APRL - Alliance for
Preservation of Religious Liberty
Ralph Wood Lt. Co. USMCC Ret. Scientologist. died April 1980
Debbie Dudgeon - claims to be deprogramed from Old Catholic church -- a lie
Local Advisory Board Member Mark Vincent Kaplan, Esq. Represents Scientology
Case in L.A. Dec. 1977 - (Polemini)
William Schive -- on Berkely interfaith council (Scientologist)?
Rev. Marvin Chandler -- San Franciso Council of Churches (hasn't been there for
over a year -- very ill)
Rt RE. John Lobque OSB -- (Does he even exist?)
Charles Lane, Esq -- represents the 'Old Catholic Church' in Oklahoma former
Hindu cult.
Daniel Sheehan Atty. for Jesuits. represented Sci--no fee in federal case. Spoke at Sci Conference 1976 Aug.
Dr. Marager D. Grote -- Glassboro St. Co.
Steven Kafa -- New England Director
S. Bruce Williams -- Philadelphia, Scientologist
Harvey Heber -- Santa Barbara, Ca. Scientologist
Tim Skog -- Tucson, Scienientologist
Roy Landrith --Tucson, Evangelical
Father Fowler Episcopal, 77, recently stepped down to pressure from the church
officials -- U. Tucson
Michael Emerling -- Ran on ballot for congress, Gay Liberation
Ron Asa -- controversial Democrat
Jane Applebaum -- Unification Church
Jim Thompson, Scientologist
John Thayer -- North ridge Ca. ???
Rev. John L. Price -- was a black Baptist minister who went to Georgetown University
It was Rev. John L. Price who convinced Georgetown University to cancel the IFIF reservations for our national yearly conference.
Said we were too controversial. Three months later Georgetown allowed a Moonie
conference there. Really was dirty pool as they canceled so late we could not
notify people who had bought tickets to travel there. A stinking apology in a
letter is all we got.
I had a long correspondence go round with George
Larabraud at the National Council of Churches. Wish I 'd saved the correspondence but
don't have it anymore.
On one of my trips to Los Angeles to help with Citizens Freedom Foundation
founders we had notice of $cientology publishing that Father Flanagan had used
Dianetics in Boys Town in Omaha, Nebr. In that Father Flanagan had died in
1948 (prior to Dianetics was the first reason to know this was a lie.)
Rather Robert Hupp became the director in 1973. He had a difficult time
trying to
stop the cult from publishing this lie.
We were told as late as 1977 the
Mission or Org in Philadelphia was spreading this rumor.
When Father Hupp finally put an end to it he decided to publish a wonderful
booklet.
The title is 'CULTS AND KIDS, A Study of Coercion.'
He made this booklet available, free of charge to any of us in the anti-cult
scene. A copy of this is available here by clicking the link above.
He
sent me fifty copies which I distributed. I have two here that I have kept
for reference. The list of contributors includes many learned people who
realized the strength of the manipulation in many 'closed systems' and the
description are valid
today as the day the booklet was printed. I am happy to have taken part in
helping
to carry the message forward at that time.
About the Author:
Robert W. Delliinger is a science writer
at the Boys Town Center (1977). He was formerly assistant editor of Human Behavior magazine.
All through 1979 I was writing letters to various people trying to find those
who would understand what this cult was all about. It seemed to me that the
fact that the leaders wife was in jail and several others convicted made little
difference to those left to carry on. The dirty tricks continued, the newspapers seemed to be silenced. I watched closely for those in Government to stand
up and be counted. Apparently there were no heroes there. The lies that were
spread about the Guyana Tragedy continued to surface. One article surfaced in
the files taken by the FBI. We always wondered where the CIA story came from and there it was in the cults files.
In August, the International Foundation of Individual Freedom - 'IFIF' (former
Citizens Freedom Foundation, later CAN) had reservations at Georgetown
University. We had planed to have our conference there. Kevin Flanagan who was alumni
of Georgetown had made the arrangements and they were all set in place.
People had arranged their time off, vacations etc. to be able to attend.
George and I
planned to be in Philadelphia so would be close by to attend. A few weeks prior
APRL (Alliance for Preservation Religious Liberty) member Rev Price had
created disturbance at the IFIF (International Foundation for Individual Freedom) headquarters. He created so much concern, IFIF was
moved to the home of the director. Rev. Price had complained to Georgetown
and they refused us by breaking the contract that we had to meet there.
Flanagan was devastated . All we could do was forget our meeting as it was too late
to secure another place. A Georgetown Priest wrote letters that we were 'too
Controversial' yet three months later the Moonies held a conference there.
That was a real slap in the face to all the Catholics who had intended to be there.
APRL worked in every way possible to destroy all the the work of the parent
groups.
The cult had lots of experience as CCHR Citizens Commission on Human Rights
had been formed in 1969 I believe. And the sole purpose was to DO IN
psychiatrists and psychiatry as we know it.
APRL was the group that put fake flyers to
all the Congress members, making them to look like our Parent group had sent
it. The same trick was pulled years later when one of the Congressman wanted
to have an anti-cult day. That was stopped pronto.
It was through these years that time after time I would read of the cult
infiltrating in various groups. At the same time when I became known to the
organization I was having plants put on me.
I watched closely for those in Government to stand up and be counted.
Apparently there were no heroes there. The lies that were spread about the
Guyana Tragedy continued to surface. One article surfaced in the files
taken by the FBI. We always wondered where the CIA story came from and there
it was in the cults files to claim that the CIA was involved.
In early 1980 we started to think about taking early retirement. Following
the car incident my husband just couldn't shake the thought that one of us
was going to be
injured or possibly done in all together. In August he had the opportunity
to take early retirement and he jumped at the chance. It was a costly move
but what good would more money have done if one of us ended up a cripple or
worse? We advertised our place for sale in Sunnyvale.
In the fall of 1980 the Petris bill was introduced in Calif. Our Attorney
General Dukmajian was strongly against the bill. It removed the
opportunity for his office to investigate any organization with religious
license. It was Bill 1423.
It sailed through with committee voting for the bill Only one voted against
it. Many of those of us who felt it was a wrong move had written letters
to each committee member. It was disgusting, and when it was all said and done I
received a letter from the now Rep Maxine Waters-thanking me for supporting
her. She didn't read her mail then and evidently she doesn't now. I see her
strong support where the cult is showing interest to this day. She is
always on the yes to sanction Germany for their stand against the cult.
Willie
Brown who now is Mayor of San Francisco was also on that committee that
supported Sen. Petris's Bill 1423. I remember as I sat there and listened to
each side address the committee.
Ms Waters and Mr. Brown were in a giggling
fest when our side presented Atty Moranz who had been victim of the Synanon
group. (Two young Synanon men placed a rattlesnake in his mail box.) He was
recovering from the shock and the hospital stay, yet when Senator Petris
came in to give his powerful speech - you could hear a pin drop.
It was the
first committee hearing I have ever attended and I came away throughly
disgusted. Not just because the A/G had lost but the rudeness and lack of
interest shown for the people presenting their views -- a learning experience
for sure. Thus I stress always -- make sure you know the agenda of the person
running. Read every drop of information on prior votes etc. that you can
find. This committee meeting was a waste of taxpayers money and time. It
was a cut and dried deal before anyone of the committee members took their
seats to put on the show. I had no way of knowing but I often think since
that time of one of the tidbits I read from some of Hubbards instructions:
One was to get someone else to do your bidding and you stay in the back
ground.
No one came to that meeting representing $cientology but, it had that
odor about it. One of the young men running around with a camera with
a number '7' on it, definitely did not come from Channel 7. I later heard where
he did come from but never had proof. Henrietta and I had gone to the
hearing with an Attorney from Santa Clara Calif. He made the statement on
the way home that he really couldn't judge $cientology in the same league as the
Moonies (the group his daughter was a member) as the $cientologists got up
and went to work every day.
Of course he didn't know about the Sea Org nor the indoctrination or the
Disconnections or the RPF. He later took the Moonies to court and I believe
he won his case. Happy for that though he was not at the top of my list as
one who really knew what he was expounding.
I still have those letters with Waters thanking me for my support. Henrietta
got a letter from then Governor Jerry Brown thanking her for her support in
his signing the bill. Her letter in return to him is priceless.
Henrietta had a wonderful gift for letter writing. She once wrote to James
Buckley in an answer to his letter with regard to a publication on which his
name was listed without his authorization. She said:
"It can easily be seen
that we have a communication problem.
The reason's should be condensed to
three:
1. You are not receiving your mail
2. You do not read your mail
3. You have a short attention span.
If you are not receiving your mail
possibly you have a Scientologist
or a
Moonie in your office"
She then went on to advise him who to contact and then get back to her with
an answer.
Among the files taken from the $cientology offices was one which advised on
how to stop attacks. It said:
"Remember, Churches are looked upon as 'reform
groups.' Therefore we must act like a reform group."
It also stated:
"Remember
the only reason we are in trouble with the press or governments is that we
are not searching out and exposing rotten spots on the society. We must
practice on the whole group called society. If we do not it will attack us
just as a pre-clear will attack a Scientologist that won't audit him."
This is from a lengthy page that lists ways to get anyone who disagrees with them to shut
up.
Of course I know about that now, don't I?
These instructions go on and on and gets into the forming of the B1 groups. (Bureau One in the Guardians Office is now in OSA - The Office of Special Affairs)
Those are the ones to do the OPS on dissenters.
As long as I have this in front of me and doing some quoting from LRH works
I have a small paper here marked 'The Second Echelon'
Quote number 3 is this:
"A very effective thought-control technique could also
be worked out from $cientology, which could be used to make individuals into
willing slaves"
I find that disgusting and oh, so frightening. And yes I believe I have seen
first hand in individuals where that method was highly successful.
In late Sept our home was sold. We had planned to give the renters in New
Mexico 30 days notice and then make our move. In October the neighbors asked
could we go to Reno with them, as kind of a good bye to us. We agreed and
went on a bus trip with two couples. Later following dinner, my husband
complained of shortness of breath -- called for help -- the young men were ready to
leave when one asked him, "do you feel anything different other than shortness
of breath?" Because we had a late dinner they thought it might just be
indigestion. He said that his arms felt 'heavy.' They immediately put him
on then gurney and we went to the hospital. They deciding to keep him for 24
hours as precaution. I was waiting when I heard one doctor say, "get the family
out of here." I looked around and realized I was the only 'family' there. We
were so fortunate as he had his major attack on the table in the emergency
room -- had he not been there, he may not have lived. I stayed there
with him and after 14 days we flew home. Doctor felt he was not able to
travel til late December.
I thought how lucky we were that he had taken early retirement. I know had
he been at work, he would have gone to the lounge and by the time he would have
told anyone he was in trouble, it would likely have been too late. I am not
thanking the $cientologists that bugged us and made our lives miserable but
maybe just maybe? who knows?
I went ahead to New Mexico and made things ready for him when he came before
Christmas. Because of his health I had decided that I must no longer write
the letters and try to keep abreast of all the cult activities.
This lasted about two or three week when the calls started coming. One
mother after another. I never dreamed the cult would be so active in such a
remote area -- and in the Bible belt too. One fellow came from Santa Fe. He
worked in the state government. His son had come to Davis College and that is
where the cult got to him. I gave him many books and articles from Dr.
Clark -- and others who had begun to see the dangers to those who had fallen
victim. I later was in Sante Fe and met him and his wife. They thought
because their son was marrying a nice Catholic girl that she would be able to
talk him away from his new belief. I felt that wouldn't happen but was not
my place to tell them, other than give my opinion. The next call was a lady
whose son had talked his grandfather out of $3,000 for 'courses.' The
grandfather thought it was a part of his college studies. She sought help for
him much later (Ford Schwartz talked with him.) He did leave but was still
very angry at his mother. Last I heard he was in Hawaii somewhere
having a hard time with life. I did not hear from the mother the last couple
of years. I hope she was able to get on with her life. She had been
divorced so I like to hope she has found a new partner. Another mother who
came to see me was indeed the saddest of all I think. She was the mother of
Jon Spear. She was a beautiful woman and brought her two son's (both handsome)
who were so concerned for their brother. We went to breakfast and I know
to this day they would not, nor would I ever have believed what would become of
their beloved brother and son. She told me her son Jon came to Calif. to
attend the University at Santa Barbara where he could study oceanography.
I do not know at what point he fell into LRH cult. His father who I believe
lived in Calif. (not sure as there was a divorce) kept giving Jon money for
courses. The family could not get through to him as this was not in Jon's best
interest. I can not relate the story here but it is on the internet. When I read this
story I was so shocked to think this beautiful young man was dead at the age
of 40. I had been told his mother had died after I left that area.
I hoped that she never knew of her sons tragic death.
A part of the story was that his brother had gone to the
east coast where he claimed the body.
No comment was ever made to the press.
I am glad he kept silent -- a story so
heartbreaking as that one was one which the people in that little town would
never have understood. It was during that time I became a correspondent of
Ford Schwartz following Henrietta's introduction. I wrote to him often and
heard from him often.
I am sure I confided in him as to the plants that had been following all of
us around. I even asked him to talk with various parents who had asked me if
I could help them. Ford had gone to work out of an office of a psychologist
who had his office in Burlingame, Calif.. I remember it was
on Mother's Day, I think, in 1983 that I received a call from Henrietta. She
said, "grab something solid Ida, Ford has been sent out to spy on us." "What a gift on Mother's day," I said. "Well, it isn't like we
haven't had experience Henri." "Well," she said, "there was more to
the story," and she would tell me but not to worry. I also
reiterated to her, "odd how I'm such a sucker for spies." I liked him too as I liked Amy. Anytime we had a
plant they always wanted to help with our 'files.' No different for Ford.
He had come to Henri's to look at the files. She showed him to the file
cabinet that had all the paperwork that was found in $cientology during the
raid. He spent a long time looking and suddenly came out of the room and as
Henri told me he was 'white as a sheet.' He left in a hurry and at the time
Henri wondered what was wrong. A few days later she got a call to see if she
and her husband would come see them up in the bay area. So that week end they went.
Ford had found an 'op' sheet that was done on him and his wife -- when he read
this he could not believe that his 'church' could do this to them. I do not
know what all was done but he and his wife were through with the cult that
day. It took them time to heal. I later went to Sunnyvale to visit friends
as I went to lunch with him and his wife Andrea, and their son. Was such a
joy to meet this man who finally said he knew, by my many letters, that I wasn't one
of the 'bad' guys.
So be it -- whatever I write I always had hoped it reached many eyes. Who
knows -- maybe one who read it in the cult realized I wasn't one of the 'bad'
guys.
A few years later Ford became a devout Christian. He no longer writes and I
do not know how he feels about me today. Doesn't really matter -- all I ever
wished for them was happiness and freedom for all the family. I know he was
a great salesman and I am sure he is successful with whatever he has undertaken.
I have just added him to the top of my list of spies, and put a 'smile' next
to it.
I had some serious health problems while I lived in New Mexico. Had a
carotid bypass in a hospital in Lubbock, Texas. Wonderful doctors -- I recoup
quickly and was sent home day early. A few days later I thought I had come
down with the flu and on calling doctor he prescribed a pill to take every
four hours. My husband picked up the prescription and I took the pill every
four hours. I steadily grew worse.
I thought for sure I would be better, so I set a time that if I had not improved, I would go
to the doctor. Woke one morning and knew I had to see the doctor -- We left
and was there as the door opened to his office -- nurse took my blood pressure
and within minutes I was in an ambulance one way to the hospital in Hobbs, New
Mexico. I was put in the ICU immediately as my pressure was much too low.
Doctor inserted a pacemaker to help my heart keep ticking. He had problems
and kept saying for me to hang on, that it wouldn't take him much longer. I had
heard about the near death experiences but didn't realize I would go there
too. I don't explain it -- but I always tell my old friends -- one has nothing
to worry about -- dying is much easier than making up your mind that you must come
back and take on life as you know it. I feel that was another one of my
'gifts' along the way.
I have had so many.
I hope my story here does not come at you like I am complaining. Instead of
waking up each morning thinking of the losses (and I think of my family
constantly.)
I try to face it all with hopes that I can help someone else find a way to cope
and to survive. I am so thankful for my parents who taught me to be who I
am. I am thankful to two wonderful husbands who lived with me just as I am. I
do know one must retain a sense of humor -- that may sound weird to you -- but
it is a must. Henri used to tell me she liked me to come to meetings as I
could make people laugh and all the time I knew they were crying inside just as I.
Following the experience in the hospital (caused by a pill called Zomax
which had not been throughly tested) I found many people died that very week.
This pill caused an extreme drop in blood pressure. Mine went to 50 over 40, I
think.
When I recovered, I realized, as did my husband, that we had made a move that was
not for us. No one should retire to a little town after living in a big city
(Calif. yet) for so many years. We decided to go to Havasu City, Arizona
which is where you read about their housing the London Bridge. We had fished
there many times (my first husband and I before there was a town or bridge
there.)
We moved in May of 1984. I remember the temperature was 115. We
had both been there many times when it was hot and didn't mind that. Was
kind of like coming home for both of us. We bought a pontoon boat and spent
good times fishing.
By the way I used to be known as a pretty good fisherman.
I do not fish any more - My husband took it easy, watched his diet and
actually we could enjoy our lives in spite of the poor health. Our friends
from Southern Calif. and those from Sunnyvale area came to visit. Three men
that had worked with George decided to buy there and all built homes and
brought their wives to retire. Henrietta and Curt came as well as
others I had met through our anti-cult groups.
The Cooperriders still come to see me each year around New Years.
I also hear from many other parents I've met along the way
Kevin Flanagan who is the father of Joey. His wife died in 1999 and I am
thankful he has such a wonderful family. I had written to Lyle Stuart and
hear from them at Christmas time. I was so pleased to hear now and then
from Eugene Methvin who did the wonderful stories in Readers Digest. He is
now alone following an accident taking his wife’s life. I admire Richard Behar
to the max. He too suffered at the hands of the cult, all because he wrote
the truth.
Sometimes I am amazed to recall all the wonderful people who have touched my
life.
I kick myself for not going to college. I was satisfied with adult education
courses and attending IBM college for short stint during WWII. I guess I may be one of
the oldest IBM workers with the dullest job I ever had. I had a job as a
key punch operator in 1942 working in the Cost Dept of North American Aviation. I
believe they were one of the first in the country to take advantage of the
new method of keeping records.
Back to Havasu -- in 1986 that is where I met Jeff Jacobsen. He came by on
the way to L.A. and introduced himself. I laugh when he tells me that I am the first
one to believe he was not a spy. By that time to, to tell you the truth, it no
longer made any difference to me who was and who wasn't. But I knew he was
not a spy within a few minutes.
I now count him as one of my dearest friends.
(c) 2003 Ida Camburn
Mark Bunker's
