Church's religious aspect disputable St. Petersburg Times, published December 12, 1999 Re: Magic moment for bluff may be here, story, Dec. 5.
I think you'll find the answer to why there is much dissension over the Church of Scientology's growth in Clearwater in this article: " "Ninety percent of our people want movies. They want brand-name stores, Italian restaurants and seafood restaurants,' (a Scientology official) said. "I think the developers want to tap into that. These people are definitely looking for places to go.' "
This summer the church provided Clearwater with a market analysis of its staff and visitors to show how they are an "affluent niche market with spending power." All this under the name of a church, which has been exempted of taxes.
Where is the religion of this church? Who are they worshiping?
-- Deborah Brinkley, Belleair Bluffs
Church did not identify itself in invitation Today in my mailbox was an invitation that at first I thought was a city-sponsored event. Looking further at the card, I noticed that the event was being held at the 200 block of Fort Harrison Avenue. I started to suspect that this in fact was not a city-sponsored event because the mail I get for such events states who is putting the event on.
This had no listing of a sponsor. I found this strange since at the bottom of the Winter Wonderland invitation they were asking for food, toys and donations for local charities.
Then it hit me that this was from the Church of Scientology. I wondered why they did not list the charities they were to represent, as most people do. I called the Fort Harrison Hotel and asked for the person who sent this to my home, but no one by that name was there.
I wonder how many people will figure this out before they realize they are being invited by a wolf in sheep's clothing?
-- Nancy Sweadner, Clearwater
A little friendliness may help acceptance Re: Scientology hires top Clearwater law firm, story, Dec. 2 Boo hoo. So the poor Scientologists want to be accepted in Clearwater and Florida? Well, a few things come to mind and it isn't hiring an expensive law firm.
Here are some practical ideas. Look at us in our eyes, say "Hi"
and maybe even smile when walking along the street. Exchange those military uniforms for normal clothes.
You could also start by being honest and admitting you are a business school and possibly a philosophy, L. Ron Hubbard's philosophy. If you are a religion, whom do you worship and whom do you help?
And quit hiring expensive lawyers to delve into people's past and confronting them with it. And quit tearing up sidewalks to deter your adversaries. If you are sincere about being accepted and maybe even liked, think about it. -- Mary L. Fitzpatrick, Dunedin
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to Shy David's Scientology Page.