Presentation by Rev. Heber C. Jentzsch, President of the
Church of Scientology International
to the
Discussion in Congress held by
The Institute on Religion and Public Policy
The State vs Religion in France
(cont...)

“The children were all taken, in their pajamas, to a police van. They were told they were going on an excursion although they could see their parents being badly treated and wearing handcuffs.

“During 48 hours of close watch and interrogation, we were accused of the worst things. I was insulted, degraded, spoken to in a gross manner and only after 8 hours of arrest allowed to have a sandwich and a coffee. I was not permitted to know what was happening with my children. I was worried as I had a son who had had a very high fever the night before.

“The children underwent several examinations from pediatricians, gynecologists, psychiatrists and psychologists. Those humiliating examinations still live in their minds today as a nightmare. They were told all kinds of horrible things about their parents: that we would not see them again, that we did not love them and would make no effort to get them back. They were placed in an institution and it took us one month to get them back.”

As a postscript to this story, all the charges against the parents were thrown out by the Justice Court in Aix-en-Provence. The French anti-religious group ADFI, however, which had generated the false reports that led to the raid and court proceedings, denounced the acquittal as “a disaster” and filed an appeal. Just this February, that appeal was also thrown out and the parents fully vindicated.

My final account comes from a member of the Church of Scientology in France. He states that his name was listed in a 1999 parliamentary commission report as being the former manager of a company which had used the educational principles of L. Ron Hubbard to teach computer training. He goes on:

“I was now the head of a company of 25 people, which was doing very well. I was in touch with important French companies which recognized that our product was the best and the most efficient.

“On 21st September 99, the director of human resources of an important French bank called to tell me he had to end all commercial relationships with my company. He gave only technical reasons and did not mention my membership in Scientology. The same day, his assistant called saying, ‘We must quickly meet to see how we can break the contract.’ A contract of 3 to 4 million francs per year was broken in one day.”

He describes how his bank closed his accounts, his flat was mysteriously broken into, the whole place searched but only 30 francs taken from his children’s savings box. Then in October 99, the French national newspaper Liberation ran a front page story about a “Scientologist bug” at the Banque Populaire. The report stated that the RG had alleged new cases of “infiltration.”

As a result of these false rumors and smears, he says, “I had 80 clients, I now have only 20 clients.”

American citizens are also being targeted by French government intolerance. One of them is the world-renowned American soprano, Julia Migenes, who is at home on all great stages of the world. She has played and sung as Carmen alongside Placido Domingo in the famous movie of the same name. Julia was “disinvited” from performing at a function in Paris when someone “outed” her as a Scientologist. Ironically, and sadly, the event where she was due to perform was to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Such instances of harassment and abuse are not confined to recently established movements, either. An Evangelical Protestant church in Lyon has suffered increasing restrictions on its radio program. Last year, the Church was instructed to air none but musical programs. Until three years ago, city authorities responsible for organizing events in Lyon assisted the Church in conducting its bi-annual gospel concerts in the city. Today, not only does the city no longer furnish that assistance, but officials have refused to provide the Church with facilities such as electricity for the concert equipment.