Scientology's bullying - 1997-01-25
Scientology's bullying January 25, 1997,
The Church of Scientology is its own worst enemy. It spends considerable effort renovating its Clearwater properties, sponsoring holiday festivals and pleading to be accepted in the community it secretly invaded two decades ago. Then it resorts to intimidation and pretends to be above the law when serious questions are raised about the death of one of its members. Those old habits undercut the more recent efforts toward community acceptance.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Clearwater police and Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney Bernie McCabe are investigating the death of Lisa McPherson, who was a member of the Church of Scientology for 18 years before she died in December 1995.
When Pinellas-Pasco Medical Examiner Joan Wood publicly discussed her office's findings, a lawyer for the Church of Scientology called her a "hateful liar." That does not sound like an organization eager to help find the truth.