http://www.au.org/churchstate/cs6013.htm
FYI,
Tom
------------------------------
http://www.TaxExemptChildAbuse.net
http://www.FairGamed.Org
--------------------------------
"If you can't leave the state, why bother?"
by Tommy_SP**gespam of Dallas, TX
> Here's an interesting article by Rob Boston re:
> yet another BIG cult with mega front groups and tentacles into American
> political scene.
> http://www.au.org/churchstate/cs6013.htm
The Moonies are very interesting. I know, just as a lot
of "religious" organizations, they have front groups, but
do they try, like scientology does, to not let the public
or businesses or other community organizations know who
and what they really are?
Is there a list of the main Front Groups they use to give
a quick reference like the following list of Front Groups
for the Co$?
A few of the organizations and businesses affiliated with or fronts for
Scientology, or that have been used by them to promote their goals.
ABLE Inc. - See Association for Better Living and Education
Akademie Fur Management Und Kommunikation - WISE member business
front to spread LRH and scientology in Europe. Prosperity
APPLIED SCHOLASTICS - Functions as an educational organization to
spread LRH (L. Ron Hubbard) courses and scientology ethics and beliefs
in their schools. All schools licensed by Applied Scholastics are
scientology
schools staffed and directed by scientologists.
ASSOCIATION FOR BETTER LIVING AND EDUCATION - Runs some
of the church's front groups and activities. Under ABLE's management,
other fronts infiltrate business and organizations to introduce LRH
idea's
and teachings. Includes Applied Scholastics, The Way to Happiness
Foundation, Narconon and Criminon To get involved in education and
community groups. Promotes Applied Scholastics and other scientology
organizations.
ASSOCIATION FOR PEACE AND UNDERSTANDING IN THE MIDDLE
EAST - operating under the rubric of ABLE, which is now attempting to
recruit Middle Eastern Scientologists.
Athena Gold - 4,500 acre mining property near Reno, taken over by
Michael BAYBAK, a scientologist Time
AUTHOR SERVICES, INC. - manages scientology's literary and financial
affrairs controlled by the church of sci and influential
scientologists. NHJ
To sell and promote LRH books, particularly policy.
BANCORP DEVELOPMENT, INC. - Members of the Patrons of
Association who have donated in excess of $40,000 to the Assn's. "
War Chest" Impact
BETTER FAMILY RELATIONS ASSOCIATION (Australia) - Front group
for the church headed by sci. Eva Ross . Writes letters and articles
attacking
any persons or groups who expose the truth abouth sci.
C.C.G. Ministries
BRIDGE PUBLICATIONS - scientology publishing and printing company
puts out Dianetics and other LRH books.
Business Mgmt Services Inc - $ci front luring people and Businesses in
with "management training and seminars, with the purpose of leading
them to LRH and Sci. This particular Co$ front group has some of the
old ex-GO personnel that are involved in its operation.
Business Success Sales and Management Training - Sci. front that
lures people and businesses in with "management training" and seminars,
and eventually steers them to LRH and sci. Members in IAS, donated
to Authors Svcs. Preservation of Tech
CALICCHIO & CO., SPA - Members of the IAS who donated in excess
of $40,000 to "War Chest", Donated in excess of $20,000 to Author
Services
Pres. of Tech.
CASA DOLCE CASA - (Europe) WISE member fronting LRH technology
in Europe Prosperity
Celebrity Center Kids on Stage for a Better World - Entertainment and
PR, "The group exists to spread the word of scientology to the rest of
the world" Celeb. mag
CCHR - see Citizens Commission on Human Rights
Child Guidance Centers - Set up by scis, runs child dianetics
processing on children and encourages parents who are not
already into scientology to begin with Dianetics etc. Ch. Dia.
CHURCH OF SPIRITUAL TECHNOLOTY (COST) - functions as an
archivist for Hubbard's works. NHJ Also functions as one of
the
corporations created to challenge the IRS's ruling against scio. Bet
Bus
Bur Formed in part from assets stripped from Church of Scientology
of California. Wollersheim
CITIZENS FOR AN ALTERNATIVE TAX SYSTEM - Set up as a
"citizens" group to abolish the IRS entirely, uses the "Church of
Spritual Technology" as one of the corporations to challenge the
IRS's ruling against them.
CITIZENS COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS (CCHR) - Founded by
church of sci in 1969. (Sty Time cndt tell) Claim: to help people who
have been abused or mistreated by psychology or psychiatry and/or
mental institutions. Intention: to defame, devalue, discredit and
destroy
the field of psychology and psychiatry because they have disclaimed
Dianetics and L. Ron Hubbard as a schizophrenic. T Sci. Tdy.
Sci. Adv. disseminates reports discrediting psychiatry and individual
psychiatrists Bet Bus Bur
CMI CORPORATE MARKETING - IAS members who have donated iin
excess of $40,000 to the Assn's. "War Chest" Impact Mag.
COMMUNITY SERVICE GUILD - est in Washington D.C. by sci to get
LRH influence involved in public schools with a tutoring program.
Freedom Mag
COMPUTER ETHICS INSTITUTE - (CEI) - Used by the church of sci
in their attempt to gain control over what can and cannot be put over
the Internet. Freedom
CONCERNED BUSINESSMENS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA -
sponsors writing contests and other programs in schools, and try to
get students involved in LRH beliefs. Hands out Way To Happiness
(By LRH) to community groups, police, prisons and other groups.
Purpose, to promote scio. and get name recognition for LRH T
NHJ Bet. Bus Bur.
COST - See Church of Spiritual Technology
CRIMINON - Like Narconon in prisons. Sci Adv Sci News.
CRY OUT - interfaces with organizations like Greenpeace and
capitalizes on children's environmental concerns, it distributes
comic book like primer on the environment sponsored by Arsenio
Hall and Rick Dees, and making no mention of scientology, to
school children. Bet Bus Bur.
DISTRIBUTION VIDEO - Member of the Patrons of the Association
who have donated in excess of $40,000 to the Assn's "War
Chest".
Impact Mag.
DRUG FREE MARSHALS PROGRAM - PR program to get a good
name for scientology into the community C mag Favorable
circumstance
for photo and/or press opportunity Also makes available the
distribution
of "The Way to Happiness" booklets to children to promote name and
face recognition with LRH.
EAST HOLLYWOOD PEOPLE AGAINST CRIME - a "Gung Ho"
group to spread sci in the East Hollywood area using community
action. KSW
EDUCATION ALIVE - train and tutor in Hubbard's study tech and attempt
to get various scientology programs into local PTA's and school
systems.
Works in conjunction with Applied Scholastics and ABLE Bet. Bus
Bur Applied Scholastics affiliate delivers LRH tech to S. Africa
and
other parts of the continent WIS p. 333 Given grant by S. African
Council of Churches to train teachers in LRH policy to pass on to their
students. Int Sci News
EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT CENTERS - (EMC) is an association of
WISE members in a local area that form a group, management training
business, and operate on their own to expand WISE membership and
deliver Hubbard Management Technology (written up and often referred
to as "Hubbard Policy") to the local business community. Prosperity
ENVIRONMENTAL TASK FORCE (Scientology) - formed by church
as a community group for PR and to get local citizens exposed to sci
and LRH policy. Sci Tdy
Federation of Clubs of Professionals and Business Women - second
deputy chairman speaks in behalf of the valuable work being done by
the Dianetics organizations Sci. Tdy.
FOUNDATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT IN SCIENCE AND
EDUCATION - (FASE) a group formed by scientologists to enter the
scientific community to tout Hubbard's "Purification rundown" also
called detox. To build credintials and allies in the scientific
community,
the foundation has channeled tens of thousands of $$ in grants to
educators and researchers studying toxicological hazards, most
unaware of the foundations ties to scientology. NHJ Produces
a series of educational TV shows on Public TV re the study of science
and math. Its goal is to establish credibility for Hubbard's drug rehab
and education methods and attract "Opinion Leaders" in the scientific
community Bet Bus Bur
FOUNDATION FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM - Organization
Set up by the Co$ used to attack any criticism of the
Fraudulent and/or criminal actions of the Co$ by stating that
Said persons/groups are "Intolerant", "Bigots", and any other
Button words/names to paint criticisms as prejudice and
Bigotry.
FREEDOM MAGAZINE - A scientology publication which pushes their
causes and attacks their critics
GOLDEN ERA PRODUCTIONS - The organization established to bring
LRH Materials, (taped lectures, technical films, and other audio-visual
products by LRH) to people. Sci Adv.
HEALTH MED - Clinics set up that promote the "purification" program
& scientology. NHJ Solicits unions and public agencies contracts
for
its regimens of saunas, exercise and vitamins promoted to purify the
body. Bet Bus
HOLLANDER CONSTULTANTS INC. - consulting firm that leads
to LRH and scientology courses, part of WISE group. T Donated
Over $100,000 to Author Svcs. Preservation of Tech
HUBBARD COLLEGES OF ADMINISTRATION - a front set up to bring
in business persons for management training and feeds LRH technology
leading to Dianetics and scientology. Now legally required in state of
El
Valle, Columbia for school teachers to advance and also for some
government positions. Spreading widely in Russia to business and
government officials. Also put LRH tech in University of Saudi Arabia
and several Saudi businesses. Prosperity
HUBBARD ORGANIZATION OF WOMEN - front to spread LRH
technology in the women's community leading to Dianetics and
scientology. Prosperity
I HELP - International Hubbard Ecclesiastical League of Pastors -
created to provide auditors who deliver services outside the organized
scio churches and missions to spread scientology WIS p.256
IAS - See International Association of Scientologists
Impact Magazine - A scientology magazine which pushes their causes
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SCIENTOLOGISTS - (IAS) - To
achieve the Aims of Scientology as originated by L. Ron Hubbard. To
"dismantle any group or organization" which prevents Scientology.
IAS Adv. Uses "War Chest" money to try to shut up any group or
person who attempts to tell the truth about Scientology and to combat
their perceived "enemies".
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR EFFECTIVE EDUCATION -
(IAFEE) - Front group created for the purpose of infiltrating public
and private schools with the LRH/Co$ agenda from CCHR (anti-
psych) and to promote LRH "Study Techonology" and eliminate
"Psych Based" education.
INTERNATIONAL COALITION FOR DRUG AWARENESS-
http://www.drugawareness.org - Yet another Co$ CCHR front
group to extoll the evils of "The Psychs".
INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE TECHNOLOGY INC. - WISE front
org. designed to bring in businesses to scientology through LRH Mgt.
tech. Got Allstate Ins. Co Orl sent.
IRONS MARCUS AND VALKO (formerly Singer Consultants ) -
consulting firm that leads to LRH and scientology courses, part of
WISE group. Time
LEAD THE WAY TO A DRUG FREE USA - campaign led by the Office
of Special Affairs of the church of scientology to get involvement with
the community using anti-drug causes as the button Sci Tdy
LIBRARY DONATION SERVICE - Set up as part of the International
Library Campaign in order to place scientology books and materials
into the public libraries around the world. Source Mag
LITERACY, EDUCATION AND ABILITY PROGRAM - Educational
Front Group founded by Lisa Marie Presley and Isaac Hayes in
order to instill L. Ron Hubbards mind processes and thinking into
children and adults under the guise of "learning". Hubbards
materials are used extensively to set this process in action. Also
to gain acceptance of Hubbard as an educator and humanitarian.
LEMON TWIST RANCH - Members of the Patrons of the Association
who have donated in excess of $40,000 to the Assn's. "War
Chest".
Impact
LONDON FINANCIAL (Europe)l - Donated over $50,000 to Author
Svcs. Preservation of Tech
MERIDIAN CONSULTANTS - an EMC under WISE control in Westchester
NY, set up as a business and management consulting company to
disseminate LRH tech leading to scientology to the business community.
Have distributed LRH teachings to Prudential Insurance Company and
the Seventh Day Adventist Church who have hired them as management
consultants Prosperity
MIWA ENVIRONMENTAL - (Japan) - Member of the Patrons of the
Association who have donated in excess of $40,000 to the Assn's "War
Chest" Impact
MOXON & BARTILSON (Atty's, CA) - speaks for the church of sci.
against CAN (Cult Awareness Network) and other "enemies" of the
church to keep silent the inner workings and teachings of the "church".
NARCONON - Chain of alcohol and drug rehabs that promote and lead
to LRH and Scientology. NHJ
(NARPA) = National Association for Rights Protection and Advocacy -
an affiliation of the CCHR, founder and president Bill Johnson
Sci
National Coalition of IRS Whistleblowers - Gathers IRS horror
stories IAS adv
NATIONAL COMPUTER ETHICS & RESPONSIBILITIES CAMPAIGN -
(NCERC) - Used by the church in their attempt to gain control over
can and cannot be put over the Internet. Freedom
NATIONAL COMMISSION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SOCIAL
JUSTICE (NCLE) - a social reform group by the Church of Scientology
that is used to attack Interpol. Sci Tdy Claims INTERPOL ,
which
has been investigating and reporting on scio's criminal activities, is
run by NAZIs. Bet Bus Bur WIS p.
NATURAL HEALTH FOOD ASSOCIATES - Member of the Patrons of
the Association who have donated in excess of $40,000 to the Assn's.
"War Chest" Impact
OFFICE OF ETHNIC AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS - to have scientology
reach into communities by race WIS
POWER MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS - Wise member, EMC, fronting
LRH technology as a management training business Prosperity
Progressive Academy Education Society of Alberta - (Canada) Scientology
front group in the field of education in Edmonton, Canada ARS 20
Sept 95
PROSPERITY MAGAZINE - scientology magazine geared to bussinesses
and professionals for the purpose of getting WISE, their business front,
into those businesses.
Psychiatric Institutes of America Survivors Support Group - They say
they are not affiliated with CCHR or scientology but have worked with
them. Orl. Sent.
PSYCHIATRY. A PUBLIC WARNING - A weekly radio show put on by
the sci front group CCHR to slam all psychiatrical practices. Host is
Bruce Wiseman, President of CCHR US and member of the IAS CCHR
REALWORLD CORP. - Members of IAS, donated in excess of $40,000 to
"War Chest". Donated in excess of $50,000 to Author Services
Preservation
of Tech.
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM CRUSADE, THE - replaced Alliance for the
Preservation of Religious Liberty, It gathers staff and followers to
demonstrate against whatever organization or court may be investigating,
or sitting in judgements of Scientology. Through its periodicals,
"Freedom"
and "Crusader", it raises public outcry against the "offending"
institution.
Bet Bus Bur
RELIGIOUS TECHNOLOGY CENTER (RTC) - Holds trademarks for
scientology T BBC Also gives rewards of up to $1,000 to people
who report any activity against scientlogy that leads to the
apprehension
or arrest of said people. Oversees the keeping of knowledge reports on
it's own members and citizens the church views as "enemies" KSW
News
More or less, the "Gestapo" unit of the church.
SCIENTOLOGY MISSIONS INTERNATIONAL (SMI Int.) - is a front line
dissemination activity that introduces new people to Dianetics and
Scientology and takes them "up the bridge". Also opens new areas
around the world to scientology and sends out missionaries to gain
footholds. Sci. News WIS p.
SILHOUET HOLLAND - (Europe) WISE member fronting LRH technology
Prosperity
Silhouet Profil Analysis - (Europe) WISE member fronting LRH
technoloty
Prosperity
SINGER CONSULTANTS - Member of the Patrons of the Association
who have donated in excess of $100,000 to the Assn's. "War Chest"
Impact Mag. Uses "management seminars" to put out LRH tech and
bring new people into sci
SOCIAL COORDINATION COMMITTEE (S Africa) - a group designed
to get LRH tech into African countries. Picked up by some Jesuits for
use. Robinson Consultants
STELLAR MANAGEMENT - consulting firm that leads to LRH and scientology
courses, part of WISE group. Time Pod Tdy
STERLING MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS - a management and consulting
firm that lures businesses in with "management' seminars, and then
steers them to LRH and scientology courses. Also called Emery Wilson
Corporation, part of WISE group. Time Pod Tdy Member of
the
Patrons of the Association who have donated in excess of $100,000 to
the Assn's. "War Chest" Impact Mag. Donated over $500,000
to Author Svcs. Preservation. of Tech.
STOMP) = Stop Torture of Mental Patients - and affiliation of the
CCHR founded by Sandra Everett Sci Tdy
STRYKER SYSTEMS INC. - Member of IAS, donated in excess of
$40,000 to their "War Chest". Tech Preserver donator to Author
Svcs. Pres of Tech
U-MAN BELGIUM - (Europe) WISE member fronting LRH technology
Prosperity
UPTRENDS - consulting firm that leads to LRH and sci courses,
part of WISE group. Pod Tdy
VOLUNTEER MINISTERS ASSOCIATION - a group of scientology
ministers whose intention is to establish contact with community leaders
and groups. CWF
WAY TO HAPPINESS FOUNDATION, THE - IAS Member, donated in
excess of $40,000 to "War Chest". Function to distribute LRH literature
to publics schools and community organizations. Get name recognition
for L Ron Hubbard the "humanitarian". Time BBC
WISE INTERNATIONAL (World Institute of Scientology Enterprises) -
Licenses use of LRH management tech to the WISE group firms, and
sells and distributes LRH and scientology books, with the main focus
on businesses and professionals.. Responsible to get LRH tech and
scientology in the business world. Sci News Pod Tdy Oversees
Hubbard Colleges of Administration and Effective Management Centers.
Prosperity Member of the Patrons of the Association who have
donated in excess of $100,000 to the Assn's "War Chest"
Impact Mag
WORLD LITERACY CRUSADE - A "reading program" outreach
developed to get LRH Tech and scientology influence into public
schools and communities. One of scientology's many famous
celebrities who is successfully advertising for the front group is
Musician/Actor Isaac Hayes. Great opportunity for PR and
political influence. ARS and adv
YOUTH FOR HUMAN RIGHTS - A front group formed to get
Co$'s dissemination into public schools and youth organizations
for the purpose of influencing critical thought regarding Co$'s
fraud and abuse.
Above Front Groups Especially Used for Infiltration of Schools,
Educational and Youth Organizations.
APPLIED SCHOLASTICS - Functions as an educational organization to
spread LRH (L. Ron Hubbard) courses and scientology ethics and beliefs
in their schools. All schools licensed by Applied Scholastics are
scientology
schools staffed and directed by scientologists.
ASSOCIATION FOR BETTER LIVING AND EDUCATION - Runs some
of the church's front groups and activities. Under ABLE's management,
other fronts infiltrate business and organizations to introduce LRH
idea's
and teachings. Includes Applied Scholastics, The Way to Happiness
Foundation, Narconon and Criminon To get involved in education and
community groups. Promotes Applied Scholastics and other scientology
organizations.
CONCERNED BUSINESSMENS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA -
sponsors writing contests and other programs in schools, and try to
get students involved in LRH beliefs. Hands out Way To Happiness
(By LRH) to community groups, police, prisons and other groups.
Purpose, to promote scio. and get name recognition for LRH T
NHJ Bet. Bus Bur.
CRY OUT - interfaces with organizations like Greenpeace and
capitalizes on children's environmental concerns, it distributes
comic book like primer on the environment sponsored by Arsenio
Hall and Rick Dees, and making no mention of scientology, to
school children. Bet Bus Bur.
DRUG FREE MARSHALS PROGRAM - PR program to get a good
name for scientology into the community C mag Favorable
circumstance
for photo and/or press opportunity Also makes available the
distribution
of "The Way to Happiness" booklets to children to promote name and
face recognition with LRH.
EDUCATION ALIVE - train and tutor in Hubbard's study tech and attempt
to get various scientology programs into local PTA's and school
systems.
Works in conjunction with Applied Scholastics and ABLE Bet. Bus
Bur Applied Scholastics affiliate delivers LRH tech to S. Africa
and
other parts of the continent WIS p. 333 Given grant by S. African
Council of Churches to train teachers in LRH policy to pass on to their
students. Int Sci News
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR EFFECTIVE EDUCATION -
(IAFEE) - Front group created for the purpose of infiltrating public
and private schools with the LRH/Co$ agenda from CCHR (anti-
psych) and to promote LRH "Study Techonology" and eliminate
"Psych Based" education.
INTERNATIONAL COALITION FOR DRUG AWARENESS-
http://www.drugawareness.org - Yet another Co$ CCHR front
group to extoll the evils of "The Psychs".
LEAD THE WAY TO A DRUG FREE USA - campaign led by the Office
of Special Affairs of the church of scientology to get involvement with
the community using anti-drug causes as the button Sci Tdy
NARCONON - Chain of alcohol and drug rehabs that promote and lead
to LRH and Scientology. NHJ
WAY TO HAPPINESS FOUNDATION, THE - IAS Member, donated in
excess of $40,000 to "War Chest". Function to distribute LRH literature
to publics schools and community organizations. Get name recognition
for L Ron Hubbard the "humanitarian". Time BBC
WORLD LITERACY CRUSADE - A "reading program" outreach
developed to get LRH Tech and scientology influence into public
schools and communities. One of scientology's many famous
celebrities who is successfully advertising for the front group is
Musician/Actor Isaac Hayes. Great opportunity for PR and
political influence. ARS and adv
YOUTH FOR HUMAN RIGHTS A front group formed to get
Co$'s dissemination into public schools and youth organizations
for the purpose of influencing critical thought regarding Co$'s
fraud and abuse.
ARC = As-Ising the Real CST,
Beverly
Yes, the Moonies have numerous front groups, plus Moon owns tuna fish
cannerie, arms factories and THE WASHINGTON TIMES. Moon is a staunch
supporter of Republicans and the Republicans love the WASHINGTON TIMES.
Steve Hassan may have a list of front groups of which there are many.
Back during the GULF WAR, FRONTLINE, PBS, did a very informative program
on Moon and his political connections and front groups, one of which was
out there promoting the GULF WAR, without letting people know it was a
Moonie group.
I recently did a google search for: "credibility, quotes" and came
across this interesting WASHINGTON POST article from Steve Hassan's
site, which is, as I recall, either http://www.freedomofmind.org or com.
Tigger
***********************************************
Celebrities Pulled Into Moon's Orbit Speakers Unaware of Conclave's Cult
Link
By Marc Fisher
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, July 30 1996; Page E01
The Washington Post
Gerald Ford is going because Rosalynn Carter, Mikhail Gorbachev and
Coretta Scott King went before him. Bill Cosby is going because George
Bush is going, too. George Bush is going because he believes in world
peace.
When the Family Federation for World Peace opens its Inaugural World
Convention at the National Building Museum tomorrow, Cosby will be the
entertainer and Ford will give a keynote address, but the climax of the
proceedings will be the Founder's Address by Hak Ja Han Moon -- wife of
the Rev. Sun Myung Moon, founder of the Unification Church and of all
four organizations sponsoring the convention.
The Rev. and Mrs. Moon are clearly mentioned in the invitation that
several thousand Washingtonians have received. But some of the most
prominent speakers at the conference say they signed up without the
slightest notion that their paycheck would come from groups founded by
Moon, the messianic Korean whose church has been dogged by complaints of
aggressive recruiting practices.
"He didn't know," said Ford's chief of staff, Penny Circle. "There was
no indication that Reverend Moon was involved.
President Ford saw the previous speakers on the list they sent us," a
list brimming with world leaders from former British prime minister
Edward Heath to former Canadian prime minister Brian Mulroney.
But the event's coordinator, Larry Moffitt of the Washington Times
Foundation, said yesterday that "We take great pains to let everybody
know who founded this.
Everybody is routinely given an awareness of the founder. If somebody is
not aware, that is not possible. That is not true."
Asked if Ford had any misgivings about speaking at a Moon-sponsored
event, Circle said, "I don't know. He's committed to do it now. It's
kind of a done deal."
Late last night Bill Cosby said, "When I look down the list and see
Gerald Ford, you say, well, gee whiz, that's fine, so you go ahead and
sign up," adding that he first learned of the connection to Moon from a
Washington Post reporter last Friday.
"My decision was, call these people and tell them I'm giving the money
back," Cosby said. "Then their lawyers got on the phone." After lawyers
for the Moon organization said they would not free him from his
agreement, Cosby agreed to go on with the show, he said. "I would not do
this organization again," Cosby said. "Not because they are evil, but
because there are some families that are hurt by this."
Bush spokesman Jim McGrath confirmed that the ex-president -- whose
speeches to Moon-founded groups in Japan last year won wide and critical
attention -- would speak at the Washington event. McGrath then called
back to add that Bush will donate his fee, which reportedly runs $80,000
per speech, to charity.
Ford will not. "He is taking an honorarium on this one," Circle said.
"It's a business thing." Neither Ford nor any of the other speakers
contacted would divulge the size of their fees. Agents who handle
lecture bookings say the Moon organizations pay some of the highest fees
in the industry, often topping $100,000 for a single speech. Moffitt
said the size of the honorariums paid to speakers is confidential.
The connection to Moon came as no surprise to some convention speakers.
"Everybody knows the Unification Church is somewhere in the background,"
said Kevin Carlton, spokesman for Boston University President John
Silber, who has spoken at several Moon-sponsored meetings.
"This is an important issue being addressed by an impressive group of
speakers," Silber said in a statement defending his decision to speak at
the convention. "Is it a slow news day or are you guys getting nervous
about the Washington Times -- and why would you?" (The Unification
Church owns the Washington Times newspaper.)
Critics of Moon's worldwide evangelical and business network say the
former presidents, celebrities and educators recruited to speak at World
Peace conventions are being used.
"They will be asked to pose with Reverend and Mrs. Moon for pictures
that will be used around the world in recruiting," said Herbert
Rosedale, president of the American Family Foundation, an anti-cult
group. "Moon uses these conferences to establish their credibility. Once
you've sold yourself, there's no going back."
"All these people should know better," said Cynthia Lilley, founder of
Mothers Opposed to Moon, a group of parents whose children have been
recruited into the Unification Church. "My daughter would tell me over
and over how in their recruiting films, they would show Moon with Bush
to impress young people. They use the films of Moon and Bush and other
celebrities to reassure parents that it's okay that their children are
on the streets selling flowers 18 hours a day."
Lilley and members of her group have written letters to many of the
politicians and entertainers who have accepted invitations from Moon
groups, urging them to steer clear. She has received few responses.
In the mid-1980s, Moon, who tells followers he is the Messiah, served
more than a year in federal prison after he was convicted of tax fraud.
That setback, along with years of criticism from former members, college
officials and parents who watched as young people vanished into the
Unification Church, spurning families and friends, has left the Moon
organization struggling for credibility in this country.
Earlier this year, Moon, 76, announced plans to hold a "Holy Wedding" of
3.6 million couples in Washington in November 1997. Moon has held
numerous mass weddings of thousands of followers -- often marrying
American men to Korean women, all complete strangers until their wedding
day.
Along with its massive investment in the money-losing Washington Times
newspaper -- a venture that Moon deputy Bo Hi Pak has said cost the
church upward of $400 million -- Moon's network of corporations includes
U.S. Property Development Corp., an Alexandria-based real estate
company, and Atlantic Video, a production company also in Alexandria.
But despite Moon's dozens of small businesses in more than 20 U.S.
cities, the Unification Church has won relatively few acolytes. Although
church officials have said they have more than 30,000 followers in this
country, former members and cult-watcher groups put the figure at little
more than a tenth of that figure.
Moon has staged a series of conventions with lectures by prominent
politicians, educators and celebrities, sponsored by the Moon-owned
organizations mounting this week's convention -- the Family Federation
for World Peace, the Women's Federation for World Peace, the Summit
Council for World Peace, and the Washington Times Foundation.
The Family Federation's offices are in the Washington Times newspaper
building on New York Avenue NE. Calls to the Family Federation were
referred to the Washington Times Foundation, a charitable organization
funded by the newspaper.
In Unification Church theology, all religions are to become one, in a
global theocracy under Moon, the representative of "the victorious,
original Adam." Moon preaches that mankind fell from grace because Eve
had sexual relations with Satan, and that salvation will come only
through Moon.
The largest World Peace Federation conventions have been held in Asia,
Europe and South America. The Moon groups decided last year to expand
their program of conferences to include major North American cities.
Similar sessions were held in Tampa and Boston this spring; some local
media covered those events without mention of Moon or the Unification
Church.
"They use these meetings to network, to build credibility for the
church, and to inspire the membership to believe that Moon is more
accepted than he really is," said Steve Hassan, a Massachusetts mental
health counselor who runs the Resource Center for Freedom of the Mind,
which counsels people who have been involved in "abusive mind control."
Hassan is a former assistant director of the Unification Church's
national headquarters.
Moffitt, the Washington Times Foundation official, said the four
sponsoring groups focus on "morals and values, and healing and
reconciliation between opposing groups." He said the conference is meant
to attract former heads of state who still wield influence over the
agendas of their nations. "We want to see them put family matters at the
top of the agenda," he said.
While the Unification Church has no direct role in the convention,
Moffitt said that "the cross-reference for all of the groups is that all
of them share Reverend and Mrs. Moon as founder."
After his experience in Japan last year, when legal and church groups
urged Bush not to lend his prestige to Moon-sponsored events, "President
Bush is aware of this group and this organization and the work it tries
to do strengthening the family," said spokesman McGrath. "He's happy to
speak to them just as President Ford and Coretta Scott King and Barbara
Walters and others have either taken part or will be taking part."
Walters, the ABC News anchorwoman, did speak at a Women's Federation for
World Peace event, but later said she had been unaware of the link to
Moon and would not do so again. Other speakers at World Peace
conferences have included actor Christopher Reeve, astronaut Sally Ride,
and former GOP presidential candidate Richard Lugar.
The connection between the Family Federation and Moon "is all very, very
surprising," said Betsy Berg, an agent who books lectures for
entertainment and political figures and frequently signs up clients,
including Cosby, to speak at events sponsored by the World Peace
federations. "We've been doing business with them for a couple of years.
They do maybe 20 events a year and they always have big-name people.
"Nobody's ever been aware that there's a connection to Moon," Berg said.
"If we were aware of that, we'd be concerned."
Bush's spokesman said the former president has heard from "cult
awareness groups and things like that, but this group is about
strengthening the family and that's what President and Mrs. Bush are
deeply focused on."
Bush's appearances last year came in the wake of more than $150 million
in damage awards to thousands of Japanese who sued the Unification
Church and a Moon-owned company, Happy World, alleging that they were
pressured to contribute millions of dollars to assure that their
deceased loved ones would be happy in the spirit world.
In Japan, Mrs. Moon told an audience of 50,000 followers that her
husband was "instrumental in bringing about the collapse of communism."
@CAPTION: Bill Cosby is going ahead with his appearance at tomorrow's
World Peace convention here.
© Copyright 1996 The Washington Post Company
© Freedom of Mind Resource Center, Inc. 1999-2000
Based on limited experience, I would say yes. I was approached by a
friendly fellow in the park who invited me to a meeting of
environmentally concerned people. It had some label like,
"Environmentally Concerned Citizens" or some such. After a bit of Q&A, I
finally got to the root of the matter. He reluctantly admitted that he
was affiliated with the Unification Church, perhaps hoping I wouldn't
connect that with Moon. "Ah, so you're Moonies," said I. "No thanks!"
And that is why they try to conceal who they really are. They get tired
of hearing that last phrase!
--
Barb
Chaplain, ARSCC
http://members.cox.net/bwarr1
However, some articles from publications re: cultic ploys are timeless,
as I believe this one is. As in the case of the Co$, Time Magazine's
May 6, 1991 Cover Story is yet another example of one worthy of
re-posting here from time-to-time for newbies, and reminders to all who
perceive themselves as old-timers on this NG as well.
Thanks and best,
Tom
-------------------------
www.MadvilleLaw.Net
P.S. Beverly, thanks for re-posting ALL the
$cn front groups - that's a keeper. I just put those in my save files.
Looks like the Co$
has the Moonies beat in just shear volume
alone of dubious shell recruitment entities.