Volume 0, Issue 36 vom 1. 1. 1996
Alt.religion.scientology Week in Review
Volume 0, Issue 36
01/01/96
by Rod Keller [rkeller@voicenet.com]
copyright 1996
Contents
- AOL Lists
- Alt.binaries.scientology
- Library Vandalism
- Cult Builders
- Ted's Declare
- French Taxes
- Hotel to Happiness
- Hemet
- Jokers and Degraders
- Jeff Lee's Folder
- Tax Considerations
- UN Report
- Cory and ECT
- OT Copyrights
- Happy New Year
Alt.religion.scientology Week in Review summarizes the most significant
postings from the Usenet group Alt.religion.scientology for the preceding
week for the benefit of those who can't follow the group as closely as
they'd like. Out of thousands of postings, I attempt to include news of
significant events, new affidavits, court rulings, new contributors,
whatever. I hope you find it useful. Like many readers of a.r.s, I have a
kill file. So please take into consideration that I may not have seen some
of the most significant postings.
The articles in A.r.s Week in Review are brief summaries of the articles.
Many include an excerpt, and all include message IDs for the articles I
cover. This may or may not be useful to you, depending on how long your
site stores articles in the newsgroup before expiring them.
Free A.r.s Week in Review subscriptions are available, just email me at
rkeller@voicenet.com
It is archived at:
http://www.amazing.com/scientology/ars-summary.html
http://users.aimnet.com/~jdiver/scieno.htm
http://www.thur.de/religio/publik/arsfaq.html
http://wpxx02.toxi.uni-wuerzburg.de/~krasel/CoS/ars-summary.html
#####
AOL Lists
Cult members on America Online are keeping records on skeptical posters,
as evidenced by this repost from an AOL folder.
"Date: 95-12-27 19:04:19 EST
From: TheAlaskan
"Sure nice to have the list of Scientologists in good standing with regard
to our AOL folders and the list of everyone who has ever posted negative
or 'questionable' messages in our folders. It is so easy to just skip the
entheta now.
"Contact SabrinaHES if you need a copy of the lists, I think she is the
terminal that sent my recent updates. Much appreciated too !! If we use
these lists it keeps these dudes effectively out of the picture and off
the comm lines.
"YES, WE KNOW WHO YOU ARE and WHAT YOU ARE DOING."
Message-ID: <4bso70$hu1@newsbf02.news.aol.com>
#####
Alt.binaries.scientology
The newsgroup alt.binaries.scientology was created this week. It is
intended as a place for uuencoded photos, sounds, and other binary files.
Robert Clark reported:
"since david guntner is located on netcom, i forged a newgroup message
from 'miscavige@flag.sea.org' in honor of the original forged newgroup
message from scott goehring which originally created
alt.religion.scientology, which issued from 'micaviage@flag.sea.org'
"in either case, further booster newgroups for alt.binaries.scientology
would be appreciated, as it is likely that, as with most new alt.*
newsgroups at this stage in the history of the net, it may receive spotty
propagation."
Message-ID: <henriDK6H5G.5sv@netcom.com>
#####
Library Vandalism
Steven Fishman posted an account of False Data Stripping, where he was
trained to destroy articles and books critical of the cult from public
libraries.
"Armed with a single edge razor blades, I used to go to the Fort
Lauderdale Main Public Library on Sunrise Boulevard, and to the Miami
Public Library and slash out any text from any book which was
anti-Scientology. I kept a manila folder with me, and I used to look for
the quietest booth and always sit with my back against a window or a wall
so I could see who was coming. Sometimes I wouldn't find anything new and
I would freak out because if I did not come back with any articles, I
would have a downstat and would have to write it up, and Ethics would
accuse me of wasting time or that I had some evil purpose in withholding
data, so once I went all the way to Palm Beach to the public library (an
hour and a half from Miami) and found some stuff there.
"The think behind it was that we were protecting the planet from the
writing of SPs and I was fighting the war in the field for LRH and I felt
powerfully insane about it."
Message-ID: <4bmk5o$5rq@ixnews5.ix.netcom.com>
#####
Cult Builders
An article from the Clearwater Times was posted this week, reporting a
request for cult members to assist in building the Super Power building in
downtown Clearwater.
"In a survey sent out this week, the church seeks 'professional
Scientologists' to create sculptures, carry out engineering work, and even
supervise aspects of the project, expected to begin in the spring.
"'We are also looking for professionals who know how to put a building
together and to manage the personnel who will construct the building,' the
pamphlet says. 'In fact, we are looking for anybody who has been involved
or is involved in the design, planning, and construction of buildings.'
"The new facility will be designed for a series of courses dubbed 'Super
Power' by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. Clearwater, the
international spiritual headquarters for the church, would be the only
place in the world where the courses would be offered. They are not
available now.
"According to Scientology literature, Super Power courses enable a
participant to 'predict and build the future' and think better. The
courses also 'restore the power of choice.'
"The Super Power project is planned for the site across S Fort Harrison
Avenue from the Fort Harrison Hotel, Scientology's signature building in
Clearwater. At 170,000 square feet, it would be the largest commercial
office building downtown.
"'What exchange do you consider that you would need?' and provides several
choices, including working for the 'sheer pleasure of helping to get this
building built,' 'training awards,' 'room and board' or a weekly wage.
"The survey asks and answers a series of questions, such as 'Who Will
Benefit From This? The answer: Every man, woman and child on planet Earth
because it will put planetary clearing right within our grasp.'"
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.91.951226152219.12653G-100000@luna>
#####
Ted's Declare
Ted Mayett took his campaign to be declared a Suppressive Person to the
street, according to reports this week.
"3:27 I started marching. 3:33 about 7 of them crowded the glass door to
smile and wave at me. They crowded their side of the door. The street was
mine. One of them, before they crowded the door, asked me about the sign.
I told her I have been on the internet asking OSA for the Declare and they
will not give it to me so I'm picketing for it. And that was all I said at
that time.
"About 3:45 this older woman I have never met before came out to talk with
me. I told her that she would have to walk with me if she wanted to talk
because walking is a picket requirement. And so we walked and talked. I
told her about 1995, 5 raids, 15 new lawsuits, 20 million in attorneys,
Germany, Canada, The Netherlands. She asked me how I knew it was true. I
told her I had asked OSA repeatedly to deny it. Which I did a few times
those first few weeks on the net VIA e-mail to theta.com. She said the
internet is full of lies, I said it has court documents and newspaper
articles.
"Well I made a sale today, this woman is a believer. Unfortunately she is
nothing near an official spokesperson. We then discussed courses for a
bit, very gentle conversation. She said she had to leave, we parted
company smiling. As soon as she left me, 4:34pm, I raced across the street
to my car and drove away. I'll be training them in the days to come. When
they talk to me I will leave, but only if they've really listened."
"Locally the staffers will have to wonder why there is no Declare being
issued. 1996 will roll along and I'll be picketing, picketing, picketing.
The more time that passes without a Declare the more doubt that will be
planted in their minds. And whenever one of them does talk to me I'll ask
them if they have heard anything about the Declare and what does OSA say
about this, along that line. If I ever do get the document or if
management ever contacts me I'll post it here.
"Tomorrow's sign will read, 'Pay Larry Now' This will be the banner I will
be operating under. No organization should be above the law and, etc. etc.
Once they get comfortable with me being there I'll be using a double sided
picket sign. The Org side will carry choice tidbits of info.
Message-ID: <4bt9p7$rin@news.skylink.net>
Message-ID: <4c2uec$auo@news.skylink.net>
#####
French Taxes
According to a Reuters report posted this week, the cult is denying that
they have been fined for tax evasion.
"A spokeswoman for the church's Paris branch denied a December 26 Reuters
report that it had been fined several million francs (hundreds of
thousands of dollars) and that several of its members were placed under
investigation.
"She said the church's Paris branch had been placed into receivership over
back taxes worth 48 million francs ($1.8 million) last month. A new
association had since been created.
"She said the church had offered in court to pay the tax arrears from
funds collected among scientology groups abroad, but French authorities
turned it down as customs regulations bar importing funds for such
payments.
"The church accumulated unpaid taxes worth nine million francs ($1.8
million) between 1981 and 1984 and the sum rose more than five-fold
because of penalties and accrued interest.
Message-ID: <199512292149.WAA08835@utopia.hacktic.nl>
#####
Hotel to Happiness
In a New York Times article posted this week, The Way to Happiness is
reported as joining the Bible in many hotel rooms.
"In a growing number of hotels, the Bible now finds itself keeping company
with the Book of Mormon, The Teaching of Buddha, and in rare cases with
Science and Health by Mary Baker Eddy, founder of Christian Science, or
the Way To Happiness, a publication of the church of Scientology.
"The Church of Scientology International said that a foundation formed by
Scientologists has since 1984 placed more than 90,000 copies of The Way To
Happiness, written by the founder of Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard, in more
than 350 American hotels.
Message-ID: <4bqd25$c1j@Starbase.NeoSoft.COM>
#####
Hemet
Dennis Erlich reported on the armed security guards at Golden Era Studios,
which doubles as the cult prison camp "Gold Base".
"Just got off the phone with one of the inFormer's 'Live on the Scene(tm)'
reporters. He inFormed me that he had buzzed ScienoCentral today (down in
Hemet) and videotaped some goings-on at Golden Era Studios.
"Several scienos with walkie-talkies quickly came out to the road 'swarm'
him. One guard on a dirt-bike (California license# 13N 661) chased him
down the road for quite a way.
"The scieno biker got close enough to show the outline of an Uzi under his
jacket. But who knows if it was a *real* machine gun? Right?"
Message-ID: <30e350ae.2569061@news.primenet.com>
#####
Jokers and Degraders
The tech reference for the famous "Jokers and Degraders" policy was posted
this week. HCOB and HCOPL 5 February, 1977
"A recent investigation however into the background and case condition of
a small handful of people who were joking about their posts and those
around them showed a somewhat more sinister scene.
"Each of these persons fell into one or more of the following categories:
"1. Were Rockslammers. (Some List 1.) [This has been defined in the past
on ARS, but may need review here. A rockslam is a meter read indicating
hidden evil intentions. List 1 is a list of items connected with
Scientology, so a list 1 rockslammer is presumed to have secret intentions
to harm Scientology.]
"2. Were institutional type cases.
"3. Were 'NCG' (meaning No Case Gain) (the only cause of which is
continuous present time overts).
"4. Were severely PTS (Potential Trouble Source) (connected to Rock-
slammers). [This is actually 2 categories, since by Scn dogma all
institutional cases are PTS, and 1 and 3 would both be considered SPs.]
"It might be supposed that misunderstood word phenomena could also be part
of this. The rebellious student in universities is usually handled by
clearing up his misunderstoods or curing his hopelessness for his future.
However, the investigation did not find that any of these jokers or
degraders were acting that way solely because of misunderstood words, but
the possibility could not be ruled out.
"Therefore all executives, HCO personnel and Case Supervisors as well as
Qual personnel and Staff Section Officers have a valuable indicator. Where
they have a joker or degrader on their hands they also have one or more of
the above four conditions in that person."
Message-ID: <104342Z29121995@anon.penet.fi>
#####
Jeff Lee's Folder
Jeff Lee received a one sentence message from Vera Wallace on December
22nd, which consisted of a single sentence:
"How does it feel to never have graduated from high school?"
Jeff explained:
"This is technically true: shortly before completing high school, I moved
to a different town; rather than switch mid-year to a school notorious for
near-weekly stabbings and shootings, I opted to simply wait five months
and take the GED (a decision of which I am not ashamed, having placed in
the 99.97th percentile) before starting college that fall.
"However, it is obvious to me that this is a warning. They wish to cause
me to 'shudder into silence' by letting me know I'm being investigated.
"I attended Central Connecticut State University. During my time there,
one of the Assistant Directors of Information Systems at CCSU was a person
whose name is not unfamiliar to long-time readers of this newsgroup.
Before I'd even heard of ars or Scientology, a mutual friend had mentioned
him to me: 'Brian Wenger is living in LA now working for a company called
Earthlink they are making money like crazy and doing VERY well. He is the
Vice President of Operations there.'
"It is a reasonable theory that Brian was used to retrieve my educational
records from his former place of employment. A call to the Registrar's
office shows that my transcripts were not *officially* released; however,
since the dissemination of this kind of information without my explicit
permission is strictly prohibited, they are currently investigating the
matter."
Message-ID: <4bq2d0$1q1e@news.gate.net>
#####
Tax Considerations
A postcard sent to cult members was posted to a.r.s this week.
"This is to remind you that donations for most auditing and training
services qualify for charitable contribution deductions on your personal
United States income tax returns. Donating to the Church can result in
considerable tax savings. Donate by December 31st, 1995, so you can take
your deduction this year. Secure your route to increased ability,
happiness and freedom. Contact your Church Registrar now.
"(Note: Consult your tax advisor when preparing your tax return to
determine the exact benefits for you on your personal income taxes."
Message-ID: <luvalle.159.0056C7A9@primenet.com>
#####
UN Report
Cory Brennan this week finally posted the infamous "UN Report" which
condemns discrimination against the cult in Germany. It turns out to be an
unsolicited report _to_ the UN, not _from_ the UN.
"Application of the Declaration on Eliminating All Forms of Intolerance
and Discrimination Based on Religion or Conviction
"Report presented by Mr. Abdelfattah Amor, Special Rapporteur in
Accordance with Resolution 1994/18 of the Human Rights Commission"
The mystery of why this report was unknown to anybody at the big building
in New York is now solved.
Message-ID: <koreenb-3012950312530001@marina-10.jovanet.com>
#####
Cory and ECT
Cory Brennan was published in USA today this week.
"Our friend Cory wrote a letter to the editor of USA today and was
published. The letter commended USA Today for writing such a great article
about ECT. On the same day, another letter anti-ECT was printed. The
author was from Clearwater Fla. Neither letter mentioned they were members
of the COS. I am now wondering if all the anti ECT letters were written by
COS members. I myself had a letter published in USA Today questioning the
relationship between the author and COS. No reply was published.
Surprised? - the same newspaper that ran full page ads for COS. What a
joke."
Message-ID: <4c04e4$n8p@newsbf02.news.aol.com>
#####
OT Copyrights
Steve Fishman reported this week on the copyright registrations on the OT
documents.
"I have in my possession four documents. They are the copyright
registrations of New OT IV, OT V, OT VI and OT VII. The effective date of
registration was August 10, 1995.
"What I would like to know is why the Church sued the Dutch defendants for
copyright violations in June when the copyrights were registered in
August?
"Also, the copyright claimant on August 10, 1995 is:
Church of Spiritual Technology
Post Office Box 1182
Los Angeles, California 90078"
Message-ID: <4c790u$lo4@ixnews8.ix.netcom.com>
#####
Happy New Year
The cult held a satellite broadcast event on New Year's Eve, as announced
on a postcard posted to a.r.s this week.
"HAPPY NEW YEAR! Come to our New Year's Eve Event and Celebration!
"When: Dec 31 (Sunday)
Where: Church of Scientology Mission of Houston
2727 Fondren Suite 1-A
Time: Doors open at 7:00 PM
What: Satellite Event
Come hear what Scientologists are doing
across the planet, and how it affects you!!
R.S.V.P. - A.S.A.P
(713) 974-6295"
Message-ID: <4c6sj0$8n2@Starbase.NeoSoft.COM>