Scientology on its soapbox
Sect commissioner warns of increased activities
Dusseldorf, Germany
November 17, 2001
http://www.nw-news.de
Neue Westfälische Zeitung
Dusseldorf (ink). The letter sounds quite harmless. "Thanks,
Dusseldorf," began the message that was recently distributed to households
in the Rheinland. In it a "young, religious community" expressed
appreciation for openness and tolerance, and invited people to an "open
house." The sender of this mail was the "Scientology Church,"
which had been keeping a low profile. Now, however, Scientology is obviously
increasing its efforts to recruit members. "Scientology is not a cult
tucked into some remote cranny of the world; it makes its presence known,"
said Joachim Keden, sect commissioner of the Evangelical Church in Germany. "In
Dusseldorf there are already two centers that take care of counseling its
adherents all across Nordrhein-Westphalia" (NRW). While Scientology's
membership has stagnated statewide at 400, according to NRW Constitutional
Security, and its success has been modest, Keden still warns, "Apparently
the organization is preaching from its soapbox, and is making more contact with
many people, especially the young."
"Authoritarian system in which no deviation is possible."
The lure for those starting out in business to get involved with the teachings
of Scientology founder Ron Hubbard is probably the training and counseling that
are offered, for instance, on Friedrich Strasse in Dusseldorf. "What do
you think about being successful?" is one topic of a half-hour presentation
held during the "open house." Joachim Keden has an idea of what
happens during those 30 minutes: "Ostensibly it will be about courses that
are supposed to help you control your life." "Dianetics" might
be brought up, as well as the negative experiences that Scientology calls "engrams,"
which are supposed to be removed in "auditing," an intrusive
interrogation process. Its goal is supposed to be the attainment of "clear,"
a condition in which a person supposedly functions "like a perfect machine."
"The Scientologists do not relax and do not give up"
The intended results, according to the evangelical preacher, is a society that
functions as an "authoritarian system, in which no deviation is possible."
That is often kept secret from those who join, neither are they aware of the
high financial burden that comes along with involvement in Scientology. In any
case, Keden thinks that the beginning businesses that did not take part in the
big Scientology discussion in the mid-90s are the same ones that had taken
courses - as business training.
The Office for the Protection of the Constitution, which has long had the
Scientology branch in Dusseldorf under surveillance, calls Scientology's
services "pseudo-ecclesiastical" and "pseudo-therapeutic."
Scientology's "services in the field of life management assistance"
are said to be "of a primarily commercial nature." However there
indeed continues to be signs of extremist endeavors in the organization's
written program, the NRW interior ministry stated, and therefore Scientology is
"justly under surveillance." Moreover the operation in
Nordrhein-Westphalia runs "without drawing significant attention to itself."
The organization's influence has gradually decreased, and this, said the
agency, was "thanks to multi-faceted public information work."
Has the danger been vanquished? "One may not prematurely call off the
alarm," said Sabine Riede of the Essen "Sekten-Info" counseling
center, which takes inquiries from all over the sate. "The Scientologists
do not relax and do not give up." Thus the number of calls they receive
remains high. "We get calls every day."
"Up to 25 people come to us every week seeking counsel"
Rev. Keden says his phone also rings regularly. "Calls have increased
significantly," he said, "up to 25 people a week, including those
wanting to leave, but also desperate spouses and distrustful companies."
The clergyman is convinced that "Scientology is not solely a money machine,
as many think. The organization is engaged in gaining influence and power
worldwide."
EBIs warn about Scientology
Nuertingen, Germany
April 25, 2001
http://www.ez-online.de
Esslinger Zeitung
(red) - Under the heading of "A drug-free life" the Scientology sect is currently sending households in Nuertingen and vicinity invitations to an exhibition in Stuttgart. The Eltern-Betroffen-Initiative (EBIs) is issuing a warning about visiting this sect's exhibition. The exhibition pretends to serve the fight against drugs, but under this guise, the EBIs said, is the threshold to the dangerous Scientology sect. For many years the sect has combined its so-called "anti-drug campaign" with membership recruitment offensives. Informing us about the danger of the Scientology sect is the chairperson of the EBIs, Liselotte Wenzelburger-Mack from Grossbettlingen.
Scientology sect hunting for members in Neu-Ulm
Organization distributing "Personality Test" on open street
Neu-Ulm, Germany
March 1, 2000
Augsburger Allgemeine
Neu-Ulm (nath). For several days leaflets have been distributed in
downtown Neu-Ulm by the Scientology Organization, which has about 900 million
[sic] members worldwide. The spiritual potential of a person is supposed to be
"developed" by means of this personality test.
In its leaflet, the highly controversial sect is requesting people to take a
test, which will then be evaluated by a "specialist in the counselling
center."
The analysis with which the organization can form a precise advance picture is
in the answers to the total of 200 questions. By doing the analysis, it is also
possible to discover weaknesses of potential future members. Besides that, the
potential members are supposed to have their attention brought to their
difficulties, fears and lack of self-awareness to throw them off balance. That
would then be the first step to membership.
Police increasing patrols
This type of method of attracting members will, nevertheless, not be taken
lightly. Peter Ott of the city agency which has jurisdiction in the area has
confirmed that a permit is required for the leaflets. "Scientology has not
obtained this permission. If this permission had been extended to the
organization, they would have had to pay the fees. But we have already often
experienced that Scientology tries to circumvent this regulation," he
confirmed.
He also verified that the police have already looked around today, and they
would also be increasing their patrol for the next few days.
The sect has the greatest success in the middle class
From: "DIE WELT"
December 11, 1998
Scientology is everywhere. In the civil service, in the economy, in the
political parties. The number of members in Germany is still small. The
Constitutional Security Agency, which has had the sect under surveillance since
1997, advises watchfulness.
by Armin Fuhrer
The Scientology organization is now taking action against seven German states on
account of the undercover surveillance by the Constitutional Protection offices.
The states' Interior ministers, among them Manfred Püchel (SPD) from
Sachsen-Anhalt and Walter Zuber (SPD) from Rheinland-Pfalz, have received
letters from the organization which threaten legal steps in the event that
surveillance is not withdrawn by this Friday. So far none of the Interior
ministers have answered, as of yesterday.
The controversial organization bases its demands, first, on the surveillance
being impermissible, and second on the idea that the number of members is so
small that surveillance is superfluous. This argument was rejected by security
circles in that "one would not have been able to observe the RAF [Red Army
Faction], they also had only a few members." What is conspicuous is that
Scientology has only threatened those Interior ministers in whose states - such
as in the east - there are only several members.
Actually the total number of Scientologists counted in Germany is significantly
lower than the organization, whose German headquarters is in Hamburg, would like
to admit. The recently completed report by the federal states work group of the
Constitutional Security Agency, which is working on commission of the Interior
Ministers Conference, currently estimated the number nationwide at 5,000 -
6,000. Until now the agency had thought there were about 10,000 members,
Scientology has given the number at 30,000.
The Interior ministers decided in their conference of May, 1997, to put
Scientology under surveillance for one year, and then determine from there
whether the surveillance should be continued.
Although the Constitutional Security agents are far from calling off the alarm
on the danger associated with Scientology, they have nevertheless determined
that there is no chance that infiltration of politics and society has been
increasing. Infiltration of the political parties, as set by Scientology
Founder Hubbard as a long-term goal, is said to be "not noticeable at this
time." In civil service nationwide, 90 cases were brought up in which
staff could have been Scientologists, but upon investigation it was revealed
that the suspicion was correct in 48 of those.
In the social area the Scientologists are trying to find various organizations
as partners among the population. Under the lead title of "Association for
Better Living and Education" (ABLE), Scientology coordinates its alleged
efforts to solve "problems with modern society - namely drug abuse,
criminality, failures in education and moral decline" using Hubbard's
theories.
In the economy, the sect was more successful in their attempt to recruit or to
replace members. The Constitutional Security agents do not see a need to sound
the alarm on this account. There is no possibility of a "systematic
infiltration of the economy" from the current findings. The report also
says, though, that the "threat potential" for society cannot be
dismissed. There are at least 150 businesses and companies connected under the
worldwide cover of the World Institute of Scientology Enterprises (WISE),
according to the findings of the Constitutional Security agents. Scientology
has succeeded in placing members into the management of several large
businesses. Most of these, however, do not pass themselves off as
Scientologists.
Scientology has had great success in the middle class. Areas most affected are
real estate, business consulting, advertising agencies, data distribution
companies, and also smaller handicraft manufacturers and service companies. In
one sense, these companies are significant in that they have adapted Hubbard's
commercial concepts. At the same time the companies have another important
function: they donate heavily to Scientology, according to the findings of the
Constitutional Security agents.
In spite of partial correction to exaggerated public concepts, one point could
not be emphasized enough in the summary of the work group's report, "On the
basis of the need for explanation, as repeatedly determined by the report,
further surveillance of the organization is indicated from a technical
viewpoint."
Scientology threatens state with suit
From: "Schweriner Volkszeitung: SVZ online: Mecklenburg-Vorpommern"
Tuesday, December 8, 1998
Secretary of the Interior Timm (SPD):
"We won't let ourselves be
extorted"
Schwerin (dpa) Interior Secretary Timm (SPD) rejected an ultimatum from
the Scientology organization to end the observation of its members. "We
won't let ourselves be extorted," stated the Minister in Schwerin
yesterday. If there were to be Scientology activity in the Northeast, "of
course it would be under observation" by the Constitutional Security
Agency.
Timm was reacting to a letter from Scientology attorneys, in which the cessation
of surveillance by the Constitutional Security Agency was demanded by, at
latest, Thursday; otherwise there would be the risk of facing a lawsuit.
Similar sounding requests are said to have also gone to Ministers in the other
new states, as well as to Rheinland-Pfalz and Saarland. The Constitutional
Security Agency is observing an enemy which does not exist, stated the the
communications. In the statements, Scientology gave the number of their members
in the East as 35 to 40. Using undercover surveillance violated the fundamentals
of balance of scale.
Timm mentioned that the state Interior Ministers assessed the surveillance of
Scientology as "permissible and appropriate" at their meeting in Bonn
the middle of last November. In the past, the organization has, on numerous
occasion, given reason to suspect that they do not respect the constitutional
right to freedom of speech or the protection of human dignity. Surveillance of
Scientology by the Constitutional Security Agency was decided upon in June 1997.
The Scientologists have been trying for years, in vain, to be acknowledged as a
religious congregation in Germany. In the United States the organization has
the status of a church.
© Schweriner Volkszeitung online, 1998
http://www.svz.de/newsmv/MVPolitik/08.12.98/klage/klage.html
Scientology threatens suit against surveillance
From: "Freie Presse Online: Nachrichten aus Sachsen"
Minister appears unimpressed with "extortion"
DRESDEN (dpa/ADN). The Scientology organization has threatened the
Saxon Interior Minister with a lawsuit if the undercover surveillance of the
organization does not cease. The surveillance by the State Constitutional
Security Agency violates the balance of scale and is "not covered by
pertinent legal regulations," read a letter by the Munich attorneys to
Interior Minister Klaus Hardraht (CDU), which was published on Monday. Similar
sounding letters, according the the organization's statement, also when to the
Interior Ministers of the four other new German states as well as
Rheinland-Pfalz and Saarland.
The attorneys gave the Minister a deadline of December 11. In case the state
administration should not declare that the surveillance has not been ceased
before then, lawsuits will be filed in the Administration Court. A speaker of
the "Scientology Church Germany" referred to an opinion that the
association is not even organizationally represented in German Saxony. Therefore
it is an absurdity for Hardraht to have agreed to further surveillance at the
latest session of the Interior Ministers' Conference. The Constitutional
Security Agency itself has released the information, after a one-year
surveillance, that they have determined that there are only 35 to 40
Scientologists in all five of the new German states.
Hardraht stated that the surveillance of Scientology would continue regardless
of the threat of a lawsuit. It has been determined that Scientology "is
developing limited cover operations." The organization is also active in
the free state. The state administration will not let itself by influenced by "extortion."
The Minister stated that a clear-cut legal principle for the surveillance of the
organization existed. Scientology has "confirmed that it has actual points
in common with constitutionally hostile objectives which require observation."
Findings from the surveillance will be deliberated upon by a federal and state
work group.
Scientology Sect and DVU [1] advertise with
the help of the mail
From: "Nürnberger Zeitung"
September 16, 1998
Some Nürnberg residents were shocked when a special edition of the
Scientology magazine "Freiheit" [Freedom] was tossed in their
mailboxes a few weeks ago. Their irritation may possibly have grown when the
DVU organ "Deutsche Wochenzeitung" also fluttered into their houses
this week unsolicited. The postal service indicates that they are also
obligated to deliver this kind of publication.
"No matter how much we would like, we can do nothing about it," stated
postal speaker Gunther Schott. There is a "general obligation to deliver"
which can only be superceded by the presence of a crime. Schott stated, "As
long as there is not a constitutional violation and nobody is calling for the
assassination of the president, our hands are tied." This attitude would
not have been different even if the service were converted to a public company,
"We would have handled it the same way."
There has also been dissatisfaction within the postal service itself. Many
deliverers do not want to deliver election leaflets for right radical parties.
As a result the postal service board has distributed a placard to all letter
delivery points which states that that will not do and all campaign materials
have to be delivered. Anything else, stated the placard, would be "impermissible
censorship."
Postal speak Schott indicate in this matter that even the Interior Minister and
the police are powerless against the propaganda of sects and right extremists as
long as there is no restraining order against it. The postal service, as
performer of the service, may take no action on its own.
While the "Freiheit" could only be distributed to those households
which do not a "no advertisement" decal on their mailboxes, the
special edition of the DVU newspaper was placed in all Nürnberg mailboxes.
-vip-
[1] DVU: Deutsche Volksunion. A right extremist group
that doubts concentration camps, promotes nationalism and racism, and provokes
agitation against the political system and against the European Union.
No Advertisements Please!
Remedy for unwanted mail
From: "Stuttgarter Zeitung"
September 16, 1998
Not every letter that lands in the mailbox is welcome. Some people would
like not to receive advertisements from political parties. These days
Scientology has gotten people's dander up because the sect distributed a
magazine in Stuttgart by mail. What can be done?
by Thomas Faltin
In principle, everything is quite simple - whoever does not want advertisements
in his mailbox - whether from political parties or supermarkets, from the
federal postal service or from a private mail delivery service, must simply make
his wish clearly known. It would be enough to apply an easily visible decal
which states "No Advertisements Accepted." The federal court has
decided (decision of Dec. 20, 1988, case number VI ZR 182/88) that companies
which advertise must pay attention to this or similar decals.
However, not every company heeds the request. Besides, all advertisement is not
the same - various forms of mail have to be differentiated. The decal usually is
enough to take care of non-addressed advertisements, leaflets and mass mailings.
If, in spite of the decal, one still finds advertisements in the mailbox, one
can refer the offending company to the BGH decision and demand that further
advertisement cease. In the case that this still does not change anything, it
is possible to seek help from a consumer office. They collect the complaints,
and, in cases, will conduct a complaint against the company. Naturally, one
could also sue the company at the state courts.
The German Postal Service must respect the decals in any case. Articles carried
by the delivery person which are not addressed may not be put in the letter box
if a decal is visible. That is what kind of mass mailing the four-page
Scientology paper "Freiheit" was which was distributed in Stuttgart.
If you receive non-addressed mass mailings nonetheless, then you should contact
the post office, recommends Monika Ketterer from the consumer office.
Personally addressed letters are not handled in the same way. The post office
is obligated to deliver those letters. If you would prefer not to receive
advertisement letters, you can get yourself put on the "Robinson List."
That will get your address removed from all advertising companies which are a
member of the German Direct Marketing Association. The application is available
by [info given].
With companies which are not a member of the German Direct Marketing
Association, there is only one way, according to Monika Ketterer. You have to
put your request to the company in writing - certified is best - in order to
stop further mailing of the advertising material.
The postal service indicated that they are obligated to deliver even in the case
of the Scientology paper. The service can only refuse delivery if it would
entail the commission of a crime. Eberhard Kleinmann, the chairman of the "Aktion
Bildungsinformation," wrote the post office in Stuttgart a letter about
this situation. Scientology opponent Kleinman has a different opinion. In the
Scientology paper there were a half dozen statements, he says, which fulfil the
condition needed for a suspicion of a crime; for example, the defamation of the
Federal Republic as a spy state. Besides that there are a dozen untrue
statements. Therefore he demanded that the postal service no longer deliver
this kind of newspaper.
Reinhard Egy, the speaker of Scientology Stuttgart, brags about the right of
freedom of expression, "The mail is a carrier and not a censor." He
says that nothing offensive is in the Scientology paper. "If we were doing
anything crooked, then you could take us to court. We want to be treated as all
others are," said Egy.
Psycho-Organization Advertises in Disguise
From: "Online-Nachrichten der Hannoversche Allgemeinen Zeitung -Magazin"
August 14, 1998
Gottingen (la). The Scientology organization has launched a new
advertising offensive in Gottingen. Community offices, doctor's offices and
schools have received the organization's booklets on "Psychology and
Religion." Besides that, a leaflet by the Narconon organization, which
alludes to ideas of Scientologist Ron Hubbard, is also fluttering in many
mailboxes.
According to Ingolf Christiansen, Scientology is pursuing a new strategy in that
it is not advertising under its own name, but hidden behind a second
organization. Church commissioners see a clear connection between Narconon and
Scientology. The leaflet targets people with alcohol and drug problems and
advertises a detoxification "sweat cure" in the Narconon clinic in
Itzehoe. It is not just a matter of the questionable therapy, says
Christiansen. Another goal is to "clear" people in the Scientology
sense. "People go from one addiction to another."
The leafletting operation is part of Scientology's nationwide "Crusade
Week." The organization cannot be described as a sect, said Christiansen,
who is a member of the Parliament's Enquete Commission for "So-Called Sects
and Psycho-groups." Scientology does not deal with matters of belief, but
with world domination.
Christiansen estimates that Scientology has about 10,000 members in Germany. A
small group is trying to increase its influence in Gottingen, especially in the
university area. They have many ways to attract customers: sometimes it is a "Children's
League for Nutrition Conversion against Psycho-drugs;" sometimes it is just
a political flyer. The organization is under pressure in Germany. This could
be the reason for the new advertising strategy. "Scientology is not a
religious group," said Christiansen. Therefore they are not able to appeal
to Article 4 of Basic Law.
http://www.niedersachsen.com/Mol3/GT/news/subnews.htd?ind=3&act=0
Scientology Intends Misunderstanding
July 31, 1998
Fulda (FZ) The Commissioner for Sects, Rev. Ferdinand Rauch, said that
"Scientology is trying for a coup" after the psycho-business sent out
high-gloss brochures under the name of a front organization not only
to charitable church centers and counseling centers, but also to
Catholic and Evangelical church offices.
Scientology is using secretive methods through directed slander
campaigns against psycho-social work and counselling in order to
creep in to the community. Under the name of "Commission
for Offenses of Psychiatry against Human Rights, (registered)," they
try to create the impression that churches are endangered by psychiatry.
The sect commissioner has issued a press notice to all charitable
and diaconate groups warning them not to inadvertently place these
booklets out in the waiting rooms or magazine stands. It often
happens that these kind of booklets are glanced at only cursorily before
they are handed out. That could cause a misunderstanding in that a
reader would think that the charitable organization supported the
information contained in the booklets it had set out. In this regard,
as well as in its origins, Scientology is completely incompatible
with the Christian message. For further information, see the sect
representative at the Fulda Diocese [address, telephone].
[FZ]
From:
http://www.fulda-online.de/db/rubdef/artikel_detail.phtml?id=28705
In the background: Scientology under cover of drugs
Who is behind a presentation in Erfenbach
Erfenbach, Germany
July 13, 2001
Die Rheinpfalz
http://www.ron.de/
by Anne-Susann von Ehr
"Say No to Drugs - say Yes to Life" - those are the words used to
advertise for a "free presentation" in Erfenbach. The leaflet is
being distributed in places which include social institutions in Kaiserslautern.
At first glance there is nothing on it which indicates that it is about a
Scientology event.
According to the leaflet, the presentation on Saturday afternoon is to explain "what
drugs do" and "what it means to be physically and mentally free from
drugs ..." Afterwards "about two hours for a special question and
answer session on specific problems" is scheduled. Site of the event is
the Kapellenhof Gasthaus in Erfenbach. Answering questions for discussion and
taking (requested pre-)registration is Inge Geib. "Inge Geib is listed in
the 1994 'Impact' magazine as a patron," we were notified by Christoph
Bussen, the sect commissioner of Speyer Diocese. The title of "Patron"
is bestowed only upon those who have paid at least 40,000 dollars into
Scientology's "war chest."
Marc Metzger, who is giving the presentation, is also a professed Scientologist.
"I am a Scientologist and support religious tolerance," he welcomes
visitors to his home page, on which he describes his personal and business
success "with Scientology." The groups which he says he supports
include drug-therapy initiative "Narconon," which is one of
Scientology's "cover organizations." Scientology has been under
surveillance by Constitutional Security since the end of the 1990s.
The Baden-Wuerttemberg Health Department has been warning people about the "Say
No to Drugs - Say Yes to Life" and "Narconon" for at least seven
years. People are urgently warned from attempting to use "Narconon"
to withdraw from drugs because the "Narconon" self-help initiative's "decontamination
and habit-breaking program are based on Scientology's pseudo-scientific theories
and techniques." Caution is also advised when dealing with the "Narconon"
initiative, which, according to the health department, "under the guise of
social-humanitarian aspects has in mind, besides the dissemination of
Scientology ideology, introducing drug-dependent people into 'Narconon.'"
More on Marc Metzger
From: Tilman Hausherr
Newsgroups: de.soc.weltanschauung.scientology
Subject: Ein erfolgreicher Unternehmer
Date: 11 Jul 2001 09:13:27 +0200
Thanks to C.B. for the tip:
http://www.oursites.org/marcmetzger/myself.htm
I was born in 1964, am happily married and have two children.
I have a successful expanding company and lead a happy life."
http://www.oursites.org/marcmetzger/success.htm
(...)
Today, after 4 1/2 years ahbout [sic] 25 people work in my corporation
and it continues to grow. I am no longer a victim and my life is
happy and successful.
http://www.rws-verlag.de/indat/2000/verw/bleschjn.htm
There is a filing for bankruptcy!
Marc Metzger "Die Holzwürmer" 10 IN 48/00
Tilman Hausherr [SP5.55] Entheta * Enturbulation * Entertainment
http://home.snafu.de/tilman/scientology.html
Fotos from Clearwater: http://home.snafu.de/tilman/clearwater2000
Stand will be specially monitored
Wuerzburg, Germany
July 21, 2000 Volksblatt Wuerzburg
Wuerzburg (Bull)
The informational booth of the "Commission for Violations of Psychiatry
against Human Rights, Inc." (KVPM [the German CCHR]) will be "specially
monitored" tomorrow, Saturday, by the city. That was communicated by city
hall spokesman Ole Kruse yesterday. As reported on Tuesday, the Catholic Church
had issued a warning about the Scientology aligned organization. This is the
third time in several weeks the Commission had set up a stand on the upper
market .
According to the applicable legal situation and administrative practice, an
informational stand can be refused only if it is known or expected that crimes
will be committed or codes violations will occur, according to Kruse. There is
no indication for either of those with KVPM.
Yesterday, the KVPM's national management disputed that signers of the so-called
"protection letter" to refuse psychiatric treatment would be running
financial risks. His organization's help was always free, said KVPM President
Bernd Trepping of Munich. But he said that anybody could find out that most of
the Commission's activists were Scientologists and that the booklets were
financed by Scientologists, so he was not disputing that.
Reverend Alfred Singer, sect commissioner of the Wuerzburg Diocese, had advised
against filling out the statement of intention which was formatted like a
patient admittance form. Those who signed the "protection letter"
with power of attorney would not only have to count on enormous expenses but
also on having "private matters of health" exploited by Scientology.
The Bavarian State Interior Ministry has also been involved with the KVPM. It
said in its 1997 booklet "Scientology - an anti-Constitutional Endeavor,"
that while the KVPM "vociferously opposed alleged abuse in psychiatry,"
it avoided mention of "systematic mistreatment" of Scientologists by
the Scientology Organization in its "Rehabilitation Forces."
Catholic Church warns of Scientology front organization
"Commission for Offenses of Psychiatry"
["Kommission fuer Verstoesse der Psychiatrie"]
Saturday in the City
Wuerzburg (Bull), Germany
July 18, 2000
Volksblatt
Wuerzburg-Stadt
The name of the Aesculapian Staff is wrapped around a cross. With mouth wide
open, the snake directs its look threateningly upon the observer. "Psychiatry
destroys Religion" is the title of a glossy brochure with this provocative
cover picture.
Possibly the magazine will be again be made available this Saturday, when the "Commission
for Offenses of Psychiatry against Human Rights" (KVPM) sets up its
information stand on the "Oberen Markt" in Wuerzburg. The KVPM
association uses brochures and hand-outs to make a bad example of, among other
things, the abuse of children and youth through drugs and psychiatrically
prescribed pills. Not just tragedies like the mass slayings among American
students, but also increasing aggressiveness and violence among youth in
Germany, according to the KVPM, can be chalked up to unscrupulous children and
youth psychiatrists.
Alfred Singer, speaker for issues of weltanschauung, religion and sects of
Wuerzburg Diocese, issued a warning yesterday about the Commission, which had
received a permit from the city administration for the 17th and 24th of June,
and is present now in the city for the third time within a short period. The
German KVPM was founded in 1972 by members of the Scientology Organization and
is registered as an incorporated association (e.V.) with the Munich municipal
court. According to the Wuerzburg minister's statements, the association
belongs to a Scientology sub-organization with offices in Los Angeles.
According to Singer, the Commission is dangerous because of its attempts to get
passersby to sign a written statement of intention. In the so-called security
letter, the signer declares his opposition to psychiatric or neurological
treatment. Singer cites Bonn attorney Ingo Heinemann on the subject. The
director of a group of parents' initiatives describes the KVPM as an extremely
aggressive front organization for Scientology. It is said to carry out "slander
campaigns" against psychiatry in Germany. The reason: Scientology itself
intends to be able to solve all psychological problems and views psychiatry as
competition.
The security letter, which is formatted like a patient admittance form, could
lead to misunderstanding if treatment is necessary. In general, though, the
following applies, "Nobody can be submitted to treatment against their
will." The statement also contains an extensive power of attorney and the
authorization for legal representation for the signers. Those who sign can
count on not only enormous expenses, but also their "private health matters"
can be exploited by KVPM and thereby Scientology.
Alfred Singer reported that the Commission already had made a try two years ago
in the Catholic and Evangelical communities. Back then it criticized the fading
awareness of guilt and shame and the growing influence of psychology and
psychiatry upon religions. As far as the Wuerzburg dioceses sect commissioner
was concerned, that was an "all too transparent attempt to gain confidence
by an ideology which is not compatible with the Christian belief."
Scientology event fizzles
Pliening, Germany
June 5, 2000
Sueddeutsche Zeitung
Pliening (lb) A Scientology event planned for Pliening
(Ebersberg County) fizzled on Saturday morning. After business
people refused to give the group of Scientologists parking places,
they then tried to retreat to the front of city hall. But that
was refused by Mayor Roman Radke. The sect members then restricted
themselves to distributing books. The community had previously
refused to agree to having the event in the open air.
The Ebersberg state assembly office saw no reason to interfere
when asked to look into the right of freedom of assembly.
Controversial Traveling Scientology Show in Steglitz
Steglitz, Germany
April 19, 2000
Die Welt
Despite public protests, the first "What is Scientology?" exhibition
has been in Berlin since Wednesday. While the public pressure could
at first prevent the religious community from making a public
presentation in the "Best Western" Steglitz Hotel, the organization
which is under surveillance by Constitutional Security quickly
found an alternative location. A private lessor made spaces
available on short notice at 30 Dueppel Street in Steglitz.
The federal press office is said to have lodged a protest at the
Best Western Hotel. It allegedly threatened to cancel all visitor
groups from the parliamentary representatives for this and the coming
years in the event that the hotel accepted the exhibition in its
spaces. Scientology spokesman Georg Stoffel described that as
"duress" and made chastising remarks saying that these kind of
problems would only happen in Berlin. He said the exhibition had
already travelled through five German cities and was supposed to
visit 52 European cities this year. The hotel's business manager,
Klaus-Volker Stolle, however, believes he was deceived by the
Scientologists because they had only ever mentioned a closed
conference. He said he did not want to be used in their recruitment
campaign. Now Scientology is suing for 250,000 marks in damages.
The people of Berlin should to go the exhibition to form their own
picture of what was really behind the controversy, said the
Scientologists' invitation. The group itself claimed that it said
what Scientology was at the exhibition's opening: that it fought for
a better life in hard times, a life "without mental illness and
without cancer or other illnesses."
In the experts' judgment, the capitol city is coming more into the sights
of international sects. The sect commissioner of the Evangelical
State Church, Thomas Gandow, estimates that there are 10,000 people
in Berlin organized into 500 sect-like groups.
MCM
Scientologists in the Congress Center
Hannover, Germany
April 12, 2000
Neue Presse Lokales
Kasten's Hotel did not want anything to do with them and put them off; the
Scientologists with the controversial recruitment exhibition faded back into the
Congress Center (HCC). The city cannot do anything about it.
Thursday and Saturday the "Church of Scientology" will present its
info and recruitment show "What is Scientology?" in the HCC's Red
Hall. "Unfortunately," sighed landlord Peter von Loebbecke. He said
he had immediately informed the mayor's office and let the legal office know
when he got the application to rent. The result: "Our hands are tied."
The municipal legal people said that according to Lower Sachsen community law
the HCC, as a public establishment, is required to make its spaces available to
residents and organizations who have an office in the city area. In Hannover,
Scientology has a community center on Odeon Street.
The passage, "The residents of the community are justified in the scope of
existing regulations in using the public establishments of the community,"
is in paragraph 22 of the community constitution. It is meant to rule out
political arbitrariness.
Courts have repeatedly spoken out in support of this right and granted access to
public auditoriums to groups including the radical rightwing NPD or the
Republicans. Only if organizations are banned or declared anti-constitutional
may the city deny them entrance.
The event, according to Loebbecke, did not explicitly advocate the "commission
of crimes." Executive Mayor Herbert Schmalstieg had to give his apologies
when Michael Fuerst, Chairman of the State Association of Jewish Communities,
showed his concern by asking about the gathering.
The Parents Initiative also protested. Nothing could be done. The Executive
Mayor stated, "There is not margin of play to make a decision." For
two days, the auditorium costs 3,400 marks, including charges for setting up
before and cleaning up afterwards. There can be charges in addition to that.
Scientology paid in cash and in advance.
Michael Karoff of the commerce department donated a sign for the door. It
contains a disclaimer from the city and the HCC.
mk, HANNOVER
Report from Bad Cannstadt
From: de.soc.weltanschauung.scientology, Author: Tilman Hausherr
February 17, 1999
Martin Ottmann just called me up; he was at the Scientology event at Bad
Cannstadt (see press item). It was a presentation
with pictures out of "What is Scientology," but nothing about a "Flag
World Tour." A big, yellow Scientology bus outside drove around now and
then. As far as could be seen, there were only three non-Scientologists there -
Martin and two people from the youth office.
At the entrance he asked if he could take pictures - YES. So that is what he
did. That worked for a while until Reinhart Egy came up to him and greeted him
("Hallo Herr Ottmann") and told him he should not take any pictures.
Later he (Martin) was himself photographed, and he photographed back. Then he
was requested to leave. In response to his request to receive this in writing
(as an ex-Scientologist he surely knows "if it isn't written, it isn't true")
he received a prepared form, upon which his name and two signatures had been
filled in. (The Scientologists were apparently prepared for "undesirable"
visitors.) Also the tip that he could publish this on the internet. (That
happens next.)
Tilman
"ENTRANCE PROHIBITED
By the authority vested in me as renter of the facilities on the premises of
the "Kleinen Kursaal" Community Center, I hereby forbid
MARTIN OTTMANN
entrance to the premises of the "Kleiner Kursaal" for the
timeframe of February 17, 1999 to February 19, 1999 at 9 p.m.
Authorized: [ signature ] [ signature ]
Reinhard Egy for the lessee,
Dianetics Association of Stuttgart, reg Sigature of issuer"
Student looks for job, finds Scientology
Organization announces job opening
No job, but a personality test and recruitment film
Waiblingen, Germany
January 19, 2001
Waiblinger Kreiszeitung
from member of our editorial staff Petra Kirchhoff
Waiblingen/Stuttgart.
This is the story of a student who tried to find a part-time job in "Sperrmuell",
but ended up at 9 Hohenheimer Street, the offices of Scientology. There the
student had to answer 200 questions about personality and watch a recruitment
film for the organization. He did not get a job.
"Technically gifted 19-year-old Votecher looking for afternoon/evening
part-time job in the field of electronics ...," read the classified ad in
which the student gave the number to his cell phone. As he had just gotten on
interstate B14, he got a call with an invitation to Stuttgart. The reception
was poor and he did not understand exactly who was calling. Even as he entered
the Dianetics Center in Stuttgart, it was not yet clear to him what organization
he was dealing with. There, the spiked cross, "I saw that somewhere
before."
The young job-seeker was welcomed "extremely warmly, like they had been
waiting just for me." He found the form someone from the personnel gave
him to fill out "relatively inconsequential." Do you often muse over
past situations? Do you normally begin a conversation? Are you recognized in
society? Do you chew your pencil? Would you kill an animal to spare it pain?
A total of 200 questions, some only slightly varied, were handed to him. After
that was scheduled a half-hour recruitment video on the Scientology Church. By
that time it was clear who had the job opening, and at that point the student
became wary. A woman from the personnel office asked how he liked the video.
"Loaded with emotion and empty of information," answered the student
frankly and openly, he knew about the dubious practices of the organization and
that they put their members under pressure and ripped them off. The woman from
the personnel office was not thrilled with his response. Meanwhile his
personality test was evaluated for him. The result: he was said to have
above-average intelligence, but he was insecure. It was said he didn't know
what he wanted. At that point the female Scientology staff member led him over
to a brainwave device, a sort of lie detector. "She wanted to have me try
out the device once, but I blocked her off."
Nothing came of the office job which was offered. The 19-year-old is
hyperactive and used to take Ritalin, a psycho-pharmaceutical. For that reason
he was refused the job. The student said self-consciously in retrospect, "In
principle they made a good impression on me. I would have taken the job if they
would not have bothered me about membership in the church." The young man
perceived his job interview as "non-threatening" and "as an
instructive and challenging situation." At the same time it is clear to
him that not everybody has the persistence and self-control needed to make it
through such a situation. At least ten other people showed up in the short time
he was there to have their personalities scrutinized. "And I'm certain
that not all of them got out without becoming members," he voiced his
concern. For that reason he called up the newspaper to tell his story and to
show what can happen to you if you are looking for a job.
Lexicon of current events
Scientology
Scientology was founded in 1954 by American science fiction author Lafayette
Ronald Hubbard in the USA. In Germany the strongly hierarchically organized
organization founded their first establishment in 1970. Scientology perceives
itself, according to the "Lexikon der Sekten, Sondergruppen und
Weltanschauungen" (Herder) "as associated to and the culmination of
previous searches by humanity" and operates, according to the dpa, with
suspicious methods oriented towards profit. Baden-Wuerttemberg amounts to a
stronghold of Scientology. The State Office for Constitutional Security, which
has the organization under observation, estimates its number at 1,200. At the
federal level there are supposed to be 5 to 6 thousand members. Its financial
base in Stuttgart, in contrast to other establishments, is stable. After a long
trend of decline, the number of members is again stable, the Office for
Constitutional Security informs us. It was said, however, that the organization
could not take its intended course to expansion because of the years of
publicity it has had.
Unemployed referred to Scientology
Filderstadt, Germany
October 11, 1999
Stuttgarter Nachrichten
ABI chief Kleinmann criticizes "negligence" in the Goeppingen
employment office.
Filderstadt - Eberhard Kleinmann had strong criticism for the Goeppingen
employment office because it sent an unemployed office sales lady in Filderstadt
an on-line job offer from the "Dianetics Stuttgart" of the Scientology
Center.
by Annette Mohl and Guenther Jungnickl
"That's a kicker," the chairman of "Aktion Bildungsinformation"
in Stuttgart, who had been warning people about Scientology for years, was
upset. In his long career, he had never run across a case in which the
employment administration referred people to jobs from Scientology. In a letter
to the president of the Baden-Wuerttemberg state employment office, he
complained about this turn of events. Alfred Sorg, press spokesman for the
Goeppingen employment office, has apologized for the procedure and called it a "slip"
by the technical staff in the Leinfelden-Echterdingen placement office.
The woman from Filderstadt had reported to unemployment in the summer, and her
professional profile was fed by employment office into the AIS program ("Arbeitgeber/Employer
Information Service." She was more than a little surprised to receive in
the mail from Leinfelden-Echterdingen a "Notice to Applicant" which
told her that she should telephone the "Dianetics Stuttgart" company
for a sales position.
The company itself ("Do you like to help other people, and are you looking
for a new, exciting job?") had no special requirements for its future staff
member. "Technical training is not absolutely necessary," it said, "since
you can get training with us." There were several conditions, though: that
the applicant "liked to complete new assignments," and would like to "increase
her abilities." This phrasing alone, for sect chaser Eberhard Kleinmann,
is more than just a clue as to what kind of employer this is from. The staff at
the employment office would have had to have noticed it, in his opinion.
The current director of the placement department at the Goeppingen employment
office, Werner Schreiner, verified the fact of the matter for our newspaper. "We
are bombarded with all kinds of employers and have to examine each one closely
to see who is behind them," he responded. Especially when it has to do with
worldview organizations like churches, the applicants are explicitly instructed
to get additional information from the employment office.
Scientology
Teufel target of Scientology surveillance?
Konstanz, Germany
July 22, 1999
Suedwest Presse
Konstanz - According to the latest Constitutional Security report from
Baden-Wuerttemberg, Scientology operations in the beginning of the 1990s
included spying on a Minister President (governor). This was reported by the "Suedkurier."
The politician had been put under surveillance in order to compromise him. Is
is reported that Erwin Teufel or Lothar Spaeth (up until 13 Jan. 1991) were the
targets of surveillance.
dpa
Mainz (ots) - Federal Office of Constitutional Security: Scientology
plans $40 million campaign in Germany
ZDF-Magazin Kennzeichen D
Mainz, Germany
March 17, 1999
Information released by the Federal Office of Constitutional Security indicates
that the Scientology Church is planning a new campaign against critics in
Germany in the amount of $40 million. President of the agency, Peter Frisch,
told ZDF magazine "Kennzeichen D" that American officials would also
support Scientology in Germany. "I regret that to an exceptional degree,"
stated the agency president.
In his release, Frisch emphasized the anti-constitutional endeavors of the
Scientologists, "Scientology wants to build a new civilization in which
basic rights, as provided for by our fundamental, liberal democratic order,
would not be valid.
This assessment is supported by the statements of a former Scientologist who
reported to "Kennzeichen D" on his operations for the sect's private
secret service. That is the first time a former member has verified the
operational methods of such an establishment in Germany. "There were
neighbors questioned to find out negative things; trash cans were rummaged
through in order to find incriminating material from people's private lives;
artificial critics were established who, in reality, were from Scientology,"
the former member included in his report.
Scientology Group Looks for Clues
Insinuates
Psychiatric Murder of Patients
May 6, 1997
Bavaria
Leaflets make Accusations Against Clinics /District Attorney Investigates
Without Results
by Conny Neumann
Kaufbeuren - In a nation-wide campaign a Commission which was founded by the
psycho-sect Scientology tried to characterize psychiatric clinics as having
murdered their patients. The latest victim [of this campaign] is the regional
hospital at Kaufbeuren. With pamphlets and faxes, the Scientology association "Commission
for Psychiatric Human Rights Violations" (KVPM) reported "unbelievable
conditions" in Ward AIII in Kaufbeuren. The inhabitants were asked for
their assistance in the explanation of "a mysterious death."
"The Kempten district attorney's office has already begun
investigations", writes KVPM-Leiter Bernd Trepping under the headline "Psychiatry
Kills!". In order to cover up the incident, the Kaufbeurer clinic
management was alleged to have dismantled Ward A III and brought all patients
into a closed nearby building, "in which they could be better isolated from
the outside world."
In a press release the KVPM described the case of athlete K., whose life was
supposed to have been destroyed in A III through pscyho-pharmaceuticals. K.,
who, according to the findings of the Commission, had supposedly coughed up
blood and asked in despair for a doctor, had instead of this on February 1, 1996
allegedly received a visit" from a group of psychiatrists and aides."
On the following morning he is supposed to have been found dead. Still more
daringly the CoS-Association said in connection with the case of K. that the
Kaufbeuren hospital has a historical precedent, because, they say, men and women
were murdered there in the Nazi euthanasia programs. US troops are said to have
determined that the killing of the sick continued after the end of the Nazi
regime. Psychiatrists are alleged to have been the leaders of the euthanasia
[program]. They supposedly have passed down their disdain for mankind on to the
next generation. In regards to this the Commission recommends literature from
its book "The Men Behind Hitler." According to the damning pamphlet
of the KVPM the Kempten District Attorneys office conducted an investigation
into the death of K. "Nothing came of it", said Chief District
Attorney Willi Nagel.
The Kaufbeuren Clinic chief, Michael von Kranach assured the SZ
[Sueddeutche Zeitung] that K. had committed suicide. The case was thoroughly
investigated by the police at the time. Kranach has been familiar with the
accusations of the Scientologists for several weeks. The Munich Clinic was also
targeted and massive efforts were made to portray their psychiatrists as
murderers, said the leading doctor. The German Psychiatric Association has
advised the targeted doctors not to lodge complaints of grievous libel. "The
Scientologists have so much money, the judicial process would go on forever,
we'd rather spare ourselves", said Kranach. After the latest pamphlet,
however, which makes the comparison to Nazi doctors, there was an emergency
meeting over whether or not the Swabian District would represent the clinic. In
that meeting a formal complaint will be discussed.
Bernd Trepping justified his leafletting by saying that the police have a
pressing need for the help of the Commission. "The trail of crime in the
clinic will not be erased easily", said Trepping to the SZ, "In
contrast the KVPM uncovers the facts worldwide."
SZonNet: All Rights Reserved - Süddeutscher Publishing, Munich
Railroad blocks Scientology advertisements
Offenbach, Germany
December 7, 2000
Offenbach Post
Offenbach (alk) The Deutsche Bahn / German Railroad responded promptly
to a report from our newspaper on Scientology's advertising posters in the
Bieber Street railroad underpass. Dieter Huenerkoch, Director of the
Communications Department of Berlin corporate central, got in touch with the
editors and reported, "We will handle it very quickly." The
criticized posters which advertised for a "Scientology" book by sect
founder L. Ron Hubbard were pasted over. In addition the contract with the
Frankfurt company which had leased and marketed these spaces from the railroad
was cancelled.
"From our view the corporation violated the contract." Huenerkoch
made it clear that the German Railroad did not permit or condone advertising for
Scientology on its property.
Scientology advertises in train areas
Offenbach, Germany
December 6, 2000
Offenbach-Post
Offenbach (alk) Weltanschauung advertising has gained nothing from
advertising spaces of the Deutschen Bahn AG. Dieter Hensel of the German
Railroad Advertising sees to that. "We thoroughly review the content of
the posters. Religious or political content will not be accepted, he says.
That is the theory. In practice an advertising poster for a Scientology book by
sect founder L. Ron Hubbard has been hanging in the railroad underpass on
Bieberer Street for weeks.
While the advertising surface is indeed in the railroad's possession, it is
leased to a private marketer. And nobody has any influence on the marketer's
activities.
The railroad leases poster space under the tracks to a Frankfurt company,
Conti-Werbung. They in turn have granted rights for the surfaces to a company
registered under the name of Beba-Plakat-Werbung.
The business manager of that company can find nothing objectionable in the motif
of the poster. "That is a completely normal poster," said Dieter
Becker. "We are not being paid by Constitutional Security. Therefore we
accept business from those from whom we can earn money." He does not,
however, hang radical rightwing propaganda or "Republikan" campaign
posters, said Becker.
The city would not tolerate a Scientology poster on its own surfaces - although
they may be leased. "Our contracts with the German Cities Media are
formulated in such a way that nothing like that can come about," asserted
department chief Matthias Mueller. Advertising putting young people at risk as
well as anything which transgresses good morals are excluded. But they do not
have a say-so about the railroad's surfaces.
Mail delivers Scientology leaflets
Wuppertal City
June 25, 2000
Westdeutsche Zeitung
by Marc Renner
Wuppertal. Numerous households in Wichlinghausen have found in their
mail boxes a Scientology leaflet which advertises for sect books in the past
few days. The piquant aspect of it is that the leaflet of the relatively
well-known association was distributed by "Deutschen Post AG"
delivery personnel [i.e., German mailmen] through oversight, as Dieter Pietruck,
their spokesman, responded to inquiry. "Our legal department is currently
reviewed as to whether we have to or may deliver the printed material.
Therefore the distribution has actually been stopped."
At the Barmen delivery distribution center, the flyers were also pulled from
delivery. "But they did get through to our Wichlinghausen outpost and were
delivered to several hundred households," Pietruck confirmed, then also
noted that the mandatory "mass mailing" label was also not present on
the flyers. Generally speaking, the postal spokesman stated, his company was
obligated to distributed anything which did not advocate breaking the law.
SLM warns of Scientology advertising
Media/Advertisement/Scientology/
March 9, 1999
Dresden (ADN). The Saxon State Media Office (SLM) Sächsische
Landesmedienanstalt] has warned of a huge advertisement offensive from the
Scientology church in the making. According to information from the Bavarian
Ministry of the Interior, the organization plans to use about $40 million for an
"information campaign." All private radio broadcasters in Germany can
be considered to be potential partners of Scientology, the SLM warned on Tuesday
in Dresden.
An attempt has already been made in Bavaria to obtain a 30 second advertising
spot. The commercial was said to advertise a point of contact for Scientology
and a book of the organization. The SLM reminded all radio broadcasters
licensed in Sachsen of the ban on religious-psychological advertisement.
bue/clp
091232 Mar 99