Religion News Blog's Scientology News Tracker

Greens say tax payer money going to Church of Scientology

Religion News Blog — Wed, 09 May 2012 08:54:12 +0000

Kevin Hague, drugs spokesman for New Zealand's Green Party, has alleged in Parliament that the Church of Scientology is using tax-payer money to promote an anti-psychiatry agenda and messages against medication used to treat mental illness through charities disguised as social service organisations.

Through its front groups the cult wages an extended hate campaign against psychiatry and psychiatrists.

Former Scientology leader Debbie Cook settles lawsuit with church

Religion News Blog — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:57:06 +0000

Neither pays the other side money, and Cook and her husband are legally prohibited from ever again speaking ill of the church.

The Church of Scientology walks away having suffered through a day of brutal testimony that remains in the public record.

Senior Scientologist cleared of sex abuse cover-up charges

Religion News Blog — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 06:26:58 +0000

Charges against Janice Meyer accused of coaching a child to lie about sex abuse have been dropped in a Sydney court.

Meyer, who also uses the name Jan Eastgate, heads Citizens Commission on Human Rights, a Scientology front group that wages an ongoing hate campaign against psychiatry and psychiatrists.

Health officials shut down Narconon drug rehab centre in Canada

Religion News Blog — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 08:55:03 +0000

Health officials have ordered the Narconon rehabilitation centre for drug addicts in Trois Rivières, Canada, to evacuate and relocate its 32 residents, citing concerns over procedures that "may represent a risk to health" and a lack of doctors on staff.

The agency's decision not to certify was based on visits to the Narconon centre in February, and the recommendations of a national committee of experts convened in March to discuss the case.

Scientology-linked Narconon center in Quebec shut down for ‘dangerous practices’

Religion News Blog — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:56:54 +0000

The Narconon Drug Prevention and Rehabilitation Centre in Trois-Rivières is shut down for 'dangerous' practices.

The organization, viewed as a front group for the Church of Scientology, employs treatments based on the medical fantasies of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard.

Regional court in Moscow bans Scientology books as extremist literature; cult not banned

Religion News Blog — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 12:35:28 +0000

A regional court in Moscow has upheld a lower court decision made in June 2011, declaring books published by the Church of Scientology to be extremist literature and banning publication or distribution of books from Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard.

The decision does not ban the controversial cult.

Foreign interest-free loans keep Irish branch of Scientology afloat

Religion News Blog — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 14:22:57 +0000

The Irish branch of the Church of Scientology remains deep in the red as revenues continue to decline.

Interest-free loans from overseas Scientologist and from other Church of Scientology 'missions' are keeping the Dublin branch abroad.

Questions in Netherlands House of Representatives over Scientology tax loopholes

Religion News Blog — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 22:13:57 +0000

Members of the Netherlands' House of Representatives have asked questions of State Secretary for Finance, Frans Weekers, regarding tax deductions on financial donations given to the Church of Scientology via front groups.

Scientology is not considered a charitable organization in the Netherlands, and therefore encourages members to donate to the church via an ancillary foundation that does have charitable status.

5 religion news stories you might have missed

Religion News Blog — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 19:15:25 +0000

We have collected nearly 500 religion stories this week. Most of them we never post, but simple file instead to have information on hand should we need it.

But we have hand-selected 5 news stories from the past week that we think deserve a closer look.

Mental Health Minister criticises Scientology campaign

Religion News Blog — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 12:31:45 +0000

Australia's Mental Health Minister, Helen Morton, says a new campaign by the Church of Scientology is sensationalist.

The 'Citizens Commission on Humans Right,' a Scientology front group engaged in an ongoing hate campaign against psychiatry and psychiatrists, has advertised in newspapers and distributed pamphlets warning people about changes to the WA (Western Australia) Mental Health Act.