SCIENTOLOGY MAY NEED TO BE CHECKED

GROWING CONCERN OVER CULT'S INFLUENCE

Het Parool, Februari 8, 1996

Addie Schulte

The Hague - D66 wants the Ministry of Health to examine the Church of
Scientology. When the results of such an investigation would prove that the
cult violates basic human rights, the cult may need to be banned. The CDA is
also concerned about Scientology's influence. CDA member of parliament
Soutendijk has stated that there is reason to believe that the cult
participates in a govenment-established platform for youth care.

	D66 member of parliament Bakker thinks that the option to prohibit
Scientology should be considered. This morning he stated: "Scientology is
mentioned more and more often as the originator of many  problems. That is
why I want to know what has become of the conclusions that were drawn in a
1984 governmental report on cults. I think they have not been followed up."

	The report, "Government and new religious movements", concluded that
Scientology's behaviour was at odds with the freedom of religion and the
protection of personal privacy.

	The CDA wants the Assistant Secretary of State for the Ministry of
Health, Terpstra, to investigate the role of a Scientology-linked
organisation in youth care. The Church of Scientology is outspokenly
opposed to psychiatry.

	"When such a position is being advocated," said Soutendijk, "it may
well have an adverse influence upon child psychiatry. Scientists have
stated that Scientology avails itself of methods and practices that may be
harmful."

	In the platform, that was established last year, various groups work
together: the Federation of Client Organisations in Youth Care, Family Right
and the Dutch Committee for Human Rights. This committee is tightly linked
with Scientology. The platform is supposed to become a consultant for the
government.

	When it is proven that the Dutch Committee for Human Rights is an
affiliation of the Church of Scientology, the Committee would need to be
removed from the platform, members of parliament Van Vliet (D66) and
Soutendijk say.

	Both the Church and the Committee admit that they are linked. The
Committee has been established by the Church and its executives are for the
larger part members of the Church. The Committe itself says that it is
devoted to "fight abuse in psychiatry".

	"We are not being paid by Scientology, nor do we work based on orders
by the Church," says J. van Linschoten, who is the Committee's delegate in the
platform. "We are a part of that plartform and we intend to stay there."

	The CDA's and D66's concern is partly based on what is happening in
other countries. In Germany, politicians are very concerned about the Church's
influence. The German Minister of Social Affairs, christian democrat Norbert
Blum, recently described the Church as "a totalitarian organisation".

	In the Netherlands, the cult is wrapped up in litigation against
Internet providers, because of secret documents that are being spread over
the net.

	People who join Scientology, the 1984 report states, are virtually
unable to get out if they want to. The Church also collects files about its
members containing personal information; members cannot retrieve that
information. The report goes on to say that if Scientology refuses to
change this, the government should consider declaring Scientology unlawful.


 
(translation: Karin Spaink)

-  I write, therefore I am:          http://www.xs4all.nl/~kspaink
Steunfonds rechtszaak CoS:   giro 450 9627, Vrienden van K, Amsterdam