Scientology Critical Information Directory

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Scientology library: “UK Charity Commission”

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australia • bbc news • bbc panorama • british broadcasting corporation (bbc) • church of scientology religious education college incorporated (cosreci) • fair game • fraud, lie, deceit, misrepresentation • graeme wilson • income • infiltration • john sweeney • justice latey, sir john • kevin hurley • membership • michael "mike" ferriss • michael j. "mike" rinder • nazi labelling • saint hill manor @ east grinstead (uk) • tax matter • the guardian (uk) • tom cruise • tommy davis • uk charity commission • united kingdom (uk) • xenu (operating thetan level 3, ot 3, wall of fire)
30 matching items found.
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Oct 15, 2010
Government urges councils to stop giving tax breaks to Scientology — The Guardian (UK)
Type: Press
Author(s): Rajeev Syal
Source: The Guardian (UK)
Communities secretary Eric Pickles says majority of the public does not want 'controversial organisation' to be given favourable treatment The government is urging councils across the country to stop giving hundreds of thousands of pounds in tax breaks to the Church of Scientology. The communities secretary, Eric Pickles, said a majority of the public did not want the "controversial organisation" to be given the favourable treatment usually reserved for charities, and questioned this use of public money. The church is not ...
Oct 1, 2010
Eye TV // Cult cornered (again) — Private Eye (UK)
Type: Press
Source: Private Eye (UK)
"YOU suck cock on Hollywood Boulevard." This is the word of the Church of Scientology, according to its former spokesman Mike Rinder, spilling the beans in John Sweeney’s BBC film this week. He was citing a text message from the office of the leader, David Miscavige, best man at Tom Cruise’s wedding to Katie Holmes. It was one of many bizarre obscenities quoted by Rinder who, after half a century inside the church, now says that it is a cult. ‘It ...
Sep 29, 2010
Scientology receives local rates relief on properties — BBC News
Type: Press
Author(s): John Sweeney
Source: BBC News
The Church of Scientology has received millions of pounds of business rates relief and tax breaks in Britain. The controversial organisation, which counts Hollywood celebrities among its high-profile members, boasts of having over 11 million square feet in property worldwide, but some ex-members call it a cult. The Church is not classed as a religion under Charity Law by the UK Charity Commission. In 1999, the Commission ruled that it did not pass the "public benefit" test required for advancing religion ...
Aug 19, 2010
Simple Guide to the City of London Scientology Rates Relief Controversy
Type: Opinion
Author(s): Roland Rashleigh-Berry
This is a simple guide to one of the most controversial advantages that the Church of Scientology (in the form of COSRECI) has in the UK. That is the 80% mandatory business rates relief granted to them by the City of London Corporation (CoL) in October 2006 for their "Ideal Org" at 146 Queen Victoria Street. This mandatory business rates relief saves them more than 270K GBP per year and this has to be paid for by everybody in the UK. ...
Jul 2, 2010
Time is running out for the Church of Scientology — The Punch (Australia)
Type: Press
Author(s): Nick Xenophon
Source: The Punch (Australia)
Believe it or not, Senate Inquiries can generate all sorts of humorous exchanges. A hearing earlier this week into the Tax Laws Amendment (Public Benefit Test) Bill generated so much laughter at one point, you could be forgiven for thinking you were watching ‘Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure’ instead. It went something like this. When discussing the impact of the introduction of a Charities Commission in New Zealand, the Church of Scientology’s New Zealand Secretary, Michael Ferriss, explained that the organisation’s ...
Jun 29, 2010
'Taxpayers shouldn't fund abuse': ex-Scientologists — The Age (Australia)
Type: Press
Author(s): Kirsty Needham
Source: The Age (Australia)
FORMER members of the Church of Scientology have told a Senate committee of the "ruthlessness" of the church and its judicial system, and argued it should not be eligible for tax-free status. "Australian taxpayers should not be funding systematic, organised abuse," said Janette Vonthehoff, who claimed her passport was taken from her and she was forcibly prevented from returning to Australia from the United States when she was eight weeks pregnant, because the church ordered she must finish "training". Sydney tax ...
Jun 28, 2010
Parliament of Australia Senate // Inquiry into Tax Laws Amendment (Public Benefit Test) Bill 2010: Day 1
More: aph.gov.au, aph.gov.au, Nice compendium @ OCMB
Nov 8, 2009
Labour gives Scientologists tax breaks... — Sunday Express (UK)
Type: Press
Author(s): Kirsty Buchanan
Source: Sunday Express (UK)
LABOUR is driving through laws that will give the Church of Scientology tax breaks on its British missions. While thousands of businesses face higher tax bills from April and homeowners brace themselves for rises in council tax, the wealthy church will be exempt. The change is being forced by a Bill from Equality Minister Harriet Harman, which, for the first time, puts Scientology on the same footing as the Church of England and Roman Catholicism. Under British law, places of worship ...
Jul 2, 2007
Hubbard's Scientology 'built on nonsense' — Herald Sun (Australia)
Type: Press
Author(s): Jill Singer
Source: Herald Sun (Australia)
WITH the Packer wedding over — and guest Tom Cruise embrolied in a "religious" controversy — Scientology is once again on the agenda, writes Jill Singer. SCIENTOLOGY is being talked about again because of certain prominent supporters. Germany is reluctant to have Scientology's most famous adherent, Tom Cruise, play one of its country's greatest heroes. Valkyrie, the planned film, centres on Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg's heroic role in attempting to assassinate Adolf Hitler. The problem for Cruise is that Germany is ...
Item contributed by: Ron Sharp
Jun 23, 2007
Scientologists set to cash in on tax break — The Times (UK)
Type: Press
Author(s): Dominic Kennedy
Source: The Times (UK)
A change in the legal definition of religion has opened the way for Scientology to claim a multi-million-pound British tax break by registering as a charity. Advisers believe the new law, which recognises groups that worship multiple gods, or none at all, entitles the movement to the same privileges as traditional faiths like Christianity. Pagans, witches, Rastafarians, druids and satanists may also be entitled to start rattling collecting tins bearing the label “registered charity”. Scientology, founded by the science fiction writer ...
Item contributed by: Ron Sharp
Jun 4, 2007
Fresh controversy for scientologists in files — The Argus (UK)
Type: Press
Source: The Argus (UK)
Newly released Government papers have mired the Church of Scientology's Sussex headquarters in fresh controversy. Files from the National Archives at Kew include a confidential report produced by the then Department of Health and Social Security in 1977 for Home Secretary Merlyn Rees stating the church was a "considerable evil". It was written as the Government prepared to defend itself against a number of writs filed by the church relating to a 1968 statement announcing a ban on foreigners entering Britain ...
Item contributed by: Ron Sharp
Jun 1, 2007
UK officials feared church 'evil' — BBC News
Type: Press
Source: BBC News
With A-list celebrities among its followers and a string of unsavoury allegations from former members, the Church of Scientology is rarely far from the headlines. But newly released government files from the National Archives at Kew show controversy surrounding the church in the UK is nothing new. In the 1960s and 1970s officials debated whether or not to lift a ban on foreigners entering the UK to work or study at the church. In the documents, high-ranking mandarins referred to the ...
Item contributed by: Ron Sharp
May 20, 2007
MPs call for tax probe into cult — Daily Express (UK)
Type: Press
Author(s): James Murray
Source: Daily Express (UK)
THE INLAND Revenue is being asked to investigate why British Scientologists are refusing to pay a tax on the grounds they do charitable work — even though the controversial religion has been refused charitable status. Scientology, which came under fierce attack on the BBC last week, was denied the special status by the Charity Commission eight years ago. In a 49-page landmark ruling, commissioners said the church had not demonstrated it was “established for the public benefit as to satisfy the ...
Item contributed by: Ron Sharp
May 14, 2007
Row over Scientology video — BBC News
Type: Press
Author(s): John Sweeney
Source: BBC News
[Reprint of an article published the day before, entitled "Scientology and Me" ]
Item contributed by: Ron Sharp
May 13, 2007
Scientology and Me — BBC News
Type: Press
Author(s): John Sweeney
Source: BBC News
The battleground is YouTube and Scientology's weapon is a clip of me losing it in the "Mind Control" section of a gruesome exhibition. Scientology has fought many battles to keep its secrets off the web, now they are using it to attack my investigation into them. Scientology has prepared an attack video, and they have shown the Scientology v Sweeney shouting match to anyone who would watch it. There is talk of 100,000 copies being released. Family 'disconnects' Scientology works. That ...
Item contributed by: Ron Sharp
Apr 11, 2007
Scientologists Set For Heavenly Tax Cut — The Argus (UK)
Type: Press
Author(s): Rachel Pegg
Source: The Argus (UK)
Scientology could be officially recognised as a religion in the UK following a ruling in the European Court of Human Rights. The decision, won by a law team led from East Grinstead, could mean the Charity Commission will have to recognise the controversial Church of Scientology as a bona fide religious group. This would give it access to a series of tax breaks and potentially hundreds of thousands of pounds in taxpayers' money through Gift Aid. The European Court ruled the ...
Item contributed by: Ron Sharp
Jan 12, 2007
How the Church of Scientology found its way into British politics — Evening Standard (UK)
Type: Press
Source: Evening Standard (UK)
The controversial Scientology sect was accused of trying to inflitrate British politics last night after it emerged that they paid thousands of pounds to both the Labour and Tory parties. Members of Labour's ruling executive committee, on which Tony Blair sits, approved the payment from a charity which is closely linked to the Church of Scientology, which boasts Hollywood stars Tom Cruise and John Travolta among its members. Labour allowed the charity, the Association for Better Living and Education (ABLE), to ...
Item contributed by: Ron Sharp
Dec 10, 2006
Scientologists get £270,000 subsidy — The Telegraph (UK)
Type: Press
Author(s): Adam Lusher
Source: The Telegraph (UK)
The controversial Church of Scientology has been granted a subsidy of more than £270,000 a year in public money, The Sunday Telegraph can reveal. Scientology's lawyers used European rulings and Government equality regulations to force the City of London corporation to grant an 80 per cent rates discount for its new centre near St Paul's Cathedral. The "church", it is believed, is now pressing to pay nothing at all. The corporation confirmed that this discount was on the basis that Scientology ...
Nov 22, 2006
Gala dinners, jive bands and Tom Cruise: how the Scientologists woo City police — The Guardian (UK)
Apr 18, 2006
The secrets of Scientology — The Independent (UK)
Type: Press
Author(s): Sara Lawrence
Source: The Independent (UK)
Tom Cruise says Katie Holmes is now a fully-fledged follower of L Ron Hubbard. So what is it about the sci-fi writer's 'religion' that exerts such a hold? Sara Lawrence goes undercover to find out Sitting on a red velvet chair in the middle of a majestic, oak-panelled hall in East Grinstead, I have rarely felt more fearful for my sanity. On the wall in front of me, a creepy, larger-than-life-sized portrait of an old man seems to be staring straight ...
Item contributed by: Ron Sharp
Jul 21, 2005
Church of stars set for city — Birmingham Mail
Apr 24, 2004
Church anger at 'cult' space — Birmingham Post
Type: Press
Author(s): James Cartledge
Source: Birmingham Post
Church leaders and council bosses were locked in a row today after a group branded "little more than a cult" was allowed to take over prominent public space. The Diocese of Birmingham attacked the city council's decision to let the Church of Scientology launch its volunteer ministers' centre in Centenary Square. Diocesan spokesman Arun Arora said the controversial movement, founded by science-fiction writer L Ron Hubbard and backed by Hollywood stars Tom Cruise and John Travolta, was "as much a religion ...
Item contributed by: Ron Sharp
Dec 10, 1999
Scientologists are refused charitable status — The Independent (UK)
More: rickross.com
Type: Press
Author(s): Damien Pearse
Source: The Independent (UK)
THE CHURCH of Scientology failed in its attempt to become a registered charity yesterday because the organisation was not of "public benefit". The Charity Commission rejected the application for charity status after detailed consideration and despite taking a "broad and flexible" view of the law, it emerged. The Church of Scientology had sought to be registered as a charity on the grounds that "it was established for the advancement of religion or to promote the moral or spiritual welfare or improvement ...
Dec 9, 1999
Britain denies Scientologists status as charitable group — Seattle Times
Type: Press
Source: Seattle Times
LONDON - Government officials denied the Church of Scientology charitable status today, saying it does not provide any public services. Scientologists said they would appeal the decision, announced by the Charity Commission, which regulates charities. The commission said the church did not meet the essential test for charitable status - "that of conferring public benefit." Graeme Wilson, public-affairs director for the Church of Scientology in Britain, called the decision "wrong on the law and wrong on the facts." "If the same ...
Nov 17, 1999
DECISION OF THE CHARITY COMMISSONERS FOR ENGLAND AND WALES MADE ON 17TH NOVEMBER 1999 — UK Charity Commission
More: charity-commission.gov.uk
Type: Document
Source: UK Charity Commission
[...] 2. Conclusion The Commissioners having considered the full legal and factual case and supporting documents (including expert evidence) which had been put to them by CoS and having considered and reviewed the relevant law, taking into account the principles embodied in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), the Commissioners concluded that CoS is not established as a charity and accordingly is not registrable as such. In so determining the Commissioners concluded as follows -: CoS is not charitable as ...
Nov 10, 1999
Sect loses battle to become a charity // Scientology 'is not a religion' — The Guardian (UK)
Type: Press
Author(s): James Meek
Source: The Guardian (UK)
The controversial Church of Scientology had its application to be recognised as a religion turned down yesterday. After more than three years' deliberation, the Charity Commissioners rejected the organisation's claim saying that it did not qualify because it was not a religion and did not benefit the public. Critics of Scientology portray the organisation as a wacky cult that brainwashes individuals and exists to make money. But adherents say such hostility amounts to religious persecution and that Scientology puts them on ...
Item contributed by: Ron Sharp
Jul 13, 1999
Cult or religion: What's the difference? — BBC News
Mar 29, 1999
Abroad: Critics public and private keep pressure on Scientology — St. Petersburg Times (Florida)
Type: Press
Author(s): Lucy Morgan
Source: St. Petersburg Times (Florida)
Scientology leaders say they want peace. They say they want to stay out of court. But with both foes at home and foes abroad, that goal may be elusive. The spiritual home of the Church of Scientology is in Clearwater, but for many years now its leaders have had worldwide ambitions. But as disciples have carried L. Ron Hubbard's teachings away from America's shore, the reception has been almost universally chilly at best – and at times openly hostile. At one ...
Item contributed by: Ron Sharp
Dec 13, 1997
Massive corporate fraud by the Church of Scientology in the UK
Type: Opinion
Author(s): Roland Rashleigh-Berry
This document will prove the the Church of Scientology in the UK, operating under the company "Church of Scientology Religious Education Colleges Incorporated" (C.O.S.R.E.C.I.), received money to the value of nearly $100,000,000 from another Scientology organisation and that this money then disappeared without trace. This information has been passed on the the police and the UK taxation authorities (called the Inland Revenue over here in the UK) who are taking an interest in the matter since it is both corporate fraud ...
Mar 30, 1997
The true story of a false prophet — Mail on Sunday (UK)
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