CultNEWS101 Articles: 1/25/2017

Scientology, Warren Jeffs, FLDS, Polygamy, Clergy Sex Abuse, Catholic Church, Homeopathy, Psychic, Legal, Japan, New Zealand, Northern Ireland 

IBT: Church of Scientology at war with UK villagers after car park built on area of outstanding beauty

A  bitter dispute between the Church of Scientology and villagers in West Sussex has broken out over a car park that was built over an area of outstanding natural beauty without planning permission.

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/church-scientology-war-uk-villagers-after-car-park-built-area-outstanding-beauty-1601983

Radar Online: Cult Escape! One Of Warren Jeffs’ 79 Polygamist Wives Flees

Decker admitted that she and Jeffs “never consummated their marriage,” in all the years that they were together.

“All I knew about him is, he is mean. He is not nice,” Decker said about Jeffs. “I could sense he was crazy.”

https://www.google.com/amp/radaronline.com/videos/warren-jeffs-polygamy-cult-wife-escaped-brielle-decker-creepy-marriage-flds-leader/amp/

NPR: How Mormon Polygamy In The 19th Century Fueled Women's Activism

Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Laurel Thatcher Ulrich says that for Mormon women living in 19th century Utah, "plural marriages" were empowering in complicated ways.

http://www.npr.org/2017/01/17/510246850/how-mormon-polygamy-in-the-19th-century-fueled-womens-activism

National Catholic Reporter: Sex abuse advocacy group SNAP sued by former employee

The court filing says that SNAP claims nonprofit, tax exempt status as an organization with the purpose of providing "support for men & women who have been sexually victimized by members of the clergy" and that its "mission is to meet the needs of membership through moral support, information & advocacy," it is in fact "a commercial operation motivated by its directors' and officers' personal and ideological animus against the Catholic Church."

https://www.ncronline.org/news/accountability/sex-abuse-advocates-snap-sued-former-employee

Science-Based Medicine: Junk  science helps homeopathic remedy company win class action

Junk science from two of homeopathy’s biggest apologists help Hyland’s defeat a class action lawsuit for consumer false advertising claims, and nixed refunds for ineffective homeopathic remedies.

https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/junk-science-helps-homeopathic-remedy-company-win-class-action/

BBC: Japan fortune teller 'ordered to pay' client forced into prostitution

A fortune teller in Japan has been ordered to pay $850,000 (£691,000) in damages to a female client she had forced into prostitution, reports say.

The victim was reportedly made to believe that she was in debt to the clairvoyant and could repay that debt only by becoming a sex worker.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-38689513

Metro:  Nuns at four Catholic-run care homes in Northern Ireland physically and emotionally abused children in their care, an inquiry has found. 

The Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry (HIA) was set up in 2012 to look into allegations of child abuse in 22 children’s homes and other residential institutions between 1922 to 1995.

http://metro.co.uk/2017/01/20/nuns-abused-children-at-four-catholic-run-care-homes-inquiry-finds-6393632/

ABC: Gerald Ridsdale, former Catholic priest, faces court over historical sexual abuse charges

Former Catholic priest Gerard Ridsdale has faced court via video link from prison charged with numerous historical sexual abuse offences against 11 alleged victims.

The 82-year-old is facing 36 charges including rape, buggery, indecent assault and assault.

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-20/gerald-ridsdale-faces-court-over-historical-sexual-abuse-charges/8197486

NewsHub: Scientology security stalks 'untrustworthy media' at new HQ

The  Church of Scientology opened its new multi-million dollar Auckland base on Saturday - but they weren't keen to show it off to the media.

http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2017/01/scientology-security-stalks-untrustworthy-media-at-new-hq.html

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Scientology leader plans to use Northern Ireland's libel laws in bid to ban dad's book

Rebecca Black
Belfast Telegraph
May 2, 2016

The tell-all account by the father of David Miscavige, leader of the church of Scientology, is due to be released in the UK and Ireland this week.

Ruthless: Scientology, My Son David Miscavige and Me, written by Ron Miscavige, is to be published on both sides of the Atlantic on Tuesday.

The book is believed to allege that David Miscavige seized power from L Ron Hubbard, the founder and former leader of Scientology, and makes claims about how members of the church are treated.

David Miscavige denies all of his father's allegations.

Belfast-based law firm Johnsons sent a legal letter on behalf of David Miscavige to the UK-based Silvertail Books, which plans to release Ruthless on Tuesday.

The letter said the church objected to the "false and defamatory allegations contained within" the book, and if publication goes ahead "our client will be left with no alternative but to seek the protection of UK/Irish defamation and other laws".

The Sunday Times has reported that the letter also said the church's US representatives had written to St Martin's Press, which is publishing the book in America outlining the "sinister background" of Ron Miscavige.

Humfrey Hunter, the founder of Silvertail, released a statement to the Sunday Times.

"All the legal due diligence has been done so it is published responsibly, but I wasn't surprised to get the letter because they will try anything they can to fight their corner," he said.

Mr Hunter said the legal threat would not affect plans for the release, and he was confident at being able to defend a legal challenge.

"(Ruthless) shines a light on the person at the head of the church - it's a story that's never been told," he said.

"The Church of Scientology has only ever had two leaders: L Ron Hubbard and then David Miscavige.

"Miscavige is a hugely significant figure in the church. People have written things about him, but no one has ever written from a perspective as close as this. It's utterly fascinating."

The law on defamation was updated in England and Wales in 2013. Under the new guidelines, claimants have to show they have suffered "serious harm" before suing.

However, the reforms do not apply in Northern Ireland after being blocked by Stormont.

It has prompted warnings that our unreformed system poses a threat to freedom of speech.

Last April a hard-hitting Scientology documentary was axed from UK TV screens because of Northern Ireland's libel laws.

Controversial HBO expose Going Clear made allegations of abusive practices at the religion's US headquarters.

It was due to air in the UK in April 2015 to coincide with its American release.

But the programme was pulled by Sky because of fears it could face legal action under our stricter legislation.

http://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/scientology-leader-plans-to-use-northern-irelands-libel-laws-in-bid-to-ban-dads-book-34675807.html