|
|
|
Scientology
 |
This week, CP got a call from a Northern Liberties resident with an unusual story. He, and about 50 other NoLibs residents, had attended a police town hall meeting on September 8. On his way out, he happened to pick up some literature that had been placed on a table by the door â in particular, three pamphlets entitled, "The Truth about Marijuana," "The Truth About Pain Killers," and "The Truth About Drugs."
The pamphlets, he says, seemed ordinary enough at first. It wasn't until he reached the end that he noticed the following tidbit:
"The first step is to understand why a person becomes trapped by drugs. In May 1969, when the international drug crisis was reaching its peak, author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard wrote: 'When a person is depressed or in pain and where he finds no physical relief from treatment, he will eventually discover for himself that drugs remove his symptoms. . ."
And this:
And for the person with a drug problem, there are also real solutions to addiction. Narconon, a drug rehabilitation program that utilizes the methods of L. Ron Hubbard, has a sucess rate of more than 75% . . .
The pamphlet, produced by a group called the Foundation for Drug-Free World (based in L.A.), it seems, was a piece of Scientologist literature.
Narconon, the group mentioned â and which has a name strikingly similar to Nar-anon, the mainstream Narcotics Anonymous organization â is, in fact, a Scientology-based drug rehab program that has caused plenty of controversey over the years.
So how did this pamphlet wind up at a police-sponsored meeting?
To find out, I called the 26th District Police headquarters and got Crime Prevention Officer Megan Fabrizio, who had attended the meeting and had herself helped arrange the materials on the table.
Officer Fabrizio said she didn't know what I was talking about, but offered to dig up the box into which they had dumped everything on the table after the meeting.
To her surprise, she found the Scientology pamphlets buried in the pile.
"I don't where they came from," said Fabrizio. "They're not mine. This is something I've never ever seen."
Anybody, Officer Fabrizio pointed out, could have left them on that table.
And so the pamphlets' origin remains a mystery.
It's always So-o-o-o much esier to criticize than to (a) clean up one's life, or (b) do something constructive for your neighborhood. Done something unselfish for your community lately? So when I see anyone crapping up the Internet complaining about ANYONE's anti-drug work, I know that I'm hearing the sputterings of (a) druggies and (b) lazies. Oops, sorry. Those sets are 99% overlapping.
The kooky $cientologists throwing around the KKK baloney because that's all they CAN do. "Always attack, never defend" said L Ron Hubbard. He also said "I'd like to start a religion, that's where the money is". You hit the nail on the head AnonymousOwns. SHAME on $cientology for always preying upon the vulnerable. And cheers to France for prosecuting them for the fraudsters and criminals they are.
Why is it bad that a cult is spreading anti drug ideas? Look at the marijuana pamphlet, clearly states in it that marijuana is more harmful than booze. Better have Alconon too. It says that cannabis has 50+ chemicals to damage you whereas alcohol only has one ethanol. Kids are in treatment for marijuana because these children had to decide between doing some jail time or go get treatment. What would you choose? It gives the DEA and officials something lie about and create some drug epidemic in our children.
Scientologists and their many organizations have been trying to present themselves as community service-oriented in order to spread their teachings. We may reflect back on the trouble they caused during the rescue efforts after 9/11, or remember the complaints about how they drained resources after Hurricane Katrina. They use organizations such as Narconon, World Literacy Crusade, Criminon, Scientology Volunteer Ministers, and many others to gain a foothold in the community. The collection of documentation on www.xenu.net is eye-opening.
Scientologists have a history of doing things like this without asking. As Tom Cruise said in that clip, "Why ask permission? We are the authorities!" These brochures are 90% government info which is readily available, and 10% advertisement for the dangerous Narconon drug treatment program. Yes, it is a dangerous program, and a scam besides. They charge thousands of dollars, deny any link to Scientology, and utilize an unscientific, potentially hazardous mix of toxic vitamin dosage and over long sauna sessions. http://narconon-exposed.org has all the information people should see before sending their loved one to a Narconon facility. One might also search ripoffreport.com for Narconon tales of fraudulent claims and refusal to refund people's money.
Why does an alleged "church" need countless front groups that hide their true affiliation? Why do COS marketers inform prospective members that Scientology is compatible with Christianity, when you learn, after paying $400,000.00, that Jesus is a hologram projected by Xenu, the galactic overlord. Why do so many people in this world feel compelled to lie and cheat to make money, rather than producing something that will help people?
Actually, rather than go through the beaucoup stuff at xenu.net, check out the incredible reporting that the St. Petersburg Times actually got to publish earlier this year , having watched for 30 years as the CoS take over a huge swath of central Florida. They finally got a bunch of former bigwigs in the Church to talk, and suddenly a lot more victims would go on the record.....
Thanks for reporting on this, Isaiah. The most important thing that can be done to battle this sort of scam-cult is to expose them and what they're doing. I've linked to this story from my blog, Good Reason News.
I wonder if the information in the pamphlets was accurate and if it was presented in a way that might have discouraged use of the drugs.
This is a PR program that the Church has running to get the truth about different drugs out to kids so they never get hooked. Its actually a very good PSA campaign. IT has nothing to do with Narconon except that it does refer people there to get help. Narconon gets people off drugs and does drug lectures, this is an informational program. Don't waste you're time protesting the booklets, that won't get you far.
After reading this story the question that arises in my mind is what is so terrible about any effort by any group to disseminate literature advising against the use of harmful and illegal drugs. It would seem such an effort should be applauded not twisted into some kind of weird conspiricy theory. Common sense would dictate that one question the motives on anyone who would rail against such an obvious social betterment effort. The power of any message is based on the truth of the communication, and truth does not depend on the messenger, but rather on the message being an accurate statement that can be easily observed by the recipient as being factual and correct. Yes those Scientolgosits really have some nerve producing pamphlets advising folks that drugs destroy lives so it is better to abstain. And to think that their Volunteer Ministers would voluteer their own time to selflessly aid victims after such disasters as 9/11 or Hurricane Katrina, can you imagine anyone being so brazen as to actually help do something to help restore order after a disaster even if that something is as minor as passing out bottled water to thirsty victims? All I know is when your thirsty and desperate even those small gestures mean a lot. The easist thing in the world to do is criticise others, how about rolling up your sleeves and lending a hand rather than sit around complaining about those that do.
So let me get this straight; pamphlets are found on a table, so you are all freaking out? If you had found pornography or drug paraphernalia, I could see some upset, but from this? It doesn't sound like anyone did anything bad to anyone; just paranoid people over-reacting. Infiltrated.....what are they, a secret government agency? There may be a mole.....check everyone for a wire!.....lol As it happens, I have participated in one of these "front groups" and it appeared to me a lot of good was being done. People who judge things on the opinions of others really don't have much confidence, do they.....they cannot make up their own minds, just listen to the bad mouthing of others.....it is quite sad, in my mind!
Funny! I see those pamphlets all around our community and only you guys bitch about them. F-o-l-l-o-w the m-o-n-e-y! What do you bet the guys who STARTED this complaint are afraid those pamphlets will cut into their customer base!
A citizen or two apparently attended a police town hall meeting and left some literature behind and you complain that the meeting was "infiltrated?" Let me guess, the reason you are upset is because you believe in freedom of speech, right? To make the hypocrisy worse, you seem to be complaining that the citizens didn't identify themselves and ask permission, but I recognize at least two of the people commenting above as part of the rabble known as Anonymous. And you are complaining about people not introducing themselves? Go back to the basement, your mommy has lunch ready.
Why is this news? It's widely understood that Scientology is an activist organization that targets addiction. This is America, right? Why shouldn't they be allowed to distribute their propaganda?
I think the problem here is they did not ask for permission. They just threw their stuff in without asking, because they have a superiority complex. My experience with Scientology makes me believe they don't think they are accountable to anyone outside of themselves.
It's hysterical seeing all the scientologists coming out to try and twist things so they end up looking good. Too bad for them everybody can read the truth on the internet.
Yes Joan, people certainly can learn the truth on the internet: www.scientology.org . People can also learn the truth about drugs in the booklets that started this rant, or at www.drugfreeworld.org/#/home . Your problem? To quote the eloquent John Rambo: You can't handle the truth! Have a nice day.
Hey Peter J., while a fine specimen of a man, John Rambo never said that. I did it.
Sorry Colonel. I stand corrected. I'm always happy to admit a mistake.
I've talked to some of the people who have been through the Narconon program and it seemed to help them quite a bit - to where they were able to become functioning members of society without the need for chemical crutches. You who say it's nothing but a scam: what do you propose - everybody go get stoned? That's *sure* to solve some of the world's problems!
I propose getting help from an organization that isn't a front group for a cult whose ultimate aim is recruitment. I propose getting help from an organization with a much higher success rate, and isn't abusive. I propose staying as far away from anything remotely related to this nefarious cult.
Nefarious? Why does someone trying to educate others on the perils of drug addiction "nefarious?" The naysayers of good drug education are all members of Anonymius, an internet hate group. Opposed to anyone helping someone else, they spread lies and rumor. Did anyone read the brochures? Were they filled with religious dogma of any kind? Of course not. I have seen these and they are quite informative and educational. the Anonymous nuts who crawl around need to get with the times: The KKK is the place for bigots and nay-sayers. Join the right crowd. Nefarious? Please.
Narconon instruction books are the same as books you could be sold at a Church of Scientology almost word for word. They just add some pictures and make it more generic. Shame on Scientologists for taking advantage of desperate people to recruit new members into their cult.
The Truth about Drugs booklets talk about drugs and the dangers of drug abuse. you are saying this is part of Scientology doctrine? If it is, I say hurray! Someone needs to teach people about the dangers of drug abuse, maybe DJ AM and others could have benefitted. Join the KKK Anonymous. That is where you belong.
This just in: Gallop poll finds Scientology most disliked "religion" in America. I guess no one is falling for your front groups Scientology. Need help with addiction? Go to Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. Their only goal is to help people recover, not indoctrinate them into a duplicitous, greedy cult. Have a nice day :)
Popular Posts
Search this blog:
Topics:
- ActiVman
- adventures
- Arts
- Ask A Man-About-Town
- Award Tour
- Awards
- Bad Idea Factory
- Beer
- Below the Curve
- Bikes
- Booze
- Brian Hickey
- BRT
- Budget
- Budget Fuss
- Business
- Casinos
- City Council
- City Hall
- CouncilMANIC
- CP Abroad
- CP in the Community
- Criminal Justice System
- Day Tripper
- Death and Taxes
- Delaware River
- Design
- DROP
- Drugs
- Dubious Distinction
- Elections
- End of Days
- Environment
- Fashion
- Film Fest
- Financial Meltdown
- FrackTrack
- Free Library
- Gambling
- Gay Stuff
- Get Lit
- Greenstorming
- guns
- Hall Monitor
- Health
- Health Care
- Hello, Kitty
- Holidays
- Ice Cubes
- Iggles
- Immigration
- In Memoriam
- Labor
- Lawsuits
- Letters
- LGBTQ
- Maps
- Marcellus Shale
- Media
- MMA
- Mummers
- Music
- MUST READ
- Mysterious Mysteries
- Nation
- News
- Non Sequitur
- Opinion
- PA politics 2010
- Parking Wars
- Parks and Recreation
- People Send Us This Stuff
- Philadelphia Police
- Philadelphia Union
- Philaphemera
- Philly From Scratch
- philly madness
- Photos
- Poverty
- PPA
- President Obama
- Print Edition
- Prisons
- Protest
- Readers Write
- Real Estate
- Rock Bottom
- Schools
- Science
- Screwing Philly
- SEPTA
- snow
- So Lush
- Soccer
- Sporting Life
- Sports Complex
- State Politicians
- State Politics
- Street Art
- Strike
- Stuff We Like
- Taxes
- Taxi Drivers
- Tech Fetish
- television
- The Budget Crisis
- The City Paper
- The CLOG
- The Human Condition
- The Mayor
- The Phightin Phils
- The World
- Things that make you go hm
- Tinfoil Hats Off
- Under the Table
- Under the Tables
- Urban Development
- Urban Planning
- urban wildlife
- Video Poker
- We Call Shenanigans
- Weather
- Web Junk
- Weekend Omnibus
- White House
- What We've Found
- Women's Issues
- Flyered Up!
- How 'Bout That Weather?
- it's always sunny in philadelphia
- Stu!
- Shopping
- get out
- 10-track mind
- ArtsFlash
- Bloggity
- Bruce Being Bruce
- Colleges
- Comedy
- Gigantic Surprises
- Hello Canary
- Hello Puppy
- errata
- get lost
- Inside The Fishbowl
- Library Closings
- Local Support
- Movies
- Murder
- Night Moves
- Recycling
- radio
- Scientology
- Sex
- Sixers
- Skeeze Police
- State Politicians Screwing Philly
- That's a cool stencil!
- Theater
- Things We See
- This Week
- This Week in Oates
- University City
- WIN
- What we don't heart
- trailer!
- what we heart
- Feeling Guilty
- Askadelphia.
- Broke in Philly
- Contest
- Dance
- Dear Paper Doll
- Do A Good Thing
- Education
- Film Fest Schism
- G20-20 Vision
- Goodbye
- Gossip
- Great American Heroes
- PATCO
- Pearl Jam Week
- Puppy
- Stars of the Photostream
- sustainability
- Lower Merion Webcam-Gate
- The Cycle
- Equality Forum
- Bureaucrat of the Week
- Animals
- ElectionEar
- Photostream
