Cult News

An “ironic masterpiece,” which is a “completely unauthorized look at the Church of Scientology. The production is now playing in New York City at 432 West 42nd Street, between ninth and tenth avenues.

A parody of the “spectacular life story of L. Ron Hubbard…dissected against the candy-colored backdrop of the a traditional nativity play.”

“One of the funniest and most bewildering holiday shows you will every see.”

See a cast of 8-12 year-olds portray your favorite Scientology celebrities such as former sitcom star Kirstie Alley, one-time disco diva John Travolta and of course the only remaining SS (Scientology superstar) the now middle-aged Top Gun Tom Cruise.

It certainly can’t be any worse than sitting through that stinker movie Battlefield Earth and in this production the humor is intended.

The show’s producers say it’s “based on the actual principles of Scientology and the seriously unbelievable life story of [its] founder L. Ron Hubbard.”

Tickets are still available for performances during December.

Don’t miss this opportunity to witness the saga of “one teacher, author, explorer, atomic physicist, nautical engineer, choreographer and horticulturist,” not to mention a seemingly pathological liar.

The man who supposedly has “motivated millions,” while making “some as well.”

Tickets at The Tank are only $10.00 through Smarttix, which is practically a give-away when compared to the costs of taking Scientology courses and participating in its so-called “auditing,” and probably much more entertaining.

And for any Scientologists out there, this could offer a brief respite from the “Cult of Greed” during the holiday season.

Ho, ho, ho!

Note: All quotes regarding the NYC production are from a promotional mailer sent by The Tank .

Mark Anderson was once a full-time pastor for Rev. Moon’s Unification Church in Phoenix, now he is a state senator serving in the Arizona legislature.

Controversy has surrounded Anderson historically. It seems that the senator’s legislative agenda may be more focused upon serving Moon, than the people of his district.

But Anderson’s supposedly heavenly approved leader may have bidden the legislator to work closely with another organization frequently called a “cult.”

Senator Anderson is pushing legislation that would preclude charging parents with abuse or neglect if they refuse to place or keep a child on psychiatric medication reported the .
Arizona Daily News

Anderson especially singled out the drug Ritalin, used to medicate hyperactive children as an example.

“Most of the kids who committed these Columbine-type crimes were kids on those kinds of drugs,” claimed the senator from Mesa. No study was cited to support this claim.

Anderson’s list of drugs that parent’s might withhold included anti-convulsants, which are used to treat seizures.

Another state senator strongly disagreed with his fellow Republican legislator. He said members of the Church of Scientology are pushing this legislation, because they “dislike any kind of psychiatry or psychology.”

But why would one of Rev. Moon’s faithful be so concerned about Scientology’s agenda?

Interestingly, the Moon-controlled Washington Times ran a story recently titled “Cruise line” (October 19th) about the actor Tom Cruise’s crusade against Ritalin.

“The biggest star on the planet…wants the public to know about…’the drugging of children’…needlessly prescribed…Ritalin,” breathlessly reported Rev. Moon’s daily newspaper within the US capital.

The Times story appeared just days before the Arizona Daily News report about Anderson’s efforts.

What’s up? Was this some sort of coordinated effort?

Have two of the biggest organizations called “cults” in the world today formed an alliance?

Is this part of a pragmatic series of legislative ventures and public relations ploys worked upon jointly by Scientology and the Unification Church?

Groups called “cults” typically seem to have one thing in common, the pursuit of power.

So despite their stark theological differences the Sci-fi “cult” and the self-proclaimed “messiah” from South Korea may have forged an “unholy alliance” based upon that.

Tom Cruise has been busy holding forth lately on everything from Japanese culture to “inner peace,” promoting his latest movie The Last Samurai reports AAP.

Of course “inner peace” for the actor comes from Scientology not Zen.

However, the devout Scientologist wasn’t so serene when Today Show host Katie Couric pressed him about the controversy that surrounds his religion in a Dateline interview.

Cruise curtly cut Katie off when she asked him about the persistently controversial organization that has church status in the US.

“Controversial but with who?” said the one-time member of The Firm.

Before Couric could offer an explanation he cut her off again.

“See you’re wrong,” he told Katie.

Then the NBC host really did it; she used the “W” word, offering that Scientology seems a bit “weird.”

Cruise shifted into hyper-drive.

“Absolutely, you’re wrong. And I can tell you that my personal experience with it, you know, I’ve been a Scientologist for going on, I guess 17 years. And it’s extraordinary, it’s extraordinary. And you know, you always have to look at someone who criticizes you, you have to look at them and say, okay, so? Who is that person? Why? What do they know? And I can tell you, you’re sitting in front of a Scientologist who knows. And I can tell you from my personal experience it’s been extraordinary for me. I wouldn’t be here where I am today without, you know, those things to help me out.”

Some might observe that Tom Cruise protests just a bit too much.

Couric seemed to think so. She said,”This obviously annoys you, I can tell.”

“Well I think it’s bigotry. And it’s people’s ignorance. And it’s something that I am offended by. Absolutely I’m offended by what you said, everyone and everybody, and that’s not true.”

Maybe Katie Couric should join the Klan and do some cross burning? What an “ignorant bigot” she must be to ask critical questions about Scientology.

Cruise ranted on, obviously Katie had hit his hot button.

“I think Scientology is misunderstood by some people. But I think also you look at Scientology it is the fastest growing religion. It’s helped so many people. I know it, because I use it and I am a Scientologist. And it’s extraordinary, is what it is… You know, when I make choices, it’s not just what is best for me. You know, it’s what is the right thing. What is the right thing to do. And I think through everything that I’ve been through, that I feel I can sit here and say I feel good about it. I feel good about the decisions that I made and I’m happy. You know, I’m really happy.”

OK. But something about this star’s temperament is very telling.

Cruise may be just a bit nervous. After all he could use a hit movie to fuel more than his jet. His last few films (Minority Report, Vanilla Sky and Eyes Wide Shut) have been less than blockbusters. And the middle-aged actor now appears to be the last Scientologist Superstar (SS) standing.

Is Tom Cruise’s career running out of gas?

Let’s face it John Travolta’s films have bombed for five years and his SS status is a serious question.

Former sitcom star Kirstie Alley is down to pitching for Pier 1.

Perhaps Cruise is “really happy” for his ex-wife Nicole Kidman though. After her split from the SS and his religion she has had one critically acclaimed film after another, not to mention the Oscar on her shelf.

So what happened?

Has this “extraordinary” religion somehow let down Tom Cruise?

Hey Katie, that might be a good question to ask Nicole Kidman.

The Last Samurai does appear promising and maybe this will turn out to be a good pick for the former Top Gun.

People often think that old gurus fade away like old soldiers, but some just get really rich.

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the founder of Transcendental Meditation (TM) at 92 is one of the oldest gurus around and also it seems possibly the richest.

He was the guru that handed out mantras to the Beatles in the 1960s. Old fans of the “Fab Four” may think after that he just toddled off into obscurity, without the cache of the British rockers.

However, over the following decades Maharishi methodically built a literal spiritual empire, which is now worth more than all the former Beatles fortunes combined.

Paul McCartney is reportedly worth more than one billion dollars, but his old guru has more than triple the wealth of the knighted Beatle known now as Sir Paul.

Maharishi controls combined real estate and business holdings of at least $3.6 billion dollars reports the Hartford Advocate. Though some estimate his vast financial empire is really worth closer to $5 billion.

This may make Maharishi the richest purported “cult” leader in the world.

The TM founder’s closest rivals for that title would likely be:

Rev. Moon 82, who controls the Unification Church and somewhere around $3 billion.

And then there is David Miscavige, the current head of Scientology, a global organization with its own hefty holdings, which some say might easily be worth more than $1 billion.

All this goes to prove that there may be “no business like show business,” but “cults” can really pay off big time.

Denis Leary held his third annual bash for New York’s Bravest at a hotel in Manhattan

“I started this after 9/11 to help the families of firefighters,” he told Cindy Adams at the New York Post (October 24).

Other notable celebrities such as Jim Gandolfini, Harrison Ford, Richard Gere, Julianne Moore and John McEnroe have been past supporters of this event.

And celebrities at helping out for this year’s bash included Robert De Niro, Elizabeth Hurley, Hugh Grant and Kiefer Sutherland.

However, one star may have a somewhat hidden agenda of his own.

“Tom Cruise has been behind the scenes for a year,” Leary said. The devout Scientologist is reportedly concerned about “guys with breathing problems from the smoke.”

Leary says Cruise wants “to build them a steam and sauna place on Long Island…[to help] their condition.” And that the actor has “gotten involved with funding it privately.”

But what the well-meaning Leary and other celebs may not know is that almost any charity Cruise becomes involved in is usually connected to Scientology in some way, whether its an education project or NYC rescue workers.

No doubt that the proposed “steam and sauna place” is based upon what Scientologists call the “purification rundown” a religious ritual they believe purifies people. The same rundown is touted by “Downtown Medical,” a controversial clinic in lower Manhattan closely associated with Scientology.

Perhaps Denis Leary should be careful about at least one celebrity he has included in his well-meaning annual event.

A softer version of the New York Times story “Scientologist’s Treatments Lure Firefighters” came out through Associated Press (AP). The AP titled its story “Firefighters seek treatment recommended by Scientologist.”

The “treatment” is provided by Downtown Medical, located in lower Manhattan, which provides Scientology’s “purification rundown” for the detoxification of FDNY firemen and others that worked at Ground Zero.

AP’s report was run virtually verbatim by a local New York news website 1010 Wins.

This Scientology-related program certainly is getting its money’s worth from Joseph Higgins; a retired firefighter who is a paid member of the controversial clinic’s advisory board.

The former fireman certainly kept spinning and plugging away for his benefactor in the AP piece.

“I am obligated to let every firefighter and rescue worker who was exposed to the dust know about the program,” Sounding more like a preacher than a professional Higgins testified it “saved my life.”

But here is what Joe should feel “obligated” to tell “every firefighter and rescue worker,” but if he did his paychecks might be stopped.

When firefighters and rescue workers take treatment at Downtown Medical they are becoming involved with Scientology, albeit through a carefully organized labyrinth of intertwining organizations.

Anyone with access to the Internet can easily find out that the clinic is little more than the latest extension of an ongoing effort emanating from Scientology to promote the controversial teachings and dubious practices proscribed by its founder L. Ron Hubbard.

For those who might be somewhat Internet impaired or inhibited here is a simple guide to obtain background information concerning Scientology’s connections to Downtown Medical and its treatment program.

Interested journalists and curious Netizens should start with an article from the Boston Herald series “Scientology Unmasked” titled “Scientology group reaches kids through PBS videos.”

Point and click here.

In this piece a program called FASE is outlined.

“FASE was originally created to put Scientology covertly into schools and government, to give the Purification Rundown [the treatment used by the Downtown Medical on firemen] an air of respectability,” said a former high-ranking church insider. He added, “they could use it to get in the door.”

Is Scientology now using this strategy to “get in the door” at FDNY and maybe grab some government funding?

The NY Times reported that “the city’s main fire union has pledged its ‘full support’ to the clinic as it seeks government grants and other forms of financing.”

The Boston Herald reported, “Nearly two-thirds of FASE’s $17 million production costs over a six-year period from 1990-1995 were paid for with $12 million-plus in U.S. government grants from the Departments of Justice, Commerce, Energy, Education and Labor; and the National Science Foundation. In its grant applications, FASE did not state that it was linked to the Church of Scientology.”

Incorporation papers filed in 1981 with the Attorney General of California, in Sacramento, show that FASE was created for the explicit purpose of promoting “the works of L. Ron Hubbard.” The papers were later amended to remove Hubbard’s name.

The Herald also reported that the “controversial detox method” is seen as a “preliminary religious ritual that all new members must buy.”

Do FDNY firemen know that they are participating in a “preliminary religious ritual”? Don’t expect Joe Higgins to tell them anytime soon.

So what does FASE have to do with Downtown Medical?

Well, other than the obvious connection that the NY clinic clearly uses the very same Hubbard/Scientology method of treatment commonly called the “purification rundown,” there are other links.

That is, a series of interconnecting hyper links to other Web pages that is literally visible on the Internet.

Go to the official website of FASE and see the top of the column to the left titled “Foundation News.”

Point and click here.

Note the link “New York Rescue Workers Detoxification Project.”

At this Web page read the definitive promotional pitch for FASE and its self-described role of promoting L. Ron Hubbard’s “detoxification program.”

This includes the following; “Foundation staff and associates have played an ongoing role in the…establishment of the New York Rescue Workers Detoxification Project.”

Point and click here.

The last sentence on this page suggests “click here to learn more about this remarkable humanitarian effort.”

And where does this link take visitors?

Web surfers will then find themselves at the official website of the New York Workers Detoxification Project.

The same project who pays Joseph Higgins as an advisory board member.

Another means of establishing the self-serving, synergistic connections between these organizations, which are so closely associated with the Church of Scientology, is to follow some of the principle players involved.

Specifically, this means noting two names in particular that keep popping up–Jim Woodworth and Dr. David Root.

Woodworth is the executive director of the controversial NY detox clinic.

He is also on the advisory board of the New York Rescue Workers Detoxification Project.

Point and click here.

And Woodworth is also listed as a staff member at the International Academy of Detoxification Specialists, which is also aligned with Scientology.

Point and click here.

Woodworth is likewise executive director at Health Med, yet another organization linked to Scientology.

Point and click here.

Doctors at the California Department of Health Services have accused Health Med of making “false medical claims” and of “taking advantage of the fears of workers and the public about toxic chemicals and their potential health effects.”

Dr. Root likewise wears many hats.

He is Health Med’s medical director.

Again, point and click here.

And Root like his colleague Woodworth sits on the advisory board of the NY Rescue Workers Detoxification Project.

Once again, point and click here.

Root also serves as the senior medical advisor for the International Academy of Detoxification Specialists.

And again, point and click here.

Scientology tacitly reveals these connections on its own official website in an article titled “Purification program saves New York fireman’s lives.”

The article sates; “9/11 left hundreds of members of the New York Fire Department (FDNY) and other rescue workers at the World Trade Center site, severely debilitated from the toxins they were exposed to during the tragedy. To get rid of the toxins a group of the rescue personnel recently began L. Ron Hubbard’s Purification detoxification program at Health Med, a medical clinic that delivers the program.”

Point and click here.

This Scientology page ends with the statement; “To enroll on the Purification Program at the Church of Scientology nearest you, click here.”

This link takes interested visitors directly to a Web page where you can locate the nearest Church of Scientology.

Stephan Hittmann, executive director of the FDNY Office of Fire and Life Safety told the AP, “The program seems to be the real deal.”

However, “the real deal” instead seems to be the connections to Scientology Hittmann should examine more closely.

The AP neglected to include quotes from the toxicology expert interviewed by the NY Times. He stated that the NY clinic’s program is an “unproven, scientifically bereft notion.”

Nor did AP quote the NY Times citation of an official report, which concluded that Hubbard’s purification rundown, was “quackery,” and that “no recognized body of toxicologists, no department of occupational medicine, nor any governmental agencies endorse or recommend such treatment.”

The AP did offer readers the following endnote though; “The Church of Scientology, founded by Hubbard in 1954, teaches that technology can expand the mind and help solve problems.”

However, Time Magazine wasn’t quite so kind. The mega-magazine featured Scientology on its May 6, 1991 cover as “The Cult of Greed.”

The Time cover story further described Scientology as “a hugely profitable global racket that survives by intimidating members and critics in a Mafia-like manner.”

Point and click here.

That same noted Time Magazine article pointed out Scientology’s connection to Health Med and further stated that it “promotes a grueling and excessive system of saunas, exercise and vitamins designed by Hubbard to purify the body.”

Time also said, “Experts denounce the regime as quackery and potentially harmful, yet Health Med solicits unions and public agencies for contracts.”

Time also reported that “Hubbard’s purification treatments are the mainstay of Narconon, a Scientology-run chain of…alcohol and drug rehabilitation centers.”

Scientology sued Time Magazine regarding its 1991 expose’, but the case was dismissed and never went to trial.

Some say that this litigation created a chill amongst the mainstream media concerning critical coverage about the controversial church.

Is this why some media outlets don’t report the facts regarding Scientology-related programs so clearly in plain view on the Internet?

L. Ron Hubbard’s creation Scientology has grown to become perhaps the most powerful “cult” in America; its only meaningful competitor for that title seems to be Rev. Moon’s Unification Church.

Like Moon’s “cult” empire, which has historically manifested itself through a myriad of front organizations, not to mention Moon-controlled holdings such as the Washington Times and United Press International (historic competitor of AP), Scientology also seems to seep through society in many guises.

Will the NY Times or AP take the time to simply surf the Internet for the facts regarding Scientology’s connections to Downtown Medical?

It seems like this isn’t that difficult.

New York City firefighters and their families have suffered enough and should not be used as pawns or props for some Scientology-related fund-raising, recruitment and/or promotional scheme.

Today news about a Scientology-based program offered to New York City firefighters finally made it into a NYC newspaper.

CultNews has repeatedly reported about a specious “clinic” in downtown Manhattan that offers a controversial “detoxification” program, conceived by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard.

Just yesterday CultNews revealed a fundraising connection between the clinic and actor Tim Robbins.

Today the New York Times broke the story in a report titled “Scientologist’s Treatments Lure Firefighters,”

The controversial treatment used by Scientologists for detoxification is commonly called the “purification rundown” and is also featured within another Scientology spin-off called Narconon, for the rehabilitation of drug users.

Hubbard’s detox supposedly purges poisons. Firefighters exposed to toxins at Ground Zero are not charged for treatment at the clinic, which is called “Downtown Medical.”

However, according to the NY Times Scientologist Tom Cruise paid for “quite a bit” of the treatments for rescue workers, estimated “to cost $5,000 to $6,000 apiece.”

CultNews reported that Cruise is the co-founder of a closely related project that supports the clinic.

140 firefighters and 15 emergency medical workers have reportedly undergone the treatment program.

But NYC Fire Department officials appear to be upset. They say “the clinic’s detoxification program requires firefighters to stop using inhalers meant to help with their breathing and any medications they may be taking, like antidepressants or blood pressure pills.”

Scientology is vehemently opposed to any medication prescribed by psychiatrists.

David Prezant, deputy chief medical officer for the NY Fire Department said, “It’s risky for anybody to stop any type of medication without guidance and a plan from their own treating physician.” The doctor also observed, “there’s no proven evidence [the clinic program] works.”

A NYC Fire Department Deputy Commissioner advised, “While we are aware some members of the department have availed themselves of the program, we in no way endorse it.”

Influential figures respected by NYC firefighters are nevertheless personally promoting the controversial program.

Joseph Higgins, a prominent retired firefighter is a paid member of the controversial clinic’s advisory board.

Higgins said, “It’s actually a pretty awesome program.” And he is a former fire academy drill instructor who claims to have trained over half the city’s firefighters.

Another advisory board member is Israel Miranda, the president of the union that represents emergency medical workers. Like Higgins Miranda has considerable influence and he is a current instructor at the emergency medical worker’s academy.

Stephen J. Cassidy, the president of the Uniformed Firefighters Association, appears to have served as a promotional tool too.

A letter from Cassidy is posted on the clinic’s website. It reads, “The statements I have heard from firefighters who have completed the program are truly remarkable… [and] the work you are doing in this regard is unique in the city, and is very welcome.”

However, a toxicology expert quoted by the NY Times stated the clinic’s program is an “unproven, scientifically bereft notion.”

In a 1988 report the same expert stated that Hubbard’s purification rundown was “quackery,” and that “no recognized body of toxicologists, no department of occupational medicine, nor any governmental agencies endorse or recommend such treatment.”

It seems like Scientology’s apparent effort to manipulate NYC firemen in an attempt to promote the teachings of L. Ron Hubbard has finally been widely exposed.

Hopefully, with this story reported within the pages of NY Times, further efforts by Scientologists to use the NYC Fire Department, its firefighters and the 9-11 tragedy for what looks like self-promotion and proselytizing will end.

Actors and domestic partners Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon are known for their social activism. But it looks like Robbins has become the unwitting pawn of Scientology.

Members of Tim Robbins’ company Actors Gang put on the play The Guys, which was the centerpiece for a Vail fundraiser staged by an organization called the “New York Workers Detoxification Project.”

Co-founder of that project is devout Scientologist Tom Cruise.

Even though Robbins lives in Manhattan instead of Hollywood, home to many Scientology celebrities, he should know that when Cruise supports something there is often a Scientology hook.

Cruise’s latest project is touting that “one method for reducing body levels of toxic chemicals has been widely implemented, studied and demonstrated to be safe and effective the detoxification program developed by L. Ron Hubbard.”

Or so says the project’s website.

L. Ron Hubbard is the founder of Scientology.

The “method” developed by Hubbard is commonly called the “purification rundown,” which the project claims is “a precise regimen that includes exercise, sauna bathing, and vitamin, mineral and oil supplements.”

Scientology uses it to purge everything from illicit drugs to carpet cleaner.

At the project’s website you can see New York City firemen supposedly sweating out toxins in all the colors of the rainbow.

But as CultNews reported this summer during July and August the bizarre claims made by Scientology about its “rundown” are not well-supported by peer reviewed scientific studies published in medical journals.

A Swedish medical expert concluded, “There is no documentation to show that the Hubbard method of detoxification…conforms to scientific standards and medical experience.” And that “the risks and side effects of the treatment method have also not been evaluated in a serious way.”

Doesn’t anyone care about the “risks” to NYC firemen?

All this information is readily accessible through the Internet and the project’s own website.

Don’t Robbins and his partner Sarandon research projects before becoming personally or professionally involved?

Hey Tim and Susan, try surfing the net!

Robbins may mean well, but it appears that he and the NYC Fire Department are little more than props being used by Scientology in its own production.

NXIVM, a controversial organization called a “cult,” proposed a 67,000 square foot complex to be built in the town of Halfmoon near Albany, New York. But it seems that project may be effectively blocked reports the Albany Times-Union.

The Sartoga Count Planning Board has nixed NXIVM (pronounced Nexium) proposed building.

More than a hundred residents signed a petition saying they didn’t want NXIVM in their neighborhood.

The controversial organization’s titular head and self-proclaimed “Prefect” is Nancy Salzman, though the real power behind NXIVM seems to be Salzman’s “mentor” Keith Raniere, who students call “Vanguard.”

Troubled history

Keith Raniere has a troubled history. His previous business incarnations include a multi-level marketing scheme and vitamin/health food concerns. Both businesses failed.

Mr. Raniere’s multi-level marketing business called Consumer Buyline was labeled a “pyramid scheme” by New York Attorney General Robert Abrams and literally sued out of existence by several state attorney generals including New York, Pennsylvania and Arkansas.

Consumer Buyline left in its wake unpaid taxes, liens, judgments and many unhappy participants.

A class action lawsuit filed in Boston was apparently the final round for the company. Raniere agreed to pay $25,000 in a final settlement during 1992, which effectively restricted his business. At this time he claimed to be broke.

Lesson learned?

What did Keith Raniere learn from his past business experiences?

In an affidavit filed last month in Albany federal court Mr. Raniere states, “Throughout this process I had learned how people can cheat to win.” And he seems to think that the collapse of Consumer Buyline was somehow due to “political problems.”

New business

The man they call “Vanguard” today is described as a “scientist, mathematician, philosopher and entrepreneur.” And he is now selling something called “Rational Inquiry.” This is what NXIVM says is a “science based on [a]…belief.”

Learning this “science” in-depth includes 16 consecutive days of intensive training 12 hours a day. This comes to 192 hours of structured coaching classes. Students may then take additional intensives, courses and attend various events and classes.

Expert opinions

Forensic psychiatrist and noted cult expert John Hochman, who reviewed the NXIVM program warns, “Mind control represents indoctrination without informed consent. It relies on calculated strategies to mislead and to misinform. It particularly relies on emotional manipulation.”

Hochman concluded, [NXIVM] is a kingdom of sorts, ruled by a Vanguard, who writes his own dictionary of the English language, has his own moral code, and the ability to generate taxes on subjects by having them participate in his seminars.”

Psychologist Paul Martin whose work is focused upon the treatment of cult victims also reviewed the NXIVM programs and compared them to thought reform often called “brainwashing.”

Martin said, “ESP has characteristics that are consistent with the themes of thought reform.”

He also offered this observation within a separate critical analysis. “What then are some of the consequences of those subject to thought reform programs? [Robert J.] Lifton [author of Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism] observed certain clinical symptoms in the subjects he studied. For example: ‘borderline psychotic state, split identity, fear…'”

Martin adds, “There were first-hand reports of some becoming psychotic.”

At least three NXIVM students that attended its intensive programs subsequently sought psychiatric care. One of those students, while in the midst of a “Level 2 Intensive,” had a psychotic episode and was hospitalized in Albany.

Lawsuits

In an effort to remove the reports written by Hochman and Martin from public view, Keith Raniere and his “mentored” associate Nancy Salzman have filed lawsuits in federal court against the good doctors, the Ross Institute and myself. They claim “trade secret” and “copyright” violations, because the doctors quote NXIVM material to substantiate points made within their reports.

This is the same legal strategy often employed by the notorious “cult” Scientology in numerous failed lawsuits filed against its own critics on the Internet.

In an interesting twist it appears that Nancy O’Meara, a well-known Scientology operative, has assisted Raniere and Salzman in their current litigation.

O’Meara wrote in an August email, “I am working on two cases right now where [Rick Ross] is being sued for copyright trademark violation.”

Whose model?

Raniere claims NXIVM courses are based upon “my model.” And NXIVM’s “12 Point Mission Statement” states its goal is to reach “an internal “state of clear.”

Ironically, this is precisely the same verbiage often used by Scientology to describe a goal of its training. Raniere also frequently uses the description “suppressive person,” more language commonly associated with Scientology.

Another apparent source for some of NXIVM’s language and principles seems to be Landmark Education, previously known as EST, a controversial company also engaged in the business of large group awareness training, courses and seminars.

Mr. Raniere also likes to quote Ayn Rand the author of Atlas Shrugged and Fountainhead.

So whose model is NXIVM really based upon?

Is Keith Raniere guilty of trade secret and copyright violations?

Reported losses

NXIVM sought court ordered injunctions to either close down this website or remove the critical articles about its programs previously mentioned.

Last week a federal judge denied the injunctions .

Mr. Raniere claimed in a recent court affidavit, “We have even lost a 4 year veteran Principal Coach… Goldie Hawn cancelled her engagement…a billionaire network founder…has left…we are losing $10,000 a day in revenue and the problem is escalating.”

With his building plan blocked, the above claimed losses and a federal judge denying his court motions, is Keith Raniere on another losing streak?

Psychologist and peripatetic professional “cult apologist” Dick Anthony is on the road again.

This time the man who often defends Scientology and considers Rev. Moon’s Unification Church and the Waco Davidians “non traditional religions” is plying his trade in Dixie.

Anthony charges $3,500 per day for his services and is now working for Jane Whaley, the leader of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) in Spindale, North Carolina.

WOFF has often been called a “cult,” so it seems that would qualify Whaley as a client for Anthony.

Whaley and her followers are warring against a mother for custody of her four minor children. The alleged “cult leader” has apparently decided that some parents can’t leave her church with their family intact.

Former members say Whaley essentially controls her following through “brainwashing.”

However, Anthony is slated to submit an affidavit that will rebut such claims reports the Digital Courier.

Such a job is rather routine for the traveling professional apologist whose trade seems to be getting “cults” off the hook in legal situations.

“Have apologies, will travel,” must be Anthony’s motto in what appears to be a lucrative business.

And he certainly has his work cut out for him in the WOFF case.

The group is known for its bizarre behavior through such practices as “blasting.” This is when members are subjected to so-called “strong prayer” to deliver them from evil influences and/or sinfulness. Blasting basically amounts to surrounding and then screaming at someone designated as a likely “sinner.”

Not a pleasant experience according to some former members.

During recent court proceedings in Spindale Anthony was seen taking copious notes.

But at $3,500 per day is Whaley really getting her money’s worth?

Maybe the alleged “cult leader” should have checked out Anthony’s references first, case by case.

Dick has been on a bit of a losing streak lately.

Jehovah’s Witnesses and Scientology, two of his most recent clients, each paid out substantial settlements despite Dick’s help.

The Witnesses alone opted to pay a plaintiff $1.5 million, the largest settlement in their history, rather than rely on Anthony as an expert in court.

Such settlements don’t really support the effectiveness and/or professional ability of this “cult apologist.”

Never mind. Anthony still seems to be laughing all the way to the bank and it looks like another good payday for him in Spindale.