July 19 in Scientology history

Church of Scientology moving to downtown Detroit

Tags: Detroit, Quicky

A member of Scientology's band, The Jive Aces, demonstrates how state of "clear" doesn't exist, when an anti-scientology advocate approaches their stage with the truth about their organisation. The Jive Ace proceeds to "handle" the infidel and when he sees that he is being filmed doing so, attempts to attack the lensman. His "reactive mind" prevails, despite all of that "auditing" and a billion year Sea-Org contract

Tags: Jive Aces, Quicky

We spent a full day yesterday on a project we hope to tell you about soon. We just have time to post a video sent to us from John McGhee, who had an interesting encounter this week in Dublin. McGhee showed up at a show put on by the Jive Aces, a swing band made up by Scientologists who use the band's popularity to spread the Church of Scientology's influence. You can see in the video that McGhee showed up to the concert in a "Scientology Kills" T-shirt and then, from near the stage, began handing out fliers denouncing the band and its connection to the church.

Tags: Dublin, Jive Aces, John McGhee

(Phil Jones and his daughter Emily) Phil and Willie Jones, the Las Vegas couple who got a lot of press for raising the money to put up a billboard in Los Angeles bringing attention to Scientology's "disconnection" policy, have arrived in Florida this week for the unveiling of a new billboard in the town of Clearwater, Scientology's spiritual headquarters. Phil and Willie were longtime Scientologists who were drummed out of the organization when Phil's sister turned them in for harboring doubts. Their two grown children, Mike and Emily, cut off all ties with them once they were kicked out of the church, as is required by the harsh Scientology policy. Mike and Emily both work for the church's most hardcore group, the Sea Organization, which requires them to sign billion-year contracts and work for pennies an hour.

Tags: 2005, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, Alex Gibney, Call Me, Clearwater, Daily Mail, David Miscavige, Disconnection, Emily Jones, Florida, Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief, Independent Press Standards Organisation, Janet Reitman, Las Vegas, Lawrence Wright, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Times, Phil Jones, Quicky, Saint Hill Manor, Scientology Media Productions, Sea Org, St. Petersburg Times, Tampa Bay Times, Tom Cruise, Tom DeVocht, UK, Willie Jones

The 2016 edition of the International Scientology News Maiden Voyage edition has hit the mailboxes of thousands of disinterested recipients. I will do a series of posts covering the events of each night, starting with this overview of the ISN and the Maiden Voyage itself. In a word, the whole thing was underwhelming. Monumental, epic underwhelm.

Tags: Anne Archer, Atlanta, Bob Duggan, Danny Masterson, David Miscavige, Dissemination, Erika Christensen, Freewinds, International Scientology News, Jenna Elfman, John Travolta, Kelly Preston, Kirstie Alley, L. Ron Hubbard, Laura Prepon, Maiden Voyage, Nancy Cartwright, OT, OT Ambassador, OT Committee, Quicky, Scientology Media Productions, Shermanspeak, Tom Cruise, Tom Cummins, Victoria

David Miscavige said the story headlined "Exclusive: inside the 'bromance' of Tom Cruise and Scientology founder David Miscavige: How they gamble and smoke cigars together and share a special language – but Miscavige secretly recorded the movie star", published on 2 December 2015, was inaccurate. He denied that a field had been "laser levelled out" to impress Cruise's friend and that a field had been sown with wild flowers for Cruise. He also denied he and Cruise had returned from a Las Vegas gambling trip with "bundles of cash".

Tags: Daily Mail, David Miscavige, Independent Press Standards Organisation, Las Vegas, Tom Cruise

A complaint by the leader of the Church of Scientology about a Mail Online article on his "bromance" with actor Tom Cruise has been upheld by the UK press watchdog. David Miscavige lodged a complaint with the Independent Press Standards Organisation about an article published by Mail Online in December last year. The article was titled "Exclusive: inside the 'bromance' of Tom Cruise and Scientology founder David Miscavige – How they gamble and smoke cigars together and share a special language – but Miscavige secretly recorded the movie star".

Tags: Bromance, Daily Mail, David Miscavige, Independent Press Standards Organisation, Int Base, Tom Cruise, UK

The latest in my ongoing series where I answer questions left for me in the comments section of my Q&A videos or sent to me by email at AskChrisShelton@gmail.com. This week the questions I take up are: (1) After Going Clear and the media backlash, the image of the church is all but destroyed. However shadow organizations, such as Narconon, still lure in unsuspecting public. What other organizations exist that the public should be made aware of? (2) Is there any chance of the COS becoming a hot political item, perhaps being championed by a particular politician? Isn't it time a well known politician took a stand and made it clear to the COS that it's living on borrowed time and needs to initiate its own reforms or face investigation?

Tags: Critic, David Miscavige, Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief, Laurisse Stuckenbrock, Narconon, OT, Quicky, Sea Org, Xenu

When Tony Ortega announced his extended tour and that he was coming to Denver, I immediately wanted to do something to secure a location for him and make this a success. Having read The Unbreakable Miss Lovely, I knew this was a work that needed to get as wide a coverage as possible. The Secular Hub is a group I belong to here in Denver, a sort of umbrella group for local atheists, skeptics, humanists and similar organizations that seek freedom from religion, enforcement of the separation of church and state, and who do volunteer work around town. They had hosted my talk about Scientology and were more than happy to host and promote Tony's. Special shoutout to Amy Ruth McCleod who was helped setup everything, got the word around and was just the usual special and wonderful person she is in making this happen. This was the first time I've ever done an interview like this and it was a lot of fun. We had a very nice attendance, probably around 70 people total. We did the presentation interview style where I asked Tony questions first, and then he took them from the audience. There was one point during the talk where a young woman spoke up who was quite emotional when Tony was talking about Scientology's toxic disconnection policies. She talked about her family, who are in a Scientology school, and her parents who were still actively involved and how she did not know what to do. Other audience members were soon also in tears and Tony handled it beautifully. After the talk, she hooked up with some other exes in the audience and now will have some assistance in the future.

Tags: Denver, Disconnection, Quicky, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely, Tony Ortega

By Chris Shelton When Tony Ortega announced his extended tour and that he was coming to Denver, I immediately wanted to do something to secure a location for him and make this a success. Having read The Unbreakable Miss Lovely, I knew this was a work that needed to get as wide a coverage as possible. The Secular Hub is a group I belong to here in Denver, a sort of umbrella group for local atheists, skeptics, humanists and similar organizations that seek freedom from religion, enforcement of the separation of church and state, and who do volunteer work around town. They had hosted my talk about Scientology and were more than happy to host and promote Tony's.

Tags: Alan Prendergast, Brazil, Bruce Hines, Chill EB, Chris Shelton, Claire Headley, Craig Guignon, Dallas, Dan Luzadder, David Miscavige, Denver, Dianetics, Disconnection, Facebook, Freedom magazine, Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief, Kaye Champagne, Kim O'Brien, Kirstie Alley, Lori Hodgson, Los Angeles, Maine, Mexico City, Miss Lovely, Nick Lister, OCA, Quicky, Renata Lugli, Russia, São Paulo, Sara Goldberg, Sea Org, Slovakia, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely, Tim DeWall

It never stops getting worse. Now they have cool white leather jackets with a "V for Vendetta" symbol on them to accompany the Vendetta lapel pin. And this fine piece of 80's disco throwback attire can be yours to proudly display as your latest status symbol for a small, one time payment of just $25,000.

Tags: Bob Duggan, Fundraising, Nancy Cartwright, OTC, Quicky, Valley Ideal Org

On May 19, 1943 the Astoria-based subchaser crew got a call from USS PC-815. The ship had made contact with at least one enemy submarine. USS PC-815 was a newly commissioned ship, built in Portland, which was under the command of L. Ron Hubbard-the same L. Ron Hubbard who later founded the Church of Scientology. According to the article, the captain and crew of SC-536 left port in search of the enemy submarine, guided by two navy blimps from the airship squadron. SC-536 crew did not return to port until May 22, 1943.

Tags: Jack Fletcher, Kathleen Wallis, L. Ron Hubbard, Louis Powell, Micah Rees, PC-815, Submarine, Thomas Miller

I assume this is a report about the fundraising event held at CC Int to raise money for Mario Fenninger. Ugh — CC Int actually CHARGED the organizers for the use of their space — for a "fundraiser." How typical of everything corporate scientology. Also goes to show — they apparently failed to make up some statuses to "award" for giving money to this benefit, so they really didn't do too well. They also forgot to invite the Queen OT Empress Mayor Superstar Royal Highness of the Valley... Should have had her there guys. How silly of you.

Tags: Fundraising, International Association of Scientologists, Linda Lombardo, Mario Fenninger, OT, Quicky, Richard Stewart, Tom Cruise

Ah, Dianetics! Our video source came through again, and we have another "quote video" of an L. Ron Hubbard lecture. In this case, it was Hubbard giving a talk on Dianetics in November 1950, about six months after his best-selling book had come out and created a craze. To this day, Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health is considered "Book One" in the Hubbard canon, and it is still pushed as the introductory text to Scientology. Time and again, we hear from people who say they first got into Scientology by reading this book, and they tell us how much it spoke to them and really hooked them. And every time they say that, we have to shake our heads.

Tags: 1950, 2011, Abigail Miller, Aleah Chisholm, Amber O'Sullivan, Apollo, Audio, Australia, Bridge Publications, Camilla Andersson, Case Supervisor, Chris Wilson, CMO Int, Commodore's Messenger Organization, David Miscavige, Dianetics, Faith Schermerhorn, Golden Era, Golden Era Productions, Ideal Org, Int Base, Italy, Karen de la Carriere, L. Ron Hubbard, Los Angeles, Marc Headley, Master at Arms, Mental Health, Mike Gilchrist, Narconon Arrowhead, Oklahoma, Quicky, Rehabilitation Project Force, Religious Technology Center, Robert Murphy, Ron Sommerville, Sarah Fear, Sea Org, Shelly Miscavige, Stacy Murphy, The Hole, Tony Pinder, Vance Woodward, Winston Mellor

Spirit is the invisible-to-the-eye animating agent that brings vitality to otherwise lifeless matter. A soul is an individual unit of sentient life. It is the spiritual being. Souls, so far as we can tell, are of the same quality as spirit. Souls seem to be distinguishable from spirit by carrying the notion of individuality or demonstrating it through operation of, and identifying with, an organism and exercising some measure of sentience.

Tags: Quicky

March 12, 1992 — July 19, 2012 A year ago today, Stacy Dawn Murphy died at Scientology's flagship drug rehab facility, Narconon Arrowhead in Oklahoma. She was just 20 years old. Her death was the third at the facility in only nine months, and it resulted in local and state investigations, numerous lawsuits, and even a new state law. But we're still waiting to hear about the result of investigations in Oklahoma. While we wait, we asked Gary Richardson for an update on the lawsuits that he's handling for several families who are suing Narconon Arrowhead for wrongful death or fraud. We also asked for a comment from Luke Catton, who for several years was the president of Narconon. And we reached out to Colin Henderson, a former Narconon patient who first alerted us to Stacy's death.

Tags: 1992, 2012, Brandon Ogborn, Chicago, CNN, Colin Henderson, Gary Richardson, Georgia, Joel Kerns, Katie Holmes, Leah Remini, Lucas Catton, Nancy Many, Narconon, Narconon Arrowhead, New York City, Oklahoma, Pittsburg County, Pittsburgh, Quicky, Safe Point, Stacy Murphy, Synthia Fagen, Tom Cruise, TomKat Project, UK

Former Scientologist Marc Headley, who first revealed to the Voice in 2009 that Tom Cruise talked to ashtrays and beverage bottles as part of his Scientology training, has a stunning article in the Daily Beast today that settles, once and for all, what Paul Thomas Anderson's film The Master is all about. As Headley proves conclusively, it's about Scientology, from beginning to end. Headley grew up in Scientology, and in 2005 escaped from its secretive International Base east of Los Angeles. His 2009 book, Blown For Good, was one of the first to blow the lid off the culture of violence at the base and the culture of intimidation and interrogation perpetuated by church leader David Miscavige...

Tags: 1952, 2005, 2009, Apollo, Blown for Good, Daily Beast, David Miscavige, Dianetics, Excalibur, Facebook, Fifth Invader Force, Fourth Invader Force, Int Base, Los Angeles, Marc Headley, Paul Thomas Anderson, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Private investigator, Quicky, Scientology operation, Sea Org, The Master, Tom Cruise

Dani Lemberger, Dror Center, Haifa, Israel 11 July 2012 Dear friends, fellow Scientologists,

Tags: 1955, 1960, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1975, 1977, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2004, 2005, 2006, Annie Broeker, Applied Scholastics, Author Services Inc, Aviv Bershadsky, Basics, Chairman of the Board, Christie Collbran, Clear, Clear Certainty Rundown, Clearwater, Conditions, Corpus Christi, Dani Lemberger, David Miscavige, Dianetics, Disconnection, Dror Center, E-meter, Ethics, Ethics Officer, Europe, Field Staff Member, Flag Order, Flag Service Organization, Golden Age of Tech, Gur Finkelstein, Haifa, High Crime, Ideal Org, International Association of Scientologists, International Justice Chief, IRS, Israel, Jaffa, Keep Scientology Working, L. Ron Hubbard, London, Loyal Officer, Maiden Voyage, Mary Sue Hubbard, Membership, Mission, Monique Rathbun, Muammar Gaddafi, New York, Office of Special Affairs, OT, OT 7, OT 9, Pat Broeker, Potential Trouble Source, Purif, Quicky, Religious Technology Center, Russia, Saint Hill, Scientology organization, Sea Org, Student Hat, Suppressive Person, Syria, Tami Lemberger, Tampa, Tel Aviv, Texas, The Way to Happiness, Universe Corps, WISE

Robert Baty had a career with the IRS finishing up as an appeals officer. He is still boiling about the deal that the Service cut resulting in Revenue Ruling 70-549. Under its terms any Pepperdine University faculty member or administrator, including the basketball coach, who is a member of the Churches of Christ, is entitled to a tax free housing allowance as a "minister of the gospel". I asked Bob for his thoughts on the "secret" 1993 agreement between IRS and Scientology. Here is what he has to say:

Tags: 1993, Freedom From Religion Foundation, IRS, Rich Bolton, Robert Baty, Sklar, Standing

Heber and Alexander Jentzsch As the Los Angeles Coroner's office continues to investigate the July 3 death of Alexander Jentzsch -- the 27-year-old son of Heber Jentzsch, the Church of Scientology's president -- Alexander's mother, Karen de la Carriere, continues to hear from people in and outside of the church about the days leading up to his death. This evening, she was forwarded an e-mail that had been sent to church members describing a memorial service held last Thursday at Scientology's Hollywood Celebrity Centre on Franklin Avenue. The e-mail is signed by Stan Gerson, a well-known Scientologist who had been Alexander's godfather. (We left a phone message with Gerson, who is a Sherman Oaks commercial real estate broker and also performs as a stage magician.) According to the e-mail, Alexander's father, Heber Jentzsch, did give the eulogy at the service. Alexander's mother, de la Carriere, was not invited to the memorial, which the e-mail describes as an idyllic affair -- and seems intended to counter growing media interest in the unusual circumstances around Alexander's death.

Tags: 1982, 1990, 2004, 2010, 9/11, 9-1-1, Alexander Jentzsch, California, Celebrity Centre, Church of Scientology International, Dallas, David Miscavige, David Petit, Disconnection, Ed Winter, Facebook, Heber Jentzsch, Hemet, Hollywood, John Brousseau, KABC, Karen de la Carriere, Kenny Davies, L. Ron Hubbard, Los Angeles, Mike Rinder, New York, Office of Special Affairs, Quicky, San Fernando Valley, Sea Org, Sherman Oaks, Stan Gerson, Suppressive Person, Texas, The Hole, Tim Burke, Tom Cruise, Touch Assist

It is ironic that David Miscavige's best friend and 'the most dedicated Scientologist' he knows, Tom Cruise, has provided the tipping point event in the final meltdown of Scientology Inc. What I find most disturbing about it is that Miscavige is doing all he can to bring everyone and everything down with him - from Tom Cruise to the subject of Scientology itself. It is somewhat poetic justice that so many horror stories that Miscavige spent so many million suppressing over the past several years have suddenly been given wide currency. It is unfortunate that there has not been time, nor the inclination on the part of media, to differentiate Miscavige's cult and its conduct from the philosophy of Scientology. But, Miscavige's scorched earth, take no responsibility policy makes that differentiation process nearly impossible. To understand the process, let's take for example Miscavige's response to the original Truth Rundown series by the Tampa Times. Some former International Headquarters staff attempted to check Miscavige from taking Scientology Inc. down in a Jonestown-like inferno by exposing dangerous, habitual conduct by Miscavige. Miscavige's response was to accuse the accusers of perpetuating wholesale violence. The result, two nights of ABC Nightline specials and a five part CNN AC 360 special on "Scientology: A History of Violence", and an hour long BBC documentary all about a widespread 'culture of violence' at the highest ranks of 'Scientology.' It is the lying that perpetuates and exacerbates the situation and results in no effective differentiation being possible. I remember predicting to Mike Rinder a month before Truth Rundown was published that until Miscavige takes a modicum of responsibility for the truth, the media exposes will become more frequent and more widespread. Just look at how the Truth Rundown series has expanded since its 2009 inception.

Tags: 2009, Alexander Jentzsch, BBC, Chairman of the Board, CNN, David Miscavige, Heber Jentzsch, Jonestown, Karen de la Carriere, Mike Rinder, Nightline, OT VIII, Quicky, Scientology: A History of Violence, Stan Gerson, Tampa, Tom Cruise, Truth Rundown, Village Voice

Another person has been found dead at Narconon Arrowhead Stacy Dawn Murphy 20, of Owasso has been found dead at Narconon Arrowhead, according to a report by the PIttsburg County Sheriff's Department. Four people have died while patients at the facility, three in the last year.

Tags: Death, Narconon, Narconon Arrowhead, Oklahoma, Stacy Murphy

In 2005, Rolling Stone contributing editor Janet Reitman first stepped into the New York Church of Scientology to begin research on what culminated in her 2006 article, "Inside Scientology." The piece was nominated for a National Magazine Award and provided some of the groundwork for her new book, Inside Scientology: The History of America's Most Secretive Religion.

Tags: American Psychological Association, Anonymous, Child labor, Claire Headley, David Miscavige, Disconnection, Greg Bashaw, Inside Scientology: The Story of America's Most Secretive Religion, Introspection Rundown, Janet Reitman, Jefferson Hawkins, Kendra Wiseman, LGBT, Lisa McPherson, Marc Headley, Mental breakdown, Mike Rinder, Neil Gaiman, Paul Haggis, Sea Org, Suppressive Person, Tom Cruise, Tommy Davis, Wikileaks

This is a wake up call. It is a sad story. But, it is unfortunately true. It should be distributed to everyone who has ever paid one thin dime to the International Association of Scientologists (IAS) or who is contemplating doing so in the future.

Tags: 1987, 2009, Bob Duggan, David Miscavige, David Pomerantz, David Pomeranz, Dennis Clarke, Freedom Medal, Hospital, International Association of Scientologists, OT, OT V, Philippines, Quicky, St. Petersburg Times, Truth Rundown

The blogger does not identify himself, although he has posted several photographs and appears to be named "Tad." I wager that our astute readers (who include both present and former church members) will be able to put a full name to a face. In his blog, titled "Studying Scientology," Tad has revealed some things about himself: he appears to be a second-generation Scientologist, and both he and his father work at the D.C. "org." Tad is a young father and earnestly cheers on announcements by Scientology leader David Miscavige about new church buildings opening around the world.

Tags: 1950, David Miscavige, DC, Jesus, Muhammad, New York, OT III, Religious Technology Center, Tad Reeves, Washington

Meyer said there were no passengers in any of the three vehicles, and all the motorists were wearing seat belts. "The CHP has not ruled out alcohol and/or drugs as a contributing factor in this collision," the officer said. "The entire incident was captured on multiple Golden Era security cameras, and the footage is being reviewed by CHP investigators."

Tags: Golden Era Productions, Int Base, San Jacinto

As a member of today's Brave New World of Scientology, it is helpful to have selective memory loss. There are certain things we are not supposed to remember. And in case you've forgotten the things you are supposed to forget, here is a list of the key ones: 1. The 1986 LRH Memorial Event: We are not supposed to remember this event, or the fact that it was announced that LRH had passed the torch to a couple named Pat and Annie Broeker. There was an issue about this time, signed by LRH, granting Pat and Annie the rank of Loyal Officers. No mention was made of David Miscavige. Within about a year, Pat Broker had mysteriously disappeared, and David Miscavige was in charge. What happened to Pat Broeker? We are supposed to forget that he ever existed. And the video is no longer available from the Church. You don't believe it? Go in and ask for a copy. It is, however, available on the internet. 2. OT XV: That's right, OT Fifteen. At that same event, it was announced that LRH had completed the OT Levels, which extended up to OT XV. They were fully written up and codified, we were told, awaiting only their release by Scientology Management. That was 23 years ago. Twenty-three years! And only one of these levels has been released, OT VIII. In fact, several different versions of OT VIII have been released. One might legitimately ask how "several versions" could exist of a level that had been fully researched and codified. But I digress. OT VIII is the only one that has been released - and that was 20 years ago. But no further levels. We keep hearing that the release of OT IX and X are immanent. It was supposed to happen, we were told, "when all Orgs reach the size of Old Saint Hill." Which brings us to our next item.

Tags: 1976, 1978, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1991, 1998, 2002, Annie Broeker, Basics, Birthday Event, Celebrity Centre, Clear, Clearwater, David Miscavige, Dianetics, Ideal Org, Int Base, L. Ron Hubbard, Loyal Officers, Mary Sue Hubbard, OT, OT IX, OT VIII, OT X, Pat Broeker, Planetary Clearing, Quicky, Religious Technology Center, Review, Saint Hill, Super Power, Yvonne Jentzsch

Three Bellevue residents, Preston and Cameron Lull along with their mother, Julie Lull, participated in a drug awareness event at Seattle Center on Saturday, June 28 to highlight the need for drug education. Preston and Cameron are part of the Drug-Free Marshals & Mentors group - a youth drug education and prevention program launched by the Church of Scientology in 1993.Three Bellevue residents, Preston and Cameron Lull along with their mother, Julie Lull, participated in a drug awareness event at Seattle Center on Saturday, June 28 to highlight the need for drug education. Preston and Cameron are part of the Drug-Free Marshals & Mentors group - a youth drug education and prevention program launched by the Church of Scientology in 1993.

Tags: Drug-Free Marshals, Foundation for a Drug-Free World, Julie Lull, Press release, United Nations

The Cook Islands High Court will hear an application today (Friday local time) for the demolition of a tent set up by the Church of Scientology in the middle of the capital, Avarua. The writ was filed in court by Reverend Alfred Morris, who leads a local Apostolic church in Rarotonga. Last week the Cook Islands government gave the green light to visiting Church of Scientology representatives Mathew Andrews and Winnie Lawrence to put up posters. However, they were advised the posters must not promote the church principles or doctrines but rather the community work they carry out as a church.

Tags: Cook Islands, Mathew Andrews, Volunteer Ministers, Winnie Lawrence

Last week the Cook Islands government gave the green light to visiting Church of Scientology representatives Mathew Andrews and Winnie Lawrence to put up posters. However, they were advised the posters must not promote the church principles or doctrines but rather the community work they carry out as a church. In his application to the court, Morris says that the Church of Scientology has no place in the Cook Islands for many reasons. Apart from having no approval under the Religious Organizations Restrictions Act 1975, the writ says it was also rejected by the Religious Advisory Council nor was it endorsed by a Resolution of Cabinet.

Tags: Alfred Morris, Cook Islands, Mathew Andrews, Winnie Lawrence

Morris said that apart from having no approval under the Religious Organisations Restrictions Act 1975, the Scientologists were rejected by the Religious Advisory Council and not endorsed by a Resolution of Cabinet. Church of Scientologist spokesperson Mathew Andrews, in a letter to the court today, said the display tent was dismantled in response to the writ. He said this was done because he wanted to keep the peace and not get into a legal battle. Judge Justice Patrick Savage then dismissed the application by Morris.

Tags: Alfred Morris, Cook Islands, Judge Savage, Mathew Andrews, Ngamau Munokoa

Cruise was planning to shoot scenes at the site, until the German government decided it would be inappropriate to film at what is now a memorial and sacred ground to many. But the decision had more to do with Scientology than anything sacred. Cruise is a member of the church of Scientology. And having him play Stauffenberg didn't fly in Germany. One official put it this way. "It would not be a good signal if an ambassador of this psycho sect that has extremist character and no concern for basic human rights, shoots a movie in a place like that." It's not against the law to practice Scientology in Germany. Still, the government won't call it a religion. Germany views Scientology as a sect, whose chief purpose is to make money off people.

Tags: Germany, Tom Cruise

A Sydney court was told earlier this month that the daughter was refused follow-up hospital treatment after she was diagnosed with a psychotic illness late last year, because of her parents' belief in Scientology. It was further alleged her parents stopped her taking prescribed medicine and started her on non-psychiatric drugs they got from America.

Tags: Australia, Murder, Sydney

Ben Shaw, Bennetta Slaughter, Mary Story, Elias Jafif

Tags: 1971, 1978, 1994, 1996, ACLU, AMC Publishing, Applied Scholastics, Ben Shaw, Bennetta Slaughter, Boston, Boys & Girls Clubs, Clearwater, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Dallas, Dianetics, Elias Jafif, Europe, Flag Service Organization, Los Angeles, Mary Story, Mexico, Mexico City, Miami, New Zealand, St. Louis, Tampa, Times Staff

Tags: Alicia Regensburg, Ben Shaw, Clearwater, Clearwater Academy, Elias Jafif, Flag Building, Jason Regensburg, Lisa Mansell, Mary Story, Mexico, Pat Harney, Starbucks

An epitomizing event was the church party on Jan. 26, 2002, celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Fort Harrison Hotel. The guest list was a who's who of Pinellas' political and power elite. Since then, politicians have been much more comfortable attending various church events. State Rep. Gus Bilirakis of Palm Harbor and state Sens. Mike Fasano of New Port Richey and Dennis Jones of Seminole sat through a seminar last fall about a Hubbard-inspired crime and drug rehabilitation project. Fasano, City Council member Hoyt Hamilton and Clearwater City Manager Bill Horne helped kick off the church's Christmas-themed Winter Wonderland last December. Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judges Linda Allan and Linda Babb toured, and later praised, the Narconon drug treatment program based on Hubbard teachings. Political candidates quickly learn that Scientologists can be willing campaign contributors and represent a sizable voter bloc.

Tags: 1993, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2012, Aaron McGlon, ACLU, Ben Shaw, Bennetta Slaughter, Bill Anderson, Bill Horne, Bob Dillinger, Bob Keller, Boys & Girls Clubs, Brian Aungst, Citizens for a Better Clearwater, Clearwater, Clearwater Community Volunteers, Dennis Jones, Dunedin, Ed Armstrong, Fort Harrison, Frank Hibbard, Gus Bilirakis, Hoyt Hamilton, IRS, Jim Coats, Joanie Sigal, John Travolta, Judge Linda Allan, Judge Linda Babb, Kim Berfield, Mary Repper, Maryland, Mike Fasano, Mike Meidel, Narconon, New Port Richey, Palm Harbor, Pam Iorio, Pinellas County, Pope, Rita Garvey, Scott Keeler, Susan Latvala, Tampa, Tom Cruise, Winter Wonderland, YMCA