Scientology shifting front group strategy — it’s all about kids, kids, kids

 
Rod Keller keeps a close watch on Scientology’s numerous front groups, and today he tells us about a new group emerging…

Scientology front group CCHR (Citizens Commission on Human Rights) is opening a new front against psychiatry. CCHR is the protest and lobbying organization under which Scientology battles the “psychs,” taken to mean all psychiatrists, psychologists, pharmaceutical and device manufacturers. The focus has always been to battle mental health professionals in legislatures and courtrooms, but a new initiative in development may shift the group’s focus towards parents and schools.

Coming soon – fightforkids.org, which will “use innovative technology to create a global movement of advocacy and engagement for the love and protection of children.” The metadata on the placeholder page states:

The Purpose of FightForKids.org is to provide parents with facts about child “mental disorders” such as ADHD, as well as the documented risks of the psychiatric drugs prescribed them. To provide parents with non-harmful medical and educations [sic] solutions to address problems of attention, learning and behavior without the use of mind-altering and dangerous drugs.

 
What innovative technologies will be used is unknown, but the bright, cheery colors stand in opposition to the dark imagery of CCHR’s protests at psychiatric conferences and the often-mocked “Psychiatry – An Industry of Death” museums and traveling exhibits. When Scientologists march they carry red and black signs and sometimes a Scientologist will dress as a crazed psychiatrist to torture a dummy with electroshock therapy equipment.

 
Expect fightforkids.org to shift from grisly protest toward education and to follow the lead of the Foundation for a Drug Free World and Youth for Human Rights which each provide a materials for parents, and a full curriculum that can be implemented in the classroom.

 
CCHR has always advocated against mental health care for children, but the new web site comes at the same time that CCHR sent “mature rated” DVDs to hundreds of schools in Australia, and we expect fightforkids.org to be the focus for CCHR’s new school initiative. Australia may be the pilot program for a global school initiative.

The web site joins two others Scientology has released in recent months that indicate a trend – scientologyreligion.org and standleague.org share a message that Scientology is tired of being laughed at. Scientologyreligion.org presents the views of scholars and government officials that Scientology is a real religion and standleague.org berates those who criticize or mock Scientology in the media. Both web sites advocate a new Charter on Journalistic Ethics in Relation to Respect for Religion or Belief, which if adopted would put an effective end to reporting on Scientology. Even mentions in passing such as this article in the tiny Durango (Colorado) Telegraph have come under attack from STAND.

 
We expect fightforkids.org to abandon the dark imagery of the Industry of Death materials and instead provide parents and educators with materials on the dangers of mental health treatments, and there are many that are legitimate. In doing so they will provide a more respectable face for Scientology’s anti-psych programs. The museums and angry protests have provided targets for mockery and Scientology is taking action on several fronts to combat derision in the media. CCHR appears to be shifting from the grotesque and comical to a more serious educational approach.

 
— Rod Keller

 
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Jeffrey Augustine talks to Janis Gillham Grady

Here’s Janis’s first interview about her new book, Commodore’s Messenger.

 
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Posted by Tony Ortega on July 23, 2017 at 07:00

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The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2016 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Undergound Bunker (2012-2016), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)

Learn about Scientology with our numerous series with experts…

BLOGGING DIANETICS: We read Scientology’s founding text cover to cover with the help of L.A. attorney and former church member Vance Woodward
UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists
GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice
SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts

Other links: Shelly Miscavige, ten years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | Scientology’s Private Dancer | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | Scientology boasts about assistance from Google | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ

Our Guide to Alex Gibney’s film ‘Going Clear,’ and our pages about its principal figures…
Jason Beghe | Tom DeVocht | Sara Goldberg | Paul Haggis | Mark “Marty” Rathbun | Mike Rinder | Spanky Taylor | Hana Whitfield