34 ICSA TODAY 32
In a statement, the federal Department of Education declined
to comment specifically on the schools but said Productivity
Commission data shows that, on average, total government
funding for a student going to a public school is over $16,000
per year, while the support for a student attending a non-
government school is $9,300. ...‘Under the Australian
constitution, the Commonwealth has no specific power
in relation to schooling and does not have a direct role in
the registration, administration and operation of schools,’
the statement said. The Athena school was contacted for
comment.” (The Sydney Morning Herald, 7/12/16)
Man denied security clearance at work for being
Scientologist
“A Berlin court ruled that it was okay to deny a man security
clearance due to concerns about him being a Scientologist.
The man was working for a company that produces helicopter
parts, often for the German military. ...the court on Tuesday
ruled that denying him security clearance for classified
materials was justifiable, in particular because Scientologists
are required to go through auditing—a sort of confessional
counseling in which their thoughts and experiences are
kept on record. The court explained that this practice rightly
leaves doubt about Scientologists’ trustworthiness with
classified materials and their loyalty to the constitution. The
court further said that this decision did not violate the man’s
right to freedom of religion. The German government does
not recognize Scientology as a religion, unlike in the United
States, and tends to view the organization with a high level
of skepticism. Courts have ruled in the past that the group
is engaged in activities that are subversive to freedom and
democracy and should be subject to closer surveillance.” (The
Local, 7/13/16)
More than 30 burned during hot coal walk
“Fire officials say more than 30 people attending a Tony
Robbins event in Dallas have been treated for burns after the
motivational speaker encouraged them to walk on hot coals
...The hot coals were spread outside the Kay Bailey Hutchison
Convention Center, where Robbins’ ‘Unleash the Power
Within’ seminar was taking place. ...A statement issued
by Robbins Research International said, in part: ‘In Dallas
tonight, someone not familiar with the fire walk observed
the event and called 911 erroneously reporting hundreds of
people requiring medical attention for severe burns. While
we are grateful to the quick and robust response from Dallas
emergency services, only 5 of 7,000 participants requested
any examination beyond what was readily available on site.
We are pleased to have completed another successful fire
walk for 7,000 guests and look forward to the remainder of
an outstanding weekend with them.’ ...It’s not the first time
people have been hurt at Robbins’ seminars. In July 2012,
nearly two dozen people reported being burned after a fire-
walking exercise at a Robbins’ event in San Jose, California. The
event continues through Sunday.” (CBS News, 6/24/16)
Father of New York teen killed in church beating pleads
guilty
“The father of a 19-year-old beaten to death during a church
[Word of Life Christian Church] counseling session pleaded
guilty Wednesday to his role in the attack, describing how he
whipped the teenager and a younger son with an electrical
cord during a group assault that authorities said went on for
14 hours over two days. Bruce Leonard wobbled and cried
and at times had to sit down during an appearance in Oneida
County Court, where he pleaded guilty to first- and second-
degree assault the day before he was to stand trial on a more
serious murder charge. His wife, Deborah Leonard, pleaded
guilty to assault in December. As part of his plea, Bruce
Leonard, 66, will have to testify against the seven remaining
defendants. They include his step-daughter and the church’s
leaders, who are awaiting trial for the session that killed
Lucas Leonard and injured 17-year-old Christopher Leonard
last October. ...Bruce Leonard is expected to be sentenced
to a total of 15 years in prison.” (CTV News, Associated Press,
06/22/16)
Human Rights Court: Romania must pay €291,000 to
controversial yoga-group members
“Romania must pay EUR 291,000 to 26 members of the
Movement for Spiritual Integration into the Absolute
(MISA), whose rights had been violated during a police
operation that took place in March 2004, the European Court
for Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg ruled on Tuesday,
April 26. MISA is a famous yoga movement founded by
controversial Romanian guru Gregorian Bivolaru. MISA and
its leader ...have been accused of various illegal activities
over the years and Bivolaru has even been convicted by
Romanian courts. However, MISA representatives have
always claimed that they were persecuted by the Romanian
authorities. On 18 March 2004, the Romanian police carried
out an operation in 16 apartment blocks housing members
of MISA, who were suspected of using computer software
to produce and disseminate pornographic images on the
Internet and of sending members of the association abroad
for prostitution. Around 130 members of a military anti-
terrorist squad took part in the operation, which was aimed at
gathering evidence against MISA leader Gregorian Bivolaru.
...The allegedly abused MISA members filed complaints in
Romanian courts but these were rejected, so they decided to
seek justice at the Human Rights Court. The Court awarded
EUR 12,000 just satisfaction to 23 of the applicants, EUR 6,000
to another one, and EUR 4,500 to two others.” (Romania-Insider.
com, 04/27/16) n
In a statement, the federal Department of Education declined
to comment specifically on the schools but said Productivity
Commission data shows that, on average, total government
funding for a student going to a public school is over $16,000
per year, while the support for a student attending a non-
government school is $9,300. ...‘Under the Australian
constitution, the Commonwealth has no specific power
in relation to schooling and does not have a direct role in
the registration, administration and operation of schools,’
the statement said. The Athena school was contacted for
comment.” (The Sydney Morning Herald, 7/12/16)
Man denied security clearance at work for being
Scientologist
“A Berlin court ruled that it was okay to deny a man security
clearance due to concerns about him being a Scientologist.
The man was working for a company that produces helicopter
parts, often for the German military. ...the court on Tuesday
ruled that denying him security clearance for classified
materials was justifiable, in particular because Scientologists
are required to go through auditing—a sort of confessional
counseling in which their thoughts and experiences are
kept on record. The court explained that this practice rightly
leaves doubt about Scientologists’ trustworthiness with
classified materials and their loyalty to the constitution. The
court further said that this decision did not violate the man’s
right to freedom of religion. The German government does
not recognize Scientology as a religion, unlike in the United
States, and tends to view the organization with a high level
of skepticism. Courts have ruled in the past that the group
is engaged in activities that are subversive to freedom and
democracy and should be subject to closer surveillance.” (The
Local, 7/13/16)
More than 30 burned during hot coal walk
“Fire officials say more than 30 people attending a Tony
Robbins event in Dallas have been treated for burns after the
motivational speaker encouraged them to walk on hot coals
...The hot coals were spread outside the Kay Bailey Hutchison
Convention Center, where Robbins’ ‘Unleash the Power
Within’ seminar was taking place. ...A statement issued
by Robbins Research International said, in part: ‘In Dallas
tonight, someone not familiar with the fire walk observed
the event and called 911 erroneously reporting hundreds of
people requiring medical attention for severe burns. While
we are grateful to the quick and robust response from Dallas
emergency services, only 5 of 7,000 participants requested
any examination beyond what was readily available on site.
We are pleased to have completed another successful fire
walk for 7,000 guests and look forward to the remainder of
an outstanding weekend with them.’ ...It’s not the first time
people have been hurt at Robbins’ seminars. In July 2012,
nearly two dozen people reported being burned after a fire-
walking exercise at a Robbins’ event in San Jose, California. The
event continues through Sunday.” (CBS News, 6/24/16)
Father of New York teen killed in church beating pleads
guilty
“The father of a 19-year-old beaten to death during a church
[Word of Life Christian Church] counseling session pleaded
guilty Wednesday to his role in the attack, describing how he
whipped the teenager and a younger son with an electrical
cord during a group assault that authorities said went on for
14 hours over two days. Bruce Leonard wobbled and cried
and at times had to sit down during an appearance in Oneida
County Court, where he pleaded guilty to first- and second-
degree assault the day before he was to stand trial on a more
serious murder charge. His wife, Deborah Leonard, pleaded
guilty to assault in December. As part of his plea, Bruce
Leonard, 66, will have to testify against the seven remaining
defendants. They include his step-daughter and the church’s
leaders, who are awaiting trial for the session that killed
Lucas Leonard and injured 17-year-old Christopher Leonard
last October. ...Bruce Leonard is expected to be sentenced
to a total of 15 years in prison.” (CTV News, Associated Press,
06/22/16)
Human Rights Court: Romania must pay €291,000 to
controversial yoga-group members
“Romania must pay EUR 291,000 to 26 members of the
Movement for Spiritual Integration into the Absolute
(MISA), whose rights had been violated during a police
operation that took place in March 2004, the European Court
for Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg ruled on Tuesday,
April 26. MISA is a famous yoga movement founded by
controversial Romanian guru Gregorian Bivolaru. MISA and
its leader ...have been accused of various illegal activities
over the years and Bivolaru has even been convicted by
Romanian courts. However, MISA representatives have
always claimed that they were persecuted by the Romanian
authorities. On 18 March 2004, the Romanian police carried
out an operation in 16 apartment blocks housing members
of MISA, who were suspected of using computer software
to produce and disseminate pornographic images on the
Internet and of sending members of the association abroad
for prostitution. Around 130 members of a military anti-
terrorist squad took part in the operation, which was aimed at
gathering evidence against MISA leader Gregorian Bivolaru.
...The allegedly abused MISA members filed complaints in
Romanian courts but these were rejected, so they decided to
seek justice at the Human Rights Court. The Court awarded
EUR 12,000 just satisfaction to 23 of the applicants, EUR 6,000
to another one, and EUR 4,500 to two others.” (Romania-Insider.
com, 04/27/16) n
