Scientology
DA: Scientology critic no criminal harasser
By adamg - 10/22/08 - 2:58 pmThe Suffolk County DA's office today dropped a charge of criminal harassment against Gregg Housh, 32, of Woburn, related to protests outside the Church of Scientology's Boston headquarters.
However, a Boston Municipal Court judge continued for one year charges against Housh of disturbing an assembly of worship and disturbing the peace. The ruling means Housh has to stay away from the church's current headquarters and its planned new offices in the South End or the case could be brought to trial, according to the Suffolk County DA's office. In a statement, the office explained the decision to drop the criminal-harassment charge:
After a review of the evidence, prosecutors determined they could not meet their burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt on this charge [of criminal harassment] and could not in good faith move forward with it.
Had the case gone to trial, prosecutors would have introduced evidence and testimony to show that Housh and others entered the Church of Scientology's Beacon Street building in a boisterous manner during a March 1 protest, disturbing the proceedings and alarming those inside.
Remember when Wordsworth was a bookstore?
By adamg - 8/31/08 - 9:10 amInstead of a Scientology recruitment center?
Internet group "Anonymous": Scientologists Complain of Stalking and Harassment
By luana1980 - 7/1/08 - 6:27 pmDespite repeated claims that Anonymous raids are not intended to infringe the rights of Scientologists, I was curious about how Scientologists feel about it, so I asked a few of them for their reactions, and got a very different story.
Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre International hosted hate crimes conference
By luana1980 - 7/1/08 - 6:26 pmOver 100 law enforcement and government officials, clergy and educators attended an interfaith conference in May at the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre International in Hollywood to address the growing problem of Internet hate crime and to see how they can work together to improve Internet safety and security.
A panel of leading experts shared their insights, professional experience and concern over how the Internet and advanced cell phones are used to perpetrate civil rights abuses, hate crimes, terrorism, fraud, identity theft, sex slavery, terrorism and pedophilia.
Scientology trumps-up "harassment" charge against outed Anonymous protester
By Ron Newman - 4/29/08 - 9:40 amDo citizens have a legal right to peacefully protest in front of organizations that they disagree with?
The 'Church' of Scientology says that we don't. They have filed a criminal charge of 'harassment' against Gregg Housh, a local participant in masked 'Anonymous' protests near their 448 Beacon Street facility. Housh was just one of many particpants in these events, but Scientology singled him out for prosecution because he signed the paperwork applying for a protest permit at Boston City Hall.
Housh will be arraigned tomorrow in Boston Municipal Court. Read more about the case at Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, or watch Housh and Scientology's lawyer go at it on the April 24 edition of WGBH's Greater Boston.
Anonymous vs Scientology - Episode 3, this Saturday
By Ron Newman - 4/11/08 - 9:40 amThe internet phenomenon known as 'Anonymous' will conduct its third monthly protest against the 'Church' of Scientology this Saturday, April 12.
This month's event is called Operation Reconnect, focusing on Scientology's policy of forcibly "disconnecting" family members who leave the organization from those who remain in it.
Scientology protest
By adamg - 2/10/08 - 1:51 pm
Steve Garfield was there on Beacon Street, took photos (such as the above) and shot videos:
... It was cold and rainy with temperatures in the 30's. The group of protesters I saw there looked like a cross between an Improv Everywhere and and Halloween party crowd. ...
Boston Scientology Church Gets into Action on United Nations Day Against Drug Abuse
By Human Rights - 6/27/07 - 2:43 pmBOSTON – Local members of the Church of Scientology, a religion well-known for its stance against mind altering drugs, brought their Drug Free Marshals program to children around the innercity on Tuesday, June 26th, as part of the Church’s international movement to forward the United Nations’ International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking www.un.org/NewLinks/drugs
BostonNow's paean to Scientology
By adamg - 6/11/07 - 6:09 pmAdam Reilly wonders how BostonNow came to do a puff piece on Scientology tutoring in Roxbury (part 1 of a 2-part series, apparently).
Humanitarian Donates 600 Way to Happiness Booklets
By Human Rights - 2/15/07 - 3:48 amIt was a fantastic moment when the Boston Scientology Ministers realized that they had just received this donation to continue their weekly distribution of The Way to Happiness - A Common Sense Guide to A Happier, More Successful Life Booklet. The Volunteer Ministers and local business owners distribute this booklet throughout the neighborhoods of Boston. It is just one of the many public services of the Ministry.
