Press

Press in the News

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October 30, 2005 Tom Gets Cult Gong Tom Cruise flew into Britain to receive an award for becoming the biggest-ever cash donor to Scientology. Cruise and his pregnant fiancee Katie Holmes received a standing ovation from thousands of members during a three-day gala meeting of the group. The Diamond Meritorious Award was specially created to reflect his donations of millions of dollars over the years. Last year he was presented with the Platinum Meritorious Award for handing over $2.5million (pounds 1.4m) since joining the sect. London, Press, Tom Cruise
October 26, 2005 Liberal MP Stars in Video Promoting Scientology Program Toronto-area MP Derek Lee appears in a recruiting video used by the Church of Scientology to attract new members in the United States. Some critics have denounced Scientology as a brainwashing cult that harasses its opponents and exploits the vulnerable for financial gain. But Mr. Lee says he supports some of the group's programs and is particularly impressed by its approach to rehabilitating drug addicts. Press, Toronto
October 25, 2005 Dangerous Cult or Secret of Success? with more and more stories unfolding about the church's beliefs in alien invasions and the need to "audit" the soul through costly counselling sessions, just what is Scientology all about? I'm soon told that there are numerous negative parts of my spiritual wellbeing. Apparently, I'm verging towards being unstable, nervous and depressed while also being highly critical and unappreciative of others. In short, I'm a spiritual mess. Edinburgh, Press, Scientology and Society
October 23, 2005 Dallas Morning News: Scientologists on the Move After five years in Dallas, the Scientology offices are moving to the suburbs. Press
October 22, 2005 Who is Xenu? December's issue of Esquire will carry an article written by online volunteers. The article, on the history of wikipedia, was revised by the site's volunteer "editors", who were given free rein to demonstrate the formidable scope of their knowledge. "Who is the mysterious galactic ruler Xenu at the heart of Scientology? You won't find the answers in the Encyclopaedia Britannica." Press, space opera
October 22, 2005 Scientology: Fact or Fiction? Critics have labeled Scientology as everything from a dangerous cult run by amateur psychologists to a scam exploiting money from its members. "We don't expect mainstream religions to lie, to exploit people, to engage in illegal activity," said David Touretzky, a researcher at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. "Scientology is not a true religion, because it does all of these things." Minneapolis, Press
October 19, 2005 Hazelwood Schools Reject Firm With Scientology Ties The Hazelwood School District has rebuffed a private tutoring provider with ties to the founder of Scientology. The tutoring company, Applied Scholastics International, has made numerous overtures to the school district, Hazelwood superintendent Chris Wright said. "We are not interested in your services, not willing to participate in your training programs, do not want your materials, and will not enter into any association with Applied Scholastics," Wright wrote earlier this month. Her comments were in a letter to Bennetta Slaughter, chief executive officer of Applied Scholastics. front groups, Press
October 15, 2005 Inside the Odd World of Scientology Proponents claim Scientology is a method of counselling that helps individuals break free from negative emotions to live more rewarding and fulfilling lives. However, Scientology's theology is somewhat shaky. In fact, the church's creation myth revolves around an intergalactic warlord named 'Xenu' who kidnaps billions of alien lifeforms, chains them near Earth's volcanoes and blows them up with nuclear weapons. Dublin, Press
October 15, 2005 Paris Official Leads Event Protesting Scientology The deputy mayor of Paris led a demonstration outside the Paris offices of the Church of Scientology, warning parents that young people may be attracted to groups she sees as dangerous. "These movements are dangerous, we must explain why they are dangerous," she said. Paris, Press, Scientology and Society
October 15, 2005 Former Hotel To See Rebirth As Church The 76-year-old Ramona building will become the new Sacramento center of the Church of Scientology, known for celebrity members such as Tom Cruise, John Travolta and Kirstie Alley. The church just completed acquisition of the Spanish-style, five-story building, paying $4.75 million - in cash. Press, Sacramento

Press in the News

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May 12, 2006 Polish Scientologists Ordered to Remove Tents When Scientology erected tents in Warsaw's city center to attract new members, city officials ordered them taken down. Press
September 30, 1996 Patrice Vic Trial Begins - Scientology Executive Charged with Manslaughter Trial begins in the death of Patrice Vic. Scientology executive Jean-Jacques Mazier is charged with manslaughter, and 22 other Scientologists also face charges. crimes, deaths, France, Patrice Vic, Press