Cult News

Potentially embarrassing documents from within Scientology have found their way onto the Internet.

Recently revised release forms offer a startling look at how those involved in Scientology may be signing away basic human rights to obtain “spiritual assistance” from the controversial church often called a “cult.”

A form that must be signed by Scientologists seeking advanced training states they are “not eligible for spiritual assistance unless [they] sign [a] contract…[and]…forever [give] up [the] right to sue the church, its staff…for any injury or damage suffered in any way connected with…Scientology.”

So it seems that Scientologist superstars like Tom Cruise, John Travolta and wealthy patrons such as Lisa Marie Presley may be signing away rights most citizens within free countries take for granted.

A document titled “Agreement and General Release Regarding Spiritual Assistance” states; “Others may think that I need psychiatric treatment…I instead desire to receive Scientology spiritual assistance…”

The same release form prohibits “any psychiatrist, medical person, designated member of the state or family member” from placing the Scientologist that signs into a hospital or facility for psychiatric treatment under any circumstances. And explicitly authorizes Scientology to “intercede” if they do.

So if Cruise, Travolta or Presley crack up or have a breakdown Scientology is apparently their only hope for comfort and/or care. And of course this would seemingly apply to regular members too.

What “spiritual assistance” would Scientology likely provide to replace professional psychiatric care under such circumstances? They have something called “The Introspection Rundown.”

According to Scientology the “rundown” is “an intensive, rigorous Religious Service that includes being isolated from all sources of potential spiritual upset, including but not limited to family members, friends or others…” The subject is then [surrounded and supervised by] “Church members…24 hours a day at the direction of [a] Case Supervisor [who will]…determine the time period [the subject]…will remain isolated.”

Each Scientologist who signs the newly revised release form now accepts “without reservation, and without condition…all known and unknown risks of injury, loss, or damage…and specifically absolve[s] all persons and entities from all liabilities of any kind, without limitation, associated with…participation or their participation in [the] Introspection Rundown.”

Sounds like Scientology has found a pretty good legal prophylactic for having intercourse with its members.

Presently Scientology is now being sued for the wrongful death of Lisa McPherson, who allegedly died in the midst of an “Introspection Rundown,” after an apparent mental breakdown.

It is just such legal fallout from its “spiritual assistance” that seems worry Scientology.

The controversial church also keeps files on all its members, which can be a nuisance when lawyers are in the process of discovery or officials conduct investigations. These files include every member from John Travolta to its full-time workers in what is called the “Sea Org.”

In another document recently made public titled “Agreement Regarding Confidential Religious Files” Scientology once again seems concerned with covering its backside regarding potential legal problems.

This revised release form pertains to “folders containing its notations [regarding]…spiritual progress, known as a ‘Preclear Folder’ or ‘PC folder.'”

Scientologists are now apparently obliged to “specifically acknowledge and agree that…PC Folders…are the sole and exclusive property of Church of Scientology International.”

Each person that signs this release further acknowledges that their “PC folder,” which often contains deeply personal and otherwise private information obtained through counseling sessions Scientology calls “auditing,” is ” not mine.” And that they subsequently “…have no legal, ecclesiastical or other rights whatsoever with respect to them.”

According to Scientology the “disclosure” of what is written up within these “folders and files…would be spiritually damaging” to the subject “not only in this lifetime, but in future lifetimes as well.’

Historically, Scientology’s Sea Org members have signed “billion year contracts,” obligating them beyond this life and for future incarnations to the organization. A strange twist combining a belief in reincarnation with Scientology’s own rather rigid work ethic.

The issue of the files is so important that the controversial church expects its members to “forever abandon, surrender, waive, and relinquish without limitation any and all rights of ownership, possession, custody, control, access, copying, and viewing of my PC folder or Folders.”

That “abandonment…is unconditional and irrevocable and applies equally to anyone acting or purporting to be acting on my behalf or for my benefit, whether…alive or dead [like Lisa McPherson]…disabled or incapacitated, and under any and all circumstances foreseen or unforeseen, in perpetuity, without exception or limitation.”

This comprehensive document appears designed to preempt any lawyer or public official from meaningful discovery regarding its member’s files, even posthumously.

The form states; “Anyone acting or purporting to be acting on my behalf or for my benefit ever seek access to any of my PC Folders…this Contract…a complete and sufficient basis for the immediate denial of whatever access is being sought…”

Watch out Tom Cruise. Anything you say to Scientology may be used against you. And if you sign this form it becomes the exclusive property of Scientology forever.

These revealing release forms have come to light through Dr. David Touretzky, a research professor in the Computer Science Department and the Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition at Carnegie Mellon University.

Touretzky’s area of expertise is computational neuroscience, which means he uses computers to study how the brain works.

But since 1995 the professor has also devoted considerable time to the issue of free speech on the Internet and often focused upon efforts by Scientology to squelch such freedoms.

Touretzky maintains a website filled with information about Scientology.

What rights does Scientology now want to squelch regarding its own membership?

What basic rights have Scientology stars and celebrities signed away?

Have Scientologists around the world relinquished human rights as a requirement for membership in Scientology?