![]() “Scientology had managed to persuade courts … that you can’t inquire into our religious practices and beliefs and have managed to dissuade much discussion about Scientology,” Rinder said. For the most part, Rinder said, cases involving the church have played out in civil court, where lawyers for Scientology have largely been successful in convincing judges that its practices are irrelevant. The case against Masterson, Rinder added, is also unusual for the outsize role the inner workings and rules of Scientology played at the preliminary hearing - a likely preview of what is to come if the case goes to trial. Knowing that contacting law enforcement can lead to excommunication and being cut off from family and friends who remain in the church, members often remain silent, according to Rinder and testimony delivered in court last week. ![]() Ron Hubbard, the late science fiction author who founded the church. The church’s doctrine generally dismisses government institutions like courts as invalid and directs members to deal with complaints internally, said Rinder, who described himself as having worked closely with L. The case against Masterson, who starred in the 2000s sitcom “That ’70s Show,” is a relatively rare example of a Scientologist facing criminal charges based on accusations from other church members, Rinder said. Interpretation of Church doctrine by the courts is prohibited and the ruling is evidence of why.” “The Court either did not read them in full or ignored them. This is blatantly clear in the documents we understand were put before the Court - and many others,” Pouw wrote, repeatedly noting the church is not a party in the criminal case. “Church policy explicitly demands Scientologists abide by all laws of the land, including the reporting of crimes. It’s hard to imagine it now, but there was once a time when few Americans outside the Celebrity Centre knew what an E-meter was. Television Review: ‘Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath’ is a compelling, if unsophisticated, investigation of church Rinder is a co-executive producer with Remini of an A&E series about Scientology. ![]() The women, Pouw claimed without evidence, are parroting comments made by Leah Remini, an actress who became an outspoken critic of Scientology after breaking with it in 2013. Karin Pouw, the church’s top spokeswoman, said Olmedo’s comments were “flat-out wrong” and dismissed the allegations against Masterson as “nothing more than a money shakedown” by women who are also engaged in a civil suit against him. In statements to The Times, the church denied it has a policy that dissuades members from reporting crimes, despite repeated references to Scientology texts during the hearing that appeared to include the directive. that it’s sort of brought the dirty laundry out into public view, which is exactly what Scientology does not want to have happen,” said Mike Rinder, the church’s former top spokesman, who left the faith in 2007. “The activities of Scientology have been so much a part of the evidence that’s being put forth as to why these women were not immediately going to law enforcement. The church, which counts a number of high-profile actors among its parishioners and operates a “Celebrity Centre” in the heart of Hollywood, has long been accused of going to extraordinary lengths to keep criminal allegations and other claims of wrongdoing in-house, experts said. It was a type of public dissection that is unusual for the insular, enigmatic institution. ![]() The policy explained why several of the women did not report Masterson’s alleged crimes to the police for more than a decade, the judge found. In ruling that there was sufficient evidence against Masterson to allow the case to proceed toward trial, Olmedo concluded that Scientology has “an expressly written doctrine” that “not only discourages, but prohibits” its members from reporting one another to law enforcement. The focus on Scientology during the preliminary hearing, which stretched over four days and included lengthy discussions of internal church texts and doctrine, wasn’t lost on Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo. One of three women to accuse actor Danny Masterson of rape testified about the alleged assault and said the Church of Scientology tried to discourage her from reporting the incident to police. California In Danny Masterson rape case, accuser says Scientologists tried to protect actor ![]()
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