JeraldR: Source: New York Post - circulation over 1 million. To me that's widely reported. I never read or heard anything from CCHR.

"... The only reassurance is that we never saw anyone talking to them more than politeness dictated..." If this was the case, the VM's presence was at worst benign. I beg to differ on whether or not Seung Cho was given treatment - it's been widely reported he was on antidepressants, that's still a "psychiatric treatment", even if he refused counseling. It was also reported his behavior became more bizarre after the medication. Any community outreach programs (however non-religious) sponsored by Scientology are given the same sneer by the same people, regardless of who benefits from them. I feel the people who benefit from these programs should have access to them, with all due respect to the sensitivities of those who are grieving - if they choose to be counseled or given assists by a Scientologist there's no rational reason stop them.

Well here's a simple answer to yet one more Scientology Internet slugfest. Ask the participants who have gotten assists the following: a)Did it cost you anything? b)Did it do you any good? c)Do you have any regrets? That should settle this matter once and for all. All the rest is nonsequitur.

Jerald, VT's mass tragedy at the hands of a psychiatric patient underscore what I've been saying for years: Psychiatrists don't know what the hell they're doing. How big a body count does it take to impress you? This guy was on psychiatric medication - should have been handled, right? These drugs are to unstable individuals almost what Psychadelic mushrooms were to the Viking Berserkers: they numb the individual while inducing violent psychotic episodes and suicidality; even in patients with no such prior history of such ideations. I would sooner let them smoke opium to ease their pain than take a psychiatric drug - but Scientology has proven even that's not necessary. With the proper spiritual counseling a non-communicator like Mr.Cho could have been brought up to normal or at least not dangerous, in short order. Putting the student body who witnessed this tragedy on the same psych regimen doesn't sound like a solution to me. If Scientology VM's can make that point in treating the aftermath, (which I support) more power to them - which is exactly what you fear: mainstream acceptance. Whine and complain all you want, Scientology is thriving and here to stay. The real vultures capitalizing on tragedy are the drug companies who'll try to push their nostrums on the victims of psychiatry's own timebombs and perpetuate the same.

R. Hill, So What. You might just as cynically say the first purpose of the Catholic Church is to spread Catholicism. They have charities, do they not? And orphanages, hospitals, soup kitchens, etc? In the case of Scientology VM's there is no proselytizing of a religious belief; just Scientology counseling and assists to be considered for what they're worth. Want to find out more? You're free to contact Scientology and. That hardly sounds coercive to me. BTW, according to the same "Emotional Tone Scale" "Cheerfulness" and "Contentment" are more valued states of mind than "Hate" and "Hostility".

Despite the cynicism proferred by disaffected Scientology members to this forum I think it would be ironic if the outcome of the VT shootings would be a call for more psychiatric psychiatric drugging. This horrific tragedy from my perspective underscores the incompetence of psychiatry. Why did this deranged young man go on his rampage AFTER treatment instead of before? Why is it nearly every mass shooting involves a person on antidepressants? I think these are fair questions to ask. I support the volunteer ministers efforts to console the grief-stricken who would turn to them for a non-psychiatric solution to their pain and sorrow. To put them down as carpetbaggers is mean spirited.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3806579221436766245

I don't anything about OT-3 or a "Xenu" - but would venture to guess most people believe we are not alone in this universe. Maybe you can explain this aerial phenomenon and thousands of others like it. Just food for thought.

Despite the cynicism proferred by disaffected Scientology members to this forum I think it would be ironic if the outcome of the VT shootings would be a call for more psychiatric psychiatric drugging. This horrific tragedy from my perspective underscores the incompetence of psychiatry. Why did this deranged young man go on his rampage AFTER treatment instead of before? Why is it nearly every mass shooting involves a person on antidepressants? I think these are fair questions to ask. I support the volunteer ministers efforts to console the grief-stricken who would turn to them for a non-psychiatric solution to their pain and sorrow. To put them down as carpetbaggers is mean spirited.