Inside The Voucher Schools That Teach L. Ron Hubbard, But Say Theyre Not Scientologist

[turbinetree]

CLEARWATER, Fla. ― It was a weekday afternoon here in early December, and a gaggle of kids outside of Clearwater Academy International were playing with a ball, their laughter and shouts filling the air. The school is just a few blocks away from the spiritual headquarters for the Church of Scientology, and church volunteers appeared to be preparing for an event.

Garrett Cantrell, who is not a Scientologist, recalled his time at the school as he sat near Clearwater’s harbor, surrounded by Scientologist retreat centers. The school was small and private, exactly what Cantrell was seeking in a high school after moving to Florida from New York in 2008.

He and his family, as they toured the school, had asked about its religious affiliations before he enrolled, specifically wanting to make sure it wasn’t associated with Scientology. An employee told them, no. But a few months into the school year, Cantrell decided the answer was not so clear cut.

Clearwater Academy International is one of dozens of schools and tutoring centers in the U.S. that use learning materials based on the ideas of L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of the church of Scientology. Five of these schools and tutoring centers, including Clearwater Academy, receive public funding through voucher or tax credit scholarship programs, HuffPost has found.

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/scientology-schools_us_5a2d8b9ee4b069ec48ae4109


November 2018 cannot not get here fast enough, this really fucked up

[HAB911]

1. In a potential win for Scientology, House tax bill favors more political freedom for churches

CLEARWATER — It was the evangelical Christian right that cheered President Donald Trump’s early promise to revoke the law that forbids churches, with their tax-exempt status, from endorsing political candidates.

Now that Republican lawmakers have tucked a provision softening the Johnson Amendment into the House tax reform bill, the impact could be broader than the Trump supporters envisioned, giving aid to the Church of Scientology, with its history of seeking legitimacy through proximity to politicians.

While the House version of the tax overhaul includes wording allowing religious leaders and nonprofits to back candidates without losing their tax-exempt status, the Senate version doesn’t mention it. Both chambers now have to reconcile the versions so a final bill can go for a vote.

If the change makes the cut, the Church of Scientology could use it to find political allies against the intense, ongoing scrutiny blanketing the organization. The church is facing calls for the IRS to investigate allegations it exploits members financially to enrich its leader David Miscavige, petitions for the FBI to re-investigate allegations of human trafficking, and the viral success of the Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath series, which has detailed alleged abuses and fraud to millions of viewers.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/scientology/In-a-potential-win-for-Scientology-House-tax-bill-favors-more-political-freedom-for-churches_163283652

[turbinetree]

3. Again, November 2018 cannot get here fast enough

That also is just screwed up, the insane are in the house, this is just messed up........................


Thanx

[Nevernose]

2. Im actually very thankful to Scientology for their work in A school

Just the one school, the one time.

Much like the Ayn Randians, they’ll send copies of books to schools — “free books” might be the main reason you see them in schools.

The Scientologists often send out some free, leather bound, nice physical quality Hubbard pulp fiction. Our librarian gets a few every year. They make their wealthier members purchase them.

When my wife was made librarian of her school (back when she was a teacher), there were no books. Zero. She was told to “find some.” She mentioned this in her thank you note to the Scientologists who sent her the three free books.

They responded by buying the school an entire library. All of Hubbard’s pulp fiction works, of course, a few hundred volumes worth, and then boxes and boxes of other books. Everything from dictionaries to Twilight. No Dianetics.

Of course, now they won’t leave us alone...

[chowder66]

4. Mission Renaissance is one of those places.

They use L.Ron's business management system which was printed at the bottom of their employment application. I interviewed with them not knowing this. They gave me a personality test which went into asking questions about my reproductive system and they asked in the face to face interview if I was married, had a boyfriend... if I was close to my family and friends, etc.

I got the job, left, ran to my car and called the FBI. They had an investigation going on them but nothing ever came of it...at least that I know of. They are still in business. I told them I got another offer which I didn't but one came the next day from a good company.

Scared the shit out of me.