Officials want to close a Scientology institution

Part of Tax-exempt Child Abuse and Neglect by Mike Gormez

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From: rkeller@netaxs.com (Rod Keller)
Newsgroups: alt.religion.scientology
Subject: Jyllands-Posten: Will state support scn school?
Date: 5 Mar 2002 21:34:34 GMT
Message-ID: <a63dla$d1u@netaxs.com>


Officials want to close a Scientology institution
Jyllands-Posten
March 1st, 2002
By ASGER WESTH
http://www.jp.dk/dbp/internetavisen/kbh/artikel&art_id=3613359
(registration required)

If it is up to the officials, the Copenhagen Municipal will no longer give
State aid to the integrating of the day care centre 'Lillekilde' in Valby. 

In a recommendation to the political board it is now certain, that they do
not think 'Lillekilde' can live up to the guidelines of the service law
and that the institution is thoroughly soaked with the methods of
Scientology. 

The Scientology principles run all the way through the pedagogical lessons
of the children, in the dialog with parents and in the supply of courses
in which the staff is participating. 

Without State aid from the municipal, 'Lillekilde' wil have to close down
within 3 months. Christine Astrupgaard, who is the mother of a child in
the institution is furious. 

"If there was any doubt, that this was not about 'Lillekilde' but about
the prejudice of the municipal ownership, there could be no doubt any
more,"  she says. 

Opened by Scientologists

'Lillekilde' was opened as a private day care centre by scientologists and
a part of the staff as well as a part of the 20 couples of parents are
connected to Scientology. Christine Astrupgaard is one of them. 

"There was never anyone, who has tried to conceal anything, but the
municipal ownership indicates so all the time. We have lived up to all the
demands, but nothing is good enough. It is shocking. They should listen to
those parents, who have children in 'Lillekilde.' There never was a single
complaint," Christine Astrupgaard says. 

Under normal circumstances the decision about aid would have been a matter
only for the municipal ownership. In the case of 'Lillekilde' there are
however so many principle considerations and emotions involved, that the
decision has ended up by the politicians. And they can't agree. 

Michael Rosenmark (V): 

"I can hardly imagine that 20 couples of parents wish to send their child
to an institution where something could damage the development of the
child.  As a starting-point I value the parents wishes more than the
criticism from two pedagogical advisers," he says. 

Manu Sareen (R) doesn't think there is anything to discuss if 'Lillekilde'
doesn't live up to the service law. Majbritt Mamsen (K) is set to work out
the problems by making a control group for the institution, but is waiting
for statements from the advisers, who have criticized the conditions in
'Lillekilde' and from the employee in Valby Bydel, who until now has given
his approval of the place. 

Finn Rudaizky (S) wants to see the documentation that 'Lillekilde' has not
obeyed the law and also listen to the point of view of the parents before
he finely makes a decision. 

Family- and labour market mayor Bo Asmus Kjeldgaard (SF): 

"We are in an awkward position, where on one side we have some parents,
who like the place and on the other side we have a municipal ownership,
who finds that the institution does not live up to the law. If we can
reach a string of conditions by which we can get a guarantee, that
'Lillekilde' will live up to them, then I am more positive if the
institution may continue." 

The pedagogical adviser in Valby, who has given his approval of
'Lillekilde' wishes to give no comments about the case. 

asger.westh@jp.dk



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