That my friends, is John Sweeney a BBC reporter for the program Panorama. Obviously upset about something as he yells at a Scientologist. Not very professional but John explains himself in this article. BBC went into damage control and invited the Panorama editor Sandy Smith onto the news to explain more of the situation, here is that video.
More: BBC - Editor defends Scientology report
*Edit: More - Full Panorama Documentary now Online.
Other then the pamphlets I get in my mailbox I don't know much about Scientology, actually I'm quite happy they don't knock on my door on Saturday morning like the Jehovah's Witnesses' do. I learnt about Scientology from South Park but if you have 48 minutes to spare you can watch this mind blowing documentary titled "The Beginners Guide to L Ron Hubbard", which is about the Scottish Sikh* comedian Hardeep Singh Kohli who tries to find God through Scientology.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 2)
1. And here is "BBC Panorama Exposed", the Scientologists' documentary in full here: http://www.bbcpanorama-exposed.org
johnalexwood
John Wood at 10:22PM on May 14th 2007
2. Good point Scientologist don't intrude cold-call trespass like JW's.
Jehovah's Witnesses Watchtower are an orwellian world and a doomsday destructive cult.
The Watchtower is a total ripoff,their core doctrine is that Jesus ALREADY had his second coming in 1914 and made them da boss.
Danny Haszard at 12:12AM on May 15th 2007
3. Well, ya gotta admit, johnalexwood, they couldn't have painted John Sweeney any blacker. I think that this would have been a wonderfull opportunity to show us exactly what they would have been prepared to show him... you know, how the 'Panorama' show would have 'worked' if they were given full control.
It seemed that they were hinting that it would have been shots of the buildings... a guided tour of their buildings... a commercial for Scientology... guess it's really too bad for them that Xenu is an open secret and their courses have been explained.
pboyfloyd at 12:15AM on May 15th 2007
4. The foundation of Scientology is understanding what you know. To the degree you understand what you know, you can use your knowledge and to the degree you don't, you can't. Mr. Hubbard said so in May of 1952 when he introduced the word. So why do critics ignore the obvious, only to play tiddlywinks with manhole covers? You need to study the subject to understand the subject before you can intelligently criticize the subject!
terryeo at 1:37AM on May 15th 2007
5. hardeep singh kohli is a sikh
don at 5:04PM on May 16th 2007
6. Its been a problematic "religion" from the start.
About 10 years ago, I read an article that their favorite modus operandi was to tie their opponents up in a flood of litigation. My only other knowledge of it is from South Park and Tom Cruise. South Park did claim it was a pay as you go deal - the more you pay, the more "secrets" you learn. Tom used it as a base to claim Brooke Shields' use of anti-depressants was evil. He later apologized after a ton of negative press and apparently Tom and Brooke are friends now. Since scientologists totally anti-psychiatry, their stance, for instance, is that the homeless schizophrenic on the street in California, due to Reagan gutting the state's mental health system, can be "cured" through vitamins.
In other words, Scientology subsitutes science fiction for science.
If you see them offering you the "free personality test", hide your wallet. If you are in, be prepared for hell if you try to get out.
Phil at 4:42AM on May 15th 2007
7. johnalexwood - I did watch "BBC Panorama Exposed", and thought it was well done, especially in regard to exploring journalistic tactics. I was a little confused though. Why would Scientology, which opposes psychiatry, use a psychiatrist to promote their case? And again, of course, how do you "cure" a schizophrenic without psychotropic drugs?
Phil at 5:24AM on May 15th 2007
8. The documentary about the documentary is actually here:
http://www.bbcpanorama-exposed.org/watch-the-video-documentary.php
I've watched it just now as well as the BBC clips at the BBC site where different BBC execs defend the John Sweeney and the way he performed.
I think they will have to take a new stand on this in few days.
Thorsten at 5:48AM on May 15th 2007
9. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/panorama/default.stm
The full panorama doc is here.
Watch the whole thing and you'll realise how sick these cultists are. The paranoia and control freakery are a joy to behold. Sweeney has to even hide in a toilet with his crew to get away from the cult frontman - and still this extra from the Men in Black is hectoring him through the toilet door. And as for the hired goons who are harrassing him constantly......
Just plain sinister.
Bodmass at 11:46AM on May 15th 2007
10. ...And btw, Well done to the CULT members. Ballsed this one up haven't you? you've turned a minor programme of criticism into a ratings winner (the anti-bbc PR assault AND INTIMIDATION was even on the BBC main evening news - a great advert), a panorama watched by millions more than expected. Exposing your simple nastiness & paranoia to a larger audience than was previously dreamed of.
CONGRATULATIONS.
Bodmass at 11:47AM on May 15th 2007
11. I feel sorry for John Sweeney. Ok he let the team down am sure he wont again but jesus Tommy (Tom Cruise wannabe) stalked and tormented the life out the guy. Hes a great reporter and agreat journailist. Scientology rubbing their hands together at John Sweeney's outburst. Black bitchy expensive cult.
jay at 10:52AM on May 15th 2007
12. Scientology concerns me. The extremist mormons in Utah concern me even more. But the fact that the US government seems to turn a blind eye toward these people is what concerns me the most.
Why are they focusing so much attention on matters outside of our borders when there are child rapists posing as religious cultists hiding in huge police-protected walled-in towns and neighborhoods in Utah? Why are there entire Utah towns filled with children who have NO IDEA that the rest of the world does NOT condone the fact that their fathers are having forced sex with them, or that their mothers and sisters are tied up with ropes and left in dark closets for days on end?
For YEARS we've been hearing about all the brainwashing, vitamin overdoses, forced starvations, kidnappings, raped and abused children, battered and tortured women and missing men. For YEARS we've read articles, seen photos, heard survivors' testimonies and watched undercover film footage of unlawful cult practices that are dangerous, violent and frightening. How much longer until something is done about it?
Since there are literally mountains of proof that those things are indeed going on, WHEN will our FBI finally jump in and save the day?
tuesday at 3:01PM on May 15th 2007
13. Scientology concerns me. The extremist mormons in Utah concern me even more. But the fact that the US government seems to turn a blind eye toward these people is what concerns me the most.
Why are they focusing so much attention on matters outside of our borders when there are child rapists posing as religious cultists hiding in huge police-protected walled-in towns and neighborhoods in Utah? Why are there entire Utah towns filled with children who have NO IDEA that the rest of the world does NOT condone the fact that their fathers are having forced sex with them, or that their mothers and sisters are tied up with ropes and left in dark closets for days on end?
For YEARS we've been hearing about all the brainwashing, vitamin overdoses, forced starvations, kidnappings, raped and abused children, battered and tortured women and missing men. For YEARS we've read articles, seen photos, heard survivors' testimonies and watched undercover film footage of unlawful cult practices that are dangerous, violent and frightening. How much longer until something is done about it?
Since there are literally mountains of proof that those things are indeed going on, WHEN will our FBI finally jump in and save the day?
tuesday at 3:03PM on May 15th 2007
14. Recommend both parties sit down with a cup of tea and a copy of "The Hog's Wholey Wash: A Complete Allegorical Manual on Consciousness & Cosmos......" - one brilliant satirical-cum-visionary 'cryptogram' positively exploding with points on all sides of this - recently hailed (but not shouted) as a "Jonathan Livingston Pig" of a thing ~
WB at 3:50PM on May 15th 2007
15. i don't blog
but since this is sitting out here on my aol news page...
I WILL
SCIENTOLOGY??
BULL SHIT
about as BA'AD as HOMOSEXUAL TED HAGGARD//BUSH -CHENEY - ROVE PANTS US EVANGELICALS TALKING IN FBI STING OPERATION TONGUE
which FOR SOME REASON stupid 'MERICA thinks
BORAT SOUNDS LIKE
"LALALALALAJWRIOWPRIPLALALALA.."
NO
it was a DAY
when GOD filled these CHOSEN PEOPLE
with the GIFT of TALKING in MANY TONGUES
without any VIRGINIA TECH HOKEY MASSACRE TARGETTED schooling
be it the LANGUAGE of the ARAB or CRETAN..
i speak English + German + Indonesian
AND "SURPRISINGLY" -
the PEOPLE who ALSO SPEAK
English + German + Indonesian
CAN UNDERSTAND ME
WHEN I TALK IN THEIR TONGUE...
LOYAL BUSHIES
=
WOOP-DEE-GEORGE-BUSH -DEE-DEEP-DOO-DOLOLOVER
GERMANY
HOLLY CANTWELL at 5:50PM on May 15th 2007