Cult News

Scientology’s latest big celebrity fish is none other than James Packer, executive chairman of PBL and heir to Australia’s “richest fortune,” reports the Sun-Herald.

Packer 35, was apparently recruited during a troubled period in his life. This past summer he and his wife seperated. He then received support and apparently some advice from his new friend Tom Cruise, who it seems introduced his buddy to Scientology.

Cruise may have lost one Australian for Scientology, ex-wife Nicole Kidman, but it looks like he has recruited a richer one. And whatever money the former Mrs. Cruise took with her through the divorce settlement, it would likely only be “chump change” to this wealthy Aussie, who has access to billions.

Scientology seems to be sucking Packer in fast. A Scientologist is now reportedly his “personal assistant” and he was evidently spotted at one of their Australian campuses. Packer has also traveled frequently to Los Angeles in the past year. LA is where the church maintains much of its operations and a “Celebrity Center” that caters to prominent members.

What Packer cannot know until he reaches “Operating Thetan Level 3” is that the whole “religion” is based upon a story originated by sci-fi author L. Ron Hubbard, about alien beings from outer space. And the Aussie heir can only find this out after considerable paying, not just praying.

Hopefully, Packer’s father, the richest man in Australia, will check out this controversial new religion soon. After all, it was once dubbed the “Cult of Greed” by Time Magazine.

Some say that after Scientology hooks you, it’s not so easy to swim away.

Is Scientology hard up for new members?

Despite claims that it has “millions” of adherents some critics have said its total membership may be less than 100,000 and shrinking.

So what do businesses often do when they have a slump? They increase advertising and look for new markets.

Now the Church of Scientology is engaged in an ongoing ad campaign seemingly focused upon recruiting college students.

Scientology is recognized as a “church” in the United States, but considered otherwise in many countries.

And now it seems to be acting more like a business than a church. Scientology is paying for splashy ads placed within college newspapers. The inserted promotions have been run at US colleges, but are now finding their way to an expanded market in other countries.

This has caused controversy at some campuses, but Scientology’s frequent response to any criticism is that it reflects “religious bigotry.”

Controversy emerged again when ads were run promoting the “science” of “Dianetics” at Oxford in Great Britain. One official said that accepting the ad was “profoundly irresponsible.”

But the editor replied that to do otherwise would be “religious bigotry and intolerance,” reports the Oxford Student.

What is Dianetics?

Dianetics is the so-called “science” created by sci-fi writer and Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. Hubbard’s creation has also been called “pseudo-science.” However, by making his “science” a religion Mr. Hubbard conveniently sidestepped the need to prove his claims through any credible peer-reviewed scientific research.

After decades of critical media reports Scientology seems to prefer buying its own press through paid advertising. And it also appears to have joined the ranks of other groups called “cults” that work colleges and universities for new recruits.

Students should know that Scientology can be expensive. And any student that take its courses is likely to find this out.

In Ireland a cautionary story recently emerged, reported within the Irish Times. A woman who took Scientology courses later sued them. She said they hurt her through “mind control techniques.” One man who made similar claims in the United States ultimately won his lawsuit and received $8.7 million dollars.

So has the Church of Scientology embraced targeted marketing as an article of faith?

Recruiting at the better colleges might be lucrative. Some students have extra cash, or at least credit cards. And after college many are likely to earn good salaries.

However, should a “church” be so concerned with expanding its customer client base?

Apparently the church that Hubbard built is concerned. Scientology seems engaged in a rather concerted effort to expand its market share amongst the demographic group most often targeted by groups called “cults.”

In Germany Scientology doesn’t have the same power or privilege it enjoys in the United States. Most Germans regard the organization as a business scheme, not a “church.”

The Interior Minister of Bavaria has now called upon the federal government to ban the group, reports the Frankfurter Allgemeine.

Bavaria currently has an assistance program for the victims of Scientology and police monitor the group’s activities in that area.

Scientology calls such treatment “persecution” and has used Hollywood celebrities through lobbying efforts and various publicity ploys to attack Germany, most notably Tom Cruise and John Travolta.

But that spin fell flat when a German girl won a settlement of 35,000 Euros from her parents for sending her to a Scientology school that she said ruined her health.

The girl was raised as a Scientologist, but later fled her family. Scientology lawyers failed to suppress the story in court and the sensational case was reported within the German press.

It seems that rather than being the victim of “persecution” in Germany, Scientology has victimized its own members and appears to be a health hazard.

Many experts have noted that not only has the number of groups called “cults” has grown substantially in the past twenty years, they have also gained considerable momentum and influence within the United States.

A featured presentation about destructive cults at the 2002 annual convention for the American Psychological Association (APA) drew this comment from its President Dr. Philip G. Zimbardo, “When some organizations that promote religious or self-growth agendas become rich enough to wield power to suppress media exposés, influence legal judgments or publicly defame psychology, how can they be challenged?”

Zimbardo observations were published within the APA’s Monitor.

Groups that have often been called “cults” such as Scientology and Rev. Moon’s Unification Church have in fact become “rich enough” to “wield the power” Zimbardo talks about. Within the United States and internationally these two “cults” alone control billions of dollars.

Scientology and the Unification Church have acquired political power that reaches all the way to the White House. This was demonstrated by Scientology’s unprecedented access during the Clinton Administration and the special relationship Rev. Moon has with the Bush Family.

It remains to be seen how Moon’s influence may impact the so-called “Faith Based Initiative” proposed by President George W. Bush, which would fund religious programs with government money.

Rev. Moon’s influence on Capital Hill cannot be denied. He has become part of its establishment, largely through control of the Washington Times. And Moon also courts religious and political leaders through banquets, celebrations and conferences, which are well attended.

Groups like Scientology and the Unification Church also have funded efforts to “suppress media” and “influence legal judgements.”

Scientology has arguably turned litigation into something of a religious rite.

Time Magazine published the cover story, “Scientology: The Cult of Greed,” and was promptly sued for $400 million dollars. Even though Scientology lost, the litigation cost Time millions of dollars and took years to resolve. This produced a substantial chilling effect within the media, which served to suppress stories about the controversial church in the United States.

Likewise, Scientology has made a point of going after its critics personally. This has included defamation, libel and personal injury. The net result is that many that might expose the group don’t—due it seems largely to fear.

The Unification Church has frequently funded efforts to “influence legal judgements.” Notably an ongoing campaign through academic surrogates to discredit research about cults.

Some years ago the APA itself became involved through the filing of a “friend of the court brief.” That brief effectively would have helped the Unification Church in its defense regarding a personal injury lawsuit filed by a former member. However, the brief was later withdrawn.

Dr. Dick Anthony was the psychologist largely responsible for that effort. Anthony continues to work for groups called “cults” and is paid $3,500 per day for his efforts. One of his employers is Scientology, which also recommends him, through a front organization called the “reformed Cult Awareness Network.”

Defenders of “cults” such as Anthony are anxious to disprove the “theory of mind control.”

However, Zimbardo has acknowledged the existence of mind control. He stated, “Mind control is the process by which individual or collective freedom of choice and action is compromised by agents or agencies that modify or distort perception, motivation, affect, cognition and/or behavioral outcomes.”

But how does this ultimately affect the general public?

In a survey done in 1980 by Zimbardo of more than 1,000 high school students in the San Francisco Bay area 54% reported a cult had attempted to recruit them and 40% said they had experienced multiple attempts.

Certainly on college campuses groups like the “International Church of Christ” (ICC), which has often been called a “cult,” are very active. The ICC has been banned by many colleges and universities, due largely to its aggressive recruitment practices.

And cults are not restricted exclusively to large metropolitan areas or schools. They are increasingly active in small towns and rural areas. In some situations groups called “cults” eventually exercise considerable influence within the small communities they inhabit.

A recent example is the “Fellowship of Friends,” which has been called a “cult.” The group led by Robert Burton has a troubled history in Yuba County, a rural area in California. Likewise the group known as the “Twelve Tribes” has moved into small towns in upstate New York.

The parallels between cults and terrorist groups cannot be ignored.

A charismatic and totalitarian leader who supposedly speaks for God dominates many terrorist groups, not unlike destructive cults.

What is the difference ultimately then, between suicide at Jonestown and the suicide bombers of al-Qaeda?

Each group had devoted followers willing to die for its cause. Jim Jones called this an act of “revolutionary suicide,” Osama bin-Laden said it was “Jihad.” But in the end the mindset is the same.

In the end the only practical difference between bin Laden and Jim Jones is the level of destruction wrought by their madness. The group dynamics that produce the tragedy are essentially the same.

Zimbardo concluded, “Understanding the dynamics and pervasiveness of situational power is essential to learning how to resist it and to weaken the dominance of the many agents of mind control who ply their trade daily on all of us behind many faces and fronts.”

It seems that “mind control” has become a modern mental health hazard. However, this illness unlike others, can potentially affect more than the personal lives of individuals.

This was first made clear through a horrific gas attack upon Tokyo’s subways by the cult Aum in 1995.

Today that realization is even more painful whenever we see the changed Manhattan skyline.

Battle Creek, Michigan is widely known as the birthplace of morning cereal. During the early 1900s Dr. John Kellogg created his now famous “Kellogg’s Corn Flakes” there.

Today the Kellogg Company is still the largest single employer in Battle Creek and controls almost half of the world’s cereal market.

Dr. Kellogg was somewhat eccentric and developed a cult following. He founded a sanitarium in Battle Creek where those devoted to his principles often went to “take the cure.”

Some of the odd practices at Kellogg’s sanitarium, which came to be known simply as “San,” included exercising in athletic diapers, multiple daily enemas and dunks into electrified water pools. And of course Kellogg pushed his cereal.

Unrestriced bowel movements were vitally important to the good doctor. Kellogg often said, “A housebroken colon is a damaged colon.”

Celebrities of the day flocked to San for the Kellogg cure such as Henry Ford, retailer J.C. Penney, actress Sarah Berhardt, explorer Richard Byrd, inventor Thomas Edison, industrialist Harvey Firestone, President William Howard Taft, and aviator Amelia Earhart.

The movie “The Road to Wellville” starring Matthew Broderick with Anthony Hopkins as Kellogg, is an often-hilarious send up about life at San.

Now it seems there will be a new “San” in Battle Creek with its own unique “cure.” And the charismatic creator of this program beget a group that has been called a “cult.” The name of its founder is L. Ron Hubbard and the “cure” touted by his devotees is Narconon.

A new Naronon facility is now being completed for Battle Creek, reports the Battle Creek Inquirer.

Hubbard’s is known as the founder of Scientology and his cure is the “purification rundown,” which includes large doses of niacin and lots of sweating in saunas.

However, Hubbard was not a doctor like John Kellogg. Instead, he has been called a “pathological liar.” And some say his “cure” is both unproven and little more than “quackery.”.

Nevertheless Battle Creek will soon have its very own Hubbard inspired “San.” And just like the old one the new “San” has plenty of celebrity devotees. Film stars Tom Cruise and John Travolta are perhaps the most famous. TV sitcom actress Kirstie Alley who is Narconon’s spokesperson, claims the program saved her life.

History seems to be repeating itself in Battle Creek. But ironically it appears that the old “San” was probably less “flaky” than the new one.

Early this month Pat Robertson picked up a half million dollars from government coffers. The money came from discretionary funds administered by Bush appointee Tommy Thompson at the Department of Health and Human Services, reports Working for Change.

Specifically, it was Robertson’s faith-based charity called “Operation Blessing” that received the cash grant.

Ironically, the star of Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) was once critical of the program to fund social services through religious groups. He referred to the Bush “faith based initiative” as a “Pandora’s box” that once opened might benefit such groups as Scientology or the “Moonies.”

However, now that “Pandora’s box” has turned into a cash box for the good reverend his criticism has apparently ceased. He certainly didn’t turn down the grant.

According to reporter Bill Berkowitz “Operation Blessing” once blessed CBN with a $2 million dollar grant of its own. Perhaps that’s why the Robertson charity has its own critics.

The powerful and popular Internet search engine Google has seemingly secretly deleted certain controversial websites from its listings in Europe according to researchers, reports CNET’s News.com.

Apparently Google responded to legal threats potentially possible through laws in Germany and France. According to those laws hate literature can be prohibited.

Of course within the United States the propaganda of hate groups is protected by the First Amendment, and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) would have a field day with Google in the US over such action.

Google previously won praise for its pledge to submit information about any legal threats to a free speech advocacy website, after a controversy developed regarding the deletion of certain listings concerning critics of the Church of Scientology.

What will happen to free speech on the Internet?

Obviously if Internet users cannot find a site they won’t know what is expressed by its creators. And typically no matter how offensive free speech is in America it is defended. However, Germans do not always appreciate such freedom and likewise the French, who also experienced the devastation wrought by hate groups during World War II, are sensitive to this issue.

ACLU stalwart Barry Steinhardt said, “Over the long term, this will become a significant issue on the Net, there’s a wide variety of laws around the world prohibiting different forms of speech.”

Others suggest Google should at least note what it has done per their previous pledge in response to such legal threats, as it ultimately decided to do regarding Scientology. Internet watchdog Ben Edelman opined, “There’s no need to be secretive.”

Reed Slatkin was once rich, popular and a minister within the Church of Scientology. He knew many of the church elite who frequent its “Celebrity Centers” and was their respected financial advisor. Over half of Slatkin’s clients were fellow Scientologists.

Then came Slatkin’s fall from grace. He lost money, declared bankruptcy and faced criminal charges. His investment business turned sour and seemed to be little more than a classic “Ponzi scheme.” Slatkin eventually plead guilty to 15 counts of fraud, money laundering and conspiracy.

Now it has come out that one of the former financial guru’s trusted inner circle actually betrayed him. Daniel Jacobs once a Slatkin associate and confidant cut a deal with prosecutors and provided evidence against his former friend, reports Associated Press.

Can the fallen minister now seek solace and spiritual comfort from his church in what must be a time of deep personal need? No. The Church of Scientology excommunicated Slatkin earlier this year.

Apparently stealing money from its members is an “unpardonable sin.”

Despite its troubled history Narconon has now been given an initial go-ahead to open a new facility near San Diego by the county Planning Commission, reports the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Narconon is a controversial drug rehab program closely associated with the Church of Scientology and based upon the teachings of L. Ron Hubbard, its founder. It is also largely staffed by Scientologists.

Call Narconon’s toll free number and it is likely you will be talking to a Scientologist.

Hubbard’s concoction for drug treatment includes vigorous exercise, hours of saunas, megadoses of niacin and ingesting cooking oil.

William Jarvis, a professor of public health at Loma Linda University in Southern California once said, “The idea of sweating out poisons is kind of an old wives’ tale. It’s all pretty hokey.”

However, the county Planning Commission apparently didn’t consult Professor Jarvis and either ignored or didn’t take the time to review any other research and/or findings regarding Narconon.

The San Diego Union-Tribune article did not even mention Scientology.

According to the article it appears there was no meaningful discussion at the commission’s meeting about the program’s connection to the controversial church or any of Narconon’s historical problems.

But not discussing Scientology when talking about Narconon is like ignoring an elephant in the room.

Actress and Scientologist Kirstie Alley knows that. She is the spokeswoman for Narconon and touts how Scientology saved her from drugs.

Nevertheless, Narconon was once denied certification for a facility in Oklahoma, though later they managed to open a center in that state.

And a Narconon program for kids was rejected by the Florida school system.

A Narconon program in Utah, which received state funds, eventually caused enough controversy that such funding was stopped.

In Sweden an expert who testified before the Swedish Board of National Health questioned the efficacy and validity of Narconon’s approach to treatment. He concluded, “there is no documentation to show that the Hubbard method of detoxification from drug abuse conforms to scientific standards and medical experience On the contrary, one may from a pharmacological point of view strongly question the idea of using enforced sweating to expel drugs from the body. The risks and side effects of the treatment method have also not been evaluated in a serious way. Methods that have not been evaluated and/or rest on incorrect theories should not be used in Swedish medical care.”

So how could the county Planning Commission in California so easily approve Narconon for a new facility?

Scientology has a powerful lobby in California and a stable of celebrity advocates in Hollywood. Perhaps such lobbying overwhelmed the Planning Commission? The commission voted 4-0 in favor of the facility. One member was absent.

Residents opposed to the proposed Narconon center seemed to object largely due to land use questions and security. They claim the recent approval will be appealed to the county Board of Supervisors. Hopefully, that body will do a better job exploring the facts than the Planning Commission did.

During the immediate aftermath of September 11th volunteers from Scientology worked Ground Zero frequently clad in their “Scientology Volunteer” T-shirts. One such volunteer later plumbed that experience to produce a book, reports the New York Post.

During the first few weeks after September 11th members of the Church of Scientology served food and coffee to workers at Ground Zero and at times did what they call “touch assists,” which is essentially a form of faith healing.

Scientologist Juliet McIntyre, a 20-year-old “aspiring actress,” worked at Ground Zero for three weeks. In her new book she tells of the suffering and hardships she endured through the often-uncomfortable environment, including less than adequate sleeping accommodations.

But maybe McIntyre should be grateful that she was working above the rubble instead lying below it, or mourning the loss of a family member?

The NY Post says that the Scientologist made herself the “central character” of the book and September 11th became merely her “backdrop.” Perhaps a little less narcissism and a bit more focus would have served the author better.

Scientologist John Travolta is mentioned in the book, he visited at Ground Zero. And other than their common faith, McIntyre and the celebrity are likely to share another distinction. Her self-indulgent tome appears bound for the same status as Travolta’s box office bomb “Battleship Earth.”

McIntyre’s book deal does look just a bit opportunistic. So when Scientologists “volunteer” is there always a catch or hidden agenda? Is their public compassion at times contrived and linked to some self-promotional effort?

In McIntyre’s case September 11th seems to have provided her with attention and money.