The Church of Scientology is a "church like any other church," a Vancouver politician said yesterday. Social Credit MLA John Reynolds said he doesn't understand why there is so much fuss over Narconon's links to Scientology. "They (Narconon) have operated here in B.C for many years, and I think they have a reputation of doing a good job," Reynolds said. Reynolds recently wrote a letter to Narconon praising the program on its silver anniversary. The letter was included in a package ...

"Corrupt, sinister and dangerous" were the words used to describe the Church of Scientology in a judgment given by Mr Justice Latey this summer. He also referred to it as "immoral and socially obnoxious". But who controls the Church now? A major Sunday Times Magazine investigation into the activities of the cult in America and Britain has uncovered a disturbing and extraordinary story — the takeover of the organisation by a small band of youthful fanatics following the disappearance of the ...

[Picture / Caption: Scientology's headquarters in L.A. was formerly the Cedars of Lebanon Hospital. The church purchased It for $5 million In 1977.] Last October in San Francisco, some 70 local leaders of the Church of Scientology gathered to hear nine church executives harangue them about their shortcomings. Styling themselves with titles that ranged from the quasi-military ("Commander," "Warrant Officer") to the quasi-lunatic ("International Finance Dictator"), the men announced that they represented the new hierarchy of the organization, and that they ...