Scientologists arrive in Poland

Polish Radio ^ | 11.04.2007 | Joanna Najfeld

[lizol]

Scientologists arrive in Poland

11.04.2007

Polish authorities have yet to face the problem of controversy and potential danger from scientologists, who have opened their offices in Warsaw and aim to officially register their activity in Poland.

Report by Joanna Najfeld

The church of scientology, a political and religious group accused of mind control and embezzlement has opened its mission in Poland and is working unofficially, recruiting and training new members. Radosław Gruca, a journalist of the Dziennik daily has managed to infiltrate the organization:

'I've managed to get into the first under cover organization, called in the scientologist language "I-help" and I did a few scientologist courses. I was told that you can be a Catholic and scientologist at the same time, which is untrue, because they believe in reincarnation, past life and aliens - this is all pretty weird.'

The scientological movement originated in the 20th century and is considered to be one of the most controversial and dangerous contemporary sects. Cases of suicides and unexplained deaths have been investigated in connection with the activity of the group. The church of scientology has come in direct conflict with police and government forces in several countries including ęłęóthe United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany, where scientologists are considered to be a dangerous political movement. A Polish report by the National Security Bureau drafted in 1995 termed scientologists 'a religious mafia.'

Journalist Ewa Wołczyńska has researched the subject:

'They present themselves as a movement based on religious and scientific ideas valued in today's world. But in fact, their doctrine has nothing to do with religion. They are accused of brain-washing, mind control, physical and psychological coercion in order to obtain money from their members. Scientologists target the wealthy and their founder himself was accused of embezzlement. Because of the dangers, this sect is banned in many countries.'

The Polish mission of the scientological movement has been set up under cover and receives orders from abroad, says Radosław Gruca, who infiltrated the sect. Scientologists aim to eventually register their organization.

'The Polish government is not prepared to stop the sect in Poland. As far as I know, they are preparing to open an official mission here. The person who is giving orders to the Polish leaders is from Germany. As far as I know, she has orders from the special agency of the scientological church, called the Office of Special Affairs. The Polish mission is under the organization in Hungary and Denmark.'

Not much is being done to prevent the spreading of scientology in Poland, continues Radosław Gruca, who has contacted the proper authorities about this.

'I was trying to ask them if they are doing anything to infiltrate the sect and try to check what they are doing in Poland - if they are committing any crimes, or something. But they told me that they are unable to do this, because in the Polish law, there is no such thing as a sect as a cult, and they can react only if one person or one organization is breaking the law. So, as far as I know, they are doing nothing about it.'

The Polish branch of the sect is supervised by Hanna Garbalska, a 26-year old political activist of the Polish Peasant's Party. When her colleagues found out about the activity that Garbalska is involved in, a motion was filed to exclude her from the party.

'She has put public trust in our organization at risk and the other reason is that she behaved unethically.'

The National Committee of Defense against Sects has asked the government to prevent the registration of the church of scientology in Poland. Head of the committee, Ryszard Nowak, has said that if scientologists are called 'religious mafia' and accused of forgeries, corruption, embezzlement, and threatening people, then they must not be allowed to register in Poland. 'We are not against denominations or religions, we are against sects, which we consider to be criminal organizanizations,' stressed Ryszard Nowak, head of the National Committee of Defense against Sects.

[obid]

There is a huge Ron Hubbard building in my neighborhood (Western MI). Its at the end of an industrial road, with other small manf. buildings. I’ve been by it a few times, always after business hours. Very decent looking building. Maybe I will sneak over there and pose as a “readers digest” salesman and see what I can find out...

[Camel Joe]

God help you now, the spaced out spaceship worshipers are coming!

[DTA]

What’s the name in Polish? Nauka Klambakowska>?

[dfwgator]

...but the Holy Spirit is. He will kick them the hell back to the place they came from. Amen.

Poland does not need this trash.

[sockmonkey]

I hope the good people of Poland give these freaks the boot. Scientology is bad news. I watched several friends I grew up with implode after becoming totally involved with
Scientology. This was back in the late 60’s and 70’s when Dianetics, and Scientology was just coming on the scene in my neck of the woods.

They did stupid games that most teenage girls play at slumber parties, (like when everyone stands in a circle, and all press their arms down real hard, then your hands go up in the air, when you stop pushing, or the game where someone lays down, then everyone puts one finger under them, and lifts them up). The Scientologist guy said it was ‘the power of your mind.” I just laughed because these were silly things kids did at parties, but some people really fell into their mind power-extra terrestial knowledge bunk.

Two brothers I knew committed suicide. Their Dad who was a doctor gave all his money to Scientology. I know that one of the brothers went to Hollywood where he was a recruiter.

Another friend of mine who jumped on the Scientology bandwagon also tried to commit suicide numerous times. I really think they are bad news, but because there are some movie stars who are scientologists they get a pass.

I was greatly offended when during the Tom Cruise wedding thing, the news kept comparing the trinity of Scientology with the Trinity of Catholicism, saying they were almost the same thing. I’m sure there were people who believed that and it was such an absolute lie, I found it to be outrageous.

[billybudd]

Again, the government has no say in “allowing” religions to legally exist. That is a violation of the right of free association. If there are crimes being committed, let those be investigated and prosecuted. Otherwise, you are trying to enforce political thought.

[wolf78]

Poland's not alone in the European context:

SCIENTOLOGY'S NEW EUROPEAN OFFENSIVE: The March of the 'Orgs'



Brand new Scientology branch in Berlin

[chopperman]

Religions are not supposed to be political. What does promoting isolation from family and friends have to do with proper religious conduct? And what does that have to do with political thought?

[Grzegorz 246]

“opened their offices in Warsaw”

Send in the moher squads.

[-YYZ-]

“Does the US consider them to be anything?”

Yes, they are considered to be an actual tax-exempt religious (charitable?) organization, just like any legitimate church. I’m not sure of their tax status in Canada.

I personally think they’re a dangerous cult and would never have anything to do with them, or anyone who’s seriously involved with them.

[Aquinasfan]

Scientology is not a religion, it is a cult. I cannot figure out why there isn’t a basic standard upon which we allow the various religions to legally exist.

Is there an essential difference between religions and cults? I can't think of any. The term "cult" is largely pejorative.

Religion is a very broad term. The best definition that I can think of is that it refers to a set of beliefs about God or gods, and some kind of worship of God or gods.

Now, from what I understand about Scientology, they do not hold any beliefs about God or gods, so perhaps they can be classified as a non-religious group.

[null and void]

There is nothing religious about them.

As a former member I must disagree.

So you have questions about Scientology...

[LuanaL]

Agreed. This article is full of indicators for invented reporting. I bet she did not do any undercover work but hung out on the internet most of the “research time”. Reads like it at least.

[Lukasz]

I read that this idiot Beckham and his wife are involved as well. It would explain his decision to play in the US soccer league. Imagine millions of fanatically supporting him people in Asia. It could be very good marketing of this sect to employ him.

[wolf78]

I read that this idiot Beckham and his wife are involved as well.

According to Google news, the Beckhams and the Cruises are just friends, but David and Victoria are not interested in Scientology. Quote Us Weekly: "Victoria is an old-fashioned British woman who believes in God. She finds it quite annoying that Tom is bugging her so much."

[Lukasz]

If she is old-fashioned, how the hell modern British women behave! :)

[billybudd]

Religions are not supposed to be political? What planet are you on?? Take a look at our own political system. You want to argue that religious people should not be allowed to take part in politics?

And that's not even my argument. Look at the article. The European authorities consider scientology a "dangerous political movement". Their opposition to scientology is political, not legal. If the authorities have a legal or criminal complaint, let them investigate it and prosecute. Otherwise, they have no business harassing a religious organization simply because they don't *like* it.

[chopperman]

My main concern is that an organization that claims religious status with the IRS, which is what I believe Scientology has now acquired, should not be allowed that status if they do not behave in a religious manner. Attacking through violence, supporting violent attacks, forced isolation from family and friends are not actions that should be regareded as behaving in a religious manner.

[DTA]

South Park has provided the key how to deal with them: http://www.factnet.org/Scientology/South_Park_Scientology.html

Scifi lawyers have dropped the charges.

[billybudd]

"In a religious manner"? First of all, that isn't the law. Second of all, it's too subjective to ever be considered law. A standard such as number of members is objective and measurable.

Again, all these arguments are useless. Mere suspicion cannot be used by the government to arbitrarily discriminate against individuals or organizations. You've got to bring a case before a court of law, which can then impose a sentence. Until then, the organization has to be viewed equally in the eyes of the law. These kind of subjective standards such as behaving in a "religious manner" set up a precedent of political thought control.