http://www.asiantribune.com/show_news.php?id=14696
Scientology: Cult of greed in divine garb
By Janaka Perera – Asian Tribune
2005-06-10
Colombo, 10 June, (Asiantribune.com):
Sri Lankans did not invite Scientologist to come to Sri Lanka and or sought their support and assistance. They came and saw the situation after tsunami favorable to them and in the pretext of helping the affected people; they started exploiting the human misery and began to proselytize Sri Lankans. Shame on them - said Venerable Medagama Dhammanda of the Asgiriya Chapter, Kandy.
The Venerable Medagama Dhammanda of, has challenged Scientologists to refute allegations made against them in Sri Lanka.
Having extensively investigated their activities here, he said that these cultists and other dubious NGOs rode on the crest of the December 26 tsunami. No government authority or any other reputed organization had either invited them here or solicited their assistance. It is they who had seized the unexpected opportunity, to expand their questionable activities under cover of engaging in social service. If they are sincere about their charitable intentions, he pointed out; they should stick to such work instead of craftily trying to wean away Buddhists and Hindus from their traditional religious beliefs. Charity demands nothing in return - neither political nor religious conversions, he said.
According to the Ven. Dhammanda, there is absolutely no need for new cults and religions that do more harm than good in a country, where centuries-old religious have been well established. The unwanted religious tensions Scientologists have already created here were sufficient proof that they are troublemakers, he said. The Ven Dhammanda has found that these cultists had also crept into several universities to spread their "word" despite the fact that people here have enough religions to live by and die by.
"These wolves in sheep's clothing have found tsunami victims suffering from depression a fertile area for harvesting souls."
He told the Asian Tribune that a favorite tactic Scientologists used for luring people into their fold was to hypnotize depressed and downhearted people.
He alleged before the tsunami many Korean Scientologists were engaged in proselytizing activities in Sri Lanka posing off not as charity workers but as businessmen. They had set up businesses here with the permission from the Board of Investments. Kabool Lanka was one such establishment that covertly promoted Scientology while providing employment to people here, the Ven. Dhammananda pointed out.
Commenting on the Scientologists claim that they respected all religions and especially Buddhism, he said that this was a ploy to deceive Buddhists.
The fact of the matter was that they were mixing aspects of Buddhism with their own "scientific" theories and calling this religious pickle, Scientology. The term Dianatecs, which Scientologists frequently used, was really a mixture of the Sanskrit Hindu-Buddhist word `dhyana' (meditation) and the English word `technique.'
Scientology was really a moneymaking venture operating under the guise promoting a new religion – a fact well proven in many parts of the world, the monk noted. It was really amazing, he said, that Scientologists still had the nerve to pose off as paragons of virtue despite numerous police actions and legal measures taken against them in the West and elsewhere, for over a decade. In addition, they had lost lawsuits – the most famous of these was a U.S. Federal Appeal Panel upholding the dismissal of libel suit against the Time magazine for carrying on May 6, 1991 a special report (cover story) titled "Scientology – The Cult Of Greed," that exposed this `church' as a ruthless global scam that ruined lives and destroyed fortunes. In a section of the special report that appeared only in the magazine's international edition, Journalist Richard Behar recalled how over 30 years ago Britain, Greece, Spain, Portugal, and Venezuela closed their ports to Scientologists, following public outcry. At one point, a French court had convicted Scientology Founder Ron Hubbard of fraud in absentia.
Following is an excerpt from this article:
" In Italy a two-year trial of 76 Scientologists, among them the former leader of the church's Italian operations is nearing completion in Milan. Two weeks ago, prosecutor Pietro Forno requested jail terms for all the defendants who are accused of extortion, cheating "mentally incapacitated" people and evading as much as $50 million in taxes. `All of the trial's victims went to Scientology in search of a cure or a better life,' said Forno, `but the Scientologists were amateur psychiatrists who practiced psychological terrorism'. For some victims, he added, `the intervention of the Scientologists was devastating. Parents complaining to officials that Scientology had a financial stranglehold on their children, who had joined the church or entered Narconon, its drug rehabilitation unit, triggered the Milan case. In 1986 Treasury and paramilitary police conducted raids in 20 cities across Italy shutting down 27 Scientology centers and seizing 100,000 documents... ."
A group of Scientologists were recently found distributing a 30 page full colour, propaganda booklet in Sinhala, titled, Santhoshayata Maga(The Path to Joy) in Colombo suburbs of Dehiwala and Mount Lavinia, recently. A copy of the half A-4 sized booklet that came into Journalist Deeptha L. Gamage's hands carries maliciously distorted facts on Buddhism's history.
In a chapter that warns readers against wrong sexual behavior, the author states on page 8: "Adultery is nothing new. Buddhism, which was a powerful religion in India in the Seventh Century, disappeared from there as a result of sex perversions of Buddhist monks in temples." - Asian Tribune -
Date: Sat, 11 Jun 2005 07:34:02 -0700
From: barb
Message-ID: <42aaf662$1@news2.lightlink.com>
Tilman Hausherr wrote:
> "Scientology Parishioners League" reactivated:
> http://www.asiantribune.com/show_news.php?id=14711
>
> You can send comments.
Did.
It is always a pleasure when someone like the editor here sees through Scientology's veil of "religion."
The Scientologist spokesperson clearly did not fool him with his rant about religious freedoms and the presence of Volunteer Ministers in the tsunami hit areas.
The editor notes that Jon, the Scientology spokesperson, failed to address any aspect of the article about Scientologists recruiting in disaster areas. This is a common tactic, diverting attention away from a complaint about Scientology behavior. Their predictable response to criticism is to launch a lecture about freedom of religion, a diversion which almost always works in America, where the cult was formed.
In America, religious issues are a "hot button," and it is quite easy to be drawn into discussion about it. People from other cultures find this behavior curious.
I would say that very few critics of Scientology are opposed to the religious beliefs of that group. We are, however, opposed to the repugnant behavior of the organization; the fraudulent programs, the lies, abuses and harassment of members and critics alike.
The Scientology organization has many front groups, which address social issues such as illiteracy, drug abuse and "religious freedom." Their drug education program under the Narconon front group was recently ejected from California schools as being unscientific and inaccurate. All Scientology front groups and organizations are designed for two things, good public relations and recruitment.
Thus, we have seen many pictures of Scientology Volunteer Ministers in the tsunami regions, shiny and clean in their yellow jackets, posing for pictures to be later used in their own promotional material.
Outside of the lies about how they've trained thousands of Sri Lankans to use their magical "touch assists," they have also claimed an alliance with various other groups, such as Buddhist monks. I find this claim to be fabulous. Their founder, L. Ron Hubbard, once claimed to be the Buddha.
Volunteer Ministers have been ejected from smaller scenes of tragedy. In Breslan, after the terrible slaughter of children at a school, the Volunteer Ministers were there, poking people with their "touch assists," and handing out Scientology propaganda to stunned, grief-stricken parents. They were hustled out of Breslan by the government.
World Trade Center, New York City. Following the destruction of the twin towers, Volunteer Ministers swarmed into the region, trying to get victims to buy their books and take courses. There, they claimed the support of the Red Cross who, when contacted, knew nothing about them.
Tsunami victims need to be aware that Scientology is not what it appears on the surface. It is not a beneficial charity. It is an assimilative, destructive cult, which uses tragedies to further its self promotion. It also uses tragedy to try and gain public support world wide. Yet, if anyone took the time to learn about this cult, they would quickly agree that the best thing authorities can do is remove their representatives from any disaster site before they have an opportunity to prey on the vulnerable victims.
People with computer access can use a google search, and quickly find plenty of information external to Scientology public relations. http://www.xenu.net is a good start.
Currently, the cult has been very active in the United States, using their Volunteer Ministers to give "free stress tests" to passersby. After evaluating the test (and you are always evaluated as having serious problems) they try to sell you a book. They are working airports, parks, and streets here in San Diego. Thanks to the internet, people are becoming informed about the darker side of the cult, and it appears they are getting desperate to attract new members by targetting third world countries where computer access isn't as wide spread. Those who have computers can help inform others.
I should mention too, that the individual Scientology Volunteer Ministers truly believe they are helping. These are not bad people, rather, they are as much victims of this cult as the people they try to recruit. It is the upper management who are the culprits. They are living the high life, while the people who keep them in money work tirelessly to promote what they think is a religion. They are not allowed to hear or read criticism of their cult, and are unaware of the criminal activities the management indulges in.
As a religion, Scientology has a lot more in common with the Italian Mafia than anything else. When they quit acting like the mafia and start acting like a real religion, I doubt anyone would criticise them for it.
-- --barb Chaplain,ARSCC
"Imagine a church so dangerous, you must sign a release form before you can receive its "spiritual assistance." This assistance might involve holding you against your will for an indefinite period, isolating you from friends and family, and denying you access to appropriate medical care. You will of course be billed for this treatment - assuming you survive it. If not, the release form absolves your caretakers of all responsibility for your suffering and death.
Welcome to the Church of Scientology."
--Dr. Dave Touretzky Peter Alexander
From: "Batchild (Sue M.)"
Subject: Asian Tribune: Scientology: Cult of greed in divine garb
Message-ID: <r4pla1l9q245adav8e1snvghqkjrphivaa@4ax.com>
Date: Sat, 11 Jun 2005 06:25:35 -0700
Found at:
http://www.asiantribune.com/show_news.php?id=14696
(which includes link to a discussion board on bottom of the page)
==========
Date : 2005-06-10 Scientology: Cult of greed in divine garb By Janaka Perera--Asian Tribune
Colombo, 10 June, (Asiantribune.com): Sri Lankans did not invite Scientologist to come to Sri Lanka and or sought their support and assistance. They came and saw the situation after tsunami favorable to them and in the pretext of helping the affected people; they started exploiting the human misery and began to proselytize Sri Lankans. Shame on them - said Venerable Medagama Dhammanda of the Asgiriya Chapter, Kandy.
The Venerable Medagama Dhammanda of, has challenged Scientologists to refute allegations made against them in Sri Lanka.
Having extensively investigated their activities here, he said that these cultists and other dubious NGOs rode on the crest of the December 26 tsunami. No government authority or any other reputed organization had either invited them here or solicited their assistance. It is they who had seized the unexpected opportunity, to expand their questionable activities under cover of engaging in social service. If they are sincere about their charitable intentions, he pointed out; they should stick to such work instead of craftily trying to wean away Buddhists and Hindus from their traditional religious beliefs. Charity demands nothing in return - neither political nor religious conversions, he said.
According to the Ven. Dhammanda, there is absolutely no need for new cults and religions that do more harm than good in a country, where centuries-old religious have been well established. The unwanted religious tensions Scientologists have already created here were sufficient proof that they are troublemakers, he said. The Ven Dhammanda has found that these cultists had also crept into several universities to spread their "word" despite the fact that people here have enough religions to live by and die by.
"These wolves in sheep's clothing have found tsunami victims suffering from depression a fertile area for harvesting souls."
He told the Asian Tribune that a favorite tactic Scientologists used for luring people into their fold was to hypnotize depressed and downhearted people.
He alleged before the tsunami many Korean Scientologists were engaged in proselytizing activities in Sri Lanka posing off not as charity workers but as businessmen. They had set up businesses here with the permission from the Board of Investments. Kabool Lanka was one such establishment that covertly promoted Scientology while providing employment to people here, the Ven. Dhammananda pointed out.
Commenting on the Scientologists claim that they respected all religions and especially Buddhism, he said that this was a ploy to deceive Buddhists.
The fact of the matter was that they were mixing aspects of Buddhism with their own "scientific" theories and calling this religious pickle, Scientology. The term Dianatecs, which Scientologists frequently used, was really a mixture of the Sanskrit Hindu-Buddhist word `dhyana' (meditation) and the English word `technique.'
Scientology was really a moneymaking venture operating under the guise promoting a new religion--a fact well proven in many parts of the world, the monk noted. It was really amazing, he said, that Scientologists still had the nerve to pose off as paragons of virtue despite numerous police actions and legal measures taken against them in the West and elsewhere, for over a decade. In addition, they had lost lawsuits--the most famous of these was a U.S. Federal Appeal Panel upholding the dismissal of libel suit against the Time magazine for carrying on May 6, 1991 a special report (cover story) titled "Scientology--The Cult Of Greed," that exposed this `church' as a ruthless global scam that ruined lives and destroyed fortunes. In a section of the special report that appeared only in the magazine's international edition, Journalist Richard Behar recalled how over 30 years ago Britain, Greece, Spain, Portugal, and Venezuela closed their ports to Scientologists, following public outcry. At one point, a French court had convicted Scientology Founder Ron Hubbard of fraud in absentia.
Following is an excerpt from this article:
--In Italy a two-year trial of 76 Scientologists, among them the former leader of the church's Italian operations is nearing completion in Milan. Two weeks ago, prosecutor Pietro Forno requested jail terms for all the defendants who are accused of extortion, cheating "mentally incapacitated" people and evading as much as $50 million in taxes. `All of the trial's victims went to Scientology in search of a cure or a better life,' said Forno, `but the Scientologists were amateur psychiatrists who practiced psychological terrorism'. For some victims, he added, `the intervention of the Scientologists was devastating. Parents complaining to officials that Scientology had a financial stranglehold on their children, who had joined the church or entered Narconon, its drug rehabilitation unit, triggered the Milan case. In 1986 Treasury and paramilitary police conducted raids in 20 cities across Italy shutting down 27 Scientology centers and seizing 100,000 documents".
A group of Scientologists were recently found distributing a 30 page full colour, propaganda booklet in Sinhala, titled, Santhoshayata Maga(The Path to Joy) in Colombo suburbs of Dehiwala and Mount Lavinia, recently. A copy of the half A-4 sized booklet that came into Journalist Deeptha L. Gamage's hands carries maliciously distorted facts on Buddhism's history.
In a chapter that warns readers against wrong sexual behavior, the author states on page 8: "Adultery is nothing new. Buddhism, which was a powerful religion in India in the Seventh Century, disappeared from there as a result of sex perversions of Buddhist monks in temples." - Asian Tribune -
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