Scientology in the NFWL, Lobby and Political Groups - Attacking Mental Health, Promoting Subversive Programs

"By a mental trick they have hypnotized some politicians into actually believing they are working in 'science' and are above the law.."

L Ron Hubbard as quoted on Scientology's website "Crime and Psychiatry by L. Ron Hubbard - On Psychiatric Subversion"

This is an update of an orginal expose written in June, 2004 titled, Scientology's Agenda in the National Foundation for Women Legislators, (NFWL) about the involvement of Scientology's anti-psychiatry group, the Citizen's Commission on Human Rights, (CCHR.) In brief, this is a prime example of how Scientology works its way into groups and recruits others into Scientology's anti-psychiatry agenda, and other programs.

In 1969, the Scientology group called the "Citizen's Commission on Human Rights," (CCHR) was formed. The CCHR has avowed itself to exposing "psychiatric abuse," which was another way to draw the public into its agenda of attacking mental health. Through scare tactics and sensationalism has the CCHR gathered others to hate and attack psychiatry. A few of the past Scientology/CCHR effects have included lobbying against the mental health parity, repeatedly suing drug companies, (and losing) and exploiting the vulnerable to recruit others into attacking psychiatry.

Scientology's subversion in the National Foundation for Women Legislators, (NFWL) began in 1998 through a partner group, the National Organization of Women Legislators, (NOWL.) This letter from Scientologist and President of CCHR, Bruce Wiseman, informs Scientology members to "make tax-deductible donations" in order to join the women legislators group - to help "deprive psychiatry of appropriations."

Since 1998, several of the NFWL members began to promote house bills on the topic of psychotropic drugs in schools. The women legislator's who proposed this legislation were accompanied by either Scientologists or CCHR members in those respective states, or were quoting from Scientology.

From 2001-2003, several of the legislators and a Scientologist/NFWL committee member began to promote Scientology's "Second Chance" Prison rehabilition (based on Scientology's discredited Purification Rundown) in different states to receive funding, (all of which were rejected.)

Second Chance is a program that Scientology runs in Mexico, that the NFWL women toured. This program, like Scientology's "Purification Rundown" is marketed under names including Narconon, Criminon, New York Firefighters Detoxification, and the latest detox program in Utah's called "LEAP" - Literacy and Education Awareness Project.

Scientology has tried and failed to receive government funding for the Second Chance Program. Of much concern is upcoming legislation for a program having a very similar name, the "Second Chance Act of 2004" (H.R. 4676). Passage of HR 4676 will create a federal task force for prison reentry programs, and include faith-based and other grants to state and local organizations for substance abuse programs.

Will Scientology or legislators from the NFWL target funding from the passage of Second Chance Act of 2004 (HR 4676)?

More information here...

Since Scientology boasts that the Second Chance Program is a "no-drug" or natural treatment, they have also gotten other alternative health practitioner groups to support this ludicrous program through the NFWL.

Scientology attempts to be considered "mainstream" as to it's detoxification program for years and has met rejection. It is also suspected that Scientology is recruiting other alternative health groups, seeking the promises of mainstream recognition.

More information here... about Scientology members in the National Foundation for Women Legislators, (NFWL) American Legislative Exchange Council, (ALEC) Scientology is also a member of the American Legislative Exchange Council, (ALEC) which promotes "model legislation" to a large audience of legislators.

In the same letter to Scientologists in 1998 about joining the NFWL, Bruce Wiseman also states, "Two years ago we started a similar project with the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)..." In fact, Scientology was working with ALEC in 1996 as per the letter, on the issue of the Mental Health Parity, something that Scientology and the CCHR are quite clearly opposed to.

What's more, is the President of the NFWL is Robin Read, the wife of past ALEC board member, and member of the Council for National Policy, (CNP) Sam Brunelli. There are also extensive connections between ALEC, the NFWL, the Council for National Policy and Sun Myung Moon.

A partner group of ALEC is the National Conference of State Legislators, (NCSL) whom also lists Scientology's CCHR on their webpage. Ironically, the National Mental Health Association is also referenced on the NCSL's website. During the televised Congressional Prayer Meeting following 9-11 on FOX News, Scientology deceptively obtained a scrolling TV message that directed callers to "National Mental Health Assistance" hotline. The 800 phone number actually put callers through to a Scientology center in Los Angeles.

Council For National Policy, (CNP) The CCHR worked with the Council for National Policy members as well, as early as 1995, on the issue of mental health in schools. The reasoning for both Scientology and CNP's position on mental health is explained as follows: "A fundamental Christian side was motivated by a strong notion that science was to replace their faith. On the leading side, was Scientology as usual, looking to eradicate psychiatry. Both had something to gain as a result of eliminating mental health programs in educational settings."

The CNP is connected to many other advocacy groups. In 1995 the CCHR had a pledge "to eliminate... all dangerous and invasive psychiatric/psychologically-based programs, assessments, and tests from our schools, and funding thereof." Signors to the CCHR's pledge included Phyllis Schlafly's Eagle Forum, Gary Bauer's Family Research Council, The Rutherford Institute, Beverly LaHaye's Concerned Women of America, and others.

Often, endorsers do not know they are getting involved with L Ron Hubbard's Scientology scam, however, being fooled by Scientology's lies is always the first step... to further involvement.

Scientologist and CCHR board member, Carolyn Steinke was involved in the group Parents in Education, (PIE) in 1996, which promoted Scientology's opposition of mental health programs in schools. Steinke was also a board member of the Citizens for Honest Government, a group affiliated with the Council for National Policy.

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