A Day to Defend Children
The Scientology Examination
Schools of South-Eastern district (Okrug) of Moscow controlled by totalitarian cult
"And do you like your school?"
"Yes," Sashka answered honestly, "very much."
"And what has your school given to you?"
"Well, how ..." Sashka floundered, "Education.
"And does the level of your education suit you?"Sashka thought about it. He could, of course, say "yes," but then this tutor, with whom he was having this interesting conversation, might end up thinking that Sashka was merely a stupid clod.
"No, it doesn't," the teenager shook his head resolutely.
The rest was a matter of technique. Several more questions of the type, "Do you want to develop your abilities; to use not only 2 percent of your brain like everyone else, but 80 - 90 percent; do you want to be selected"? and the novice was hooked. Sashka left the Dianetics Center with a steely gleam in his eye and the intention to immediately ask his mother for money for a "preparatory communication course."
From information of the UFSB RF in Moscow and Moscow district: "Analysis of operative setting ... indicates activation of a religious destructive organization and attempts by it to penetrate the educational system."
In one of the Moscow districts these attempts have already been met with success.
Pre-Sales Preparation
Training-educational complex (TEC) No. 1804 in South-Eastern district has grown together with the region's construction. Really at its inception the ordinary school was not built for this type of setting. This is how they got it: in one of "criminal outlets" of Moscow, a number of automarkets in Kozhukhov, they obtained quarters for scholars, doctors, teachers and engineers. And TEC they set up themselves, putting much consideration into the special, developed system. The result was an absolutely unique complex: department of academics, a childrens center, a multi-profiled school and a creation (tvorchestvo) center. And all this enjoyment in one TEC. In 1993 there opened on the school grounds an experimental area "Metropolitan Educational Center of the 21st Century." Highly paid specialists came from all over to look at the "Russian miracle." The scholars, in their rapture, described Kozhukhov know-how in dissertations. Famous scholars from Moscow came here simply to work.
Slightly more than eleven years ago there appeared in the school a new psychologist, master of science graduate Julia Byunkova. Her professional qualifications were in order, but the details of her personal life were not usual for those who made it here. Over a period of time, actually, a small misunderstanding occurred. Byunkova brought into the school a "solid professional" who, in her words, could be the "deputy director of science." The professional's name was Larisa Rodionova. The service record of Mrs. Rodionova alerted the teachers' collective: at first she was a teacher of history in the primary grades in the city of Groznyi (capitol of Chechnia), then staff of the executive committee of the same school and then principal of Groznyi school.
"With us, all professional decisions are made collectively," says TEC No. 1804 manager Andrei Kurbatov. "And after a lengthy interview with Mrs. Rodionova, it was decided to refuse her the position. But it was understood that work could be found for her. She became principal of another school in our same region.
Psychologist Byunkova in the TEC could forget about her friend for the time being. Things were very busy -- the teachers were preparing for yet another international seminar. There were not enough rooms in the school to provide quarters for all the guests. Nevertheless Julia Byunkova brought in some strange people who, in her words, were representatives of a social organization for the defense of human rights. The "defenders" asked questions and listened attentively. Then they appeared in the TEC rather regularly. Teachers got used to them and were not particularly grateful to the school psychologist for "attracting public attention" to their methods and work.
Once master of science graduate specialist Byunkova showed a colleague a booklet, which was published by the Hubbard Humanitarian Center. It was called -- no more and no less -- "Solution to Problems of Education." And on page nine was depicted in all its glory a review of Ron Hubbard's program, written by ... Byunkova. "But don't you know that is a horrible cult!" exclaimed the teacher. "What position do you have on them?" Mrs. Byunkova protested. She was indignant and argued that the cult in most matters was not a cult, but a path to a better future, and she recommended that her colleague take advantage of Scientology's reading material.
"Then everybody got to hear about the 'social personality', which Byunkova brought up at our seminar, along with Dianetics," said Andrei Kurbatov, "but she was a cult activist herself. And, in everybody's judgment, Mrs. Rodionova had not made a casual attempt to find a position in our school -- she was a lady of the same caliber as Byunkova. Therefore the next event was entirely predictable."
December 2000, "preliminary reconnaissance of the territory" had been accomplished by Mrs. Byunkova. Next to a school on the first floor of a nine-story building there emerged a strange organization with a sign: "Dianetics Center." In fact, employees of the new center often called their institution the "church of scientology." The second stage of the operation began -- recruitment.
Test for Murder
"You saw the results of your test? Look here and here," the Scientology registrar points to the graph. "This is a weak spot for you. You see the line goes sharply downward? You have a serious problem. This needs some work. If, of course, you want to be more successful, more mature, and be rid of your fears. We can help you. You do want to change your life, don't you?
So, what teenager would not want to be "rid of their fears" or to "be more successful"? And who could hear someone tell them their problems could be solved quickly and painlessly, and not go back to the nice registrar again and again?
It all began with an innocent looking leaflet, a summons to take a certain "Oxford Capacity Test" so as to obtain a "complete picture of what happens in a person." "Go and take this test!" summoned the leaflet. And the teenagers went.
From "MK" dossiers: With the help of the test Scientology recruits a large number of its members. In the first place, the 200-question test does not have any connection with Oxford University, but it yields extremely sensitive information about individuals. Not many know that Scientology contract personnel take a special course of instruction called "How to give people the results of their test in such a way that they will want to study Scientology." And here's a sample of the documents the cult uses internally, "[approximate quote, as are all quotes in this text] Those who process the results of the test need to avail themselves of the information obtained to tell those tested that this has just shown the reason for all their misfortunes that will lead their life to fail, and then to tell them how Scientology can save them." The first step of recruitment is -- focusing people's attention on their problems in their immediate lives ("ruin"). Then the recruiter inspires fear in the victim, that his fate will only grow worse, and right after this, proposes the "solution to all problems" -- Scientology.
Processing [of the test] is done with one purpose in mind and many times the processing is not completed. The children's trust in their new friends has already been gained completely in three "sessions." To order to be "courageous, strong and intelligent" they only need money. And the teenagers wheedle and squeeze their parents to that end.
12-year-old Sergei never gave teachers trouble. Prosperous family, good progress. But after four months of regular contact with Scientologists the child changed into a neurotic. Sergei began having a fixed idea -- he compulsively wanted to be a genius . It made the boy ask his parents for money for an "improvement course", but his learning became far worse. After several interesting episodes which were completely out of character for the pleasant and well-balanced boy, Sergei's parents brought him to a doctor. Difficulties appeared with his rehabilitation and were accompanied by strange calls. His parents were warned of potential unpleasantries that might befall them, such as arson in their home, beatings, and even dismissal from work. And then his mother appealed to the school - TEC No. 1804. That had always helped.
In February 2001 in the "Yuzhnoportovyi" OVD there was filed a complaint from parents and teachers of TEC about the activities of the "Dianetics" center. District officer Musayev was assigned to check the facts. The officer talked with parents and went to see the Scientologists. The result of the conversation with the cultists appeared in the report, "Statement examined. Facts partially corroborated. Conducted cautionary interview with the director of public affairs in the 'Dianetics' center." But Dianetics also carried out a "cautionary interview" on officer Musayev. Some time later he was sacked and sold his apartment. The money was donated to the cult.
The next district officer was more steadfast. He also visited the "Dianetics" center and asked to see the license for educational or religious operation. A xerox copy of the license proved false, and Dianetics didn't have the original, so on that note they left their comfortable lodgings.
And after the cult suddenly left the district, terrible prophesies, inexplicable from the point of view of logic and a sane mind, began to occur. Children left their families, fights and hooligan antics followed one after another. Theft became more frequent among juveniles. And practically one after the other, three atrocious murders in one district. A teenager killed his own father. A child killed his grandmother. A boy killed his girlfriend and her relatives. All were underage, habitual offenders and actively associated with Dianetics one week prior.
From "MK" dossiers: From the opinion of a forensic psychiatric expert on the tendencies of texts studied and distributed by followers of Dianetics and Scientology centers: "The information upheld in Scientology literature induces violence and commission of acts contrary to rights, ... uses special language forms for purposive communication of negative emotional valuation, negative installation and stimulus of activity against public security and public order."
Captured from Above
From "MK" dossiers: In June 1992 a Canadian court convicted the church of scientology for criminal misconduct. The leading political party of Germany prohibited admission Scientologists into its ranks. Scientology is currently under investigation in France and Spain. The government of Germany refused Scientology the status of religious organization, and Minister of Youth, Family and Seniors Claudia Nolte officially stated that everything possible was being done to protect Germany from the threat of Scientology. At the end of 1996 in Lyon, France, legal proceedings began against management of the local Scientology organization. In 1996 after a two-year investigation of the activities of Scientology in Greece was completed, the state attorney delivered the case to the court and recommended Scientology be prohibited.
The Scientology cult has moved to another district. It seemed the quiet war between teachers and Dianeticists is over. But suddenly like a clap of thunder out of a clear sky the appointment of the new education chief of the Southeastern district pealed out. District schools were now headed by a well-known TEC educator, Mrs. Rodionova. The same one brought in by Scientology psychologist Byunkova some time ago.
Immediately after being appointed, Rodionova began a massive quest "to refresh personnel". The "refreshing" proved impressive. Nearly twenty teachers were sacked, including deserving educational functionaries and those who had given 10, 20 and even 30 years of their lives to academia. The "new broom", however, decided not to make the shakedown temporary. In September 2002 in the Southeast district education system they organized a campaign to introduce changes into the school regulations. They were concerned about ending working contracts with principals of educational institutions. If up to this time the management of the education district concluded a contract of uncertain term with a school principal, now the new chief wanted to introduce into the regulations a paragraph saying the next contract would be 5 years.
If the contract with a principal would be concluded in 5 years, says Andrei Kurbatov, then during these five years one could, if desired, completely change the people employed as principals in all regions. And now we recall basic postulates from Mrs. Rodionova, which she has stated consistently. First, the outcome of the elections in regional agencies is determined by the principals of schools (to a great degree this is so schools can have an influence on students and through them, parents - auth.) And second, principals of Moscow schools have been there too long, they need to change. This means that the education system could, any time now, become a powerful instrument of psychological-information war.
Educators are people of patience. Many principals have already signed and entered everything required, although, in the opinion of a Moscow city Duma lawyer, this is illegal. But one of the directives from the chief education manager of the South-East district caused keen protest, not only among principals and teachers, but parents, too. The TEC received a message on its answering machine [from Rodionova]: in connection with production in the administration's information resource center was to assemble all data concerning study (name, date of birth, place of residence, place of registration, insurance policy number) and deliver the diskette with this information to the resource center.
TEC scholars decided that transferring such information without the children and parents being aware of it would be unethical to some degree. And the parents have categorically refused to hand in information without knowing where it's going and why. But in other schools of the region, they hear and they obey and they are hurrying to bring in the diskettes with personal information. And within a week - what a coincidence! - invitations addressed personally to students began to arrive ... to spend a holiday with Dianetics and Scientology.
Then the educators launched a final attempt to defend the educational system. Letters about what had been happening in the region were sent to the Department of Education in Moscow and to the Moscow City Duma by teachers, principals and a social organization, "Parental Concern." But an intelligible answer or even advice as to what to do next was not forthcoming. Not only that. An educator whispered confidentially, "between us" and "not for distribution" that Mrs. Rodionova ... was one of the possible candidates for the position of the chief of the Moscow Education Department. Many have heard even more, from the never-to-be-forgotten Madam Byunkova, about how her friend, in time, would head all metropolitan education, and then be in the line for minister. No one has taken this statement seriously, however, but only considered it as cult delirium.
The field of education is one of the basic targets of destructive cults. Shall we say that representatives of the Moon church are collaborating with several dozen regional authorities in Moscow: the Moonists read the lectures, "Prevention of drug addiction," "Pure Love and true family," "Sex education" in conventional general education schools. It's possible cultists simply want to "harvest money": the Moonists get money from the authorities for their lectures, "psychology-dianetics" pursues "special consultation", hides behind a mask of educational establishment, and is there to see which opportunity will yield the position of chief of district education management, no muss or fuss. But there is still one thing that needs to be explained. The plan of fanatics of destructive cults extends much further. Schools, after all, are a splendid instrument with which to influence children.
Mrs. Rodionova heads the district education administration as usual. Scientology leaflets are found in the postal box as usual, and from time to time recruiters appear near some schools to offer teenagers freedom and happiness.
The government cannot and will not stop the activities of the Scientologists. So that you can go to them. Cults do give you promises of happiness. In return for that they want your money and your life.
Moscow Komsomolets
June 3, 2003
In the past week in the MK (Moscow Komsomolets) an article was printed about schools in the Southeastern district of Moscow supporting Scientology, one of the most well-known totalitarian cults in the world. And the education management of the district led by Mrs. Rodionova was directly linked to the cultists. After the article appeared the phone in the editorial department started ringing first thing in the morning.
-- "You do understand, my child, that this is frivolous," the Moscow government official's voice blared out of the receiver. "With us, who speak legal language, it's nothing except circumstantial evidence ..."
To us it appears to be evidence that the education manager of the SE district is a staunch Scientologist. And evidence which bears testimony that: inculcation of the "immortal teachings of Ron Hubbard" into the educational establishment of Moscow is going into high gear.
The principal of the SE district school asked that her family name not be printed in the newspaper (the editorial staff have a letter signed by her [to that effect]). Even though the majority of the educators in the district were as overwhelmed as they were browbeaten, one woman decided to tell the MK about the accomplishments of Mrs. Rodionova in the field of education.
-- "In January 2003 at eight in the morning, chief manager of the SE educational district Rodionova came to me," said Inna Petrovna (name changed). "Her words were that she wanted to discuss the prospects of future work. But the discussion began oddly. She asked what my position was as to the methods of Hubbard. I replied that I didn't know anything about either his methods or about Hubbard himself. Then she handed me books and brochures, the "Chapters of Life", author Ron Hubbard, "Restoring freedom of conscience and its protection", also by him and more, similar material. Rodionova not only suggested that I become familiar with the books, but that I also improve the educational process in connection with these methods. More than anything else she emphasized that this kind of work could lead to greater benefits.
After a couple of days, Rodionova called Inna Petrovna to ask her how she was going to implement the study of the Scientology texts. The principal of the educational establishment honestly responded that she could not allow the distribution of sectarian literature in her institution, much less use it in education. The boss promised she would return to her to finish this conversation. And she returned. After two months Rodionova summoned the stubborn principle into her office and proposed she write a letter about resigning from her post "on personal grounds."
-- "I was utterly stunned," said Inna Petrovna, "and refused. Then Rodionova took out a thick folder and announced, "Here is compromat (compromising material) on you and members of your family, and, if you yourself do not leave, I will assemble three times as much material and leave you to your fate. Not only that but there is a distinguished candidate to fill your place."
Inna Petrovna was not about to leave "on personal grounds." But the psychological pressure had its effect: she became sick, and on the very first day of her illness her job as principal was assigned to the most "distinguished candidate," whose job, to all appearances, was to convert a children's institution into a new home for Scientology.
How will you manage to explain, Rodionova -- active propagandist for Hubbard ideology -- the "retirement" of twenty educators in the district in a similar manner. According to what the teachers say, many were threatened not only with "tons of compromat," but also with physical reprisal.
And here is an excerpt from the complaint from the teachers of public school No. 1565 to Moscow district attorney Mr. Avdyukov. "From July 2001 to June of 2002, when the present chief administrator of the SE educational district Rodionova was working in the office of the principal of public school No. 1562, she conducted misappropriation of finances from salaries. Lessons were conducted with an entire class, but the wages were credited as if they were conducted in two groups of one class. This happened with real educators and with support personnel. Rodionova compelled teachers who conducted lessons to fill out class logs along with these support personnel." But most amusing is that in the role of the support personnel ... Mrs. Rodionova herself, her husband, son and daughter, are officially registered for work at that same public school. And together with her daughter, her friend and secretary Mr. Kunelashvili. According to the teachers' calculations, 30 educators worked in the school, but wages are arranged for 80 people.
In the school, Rodionova organized her own little village, said teachers representative Sergei Belov. She put relatives at the trough and finagled the security of two dwellings for her family. An explanation is really needed for how it is she registered in Moscow only in 1996, but got lodging in 1999 ahead of people who had been on the list long before her. Many educators have taken the new education chief to court. But now Rodionova heads the housing committee, too. Twenty-five lodgings a year go through her. She appointed her husband as principal of school No. 1562. But Mr. Kunelashvili, who, incidentally does not have Russian citizenship, became deputy director of district management.
"The only way to control people is to lie to them," proclaimed Scientology boss Ron Hubbard in the 1950s. Today his methods are being used successfully by his faithful apprentice. She controls not just a small group of fanatics, but the teachers and students of an entire metropolitan district.
Moscow Komsomolets
June 10, 2003Svetlana Meteleva