Scientologists removed from staging area

Members of the Church of Scientology have reportedly been removed from a Gippsland staging ground where Country Fire Authority firefighters and crews have been recovering.

Members of the church were escorted by police from the Heyfield staging ground, locals said. But a church representative denied the report, saying church members had been helping out in the staging area for three days before leaving late last week at the request of the CFA.

Police were unavailable to comment.

Scientology groups, comprised largely of young people wearing T-shirts with “Volunteer Minister” written on them, were offering massages, or “assists”, and providing a friendly ear to stressed citizens.

Anglican parish priest Keith South said the volunteers arrived at a time when the community was vulnerable.

“That’s one of our concerns,” he said.

Scientologists have been attending community meetings in the area offering to “do anything for anyone”.

Group leader Michael, who would not give his surname, said the community had appreciated the help.

“We’re cleaning gutters, giving firefighters assists. The response has been great,” he said.

Based at one of Heyfield’s two pubs, Scientologists have set up a tent with massage tables and a barbecue area.

Church of Scientology spokeswoman the Reverend Mary Anderson said members were helping out in the fire zone from Heyfield to Bairnsdale.

“They’re just there to help,” she said. “They’re not there to brief anybody on what our religion is or anything.”

Scientology has supporters such as actors Tom Cruise and John Travolta.

Read Another Article

Evidence supports widespread violations of religious freedom in US military, soldier says
Investigators say 35 Russian sect members holed up in cave

Related News Articles Topic(s): Scientology Subscribe to Religion News Blog updates Subscribe to Religion News Blog [What is this?] Get Religion News Blog's headline by Email [What is this?] Follow Religion News Blog at Twitter Find Related Information Use our custom search engines to find additional research resources on religions and cults: ApologeticsSearch.com: Search for apologetics articles, books, videos, and other research resources across 135 Christian apologetics websites and blogs. CounterCultSearch.com: Search for information about (religious) cults, cult-like organizations, and cults experts -- as well as paranormal-, New Age, and pseudoscientific claims -- across 260+ websites, blogs and forums dedicated to cult research, spiritual abuse, ex-cult counseling & support. Find Related Religion & Spirituality Books at Amazon.com Scientology Possibly related... or Most Popular Religion News Articles Kent Hovind: Evangelist arrested on federal charges Beast’s real mark devalued to ’616′ Muslim Woman Gives Sex Advice on Arab TV Michael Jackson Confirms Conversion to Islam Kent Hovind, ‘Dr. Dino,’ guilty on all counts The fall and rise of Carlton Pearson Search False prophet Harold Camping sets another date for rapture: May 21, 2011 Watch the film Theo van Gogh was murdered for Kent Hovind — Dr. Dino — sentenced to 10 years in prison

Search Religion News Blog