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'Corrupt, sinister, immoral' [incomplete]

Title: 'Corrupt, sinister, immoral' [incomplete]
Date: Monday, 23 July 1984
Publisher: Evening Standard (UK)
Main source: link (117 KiB)

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THE Church of Scientology was condemned as "corrupt, sinister and dangerous" by a High Court Family Division judge today.

Mr Justice Latey, in a damning indictment of the Californian-based sect founded by L. Ron Hubbard, said "Scientology is both immoral and socially obnoxious.

"It Is corrupt because it is based on lies and deceit and has as its real objective money and power for its founder, his wife, and those close to him at the top.

"It is sinister because it indulges in infamous practises both to its adherents who do not toe the line unquestioningly and to those outside who criticise or oppose it.

"It is dangerous because it is out to capture people, especially children and impressionable young people, and indoctrinate and brainwash them so that they become the unquestioning captives and tools of the cult, withdrawn from ordinary thought, living and relationships with others."

He was giving judgment at the end of a six-month dispute over a boy aged 10 and a girl aged eight.

The children's father, a dedicated scientologist, and their 28-year-old mpther, who has left the sect, both sought custody.

The judge directed that their identities should not be disclosed and the children were referred to as "B" and "G."

Awarding care and control of the children to the mother, who has remarried since she was divorced by her husband in 1979, the judge said the father, who has also remarried, had promised to seek to correct the evils of scientology disclosed during the private court hearing.

"But what could he do against the power of the church? Nothing. The result would be that he would be declared a suppressive person with all that that would entail for him and his family," said Justice Latey.

"The baleful influence of [missing text]

[Picture / Caption: RON HUBBARD: a "charlatan."]

[Picture / Caption: MR JUSTICE LATEY : the cult Is "out to capture People, especially children, and brainwash them."]