Sample by Topic from Apologia Report

SCIENTOLOGY

 

"A Website on Scientology Litigation" -- Incredibly, no electronic address is given for this site that provides "information on most, if not all, of legal proceedings worldwide involving the Church of Scientology." My best guess is that this refers to <http://superlink.net:80/user/mgarde/intro.html>. The brief article gives its source as "Web Resources" in Cyberspace Lawyer (4/96). Cult Observer, Jul/Aug '96, p6.

(from Apologia Report 1:26, September 30, 1996)

 

"French Scientology Church Members On Trial in Lyon" by Linda Stern -- ex-members of the French Church of Scientology accused it in court of "applying intense mental pressure and extracting large sums of money from those who joined it." Roman Catholic priest Louis-Michel Brolles, said "the Church of Scientology with which he flirted ... is completely different from the Catholic church because there is no God in it." The suicide of a Scientology member in Lyon is said to have launched the circumstances surrounding the trial. A Scientology spokesman told reporters "There is no fraud in the Church of Scientology." Scientology "claims more than eight million adherents worldwide, including 4,000 in France." Reuters, Oct 2 '96 -- Electronic Library.

(from Apologia Report 1:28, October 28, 1996)

 

"Court Puzzles Over Scientology: Sect or Religion?" by Jean Forget -- related to the above trial, quotes French countercult leader and Roman Catholic priest, Jacques Troussard, "Scientology may not be the biggest of sects, but it's the most dangerous because of its national and international power." The opposing view is represented by others including Italian new religions scholar Massimo Introvigne , "there are no doubt more suicides in the French police than among Scientologists, or any other religious movement." Reuters, Oct 4 '96 -- Electronic Library.

(from Apologia Report 1:28, October 28, 1996)

 

"Scientology Church Attacks Kohl Party Resolution" by Fiona Fleck -- reaction to Chancellor Helmut Kohl's Christian Democrat party which "pledged to put it under official surveillance and bar its members from public service." Brief. Reuters, Oct 22 '96 -- Electronic Library.

(from Apologia Report 1:28, October 28, 1996)

 

"Germany Battles Scientologists" -- "Germany created a government office Wednesday to coordinate its fight against the Church of Scientology and to keep people who are affiliated with the group out of key public jobs." (AP story) NewsProfiles, Dec 18 '96.

(from Apologia Report 1:28, Oct 28, 1996)

 

"Show Me the Money" by Frank Rich -- ridicules Hollywood's celebs for promoting a "$56,000 full-page ad in The International Herald Tribune" which defends Scientology against the German government. The ad "trivializes both Nazism and the Holocaust" by favorably comparing Scientology to the Jews under Hitler. In addition, Rich notes the ad "studiously ignores the controversy over Scientology itself" citing the 1991 Time cover story that named the group a "cult of greed." New York Times, Jan 25 '97, n.p.

(from Apologia Report 2:3, February 24, 1997)

 

"Does Germany Have Something Against These Guys?" by Bruce W. Nelan -- introduces the row between the German government and Hollywood figures Travolta and Cruise. Time, Feb 10 '97, p42.

(from Apologia Report 2:6, March 17, 1997)

 

"German State Takes On Scientology" (Reuters) -- Bavaria's Interior Minister, Guenter Beckstein, has "called on the federal government to take a tougher stance against the group." Orange County Register, Jan 30 '97, p16 (News).

(from Apologia Report 2:7, March 24, 1997)

 

"A Death in Clearwater" by Kenneth L. Woodward and Peter Katel -- reviews the mysterious death of Lisa McPherson at a Scientologist "retreat center" in 1995. Newsweek, Jul 21 '97, p77.

(from Apologia Report 2:22, July 21, 1997)

 

We've been seeing plenty of marginally significant updates regarding Scientology's escalating woes in Germany. The real news now comes from a new front, Ireland. "Free My Son: Distraught Relatives Picket Religious Sect's Headquarters" (The Star [Gorey, Ireland], Jun 10 '7, p15 and Jun 12, n.p.) reports that Ann and Joe Fortune were joined by almost 40 fearless relatives and friends in picketing the "sect's" Irish headquarters in Dublin. The parents "believe their son Odhran (24) has been brainwashed by the so-called 'church.'" The son is denying any such thing. Apparently the conflict has gained national attention. The Gorey Guardian (Jun 18 '97) finds the "family inundated by messages of support from all over Ireland." *Thanks to Marty Butz for these items.* (No other source info available.)

(from Apologia Report 2:23, July 28, 1997)

 

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Sources:

 

Cult Observer (American Family Foundation), (212) 249-7693, <http:www.nosh.com.aff>

 

Electronic Library (Infonautics), <http://www.elibrary.com>

 

Los Angeles Times, <http://www.latimes.com>

 

Newsweek, (800) 631-1040

 

New York Times, <http://www.nytimes.com/>

 

Orange County Register, <http://www.ocregister.com/>

 

Time, <http://time.com>

 

U.S. News & World Report, <http://www.usnews.com>

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