Aspiring homeowner loses savings to "Church" of Scientology
Church leaders issue cult alert Western Gazette 06/05/1999 Report by Shane Dean Edition WG Shaftesbury Page Record Number 86699 RELIGIOUS leaders have issued a warning about an American religious cult after one man's claims that it took all the money he had saved to buy a home and left him suicidal.

Church leaders in Dorchester have warned the public to beware the "Church" of Scientology, after it was seen recruiting in South Street.

Jeff Moss, pastor of the Family Church Service, said: "There is no doubt people are searching for the truth and we must be wary of new religious cults that do not proclaim orthodox Christian teachings."

Doug Harris of the Reachout Trust, a group which helps cult victims, warned people in the town of the pitfalls of signing up to Scientology, which eschews traditional Christian teachings.

Concern has been heightened after one man handed over £21,000 after falling in with the group.

Gary Fry, aged 31, of Milton Abbas said he nearly killed himself after three months with them but he escaped and is now training as a full-time Christian minister.

"Scientology almost wrecked my life and if anyone is tempted to try it I would say do not if you value your sanity," he said.

"Its expensive courses made me feel that I was a bad person who needed to spend even more money on courses to become perfect and I became introverted, self-critical and suspicious of all non-Scientologists."

The movement, which lists Hollywood stars John Travolta, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman as converts, bases its "applied philosophy" on a dianetics book written by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard - who founded the movement in 1950.

He believed humans are vessels for immortal souls called Thetans, who created the universe, and their enemies are disruptive forces called Engrams.

In 1984, a high court judgment described Scientology as a "religion" based on lies and deceit, whose real objectives are money and power.

A US judge branded Hubbard a pathological liar and Germany has placed the cult under surveillance saying it is a cover for economic crime and psychological terror.

A spokesman for Churches Together in Dorchester, said: "The Scientologists are not to be confused with any of the Christian churches or organisations which are here to meet peoples' deepest needs and offer help to people, whether with faith or not."

The Western Gazette made several attempts to contact the Poole-based centre listed on the group's questionnaire but there was no reply.

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

Go Back