Monday, April 28, 2008

Scientology Online

Can't get enough of the Church of Scientology? The group has now started a YouTube site to "share the truth about Scientologys beliefs with the general public". Here's a bit of Scientology history:

1975 • Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard came to Clearwater, Florida. The FBI soon uncovered a covert plot by the church to discredit its enemies and "take control" of the city.

Late '70s • Hubbard's wife and 10 other top church officials were convicted in Washington in a plot to steal federal government documents.

1980s • The city held hearings to explore allegations that Scientology is a cult, but no action was taken.

1995 • A Scientologist died after being cared for by church staffers for 17 days in at a hotel owned by the church. A wrongful death suit by her family was settled in 2004.

Today • Celebrity devotees such as Tom Cruise and John Travolta. The Los Angeles-based church claims 10 million members and more than 7,000 churches around the world. Some 12,000 Scientologists live and work in and around Clearwater. Scientology's new seven-story Flag Building covers a full city block.

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