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Support for Scientology
Two prominent New York politicians are helping raise funds for
a controversial program with links to Scientology.
Senator Charles Schumer and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney have
written letters heaping praise upon the New York Rescue
Detoxification Fund ? a project that has been working with
firefighters and other first-responders who have health problems
as a result of 9/11.
The letters of support have shocked some, because the group has
such close ties to to Scientology. The techniques used by the
organization are based on the teachings of science-fiction writer
and Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, and the group has been
heavily promoted by Scientology. And last year, after health-care
professionals questioned some of the detoxification treatments,
a New York firefighters union withdrew its endorsement of the
group.
But Senator Schumer wrote a letter last month that?s being used
to help raise money for the group. ?I strongly urge you to
support the New York Rescue Detoxification Fund and wish them
all the success in their future endeavors,? Schumer wrote in a
February 6 letter that was sent to the group?s community
outreach director and is being sent to potential donors. A
similar letter was written by Congresswoman Maloney two days
earlier.
Senator Schumer?s office had no comment at press time, but a
spokesman for Maloney tells The Scoop that despite the
controversy that surrounds the program, ?she thinks that if
people who want to get out there and offer their help to
rescue workers, that?s great.?
?This group?s detoxification process is virtually identical to
the religious ritual known within Scientology as the purification
rundown,? says cult expert Rick Ross, who writes about the
controversy at CultNews.com. ?Senator Schumer and Congresswoman
Maloney now join Tom Cruise as ardent boosters and fundraisers
for Scientology through what can be seen as a thinly-veiled
program promoting its teachings.?