Press

Press in the News

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March 4, 1998 Boston Herald: Sacred Teachings Not Secret Anymore Scientology teaches that humans first came to the earth from outer space 75 million years ago, sent into exile here by an evil warlord named Xenu, according to church documents. The church also teaches members to communicate with plants, zoo animals, and inanimate objects such as ashtrays. But these esoteric secrets have only recently been revealed publicly, because the Church of Scientology for decades used copyright lawsuits and other measures to keep them under wraps. Press, teachings and beliefs
March 3, 1998 Boston Herald: Scientology Reaches into Schools through Narconon An organization with ties to the Church of Scientology is recruiting New England schoolchildren for what critics say is an unproven — and possibly dangerous — anti-drug program. And the group — Narconon Inc. of Everett — is being paid with taxpayer dollars without disclosing its Scientology connections. Boston, MA, Narconon, Press
March 2, 1998 Boston Herald: Church Keys Programs to Recruit Blacks The Church of Scientology has targeted black families in Massachusetts with a learn-to-read program that critics say is just a rehash of old methods that leans heavily on the church's religious teachings. Critics and former members say the program - the World Literacy Crusade - is part of a nationwide effort by the church to entice blacks into Scientology and then convince them to take other, expensive programs. Boston, MA, front groups, Isaac Hayes, Press
March 2, 1998 Boston Herald: Milton School Shades Ties to Scientology A Church of Scientology school in Milton is enrolling large numbers of children from middle-class and professional black families in what critics say is part of the church's nationwide plan to recruit minorities. Officials at Delphi Academy do not tell parents that the school is part of the Church of Scientology, and that they are trying to recruit blacks for Scientology's costly programs. Boston, MA, front groups, Press
March 1, 1998 Boston Herald: Judge Found Hubbard Lied about Achievements California Judge Paul Breckenridge found that Scientology "clearly is schizophrenic and paranoid, and this bizarre combination seems to be reflective of its founder LRH ... The evidence portrays a man who has been virtually a pathological liar when it comes to his history, background and achievements." L. Ron Hubbard, Press
March 1, 1998 Boston Herald: Powerful Church Targets Fortunes, Souls of Recruits A look at Scientology in Boston - recruiting, control, the cost, and the critics. Boston, MA, Press
January 28, 1998 St. Petersburg Times: Hardball When Scientology goes to court, it likes to play rough - very rough. In a 14-month, worldwide survey, the St. Petersburg Times documented a consistent pattern of church officials relentlessly pursuing its critics in legal actions that some charge are designed as much to harass as to achieve legal victory. Lisa McPherson, Press
January 18, 1998 Death of a Disciple Puts Scientology in the Dock Nobody was hurt when Lisa McPherson drove into the back of a boat being towed through the Florida city of Clearwater. Yet 17 days later McPherson was dead and the minor traffic accident had become the focus of a police investigation that is causing embarrassment for one of the world's most controversial churches. McPherson was a Scientologist. A Florida prosecutor is considering whether to bring charges against Scientology officials who were looking after McPherson when she died. crimes, deaths, Lisa McPherson, Press
January 10, 1998 Golden Era's Hwy. 79 plan nixed San Jacinto city officials and residents have reacted with suspicion to a Church of Scientology request that the city continue diverting Highway 79 away from the church's Golden Era Productions film studios. The City Council voted 4-1 Thursday night to deny Golden Era's request that a detour along Sanderson Avenue and Ramona Expressway continue to be designated as Highway 79. Some council members and residents questioned the church's intentions for the original highway. Press
January 7, 1998 The IRS and Scientology In the closing days of 1997, the controversial Church of Scientology finally paid the Internal Revenue Service $12.5 million as part of a 1993 settlement. (The sect is also embroiled in a dispute with the German government over its religious and tax status.) Such caution is not unique to the Church of Scientology. In the past 20 years, the IRS has investigated and challenged the tax-exempt status of both the Unification Church, led by the Rev. Sun Myung Moon, and a Protestant group led by the Rev. James and Tammy Faye Bakker; in both instances, the churches were fined for tax violations. IRS, Press

Press in the News

Date Titlesort icon Blurb Tags
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