It's been reported that the cult has had a presence on Kmart property for the past two Sundaes here in Chula Vista. I haven't been able to get ahold of the manager of this store yet, but I'll keep trying. In the meantime, here's a letter I wrote to the Veep in charge of customer service at the corporate level. Hope it does some good.

I have a complaint/concern about the H street Kmart. Last Sunday, my parents stopped by there, to encounter a table outside the front door, staffed by Scientologists who were offering Kmart customers "free" personality tests and selling Dianetics books. Kmart projects an image of wholesome family fun, I can't imagine why this cult is allowed to use Kmart property for recruitment! I haven't been able to contact manager Bob Briggs, but I did speak with Robert Newbry of the 3rd. Street store in Chula Vista, who told me that anyone setting up a table must have the manager's permission first.

This Scientology presence may give the public an idea that they are endorsed by Kmart. The "free" personality test being handed out is a tool used by this group as a recruitment gimmick. No matter how you fill it out, an evaluation of the results will reveal that you are truly messed up, and of course they can sell you programs to help you with that. The test itself is not an academic or psychological tool, it's merely a gimmick. Indeed, the name of the test, the Oxford Capacity Test, has nothing to do with Oxford University.

I have been told by several people who took this test that they were told they would commit suicide within X number of years if they didn't start taking courses right away! Two of the people recognized this scam for what it is. The third one was a dedicated Scientologist who believed this line of bullpucky. She was recruited through the personality test.

There is a wealth of information on this group on the web. Understanding how to discern between slick PR material as opposed to documented, well researched information is of value here. The Scientology website at www.scientology.org contains nothing but glowing testimonials from often unidentified members, and doesn't mention anything which puts a bad light on this group. A look at www.xenu.net will give you a better picture of the group which is using Kmart property for their recruitment.

If Mr. Briggs is allowing them to occupy Kmart property out of ignorance, that can be remedied. If he is a member of this "church," he is promoting a religion. Regardless of the religion aspect, I protest this group because of their actions, not their beliefs, and I wish to make that clear. Members often complain about "religious intolerance," which is not applicable here. I am against the fraudulent nature of Scientology, its bait-and-switch methods of recruitment, its phony medical claims that Dianetics can cure things like epilepsy and diabetes, and the abuses this organization commits on its own members as well as people who speak out against them

My dad, knowing my interest, took a couple of snapshots of the Dianetics table under the Big Kmart sign. One of the people at the table then approached him in an angry and threatening manner, at which point he got back in his car and left. Needless to say, my parents did their shopping elsewhere that day.

Please take some time to research Scientology on the web. I'm sure you will agree that this group has no business on Kmart property. They have been identified as a destructive cult in European countries, and laws have been passed there to prevent them from using the coercive techniques they wield in the United States. Their 50 year history is an account of fraud, criminal activities, and very little religion. Scientology perpetrated the largest domestic espionage operation in America. Look up Operation Snow White for details. Scientology has attempted to frame critics and politicians who oppose them. This is a religion with armed compounds, prison camps, and an intelligence gathering unit (Office of Special Affairs) as well as a paramilitary arm, the Sea Organization.

I'd appreciate it if you'd let me know about any action you take regarding this issue. I do plan on visiting the Big Kmart on H street today, to provide the manager with some information about the Scientologists' reason for being outside his store. Plus, I need some fishing tackle. If the manager isn't available, I'll leave the info with his office. If you require any information, I have vast resources to draw from.

barb

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