Subject:	Lee Boothby and the Church of Scientology
From:	keshet@cyberpass.net
To:	americansunited@au.org
Date:	Sun, 27 Dec 1998 14:54:00 -0800 (PST)

Hello,

In doing some web-based research, I was reading material at a web site that serves as a public resource for information on "controversial and/or potentially unsafe" groups and cults (Rick Ross <http:// www.rickross.com/>). My particular interest is the Church of Scientology.

The reason I am contacting you is because Americans United for the Separation of Church and State is mentioned on these pages, and that concerns me.

NB: Let me preface my next remarks by stating explicitly I have no argument with Scientology's belief system; I am, however, critical of its deceptive, intimidating, and even criminal behavior, and I co-edit a web site illustrating its racist aspects.

Scientology is struggling to present itself as a legitimate religion and goes to great lengths to find "experts" who will support its cause. We critics tend to dismiss these individuals as "cult apologists". According to Rick Ross' site, Scientology published a list of favorable religious resources which included Lee Boothby, General Counsel, Americans United.

Scientology is not politically active in the same sense as, for instance, the Christian Coalition, but its long-term goal is to "clear the planet", that is, convert the world and administer it according to Scientology principles. This is not simple proselytization: the Church infiltrates groups—even government agencies—in order to subvert them; it also creates numerous "social reform" organizations (often hiding their Church affiliations) in order to broaden its acceptance in society.

The Church also complains loudly about religious persecution in Germany, where they are not classified as a church but as a commercial entity, and a threat to democracy based on their deceptive practices. On the other hand,when attempting to get their educational materials accepted in public school systems in this country, they conveniently claim those materials are secular.

Scientology is infamous for its reprehensible and deceitful activities and so I am very concerned about any possible relationship between it and Americans United—a group whose mission I strongly support.

NB: I am a member of AU and have been for years. Unfortunately, because Scientology has a history of attacking its critics, I feel I must use an alias, even though this may lessen my credibility (however, my assertions are easily checked).

Scientology published its list of recommended religious resources on which Mr. Boothby's name appears in 1995. Perhaps it is no longer accurate, if it ever was.

May I ask for a statement of your current association with the Church of Scientology?

Respectfully,
Keshet

--
email * http://www.solitarytrees.net/racism/ [email, link updated]
Where prejudice exists it always discolors our thoughts. Mark Twain

       

Subject:	Re: Lee Boothby and the Church of Scientology
From:	"Steve Benen" <benen@us.net>
To:	keshet@cyberpass.net
Date:	Sun, 27 Dec 1998 14:54:00 -0800 (PST)

Dear Keshet,

Thank you for your email concerning Lee Boothby and the Church of Scientology. We appreciate your interest.

Your letter raised some concerns over Mr. Boothby's assistance on behalf of the Scientologists, and inquired about the current status of our association with their church. Simply put, we are not associated with the Church of Scientology in any way.

Mr. Boothby may have provided some assistance to the Church of Scientology at some point in time, and I'm glad they consider us a resource for their members to get information on religious freedom, but Mr. Boothby is no longer on the staff of Americans United and we have not represented their church in any context, legal or otherwise. I have no idea why his name or that of our organization would be included in literature from their church, other than their recognition of Americans United as an authority for objective and accurate information on the issue of church-state separation.

As you may know, being a member of Americans United, our organization has no formal ties to any church or faith group. We do, of course, support the religious freedom of all faiths, including the Church of Scientology, yet we remain completely independent.

I hope this information is helpful. If we can be of any further assistance or if you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,
Steve Benen
Communications Department
Americans United for Separation of Church and State

       

Subject:	Re: Lee Boothby and the Church of Scientology
From:	keshet@cyberpass.net
To:	benen@us.net (Steve Benen)
Date:	Wed, 30 Dec 1998 08:34:20 -0800 (PST)

Dear Mr. Benen,

What a prompt reply! I am so pleased. Pleased, as well, with its content. We Scientology critics often assume "guilt by association", as I more or less did upon seeing Americans United referenced by the Church of Scientology. I am not proud of this behavior (I can't speak for other critics but I hope that they, too, are bothered) but having seen the Church in action, I can tell you that we have reason to be suspicious.

[…]
Mr. Boothby may have provided some assistance to the Church of Scientology at some point in time, and I'm glad they consider us a resource for their members to get information on religious freedom, but Mr. Boothby is no longer on the staff of Americans United and we have not represented their church in any context, legal or otherwise. I have no idea why his name or that of our organization would be included in literature from their church, other than their recognition of Americans United as an authority for objective and accurate information on the issue of church-state separation.

Of course Americans United is an authoritative source on church-state separation! But Seeing AU, the organization, listed by Scientology would not have raised my concerns to the same extent as the appearance of Mr. Boothby, an individual representative and a very specific resource. Thus my concern and initial message.

As you may know, being a member of Americans United, our organization has no formal ties to any church or faith group. We do, of course, support the religious freedom of all faiths, including the Church of Scientology, yet we remain completely independent.

I understand this but the Church has a history of establishing "front" groups that upon first sight support religious freedom for all and that have attracted the participation of unsuspecting organizations into their campaign. Such front groups include "Friends of Freedom", "Freedom for Religions in Germany", and "Friends of Religious Liberty", which has recently distributed leaflets throughout critics' neighborhoods, spreading deliberate falsehoods (Church scripture flatly states that all critics are guilty of crimes so it is incumbent upon members to uncover these crimes…and believe me, they go to great lengths to do so, searching all manner of public records and some not-so-public ones like insurance and credit records; and they are not above manufacturing crimes if no real ones can be found). The Church has the same rights to criticize as we critics do; we just wish they'd be truthful about it and discuss the issues, rather than engaging in their ad hominem attacks.

You should also note that, while campaigning for religious freedom and complaining of religious persecution, the Church of Scientology has expended a great deal of effort to stamp out its own offshoots, in particular, the "Freezone". It's a matter of religious rights "for me but not for thee", typical of Scientology's philosophy.

I hope this information is helpful. If we can be of any further assistance or if you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to write so promptly and I thank you for the information.

Respectfully,
Keshet

--
email * http://www.solitarytrees.net/racism/ [email, link updated]
Where prejudice exists it always discolors our thoughts. Mark Twain

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