Manchester Spiritual Awareness Conference a success

by Kevin_Jones | July 9, 2009 at 05:02 am
1639 views | 5 Recommendations | 40 comments

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Scientologist explains the "ARC triangle" to Manchester students

Scientologist explains the "ARC triangle" to Manchester students

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Manchester, England—Representatives of religious and belief groups gathered at Parrs Wood High School's Sixth Form Centre in Didsbury, Manchester on Monday for their annual 'Spiritual Awareness Conference', which aimed to give some 180 A-level students 'a deeper understanding' of the various religions and beliefs practiced in the area.

The fifth conference of its type held by the school, this year's saw ten religions or beliefs represented, the largest number so far. Pushing the boundaries of controversy at this year's conference was the inclusion of The Humanist Society among the groups invited. The two Humanist representatives were invited to be part of the conference as an example of a non-religious belief system. Other groups represented included the Bahá'i faith, the Catholic Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the Church of Scientology and Islam.

In attendance at the conference was regional representative of the Church of Scientology, Sam Butler, who considered the day a success, stating, "I am grateful to Parrs Wood for this opportunity to present my religion and to answer the students' questions. I'd say the day was very successful."

Each religion or belief was represented by at least one person, with some like the Scientologists coming in pairs. Students were able to choose three presentations while each presentation was repeated three times throughout the day, allowing the 16-19 year old students to experience a diverse range of belief systems. The presentations were also diverse, with the Bahá'i faith including musical performance in their session. At the end of the day-long conference, students were invited to put their questions to a panel comprising all of the guest representatives. This was rounded off with a question from the school's head of Religious Education, who asked, "Which one of you is right?"

For more information or to contact Parrs Wood Sixth Form Centre, visit http://www.parrswood.manchester.sch.uk/sixthform/

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Kevin_Jones


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Kevin_Jones

What is this nut doing putting some old video on my story??? Looks like some can of worms nothing to do with the Didsbury conference. This isn't crowd power it's just silly! Trying to work out how to get this blemish the hell off my article...

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Kevin_Jones

Sorted.

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Jarrett Martineau

Please let us know if you have any further issues by posting to the Forum.

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Jarrett Martineau
Co-News Director
NowPublic.com

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getbeckyout

Scientology has brainwashed our daughter and has distroyed our lives.
Its a money grabbing CULT, its not a Relegion its a CULT.
The church continues to attract controversy over claims that it separates members from their families and indoctrinates followers.
THIS IS OUR STORY; MAKE UP YOUR OWN MIND. WE HAVE
Our daughter Rebecca says she will never disconnect from the family as she would tell them where to go, but we know its only a matter of time
We have always been a close loving family with no secrets.
Rebecca has a boy friend David been 29 years of age and he RECRUITED Becky into the Church of Scientology, about 4 years ago.
We were not made clear at the time that she had joined a Cult, I undertook massive research on the Church of Scientology and to our horror we did not like what we found.
We sat down and gave Rebecca our views in a very calm manor but to no avail.
Last year she went on the Freewinds this been the second trip in a period of Six Months, where she got engaged.
Rebecca has paid over 7k to the COS for services since her involvement they call it Donations.
In October 07 Rebecca agreed to leave the org at Manchester and not to set foot in the place again, this was promised for the love of the family and even though her boy friend remains in it we had to believe in her.

We asked her to hand write to the org in Manchester and St hill and a copy to Clearwater, I took photo copies of the letters and I personally posted them,
The content as follows the same for each address.

Dear ---
I have decided not to do any more courses and will not be renewing my membership.
Please make sure that all future mail to me is stopped.
I would like to thank the staff at Manchester for the help I have received over the past years.
Yours sincerely
Becky.

We thought this would be her last involvement; even knowing her boyfriend (MENTOR) is a massive member and still dependent on Scientology.

To date we have written a number of letters to the COS and done a number of interviews with Anonymous at Manchester, all interviews available on you tube 10 in total.
The latest interview was in 3 parts done this Month with there head executive of the Manchester Org (Mr. Anthony Brinkman)

We have never had one reply from any of there staff, or even an assurance from there Mr. Brinkman that they will leave her alone, we have bank documentation that in Feb o8 they still took her money for there services.
Her Boy friend is her mentor and the COS rules are if she cant handle us, i.e. get us to accept Scientology then she will have to Disconnect or her boyfriend has to end there relationship, she is in a mental mess.

Rebecca has been hypnotized in the very early stages by the COS she has a mindset not to accept any negative / critical information, if we attempt then Becky goes into a state like trance.

Please note we are in contact with our daughter at all times. Beck was only with her mum this morning, I inform people of this due to some people have stated that she has been Kidnapped by the Cos.

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outoforder

Scientology was created by the science fiction writer L.Ron Hubbard http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L._Ron_Hubbard. Scientology derived from Dianetics - The modern science of mental health http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dianetics. Hubbard believed that with his "new science of mind", he could cure the world of insanity. The techniques used by Dianetics immediately drew criticsm from the health profession, so Hubbard created a religion Scientology, to cure the world of insanity and also avoid paying tax, and make himself a very rich man. 

Hubbard himself is a very interesting and colourful charcter. He had criminal convictions for petty theft and fraud, married 3 times, married his second wife whilst still married to his first ( Apparently he forget to get a divorce ). He had 7 children, 2 from his first marriage, 1 by his second & 4 from his last marriage to Mary Sue Hubbard. His first born child http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_DeWolf claimed his father was a con man, and a drug addict. His son Quentin Hubbard http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quentin_Hubbard commited sucide. His third wife Mary Sue Hubbard http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Sue_Whipp took the can for her husband and ended up in prision. He also dabled in black magic and the occult. He was a compulsive liar, lying about his family background, his education, his war record, his wives & children. Would you want to do a marriage course written by this man? Would you want to raise your kids by doing a course written by this man?

Scientoloy itself has a history of criminality. In the 1970's the leaders of Scientology tried to infiltarte various depts of the U.S.A government under the code name "Operation Snow White" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_snow_white. They got caught and many of them ended up in prision. There have been several criminal convictions of scientology members through out the world since. Currently Scientology is awaiting the verdict of a trial in France which has been taken place over the last few months. Scientology has its own private army or should I say private navy, called the Sea Org http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_org. To join the Sea Org, members must sign a billion year contract. They have their own security service formally called the Guardians Office, but now called O.S.A http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Office_of_Special_Affairs. They also have their own internal prision system, the Rehabilitian Project Force http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rehabilitation_Project_Force.

Scientology's policy of fair game http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_Game_(Scientology) , their policy of disconnection from family members, the billion year contract that some of their members have to sign, the hugh cost for Scientology courses and "Scientology counselling" which can run into hundreds  of thousands of pounds, their secretive nature, there use of the legal system to stifle and intimidate any critism, theire internal prision system, the physical assaults senior staff have carried out on junior staff, there willingness to release confidentail files of ex-members who are willing to critise the organisation are just some of the reasons I oppose this so call "Church" of Scientology.

I could go on about Lisa Mc Pherson http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_McPherson, the Anderson Report http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anderson_Report, Operation Freakout http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Freakout, the Times report on Scientology http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thriving_Cult_of_Greed_and_Power, Gabe Cazares http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabe_Cazares, the BBC Panorama programe on Scientology http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology_and_Me   but unfortunately there are only 168 hours in a week & I have to go to work tommorow. 

   

  


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Kevin_Jones

Ah, the proverbial can. If only "worms" were more clearly labelled...

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Sam_Butler

Hello, Kevin. I'm terribly sorry for all you seem to have been subjected to here. The gentleman posting as 'getbeckyout'--Tony-- is known to us. His daughter (step-daughter, actually) doesn't come to our church because of the attacks Tony has made against our religion. On this story particularly, his comments are in bad taste. Well done for your factual report on what I still consider was a successful day.

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Kevin_Jones

Thanks, for what it's worth...

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susan Talbot

Hi Sam,

I heard the comments that you made on getbeckyout video where you spoke about my daughter Mandy, you do not know the facts, you have not seen the loving letters that my daughter wrote to me when first when to LA, the letters that said how much she missed her family & England.  You did not experience when she first went to LA her calling me & crying, unable to sleep as she hated LA.  So I wrote letters asking that Mandy come home for a holiday, then I got declared.  I never received a disconnection from my daughter, but my sister in law received a typed letter supposedly written by Mandy (Mandy didnt type letters, she always hand wrote her letters) this letter wasnt even signed by Mandy, so who wrote it.

You do not know my daughter, if she had of seen me in LA she would have hugged me. How dare you speak about my daughter, you dont know her & have never met her, you are only going on what you have been told. Disconnection Policy was cancelled by Hubbard some years ago & it is criminal to break up families. Why cant you people think for yourselves, its very sad that you all do exactly what Hubbard says. Remember that while you are involved with Scientology disconnection can & probably will happen to you or someone you love unless this policy is stop. It is wrong.

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Sam_Butler

Your assertions regarding comments I may have made about your daughter are absolutely nothing to do with this poor guy's article. You make yourself out to be such a victim--shame on you. I have met and worked with your daughter, and she has (without giving non-Scientologists misunderstood words) supervised my counselling. I will not get into a discussion with you here Susan. I hope you are still surviving without Scientology, because unlike some, I actually care about the state of individual beings. I only wish you didn't have to attack my religion.

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susan talbot

Yes, surviving very well without Scientology, thank you, no more being wrapped in control & fear. As I said earlier, a person can believe in what they want too.  I would just like to see & talk to my daughter. This is my right as a Mother.

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J2B

On a personal opinion, I both dislike and disagree with Scientology, but I do believe in religious  freedom so people have to decide for themselves. I do have my doubts that Scientology is a religion?

In the early 1970's was living near their HQ in Sussex, near Ashdown Forrest. I spent several days there asking question and finding out what it was about.

I also read most of the basic books by L Ron Hubbard.

So I don't think my disagreement is a casual one.

I also don't agree with the other religions who mention in your post. but I can see nothing wrong with students having a lecture/talk/lesson about this stuff, but I also hope you were allowed to ask deep and meaningful questions.

For your own interest, I'm a life long Buddhist...

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Bill weasly

@Kevin, I can see where you are coming from however getbecky out clearly has a valid point and it IS related to the article. Even a small amount of research on the internet clearly demonstrates the point that getbeckyout and his supporters make. He has every right to say that scientology is a dangerous cult. Frankly I don't see why you're so immediately hostile to him when you yourself have obviously not researched this "religion" very clearly.

I'm glad the multicultural day was a success but isn't understanding of something reached by looking at ALL of it's aspects, good and bad?

I agree that many parents would not be pleased to have their children subjected to a cult.

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outoforder

Hi Kevin,

I am very sorry that you had to find out about XENU http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenu.  I hope it will not affect your  health, after you have read the story. On a serious note, it would be very nice of you Kevin, if you could attend the upcoming protest August 8th at 11.00 at 258 Deansgate and find out the other viewpoint  and make up your own mind. After all you are totally free to do so.

Mr Butler, maybe you would be so kind as to answer some questions about Scientology. How much does Scientology auditing cost?  When I was "in" Scientology, it was about £100.00 an hour and my estimate to reach "CLEAR" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clear_(Scientology) was 300 hours. Of course this 300 kept going up an up and up and up. Can Scientologists buy Scientology books on EBAY http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/L-Ron-Hubbard-MINT-NEW-18-x-Scientology-books-1-x-DVD_W0QQitemZ260450401851QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Books_EducationalTextbooks_EducationalTextbooks_GL?hash=item3ca40dbe3b&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14 for a fraction of the cost that Scientology sell them? Is it true that Scientology is facing criminal charges in France? Is it true that Scientology staff earn as little as £30 to £40 a week in wages for a 70-80 week, while L.Ron Hubbard was estimated to be worth between $200 to $600 million dollars when he died? Is it true that senior managers in Scientology beat up junior staff http://www.tampabay.com/specials/2009/reports/project/ Is it true that L.Ron Hubabrd was told he was not welcome in the UK by the British government? Is it true that his third wife Mary Sue Hubbard http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Sue_Hubbard   ended up in prision? 

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susan talbot

Hi,  I am an ex scientologist & I trained up to Class 8, was in Scientology for over 15 years.  I believe that people have a right to believe what they want, but when they destroy & break up families then thats another story.  My first born daughter whom I had when I was 17 years old, now 60 disconnects from her Mother, whom she loved very much because of a Policy that has been enforced on the daughter then something is very wrong.  My daughter has not seen or spoken to me for 9 years because I disagree with what goes on in the Church of Scientology, then I would say that its not a Religion but a Cult. Mind control at the highest level.

A Religion brings love to families, not separation. So please look at all the different stories about Scientology & LISTEN to what people are saying.

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Kevin_Jones

Tony your video re-re-re-post is still met with deletion. I consider this behaviour vandalism of the article and have reported this to the NowPublic staff editors. I do not wish to discuss the matter any further.

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getbeckyout

The truth hurts.

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susan talbot

YOU SAID IT IN ONE, the truth does hurt & some people can not accept it, sad really

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MortishaH

Hi Kevin, The point here which you seem to be missing is that Scientology is not a religion.  This is not an opinion, you can verify this for yourself by doing a simple internet search.  Could you live with yourself if just one child was harmed by Scientology because they read your article and believed it to be a bona fide religion?  Make no mistake Scientology is a very harmful group and the fact that they have been allowed to address pupils at a school without proper checks being done is disgraceful.   Whether intentionally or not your story does grant Scientology an air of legitamacy, If you have fully researched it and that is your opinion please state so here or if you haven't researched it please do so.  Please dont expect to get positive comments about your story as Scientology has hurt many many people around the world.  So sorry your are not interested in writing a follow up story and that you dont seem interested in the pursuit of the truth with your journalism.

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getbeckyout

Hi Sammy Butler, maybe you can help Kevin and all of us even your self, if you could answer my 8 Questions. You wont be able to as your management, as you know wont let you.

If you had your own thoughts and freedom then Yes you would be able to, and you would get 8 out of 8 and maybe a star or a paper hat.

Now go on Sammy lets see how you do.

EIGHT QUESTIONS TO SAM BUTLER AND THE CULT OF Scientology

 

 

1) Q. Why was the founder refused entry into the UK after 1968?

 

2) Q. Why in April, 2008 did Belgium raid the offices of Scientology and what are the Criminal charges being brought against it, as we speak?

 

3) Q. Why in 1971, was there a Public Inquiry into Scn. by the UK Parliament?

 

4) Q  Why in 1999, was Scn. refused Charitable Status by the Charities Commission ?

 

5) Q  Why in Sept 2007 did the Manchester CULT of Scientology withdraw its Planning application for the new ideal org, and not inform its members, and still to this very day ?

 

6) Q  Why would the planning application if not had it been withdrawn, been REFUSED anyway ?

 

7) Q  Why is the CULT of Scientology to this date asking its members for donations For the New ideal org ?

 

8) Why is France taking the CULT of Scientology to court as we speak ?

 

Tony.

See you next Saturday

 

 

 

 

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getbeckyout

Whats the matter Scam Butler stuck 4  words ? oops is this an attack against your alien religion or r in ethics yet again ?

NO RELIGION = THE CULT OF SCIENTOLOGY = NO CHURCH ?

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Sam_Butler

No Tony, I'm not stuck for words. And this is a personal attack. You should know something: I stand for total freedom. You are privileged I am even responding in this way. Good day to you Mr Leigh.

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getbeckyout

Hi Sam, i am not privileged at all, and please dont honour yourselfI, well someone has to i suppose.

When a father and a Mother has to write 10 letter's to your so called religion / church and addressed to your Mr Graeme Wilson (Head of Communications) and not get one letter of reply then how does one see your organisation / CULT.

You are a victim of the CULT of Scientology, and not my enemy and one day you will wake up and thank me and many more of your critics.

We take it you cant answer our 8 Questions, or is it you are conditioned / instructed not to look for the truth, there is always two sides to a story.

Why is it Sam that more people have left the COS and are still leaving to this date, than you have as current members ? 

A personal attack on you NO, a personal attack on my Daughter mind by the CULT of Scientilogy YES, equals a personal attack on my Family.

When i visited your Plymouth org, the window display advertised that Scientology brings families together and respects family values.

LIES, LIES AND MOE LIES all the time.

Good night Mr Butler.

Tony and Sue,

 Loving parents who care about people.

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anonylurker

Hey getbeckyout, looks like Sam_Butler has answered your questions. Link: http://sam-butler.name/?page_id=32

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UKDocumentary

Hi Kevin, I can't help but notice some controversial opinions growing and falling upon you and your story, I would be interested in hearing from you.

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Sam_Butler

Hello, Mark. I wasn't entirely enamoured with your last video. You ask me to speak on camera, I say no thank you, you covertly film me. No hard feelings, I'm just disappointed.

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UKDocumentary

Hello Sam, I understand you and I know what you are faced with. I am seeking co-operation from the Church of Scientology by any means open to me since your hands have been tied by your superiors. I would like to take this opportunity to ask you to speak further with your superiors and make them aware that your Church has a fair and equal opportunity to stand up for itself. I still wish to record anything that your Church wants to make available to me. I know that your Church has issues regarding negative impact that Anonymous have and are still creating for you and your Church; this is one of the issues that has a top level of concern for your Church.

I have a question to ask you which should not concern the Church.

Why don’t you as an individual think more about this offer and use your own free will to ask yourself why you’re Church will not allow you your own free will to stand up and speak out against Anonymous, the very people who you and your Church quite clearly have ongoing issues with?

I myself know and have witnessed that you have got plenty to say about Anonymous and what they do according to you and your Church; I also know you have been suppressed by your Church and that Graeme Wilson for one has also been instructed not to speak, he has handed his public relations role to you and you have been instructed to deal with the matter.

I feel compelled to quote L Ron Hubbard here:

“To do nothing is not an option”
“Something can be done about it”

You know what I mean and L Ron Hubbard’s written & spoken words are not being followed.

If you want to contact me regarding this issue anytime, you have my number and e-mail. Alternatively you could reply on here for people to see.

Mark.

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Kevin_Jones

You're right, I'm a bit lost now on what to think though. I've written to a content editor and asked for some help. I don't really want to comment on any of this because I am not involved with it and I just wanted to write about good news, but I guess my bubble has been burst now. Sorry.

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UKDocumentary

Thanks for your reply, no need to apologise to me, I am very interested in your own personal thoughts on how this story has affected you and if you are going to carry on reporting in the way that you set out to do in the future?

If you want to have a private or public conversation with me regarding this your story and its controversy that some of the posts have come to be, I feel it will go a long way towards your own experience for handling this kind of controversy for future reference

You have reported on what I for now assume to be your first story and I think that this is a great opportunity for you to take a moment of thought and be courageous and diplomatic for making it a goal for now to try and win over the true understandings of your controversial posters without anything from yourself getting in the way of any misunderstandings regarding other people’s thoughts feelings and views besides your own

If encouragement is what you need, let me be one to help you.

Mark.

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