Global protest groups oppose Church of Scientology

Church of Scientology in Winnipeg since 1981 and going strong

The Church of Scientology attracts protestors world-wide as well as right at home in Winnipeg at their downtown headquarters. Jordan Janisse

The Church of Scientology (COS) is one of the most criticized religions in the world.

Founded in 1952 by science-fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology provides a number of courses and services to its members and the public in order to expand its beliefs and practices.

The COS has been in Winnipeg since 1981 and according to Evelyn Watterson, executive director of the Winnipeg Church of Scientology, things have not changed much since then.

Still, there are a lot of skeptics.

“If someone is a complete skeptic, they don’t understand religion at all,” she said.

Watterson said that many non-believers find their information solely on the Internet and have not done enough research to know what Scientology really is.

As L. Ron Hubbard wrote over 50 books related to Scientology, Watterson thinks that disbelievers should at least pick up one of his books and read it before they cast criticisms.

“It’s not a belief system – it’s here to help people get support in their lives,” she said.

Watterson explained the COS is less like a church and more like a university where you work your way up through the system. Courses at the COS range from $55 to $1,600.

Some of the most common criticisms of Scientology include that it is a cult and aims to take money from members, spurring organized protests both locally in Winnipeg and globally.

When asked how the COS reacts to these protests, Watterson said they ignore it.

“If you don’t ignore them it fuels why they’re out there,” she noted.

The most prolific of these groups is called Anonymous, an Internet forum-based group. Their mandate is to bring forth to the public eye unethical actions they claim to be done by the COS.

In 2008, according to a CTV news report, the local chapter donned masks and protested outside of the COS’s 315 Garry St. location, claiming the organization intimidates members to keep them from leaving the faith.

If you don’t ignore them it fuels why they’re out there.

Evelyn Watterson, executive director, Winnipeg Church of Scientology

The group is backed by support of people who share their ideals from all over the world.

“I support and salute all the peaceful and legal activities Anonymous do,” said Andreas Heldal-Lund, creator of “Operation Clambake” at xenu.net, another anti-Scientology website from Norway. “I aim to reduce the number of people who had their life ruined because (of what) they never were told.”

Heldal-Lund believes that people have the right to make their own choices in life and does not criticize all members of the COS.

“(Scientology members) are mostly good people with the best intentions – like you and me,” he said.

He feels that people may be lured into the COS by one of their notably appealing features, the Oxford Capacity Analysis (OCA), a free personality test.

“The ‘test’ is rigged to give you a feedback that always leads to you requiring a Scientology course to better yourself,” he explained. “It has absolutely nothing to do with science.”

Jennifer Kowbel, a former student at Red River College, took the test when she was 15 years old.

“The free personality test intrigued me ... but I’m not 100 per cent sure if it’s for just them to use for their benefit or for an actual personality test,” she said.

She said the testing process took almost two hours and when she was done they gave her an analysis of her personality and explained which courses would work best for her.

“I never went back,” she said. “I couldn’t get my head around how an author could start a religion based on science-fiction.”

Published in Volume 65, Number 9 of The Uniter (October 28, 2010)

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