The stories about Jenna Elfman and John Travolta refusing to contribute to charitable events due to Scientology-inspired beliefs about the cause of illness (it's all in their head, or it's caused by clusters of aliens, or whatever) have been getting a lot of play lately. I thought it might be of interest to post something from Lisa McPherson's ethics file showing that a Scientology org (presumably CC Dallas or Austin; I don't recall where Lisa was then and the chit doesn't say) sponsored a fundraiser to raise money for two charities that benefit sick children - one for children with AIDS. This is from http://www.xenu-city.net/CPD/5807.TIF : ------------------------------------------ Copy to: Ethics Officer Distribution List Below 8 December 1991 COMMENDATION CHIT On the weekend before Thanksgiving, a large yard sale was held to benefit two children's charities, Bryan's House, a home for children born with AIDS and the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children which provides free medical care for children with major disabilities. In addition to providing these charities with much needed funds, this sale helps to safe-point the Church of Scientology. The following people donated items to be sold at this event and contributed their time to make this event a success. They did call-out prior to the event to get people to contribute their unwanted items, helped to set up the event by sorting and price-tagging the merchandise, and/or worked during the event itself. Over $3200.00 was raised! Thank you very much! Fritz Alders Steve Hackley Ann Laws Dan Levine Rhonda Jordan Larry Geiss Kay Spruill Leah Haywood David Haywood Ted Hanson Jackie Hanson Norman Ralston Helen Ralston Kay Proctor Carol South Sherry Randall Ruth Reed Byrd Jessup Hildegard Jessup Shirley Eckols Lauren Moseley Stuart Cameron Zoya Cameron Lynn Hauptmann Faith Cass Steve Trower Gary Norris Brian Jor. Brandi Levine Lisa McPherson This is true. Hildegard Jessup ------------------------------------------ I hope those critics who, like me, ask what specific good works Scn has done will take note of this. (I wish I knew, though, why our occasional Scientologist posters can't provide this kind of specific information. Morrigan? Claire, I know you've mentioned a couple of programs, but dates and dollar amounts would be especially helpful. I believe you've said you don't have those.) I have my own theories about the Jenna and John incidents and this particular item, but I'd be interested in hearing what others think. My theories are: The further you are from OT VIII, the less you know about just how many illnesses are psychosomatic (as far as Scientology teachings go), so the vast majority of Scientologists, who are not OT, still see a large number of illnesses and disabilities as being physical and not psychosomatic or alien-induced. Some Scientologists who do believe that illnesses are caused by engrams or body thetans may still have enough intelligence to know that medicine can often alleviate illnesses (even though auditing would really get to the SOURCE of the problem) and think it could be helpful (and great PR) to raise money for medical care for sick children, who may someday get well and become interested in Scn, where they can address the REAL cause of their illness. As Claire helpfully points out, Scientologists are individuals. There are probably individual Taoists, pagans, Christians, and Muslims who believe that AIDS is just a state of mind. Anyway ... here, at least, is some evidence of a good work that a Scn org did. Kristi -- Kristi Wachter the activist formerly known as "Jour" (before $cientology outed me) I think $cientology is hurting people and breaking the law, and I want them to stop it. See http://www.scientology-lies.com for more. Can you say "Xenu?" ... I knew that you could.