http://www.msnbc.com/news/525674.asp
Scientology: ties to Bush team?
Feb. 5 — Will the Bush administration be a friend to Scientology? Officials
at the controversial religion — which many critics have called a cult — have
been boasting about its ties to the current administration, and are saying
that the president’s support of faith-based social programs could mean that
the government will funnel tax money its way.
ONE SUCH PROGRAM is Applied Scholastics, a Los Angeles-based operation that
promotes the teaching methods of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. Applied
Scholastics has been successful with church and community tutoring programs,
especially in some inner cities in California — but Scientology foes have
charged that it’s a front for the church and a recruiting tool.
A recent issue of Freedom, the official Scientology magazine, features
a picture, taken back at the President’s Summit for America’s Future, with
Barbara and George H. Bush embracing both a high-ranking executive of the
Church of Scientology and John Travolta, the actor who is a member and vocal
advocate of Scientology. Colin and Alma Powell are also in the photo, which
was taken when the church officials went to the summit in Philadelphia,
during the Clinton years, to promote Applied Scholastics.
“The [Bush administration] initiative may break down the academic
church/state formula and instead look at who can provide the help that’s
really needed,” says a church spokesman. “I’m optimistic about the whole
thing.”
“The Bushes have long been associated with faith-based programs that
address the needs of our society,” says cult and alternative religion expert
Rick Ross, whose Web site, www.rickross.com, outlines the Bushes’ connections
to the Rev. Moon and his various programs. “Some of these groups are very
controversial and may have alternative agendas. So when we talk about funding
faith-based programs, we should proceed very cautiously.”
A Bush spokesman had no comment by press time.
