Press

Press in the News

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April 4, 1986 Inside Scientology - Finally When the staffers learn that you are a "wog" (Scientology-speak for non-Scientologist) or, worse yet, a wog journalist their warm smiles change instantly to icy defensiveness. Unless a Scientologist's neighbor is a fellow member of the church, Scientologists can be zealously self protective. harassment, Press
April 4, 1986 Error Leads To Mistrial A technical error by Quebec's Consumer Protection Office led to a mistrial yesterday in the trial of a sect accused of illegally receiving $18,000 from two prospective members. The Church of Scientology was charged with demanding that two novices make full payment for lessons in personality development before the courses began, and with not giving them written contracts. crimes, Press
January 5, 1986 Lawyer Seeks Publication Ban In Church Of Scientology Case The Church of Scientology and some of its members who were charged after a raid on its headquarters are asking for a publication ban on a guilty plea by one of the co-accused. Kathleen Lepp is charged with possession of stolen property. The church and 19 of its members or former members were charged with a variety of criminal offences in December, 1984. crimes, Press, Toronto
December 22, 1985 Bumpy Sleigh Ride: Chamber Draws Fire for Being Co-Sponsor With Scientologists For all its supposed good cheer, the holiday season is ending on a beastly note for the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. The chamber joined Scientology in co-sponsoring a seven-mule-team sleigh ride on Hollywood Boulevard. The decision has stirred criticism from some Hollywood merchants and religious leaders who complain that the chamber's co-sponsorship might be interpreted as a tacit endorsement of Scientology's controversial counseling and religious theories. Los Angeles, Press
November 23, 1985 Scientologists Win Major Court Victory Over Defectors, Documents In a major victory for the Church of Scientology, a federal judge said Friday she will bar breakaway Scientology groups from using confidential church teachings that appear to have been stolen. U.S. District Judge Mariana R. Pfaelzer said she will issue a preliminary injunction until a trial can be held on a lawsuit brought by the Church of Scientology against defectors who have established rival churches and counseling centers. The Church of Scientology contends the teachings are protected by federal trade secrets law. lawsuits, Press
November 19, 1985 $12,000 Spent On Scientology Course: Suit A Montreal stockbroker who claims he was brainwashed last year by members of the Church of Scientology testified yesterday that he paid $12,000 to the sect for personality courses. Gilles Lanthier told the court that he began having doubts about the sect when he was told to abandon his wife and seek further Scientology instruction in Toronto. lawsuits, Montreal, Press
November 17, 1985 Church Says Interplanetary Tyrant Exists Publication of secret documents that blame the world's troubles on an interplanetary tyrant named Xemu has held the Church of Scientology up to public ridicule. Church leaders vow to prevent further release of secret scriptures in ongoing courtroom battles with opponents the leaders say are attacking the Scientology religion. According to the tracts, Xemu, fighting galactic overpopulation, ordered humans and beings from other planets captured and placed in several large volcanoes. Heber Jentzsch, Larry Wollersheim, lawsuits, Los Angeles, Press, Xenu
November 11, 1985 U.S. Judge Refuses to Block Use of 'Sacred Scriptures' of Scientology U.S. District Judge Mariana R. Pfaelzer has refused to block the use of "sacred scriptures" the Church of Scientology alleges were stolen from a Denmark church by former members two years ago. Pfaelzer, who had issued a temporary restraining order, said that although she believes that the documents were stolen, church attorneys failed to properly trace their trail from Denmark to the United States. Pfaelzer said she also is reluctant to interfere because the material is key evidence in a $25-million Los Angeles Superior Court fraud case filed against the church by former member Larry Wollersheim. Larry Wollersheim, lawsuits, Los Angeles, Press
November 8, 1985 Scientologist Objections to 2nd Judge Overruled Over their objections, lawyers representing the Church of Scientology in a civil case brought by a former member were ordered Thursday to appear for trial before Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Ronald E. Swearinger. Swearinger was the second judge to whom they objected having the case reassigned for trial Thursday after unsuccessfully moving for a continuance or a change of venue on grounds of pretrial publicity. crimes, lawsuits, Los Angeles, Press
November 6, 1985 Xemu and the Thetans Documents obtained by the Los Angeles Times show that members of the Church of Scientology believe that mankind's ills were caused by an evil ruler named Xemu who lived 75 million years ago. Scientologists have been trying to prevent the release of the documents, which they consider secret and sacred, and about 1500 church members crammed three floors of the Los Angeles County Courthouse, effectively blocking public access to documents. Los Angeles, Press, Scientology and Society, space opera, Xenu

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