Cult News

It looks like Boston banker Bob Minton is nearing the end of his personal saga with Scientology and may be finally moving on.

A Scientology lawyer apparently said as much at a recent conference, according to long-time anti-Scientology activist Gerry Armstrong.

The lawyer claimed that Scientology is preparing to file “a dismissal with prejudice” regarding litigation against Minton and his now defunct “Lisa McPherson Trust.”

Once an avowed activist against the controversial group Minton ultimately seemed to switch sides.

The banker appeared repeatedly in court to essentially help Scientology attack the lawyer representing the Lisa McPherson estate in a wrongful death lawsuit filed against the organization.

However, Minton’s concerted effort to discredit and remove his former professional friend from the case was essentially a failure. The lawsuit his testimony might have derailed is now set for trial next month.

Rumors abound about Minton’s sudden shift.

Many believe Scientology “got something” on their former nemesis to “flip him.”

Whatever the reason for Minton’s seemingly erratic behavior, his relatively short-lived crusade against Scientology apparently is ending “not with a bang, but a whimper.”

A wrongful death lawsuit filed against the Church of Scientology in Florida, but tied up through seemingly endless court actions may finally go to trial.

The controversial church is being sued for the wrongful death of one of its own.

In 1995 a 36-year-old Scientologist named Lisa McPherson apparently snapped and had a breakdown. But rather than take the hysterical woman to a hospital for treatment, Scientologists instead opted to move her to a facility they controlled.

Scientology essentially teaches that the mental health profession is evil and has long opposed both psychiatrists and the use of psychiatric drugs.

For seventeen days after her breakdown McPherson remained under Scientology’s care. And at the end of that period she was dead.

McPherson’s family sued Scientology in February of 1997.

Scientology’s apparent strategy to date has been to keep the lawsuit tied up in endless legal wrangling. It seems their latest ploy was to claim they could not get a fair trial in Clearwater, Florida, due to public opinion against them.

However, somewhat surprisingly they recently abandoned their request for a change of venue, clearing the way for a trial in four weeks, reports the Palm Beach Post.

Critics claim that Scientology abuses the judicial system to wear down and punish its perceived enemies through endless litigation. Founder L. Ron Hubbard literally taught this device to his followers as virtually an article of faith.

Historically, Scientology has been sued many times. But the church often settle cases by paying off plaintiffs. Such plaintiffs are typically asked to sign a “gag order” as part of the settlement agreement, which limits their ability to speak about the organization in the future.

Such settlement agreements can be seen as an effective way to silence critics and control information.

Scientology has apparently made substantial settlement offers, hoping to make the McPherson case go away. But it appears thus far the plaintiff is unwilling to sign off on anything that might limit their freedom of speech.

Now that the trial date is near settlement offers from Scientology, which some say is worth billions, will likely rise prodigiously.

Will the McPherson estate take the money and end the matter?

Or will this case go to trial and offer the public a penetrating look within Scientology perhaps never before fully presented in a courtroom?

Organizations or groups that are personality-driven and/or essentially defined by the personality of a charismatic leader, have often been called “cults.”

However, not all cults are destructive and many over the centuries have been relatively benign.

It seems some American corporations can be seen as consumer “cults,” often driven and/or defined by their founder’s personality.

The saga of the corporate Multi-media Empire wrought by Martha Stewart appears to be one example.

This commercial kingdom is so identified and defined by its creator, it is called “Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc.”

But Martha’s empire has lost half its value, since the stature of its leader began to crumble.

Would Stewart’s cult following stay loyal to the brand without the presence of her personality?

Martha Stewart is an “extreme case of this corporate cult of personality,” reports the Boston Globe.

But there are other personality-driven enterprises such as Oprah Winfey’s synergistic media holdings, which continue to thrive.

Rosie O’Donnell seemed to be embarking on the path of Oprah, until “coming out” became more important to the talk show host than being in the money.

What will be Martha Stewart’s corporate legacy if she is killed in court?

Will her magazine fold, like George did, not long after founder John F. Kennedy Jr. died?

Most cults end or slowly whither away after the leader dies or self-destructs.

There is no “Family” without Charles Manson. And groups like Synanon, Aum and the Nuwaubians faded after their leaders were prosecuted.

But it seems that if there are significant assets and an ample cash flow “cults” can continue after a founder dies.

Witness how Scientology soldiers on undaunted by L. Ron Hubbard’s death in the 80s. Its celebrity faithful like John Travolta and Tom Cruise have not lost faith and keep paying for Hubbard’s “technology.”

The die-hard followers of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh still watch his videos long after their leader’s demise. And they gather to honor him at the still active ashram he started in India.

But after Herbert Armstrong died his Worldwide Church of God struggled to establish a new identity. And it shrank as adherents exited. It seems without Armstrong there was no lasting loyalty.

Which historical “cult” example will Stewart’s “corporate cult of personality” parallel?

Will there be consumer fealty for “Martha Stewart Living,” if Martha is living in prison?

Her fans might move on to a less controversial and/or embattled “domestic diva.”

Martha Stewart may have taught Americans that simplicity is timeless, but it seems probable that her cult following will dwindle if she does any time.

A fertile new ground for “cults” and/or “cult like” groups seems to be business training through seminars, courses and/or workshops.

What could be more profitable than marketing a group’s beliefs and spiritual solutions, with the spin that they somehow have a profitable business application?

An apparent example popped up in a Phoenix newspaper this week in the form of a “workshop” called “The Invincible Salesperson,” offered by a controversial organization named 3HO led by Yogi Bhajan.

3HO didn’t clearly identify itself within the business blurb.

The “Darshan Khalsa workshop” includes “six private consultations” for only $345, according to The Phoenix Republic calendar.

However, 3HO and its guru are more readily known for yoga, meditation and wearing white. And their past pupils have been busted by the FTC for fraud, not to mention the criminal enterprise of drug running.

Never mind.

It seems that some groups called “cults” feel marketing their beliefs as a business course is good for their “bottom line.”

A similar spin has been used by Scientology, though a closely related enterprise called Sterling Management, which essentially touts its founder L. Ron Hubbard’s teachings as a “technology” with applications for business.

But all these courses and seminars ultimately appear to lead participants to the same conclusion.

That is, the sponsoring group’s religious beliefs and practices are a means to improve business.

What’s wrong with that?

Well, this isn’t exactly “business” training, but more like proselytizing and religious indoctrination accomplished through the facade of business training.

However, salvation to a for a business and/or a professional isn’t really based upon subjective beliefs, but rather the objective reality of making money.

The Church of Scientology has a deeply troubled history, especially in Florida. And this may pose a problem for the organization regarding potential jurors in a coming wrongful death civil case.

Floridians commonly call the controversial church a “cult,” “scam,” “strange” and associate its behavior with “brainwashing.”

Scientology counters such criticism with accusations of “religious bigotry” and “hate mongering.”

However, one editorial recently said “residents…are well informed…have good memories” and simply have not forgotten “years of shenanigans,” opined the St. Petersburg Times.

“Bigotry” and “hate mongering” is essentially the typical label Scientology applies to almost any public criticism.

Such claims were once made against Time Magazine, regarding its 1991 cover story “Scientology: The Cult of Greed.”

Likewise, Germany’s close scrutiny of the organization has garnered them the inferred title of “Nazis,” from Scientologists eager to dismiss them.

But maybe “what goes around, comes around” and Scientology is now “reaping what it has sown.”

After decades of bullying its critics and some say abusing many of its members, its history appears to have come back around full circle to haunt the house that L. Ron Hubbard built.

Sadly for Scientologists a recent effort to burnish their image and promote positive spin doesn’t seem to have made much of a difference. Even after using celebrity spokespeople such as Tom Cruise, John Travolta and Lisa Marie Presley.

It seems unlikely that Scientology will find any venue in Florida where people don’t know about the bad behavior of the “cult” that prefers to be called a “church.”

Could there be an isolated swamp somewhere in the Florida wetlands, where no one knows about Scientology?

But you can’t call up alligators for jury duty, or can you?

Kirstie Alley is husband hunting, but her prospects seem rather limited.

The former TV star told the Washington Post while campaigning for yet another Scientology cause that she’s shopping for another husband.

The actress who plugs for Pier 1 said husband number three should be “from 40 to 60…very funny, very smart…married before…had children [and not]…a psychiatrist.”

Scientologists are virtually phobic about mental health professionals. It seems that the religion’s founder L. Ron Hubbard was a bit “crazy” and perhaps feared being locked up.

There is one glaring matrimonial requirement Alley seems to have left out though.

She didn’t mention that perhaps the most important criteria for any potential suitor is his willingness to become involved with Scientology, or at least passively resigned to its influential role in the actress’s life.

Just ask Alley’s last husband actor Parker Stevenson.

Romantic interests and spouses of celebrity Scientologists are likely to be dumped if they don’t at least take a few courses sold by the church.

Ask Lisa Marie’s Presley’s last two husbands.

Nicole Kidman might also have some insight on this subject.

Alley explained that she’s “an absolutist.”

No doubt.

There is little room for much else in the black and white world of most “cult” members.

The Church of Scientology claims it can’t get a fair trial in Pinellas County due to “community prejudice,” which they say is prevalent in that area of Florida.

This claim comes shortly before the scheduled trial for the wrongful death lawsuit against Scientology filed by the family of Lisa McPherson, who died under the church’s care some years ago in 1995.

Church lawyers have filed a motion for a change of venue, reports the St. Petersburg Times.

Before filing the motion Scientologists did a study to see just how local residents who are their neighbors perceive them.

Scientology has thousands of members and numerous facilities in the Clearwater, Florida area, which is in Pinellas County.

But apparently the neighbors who know them best in Florida consider the church a “cult” and a “scam.”

One focus group told researchers they thought the words that best describe Scientology and/or its members are “despicable, lost souls evil and mind controlling.”

The question is where can Scientology go and expect to find a potential jury pool that thinks much different?

What about an isolated Alaskan fishing village near the Arctic Circle or out in the tundra?

After all, Time Magazine once ran a cover story calling Scientology the “Cult of Greed” and describing it somewhat less flatteringly as a “global racket that survives by intimidating members and critics in a Mafia-like manner.”

Maybe the church’s legal team thinks the best “pool” to recruit a “fair” jury from is amongst celebrities lounging around the pool at one of Scientology’s “Celebrity Centers.”

Perhaps Tom Cruise or John Travolta might act as a foreman? And then they might hand pick alternates that aren’t so busy these days like Scientologists Kirstie Alley or Ann Archer?

No doubt these folks would not be considered “prejudiced” and the church would regard their verdict as “fair.”

However, the lawyer for the McPherson family seemed to summarize the situation more accurately.

He said, “They are blaming everyone but themselves for their bad public relations image.”

Typical of many Scientologist celebrities Lisa Marie Presley often uses exposure to promote her religion.

In recent interviews she has touted the supposed salvation Scientology provided from her drug problems.

She says her bout with “cocaine, sedatives, pot and drinking” climaxed at 18, but was resolved when she sought help from the controversial church.

Presley said, “I woke up one day… drove myself to the Church of Scientology and said, ‘Somebody help me right now’,” reports Teen Hollywood.

But here is the rub.

Lisa Marie was raised within Scientology by her mother Priscilla who is an ardent adherent.

So what went wrong in this Scientology household that produced such addictive behavior and drug lust in the teenager?

Lisa Marie doesn’t discuss this.

Cult apologist Philip Arnold trotted out for a Davidian pep rally near Waco last month. And wouldn’t you know that Rev. Moon‘s Washington Times would pop in a plug.

The Moon-controlled newspaper ran the story “Davidians, friends gather in Waco to praise Koresh,” which read more like a press release from cult members, than objective journalism.

Arnold went so far as to compare David Koresh to “Jesus.”

He claimed, “Like Jesus, Koresh came into conflict with traditional theology and was handed over to authorities, who ultimately killed him.”

But does anyone recall passages in the New Testament about “Jesus” abusing women and children, or stockpiling weapons? In fact, didn’t Jesus urge his following to obey civil authority?

Maybe Arnold should brush up on his bible?

Apparently the apologist largely blames the FBI for the tragedy. He stated, “The FBI delivered the apocalypse of the Book of Revelations to the Davidians,” seemingly placing the responsibility for the tragedy with the government.

Arnold runs something called the “Reunion Institute” in Houston and has been touted by the Church of Scientology as a “religious resource.”

During the Waco standoff in 1993 Arnold and an academic friend James Tabor, another “resource” promoted by Scientology, set up shop in Waco and garnered attention with claims they could somehow work with Koresh to end the standoff.

They obviously failed, but don’t expect them to admit this. Instead, the academics insist more time was needed. It seems 51 days just wasn’t enough.

Both Arnold and Tabor were once associated with the controversial Worldwide Church of God, another group frequently called a “cult.”

Various Davidians and hanger-ons rallied for the 10th anniversary of the ill-fated standoff with Arnold, all holding forth with essentially the same refrain. That is, Koresh and his followers were “persecuted” and victimized by federal law-enforcement.

However, two congressional hearings, an independent investigation and a jury concluded otherwise.

Never mind.

Apologists like Arnold and the remaining Davidians are too deeply and personally invested in their positions to face the facts about the cult murder/suicide.

The Washington Times, which is controlled by a purported “cult leader,” likewise is invested in its own agenda and can be expected to slant news coverage accordingly.

Don’t expect a newspaper controlled by Rev. Moon to be interested in an exploration of how destructive cult leaders exercise undue influence over their followers. That might be bad for business.

Seth Joseph was a senior executive vice president at Digital Lightwave, until he tried to get the sister of Scientology’s supreme leader off the company payroll, reports the St. Petersburg Times.

Joseph wanted to dump Denise Licciardi, the twin sister of David Miscavige, Scientology’s apparent leader for life.

Licciardi was reportedly “linked to an accounting scandal.”

However, the CEO and founder of the company Bryan Zhan, a Scientologist, apparently decided his devotion to the controversial church outweighed obligations to stockholders or creditors.

He fired Joseph; it seems to avoid upsetting his religious leader.

So Joseph sued Digital Ligtwave for wrongful termination and eventually landed a $5.2 million dollar judgment, which the company says it won’t appeal.

But maybe the ex-employee should hurry to collect while he can.

Digital Lightwave appears to be on a downward spiral, recently tapping an emergency credit line to keep afloat.

It seems whatever Scientology courses Zhan took failed to provide him with the insight necessary to keep his company from tanking.

Perhaps the CEO should have watched his bottom line more and worried about Scientology less.