East Grinstead vs Scientology.

Sadly the last time I visited East.Grinstead, earlier this year, Wickens sweet shop has closed down.
http://www.whyaretheydead.info/UK/FUSS.HTM

From Martin Poulter:

East Grinstead in Sussex, England is both the site of Saint Hill Manor
(the international headquarters of Scientology before L Ron got chucked
out of the country) and of Scientology's most vocal opponents: Jon Atack,
Ron Lawley and Bonnie and Richard Woods. These critics have found a useful
ally in Rev Roger Brown, vicar of St Swithun's Church, who has mentioned
Scientology in his sermons and has even sold "The Total Freedom Trap",
Jon Atack's booklet, in his church.

http://www.whyaretheydead.info/UK/FUSS/HATEGROU.HTM

The Vicar, The Thieves and the Hate Group

The Vicar

	For almost two decades, Reverend Roger Brown, vicar of St. Swithun's
Church, has tried to create intolerance and prejudice against members of
the Church of Scientology living in East Grinstead.
	Although his efforts to divide the community and spread prejudice
have not harmed the Church of Scientology itself, the intolerance created
has often resulted in personal suffering for individual East Grinstead
residents who are members of the Church. In the past Reverend Brown's
sermons attacking Scientology have been followed by acts of intolerance
and even violence, towards individual Scientologists [any facts to back
this up?- don't hold your breath] Despite these despicable and unChristian
acts no condemnation was forthcoming from Reverend Brown. [I suspect that
this is because the "acts of intolerance" are not nearly as bad as they
are being painted] This raises concern whether Reverend Brown is following
the admonition to "love thy neighbour." [whether or not he is, we know
*for sure* that the CoS does not place great importance on loving one's
neighbour: they make everything subservient to their cause of "clearing
the planet"]

	There can only be two possible explanations for Reverend Brown's
actions:
[...if you're incredibly narrow minded and won't even consider the
possibility that Scientology is wrong]

 http://www.whyaretheydead.info/UK/FUSS/HODKIN2.HTM

We act for the Church of Scientology Religious Education College Inc, and have
had passed to us a leaflet which we understand is published by yourself and
others entitled The Big Story. This leaflet is wholly and deliberately
misleading, scurrilous and defamatory of our client. Unless it is immediately
withdrawn, and the other steps set out below complied with, our instructions are
to commence a libel action against you.

In HCO Bulletin of 5th November 1967, "Critics of Scientology", L. Ron Hubbard had this to say:-

"And we have this technical fact - those who oppose us have crimes to hide. It's perhaps merely lucky that this is true. But it is true. And we handle opposition well only when we use it...Never discuss Scientology with the critic. Just discuss his or her crimes, known and unknown. And act completely confident that those crimes exist. Because they do."

 http://web.archive.org/web/19990429093800/http://www.multimania.com/jensting/muslinger/egrinstead9805_d.html

An information letter, issued on March 16 by "Blanka Annakin, Act. Director of Success, Saint Hill," told the story of "Hilary," who went to Saint Hill Manor for "processing" last year.

"At that time Hilary was completely broken down in mind and body, having spent the past four years in various mental hospitals undergoing 'treatment,' " it said.

The letter concluded: "Hilary consented to the publications of her story because she feels that it might help others who are in a similar position."

Using the name "Facts For Freedom Committee, Church of Scientology," the movement has also widely circulated an appeal for "particulars and documentary evidence of anyone whose mother, wife or relative has been adversely affected by 'psychiatric' treatment."

It adds: "We do not treat the sick or insane, but grieve for those who have suffered."

In books and pamphlets Mr. Hubbard claims that he has twice risen from the dead, twice visited Heaven, and once visited the planet Venus.

* The Daily Mail published the patient's name with support and approval of her family who feel the practices of Scientology should be made fully public.

 http://www.xenu-directory.net/news/library-item.php?iid=469

'Hate Letters'

But an ethics order declaring him a "suppressive" was read to him by Mrs Val Wigney and he was escorted from the premises by a man called Neville Chamberlain after he had asked to and got his insurance cards.
Since he had left the organisation he had received over 100 letters from Scientologists. They were abusive and the main theme was hate.

He had issued a writ in the High Court against the Scietnologists for the return of the fees he had paid for a course in mental therapy. The Scientologists had resisted the writ, but he had been successful.
A batch of letters sent to Mr Johnson were handed up to the magistrates. On reading through them, Mr Evans commented that they appeared to be written by people feeling very strongly about something judging by their langauge.

"The organisation is rather bizarre. Sometimes you would receive five or six letters of disconnect from the same person. If my address is divulged I will get more abusive letters," explained Mr Johnson.
"Anyone who knew me or mentioned my name would be audited. They would have to go for a check on an E-meter and disconnect from me."

Mr Evans said: "It sounds like brainwashing to me."

http://cosmedia.freewinds.be/media/articles/egc130668b.html

Head Bars Son Of Cult Man

The Times, 13 August 1968, p.2 col. c

A headmaster has refused the son of a scientologist entry to a preparatory
school until, he says, the cult "clears its name".

 The boy, Neil Gaiman, aged 7, was to have started at Fonthill School, East
Grinstead, Sussex, at the beginning of next term, but the headmaster, Mr.
Michael Carter, has told the boy's parents that he cannot offer him a place.

http://cosmedia.freewinds.be/media/articles/tim130868.html

About the autumn of 1968 the defendants commenced a campaign against Mr Robinson through their broadsheets. The reason for the campaign was that the defendants very strongly objected to political decisions in which Mr Robinson as a Minister of the Crown had been involved and which led to a ban being placed on the admission to this country of people coming from abroad to study Scientology.

In the campaign extravagant allegations were made against Mr Robinson which were of a gravely defamatory nature. Put shortly, it was alleged that Mr Robinson had instigated or approved of the creation of what were called "death camps", likened to Belson and Auschwitz, to which persons (including mental patients) could be forcibly abducted and there killed or maimed with impunity. It was further alleged that Mr Robinson had abused his position as a minister in relation to government grants made to the National Association of Mental Health.

 http://www.xenu-directory.net/news/library-item.php?iid=362

Hubbard, who bought Saint Hill Manor in 1959, was banned from re-entering Britain in August. 1968. by the then Home Secretary and Minister of Health of the day who stated in the Commons that the Governmcnt was satisfied Scientology was socially harmful.

Under pressure, the Government some three years later set up an inquiry into the movement under Sir John Foster, who subsequently recommended that the ban on foreign Scientologists be lifted.

The Government is still refusing entry into the country of aliens who wish to study or work in Scientology, despite strenuous efforts by the movement to bring about a change of mind.

http://cosmedia.freewinds.be/media/articles/egc220278.html

The most worrying thing Mr Cooper says, was the expression on her face.
'She smiled at me once when she wasn't being watched by the guy with her
and it was a real smile. Then she saw him looking and she snapped back
into this weird, fixed stare.'

In the United States, Scientology has in recent years gained tax-exempt
status and such recruits as Tom Cruise, John Travolta, Demi Moore and
Lisa-Marie Presley. But Mr Cooper thinks its old image as a sinister and
manipulative cult, preying on vulnerable people, is nearer the truth.

'They made her sign a contract for a billion years. What kind of people
are they? They've taken her life away.'

http://cosmedia.freewinds.be/media/articles/obs190395.html

http://cosmedia.freewinds.be/media/articles/es090896.html

Nico van den Berg, a Dutch lawyer who has set up the Scientologists' Criminon UK project said that 16 prisoners, in five jails, were undergoing the programme.

He said that it was intended to expand the scheme next year with Criminon volunteers going into prisons to take rehabilitation classes.

Mr Van den Berg added: "Once we become bigger we can actually go into prisons which might adopt the course as an official programme which all prisoners go through."

He said that Criminon was not seeking to recruit the inmates to Scientology but merely trying to turn them away from criminality by introducing them to The Way to Happiness, Hubbard's secular teachings on clean living.

The suggestion was greeted with suspicion by rehabilitation professionals. Harry Fletcher, deputy general secretary of the National Association of Probation Officers, said: "There are now 57,000 people in prison, many of whom are desperate to change their lives. You can see why the Scientologists would see this as a fertile recruiting ground. This is one service we could do without."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/scientologists-hunt-for-recruits-inside-prison-1357179.html
http://cosmedia.freewinds.be/media/articles/ind111096.html

Stately home tour that has a hidden agendA

On Friday we reported how the UK base of the Church of Scientology was being
advertised in a tourist leaflet published by West Sussex County Council. The church was quick to deny the free tours on offer were being used to recruit members into the
controversial religion. Posing as a daytripper, David Edwards went to find out for himself

IT is advertised as a tour of one of Britain's most beautiful mansions.

Visitors are invited to drop in on the 200-year-old stately home, set in nearly 60 acres of grounds, and embark on one of the hourly tours.

The huge sandstone building with its winter garden, mural painting and oak panelling should be the perfect day out for visitors.

But the advertisement does not tell you the tour of Saint Hill Manor could be seen as a PR exercise for the Church of Scientology.

By the time my visit was over I had been told what Scientology stands for, how it works and even shown the room where people can join.

http://www.theargus.co.uk/archive/1999/09/06/The+Argus+Archive/6799296.Stately_home_tour_that_has_a_hidden_agendA/

Struggle

The Messengers were born out of a power struggle in the late 70s when the leadership was overthrown by a new second generation of "Super-Scientologists".

One to suffer under the change was American Jay Hurwitz, 42, of Sharpthorne, Sussex, a former senior executive at Saint Hill, and another independent Scientologist, who agreed with the Hitler youth description.

He revealed that the changes had also resulted in financial upheavals and a sharp increase in course fees. Just over 12 hours of Scientology training now can cost nearly UKP5,000.

Morale at Saint Hill is low. The dormitory accommodation, poor food and wages of UKP4 a week, sometimes unpaid, give the place the air of a run-down youth hostel, Gulliver says.

And documents handed to The Mail on Sunday confirm that the crude practice of "disconnection" -cutting off a dissenter from family and friends -has been reintroduced.
"Disconnection is part of everyday life at Saint Hill." Gulliver said. "It goes round by word of mouth when someone is an outcast. He or she is just ignored and shunned. It was what we were brought up to do."

 http://cosmedia.freewinds.be/media/articles/mos290784.html

'LIES, DECEIT"

Mr Justice Latey said Scientology was corrupt "because it is based on ties and deceit, and has as its real objective, money and power for its founder, his wife and those close to him at the top.

"It is sinister because it indulges in infamous practices, both to its adherents who do not toe. the line unquestioningly, and to those outside who criticise or oppose it.
"It is dangerous because it is out to capture young people, especially children and impressionable young people and indoctrinate and brainwash them so that they become the unquestioning captives and tools of the cult, withdrawn from ordinary thought, living and relationships with others."

The judge praised the mother's courage in escaping from the "tight and unrelenting" hold of Scientology and its ruthless discipline.

He said the children were at a school controlled by Scientologists where the "baleful influence" was ever present and the objectives were tb capture the child's mind. It would be a grave risk to leave them with the father, but they still loved him — and he loved them — regular visits should be arranged.
Mr Justice Latey's reason for giving judgment in open court he described as "a warning to others."

http://cosmedia.freewinds.be/media/articles/egc260784.html

The new menace that waits outside the school gates

East Grinstead Courier, 23 February 1987, front page

By SEAN RYAN
THOUSANDS of children are in danger of indoctrination by a sinister cult which has mounted an undercover operation to attract young followers. Children as young as six are being enticed by the Church of Scientology into exploring its founder's bizarre philosophy.
Some have had cult literature thrust into their hands by Scientologists at their school gates. Others have received it through the post. And the campaign has been so disguised that 11 mayors and council chairmen were duped into endorsing it.

At the centre of the deception is the apparently innocent Set a Good Example contest, with the tempting top prize of a trip to Hollywood. To enter, children from six to 18 must read a booklet, The Way to Happiness, with their parents' help If necessary. They must then carry out a project which 'sets a good example,' based on what they have learned.

The competition organisers distributing the leaflet, are the shadowy Concerned Businessmen's Association. whose address is a Victorian house In North London.
Documents obtained by the Daily Mail reveal that the association was secretly set up by the Church of Scientology, branded "corrupt. Immoral and dangerous' by a High Court Judge during a child custody case in 1984.

The author of The Way to Happiness. whose name is written in tiny print, is science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the church. A spokesman for the cult-monitoring group Family Action, Information and Rescue said last night: 'It's quite appaling to get at children through what is a large-scale propaganda exercise for Scientology.

The cult, which was badly hit by Mr Justice Latey's High Court condemnation. and its leader's death last year. is exuberant over the success of The Way to Happiness campaign. Its internal newsletter, the Auditor. says: 'Weekly, thousands of UK children are asking for competition entry forms."

But many head teachers have been outraged by the Scientologists' approaches to them and their pupils. Worst hit has been West Sussex, home base of the church, where booklets and contest details have been distributed at several schools.
'
Literature has also been sent to London borough youth officers, libraries and businessmen, and the names of West Country mayors and council leaders have been used in an effort to attract business sponsors to the campaign.

http://cosmedia.freewinds.be/media/articles/egc230287.html

The Safe Point UK group, based at the cult's headquarters at Saint Hill, is aiming to "gain friends for Scientology" among decision makers and leaders of opinion both in the town and the country as a whole. The cult wants to rally 150 MP's to its cause through a series of campaigns on social issues.

The project is designed to "reach" into the field of arts and business and "develop and secure friends for Scientology".
The first of these campaigns is expected to promote the cult's opposition to drug taking. It will be aimed at showing that Scientology is concerned at drug abuse, crime and violence.

The cult, once described as being "corrupt, sinister and dangerous" by a High Court judge, wants to heighten awareness in politics, media, the arts, business, and "broad public."

The campaigns are being coordinated by a group of senior Scientologists including a leading local property developer, an accountant and two financiers.
Scientology members are currently being recruited to mount a sustained campaign by writing and phoning MP's and by arranging weekly meetings at the House of Commons. Others will be asked to orchestrate campaigns and to "handle" the media.

This is the latest in a series of attempts by the church to expand. Two years ago they launched a campaign to make East Grinstead Britain's first Scientology town, but attempts to recruit young people in the High Street caused a storm of opposition.

http://cosmedia.freewinds.be/media/articles/egc010390.html

Among these are at least 24 children who live in dormitories separate to their parents. The cult official who inspected these rooms noted: 'Smell of wet beds and bleach . . . smell of wet beds needs to be handled.'

Ms Barton, who has asked for a copy of this document, said: 'If I've been misled over the number of people living in the house, obviously this is a matter for considerable concern.'

The church said last night it had not misled the local authority. A spokesman said: 'Maybe a staff member was asked and he said 50 people or something - it might have been said offhandedly.' He said the authorities knew more people lived there.

Mr Hubbard's basic idea was that through a series of 'therapies', an individual could achieve peace of mind and eventually immortality.

Two former cult members, who asked not to be identified, lived for several years in the commune. Both were senior officers in the cult, members of the organisation that administers it.

One said that cult children at Stonelands were encouraged to participate in Scientology. He said his own daughters were encouraged to perform 'Training Routine 0' in which two people stare at each other for prolonged periods of time without moving. They also participate in the 'ethics' system of Scientology, which is another word for discipline. This involves, for instance, informing on friends and parents for having 'bad thoughts' which could include saying something critical of Mr Hubbard.

 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/cult-prosecuted-over-safety-of-commune-scientologists-deny-misleading-council-on-overcrowding-1466269.html

Evil Sex Pervert sent to Prison

Scientology Teacher molested Schoolboys

The East Grinstead Observer, 25 January 1994

A pervert teacher at the Scientologists Greenfield School in Forest Row who sexually assaulted young boys has been jailed for five years.

Mark Kent, 32, of Lewes Road, Forest Row, molested six teenage schoolboys over a period of seven years and took filthy videos of himself in sex acts with his young victims. Hove Crown Court heard Kent was found to have a videotape shooting scenes from the cult school's fete, interspersed with sickening footage of himself and young boys, and covert filming of naked schoolchildren showering.

Sentencing him Judge Gower QC said: "The boys and parents put their trust in you. You betrayed it for the gratification of your own perverted lust."

Kent admitted six charges of indecent assault and one charge of indecent video, asking for two similar charges to be taken into consideration.

http://cosmedia.freewinds.be/media/articles/ego250194.html

The Prisoners of St. Hill

For two weeks, the room was locked. The German had been placed on an 'isolation watch' - or what Scientologists more informally refer to as a 'baby watch'. It is a treatment that was prescribed by the founder of the cult, L Ron Hubbard, a science fiction writer, for members showing signs of psychosis or mental ill-health - people who are, literally, plagued by evil spirits. It is the last resort for dealing with difficult Scientologists. It is a treatment that the organisation has so far kept secret.

The subject of the watch is observed at all times, and not allowed to talk to anybody. He or she is, in the language of the cult, 'muzzled'. Our witnesses, who have asked to remain anonymous, remember that the German was sometimes incontinent and that they had to wash him down at the sink in the otherwise bare room. The five people who guarded him were only allowed to communicate with him in writing. Eventually, he was allowed to return to Germany.

Scientology stands accused of many things: of warping people's minds, of financial corruption, of preying on the vulnerable. Thirty years ago, a group of MPs tried to have it banned in the UK after a girl with a history of mental illness was found wandering around East Grinstead, having a nervous breakdown. Finally, the Government banned all foreign nationals coming to the UK to work or study in Scientology, until 1980.

Since then, the Scientologists have worked hard to improve their image. But they remain a secretive, frightening group. Despite the proliferation of their 'literature', little is known of the inner workings of their organisation.

Most people have walked past high street shops outside which smiling youngsters offer free 'personality tests'. Russell Miller, in his biography of Hubbard, showed that Scientology is a monumental con and that its founder was a charlatan. Almost everything Hubbard said was palpably untrue - he claimed to have been awarded a Purple Heart for being wounded in action, which was false; he claimed he was crippled and blinded at the end of the Second World War, also false. Despite these fabrications, dedicated loyalists believe Hubbard was a genius, the designer of a new path that could lead people to a secular Eden. In the main, they are educated, white and middle class.

For the past few months, the Independent has been investigating claims that the cult employs quasi-psychological techniques that are possibly illegal and potentially dangerous to the long-term health of its more vulnerable members. Disturbing new evidence, provided, at some risk to themselves, by existing and former members of the cult may renew calls for Scientology to again be banned from the UK. In the United States, the cult was recently granted the tax exemption enjoyed by genuine churches, but this may soon be overturned. In November, in a landmark ruling, the Californian Court of Appeal agreed that the the techniques of Scientology constitute 'brain-washing' and 'thought-reform' similar to that practised by the Chinese and North Koreans against American prisoners of war.

Hubbard regarded the law as a tool to be used to the advantage of the cult (he once said: 'The law can be used very easily to harass'), and the cult has become notorious for issuing injunctions and taking out libel actions - none of which it has so far won. But the tide seems to be turning: there are a series of legal actions pending from former members seeking damages for a variety of reasons, including false imprisonment.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/the-prisoners-of-saint-hill-the-scientologists-call-it-babywatching-but-it-has-nothing-to-do-with-looking-after-infants-tim-kelsey-and-mike-ricks-investigate-the-potentially-dangerous-and-possibly-illegal-secret-treatment-that-the-worlds-largest-cult-uses-to-deal-with-difficult-members-1403815.html

Much of the harrassment has been carried out by Eugene Ingram, an American private detective flown in from Los Angeles by the cult's head office in the United States, to target Atack and others involved in legal actions against the cult. Ingram, according to statements given under oath by a key Witness in an American court case, has boasted of "turning" a Los Angeles judge by setting him up with a prostitute and videotaping them having sex. Gary Scarff, a former member of the cult's paramilitary Office of Special Affairs, has testified that Ingram was also involved in a conspiracy to murder an opponent of scientology. The allegations are the subject of American police inquiries.

In 1987, Ingram was involved in a campaign to try to discredit and prevent publication of an unflattering biography of Hubbard, a science fiction writer, by Russell Miller, a Sunday Times journalist. Miller was harrassed for months and an attempt was made to frame him for murder.

Last week Ingram said he was investigating Atack as part of a criminal inquiry. One interviewee was even led to believe that Ingram was an FBI agent. "I am astonished that the police cannot protect a British subject from such an undesirable alien," said Atack.

When he was finally traced to a hotel in East Grinstead, Ingram was characteristically hostile: he even complained about being telephoned at his hotel. "I have never done anything illegal," he said, "I don't intimidate. I cannot discuss the nature of my business in this country, which is confidential to the client."

http://cosmedia.freewinds.be/media/articles/stm030494.html

These are but a few of the articles about Scientology,http://cosmedia.freewinds.be/media/uk1994.html ,go here to find many more.If ever there was a time to do something about this abomination of a cult, now is the time http://theapolloseries.blogspot.com/2011/08/for-all-you-british-readers.html.