Scientology losing its hold on James Packer, friends say

The Church of Scientology has lost its grip on James Packer. The billionaire’s closest friends say he has quietly distanced himself from Scientology.

Members of Mr Packer’s inner circle have confirmed that the billionaire, Scientology’s wealthiest member in the world, was no longer undertaking Scientology courses and had slowly moved away from the religion, telling his closest friends he no longer “needs it”.

Blatantly commercial…

Scientology’s own documents show an organization which is blatantly commercial, blatantly secular and blatantly predatory, as well as blatantly fraudulent. As Hubbard himself said in 1962, the religion label “is entirely a matter for accountants and solicitors” (Hubbard Communications Office Policy Letter, HCOPL, 29 October 1962). – Benjamin Beit-Hallahmi, quoted at the Apologetics Index entry on Scientology

Mr Packer’s office did not respond to reporters’ calls yesterday.

Mr Packer was introduced to Scientology by his close friend Tom Cruise in 2002. Friends say they remain close, most recently photographed dining together with their wives in Germany. Scientology entered Mr Packer’s realm at one of the lowest points in his personal and business life.

He was overweight and depressed, his first marriage, to Jodhi Meares, had ended and he was reeling from the collapse of One.Tel.

He has only spoken publicly of his involvement in Scientology once, telling The Australian Financial Review Magazine in 2006: “I think it has been very good for me. It has been helpful.”

But Scientology caused some discomfort within Mr Packer’s old circle of Sydney friends. Some suggest Mr Packer’s expanding casino empire has presented him with issues difficult to reconcile with Scientologist beliefs.

Read Another Article

The internet pranksters who started a war
Few who are left at polygamist ranch try to make sense of it all

Related News Articles Topic(s): Scientology Related Tags / Keywords: anti-psychiatry • Church of Scientology • cult • hate group • James Packer • Quackery • religious cult • 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 Scientology tightens grip on stressed Jodhi Meares Senior scientologist charged with perverting justice French Court Upholds Scientology Fraud Conviction Church of Scientology sues longtime leader over critical email Skeptic Magazine makes case for decline and fall of Scientology UK: Cult information charity faces Charity Commission curb, reportedly after Scientology complaint Scientology insider blasts ‘extreme’ fundraising Woman ‘imprisoned’ on Scientology cruise ship Video: Moscow police raid Church of Scientology Former rugby league star slams ‘violent’ Scientology

Search Religion News Blog