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We'Ve Been Gagged Say Scientologists
The East Grinstead Courier, February 2, 1994
[UK Scientology News - brought to you by The Leveller.] Three sects, including the Church of Scientology, have been effectively banned from advertising on British television by the Independent Television Commission, provoking allegations of discrimination. It follows a complaint from the Conservative Family Campaign (CFC) about an advert from the Church of Scientology on Superchannel, and sponsorship of programmes by the Worldwide Church of God and the Philadelphia Church of God on Sky 1 and Superchannel. The CFC claimed that none of the services provided by the three groups was genuinely open and free to the public, and that as such they breached the ITC's rules on religious advertising. In the case of the Church of Scientology, the ITC said it did not appear possible to attend any meeting without having to buy a book on Scientology, and that in general the meetings available consisted of courses costing upwards of #30. 'PERSONALITY TESTS' The church also encouraged members of the public to undertake free "personality tests" before further involvement. Despite the church's assertions to the contrary, the ITC decided that public access to Scientology's activities was not sufficient for it to qualify as a religious advertiser. It also suspended the advert because it propounded an aspect of the organisation's philosophy. The ITC recommends that for a religious group to be able to advertise or sponsor a programme its meetings must be generally open to the public, with access granted without financial charges, or unreasonable conditions being applied, and that the times and venues of meetings must be openly published and displayed. As far as recruitment is concerned, while 'gentle encouragement' to take up membership might be acceptable, "convincing evidence that people were in any way coerced to join, or that once they became members, obstacles were put in their way if they wished to leave" could be classed as unreasonable. The Church of Scientology, founded by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard 40 years ago and which claims to be "the fastest growing religion on the earth", has accused the ITC of "blatant religious discrimination", and says it is now taking legal advice to see whether or not the ITC is in breach of the Broadcasting Act. Spokesman Peter Mansell argued that the church had produced evidence which showed that many of its activities were open to the public, including all church services. He said the ITC had effectively precluded all but the Church of England from advertising. "The ITC has determined that certain religions are to be denied any right to advertise on TV and to date have maintained their discriminatory stance." The effect of the ruling was to declare some religions second rate, he said. "We feel strongly that it is not for any government group to hint that some religious groups are better than others. The current system is blatant religious discrimination in the guise of guidelines."
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