Religion and Science: A Clash Between Faith and Reason

Opinion, Victoria Britton

The United States has long championed freedom of religion for all people. This advocacy, central to the American experience today, has historical roots dating back to the country’s foundation.

It began in Virginia during the American Revolution. In 1777, Thomas Jefferson, then a state General Assembly member, penned the landmark "Virginia Statute for Establishing Religious Freedom." Enacted in 1786, it declares religious freedom a "natural right" and asserts the rights of Virginians to choose their faith without coercion. Firmly believing that "religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God," Jefferson feared that without religious freedom and a strict separation of church and state in the new republic, "kings, nobles, and priests" threatened to create a dangerous aristocracy. Jefferson’s statute became the forerunner to the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which stipulates "that Congress make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting its free exercise." (As to what exactly constitutes a religion, of course, the First Amendment is silent.)

Thanks to Jefferson’s authorship of the "Virginia Statute"—an accomplishment he considered one of his three greatest—he became known as the father of religious liberty in the United States. Interestingly, Thomas Jefferson was also one of the founding fathers of American science. Of his many interests, he called science his "passion." Over the course of his busy lifetime, despite devoting over thirty years to public service, Jefferson made serious contributions to botany, meteorology, entomology, ethnology, archaeology, paleontology, and comparative anatomy. His first book, Notes on the State of Virginia, is considered the most important American scientific work published in the eighteenth century.

As head of the American Philosophical Society—the country’s most prominent science organization—Jefferson popularized the pursuit of science as an American ideal. And he was the most scientifically minded president this nation has ever known, dispatching several expeditions out into the Louisiana Territory to map it and to list and categorize its flora and fauna.

Freedom of religion and the pursuit of scientific knowledge were both paramount to Thomas Jefferson. Fundamentally incompatible, religion and science disagree profoundly on how we obtain knowledge of the surrounding world. Science is rooted in observation and reasoning. "Religion," wrote physics professor Victor J. Stenger, "assumes that human beings can access a deeper level of information that is not available by either observation or reason." Based on constant analysis, questioning, and critiquing, science continually evolves and grows, whereas religion—with its supernatural entities—is not usually modified in the face of conflicting evidence.

We know Jefferson understood the conflict between faith and reason. Writing in 1820 regarding the strong opposition to his founding of the University of Virginia, a secular institution, he noted: "The most restive is that of the priests of the different religious sects, who dread the advance of science as witches do the approach of day-light; and scowl on it the fatal harbinger announcing the subversion of the duperies on which they live."

In the over two hundred years since Jefferson’s "Virginia Statute"—and the subsequent First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution—literally dozens of strange "religions" have sprung up in the United States. Would Jefferson have seen this as an abuse of his idea of religious liberty?

The Church of Scientology was founded in 1954 by science-fiction author L. Ron Hubbard. Although "science" is in its name, it is a belief system with no basis in any recognized science. Quite to the contrary, Scientologists—parroting a theme that runs throughout their literature and doctrine—firmly believe that they are warring against a well-respected social science—psychiatry. According to the Church, psychiatry has a long history of providing improper and abusive care (a point of view that has been disputed, criticized, and condemned by experts in the medical and scientific communities.)

In 2005, the Church of Scientology—and one of its front groups, the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (the CCHR)—opened a controversial museum called "Psychiatry: An Industry of Death." Located in Los Angeles, the museum is free and open seven days a week. The museum’s presentations highlight the alleged destruction wrought by psychiatrists in every corner of our society. Psychiatry, according to the CCHR, is responsible for 9/11, school shootings, mass murders, and the deaths of countless celebrities. They claim that psychiatry-related deaths total around 1.1 million and that psychiatrists are the most criminal of all professions; and the least fit to treat mental health. "There is not one institutional psychiatrist alive," wrote Hubbard, "who … could not be arraigned and convicted of extortion, mayhem and murder." As the museum delves into the history of medicine and psychiatry, it becomes increasingly conspiratorial, attempting to do the very thing they criticize: psychologically manipulate individuals.

Naturally, the Church of Scientology’s beliefs on life and death are just as bizarre. Scientologists call the human soul a person’s immortal spiritual being, a "thetan." According to Hubbard (as wrote Joel Shappell for the Tampa Bay Times in 1990), "when a person dies, his or her thetan goes to a ‘landing station’ on Venus, where it is programmed with lies about both its past and its next life. The lies include a promise that it will be returned to Earth by being lovingly shunted into the body of a newborn baby." What really happens, said Hubbard, is "you’re simply capsuled and dumped in the Gulf of Lower California. Splash. The hell with ya. And you’re on your own, man. If you can get out of that, and through that, and wander around through the cities and find some girl who looks like she is going to get married or have a baby or something like that, you’re all set. And if you can find the maternity ward to a hospital or something, you’re OK." Eventually, he said you "just pick up a baby."

Unfortunately, I became all too familiar with the hypocrisy of the Church of Scientology and its unsound and dangerous belief system. In the days leading up to my son Kyle’s death, I was contacted by two devout Scientologists: my ex-husband Tom Brennan, Kyle’s father, and Denise Miscavige Gentile, the twin sister of the head of the organization, David Miscavige. (Gentile, at the time, was serving as Brennan’s Scientology "auditor.") They recommended sending Kyle to Narconon, a Scientology-connected drug rehabilitation facility because he was taking an antidepressant. Typical of their anti-science stance, Scientologists equate psychiatric medications with illegal street drugs. I scoffed at this suggestion. Gentile and Brennan lacked the medical background—and, of course, the sound judgment—to offer this kind of advice.

Brennan and Gentile subsequently lied and committed perjury to protect their Church. Brennan, under oath, admitted that he had lied to me about making certain Kyle had his psychiatrist-prescribed medication and was taking it. During the Clearwater, Florida, police investigation following Kyle’s suspicious death, the medication was found locked in the trunk of Brennan’s vehicle.

Scientologists "honestly believe," wrote Mike Rinder (the former head of the Church’s Office of Special Affairs), that Scientology is the ONLY route to save every man, woman, and child on planet Earth. It is their belief that if Scientology is flourishing, then every person, every family, every group, mankind and even animals and the environment will flourish as a result…" What’s good for the Church of Scientology, therefore, is good for everyone and everything. This is the flawed reasoning that justifies not only lying but also actively harming people.

But what about religious beliefs that encourage "passive" immorality—instances where adherents simply do nothing? Perhaps they fail to undo an event that helps them but harms others. Perhaps, in following their faith, they fail to prevent an injustice or even a death. Historically, the American legal and judicial systems have been reluctant to pursue cases involving a "religion" that has crossed over into abuse, medical neglect, and even criminality.

Extreme religious movements existed in America long before Jefferson penned the Virginia Statute for Establishing Religious Freedom. Every November, for example, we celebrate the seventeenth-century Puritans who arrived on our shores seeking religious liberty. We tend to forget that the Puritans were not oppressed because of their faith; they were oppressed because they were fanatics.

Christian Science, founded in Boston in 1879 by Mary Baker Eddy, holds that because the material world is an illusion, disease is just a mental error (not a physical disorder). Sick congregants, therefore, can be healed by prayer and the laying on of hands. Though Christian Scientists are allowed to frequent doctors, their faith tells them that Christian Science healing is best practiced when not combined with medical science. This anti-science stance, over the years, has led to the deaths of numerous children. In a few cases, Christian Scientists have been convicted of neglect and manslaughter.

Founded during the same period by Joseph Franklin Rutherford, Jehovah’s Witnesses reject what they call the "unscriptural doctrines" of Christianity—Trinitarianism, hellfire, and the inherent immortality of the soul. They say theirs is the one true religion, and Christ’s Second Coming is near. They do not observe birthdays or, more significantly, Christian customs or holidays because of their pagan origins. They also refuse blood transfusions, which they see as a violation of God’s law. Much needless suffering has resulted.

Another Bostonian gift to the world is the Church of Euthanasia (or CoE), founded in 1992 by Chris Korda and Robert Kimberk. Calling itself "a non-profit educational foundation devoted to restoring the balance between Humans and the remaining species on Earth," it promotes massive voluntary population reduction. "Save the Planet, Kill Yourself" is the slogan of the CoE, and here are the four pillars of its anti-human stance: suicide, abortion, sodomy, and cannibalism (only if the victim is already deceased).

What has been the cost? How much suffering and how many tragedies have occurred due to narcissistic, self-appointed, American-made Messiahs? I have no doubt the number would be staggering. How many misguided parents have prioritized their flawed and dangerous religion over the safety and well-being of their children? And what about the long-term emotional trauma created when those supposed to protect children—their parents—treat them instead with neglect and abuse? Why are there limited repercussions when devout individuals adhere to a destructive belief system that promotes poor parental care, emotional deprivation, and medical neglect? How can we urge American politicians and government agencies, who are reluctant to intervene, to take a firm stance against organizations that use religion as a cover for criminal activities?

Religious disputes shaped the world in which Thomas Jefferson grew up. He knew humans had been arguing about religion for a long time and would continue to do so far into the future. There is no short and straightforward solution to the problem. But we can agree there is a critical need to remove religious exemptions regarding health care and child neglect in religious organizations that view children and family members in need as an inconvenience.

Kyle’s final resting place is in a quiet cemetery off a winding country road leading to Monticello, the home and gravesite of Thomas Jefferson. Ironically, my son’s remains lie close to those of the founding father whose faith in religious liberty gave Scientology—as well as numerous other dangerous and ill-considered "religions"—a safe home in the United States.

Copyright © 2024 by Victoria Britton. Posted at Religion News Blog by permission.

About the Author

Victoria Britton is the mother of Kyle Brennan.

Full story: United States of Religion

Video: Scientology's Suspicious Deaths: Murder in the Church?

One reason why we consider Scientology to be a destructive cult is that this so-called "Church" breaks of families and friendships.

Full story: Judge: Church of Scientology Not Liable for Suicide of Young Man (Kyle Brennan)

[caption id="attachment_36291" align="aligncenter" width="602"] Jordan Hayne, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, May 10, 2015.[/caption]

Scientology-funded Youth for Human Rights group strikes out with Canberra Cavalry baseball club

It's a headline that goes for the easy kill, and why not? Here's what happened: the club cut ties with the group after information of its affiliation with the 'religion' had not been disclosed.

It's about par-for-the course as far as Scientology's front groups go. They often do not disclose the fact that they are run by, associated with, sponsored by, or otherwise intertwined with the 'Church' of Scientology.

These front groups promote popular causes, such as human rights, anti-drug education, literacy and education and other 'social betterment' programs -- as Scientology refers to them.

Critics believe the cult uses this approach in an attempt to a) buy itself some respectability (its not easy being known as a cult that destroys relationships), and b) recruit people into the church scheme.

As TIME wrote back in 1991:

One front, the Way to Happiness Foundation, has distributed to children in thousands of the nation's public schools more than 3.5 million copies of a booklet Hubbard wrote on morality. The church calls the scheme "the largest dissemination project in Scientology history."
- Source: Scientology: The Thriving Cult of Greed and Power, TIME magazine, May 6, 1991 (About this article)

The article about the Scientology front group striking out, also notes that

In 2009, it was revealed Youth for Human Rights sent pamphlets and DVDs to schools across Australia.

The materials showed revolutionaries like Martin Luther King Jr and Mahatma Ghandi alongside an image of the religion's founder L Ron Hubbard.

Bottom line: carefully check the affiliations of organizations that seemingly represent good causes. If you don't, your school, club or business may inadvertently be taken in by a Scientology front group.

Another alert: Beware of Scientology's 'Volunteer Ministers'

Full story: Scientology front group strikes out

€‹ The Scientology cult -- whose members boast of being the 'most ethical people om earth' -- has once again been caught behaving badly.

In a fund-raising appeal in Australia and New Zealand, the money-hungry cult has misappropriated an acronym of legendary importance to Australians and New-zealanders.

For every $10,000 donated for the New Zealand Ideal Org, no matter your existing status, you will be awarded the new prestigious award of an ANZAC!

As former Scientology top executive Mike Rinder explains

The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) was a First World War army corps that participated in the Battle of Gallipoli. For Australians, the Battle of Gallipoli is like the Alamo or Pearl harbor. An event that is forever remembered and according to Wikipedia, the campaign is often considered as marking the birth of national consciousness in Australia and New Zealand and the date of the landing, 25 April, is known as "Anzac Day". It remains the most significant commemoration of military casualties and veterans in those two countries, surpassing Remembrance Day (Armistice Day).

The cult may now face hefty fines for its misuse of the ANZACacronym. No doubt it will squeeze its members for extra donations to cover the loss.

Full story: Scientology cult misappropriates ANZAC legend

The Church of Scientology is about to be exposed to lots of daylight.

The destructive cult should be used to that by now, but this time it's going to hit like a ton of bricks -- and no amount of self-praising press releases (just about the only way Scientology gets any positive publicity these days) will be able to undo the damage.

A feature-length documentary film, Knowledge Report: A documentary on Scientology fraud and abuse, is almost ready for release.

Within Scientology, if a Scientologist sees another Scientologist doing something that the organization would consider wrong, they have to write up what's called a Knowledge Report.

It is one way in which the Church of Scientology -- a destructive cult known for, among other crimes, its manifold human rights abuses -- keep control over its members. Everyone is closely watched by everyone else. Strangers, friends, and even family members will write up Knowledge Reports about each other.

Jefferson Hawkins, once Scientology's top marketing executive (remember the famous "volcano" TV ads in the 1980s?), explains what's behind this snitching culture.

But nowadays the tables are turned on the church: hardly a day goes by without the press exposing some aspect of this cult. In recent years, many former top Scientologists and other followers have turned their backs on the church.

Many have gone on to document the horrors they experienced -- in books, videos, and on websites.

Television journalist Mark Bunker -- who has also written and performed in radio comedies and dramas, acted in stage productions, appeared in commercials and has done voice acting -- has never been a Scientologist.

In the article series "The Top 25 People Crippling Scientology," written by reporter and Scientology critic Tony Ortega, Bunker (#7) explains why he started using his background in film production to help inform people about Scientology's harmful practices.

In his documentary film, Mark takes a look at Scientology's beliefs, but also at how corporate Scientology behaves. Are the promised benefits of believing in Scientology's 'gospel' evident in the behavior of its staunchest defenders?

Bunker notes that Scientology -- selling so-called auditing sessions as well as increasingly expensive self-help courses -- promises to make you a "superior human being."

"But if that's the case," he says, "Why hasn't Dianetics and Scientology helped the very men at the top? L. Ron Hubbard and now David Miscavige are both truly flawed individuals. In fact, David Miscavige has reportedly even been beating people underneath him."

And that's not all. There are countless reports in which Scientology is accused of -- among many other things -- abuse and fraud, of tearing apart friends and family members, forcing staff members to have abortions, or having its 'clergy' work for a pittance.

Then there is Scientology's history of hate- and harassment activities -- behavior based on the unethical fantasies of its founder, L. Ron Hubbard. Hubbard was a B-grade science fiction writer who, in talking about himself, could not tell fiction and reality apart. It was he who came up with such abusive policies as Dead Agenting and Fair Game.

All of this and more will feature in Mark Bunker's documentary.

The project is crowd-funded.

Excerpts from many of the interviews in the documentary are available on YouTube.

Full story: Knowledge Report: A documentary on Scientology fraud and abuse

There's no question about it: the so-called Church of Scientology rips friends and families apart.

The cult denies it, of course, but more and more stories like this one keep popping up.

The Daily News and the Daily Mail have picked up the story as well.

Scientology tries to re-interpret -- for the general public at least -- the 'disconnection policy' written by its founder, L. Ron Hubbard.

But Hubbard was not only a fantasist (as shown by both his most notorious science-fiction creation, Scientology, and the lies he told about his own accomplishments), but he was also a highly unethical person.

Witness his Dead Agenting and Fair Game policies, which the cult also tries to deny -- but which have directly led to its hate- and harassment reputation.

Small wonder then that there are countless stories that document the stark, disturbing reality of Scientology's disconnection policy.

As Scientology-critic Tony Ortega says,

Disconnection is real. And it is used cynically by Scientology to keep its members inside a bubble. When will the larger public understand that this is at the heart of what Scientology is, and not some goofy set of outer-space beliefs that a few celebrities ascribe to?

Need more proof that Scientology is a destructive cult? Check these YouTube videos documenting Scientology's disconnection policy.

The Disconnection Policy is one reason why Apologetics Index, Religion News Blog's parent site, considers Scientology to be a hate group.

Escape — Helping Families Under Scientology Stress

Full story: Scientology rips friends and families apart

The struggling Amsterdam, Netherlands base of the Church of Scientology has bought a building which it hopes to transform into a so-called 'Ideal Org.'

According to local newpaper Het Parool, the former office building was bought for 5 million Euro in cash -- money the paper says was provided by the 'mother organization.'

Earlier this year Jenna Miscavige, the niece of Scientology's controversial leader David Miscavige, said the cult's head office in Los Angeles views the Amsterdam base as an 'SFO' — a small and failing org.

At the time she told Het Parool that while foreign Scientology missions are expected to pay ten percent of their profits to the mother church, the cult's Amsterdam base does not do so because it is insolvent.

The paper says that Scientology acknowledges it received significant financial aid to be able to purchase the building.

Small wonder. At its current location, Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 116-118, the church has faced rent arrears a number of times.

Nevertheless, in March this year the Scientology Kerk Amsterdam was reportedly negotiating the purchase of an office complex in Slotervaart, a suburb in Amsterdam's New West borough.

At the time, Het Parool reported that the church, which did not have tax-exempt status, used Nabesa -- a Scientology front group that did have tax-exempt status -- to receive donations for its planned Ideal Org.

The purchase eventually fell through when the New West borough refused to adapt its zoning plan to allow use of the office buildings for religious purposes.

A Scientology spokesperson tells Dutch daily Trouw that this was not the reason to stop the purchase, but rather that the building at Wibautstraat was considered 'more ideal.'
[caption id="attachment_27136" align="alignleft" width="350"] Office building currently rented by Scientology Amsterdam[/caption]
Meanwhile the reports in Het Parool drew the attention of the Tax and Customs Administration (Belastingsdienst), which last September closed the loophole by removing Naesa's tax-exempt status.

Ironically, one month later an appeal court in Amsterdam granted the Scientology organization tax-exempt status. The Tax and Customs Administration has subsequently asked the Court of Cassation for a ruling in the case.

Not that it really matters. The Scientology cult is thought to have no more than 500 members in all of the Netherlands. It's current glass-fronted building nearly always looks so empty that it gives new meaning to the phrase, 'the lights are on, but nobody is home.'

Ideal Org

Since 2003 the Scientology, which refers to itself as a 'religion' and a 'church', has embarked on a program to purchase and renovate landmark buildings at key locations in cities throughout the world in order to transform them into what Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard envisioned as "Ideal Organizations."

In a controversial 'sponsored post' at TheAtlantic.com in January this year David Miscavige said, "This new breed of Church is ideal in location, design, quality of religious services and social betterment programs."

Since 2003 over 30 such buildings have opened, with at least 60 more being planned.

The lavish buildings, richly decorated luxurious 'palaces' are meant to convey a sense of success and respectability — ideals that, given the amount of negative press Scientology manages to attract — seem rather elusive.

In fact, even the way Scientology goes about raising the cash for these expensive pieces of real estate causes critics to wonder whether Scientology is self-destructing.

The future home of Amsterdam's Ideal Org is located at Wibautstraat 112-128 -- a street most Amsterdammers would rather forget exists, though plans have long been floated to turn the ugly street into a prestigious boulevard.

Full story: Scientology Amsterdam buys building for ‘Ideal Org’

The wife of a former senior executive of the Church of Scientology has filed a lawsuit against the cult's controlling entities, cult leader David Miscavige, and two men believed to be working on behalf of the 'church.'

In her lawsuit Monique Rathbun, wife of Mark "Marty" Rathbun, describes "three years of ruthlessly aggressive misconduct" by the church and its employees, alleging they have waged a campaign of surveillance, dirty tricks, intimidation and harassment.

Mark Rathbun left the Church of Scientology in 2004, and has been an outspoken critic since 2009, when he featured -- along with former Scientology spokesman Mike Rinder -- in The Truth Rundown, a series of investigative reports on the Church of Scientology.[ref] Published in the St. Petersburg Times, now the Tampa Bay Times[/ref]

[caption id="attachment_27385" align="aligncenter" width="606"] Profile from The Truth Rundown[/caption]

In that report, high-ranking defectors tell of violence in Scientology's top ranks.

Rathbun, who married Monique in 2010, now is an independent Scientologist or, in the church's terms, a 'squirrel'.[ref]In a 1990 series of reports on the cult, The Los Angeles Times explained:

The Church of Scientology hates "squirrels."

That is the scornful word L. Ron Hubbard used to describe non-church members who offer his teachings, sometimes at cut-rate prices. Most are ex-Scientologists who say they believe in Hubbard's gospel but left the church because its hierarchy was too oppressive.

"We call them squirrels," Hubbard once wrote, "because they are so nutty."

Hubbard contended that only church members are qualified to administer his self-improvement-type courses. Outsiders, he said, inevitably misapply the teachings, wreaking spiritual harm on their subjects.

But those who have launched "independent" Scientology-style centers say Hubbard concocted this as an excuse to eliminate competition so he could charge exorbitant prices for his courses.

As far back as 1965, Hubbard demonstrated his disdain for breakaway groups, ordering his followers to "tear up" the meetings of one such organization and "harass these persons in any possible way."

The intolerance still exists.

Indeed, the Church of Scientology is known for its lengthy, ongoing history of hate- and harassment activities -- unethical behavior based on the policies of the cult's nutty founder, L. Ron Hubbard.[/ref]

Spies Sue The Cult

In September, 2012, two goons involved in the harassment of the Rathbuns sued the Church of Scientology for payments they said they had not received.

Two months later the lawsuit was dropped, likely because a settlement was reached out of court -- following a pattern in other lawsuits between the cult and its critics.[ref]See also: Scientology's Master Spies[/ref]

Restraining Order

Following Rathbun's lawsuit, a Texas judge has issued a Temporary Restraining Order.

The Tampa Bay Times says

District Judge Bruce Boyer signed the restraining order Friday, legally preventing Miscavige and the other defendants from surveilling Monique Rathbun, threatening her, following her or contacting people she knows.

A hearing is scheduled for September. The suit also seeks damages of more than $1 million.

The paper also quotes the reaction of Scientology spokeswoman Karin Pouw, who as usual makes about as much sense as L. Ron Hubbard did.

Read the Complaint
Read the Temporary Restraining Order

Full story: Scientology cult entities, leader sued over harassment

Earlier this week actress Leah Remini files a missing persons report on the wife of Scientology cult leader David Miscavige.

However, the cops at the LAPD say the report is "unfounded."

Shelly Miscavige has not been seen in public since 2006, and critics of the space alien cult aren't quite buying the line that she is simply working hard for the 'church.'

They point out that the cult runs its own concentration camps where people are subjected to, among other things, brainwashing.

Scientology hotshots call the claim that Shelly Miscavige is missing is "publicity stunt cooked up by a small band of unemployed fanatics who live on the fringe of the Internet."
[caption id="attachment_27365" align="alignleft" width="425"] Some of the media stories about actress Leah Remini vs the 'Church' of Scientology[/caption]
Remini last month left the Church of Scientology -- after being a member for over 30 years -- reportedly over her concerns regarding the cult's 'Disconnection' policy, which destroys friendships and family ties.

Stating that "[N]o one is going to tell me who I can, and cannot, talk to," she has promised to keep speaking out.

She says will write a tell-all book, even though she is aware of the fact that the destructive movement could release her recorded, personal confessions "in retaliation."

Where is Shelly Miscavige? -- Facebook page
LAPD call off search for Scientology leader's wife Shelly Miscavige that was prompted by Leah Remini's missing person report after detectives met with her and confirmed she is alive and well
Why Scientology caters to the rich and famous
The Underground Bunker Former Village Voice editor Tony Ortega chronicles the decline of the Church of Scientology.

Full story: LAPD: Report that Scientology cult leader’s wife is missing “unfounded”

Narconon Netherlands, part of the Scientology front group Narconon International, has been placed under enhanced supervision by the Health Care Inspectorate (IGZ)[ref]Dutch: Inspectie voor de Gezondheidszorg[/ref] -- a Dutch government agency -- in the belief that the safety of Narconon's patients is in question.

The injunction was issued after the inspectorate made two unannounced visits to the organization's 'Drug Rehabilitation & Drug Education' center in Zutphen, in response to a number of anonymous reports the service received in 2012.

IGZ's decision went into effect on May 24th for a period of six months. In a letter to Narconon Netherlands director J. Kluessien, the inspection service says it may extend this period if necessary.

Based in part on observations made during its last visit to Narconon, the inspection says it has doubts about the willingness and ability of the institution to fulfill its agreements with IGZ.

Inspectors visited Narconon on February 28, 2013 and March 14, 2013. A written report covering the visits and agreements made with Narconon officials was delivered to the organization on April 23, 2013.

IGZ then paid Narconon another unannounced visit on May 16, 2013 in order to determine to which extend the organization lived up to the agreements.

During this visit IGZ determined that the Ms. Kluessien had failed to observe the agreements, which, IGZ says, meant that the safety of Narconon's patients was in question.

On May 17, 2013 IGZ then communicated, in writing, its intention to issue an injunction.

The letter of intent including the orders that:

• Narconon may not accept patients with a current addiction
• Narconon must document that agreements have been made with the doctor regarding assessment of new clients prior to admission
• Narconon must take the responsibility, and must document, that the doctor assesses each new client prior to admission
• Narconon must observe its agreement to withdraw its admission to Wtzi[ref]Wtzi is the Care Institutions Act. Healthcare institutions need to obtain authorization if they want to provide care that, under the Health Insurance Act is eligible for reimbursement. The WTZi law regulates authorizations, lays down rules on good governance and also determines in which cases profits can be paid. IGZ can order an organization to withdraw it Wtzi approval. The result would be that the organization's services are no longer eligible for reimbursements by health insurance companies. [/ref]

Ms. Klussein replied to IGZ's letter of intent during a meeting on May 21, 2013. IGZ notes:

• The client admitted on May 15, 2013 has a cocaine addiction. He had used cocaine until 4 am on May 15, 2013. You are of the opinion that a cocaine addiction is not accompanied by physical withdrawal symptoms. If a client who only uses cocaine is admitted in the evening, he can visit a doctor the next day.
• You said you understood that the agreements we made only applied to people who could get physical withdrawal symptoms.
• Due to a high work load you had not got around to withdraw the Wtzi admission. You have sent a letter dated May 16, 2013 to CIBG, requesting the withdrawal.[ref]CIBG is an agency of the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. One of its tasks is assessing whether institutions meet Wtzi standards and requirements.[/ref]
• You provided written commitment of agreements with the doctor regarding the assessment of new patients prior to their admission.

Following this meeting, IGZ decided not to issue an injunction.

However, its letter to Ms. Klussein says that its findings on May 16, 2013, in conjunction with the agreements we made, as well as "the views you expressed," compelled IGZ to place Narconon under enhanced supervision.

IGZ says the enhanced supervision is necessary in order to insure that Narconon will observe the agreements. To that end the inspection will continue to perform unannounced visits.

If any risks to the safety of patients is observed within Narconon within or after the six month period of enhanced supervision, IGZ will consider informing Edith Schippers, Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport, or to take other steps in line with the Care Institutions Quality Act.

A press release, along with a copy of the letter, has been made publi on IGZ's website on June 24. The delay was due to the fact that Ms. Kluessien had objected to publication of the press release and the letter. The material was published anyway in light of the Dutch equivalent of the Freedom of Information Act.[ref]Dutch: Wet openbaarheid van bestuur (Wob)[/ref]

What is Narconon?

• Narconon is a Scientology front group that claims to treat substance abusers.
• In a landmark article on Scientology, TIME magazine has referred to Narconon as a 'classic vehicle for drawing addicts into the cult.'
• Narconon's approach is based on the writings of Scientology cult founder L. Ron Hubbard. A science fiction author, Hubbard was a fantasist who had no medical background. His medical claims amount to quackery.
• Not surprisingly Narconon's published material have been referred to as lacking in quality and trustworthiness.

Narconon facilities in various locations are facing critical problems ranging from license revocations to wrongful death lawsuits.

Watch this April, 2013 report from NBC:

Full story: Narconon Netherlands placed under enhanced supervision