There have been allegations made against the Church of Scientology for
forcing its workers to get abortions.
On June 13 the St. Petersburg Times published findings of a significant
investigation it conducted.
claire headley.jpgThe exposé includes information about a
federal
lawsuit filed in January 2009 by former Scientology member Claire
Headley, who alleges church leaders forced her to undergo 2 abortions
and also violated human trafficking laws.
Clearwater, FL, is home to one of the church's "2 most important
operations, its spiritual headquarters," according to The Times, the
other being its "500-acre international management base in the desert
80 miles east of Los Angeles."...
Headley with husband Marc and 1 of 2 sons.
Headley, who left the organization in 2005 with her husband Marc (both
pictured above with 1 of their 2 sons), alleges pregnant mothers were
forced to endure increased manual labor if holding out against abortion.
Headley's complaint also requests a permanent injunction against the
church, "prohibiting Defendants and their agents for ordering and/or
coercing abortions with respect to their employees." That would be good.
RealityBasedCommunity.com
reports Headley's suit "comes well corroborated" with at least 4
affidavits or statements made since 1986 by other Scientology members
making the same accusation. RBC.com concludes:
Claire's claim would seem to have a decent chance
of success at
trial, assuming she can prove her allegations to a jury; but if history
is an accurate indicator, Scientology will go to significant lengths to
make sure it doesn't get that far. Miles to go before we sleep, but the
vehicle is promising for a change.
The Times also included a sad video story featuring 2 women aside from
Headley accusing the church of forcing them to abort...
The IFRL is the largest grassroots pro-life organization in
Illinois. A non-profit organization, that serves as the state
coordinating body for local pro-life chapters representing thousands of
Illinois citizens working to restore respect for all human life in our
society. The IFRL is composed of people of different political
persuasions, various faiths and diverse economic, social and ethnic
backgrounds. Since 1973 the Illinois Federation for Right to Life has
been working to end abortion and restore legal protection to those members of the
human family who are threatened by abortion, infanticide and euthanasia. Diverse though we are, we hold one common belief - that
every human being has an inalienable right to life that is precious and must be protected. IFRL is
dedicated to restoring the right to life to the unborn, and protection
for the disabled and the elderly.Click here to learn more about the IFRL.
