The Weight of Glory

The mainstream media has joined the chorus of voices expressing concern about the Church of Scientology. Last night, ABC aired a Nightline report on Scientology, interviewing Jenna Miscavige Hill, former Scientologist and the niece of Scientology leader David Miscavige.

Articles include:

Ex-Scientology Kids Share Their Stories

Niece of Scientology Leader Shares Her Story

Jenna, along with other ex-Scientologists, share horror stories of child labor, an abortion policy among members of Sea Org, and restricted access to family members outside of the Church. In this section of the article describing Sea Org and abortions:

"I'd been very unhappy while I was there," said Astra Woodcraft, who was becoming disillusioned with the church.

"They came up with a new rule, 'OK, that's it. No more kids,'" she said.

Her father said, "She was very upset when she was about 16 or 17 and told me they suddenly decided to change the rules and Sea Org members were no longer allowed to have children."

Hill said that "if you get pregnant when you're in the Sea Org you either have to leave, or you get an abortion."

Said Astra Woodcraft: "I remember thinking wait a minute, I never agreed to this. I am 17 years old, I haven't made a decision that I'm not going to have children."

Two years after the policy was established, Astra Woodcraft learned she and her husband were expecting a baby.

"A very high-level Sea Org member one day saw me and asked me what I was doing and I said I was leaving and I said I was pregnant and he said, Oh, is it too late for an abortion?," Woodcraft said. "I didn't even know what to say in response. "

The Church of Scientology is clearly feeling the heat, as it issued an official statement in response to the Nightline report:

Statement from the Church of Scientology to 'Nightline'
April 24, 2008—

The Church of Scientology made it clear from its first contacts with "Nightline" that it would not publicly discuss the ecclesiastical circumstances surrounding the dismissal of Mrs. Hill from Church staff, regardless of the nature of her allegations.

The Church will not discuss matters surrounding Mrs. Hill, because given the thrust of her claims, she has used her name to make an otherwise ecclesiastical issue into a family matter and a personal attack on a family member. The Church will not relinquish its dignity to engage in such a debate. Moreover, due to Mr. Miscavige's ecclesiastical position he cannot, will not and never has commented on family matters. It would be entirely inappropriate. Indeed, it is always inappropriate to discuss family in a public forum.

Every religion has its detractors; there is no faith that can satisfy everyone's spiritual needs, Scientology included. We wish Mrs. Hill well in her search for spiritual fulfillment.

"Nightline" clearly had its show prepared before it ever contacted the Church. Nonetheless, the Church provided "Nightline" with a wealth of information regarding the allegations raised in this piece so that ABC could undertake journalistic due diligence. "Nightline" well knows the Church cannot respond directly to Mrs. Hill's allegations without impugning her character, something the Church will not do.

The Church of Scientology repeatedly offered ABC unlimited access to its staff and facilities for a piece on the actual story of Scientology. Under the leadership of Mr. David Miscavige, the Church has seen unprecedented expansion across the globe, in its membership, in its facilities to serve its parishioners and the surrounding communities and, most importantly, in its humanitarian programs reaching out to make this a better world. "Nightline" was more interested in pursuing a story more fitting to tabloid journalism.

Just a couple of thoughts:

it is always inappropriate to discuss family in a public forum.

What?!

The Church will not relinquish its dignity to engage in such a debate.

Nothing to relinquish.

Every religion has its detractors.

And so does every cult, with good reason.

You can only have an ecclesiastical issue if you are truly a church. And a cult that is based on science fiction doesn't really qualify as a church or a religion. So all the talk about "faith", "religion" and "spiritual needs" being met rings hollow.The fact that Scientology includes a cross in its logo is really nothing short of blasphemous.

In other news, Madonna weighs in on the controversy with some stunning Kaballah insight:

She told New York magazine: "I don't care if people worship turtles or frogs! All I care about is whether they are good people - and Tom is a good person. He gets a raw deal, just like the orphans in Malawi get a raw deal.

I think a lot of marginalised people get a raw deal."

Well, there's another ex-Catholic to start praying for. Of course, Fr. Benedict Groeschel has already taken her on in his prayer apostolate, but the more the merrier...

Apparently Tom Cruise feels he can defend himself, without the wisdom of Madonna. He's returning to Oprah to discuss it all on May 2 and 5.

Meanwhile, Anonymous is gearing up for its fourth round of protests on May 10.


The voiceover for the video is as follows:

Hello, leaders of scientology.
We are Anonymous.

We hope you are looking forward to may 10th.

You are the center of attention.
Finally, after all these years, you are getting all the media coverage you could ever ask for.
But there is one problem.
Truth.
Your ruin is not Anonymous.
your ruin are not corrupted Thetans.
Your ruin are not your Sp's, but the truth that is driving them, driving us.
Truth is your ultimate ruin.
For truth is not on your side.

Founded by a lying science- fiction writer, You rejected truth from early on.
You have locked this door forever. You have turned your back on it.
Now, after years of silence and silencing, we have broken down the gates,
advancing and stomping over your backs.

This you still fail to understand.
You still fail to understand that it was you who brought us upon yourself.
You still fail to understand that we can not be destroyed by your lies.
You still fail to understand drowning our voices with music does not drown reality.
You still fail to understand that we do not fear your troll accounts and silly advertising, your O.S.A blogs and so- called informative websites. For none of these things contain the one most most powerful weapon of all:

Truth.

It is nothing but more of your bullbaiting, more laughable attempts of intimidation.

You know the rules scientology, and so do we. We knew the game and we played it.
And we have now decided that we have gotten sick of your "Fair Game" policy.
Over ninethousand times you will fail. It's game over, Scientology.
Your pretty empire took so long to build. Now, with a snap of history's fingers...
...down it goes.

On may 10th, the fourth wave of global protests will be coming your way.

You simply can not survive the age of information.

Knowledge is free.
we are Anonymous.
we are legion.
we do not forgive.
we do not forget.
expect us.

Previous posts about Scientology:

Interceding for the Stars (1/16/08)

Internet Vigilantes in War Against Scientology (1/28/08)

Anonymous Holds a Successful, Peaceful Demonstration (2/10/08)

The Ides of March (3/14/08)

YouTube Faces a Dilemma (4/19/08)