Defectors Say Church of Scientology Hides Abuse

[_Michael_]

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Raised as Scientologists, Christie King Collbran and her husband, Chris, were recruited as teenagers to work for the elite corps of staff members who keep the Church of Scientology running, known as the Sea Organization, or Sea Org.

They signed a contract for a billion years — in keeping with the church’s belief that Scientologists are immortal. They worked seven days a week, often on little sleep, for sporadic paychecks of $50 a week, at most.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/07/us...tology.html?hp

[Brad]

Good for them for seeing the light & getting out.

[faithnJesus]

What I don't understand about people joining this cult (and no I refuse to call it a church or even a religion) is that it was started by a SCIENCE FICTION writer. Doesn't that give off warning bells to anyone?

[Fearnot]

Originally Posted by faithnJesus

What I don't understand about people joining this cult (and no I refuse to call it a church or even a religion) is that it was started by a SCIENCE FICTION writer. Doesn't that give off warning bells to anyone?

You would think, huh?

but people who join, want "spirituality" not God. They get hooked I think, because, they hope to learn all about "self"...self I am guessing is one big pull...think?

[Cindy]

Australia: More Scientology accusations exposed

Fresh evidence implicating the Church of Scientology in the mistreatment and exploitation of some of its most loyal adherents will be aired on Four Corners tonight.

The allegations come just days before an expected Senate vote on whether to launch a Parliamentary inquiry into the church.

Tonight’s program, Scientology: The Ex-Files, focuses on the stories of Australians and Americans who have left the church and are now speaking out. Some are taking legal action against the church.



The men and women featured in the program belonged to Scientology’s elite unit of full-time staffers, the Sea Organisation – or Sea Org.

The allegations in tonight’s program include first hand accounts that some women have been coerced into having abortions because the Sea Org does not allow its members to have children while they work in the organisation; that children as young as 15 are interrogated about their sex lives, asked to work excessive hours, and punished severely if they fail to meet targets for recruiting members of the public; and that ‘public’ Scientologists – Scientologists who live and work in the broader community – are pressured over long periods of time into donating their life savings to the church.


The church itself denies the allegations, and is vigorously defending the legal actions which are underway in the United States.
As a religion, the Church of Scientology is tax-exempt in Australia and the United States. In other countries – for example, the United Kingdom – it does not have charitable status.


The UK Charity Commission has determined that the Church of Scientology was not established for the public benefit.
Over the past year, the Church has opened a number of new churches around the world, largely it is believed, funded by tax-free donations from ordinary parishioners.
[...]


Tonight’s Four Corners presents evidence that women inside the Sea Org in Australia have also been put under pressure to have abortions when they fall pregnant.


This week Independent Senator Nick Xenophon is expected to move that an inquiry take place into “the abuses against Australians that have taken place within the organisation of Scientology”.


Senator Xenophon told the Senate last November: “Scientology is not a religious organisation. It is a criminal organisation that hides behind its so-called religious beliefs.”


Prime Minister Kevin Rudd commented at the time: “Many people in Australia have real concerns about Scientology. I share some of those concerns.”
[...more...]


- Source / Full Story: Scientology in the spotlight amid fresh allegations, Quentin McDermott, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Mar. 8, 2010 — Summarized by Religion News Blog


• Watch the Four Corners program on Scientology


more
http://www.religionnewsblog.com/2414...-child-workers

[revtami]

Originally Posted by faithnJesus

What I don't understand about people joining this cult (and no I refuse to call it a church or even a religion) is that it was started by a SCIENCE FICTION writer. Doesn't that give off warning bells to anyone?

That's exactly what I said.

[Suzanne]

I am afraid Keven Rudd Aust PM will say only what is politically correct and trendy at the time

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by faithnJesus

What I don't understand about people joining this cult (and no I refuse to call it a church or even a religion) is that it was started by a SCIENCE FICTION writer. Doesn't that give off warning bells to anyone?

no kidding! And not only that, he actually started it as a joke!

[faithnJesus]

Originally Posted by Cindy

no kidding! And not only that, he actually started it as a joke!

That's right I forgot about that. I read one of Ron Hubbard's books years ago, but that was before I ever heard of scientology. They made a movie out of the book, it was a big and I mean big flop.