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. At Saint Hill it seems they don't take too kindly to this: a leaflet [extracts below] that they have distributed to his parishoners accuses him of spreading hate and division in the community (can the clams really not distinguish between *opposition to* and *hatred of*??). The grounds for this claim are simply that he is associated with Ron Lawley and Jon Atack. The leaflet also attempts to discredit the Big Story documentary (as being shaped by "professional haters") and Families Under Scientology Stress, which it repeatedly brands a "Hate Group" (we had a good laugh when we read this before the demonstration on 13th). The connection between Rev Brown and these two latter topics is not made clear. As far as I know, this A4 sheet was distributed inside a special edition of Freedom and jammed in the windscreen wipers of cars in the car park of the church during a service. No author is credited, but it is likely to be Margaret Reese, the former hairdresser who is currently in charge of PR for Scientology in this country. Here are some extracts: 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] Either he knows that the views he disseminates are false, in which case he is guilty of knowingly violating his own faith's commandment that "thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour" or, he is an unknowing dupe for others who are more open in admitting thier malign intentions. For a man in Reverend Brown's position - a position from which he can exert considerable influence over the community - ignorance is inexcusable, so the second possibility is no less offensive than the first. [There is also the possibility that the views are not false- unless we are given some examples and a solid refutation, we can't share their assumption] [It's pretty sick that Scn should pick on someone about their ethical code. Scientology routinely publishes many detailed and noble ethical codes but shows total comtempt for these in its own actions.] When asked, Reverend Brown will provide many explanations for his views on Scientology. Yet, such a dedicated attack of distorted stories spanning almost two decades makes me wonder if Reverend Brown is for religious bigotry. [In the Scientology belief system, any criticism of Scn is bigotry: reasoned, true criticism doesn't exist. Orwell had the same idea when he wrote about "Crime-think"] His views about Scientology to a large degree mirror the malign intentions of a sordid group of highly-discredited individuals - many of whom are opposed to religion in general - and not the traditional or official views of the established Church. Ignorance, prejudice, and crime often go hand in hand, and through acts calculated to inflame bigotry, Reverend Brown appears to be working hand in hand with an admitted thief- East Grinstead dentist Ron Lawley. Is Reverend Brown merely being manipulated by Lawley and his cohorts or is there something more sinister to the role he plays. [That last question is a classic false dichotomy- I wonder if Reverend Brown has stopped beating his wife? :->] The Thief [It is described here how Lawley tricked his way into a Scn org in Denmark in a sailor suit and walked out with a bunch of OT documents. Scn have taken him to court and he allegedly now owes UKP40,000] The Second Thief [Lawley was apparently consulted by Carlton TV's staff when they were making the "Big Story" documentary. Cue a long rant about the programme's "open bias", "extreme dishonesty" and "criminal actions". It is described here how the Sea Org staff caught Carlton's reporter taking video with a concealed camera] Such film when carefully edited into a show shaped by professional haters can be used to paint any kind of distorted picture- which will not in any way resemble the true picture- that the makers wish to present. [...] Davis was left on her own for a short time. Once alone, she immediately began cramming Church property into her carry-all. ["Church property"- excuse me? Nowhere do they say that it was actually *one* *document*] Astonished Church members [...] satisfied that they had ample evidence, arrested her on the spot. [Yes, the police came and arrested her but released her without charge- she hadn't committed a crime, had she?] The Hate Group [Now we have a description of FUSS, which according to this leaflet is an exercise in self-promotion for its "few participants". They give some details of the secret meeting on June 17th at which we organised the campaign to publicise The Big Story. Jon Atack recent court case is mentioned. The really objectionable stuff is saved for the end.] As with other campaigns of hatred Reverend Brown has assisted, the Big Story Campaign and its "FUSS" group will recoil mainly on the innocent. One cannot spread hate and intolerance without creating a divided community. A divided community is a source of unhappiness for all who live within it. [By the same argument, if you live under a dictatorship, you shouldn't oppose the regime, otherwise you're at fault for dividing the community.] Reverend Brown is in a position to heal or further divide the community. In deciding his course of action he would have been better advised to not follow the desires of a thief and allow his position to be tarnished by such a sordid association. We members of the Church of Scientology urge him to end his campaign of prejudice which appears to have blinded him to the low moral character of people he has aligned himself with. We invite him and all people of good will and moral rectitude to work together for a better community and a better world. [Sorry chaps (or is it chap-ess?), your words may sound impressive but your *actions* speak louder.] [BTW, I hope the other a.r.s veterans noticed the proliferation of "bigot", "distortion", "hate group" and so on. If Margaret Reese isn't Woody, they are at least related]