Scientology vs Sweeney

This is the outburst that has made unlikely media fellows of The Church of Scientology and the BBC. It shows reporter, John Sweeney "losing it" at Tommy Davis, a representative of the church. The reporter was investigating claims that Scientology is a cult for the BBC's Panorama programme, when by his own admission he shouted "like a jet engine" at Mr Davis who accused him of giving a critic of the church an easy interview.

The video, shot in secret by Scientology, made it on to YouTube, the video sharing site, before the programme 'Scientology and Me' airs tonight. Scientologists are urging people to watch it and have produced a 100,000 copies of a DVD countering the claims in Mr Sweeney's report. High-profile Scientologists, including John Travolta, are also calling for the Panorama programme to be scrapped.

Mr Sweeney who has reported undercover in Zimbabwe and investigated torture in Saudi Arabia, couldn't handle the practices of L. Ron Hubbard's church. He has said he was wrong to lose it but felt like he was being brainwashed and that if he did not fight it they would have taken over his mind.

Mr Davis was seen telling Mr Sweeney, during the argument, "I hope somebody is shooting this... You have no right whatsoever to say what is and what isn't a religion. The definition of religion is very clear and it's not defined by John Sweeney," said Mr Davis who told Mr Sweeney that comments he made about his Scientology faith were "derogatory", "bigoted", and "offensive".

The video has aroused comment on the blogs, with some suggesting he was playing a part and will reveal his technique on the programme tonight. Others think he has played in to the hands of Scientologists and given their public opinion ratings a boost along the way.

Support for Mr Sweeney is offered by those who excuse his loss of control and label Scientology's actions as a pathetic way to rebut claims that you are a brainwashing cult. The video publicity is also seen as a public relations stunt to divert the attention away from the Panorama report itself, which some say goes unanswered by Scientologists

The history of the church, founded in Phoenix, Arizona in 1952 by science fiction writer L Ron Hubbard, has it that 75m years ago an evil galactic war lord called Xenu rounded up 13.5 trillion beings from an over populated corner of the galaxy, dumped them on volcanoes on Earth, then vaporised them with nuclear bombs. Their radioactive souls, or thetans, later attached themselves to human beings and are at the root of all personal and global problems today. These claims have been blasted as laughable by blogs.

Founder, L. Ron Hubbard's claim that the way to make a million dollars was to start a religion is not forgotten by the bloggers.

For others the vogue for attacking scientology has provided a new outlet for the "frustrated religious" but for one blogger, Mr Sweeney's anger is nothing new.

Scientology blogs say the BBC will regret their decision to defend Sweeney when they see how he has pulled the wool over their eyes.

See Damian Thompson's blog Holy Smoke for more on this Sweeney classic.

Joanna Sugden

Comments

[Alan Marsh]

None of scientology's science-fiction claims stand up to a moment's examination, let alone their "technology" - invented by the late Ron Hubbard.

It does no good at all when there is a disaster to have busloads of people in yellow shirts roaming around, getting in the way of the emergency services, performing for the cameras with their bizarre stunts designed for publicity.

It is directly comparable, in its hostility to conventional medicine (and especially psychiatry) to the refusal by Jehovah's Witnesses to allow blood transfusions - except that scientology is considerably more dangerous in its claims for its bizarre alternative therapies which deny proper medical treatment to those who need it.

[Mary]

It is amazing to me that in the 21st Century one of the most basic human rights of all - freedom to believe in one's own relgious beliefs - is not respected by the BBC. Scientologists are incredible people and do more per capita to assist their fellow men and women than any other religion on Earth. They have technology that actually works effectively. Sweeney comes across as a crass bigot who had a specific agenda to discredit and has made no attempt whatsoever to do a balanced documentary. The real question is who is he working for? It makes the BBC a laughing stock.

[Andrew]

Yes, they say thay can give you a free stress test using some kind of device that measures resisitance, which are prominantly displayed.
As can be seen from the video here, they have to ability to cause a lot of stress- I can well imsgine how much they got up Mr Sweeney's nose, enought for him to "lose it"- in fact he "lost it" very well indeed, it was an impressive performance, obviously genuine, that only makes me believe Mr Sweeney's convictions more I'm afraid.

[Louise]

Scientology is all about brainwashing. There is a centre along Tottenham Court Road so whenever we students (UCL) go out for lunch they try to suck us in, and they're so damn forceful. A girl who worked there told me she'd been studying at UCL and given up her degree to follow scientology - she seemed completely dazed... Funnily enough that just made me run away faster.

[dave]

Didn't anyone notice that when sweeney was shouting, when he said 'do you understand' it was calmer? Hasn't anyone noticed that the scientology guy was talking over sweeney? Therefore, sweeney by rasing his voice made it clear that the scientology guy was only at the second half of the interview. Shouting was the only way to get the full info across. The scientology representitive was stalking sweeney, anyone thought about that?

[Martin]

"to publish that comment would be breaking the UK civil law"

It has been called a cult in many places, and as it is not a recognised religion in this country then I do not in fact believe that it is anything other than a factual description to describe it as such.

[Adam]

Although Scientology really does seem very funny indeed, it has a terrible way of playing on people's insecurities and sucking them dry. A family freind gave up her home, job and all of her posessions to Scientology in exchange for a dorm room and new'job' volunteering; handing out flyers for the cult.

[Martin]

I actually called it an ***** **** Ruth. Why did you censor my comment? That it what I believe it to be. Are you afraid of them?

rg writes: Martin, you are entitled to that belief and to put it on a blog of your own if you like, where you are welcome to fight the libel writ that will inevitably come your way. I am afraid to drive on the right hand side of the road in Britain. Does that make me a coward? I do not believe in wilfully breaking the law, and like it or not, to publish that comment would be breaking the UK civil law.)

[Martin]

Scientology should be banned in this country, and it certainly should not be allowed to attain its aim of recognition as a religion. Ban it now.

[heredal]

This is a link to a Times Comment piece by David Rowan last year. Rowan (I think) edits the Jewish Chronicle. The three questions Rowan addreses to Tom Cruise remain pertinent.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article542911.ece

Emmanuel Appel might have added in his first comment on this thread that, more worryingly, the success of Scientology proves that if somebody tells you that aliens landed on earth millions of years ago etc etc and all else in line with Scientology 'doctrine', you can't have him sanctioned under the mental health act provided he tells you it is his 'religious belief'. He can get away with it and be allowed to fleece the gullible and enforce doctrine on followers because calling it "a religion", somehow places it out of bounds for critical examination and exposure for what it really is. Parallels, anyone?

There may be a clue to why that phenomenon has arisen. This shower of charlatans have had stalls at Labour party conferences, due to some charity attached to its East Grinstead HQ being a Labour Party donor.

Maybe it's not Catholicism Blair will be converting to. I wonder what people would say if a Scientology PM took office claiming that he was motivated in his decision making by his faith. Would we all be quite so happy that 'religion' was in the public domain?

[Ellie in T.O.]

Gabe, Scientology may sound funny but it is a genuine cult whose members are often stalked, harrassed and threatened if they attempt to leave. Seriously, it's no laughing matter.

[Jean Hartmann]

We need more people like SWEENEY. He is brave and not being manipulated by big mouth, couch jumping, fake personalities. way to go JOHN. JEAN

[Mike]

I have to admit that after reading the related articles, I had to look up scientology. I laughed..and laughed...and laughed. It was difficult to remain composed. I always thought women were from Venus. I guess we all are. I can't believe educated people actually believe that garbage!

[Gabe]

Yes, the video does not show what led to his 'losing it'...he was constantly tailed,harassed,baited by an arrogant scientogist and his crew who would even follow him when he went into the bathroom, and taunt him through the door...if that isnt a cult-like mind control technique, then I dont know what is!

[Alan Marsh]

Well done John Sweeney! You have ensured that thousands of people will now look at the Panorama programme and see the corrupt tissue of manipulation and lies at the heart of the scientology cult.

[Doug]

Regardless of the sleazy tactics Sweeney used, He has garnered the exact reaction he wanted. He thrust himself headlong into news making instead of reporting. As news people, we should trash this story and chalk it up to poor form but instead we are making heroes out of both the interviewer and interviewee. I wouldn't be surprised if this was staged. It looks too rehearsed for my liking and neither is a good enough actor to not appear crazy if they aren't acting. It would bring publicity to scientology and the BBC (John Sweeney et al.). At one point I expected the NOKO kids to come popping out from around the corner looking for Z!! (Look it up, folks). I mean to say it was a little over dramatic.
This is not news worthy and I wouldn't put it past scientologist to try something like this to promote their religion. If Tom Cruise and jump all over Oprah's couch, then Tommy "you have made me very angry" Davis and John "use your inside voice" Sweeney can certainly be playing us all for the fools they think we are.

[Black]

Dear Ruth,

now that the show has run one must say that the Sweeney report didn't quite justify the noise preceding it. It however explain why Scientology did spare no effort to investigate its investigators and publish their own results in a 30-minute program. The slant and "let get these Scientologists dirty" is quite obvious.

[larryp]

Has anyone found the complete Scientology video response? I only see that they are posting select clips on Youtube. It's not on the official Scientology press web site.

[Frog]

Great post Jo, thanks and keep 'em coming.

[Bene D]

The BBC has a 4 minute video up of that 30 second attack.

Scientologists are releasing a DVD on this. They thought rushing Sweeneys blow up to YouTube and then contacting media last week would pre-empt the damage of Panorama.

Here is a chart of UK coverage of Scientology over the years. The BBC are not neopyhtes when it comes to clashing with Scientology.

http://cosmedia.freewinds.cx/media/

Sweeney used one of their own techniques called bull baiting.
Here is a video of one of their former trainers demonstrating it at xenutv.

http://xenutv.wordpress.com/2007/05/11/scientologylosing-it/

Here is a former scientologist PR/media handler on what journalists can expect if they chose to cover Scientology.

http://tinyurl.com/39hdf

Did Sweeney use one of their own techniques and bull bait? I think so, I also think he is being honest about being upset.

http://tinyurl.com/39hdf

Travolta and Cruise pulled permission for their interviews for Panorama tonight, the CBC says the BBC is busy editing them out for the show tonight.

[Geoffrey Smith]

It's easy to make a video of someone blowing his top and then alleging that he was acting in a biased manner. I want to see a video of what happened in the thirty minutes preceding Sweeney's outburst.

[TW]

Thanks for the link, but I had hoped the post wasn't that much of an attack on Sweeney himself. For me, he came across (remember this is based on the limited footage I have seen) as a bit inexperienced when faced with the PR might of the Scientologists.

Often, here in the UK, we think of Scientology as a bit of a joke - in the US it has weathered a lot more in the way of attacks meaning, by and large, it's "Officials" are very good at media manipulation.

It does go to show, though, that any one can found a religion...

[Emanuel Appel]

a letter from America

Dear Ruth,

This "religion" has a much right to its foundation myths as Christianity. The problem is that it's too new to hide behind the mists fo time. However, as that famous American philosopher and showman P.T. Barnum stated - there's a sucker born every minute.