Bizarre USA cult targets shoppers Western Gazette 07/10/1999
Report by Shane Dean
Edition WG Yeovil
Page 24
Record Number 466589 A MOTHER is warning youngsters to be on their guard after a cult group declared a recruiting blitz on Somerset residents in the run up to Christmas.

An army of workers from the US-based "Church" of Scientology are currently targeting householders and shoppers in Yeovil asking them to complete questionnaires for a free consultation.

But 35-year-old student Sue Guy of Yeovil, who fell victim to their recruiting practices a few years ago, said people should beware of the group. She said: "It took me months to get away from the group after stupidly accepting an invitation to see their books," she said.

"They would not leave me alone and would continually phone and knock on my door and I was irked by the incredibly persistent workers making constant phone calls."

She added: "They tell you your weak points and want you to analyse yourself, and people should be aware of the dangers."

The cult has its largest UK base in Poole, and sees the short journey north to Somerset as fertile ground on which to boost their numbers - currently 8,000,000 worldwide, they claim.

Scientology was founded in 1950 by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard who died in 1986, and it bases its "applied philosophy"

on a Dianetics book written by the founder, which details how a person can enter a perfect state of consciousness called 'clear'.
Rev David Keen of St John's & St Andrew's Church, Yeovil, said the group's questionnaire is "not an innocent document".

"The questions are designed to make people feel bad about themselves, and so become attracted to the products Scientology offers.

"Once you start buying them, there is a string of 'treatments' which cost ever-increasing amounts, and each is sold to you as more vital than the last."

Mr Keen warned that the upper echelons of the movement have strange beliefs.

"It is asserted that humans are inhabited by the souls of aliens, who were sent to earth and destroyed 75 million years ago from another galaxy," he said.

"Scientology is a cult, which puts a lot of effort into recruiting people, and applies a lot of pressure to make them stay. I would encourage people not to answer the questionnaire until they have thoroughly checked out Scientology for themselves," he said.

Graeme Wilson, public affairs director for the "Church" of Scientology, said independent[sic] religious scholars had studied Scientology and decided it was not a cult but a bona fide religion[sic].

"Throughout history religions have been attacked and some of the claims made about us bear no resemblance to the truth and are bizarre to say the least."

He agreed with Mr Keen - people should check out Scientology.

ANYONE concerned about cults can contact the Reachout Trust on 0181 3327785.

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