23-05-2002 16:35									#1
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What on earth is that about?

I was given an assignment to cover the decline of Saint-Hill and Scientology in the UK (not knowing anything about Scientology) and I've found possibly the weirdest cult outside of Heavens Gate.
Apparently it's quite popular, but I've never really heard about it except recently, when I've tried to get interviews with some of the British lumnaries. Now the office gets about one phonecall (from some strange lady)a day asking about the state of the article.

Apparently they believe in aliens as well:

quote: The head of the Galactic Federation (76 planets around larger stars visible from here) (founded 95,000,000 years ago, very space opera) solved overpopulation (250 billion or so per planet - 178 billion on average) by mass implanting.. He caused people to be brought to Teegeeack (Earth) and put an H-Bomb on the principal volcanos (incident II) and then the Pacific area ones were taken - in boxes to Hawaii and the Atlantic area ones to Las Palmas and there "packaged". His name was Xenu. He used renegades. Various misleading data by means of circuits etc was placed in the unplants. When through with his crime loyal officers (to the people) captured him after six years of battle and put him in an electronic mountain trap where he still is. "They" are gone. The place (Confederation) has since been a desert. L.R.Hubbard

This is incredibly strange and I'm quite tempted to give up the story, since I've heard they tend to harrass reporters. Does anybody have any comments or experiences with Scientology, since I'm interested to find out what I should do!

cheers.

	23-05-2002 16:41									#2
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Wohoo. Seems to me they are fixed on ScienceFiction. Beware, Star Trek!

They seem to be a bunch of weirdo's... but hey, it's their right...

	23-05-2002 16:46									#3
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They sound like a bunch of nutters, especially the whole 'stalking opponents' stuff.
I think the legal position of a Cult is slightly dubious, so I wouldn't say that it is their right.

Re: just found out that John Travolta's a member. Scary, eh?

The important question is: should I carry on my article?

	23-05-2002 16:51									#4
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quote: Originally posted by Evil Knevil Re: just found out that John Travolta's a member. Scary, eh?

AFAIK Tom Cruise and a hoot of other Hollywood actors and whatnot are members too. They donate loads of money to the movement, and without them it wouldn't of probably ever made this far... (just unprofessional offsight speculation here)

quote: The important question is: should I carry on my article?

Your call... do the risks outweigh the possible results? Have you been threatened yet, and how much have you dwelt to this matter thus far?

	23-05-2002 16:52									#5
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I think that Tom Cruise is/was also a member.
In high school we had some excursions on different 'religions' or 'cults', like Hare Krishna, Jehovans, Muslims, Mormons and Hindus... but we only had to settle for reading something about scientology - and that wasn't much.

	23-05-2002 16:53									#6
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I like this summary :
"In a drunken stupor, L. Ron Hubbard bet Robert A. Heinlein that he could start his own religion. The result was scientology, an irrational cult that purposely recruits celebrities. Famous suckers include John Travolta, Tom Cruise, and Nicole Kidman. The whole fruity thing boils down to the belief that the evil alien Xenu has enslaved the human race, but that scientology can exorcise Xenu from you with a five-dollar lie detector and restore your god-like powers."

	23-05-2002 17:15									#7
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quote: Originally posted by Eli ...that scientology can exorcise Xenu from you with a five-dollar lie detector and restore your god-like powers."

Here's my five dollars

$$$$$

I'm ready.

	23-05-2002 17:35									#8
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Sweet jesus, this is weird. I though they were an offbranch of Christian Scientists. I've looked at Xenu.net and it seems that all this insanity is deliberate, how on earth did Hubbard manage to convince so many people?

quote: Your call... do the risks outweigh the possible results? Have you been threatened yet, and how much have you dwelt to this matter thus far

The story is quite negative so far, since I've found out that UK scientology membership has dropped by about 50% since 1986, the Saint-Hill organisation has tightened security, and such. Forcing members to spend several weeks there on courses(where they would just visit for the day previously).

The isolation treatment for the mentally ill has become quite popular. I've talked to neighbours and they can hear screams sometimes.

An insider says that they're and arms cache inside the manor, which is absolutely demented. Of course I have no evidence of this at the moment. I'm going to have to have a look, by whatever means neccesary.

The reason it's so negative is they refuse to answer my queries, wheras I've managed to get comments from neighbours, ex-members, critics and police. I also have a rich scepticism.

According to the feature editor the reason I'm to do this article is that "I'm a bastard, but a well-researched bastard".

A PR lady phones the editor every day to ask about the story, is this harrassment? She's demanded a copy before it goes to press, and says I'm not to use any copywrited material.

She also said shes going to do a background check on me so that she can investigate that I'm a real reporter.

I think I might have a scoop as far as the Saint-Hill goes nuts, and stores guns story. Still I could abandon the story, since I'll save a lot of aggro.
Theres something inside me that says I should try and find the truth, but then there's fear of lawsuits.

Eli, where did you get that quote? (Might use it!)

Any advice?

	23-05-2002 17:43									#9
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http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node=Scientology

Follow some of the links to find much more info on specific stuff.

	23-05-2002 17:48									#10
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Thanks. I've sucked the web dry as far as Scientology's concerned now.

Any comments or advice would be really useful since I'm stuck on what to do now

	23-05-2002 17:56									#11
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quote: Originally posted by Evil Knevil I also have a ...scepticism. ...Any advice?

You mean, you have an inkling that this may be true?

	23-05-2002 17:58									#12
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The Xenu thing or the Saint Hill gone insane thing?

	23-05-2002 18:12									#13
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Look up Lawrence Wollersheim, who just got $8 million of them for harrassment, after 22 years.

http://www.factnet.org/ has some details I think.

...and Lisa McPherson, who died in their care while they were trying to cure her of a nervous breakdown...in other words she was going to leave.

They also have an anti-drug treatment whose name I can't quite recall, that is in all probability a fraud (they refuse to have it independently tested).

There's loads of stuff around about their dodgy dealings...their leader jumped bail in Spain recently.

	23-05-2002 18:30									#14
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quote: Lisa McPherson, who died in their care

I heard about that a minute ago. Nothing can be proved, especially since the coroner didn't do the autopsy herself, nor can the rumors of cockroach bites be substantiated. I can't blame Scientology in my article, since I'd get in deep deep shit. However the isolation treatment they used on her, is increasingly being doled out at Saint Hill, I hope nobody gets hurt.

I find the claim that Wollersheim 'got' bipolar disorder from the church slightly dubious, since one does not 'catch' bip d it develops regardless of the conditions (although bad conditions can be said to help heighten an already existing cycle).

Nasty, nasty cult. Do you think they'll harrass me if my story proves they're a bunch of crazies who are increasingly paranoid as their numbers shrink?

	23-05-2002 18:41									#15
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I suspect you might get some, they seem to specialise in in trying to scare off people looking into their practices...especially their finances.

It all depends what angle you're planning on taking I suppose.

	23-05-2002 18:52									#16
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The story is basically that Scientology UK is going the way of the Dodo.

It is becoming increasingly brutal and paranoid towards both outsiders and members.

It might have a cache of arms on the premises.

Its going the way of Heavens gate, aka completely barmy and is likely to be extremely dangerous.

My line of investigation so far starts by assuming that Scientology was a kooky cult and relatively mild in England, but it has become an ever increasing pain in the ass, driving members away and thesedays, just plain insane.

Of course demonstrating that they're a bunch of batty boys will require sharing some of the 'trade secrets' of Scientology. I'm not sure I'm on strong legal grounds for this. Having my name dragged through the mud is hardly going to help my career.

	23-05-2002 18:58									#17
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They're quite a big target to take on...if needs be they'll try and tie you up in litigation if they view you as a threat (and by the sounds of it they will).

If you think you can pull it off, though, then that might do your career some good. What's the legality of them having a store of weapons?

	23-05-2002 19:02									#18
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I don't think they have any licence for guns, I need to look into that.
Apparently they have knifes mostly, one shotgun and one rifle. Guy said they had 3 handguns, but they were probably replicas. If they have gun licences it might be ok, but still v.scary.

	23-05-2002 19:12									#19
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I'm not sure how strong they are over here, I don't recall much in the way of cases brought against any reporters, or overt harrassment...

If you've put a fair amount into this already I think you should give it a go.

	23-05-2002 19:22									#20
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They've harrassed a few British authors,(Russell Miller) as well as the the problems with the infamous 'Time' article.

Its definately been an interesting week, I'm going to write a draft today, I think, then see their reaction. I'll also have to make the trip down to Saint Hill again to snoop about.

Still, could finally get my career going (after so long). Maybe even get something done about the cult.

I'm sure my bosses will help protect me.... right?

I've heard they spread pamphlets about the reporter to friends, neighbours, and collegues.

Hmmm

	23-05-2002 19:34									#21
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A little harrassment goes with the job doesn't it?

	23-05-2002 21:41									#22
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Here is my extra 2 cents.
The overall religion of scientology also deals with a class system within its doors. Those who donate more $$ and are of a higher financial or political status get better lodging and teachings(training courses). It is also rumored that after certain amounts are donated and time is donated,you get to meet an alien, perhaps Xenu itself.
Another odd note is L Ron isn't only a writer of odd sci-fi books, he is also the bases of many sales training manuals and seminars. I have been involved in 2 sales training programs that used his ideas, and as a joke, knowing what scientology was, I said perhaps when we finish the program we will meet the alien. This was a comment NOT well tolerated by the program directors.Many people had no idea who L Ron was even when his name was notated in the back of the training manuals.

	23-05-2002 21:46									#23
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Saint Hill is 10 minutes from my house I avoid it.

	23-05-2002 23:34									#24
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Really? Do you live in the village? I might have bumped into you by accident when I was there last week! Can I stay with you next week? (just joking

Do you have any information about Saint Hill, like noises, or
weirdos or gunshots, like I've heard about?

Update:
I got a phonecall this afternoon from a Woman in Scientology demanding that I drop the story, since, after a background check, I was not in the position to write an objective article about Scientology. She also threatened me with legal action if I

1/Misrepresent or slander Scientology.
2/ Reveal their copywrite information (Xenu etc)
3/ something like 'break their privacy, I don't remember.

They know my background, assholes. I really hope that I can avoid harassment (too late I think?) I don't want my wife involved in this!

They phoned my Editor as well. He says I should drop it.

Fucking motherfuckers!!
I'm just a damn reporter, so why do they do all this shit to intimidate people? Just makes me fucking mad.

I swear if they start harrassing me or my wife I will do a Tony Martin on one of them.

	23-05-2002 23:42									#25
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Scientologists have a habit of burying reporters and others with lawsuits, especially in the U.S. You should try to consult with a barrister to see where you stand with regards to U.K. press laws.

Don't try to bluff them out. They are serious about the legal action. So cover all your bases first, and be sure to double check all your facts and sources if you decide to write the article...

	23-05-2002 23:49									#26
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They are really a bunsch of ****ers and often have rich untermenschen like lawyers as members so you should be careful. Possibly you could win with good support but it will probably be painful in some way.

They seem really protective of their so called secrets. At the royal library in Stockholm they have a ex. of every damn book they have but they are trying to stop people that have not reached the correct level from reading them buy having members reading or borrowing them constantly.

I've meet them at a school trip. You've got to take expensive courses at different levels so it takes a while before they get to the wacko stuff.

	23-05-2002 23:53									#27
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oh, and remember: Information wants to be free!

	24-05-2002 00:15									#28
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Isn't this info in the public domain? If so, provided you give credit where credit is due, how can they sue you?

	24-05-2002 00:30									#29
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from your writing, I am pissed of at that woman myself

I cant give you good advice... if they are lunatics they wont drop this easily and may try all sorts of nasty things, from phoning you each night in 2 AM to other stuff...

for you it is a job but for them it is a religion, remember that. people can get very irrational about religion.

so you need to estimate how crazy they are.

and if you dont publish the article, can you at least post it on apolyton? you got me interested now

	24-05-2002 00:34									#30
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btw., I think all the worst about scientology, I dont know anyone who likes them (they are forbidden in germany too)