Welfare cult

Louise Cook, Mon 19 Apr 1999

From: Louise Cook
Newsgroups: alt.religion.scientology
Subject: Re: Welfare cult  http://scientologysucks.lron.com
Date: Mon, 19 Apr 1999 12:00:49 GMT
Message-ID: <371b0cfa.5678860@newshost.pcug.org.au>

On 17 Apr 1999 08:55:42 GMT, fun@thingy.apana.org.au (David Gerard)
wrote:

>
>I should point out, by the way, that I have nothing at all against the
>idea of living on the dole while busy saving one's soul and/or the
>world; I did it myself for far too many years to claim that it is, of
>its nature, a necessarily bad thing; and I wish to withdraw any
>implication that may be read into my reposting of Louise's post.
>I actually reposted it just to give the Co$ the shits.
>
>Being a welfare parasite in a rich first-world country can, if
>properly applied, be a truly marvellous way of enriching one's mind.
>The University Of Life offers at least as many opportunities for
>goofing off as more structured academic institutions.
>
>For further information on this exciting and productive way of life,
>may I heartily recommend 'The Official Slacker Handbook' by Sarah Dunn -
>my copy is Abacus Books 0-349-10591-X.
>
>
>
>(The above paragraph is to keep the Co$ from pointing this out about
>me before I can.)
>
>
>
>Now I've given up saving the world and my soul is
>
>    perfect
>
>so I've got a real job. And I eat a lot better and life has greatly
>improved in many ways. Good, huh?


I have known many people in Australia supporting themselves on welfare
while pursuing activities other than looking for full time employment.
Artists, musicians, poets, professional protesters and volunteers for
worthwhile and not so worthwhile ventures. 

I was well aware of the fact that many people at the Canberra org were
*rorting the system* and living on the dole, with no intention of
finding a paying full time job for over a year before I began to smell
a rat.....it didn't worry me too much for a while.

What happened was that Matt Dent wanted to leave staff in March 1998
and yet it took until my post to a.r.s. in March 1999 before he could.
An entire year of threats, guilt, security checks (that he had to pay
for) and enforced labour,  when all he wanted to do was get a better
paying job and have more freedom and money to support his children.
(Ostensibly that was the excuse, he has infact made no attempt to
contact either of his two children since leaving staff, and appears to
be enjoying his freedom to bum around,  he's not really serious about
finding a job...but that's another story.)  

Anyway, I realised at the point that Matt was being threatened with *a
declare* for wanting to do something other than be *on post* and when
he was tricked into going back full time that there was a serious lack
of freedom for staff members at the *Church* and IMHO it was a serious
breach of human rights.  Anybody else in Australia, even a Senator
elected for a *six year term* has the freedom to *change their mind*
and to leave if they wish. 

Not only would Matt have been unable to stay a Scientologist if he
*just left*, ( a breach of his religious freedom),  but even if he had
been *routed off* quickly, he was still encumbered with a $50, 000
freeloaders bill.  What other organisation makes you pay for your
training if you leave??  He received less than $4000 in three years of
full-time work for the *Church*,  yet he was still expected to
reimburse his employers such a large amount.   Something was smelling
very fishy...

The *Church of Scientology* is a valid employee in Australia.  Each
staff member fills in an *Employment Declaration Form* at the
beginning of their tenure and receives a *Group Certificate* each
financial year.  These people are not volunteers.  

My recommendation to upper Management is to allow staff more freedom
to leave if they wish and to scrap the freeloaders debt system. 

Louise