Protest of Scientology at Manchester 14th November

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It was a very rainy day in Manchester, but that did not stop 20 or so hardy souls from turning up to protest the “Church” of Scientology on Saturday November 14th. The anons, as the protestors like to call themselves, as well as some ex-members of the organisation came from all over the north of England to demonstrate against the alleged abuses being carried out by organised Scientology.

The protest began outside Scientologys North West headquarters at 258-260 Deansgate, Manchester, at about 11a.m.  and continued unabated for four hours despite the deteriorating weather conditions. Protests signs “SCIENTOLOGY IS A CULT”, “CULT ====>” “SCIENTOLOGY HURTS FAMILIES”, “KNOWLEDGE IS FREE”, “MANDY CALL YOUR MOTHER” were held aloft for all to see. Leaflets, advice and good humour was handed out to those Mancunians who were doing their XMAS shopping early.  

An independent film maker, Mark Smith of EverLastingPictures.Co.Uk who has being following the Anonymous protests also covered the days events. The spokesman of the Manchester branch of Scientology, Sam Butler, did at one point come out to answer some of the protesters questions regarding Scientology. 

The bad weather which hit Manchester yesterday was nothing compaired to the storm which has hit Scientology in the last couple of weeks. 

On Tuesday October 27th 2009, a French court convicted the “Church” of Scientology of fraud, but stopped short of banning the sect from operating in France. Judge Sophie-Hélène Château said that prohibition could drive the organisation underground, where it would be difficult to control. Two branches of the groups operations and several of its leaders were fined.

In a judgment that set legal precedent by convicting Scientology as an organisation, Paris Criminal Court found that the practices of the organisation involved unlawful approaches to fragile people using scientifically bogus claims to defraud them of thousands of euros. In her ruling Judge Château said that the organisation had used “fallacious arguments of no scientific value” to catch members. Judge Château made the rare decision to order publication of the ruling in the international press. This would ensure that “victims can be warned about the methods of Scientology”, according to Olivier Morice, the lawyer for the plaintiffs. 

The “Church” of Scientology may also face legal action in the UK by the family of Sir Winston Churchill, in a bid to stop Scientologists using the famous wartime leader's picture and words in their recruitment drive.

Mid Sussex  MP Nicholas Soames told a local newspaper: "Organisation like the BNP and the Scientologists have no right whatsoever to use my grandfather as a means to solicit and elicit support.I have written to them asking them to desist from using his image immediately. Unless I get a satisfactory reply, I will take legal action." 

Pictures of Sir Winston and quotes from his speeches are included in staff recruitment material which has been circulating in the UK. They have also been used to promote speaking engagements and fund raising campaigns.

The Hollywood director and screenwriter Paul Haggis has severed his ties with the Church of Scientology in protest against its position on gays and treatment of members who wish to leave. Haggis is the award-winning film maker who, in 2006, became the first screenwriter since 1950, to write two Best Film Oscar winners back-to-back - “Million Dollar Baby” 2004 directed by Clint Estwood and “Crash” 2005 which he himself directed. He said that he was quitting the church after 35 years. “I could not, in good conscience, be a member of an organisation where gay-bashing was tolerated,” he wrote in a letter to it. He goes on  "Despite all the church’s words about promoting freedom and human rights, its name is now in the public record alongside those who promote bigotry and intolerance, homophobia and fear." 

He also criticised the church for its alleged policy of “disconnection” in which members must cut ties with anyone deemed critical of the organisation. Haggis said that his wife, Deborah Rennard, had been forced to “disconnect” from her parents after they resigned from the church and did not speak to them for a year and a half. After seening Scientologys spoekmans Tommy Davis doing an interview on CNN he writes “And in it I saw you deny the church’s policy of disconnection. You said straight-out there was no such policy, that it did not exist.” 

What follows are extracts from the letter sent to Tommy Davis. The full letter can be seen at http://markrathbun.wordpress.com/

I was shocked. We all know this policy exists. I didn’t have to search for verification – I didn’t have to look any further than my own home.

You might recall that my wife was ordered to disconnect from her parents because of something absolutely trivial they supposedly did twenty-five years ago when they resigned from the church. This is a lovely retired couple, never said a negative word about Scientology to me or anyone else I know – hardly raving maniacs or enemies of the church. In fact it was they who introduced my wife to Scientology.

Although it caused her terrible personal pain, my wife broke off all contact with them. I refused to do so. I’ve never been good at following orders, especially when I find them morally reprehensible.

For a year and a half, despite her protestations, my wife did not speak to her parents and they had limited access to their grandchild. It was a terrible time.

That’s not ancient history, Tommy. It was a year ago.

And you could laugh at the question as if it was a joke? You could publicly state that it doesn’t exist?

To see you lie so easily, I am afraid I had to ask myself: what else are you lying about?

He also goes on to critise Scientology about the way they “handled” recent artlicles in the St. Petersburg Times.

These were not the claims made by “outsiders” looking to dig up dirt against us. These accusations were made by top international executives who had devoted most of their lives to the church. Say what you will about them now, these were staunch defenders of the church, including Mike Rinder, the church’s official spokesman for 20 years!

Tommy, if only a fraction of these accusations are true, we are talking about serious, indefensible human and civil rights violations.

And though it may seem small by comparison, I was truly disturbed to see you provide private details from confessionals to the press in an attempt to embarrass and discredit the executives who spoke out. 

How dare you use private information in order to label someone an “adulteress?” You took XXX XXXXXXX (name removed by OUTOFORDER)   most intimate admissions about her sexual life and passed them onto the press and then smeared them all over the pages your newsletter! 

However, I have finally come to the conclusion that I can no longer be a part of this group. Frankly, I had to look no further than your refusal to denounce the church’s anti-gay stance, and the indefensible actions, and inactions, of those who condone this behavior within the organization. I am only ashamed that I waited this many months to act. I hereby resign my membership in the Church of Scientology.

It would appear that quite a lot of people are currently leaving “Church” of Scientology. 

The next protest is scheduled for Saturday 12 December.