bans against Scientology by the states of Victoria, South Australia,
and West Australia—under the Psychological Practices Act of 1965—were lifted in 1973, the
psychiatric profession still believes that Scientology‘s claim to cure mental illness involves a
kind of brainwashing by unqualified practitioners, risks driving patients into deeper mental
disorder, and is predatorily costly.
Knox attended a Scientology religious service, which included a sermon that was ―as blandly
agreeable as most of what is said on any low-church Sunday. He [the speaker] told a story
about a couple he had counseled, quoted Hubbard three or four times, proclaimed that ‗the
great discovery of Scientology is to define life,‘ and stressed that the purpose of family life
is to ―get on well together.‖
Knox stresses what he sees on Scientology‘s emphasis on proselytizing. ―To get a ‗Diamond
and Two Sapphires‘ stickpin, one must recruit 1,000 annual or lifetime members. At a cost
of US$500 (annual) to US$5000 (lifetime) each, recipients of this stickpin have individually
raised anywhere between US$500,000 and US$5 million for Scientology.‖ He reports that
Scientology counts as members anyone who has taken its personality test and put his or her
name on a mailing list. Scientology claims 250,000 adherents in Australia and New Zealand
and nine million worldwide, but 2006 Australian census figures indicate only 2,513 who say
they are Scientologists. ―To an astonishing degree,‖ he remarks, ―Scientologists are
engaged with the media. Whenever an article is published, a church spokesperson wirites a
letter in response, usually containing boilerplate declarations about Scientology being a
recognized religion that believes man has an eternal soul, as well as denials of whatever
wackiness the article attributed to the church.‖
The Church of Scientology in Italy says it‘s going to sue, for libel, the Daughters of St.
Paul, as well as Catholic author Pia Gardini, a former Scientologist now returned to the
Catholic Church, who has written two books critical of Scientology published by the
Daughters—My Years in Scientology and The Courage to Speak Out–Stories of Ex-
Scientologists. The Daughters of St. Paul is dedicated to providing resources to counter
threats to Catholic families, including cults. ...
Three high-level Scientologists—―Operating Thetans‖—have left the organization, all of them
citing strong disagreements with church management policies. At the same time, they note
their continuing belief in Scientology.
