Scientology 'a criminal organisation': Nick Xenophon
Daily Telegraph
November 17, 2009 11:00PM
INDEPENDENT senator Nick Xenophon has accused the Church of Scientology of being a criminal organisation.
The South Australian parliamentarian said he had been contacted by a number of former Scientologists, after he questioned the organisation's tax exempt status in a recent television interview.
"They have provided long and detailed letters to me about the workings of this organisation,'' he told the Senate today.
"These people rightly see themselves as victims of Scientology.''
Senator Xenophon said their correspondence implicated the organisation in a range of crimes, including forced imprisonment, coerced abortions, embezzlement of church funds, physical violence, intimidation and blackmail.
"I am deeply concerned about this organisation and the devastating impact it can have on its followers,'' he said.
Senator Xenophon said the Church of Scientology had been convicted of fraud in France and was facing similar charges in Belgium.
A number of the organisation's former high ranking executives in the US had also recently spoken out against its leader, David Miscavige, saying they had seen him assaulting staff and urging others to do the same, he said.
"What we are seeing is a worldwide pattern of abuse and criminality,'' Senator Xenophon said.
"On the body of evidence, this is not happening by accident, it is happening by design.
"Scientology is not a religious organisation, it is a criminal organisation that hides behind its so-called religious beliefs.''
At Last someone here in Australia calling these loons what they are. See Lisa McPherson
