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October-December, 1998

Inside

Scientology Copyright P.1
Jonestown 20 years later P.1
Happenings P.2
CULTinfo Conference
 P.2
Remembering Lisa McPherson
P.3
Scientology Indicted
 P.3
Newsbriefs P.3
Children of God P.4
Children Colombia P.4
Medical Care P.4
Scientology Refunds P.4
Events P.5
Announcements P.5

Scientology Loses Copyright Round in Court

A recent judicial ruling in the FACTNet lawsuit represents a real opportunity for FACTNet and others who have been suppressed by Scientology's silence-by-litigation tactics. Although Scientology initiated the lawsuit, it is now probable that Scientology is more on the defensive than FACTNet, as Scientology faces accusations of committing fraud on the copyright office and the federal court. FACTNet recently filed a number of powerful motions revealing prevalent fraud regarding Scientology's copyrights. Please see the FACTNet web site at www.factnet.org under Headlines for these motions in full.

An excellent article was written on the ruling by John Borland of CNET News.com, called "Scientology Loses Copyright Round" [November 9, 1998} at http://www.news.com/News/Item/0,4,28539,00.html

[In 1995 Scientology raided FACTNet's offices on questionable grounds and then sued FACTNet, events that propelled FACTNet into national news. At issue in the lawsuit are the positive aspects of freedom of expression and nonprofit libraries, versus Scientology's agenda to silence its critics. FACTNet has spent over $2 million on the lawsuit and is committed to raise the funds needed to win this important case. See http://www.factnet.org/Scientology/raid.html for details of the lawsuit. Donations are much needed and tax-deductible. -FACTNet]

Jonestown 20 Years Later: 1978 Tragedies Killed 912 People

November 18, 1998 marked the 20-year anniversary of the mass tragedy at Jonestown, Guyana, in which 912 members of the People's Temple died after leader Jim Jones issued murder-suicide orders. Those who refused to drink cyanide-laced punch were forced to drink at gunpoint or shot. Mothers administered the poison to their babies using eyedroppers. Of the 912 dead, 276 were infants or children.

Jones ordered the deaths after People’s Temple members killed Congressman Leo Ryan, who had gone to Jonestown on a fact-finding mission. After only a day at the Jonestown compound, a member tried to stab Ryan. The injury was minor, but Ryan decided to leave, and a couple dozen People’s Temple members decided to leave with him. Other members followed the group to the airstrip and opened fire, killing Ryan, three journalists, and one of the departing members.

Within a few months of the mass deaths, other People’s Temple members who had survived also committed suicide, with one mother slitting the throats of her three children.

A year later, ex-People's Temple members Jeanne and Al Mills and their daughter, who had been speaking out about their cult experience, were killed in their Berkeley, CA home. They had become among the most vocal People’s Temple critics and for months had feared for their safety.

Each year, a memorial is held at Evergreen Cemetery in Oakland, CA where 260 People’s Temple children are buried. Due to the lack of dental records, the children were never able to be identified and thus were buried together there.

In memory of the tragedies at and surrounding Jonestown, especially for the children who suffered, FACTNet has set up a special Jonestown memorial section on the FACTNet web site with the heartfelt hope that public awareness of the severe dangers of cults may help avert similar future devastation. FACTNet’s special memorial section is located on the FACTNet web site at www.factnet.org under Headlines.

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This editorial/opinion/news alert has been provided or distributed by FACTNet, Inc. (Fight Against Coercive Tactics Network.) Since 1993 we have been the largest online news and referral service as well as research archive for defending freedom of thought and mind from all forms of unethical influence tactics, mind control and mental coercion/torture used in destructive cults and fundamentalist groups. FACTNet is a tax deductible, IRS Approved 501(c)(3) non profit organization.

For breaking news, personal stories, recovery information, support groups, expert referrals, message boards, newsletters and books relating to destructive cults and fundamentalism, mind control, mental coercion and unethical psychological influence, please visit our web site at http://www.factnet.org  If you would like to comment on this editorial/opinion/news or to share your personal experiences, go to one of our many various message boards at http://www.factnet.org/discus/ .

Re-distribution and re-posting of this document using proper net etiquette when doing so, is appreciated!

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