Judge dismisses wage claim in Scientology suit
A federal judge has dismissed part of a lawsuit brought against the Church of Scientology by a woman who alleged she worked 100-hour weeks for almost no pay for years while a member of Scientology's elite inner corps, the Associated Press reports.
U.S. District Judge Dale Fischer issued a written order late Friday that dismissed the wage claims portion of Claire Headley's lawsuit. The judge did not address two other causes of action: allegations that the church coerces members of the inner corps to get abortions and engages in forced labor.
The church denies all the allegations and has called the plaintiffs liars motivated by greed.
Headley sued the church in federal court in Los Angeles last year seeking restitution for nearly 14 years of work done while a member of Scientology's inner corps, called the Sea Organization. The church argued in court papers that as a Sea Organization member, Headley was exempt from wage requirements because she was part of a religious order.
So-called Sea Org members work long hours, live and eat communally and sign a pledge that symbolizes a 1 billion-year commitment to Scientology.
Fischer sided with Scientology in her five-page ruling, saying the evidence showed that Headley was chosen for her work based on religious criteria and performed religious duties.
The ruling "reaffirms the fact that we're a religion and the people who dedicate their lives to us are religious workers," said Tommy Davis, church spokesman. "It's an absolute win for the church."
Marc Marmaro, an attorney representing the church's Religious Technology Center, declined to comment.
A separate lawsuit filed by Headley's husband alleging labor code violations and forced labor remains intact, said Barry Van Sickle, attorney for both Headleys.
Claire Headley joined the Sea Org in 1991 at age 16 and worked at several locations, including on a gated 500-acre campus near San Jacinto, Calif.; Hollywood; and Clearwater, Fla. She left the Sea Org in 2005.
Scientology was founded more than 50 years ago by L. Ron Hubbard. Membership numbers are unclear. Spokesman Tommy Davis has said Scientology has millions of members worldwide. But the American Religion Identification Survey found the number of Americans who identify as Scientologists dropped from 55,000 in 2001 to 25,000 in 2008.
Practitioners believe they can eliminate negative energy from past lives through study and "auditing" sessions that use electronic devices called "e-meters" to detect mental trauma. Adherents hope to become "Operating Thetans," or pure spirits.
The Sea Org traces its roots to 1967, when Hubbard took his most dedicated followers on sea voyages to explore early civilizations and spread his teachings. The group is now land-based and has a membership of about 5,000.
Comments
I don't see how news of a person having worked 100 hrs/wk at slave wages for years, for a space cult started by a science fiction writer, is an "absolute win for the church."
There are no pensions or elder care homes provided by Scientology to ill or aged members who work for their group. They are what is called "off-loaded" when their useful time is up.
This just shows to the world how Scientology uses and abuses its workers. Keep in mind they have to do hard labor in prison camps called the RPF, if they do something like have "bad thoughts about L. Ron Hubbard."
I understand though, how much of a loss it would have been for the cult, if they would have lost and been forced to start treating their "religious workers" decently.
Unlike other religions, 99% of Scientology's workers work at promoting the very expensive Scientology courses, and little else.
They do not run healthcare facilities or help for the homeless, soup kitchens or ANYTHING. They do little in the way of charity unless it is part of promoting their cult.
Posted by: Morris J. Girdler | April 6, 2010 4:09 PM
I think when grown ups work for free by their own free choice they have no right to whine about it. I'm no fan of Scientology, but it is their choice to not run facilities for the homeless or soup kitchens.
It's wonderful that some churches do such things Morris. But don't delude yourself. That, too, is big business.
Posted by: Dana LaRocca | April 6, 2010 4:39 PM