The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that, after once being banned from classrooms, Scientology is back in California classroom spreading its controversial theories on drug use. The program is run by Narconon, an organization that was created by the Church and founded on the theories of L. Ron Hubbard. Narconon offers the lessons for free, but experts say that the theories are not only unfounded but directly connected to the religious organization that some accused of being a cult or criminal enterprise. Scientology has long objected to what it views as discrimination directed against it while ignoring mainstream religions. It also insists that Narconon is a successful and independent and secular organization.
In 2005, medical and educational experts studies the Narconon material and sessions and concluded that they were not based on actual science but unfounded and wrong concepts founded in Hubbard’s teachings. Those findings led to the removal of Narconon from the schools, but now a decade later Scientology has found its way back into classrooms — offering its materials and instruction for free to school officials. Many teachers who are trained by Narconon were not aware that they were in a Scientology offshoot.
Scientology insists that its materials have been rewritten and that there is separation between Scientology church affairs and the work of Narconon.
Hubbard, a former Science Fiction writer, created the futuristic theories of Scientology and its aggressive (and controversial) recruitment system. The Church opposes drugs and alcohol, which the Church says are impediments to achieving a state of mental purity called “Clear.”
Narconon’s lessons include such debunked theories that drugs reside in body fat for years and can cause people to feel high during times of stress. It also teaches that drugs burn up vitamins and nutrients, resulting in pain and relapse. It claims that the “munchies” resulting from marijuana use is due to a loss of vitamins and nutrients. All of these theories by Hubbard have been ridiculed by experts as ridiculous. (By the way, there is an excellent science piece in the Smithsonian on the real reason for munchies here).
After the study in 2005, Jack O’Connell, then the state superintendent of public instruction, sent out a letter on Feb. 24, 2005 that warned “Narconon’s drug prevention program does not reflect accurate, widely-accepted medical and scientific evidence.” However, the department does not have the authority to ban such programs, a decision which must be made by school districts. Some did so, however, including Los Angeles and San Francisco, which concluded their own expert reviews of the materials and theories.
However, the Chronicle found Narconon workings in other school districts including thirteen in the bay area alone, including Fremont, Los Altos, Morgan Hill, San Jose, San Ramon, Santa Clara and Santa Rosa.
The newspaper found copyrighted material being distributed in schools that directly incorporate religious Scientology concepts like “tone scale,” a Scientology doctrine dealing with emotions. It is a concept created by Hubbard who encouraged his followers to “just draw a horizontal line on the page. Put the people who are less alive on the bottom and the people who are more alive on the top.” The theory is explained in Hubbard’s 1951 book Science of Survival that a “tone” has many manifestations including appearance, chronic emotion, the way the person handles other people, how well the person can pass on a communication given to them, and other characteristics.
Scientologist and President of Narconon International Clark Carr has publicly claimed that “[i]n the last couple of years, the number of youth who heard the anti-drug message have increased from 11,000 to 22,000” and says that “Narconon has been responding to increasing demand from schools in Northern California.” He adds that “Narconon provides this program as a public service at no charge, funded entirely by Narconon centers.”
In fairness to Scientology, there is often little objection to other churches being incorporated into government programs. President Obama fulfilled his pledge to not only continue President Bush’s faith-based programs but to expand them. For those who believe in strict separation of church and state, this line has long been blurred by those who want to see public money go to religious institution for vouchers and educational programs. What is interesting about this controversy however is that the underlying theories have been debunked by experts. However, the free program clearly appeals to cash-strapped school districts.
Source: SFGate
I just blame everything on Xenu.
Narconon is the definitely the most successful group for getting people off of drugs. Period. Your critical antisocial ‘experts’, Mr Turley, can take a hike into the nearest river. You have such a hard-on for bashing anything Hubbard did in his far more active and achieving life than you will ever achieve in one lifetime. Be proud he went to your college and leave the lies and jealous criticisms under your pillow. Okay, you have achieved quite a bit, I’ll admit, but you’re talking about the greatest writer of all times, as you may come to appreciate in a hundred years or so. And for the record, the God stuff in Narconon, Dianetics or Scientology is nonexistant except for your own personal beliefs. Scientology is not that kind of religion. Dianetics is the only extant science of the mind. Narconon is composed of straight knowlege and processes that really work. Oh, yes & not one of these subjects brain washes or hypnotizes. Quite the OPPOSITE. A lot of people out there, bloggers & commenters alike, could do with some unbrainwashing…..
I think that L. Ron was a decent science fiction writer. After that, it all fall apart.
traveling limey, I would be interested in hearing a logical defense of Narconon, but please without all the personal attacks against Professor Turley. You took a whole paragraph to personally defame someone, with the only rational argument being your first sentence: “Narconon is the definitely the most successful group for getting people off of drugs.” How about giving us some studies or statistics on that with sources. Such would represent a legitimate educational and government interest.
Davidm2575, scientologists have been taught by Hubbard to “always attack, never defend.” Following is part of Hubbard’s “fair game” policy, which he wrote in 1967; because I am against scientology, I am considered by them to be an “SP,” or “suppressive person.” Here’s what Hubbard said that good scientologists should do with SPs: ““SP Order. Fair game. May be deprived of property or injured by any means by any Scientologist without any discipline of the Scientologist. May be tricked, sued or lied to or destroyed.”
Narconon lies about their statistics. Scientology is desperate for people to think the program works because a) they want to believe that Ron the Con was never wrong; and b) Narconon is nothing but a scientology front group which churns out the cash ($30,000 per stay) and funnels it back to scientology bank accounts.
http://www.reachingforthetippingpoint.net/
apieceofblueksy wrote: “Scientology is desperate for people to think the program works because a) they want to believe that Ron the Con was never wrong; and b) Narconon is nothing but a scientology front group which churns out the cash ($30,000 per stay) and funnels it back to scientology bank accounts.”
Based upon their website, Narconon appears like many other rehabilitation programs. They have a physical detox program followed by education. They have existed since 1966. Are you really suggesting that they have no success at all?
By sheer good luck, they could get about a 10-20% rate.
Some good natured ball busting amongst the dudes. No flopping, no I’m going to tell the teacher. Refreshing.
Even right leaning youth are far more tolerant than their right leaning parents. David’s nirvana won’t come to fruition, thank goodness.
Annie wrote: “Even right leaning youth are far more tolerant than their right leaning parents.”
True enough, that is the tendency of children. But you forget that as they age, they tend to become more conservative because usually they become more wise with experience.
David, with every passing generation tolerance and enlightment moves forward, unless one lives in an Islamist society. Christianists are on their heels.
Annie, I think you confuse tolerance with lawlessness and enlightenment with elitism and censorship.
I think not David.
Oh whoa, you could make a joke out of that. 😉
By 2024 just think, an entire generation of Americans will think it perfectly perfect to have a Democratic President in office and it’s last collective recollection of a repub will be of torturing, tongue-tied, economy tanking Dub-ya.
It’s a PR and political Nirvana!
Mespo,
Hi ho, hi ho, it’s off to the Presidency we go!
davidm:
Now that was funny — and accurate.
Thanks, Dredd. Now that’s funny!
Annie:
Wait ‘ll 2016. It’s Snow White versus the Seven Dwarfs.
Annie
Mespo, he who laughs last …. I don’t recall any laughing from Republicans in 2008 and 2012.
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They were all asleep after Ronnie Raygun ran out of batteries and listening to pour some sugar on me … they woke up on Monday to find that Obama and his negro army had wrecked the joint.
“How does the Church of Spinelli make it w/ these CRAZY low prices, VOLUME, VOLUME, VOLUME!”
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He’d give it away but his wife won’t let him!!
Dredd, good one, LOL!
Mespo, he who laughs last….I don’t recall any laughing from Republicans in 2008 and 2012.
angryman:
I beg to differ. No one but Ernest can heal you through the TV. Here’s a comparison lest you doubt me:
The NRA church is a Cult 45.
davidm:
Thanks for explaining how everyone should react to your words. It’s very Republican of you.
I’ll await your inevitable laugh.
Mespo wrote: “I’ll await your inevitable laugh.”
LOL.
So the Republican party is the party of “God made me do it” and the Democratic Party is the part of “The Devil made me do it.” Got it.
Mark 16:17-18
English Standard Version (ESV)
17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
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Mr. Keebler this is the Bible passage that the snake handling Pentacostals base their snake handling rituals on. Unfortunately, the recovery part hasn’t held true. So much for the word of God.
“How does the Church of Spinelli make it w/ these CRAZY low prices, VOLUME, VOLUME, VOLUME, that’s how.”
“How does the Church of Spinelli make it w/ these CRAZY low prices, VOLUME, VOLUME, VOLUME!”
“mespo, You can sign up w/ the Church of Spinelli by sending $29.95 to: The Church of Spinelli PO Box 666 NY, NY. You will receive literature and a t-shirt as an introductory offer. You will then be billed a mere $9.95/month.”
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Well, you’re cheaper than my favorite Ernest “Heal Me Through the TV” Angley.
https://www.ernestangley.org/miracles
His price is thousands upon thousands cheaper than scientology, also.
Seriously? Ernest is my favorite too though he has some mighty competition.
On Tue, May 27, 2014 at 3:33 PM, JONATHAN TURLEY wrote:
> mespo727272 commented: “”mespo, You can sign up w/ the Church of > Spinelli by sending $29.95 to: The Church of Spinelli PO Box 666 NY, NY. > You will receive literature and a t-shirt as an introductory offer. You > will then be billed a mere $9.95/month.” ******************* We” >