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Cult Is Told: Come Off It!
Evening Argus, 26 October 1994
by Paul Bracchi The Church of Scientology was attacked today over misleading adverts in Yellow Pages. The controversial cult has two entries in the conselling and advicesection of the directory. One is for Dianetics, and the other is for Narconon, the drink and drug rehabilitation group. But there is no mention of Scientology. The adverts, next to listings for respected groups like the Samaritans and Narcotics Anonymous, are now being changed. Yellow Pages executive Paul Fry said: "We are taking steps to make sure they are not misleading in the next edition." It means the cult connection will be clearly highlighted in the 1995/96 directory. It's not the first time the East Grinstead-based church has been shy about revealing its identity. In 1991 the cult was condemned by the Advertising Standards Authority over a Press advert inviting readers to complete a personality test. Again, there was no mention of Scientology. And earlier this year the Argus revealed the cult's links with Greenfield's School in Forest Row, a connection not spelled out in the school literature. Many vulnerable people turn to the advice and counselling section of Yellow Pages. Maggie Beebee, director of Brighton and Hove Samaritans, said "It's misleading, to say the least, that there is no mention of the Church of Scientology in these adverts. I would not be happy about vulnerable and lonely people turning to cults who are not best equipped to help them." Andrew Fraser, director of the Drug Advice and Information Service in Brighton, said: "In the first instance, people looking for counselling and advice should make contact with an organisation where they can be given free and impartical information about a whole range of services which may be of help. "There are a number of these in Yellow Pages and the inclusion of Dianetics and Narconon in this section is at best highly misleading." Last night the church issued an eight-page statement rebutting the criticism. Spokesman Peter Mansell said: "Since when was it a requirement of any individual or organisation to have to append their religious beliefs to an entry in a telephone book?" People tempte to respond to teh adverts may also wish to consider the following facts: o One Scientology course advertsied in a recent cult newsletter cost more than UKP17,000 to complete. o The counselling methods used in Dianetics and Scientology were described by a High Court Judge as "conditioning, brainwashing and indoctrination". o Narconon is a Scientology organisation. It can cost more than UKP5,000 to complete an 18-week course, but a mental health board in America concluded; "There is substantial evidence that the Narconon programme is unsafe and ineffective". [picture of entry in Yellow Pages] Narconon -Alcohol & Drug Rehabilitation Service Alchohol-Drugs-Ruining Your Life GET BACK IN CONTROL Beat Alcohol & Drug Abuse For Good Call Today TEL CROWBOROUGH (0892) 661562 31 a High St, East Grinstead, Sussex. [caption:] The Narconon advert in Yellow Pages: No mention of Scientology
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