Church of Scientology accused of torture and forced abortions
The Church of Scientology faces the prospect of a police investigation in Australia after being accused of torture and embezzlement and of forcing employees to have abortions.
Nick Xenophon, an independent senator, presented letters to the Australian Parliament from seven former Scientologists which he said showed that the secretive church was a front for physical violence, intimidation and blackmail.
“I am deeply concerned about this organisation and the devastating impact it can have on its followers,” he told the Australian Senate in Canberra. He called for a Senate inquiry.
The State Crime Command of New South Wales police yesterday confirmed that Mr Xenophon had handed over the letters for investigation. Fed- eral police have also been contacted.
Kevin Rudd, the Prime Minister,said that many Australians had “real concerns” about Scientology. “I share some of those concerns,” he added. “We would like to proceed in a cautious and methodical way in examining those matters and then we’ll decide what, if further, parliamentary action is necessary.”
Carmel Underwood, a former executive director of the Sydney branch of the church, wrote that Scientology executives covered up a case of child molestation and pressured pregnant staff to abort their babies so they could keep working for the church. “There are many who are still suffering and being abused financially, physically and mentally,” she wrote.
The allegations
Former followers, who are willing to be questioned by police over the allegations, reported crimes ranging from forced imprisonment, coerced abortions, embezzlement of church funds, physical violence, intimidation and blackmail.
Paul Schofield admitted to being part of a campaign to cover up the facts surrounding the death of his two daughters, including two and a half-year-old Kirsty, who died during a purification programme.
Aaron Saxton confined and tortured a follower and coerced females to have abortions, one who used a coat hanger for fear of punishment. He also has details of murder confessions from members in the US, information that was never passed on to police.
Carmel Underwood was put under “extreme pressure” to have an abortion, and witnessed a young sexually abused girl being coached on how to keep it secret. Carmel Underwood, in her letter to Senator Xenophon, outlined a catalogue of abuse, ranging from pressure on pregnant staffers to abort and the cover-up of child abuse to verbal and physical assaults.
To read the full story go here: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article6921140.ece?token=null&offset=12&page=2
More on this subject can be found in Jonny Jacobsen’s excellent blog, Infinate Complacency, here are some excerpts.
But it is her account of a series of devastating hostile interrogations to which she was subjected that stands out. The experience left her “an emotional wreck”, she wrote.
Underwood had been involved with the movement for 18 years: from early 1980 until early 1998, occupying senior executive positions with the movement in Sydney.
By the mid 1990s however, she had left her staff post.
Although she had already witnessed and experienced her fair share of abuse, she was still committed to aspects of Scientology’s system, even if she had her doubts about the management.
Things started to go wrong for her and her husband Tim when they got involved in a project to promote the movement in Sydney.
They paid for a large, replica volcano that spewed smoke and lit up as though it was erupting – as per the cover of founder L. Ron Hubbard’s book Dianetics: the Modern Science of Mental Health – together with a large screen showing Scientology advertisements.
It was an ambitious and costly exercise, but the Underwoods and a colleague put a lot of time and money into the project, signing a lease for 18 months with an option on another 18 months.
Carmel’s husband Tim Underwood explained what went wrong in his letter to Senator Xenophon.
Towards the end of the first 18 months they did not have enough money to take up the renewal option, but the movement wanted them to sign up again.
As the deadline approached, the couple became increasingly nervous. Although Scientology executives had made it clear the site had to stay, they had not delivered on their promise of a backer – and the Underwoods had been warned off looking for funds from fellow Scientologists.
Finally, as the last 48 hours to deadline slipped away, Tim Underwood faxed Scientology management: unless they delivered on their side of the bargain and found a financial backer, they would not be renewing the lease because they could not afford the payments.
That was when the real trouble started.
I was scoffed at, insulted, yelled at…”
Scientology executives appeared to view his faxed message as an attempt at extortion and summoned all three of them – the Underwoods and their partner in the venture – into the local headquarters, Tim Underwood wrote.
“We were taken into a conference room one by one where we were confronted and interrogated by 11 senior executives…” he continued.
“Judging by the tone and nature of their questioning all present had formed the opinion that we were enemies of the church and must have committed some awful crimes that we were now hiding.”
As an American I am ashamed of the fact that the evil of Scientology started here and has lasted so long. However, I think the Australians are tough enough to get rid of the Xenu worshippers. Anyway, here is my salute to the brave people of that country and to Senator Xenophon for his heroic efforts.
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