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Scientology Charged With Slavery, Human Trafficking
eldavojohn writes "A formal complaint was filed in California (caged PDF) last week by John Lindstein naming David Miscavige and the Church of Scientology International as defendants. Lindstein claims that for sixteen years (from age 8) he was forced to work as a slave at Gold Base, a secret CoS site run by Golden Era Productions with 'razor wire, security guard patrols, surveillance posts, and three roll calls each day.' The pay was $50 a week. The allegations include 'Violations of wage and hour laws as well as unfair/illegal business practices actionable under California B&P 17200 Et. Seq.' and a complaint under the 13th Amendment of the US Constitution, which abolished slavery. Members of the group Anonymous praised the summons."
I think the bad reputation marks against Scientology are getting a lot of press, but in defense of the poor guy getting beat up, are there any good things to say about Scientology?
The Religion of Anthropogenic Global Warming...! :)
Er, killed a load of people and set fire to the compound.
That is what you might consider "pretty harsh".
And confusing "Charged with" with "Found guilty of". I'm no fan of the CoS, but we don't know yet whether David Miscavige is a nutjob too (and who knows, maybe never will).
Quidnam Latine loqui modo coepi?
Yes there are, but nothing on the scale of Scientology. The bigger the group the bigger the target, the harder to keep secrets.
How about the Mormons? Most certainly a cult in my opinion. Ah, but then there is the Catholic church, the (fill in the blank) church, etc. All cults AFAIAC.
And why do most religions have their supreme leaders wear funny ridiculous hats?
Sorry but no. The difference is technical and profound.
Religion: n, A delusion shared by many people.
Cult: n, A group that uses cognitive dissonance to recruit and indoctrinate it's followers.