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Russia bans books by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard

mnql1

Patron Meritorious
A St. Petersburg (Russia) lawyer comments

Translation of a Russian article posted on April 22, 2010 on the Russkaya liniya news website:


Source of map: wikipedia - Khanty-Mansi and Surgut


R. N. Yuriev: Prohibition of Literature a Blow to Scientologists' Finances

A St. Petersburg lawyer comments on the court decision declaring Hubbard's works as extremist

April 22, 2010

Surgut city court in Khantia-Mansia has ruled as extremist the works of the founder of the Scientology sect, Ron Hubbard, and decided to ban their distribution in Russia. The lectures entitled "The Factors: Admiration & The Renaissance of Beingness Lectures" (1 to 18) and "The Unification Congress: Communication! Freedom & Ability Lectures" (1 to 16), in particular were judged extremist, as well as many others.

The decision to ban the materials was based on a verification undertaken by the Surgut transportation prosecutor. Specialists in the field of psychiatry, psychology, and sociology examined Scientology literature and audio-video disks (a total of 28 different items) and concluded that the materials presented for analysis are not acceptable to distribute, as they undermine the traditional spiritual basis of the lives of the citizens of Russia.

The court was convinced that Scientology materials contain appeals to social and religious discord and propaganda about the exclusiveness, superiority, or inferiority of a person based on social and religious affiliation. In addition, Scientologists call for obstructing the lawful activity of state bodies, judicial and law enforcement agencies in particular, and for committing crimes motivated by ideological and religious hatred.

For comment on the Surgut court's decision, we turned to St. Petersburg lawyer and head of the Yuriev Law Office, Rodion Nikolayevich Yuriev.

Responding to a question about whether this decision is related to an increase of the Scientology sect's activity in Russia or to the increased vigilance of the Russian law enforcement agencies, Yuriev remarked that "in this case, it would be more correct to say that this is the continuation of steps taken by the state to combat destructive sectarian organizations, and as far as Scientology is concerned, our authorities have been fighting it a long time with very diverse methods."

"We have a law on the counteraction of extremism. According to the law, the competent public authorities may apply to the court to have certain materials recognized as extremist," explained the lawyer. "Now, under this law, Hubbard's works will be included in the register of extremist materials, and from then on, anyone found with these materials can be brought to justice. In addition, an organization which distributes Scientology materials may be dissolved by a court if it does not renounce their distribution."

Speaking about the adequacy of our laws in the fight against sects, Yuriev emphasized that "This is a difficult situation, because we have freedom of conscience, and the controls which lawmakers tried to introduce by adopting the law on extremism are ineffective. Scientologists have extensive experience in the evasion of legal prohibitions. When someone tries to ban them, they always say that they are not a religious organization. The public, of course, sees them as a religious organization, but for the state, they are simply an organization in the field of psychiatry. As a result, it was necessary to prosecute them for practicing illegal methods of treatment."

"Considering the fight against sects from a broader perspective," Yuriev added, "well-known sect-watcher Alexander Dvorkin's position on this issue is quite definite. He uses the term 'totalitarian sect.' But if one does not make a distinction between a sect and the Orthodox Church in connection with tradition, then any Orthodox monastery is liable to be declared totalitarian. Everything is voluntary in the monasteries, but sect members can say the same thing. This is the wrong way to go. For us the issue should be a question of truth or falseness, traditionalness or non-traditionalness, not of totalitarianism."

Asked how dangerous the Scientology cult is and whether the ban on Hubbard's works can be viewed as a serious blow to the sect, Yuriev said that "Scientologists like to exaggerate Scientology's importance in the world, but this case revolves more around the health of citizens than the threat of the sect in Russia. The percentage of people requiring psychiatric care is very large among Scientologists. For them, this is the core audience. The sale of Hubbard's books is the main source of financial gain for Scientologists. And if the sale of this literature is prohibited, then this could be a severe blow to them. At the same it should be noted that, in this case, the ban does not apply to all books, but only some, and it is known that L. R. Hubbard was an extremely prolific graphomaniac, so Scientologists still have something to sell to their followers."
 
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Zinjifar

Silver Meritorious Sponsor
This is just released.

I more or less agree with this. I think 'glee' about this 'setback' for the 'Church' of Scientology is premature if not completely off target. The 'Church' *loves* this shit. They're not getting any money out of Russia, but, if they can play the 'victim of persecution card' it's well worth it for them.

Where I disagree is on Scientology going 'underground'. Nah, they're *already* underground. The reality of Scientology criminality is still the hidden aspect.

The books and tapes are merely the manual for the criminality. Without them we wouldn't know what they're doing and why. It's the *Church* that has been attempting to hide them for decades and it's taken years to sweep them out from under the carpet.

Prosecute the 'Church' for the crimes mandated in the dogma. Prosecute the people implementing Ron's criminal conspiracy.

Ban the books?

You have to be kidding me.

Zinj
 

Carmel

Crusader
I more or less agree with this. I think 'glee' about this 'setback' for the 'Church' of Scientology is premature if not completely off target. The 'Church' *loves* this shit. They're not getting any money out of Russia, but, if they can play the 'victim of persecution card' it's well worth it for them.

Where I disagree is on Scientology going 'underground'. Nah, they're *already* underground. The reality of Scientology criminality is still the hidden aspect.

The books and tapes are merely the manual for the criminality. Without them we wouldn't know what they're doing and why. It's the *Church* that has been attempting to hide them for decades and it's taken years to sweep them out from under the carpet.

Prosecute the 'Church' for the crimes mandated in the dogma. Prosecute the people implementing Ron's criminal conspiracy.

Ban the books?

You have to be kidding me.

Zinj
I wholeheartedly agree, Zinj. Not great news. If anything, it gives the CofS something to milk, and they'll milk it. In saying that though, they won't get that far with it.
 

fnx3

Patron with Honors
Translation of a Russian article posted on April 22, 2010 on the Russkaya liniya news website:

Fantastic translation - thanks for that mnql1 :thumbsup: Fascinating that their "experts" view it as treatment in the field of psychiatry rather than a religious practise but they sure cut to the chase on the main problem being the exhortation to commit crimes :omg:
 

Hatshepsut

Crusader
I wholeheartedly agree, Zinj. Not great news. If anything, it gives the CofS something to milk, and they'll milk it. In saying that though, they won't get that far with it.

Yeah, look what prohibition did for the criminal mob. It just spurred the sale of more alcohol. :melodramatic:
 

Hatshepsut

Crusader
The IRS sent Capone away.
Maybe the IRS will send some church mgmt away to the 'Big house' too.
Lets not forget how long the mob operated in Vegas and Chicago and NY. NO, actually, it was the 'rats' from the inside who really brought everyone down finally. Whether it was one of the Dons' dissenters or dealers caught. And there seems to be a lot of this scenario brewing lately. It is usually the weaklings closest to the top who end up causing the fall of giants... now that I think about it.
 
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Seem scary not banned, because AFAIK there is a lot of corruption, so not much chance of monitoring a cult there. Officials could easily be bought by the cult. I am sure they would like they wild west aspect of Russia.

On the other hand, the Germans seem to be going for some tolerance specifically so that they *can* monitor the cult.

To me it seems that *principles* are all very well, but even they can turn out for the worst, depending on the culture, the timing, etc. I don't know enough or have enough specific knowledge to argue one way or the other. I'm just saying that allowing free rein to the culties in the Russian environment does not seem to have easily predictable results. It could spread so fast that it slows down the demise of the *COS* / SO etc quite a lot. Or it may start squirrel groups with a lot more clout than other ventures so far. I do get the feeling scientology could be big in Russia. It might be a more comfortable option if Russia did not ban the books but banned the practice, as interference and prevention of medical/psychological practice; and not forgetting that the article posted shows that scientology is seen as very subversive politically.

A question: What exactly, in Western countries, if anything, (text) is banned? (text).
Inciting violence? Inciting crime? Inciting political attacks (ie violence or destruction for political aims). Various things coming under "terrorism" (not acts, but text encouraging such acts). Are any of these banned?
Hubbard does dish out some fairly subversive political stuff scattered through his outpourings of wisdom.
 

Zinjifar

Silver Meritorious Sponsor
A question: What exactly, in Western countries, if anything, (text) is banned? (text).
Inciting violence? Inciting crime? Inciting political attacks (ie violence or destruction for political aims). Various things coming under "terrorism" (not acts, but text encouraging such acts). Are any of these banned?
Hubbard does dish out some fairly subversive political stuff scattered through his outpourings of wisdom.

In general, in most western countries, none of the above is 'banned' although, direct calls and incitement to violence or subversion of democratic method may be.

Certainly Scientology would qualify there. Russia is not a western democracy, so, it's not surprising to see them 'ban' books. Same with China.

Germany is a bit of a special case, since its 'constitution' was written by the victors of WWII and they actually do have deliberate verbots against 'nazi' writings. Most things that are prosecuted there are *imported* from the US, where such dreck is not forbidden.

Zinj
 

AnonKat

Crusader
In general, in most western countries, none of the above is 'banned' although, direct calls and incitement to violence or subversion of democratic method may be.

Certainly Scientology would qualify there. Russia is not a western democracy, so, it's not surprising to see them 'ban' books. Same with China.

Germany is a bit of a special case, since its 'constitution' was written by the victors of WWII and they actually do have deliberate verbots against 'nazi' writings. Most things that are prosecuted there are *imported* from the US, where such dreck is not forbidden.

Zinj

In holland onley mein kampf is forbidden but you can buy it when it ends up at second hand stores.
 

AnonyMary

Formerly Fooled - Finally Free
Probably the most honest Scientology expression on the subject is found in confidential issues, flag orders, 'advices' etc., however, even taking *early* Scientology publicly published 'dogma', such as 'Science of Survival' supports the worst of the claims and worse.

Zinj

You know, after giving it more thought and research, I think it's probably the taped lectures that clinched the ban. We've seen many leaks of tapes on WWP this year and some of the most bizarre statements from Hubbard have been documented from this.

A google translation of the govt statement shows

QUOTE:
[..] In the course of judicial investigation at the request of the prosecutor was held Psycholinguistic examination, according to the conclusion that the submissions contain ideas that justify violence, as such, and in particular any ways to confront critics of Scientology. In them there are both explicit and implicit appeals to the social and religious discord, to the propaganda of exclusivity, superiority or inferiority of man on the grounds of its social and religious background and attitudes towards religion, appeals to the obstruction of the lawful activity of state bodies, in particular, judicial and law enforcement to commit crimes for reasons of ideological and religious hatred.

Decision Surgut Municipal Court Khanty-Ugra Surgut statements transport prosecutor met in full. Materials Ron Hubbard "Factors. Admiration and revival existentiality "(lectures 1 to 18)," Congress Association. Communicate! Freedom and ability "(lectures 1 to 16) and others considered extremist.

In accordance with the requirements of the legislation they will be included in the federal list of extremist materials, and prohibited the spread on the territory of the Russian Federation
.[..] UnQUOTE

What was known as the 1953, reissued in 2007 is the The Renaissance of Beingness Or The Factors taped series.

Fair Use Quote from Bridge Pubs, Inc:
The Factors: Admiration & The Renaissance of Beingness

With the potentials of a thetan fully established came a look outward resulting in Ron’s monumental discovery of a universal solvent and the basic laws of the theta universe—laws quite literally senior to anything: The Factors: Summation of the Considerations of the Human Spirit and Material Universe.
http://www.bridgepub.com/materials/..._US&_sssnkey=1110c6c778ec80c79385c68a38888f04 1954 - The Unification Congress Lectures(Communication! Freedom
& Ability)

I wish there were transcripts of these things. Hubbard's habit of saying things off the top of his head without realizing the consequences is legendary.

One can find downloads of most parts of these series here:
http://ocmb.xenu.net/ocmb/viewtopic.php?t=30667

Or you can order them via inter-library loan program if in Los Angeles County:
Communication! Freedom and Ability (Tapes of The Unification Congress Lectures, Dec., 1954, Phoenix, AZ.) (Audio Cassette)
available at the Pomona Library, lol
Shelf Location Call Number Item Status
Audio Visual X 545336 Available
 
Yeah, I can't remember if some of the really outlandish things that I observed were written or audio texts or both.

But I think there is stuff there that exes and critics have known about for so long and seen enough times to be desensitized but are nevertheless quite alarming to people in government in countries with different sensibilities than our own. And it is not such a "foreign" thing either. The Brits were very curious about what elron was up to in the early days and took action to investigate and make sure he did not get out of hand. The Ozzies did too. Those things might not be considered too significant but the virus might be far worse today if they had done nothing. It might be still *early days* for the Russians, and recognising the potential for harm now might save them more problems later.
 

Mystic

Crusader
Banning tulpa Hubbard-spew isn't good enough, but at least it's a step in the right direction.

I'm an Abolitionist. :happydance:
 
Yeah, gimme abolition.
Just think about it, there are some things which have been abolished so thoroughly that it is very difficult to even remember what they were, or downright impossible because abolition ensured we did not even hear about them.
And that proves that abolition works.
 

namaste

Silver Meritorious Patron
Well, we didn't expect this wounded warthog to go down without a fight.

The beast is on it's last leg though.

:cheers:
 
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