:===End Quote===
[Hate Groups : Scientology] Therapy head dimisses healing claims
Item 6901  •  Posted: Thu, Apr. 22 2004 •  Weblogged by
ReligionNewsBlog.com
http://www.religionnewsblog.com/6901-.html

The Birmingham Post (UK), Apr. 22, 2004
http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk
By Sarah Probert

Nathan Coley is showing visitors around the Scientology Volunteer
Minister exhibition.

"Scientology means knowing how to know.

"Volunteer ministers know how to help people," he says, pointing to a
large display depicting the World Trade Centre terrorist outrages.

"On September 11, they helped people in shock through spiritual
healing."

Mr Coley, aged 29, became involved in Scientology two years ago after
reading a book on the subject. When pressed for more information, he
points me in the direction of a book by Scientology founder L Ron
Hubbard.

"You should really read this," he says, handing me a copy of Hubbard's
Dianetics. "You can buy it here today."

Hubbard's book is also an influential force behind Jed Yeardsley's
involvement with the Church of Scientology.

Public relations officer for the exhibition, Mr Yeardsley has been in
the Church for five years.

"I was looking for some answers to life and I read Dianetics," he
said.

"It explained a lot about mankind. People can study Scientology
alongside their own religion.

People often find Scientology is more relevant for modern living.

"We do a lot of voluntary work. We also work to tackle crime and
drugs, which are the two big ruins of society. We also help people
cope with their emotional problems."

Mr Yeardsley outlined some of Scientology's techniques.

"We use Assist Technology, to help people communicate with their body
after an injury.

"For example, if someone burned their hand on an oven we recommend
that, once cool, the individual should place the injured hand back in
the same place the injury occurred. This will reduce bruising and
increase the natural healing process."

Mr Yeardsley has great faith in the benefits of Assist Technology. "It
can have miraculous results, I have personally seen feeling return in
a person's hand and back pain from injury disappear."

Another technique is known as Group Processing for the Masses.

"Group Processing is a special form of personal counselling unique to
Scientology," he explained.

"We take people who are suffering from trauma and point out things in
their environment to take their mind off what has happened to them. It
can also work to sober individuals that are drunk."

Mr Yeardsley also demonstrated Scientology's method of diagnosing the
causes of emotional trauma.

"This is an E-meter, a very specialised machine. A small current is
passed through the batons. When an individual holds these, we ask
questions about their life. The dial will indicate emotional trauma."

The E-meter looks like a voltmeter connected to two metal batons. Mr
Yeardsley claims traumatic events have a higher "energy weight" and
the E-meter will record this.

He invited me to be tested and then pinched me on the left arm - the
bruise was still there several hours later.

He then asked me six or seven times to "remember the pinch", and
monitored the dial.

"Very good. By continuously making you remember I have pinched you,
the trauma decreases. This is one of the techniques Scientology uses,"
Mr Yeardsley said.

The aim of the Scientology's yellow tent is to bring these "healing
processes" to the public, said Marie Hardiman-Wrapson, public affairs
director for the Church of Scientology in Birmingham.

However, medical experts were sceptical of Scientology's methods.

Phillip Hodson, fellow and chief spokesman of the British Association
for Counselling and Psychotherapy, said: "This field of work is called
Trauma Debriefing.

" Even when done by professionals, there is poor evidence that it is
particularly helpful.

"However, there is absolutely no evidence to support these
extraordinary claims made by the Church of Scientology.

"They can believe what they wish. But of the studies considered by the
highest body in this field, the Cochrane Panel, none would validate
their position.

"Counselling is a profession. It takes five years to become a
registered and accredited practitioner with the British Association
for Counselling and Psychotherapy. Counselling isn't happening just
because someone claims they are listening or 'have got a theory'."
:===End Quote===

Scientology news tracker / news archive:
http://www.religionnewsblog.com/category-cat=221.html

Anton
--
Anton and Janet Hein-Hudson
Apologetics Index
Research resources on religions, cults, sects, doctrines, and related
issues:
http://www.religionnewsblog.com (News and news archives)
http://www.apologeticsindex.org (Other research resources)