To the secret society of the St. Petersburg Times editorial board:
I read the editorial about Scientology, and I really do not appreciate what was said in it. Scientology is a recognized religion. This has been proven time after time. This editorial is actually 100 percent discriminatory about the Church of Scientology and its parishioners.
I've been in Scientology my entire life and I'm proud to be one; nobody is going to change this. Your discriminatory comments are not okay and actually just show how ignorant the person writing it is on the subject.
I would have thought that this type of thing would not be happening in the 21st century. Such discrimination has already been done to African-Americans, Jews, American Indians. I think this is no time to start another discrimination campaign.
In Scientology we are only here to help others and this is what we are doing. So please, instead of trying to stop the good things happening in Clearwater, why don't you worry about stopping the real enemies: the people who are destroying others.
-- - Matteo Perin, Dunedin
Apology from a former church member
Re: City by the sea, editorial, July 25.
I'm so sorry, Clearwater!
My husband had been born into Scientology, his parents having joined founder L. Ron Hubbard in 1950. I joined Scientology in 1969, having quit college, as so many do, to follow a man I believed understood mankind and really cared about all people of Earth.
Roll forward to 1979. We arrive as Scientologists to Clearwater, where there is an entire campaign, "Save sparkling Clearwater, stamp out Scientology."
It took many more years for me to honestly see what con men and women the executives of Scientology really are. Once I did fully see who they are and what they really care about (dollars), I left forever in July 2000. I thank my friend in Norway for helping me see the Scientology-Truman Show I was trapped in.
Oh sure, the average Scientologist is a good person and they do care. However, they are shielded from reading, listening and hearing the facts that their so-called "church" does terrorize people, break up families, lie, cheat and harm in many ways those who have chosen to leave, especially those like myself who speak out.
I lived through their medical malpractice, and the fact that they slipped through the cracks and got out of facing the real music about Lisa McPherson. Notice that immediately, once the McPherson case is settled, their big public relations push begins. They knew they couldn't start it until that was settled.
Now Clearwater is "their town." How pathetic.
I'm sorry, Clearwater. I didn't know who they really were. Most of all, I'm sorry about Richard Tenny, who was running for office and got voted out because of one of Scientology's many campaigns to crush anyone they don't like.
Let your city be an example, a demonstration for all to see, of what life is like when a totalitarian organization runs it. Sure, on the outside it will look terrific. Wait for the true stories that slip out. Those will tell all.
-- - Tory Christman, Burbank, Calif.
Editorial misrepresented religion
Re: City by the sea, editorial, July 25.
I think it is quite ridiculous for someone to write an editorial on Scientology and Scientologists when it contains so many false statements and things taken out of context.
It is not okay to state or insinuate that Scientology is anything but what it is. Had this article been about any other religion, I do not believe it would have gotten published. No one would accuse Catholics of having a secret plan to take over Rome or that Mormons want to take over Salt Lake City, because this is just not true.
Before reporting on Scientology, please do actual research and present the facts. Do not twist or alter things for your own or someone else's agenda.
Scientologists seek only to help. Find out for yourself if you do not wish to take my word for it.
-- - Travis Weber, Clearwater
Cooperate for Clearwater's future
Re: City by the sea, editorial, July 25.
I labored a long time on whether I should even write this letter, knowing it may upset many of my friends, but after reading Scientology's town on July 18 and the editorial City by the sea on July 25, and hearing so many negative comments about Scientology and the downtown, I felt compelled to put my thoughts in writing.
Clearwater has always been special to me. I was born and raised here. This is my hometown. I can remember downtown Clearwater as a vivacious center of commerce with three movie theaters, restaurants and the best shopping around.
As is the case in most growing cities, businesses anticipated the growth and positioned themselves in new areas of expansion away from the central core of the old downtown. Clearwater is so attractive that in my lifetime it has been completely developed, and now is in the most densely populated area in Florida.
In the early 1970s, Scientology came to Clearwater. Their first appearance under a shroud of secrecy is what many still remember. I'm sure that Scientology had long-term plans for growth in Clearwater then and their appearance was not by accident. They picked the perfect place - an area on a bluff overlooking a beautiful harbor that had been abandoned by businesses looking for the "edge" by moving toward the new growth centers.
Like it or not, Scientology is in Clearwater to stay. They have renovated aging buildings and are building new ones. The Church of Scientology is the largest taxpayer in the downtown district. Unfortunately, some have written off the area as a Scientology haven and will not support any improvements downtown.
According to Dwight Matheny, a Scientologist and chairman of the Downtown Development Board, Scientologists want a homogenous downtown. Several large projects proposed for downtown are partnerships between Scientologists and nonmembers. Many existing downtown businesses are owned by nonmembers but patronized by Scientologists. They buy products and services from everyone.
Scientologists want a downtown with appeal for everyone. Today's Scientologists are taking steps to blend in and not have an overwhelming appearance downtown. The architecture of their new buildings blends with the existing and they don't stand out as Scientology-owned. When the new Flag building is completed, many of the throngs of Scientologists moving from building to building downtown will go away.
I am not a Scientologist, but I do care about my city. Please look at the big picture here. We should not let Scientology become the only stakeholder in our beautiful downtown. They are not going to be driven out by failed referendums for improvements. It's my opinion that the ground is fertile with opportunity now for businesses, owned by Scientologists or non-Scientologists, to come to a downtown that will again thrive in the near future.
It's also time for Clearwater officials, residents and Scientologists to put the past behind them and work together in revitalizing a downtown that everyone can enjoy. Our city by the sea belongs to all its residents.
-- - David Allbritton, vice chairman, Clearwater Downtown Development Board
[Last modified August 2, 2004, 01:00:29]
