BRUSSELS: Scientology's new European center
Original title: "BRUXELLES — Nouveau centre européen de la Scientologie"Julie Barreau
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http://groups.google.com/group/alt.religion.scientology/browse_thread/thread/3d11a22556699c2d http://www.anti-scientologie.ch/lesoir-magazine.htm |
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BRUSSELS: Scientology's new European center
Scientology's mask drops. Their objective: seizing power.It was a summit meeting. Saturday the 8th of April 2006, 1 PM, Brussels, at the Best Western Hotel, the 'crossroads of Europe'. Several delegations are hurrying in to attend an unusual conference. Scientologists who have come from Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Switzerland are jostling in front of the hotel doors. An hour later, a couple of hundred people are sitting in one of the basement meeting rooms. They're waiting impatiently for the speeches by the stars of the event, the European leadership of Scientology. They are about to witness the unveiling of the Church's new expansion plans for the old continent. At last, a man strides towards the podium, leans into the microphone, and says in English, loudly and full of conviction: "We are at war!" The tone for what follows has been set. This isn't some joke. 7000 square meters right under the windows of the Ministry of Justice.Only three years after the controversy caused by buying a building at No. 91, Rue de la Loi [TR.: the street where the Belgian federal parliament and a whole host of other government buildings are located], Scientology strikes again. The American mother Church has set its sights on Belgium. Its European center of operations is going to be transferred from Copenhagen to Brussels. The international Church of Scientology has the means to back up its ambitions. It has accumulated a vast war chest, which it doesn't hesitate to use. It has also bought other buildings, Nos. 100, 101, 102 and 103, boulevard de Waterloo! No less than 7000 square meters, located between the Ministry of Justice and the Palace of Justice... The location is as strategic as it is symbolic. This sensational bit of news is announced to the followers during the first part of the meeting. "This building will be twice as large as the largest Church of Scientology in Europe. It will have fourteen auditing rooms, and will be able to accommodate hundreds of people", the speaker proudly proclaims. Perspective sketches of the building are shown on the overhead projector, amidst deafening applause from the audience. Its grand opening is planned for October. The conference doesn't stop there. The acquisition of real estate by Scientology in Brussels is just a first step in their plan to infiltrate the EU institutions. The road to powerIn fact, the Scientologists are already in the process of trying to organise a human rights conference within the European Parliament itself, their ultimate target. Scientology tries to acquire power, slowly but surely, and always in an insidious way. Their goals are clear. "We must take control in Belgium! They have the same intentions as the Nazis did! We must educate these forces of the Fourth Reich about human rights!" (Standing ovation) [TR.: last 2 words in English in original]. To clarify: governments that don't recognize Scientology as a legitimate religion are considered by Scientologists to be Nazis, hence the use of the term "Fourth Reich" to indicate, in this case, the EU Commission and the European Parliament. Scientologists believe it is their duty to 'educate' these institutions to rally them to their cause, and to take control of them to save the planet! Scientology's internal rhetoric is that of a totalitarian ideology. Anything that stands in its way is considered to be a malignant power, working towards the destruction of mankind and at the root of all the evils from which our planet suffers. Under the pretext of being a "minority religion", as it calls itself, Scientology is in fact a political organisation which has as its ultimate goal to seize power and establish a dictatorship. The final act: a massive recruitment effortAcquiring sumptuous buildings, and an unquenchable thirst for power, aren't enough. Scientology announces it wants to create ten missions and fifteen groups around the big Church in Brussels. For this titanic task, it will need a lot of manpower. The first cloud on the horizon is: its human resources are completely inadequate. In fact, even though the Church of Scientology Belgium claimed recently to have no less than 5000 members, in reality there are probably no more than about 200 active members, that is people in regular contact with the Church. The goal of this conference was therefore not only to reveal to the most devoted Scientologists in Europe the new plan of action, but also to recruit, that very day, between 70 and 150 new members! The speakers attempt to stir up the audience: "Europe is in danger, we need to wake up! If you want to win this war, you've got to be a part of it!" The second half of the meeting is taken up by the reading out loud of a series of quotes, too many to count, and also shown on the overhead projector, from L. Ron Hubbard, about the necessity of activism and participation. After this interminable recitation of absurd phrases, a woman exhorts, in a shrieking voice, all volunteers to join her on the podium. After some hesitation, a lone figure stands up, causing a thunderous applause. In total, about a dozen people end up volunteering... not really what it will take to fill up the new building. Hungry for power, Scientology aims for the top. But there are going to be plenty of obstacles in the way. For starters, their upcoming trial. — Julie Barreau. |
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In the line of fire of Belgian justice!
Scientology to stand in the dock before the end of the yearAfter an investigation lasting nine years, with no less than 27 search warrants executed and multiple complaints filed by former members, the long-awaited trial of the Church of Scientology in Belgium is finally due to start. The stakes are high, and the case will have repercussions far outside our borders. For the very first time, Scientology itself could be convicted as being a criminal organisation. Four main chargesThe judicial investigation started in 1997, and concerned nine Scientologists. The files on Scientology gathered since then, which take up four meters, cover offenses from the end of the 1980's until 2004. The drawing up of the formal charges that will complete matters will be finished within two months from now. The investigation took this long because two additional plaintiffs came forward. They are former members of Scientology who had risen to high levels in the church hierarchy, and where thus able to provide extremely important information. Four main charges have been established: being a criminal organisation (1), fraud, the illegal practice of medicine more, and violations of the law on privacy more. |
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Scientology until now has managed to avoid any convictions as a criminal organisation. However, this legal concept is very important, because it is the association "Church of Scientology Belgium" as a legal entity which is on trial, not its individual officials. "The people responsible will probably have made sure to be insolvent by the beginning of the trial. But if the organisation itself is found guilty, things will be quite different", explains Jean-Pierre Jouglas, a lawyer with Unafdi, the 'Union nationale des Associations de Défense des Familles et de l'Individu victimes de Sectes' [TR.: national union of defense groups for families and individuals victimised by cults]. If the Church of Scientology were to be found guilty on this charge, it would probably be instantly dissolved, on the basis of the 1998 law on the criminal responsibility of legal entities. [TR.: IANAL, but I think this is the law that finally solved a longstanding problem with Belgian criminal law: that only individual persons could be found guilty of crimes, not the companies or organisations they were part of.] At the same time, the judge could also order the confiscation of all real estate it owns in Belgium, including the newly acquired buildings in the Avenue de Waterloo in Brussels. What's more, such a conviction would inflict serious damage on Scientology's attempts at creating an image of respectability through its volunteer ministers and its various front groups. But we are not yet at that stage, the more so because in this matter Belgian justice has to walk on eggshells. A conviction of Scientology as a criminal organisation could provoke a serious diplomatic incident with the United States, where the cult is considered respectable and has support at the highest levels of government. The charges of fraud on the other hand are easier to prove. The testimony of the people who believe they have been defrauded by Scientology will however be essential. "The prohibitive prices of courses which are sold to members as well as the price of the e-meter may also be taken into consideration", adds Jean-Pierre Jouglas more. As to the illegal practice of medicine, the prosecutors will build their case on the "purification", or "sweating", courses prescribed to members. The expert explains: "during these courses, Scientologists exercise, spend three hours a day in a sauna and take hugely excessive doses of vitamins, which weakens them considerably more. The rest of the time is devoted to the lectures of L. Ron Hubbard, the only intellectual nourishment members are allowed". The auditing sessions, which are very similar to psychoanalytic sessions, may also be taken into account. The last point of the charges, violations of the privacy law, should be able to be proven without any difficulty, thanks to the documents seized during the raids. As Jean-Pierre Jouglas explains: "Scientology keeps a file on every one of its members, containing everything that has been 'confessed' during auditing sessions". Defense through attackWith the charges almost finalised, both sides are now readying their arms. The prosecutors are using all legal means at their disposal. Scientology on its part has hired a number of well-known Brussels lawyers, and is working on its defense strategy of... attacking the plaintiffs! Many victims of Scientology don't have the courage to demand justice. Even after they've left the Church, it still holds a considerable grip on its former members. Jean-Pierre Jouglas explains: "Many victims never file a complaint. This is because these people continue to think along the lines of the cult's belief system for a long time. Such a break happens very gradually and is quite distressing. Victims don't want to hear anything about Scientology anymore, and are afraid to go beyond that because they are still intimidated." As an illustration, not one of the plaintiffs in this case was willing to have their identity revealed in this article. One plaintiff says: "When you leave Scientology, all your values, all your truths fall apart, and you're left in total confusion. You don't have any certainties left. You feel guilty and afraid. The only thing you want to do is unplug the phone and lock yourself in at home." In a stroke of luck for Scientology, its victims continue to protect it indirectly. For those who might be brave enough to go the authorities, it has several means at its disposal to persuade them otherwise. The plaintiff: "Scientology knows all the weaknesses of each of the plaintiffs, and knows how to manipulate them to achieve its aims. They don't have scruples. They are well-trained, willing to do anything, and think they're immortal. They are real kamikazes". In this case, three people have been offered settlements for undisclosed amounts. Jean-Pierre Jouglas explains: "Scientology's method to defend itself against any charges is to pay the people who come forward to withdraw their complaint. They usually pay the amount the plaintiff is demanding. With the plaintiff gone, Scientology concludes that there has been no breach of the law. What's more, plaintiffs are often in debt as a result of paying for courses. They therefore often prefer getting their money back immediately, rather than sit through ten years of legal proceedings". Other methods have also been revealed by former members. "Through intimidation, spying, slander, threats, harassment, dirty tricks, blackmail, and... suing people at every possible opportunity. That's how Scientology defends itself", Roger Gonnet, a former member, says angrily. The Church of Scientology has its own intelligence service in Belgium, called the 'Office of Special Affairs'. Jean-Pierre Jouglas adds: "Scientology thinks it wields all powers. It has its own police, its own system of justice... It is really a state within the state. The system of values of any country where it installs itself is thus thought irrelevant. This is why the cult thinks it is above any law that doesn't suit it. It threatens to blackmail its supposed enemies with the information it gathers on them. Also, confidential information revealed during auditing sessions is used to put pressure on people to stay in the cult, or not do anything that might harm it." But despite all of Scientology's efforts to keep its alleged crimes from being put under the public spotlight and avoid a conviction, the trial is definitely going ahead. In criminal law, even if the plaintiffs withdraw their complaints, the judicial authorities continue their work. All over the world, organisations that fight against cults are awaiting the start of this trial with impatience. Will Belgium succeed where others have failed? The 65 boxes of documents seized during the raids might make all the difference... — Julie Barreau. |
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The true face of scientologyHow Scientology treats its membersScientology claims 8 to 10 million followers worldwide. In reality, the total would be more like 100,000 to 200,000 members. more "Scientology is the biggest pseudo-religious swindle of the 20th and 21st centuries!" declares Roger Gonnet, a former member who established the Church of Scientology of Lyon (1). Scientology promises supreme freedom and absolute power. But if you believe the testimony of former followers, it can only ruin and destroy you. |
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A person's ruinOpen to every sector of the public, Scientology proclaims itself to be both science and religion in order to avoid losing a single "prospect" People study it to answer their questions. It is supposed to provide answers about the origins of mankind and the complexity of being human, explains a former member. Scientology "recruits" followers by different means. Initially, it is through word of mouth: members are duty-bound to proselytize. Front groups such as Criminon, Narconon, U-man [TR.: business consultants] or Management Efficiency [TR.: corporate training] are also used. But the most widespread method is the personality test. "These tests are a crock!" says Roger Gonnet, laughing. "In fact, the results are always catastrophic. 'You are depressed, you have no goals, no control over your life.' That's the explanation you'll get when a Scientologist administers the test. But they'll offer a solution — courses in Dianetics!" A huge number of courses are available. But watch out — at each step, the price increases. In all, there are about thirty levels to go from "raw meat" (non-Scientologist status) to OT 15, the ultimate level. To traverse all these stages, the devotee will pay between 300,000 and 500,000 euros. People spend fortunes for courses that never bring the answers they're searching for. "They're selling hot air", says one despairing former member. Scientology is a system that stretches over a long duration. The "truth" is delivered drop by drop. When you arrive at level OT III, you'll be taught that each of us is not a single human being, but that thousands of spirits are interacting within every one of us. Yes, this is a serious belief — that there are numerous entities within each body! more "If those things were known at the beginning, nobody would have ever joined Scientology," Gonnet continues. For people within the system, this belief is cast in stone, insists the former member. Besides taking courses, followers need "auditing". This is a form of psychoanalysis where the person describes a traumatic event until she finds it laughable. Then the event supposedly has no more influence over her. Imagine a girl who was a victim of incest quaking with laughter about describing the crime! Finally, every good scientologist must be equipped with an e-meter. Price: 5,000 euros (manufacturing cost: about 100 euros). Scientologists often go to work for the organization because that way, their courses are supposedly free. But should they decide to leave the church, they will have to pay back the total price of the courses they took. Scientology has various contracts with durations ranging from two-and-a-half years to five years, or for a billion years — since members believe themselves to be immortal! Making a robotThe unacknowledged goal of Scientology is to teach its followers absolute obedience to its authority. "After a few years, I had become a genuine robot. I was ready to defend scientology at any cost," Roger Gonnet admits. "Scientology convinces people that they are profoundly flawed; the way to improve is spending enormous sums of money to reach the upper OT levels." The former member adds: "And by defending Scientology with body and soul." Reports of expulsion are mandatory. Excommunications from Scientology are made in writing, publicly, in sixteen languages on one of their websites (www.rtc.org/) established for this purpose, states Gonnet. Scientology teaches its members how they are required to behave. These indoctrination sessions can last hours and even whole days. They are spread out over months, even years. "It's worse than a major military attack!" says a former member. And of course, in case of an error, Scientology also has its own "justice" system. Anyone with an "ethics folder" accusation must go before a "committee of evidence", which is actually a tribunal. If you are summoned by this pseudo-jurisdiction, your judgment is certain. You do not have a lawyer, are rarely allowed to testify, and are absent most of the time. These evaluations are practised undercover, by people with no legal competence. "My committee of evidence lasted more than a week," recalls Roger Gonnet. Finally, Scientology has little tolerance for critics. It categorizes them as "suppressive". Ron Hubbard stated that 2.5% of the world's population are suppressive people. Here is how David Miscavige, the current leader, plans to conquer his opponents: "We will shoot down the suppressives like ducks in a pond." more The ultimate goal of Scientology is to have complete power over time, matter, energy and space. In two words: Become Superman! Beginning at a certain level, you supposedly gain the ability to levitate a building, to displace yourself in time and so on. But it is forbidden in Scientology to demonstrate these super powers to anyone, because that might be traumatic, our apostate explains. Former members of Scientology still continue to suffer from this fraud for a long time after leaving the church. "The after-effects are incalculable, he concludes. They rip lives apart." — Julie Barreau |
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