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THE SMART NEWS SOURCE | Feb 10 2010 10:57 | LAST UPDATED Feb 10 2010 10:57 |
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Australian prime minister considers inquiry after senator tables allegations including forced abortions, assault and blackmail Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has said he would consider an inquiry into the Church of Scientology after a senator tabled allegations against the organisation, including forced abortions, assault, torture, imprisonment, covering up sexual abuse, embezzlement of church funds and blackmail. Senator Nick Xenophon tabled letters from former officials and staff of the Church of Scientology alleging criminal activity, and demanded a review of the organisation's tax-exempt status. "Scientology is not a religious organisation, it is a criminal organisation that hides behind its so-called religious beliefs," he told the senate. Among the letters tabled was one written by Aaron Saxton, from Perth, who said he engaged in torture and blackmail while working for the church in Australia and at its American headquarters between 1989 and 1996. Rudd said the allegations were "grave" and that he would consider an inquiry, but said the evidence needed to be looked at carefully. "Many people in Australia have real concerns about Scientology. I share some of those concerns. But let us proceed carefully, and look carefully at the material which he has provided, before we make a decision on further parliamentary action," Rudd said. Xenophon, an independent member of the Australian Parliament who built a reputation fighting the spread of poker machines in his home state, South Australia, tabled the documents in the senate saying he had also referred the allegations to New South Wales and Australian federal police. Xenophon said he had received letters from many more former church members who were too afraid to talk to authorities. The letter from Aaron Saxton claimed he had assisted in the forced confinement and torture of a female church member who was kept under house arrest, Xenophon told the Senate. Saxton also said he was involved in coercing female followers to have abortions to keep followers loyal to the organisation and to allow them to keep working for it.  CONTINUES BELOW "Aaron says women who fell pregnant were taken to offices and bullied to have an abortion. If they refused, they faced demotion and hard labour," Xenophon said. "Aaron says one staff member used a coat hanger and self-aborted her child for fear of punishment." One letter from a former executive director of the Sydney branch of the church, Carmel Underwood, said that when she fell pregnant she was put under extreme pressure to have an abortion. "Carmel says she also witnessed a young girl who had been molested by her father being coached as to what she should say to investigating authorities in order to keep the crimes secret," Xenophon said. Anna and Dean Detheridge from Sydney, who spent 17 years on church staff, said they were "subjected to physical and mental abuse during their time with the organisation", according to the parliamentary statement. "Anna and Dean also provided evidence where information they and others have revealed to the church has been used to blackmail and control. They also provided more information about coerced abortions," Xenophon said. The Church of Scientology issued a statement accusing Xenophon of abusing parliamentary privilege. "Senator Xenophon is obviously being pressured by disgruntled former members who use hate speech and distorted accounts," the statement said. "They are about as reliable as former spouses are when talking about their ex-partner." -- guardian.co.uk © Guardian News and Media 2009 TOPICS IN THIS ARTICLE
Comments
The Gadfly on November 19, 2009, 9:51 am
So Scientology is a criminal organization. Surprised? Really? Have you read what they're about, what they believe? How credulous do you have to be? Honestly? High time to shut this entire fanfare down and good riddens to bad rubbish.
Eric Schrama on November 19, 2009, 11:07 am
Bertrand Russell once said the christianity was a preposterous and reprehensible belief system. I agree fully, but how much more "preposterous and reprehensible" is the scientologist belief syste. Remove all religions and the world will realise that humanism and rationalism is the only chance for peace and harmony,
Derek james
derek james on November 19, 2009, 11:33 am
A religion is just a cult with money, and Scientology is a particularly nasty one. It has used German legislation to close down Finnish and Dutch websites, it has used threats, intimidation and outright thuggery against those who speak out against it. It is a deeply unlovable organisation, and does not deserve charitable status. Quite the reverse.
Mad McMax on November 19, 2009, 11:56 am
Just a warning to all and sundry to please make sure to trademark, copyright and register all intellectual™ engagement™ with this sick aberration© of a semi-corporate© , semi-religious© money making multilevel marketing goobleywoobley™, this scam-antous™ hodgepodge gang of looneys©®™! Read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology_and_the_legal_system
Oh my word! on November 19, 2009, 12:51 pm
This isn't about the fact that it's a crazy religion (which it is) because our constitution does protect freedom or religion, as well it should!
It's about the fact that the orginization commits crimes against its members and its critics, and then force them through brainwashing, blackmail and threats of violence to remain quiet about it and even lie to cover it up. Like Xenophon said: "(In Australia) there are no limits on what you can believe. But there ARE limits on how you can behave. It is called the LAW, and no-one is above it." Investigations into the ZA operations of this cult are also necessary, they are infiltrating our schools and poisoning our children's minds under their Narconon front. INVESTIGATE SCIENTOLOGY IN SOUTH AFRICA NOW! YOUR CHILD COULD BE THEIR NEXT VICTIM!
Anon Ymous on November 19, 2009, 2:02 pm
It's not a religion. It's the result of a bet L. Ron Hubbard made in the early 50's that he could turn his Dianetics books into a multi-million dollar cult.
As an indication of it's provenance, Tom Cruise is almost in charge for goodness sake, and other luvvies from Hollywod, John Travolta and Catherine Bell for example are adherents. Even Madonna trifled with it at one point before turning to the Kabbala. If Scientology is a true Religion, I'll kiss Julius Malema's sainted buttocks.
Mad McMax on November 20, 2009, 8:55 am
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Many prominent 'businessmen' are also members should also be investigated - especially from a tax perspective