Scientology

DA: Scientology critic no criminal harasser

adamg — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 19:58:02 +0000

The 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?

adamg — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 14:10:59 +0000

Instead of a Scientology recruitment center?

Internet group "Anonymous": Scientologists Complain of Stalking and Harassment

luana1980 — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 23:27:58 +0000

Despite 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

luana1980 — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 23:26:42 +0000

Over 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

Ron Newman — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 14:40:44 +0000

Do 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

Ron Newman — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 14:40:55 +0000

The 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

adamg — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 18:51:36 +0000

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

Human Rights — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 19:43:04 +0000

BOSTON â€“ 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 Churchâ€™s international movement to forward the United Nationsâ€™ International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking www.un.org/NewLinks/drugs

BostonNow's paean to Scientology

adamg — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 23:09:26 +0000

Adam 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

Human Rights — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 08:48:07 +0000

It 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.

Scientologists in the heat

adamg — Tue, 28 Jun 2005 01:55:48 +0000

As he exits the Porter Square T stop, Spatch notices the Scientologists and his inner bastard starts struggling to come out, demanding to tell them what's what. Then one of the Scientologists spots Spatch:

... "Hello!" he said, big Stepford grin plastered over his Miscaviged face. "Would you like to participate in a free stress test today?" I stared briefly, stock-still in terror. Brain fought with brain. Bastard fought with Normal Guy. My eyes began to bug out as the greatest psyche battle I'd endured in a long time took place, and it ended only when I actually opened my mouth to speak.

"GHNIEEEAAAAAAAAARGH!!" I shrieked, sounding exactly like an angry eaglet denied his regurgitated dinner. Then I ran off across the street, arms flailing, like a mongoloid chasing a balloon. I didn't stop until I'd rounded the corner, safe in the shadow of the CVS. ...

He makes it clear: He doesn't like Scientology

adamg — Tue, 03 May 2005 21:10:55 +0000

Mark says he was amazed last week to see what good business Scientologists were doing at tables at the Porter Square T stop. He finally sprang into action:

... My anger at the Scientologists, shown in a couple of brief exchanges between errands, surprised me. It first came up when I saw some guy signing a receipt, probably for his starter copy of "Dianetics," and urged him, "Please don't do this." Immediately three of the recruiters started coming at me from around the table, making soothing sounds and asking me if I was feeling any stress.

They asked me if I'd considered Scientology and I scoffed at joining a made-up, superexpensive religion that kept people in line with lawyers and secret police. (I have this crazy belief that the best religions don't cost a lot of money or terrorize people who want to quit.) ...