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'''Aaron Saxton''' (born 1974<ref name="politicsofreligion" />) is a former Scientologist and member of the organization's elite group called the [[Sea Org]]. He contacted Senator [[Nick Xenophon]] of [[Australia]], who quoted statements by Saxton about Scientology into the parliamentary record of the [[Australian Senate]].
'''Aaron Saxton''' (born 1975<ref name="politicsofreligion" />) is a former Scientologist and member of the organization's elite group called the [[Sea Org]]. He contacted Senator [[Nick Xenophon]] of [[Australia]], who quoted statements by Saxton about Scientology into the parliamentary record of the [[Australian Senate]].


''[[The Courier-Mail]]'' called Saxton a [[whistleblower]] against Scientology.<ref name="Viellaris" /> The ''[[New Zealand Herald]]'' commented that Saxton's comemnts were "at the centre" of Senator Xenophon's speech about Scientology in the Australian Senate,<ref name="politicsofreligion" /> and noted that information revealed by Saxton "caused an uproar".<ref name="dvds" /> The [[Seven Network]] program ''[[Today Tonight]]'' described Saxton's revelations about Scientology as "stunning" and "shocking".<ref name="scientologyavo" /> The [[Prime Minister of Australia]], [[Kevin Rudd]], described the concerns raised about Scientology in the Australian Senate as "grave".<ref name="scientologyfaces" />
''[[The Courier-Mail]]'' called Saxton a [[whistleblower]] against Scientology.<ref name="Viellaris" /> The ''[[New Zealand Herald]]'' commented that Saxton's comemnts were "at the centre" of Senator Xenophon's speech about Scientology in the Australian Senate,<ref name="politicsofreligion" /> and noted that information revealed by Saxton "caused an uproar".<ref name="dvds" /> The [[Seven Network]] program ''[[Today Tonight]]'' described Saxton's revelations about Scientology as "stunning" and "shocking".<ref name="scientologyavo" /> The [[Prime Minister of Australia]], [[Kevin Rudd]], described the concerns raised about Scientology in the Australian Senate as "grave".<ref name="scientologyfaces" />

Revision as of 00:21, 23 March 2010

Aaron Saxton
Born1975
Known forWhistleblower against Scientology

Aaron Saxton (born 1975[1]) is a former Scientologist and member of the organization's elite group called the Sea Org. He contacted Senator Nick Xenophon of Australia, who quoted statements by Saxton about Scientology into the parliamentary record of the Australian Senate.

The Courier-Mail called Saxton a whistleblower against Scientology.[2] The New Zealand Herald commented that Saxton's comemnts were "at the centre" of Senator Xenophon's speech about Scientology in the Australian Senate,[1] and noted that information revealed by Saxton "caused an uproar".[3] The Seven Network program Today Tonight described Saxton's revelations about Scientology as "stunning" and "shocking".[4] The Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd, described the concerns raised about Scientology in the Australian Senate as "grave".[5]

Biography

Scientology official

Australia and United States

Aaron Saxton was born into the Scientology organization.[2] Saxton's mother signed over guardianship of her son to Scientology when he was 16 years old.[1] Saxton was assigned to become a security officer for the organization.[1] He became a senior official within the elite Scientology group known as the Sea Org.[6] According to Saxton staff in Scientology were not given sufficient drugs or medical attention, and so he removed his own teeth without usage of medication for pain.[6]

Saxton successively received influential positions within the organization, both in Sydney, Australia and the United States.[7][1] Between 1989 and 1996, Saxton worked for the Church of Scientology of Australia, as well as at the headquarters of Scientology in the U.S.[8][9][10] In 1991, Saxton was assigned to work at Scientology facilities in Florida.[1]

Whistleblower against organization

In 2009, Saxton resided in Perth, Australia.[5][11] Saxton left Scientology in 2006.[12] He contacted Senator Nick Xenophon of Australia, who quoted statements by Saxton about Scientology into the parliamentary record of the Australian Senate.[13][14] In his November 2009 speech, Senator Xenophon said, "Aaron has now left the organisation and is willing to cooperate with police investigations into these matters."[15] Senator Xenophon characterized Saxton as a "victim" of Scientology that had written to him about the organization.[16] Saxton's statement was tabled in Australian parliament.[17]

Quoting Saxton, Senator Xenophon said, "In his statement Aaron also says he was forced to participate in the illegal confinement and torture of a follower who was kept under house arrest. ... He says while under control of Scientology he was involved in coercing female followers to have abortions (because) ... this was in line with a policy designed to keep followers loyal to the organisation and to allow them to keep working for the organisation."[2][18] He read into parliamentary record, "Aaron says women who fell pregnant were taken to offices and bullied to have an abortion. If they refused, they faced demotion and hard labour ... Aaron says one staff member used a coat-hanger and self-aborted her child for fear of punishment. He says she was released from the organisation and the files were destroyed."[19][1][5] Saxton said that while a member of the Scientology organization, he had participated in actions including torture and blackmail.[20][21] He asserted that Scientology members deemed to be underperforming in their tasks were ordered to eat rations of beans and rice.[22]

According to Xenophon, Saxton said he had participated in the "forced confinement and torture" of a woman in Scientology who had been relocated to a rural area in New South Wales.[6][10][14] Senator Xenophon stated Saxton was, "ordered by superiors to remove documents that would link a Scientology staff member to murder".[1] While an official for Scientology, Xenophon stated Saxton had "ordered more than 30 people to be sent to Scientology's work camps, where they were forced to undertake hard labour".[1]

In response to the statements by former Scientologists introduced into the parliamentary record of the Australian Senate by Senator Xenophon, the Prime Minister of Australia Kevin Rudd, said he would ponder opening an inquiry into Scientology.[23][5] The Prime Minister called the concerns raised in the statements by former Scientologists including Saxton "grave", and stated, "Many people in Australia have real concerns about Scientology. I share some of those concerns. But let us proceed carefully, and look carefully at the material which he has provided, before we make a decision on further parliamentary action."[24][5] Senator Xenophon noted that Saxton had been in touch with the office of the Prime Minister, and had offered to provide additional statements and testimony regarding the assertions made in the Australian Senate.[25][26]

Scientology response

A response from Scientology in November 2009 asserted that Saxton's letter to Senator Xenophon was not reliable.[27] The head of Scientology in New Zealand, Mike Ferriss, characterized Saxton as a "nutter" and a "consummate liar".[12] In a statement given by Ferriss to Campbell Live, he said, "There are no forced abortions in Scientology and if Aaron Saxton or anyone else coerced someone into having an abortion then they are way outside of the Church's policy and ethical conduct."[12]

In February 2010, Scientologist Sue Hunt attempted to get an Apprehended Violence Order, or AVO, filed against Saxton.[4] Hunt asserted that Saxton had banged on her car window during a protest against Scientology.[4] Saxton maintained that he did not know the individual.[4] Senator Xenophon spoke out critically about Scientology's actions against Saxton, and referenced the practice of Fair Game.[4] "Since Aaron has spoken out he says he's been harassed at work, his mother's been visited by private investigators, he's been getting a number of unexplained phone calls to his private number and you've got to ask the question has this got anything to do with the Scientology doctrine of Fair Game? Let me just quote you what L Ron Hubbard said about it. He said Scientology critics can be tricked, sued or lied to or destroyed They are the words of the founder of Scientology," said Senator Xenophon.[4]

Commentary

The Courier-Mail called Saxton a whistleblower against Scientology.[2] The New Zealand Herald described the statements given to Senator Xenophon by Saxton as "at the centre" of the Senator's speech in the Australian Senate criticizing Scientology.[1] The New Zealand Herald commented, "Saxton's allegations about behind-the-scenes church activities caused an uproar after they were quoted in the Australian Senate", and noted that Saxton's statements "formed part of a blistering attack in the Australian Senate".[3] The Australian current affairs program, produced by the Seven Network, Today Tonight, described Saxton's revelations as "shocking".[4] Today Tonight commented, "He joined a group of former Scientologists in revealing stunning, shocking claims of abuse, tabled by federal independent Senator Nick Xenophon."[4]

See also

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Further reading

  • "Australian Senator Nick Xenophon's speech on Church of Scientology in full". The Times. www.timesonline.co.uk. November 18, 2009. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "The politics of religion". New Zealand Herald. December 7, 2009. Retrieved 2010-03-22. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  2. ^ a b c d Viellaris, Renee (November 17, 2009). "Senator Nick Xenophon in torture claim against Scientologists". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 2010-03-22. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  3. ^ a b Nippert, Matt (November 29, 2009). "Scientology DVDs in schools". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 2010-03-22. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h Seymour, Bryan (February 4, 2010). "Scientology AVO - Scientology is lurching from controversy to the court room". Today Tonight. Seven Network. Retrieved 2010-03-22. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  5. ^ a b c d e O'Loughlin, Toni (November 18, 2009). "Scientology faces allegations of torture in Australia". The Guardian. www.guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-03-22. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  6. ^ a b c Zwartz, Barney (November 21, 2009). "Scientology's dark secrets". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2010-03-22. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  7. ^ Beaumont, Peter (November 22, 2009). "World: Special report: Wrath descends on the Church of Scientology : It has been a bad year for the controversial church, founded by L Ron Hubbard. Hollywood figures deserted it and Australia's prime minister is considering an inquiry into its activities". The Observer. Financial Times Information Limited. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ "Australia: Biserica Scientologică, acuzată de tortură, fraudă şi provocarea de avorturi forţate". Antena 3 (in Romanian). www.antena3.ro. November 19, 2009. Retrieved 2010-03-22. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  9. ^ Australian Associated Press (November 18, 2009). "Nick Xenophon says Scientology 'criminal organisation'". News.com.au. Retrieved 2010-03-22. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ a b "Church of Scientology accused of torture and forced abortions". The Times. Times Newspapers Ltd. November 19, 2009. Retrieved 2010-03-22. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  11. ^ Ternieden, Hendrik (November 20, 2009). "Debatte in Australien - "Scientology ist eine kriminelle Organisation"". Spiegel Online (in German). www.spiegel.de. Retrieved 2010-03-22. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  12. ^ a b c "Kiwi blows the whistle on Scientology". 3 News. www.3news.co.nz. November 26, 2009. Retrieved 2010-03-22. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  13. ^ "Scientology'nin ipi çekilmek üzere". Aksam (in Turkish). www.aksam.com.tr. December 13, 2009. Retrieved 2010-03-22. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  14. ^ a b Saulwick, Jacob (November 19, 2009). "Pressure mounts for Scientology inquiry". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2010-03-22. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  15. ^ "Australian Senator Nick Xenophon's speech on Church of Scientology in full: Full text of speech in which Nick Xenophon claimed the sect was guilty of torture, embezzlement and abortion". The Times. www.timesonline.co.uk. November 18, 2009. Retrieved 2010-03-22. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  16. ^ Seymour, Bryan (November 19, 2009). "Calls for Scientology inquiry: Calls are growing for a Senate inquiry into Scientology following Nick Xenophon's speech revealing claims of abuse and fraud in the Church". Today Tonight. Seven Network. Retrieved 2010-03-22. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  17. ^ Bita, Natasha (November 20, 2009). "Science or fiction?". The Australian. Nationwide News Pty Limited. p. 11. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  18. ^ Collins, Padraig (November 19, 2009). "Scientology faces allegations of abuse and covering up deaths in Australia". The Irish Times. www.irishtimes.com. Retrieved 2010-03-22. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  19. ^ "Scientology faces allegations of torture in Australia". Mail and Guardian Online. www.mg.co.za. November 19, 2009. Retrieved 2010-03-22. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  20. ^ O'Loughlin, Toni (November 19, 2009). "Australia urged to investigate Scientology abuse allegations". The Guardian. Guardian Newspapers Ltd. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  21. ^ Bita, Natasha (November 18, 2009). "Scientology criminal, says senator Nick Xenophon". The Australian. Retrieved 2010-03-22. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  22. ^ Australian Associated Press (November 17, 2009). "Church of Scientology a criminal organisation: Xenophon". {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  23. ^ Packam, Ben (November 19, 2009). "PM worry on Scientology". Herald Sun. Melbourne, Australia: Nationwide News Pty Limited. p. 011. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  24. ^ "Australian PM voices 'concerns' over Scientology". Agence France-Presse. November 18, 2009. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  25. ^ "Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has concerns about Scientology". The Advertiser. www.adelaidenow.com.au. November 18, 2009. Retrieved 2010-03-22. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  26. ^ Kemp, Miles (November 19, 2009). "PM baulks at church row". The Advertiser. Adelaide, Australia: Nationwide News Pty Limited. p. 11. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  27. ^ "Scientology'de işkence depremi". Zaman Online (in Turkish). www.zaman.com.tr. November 19, 2009. Retrieved 2010-03-22. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
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