SCIENTOLOGY
CANBERRA
NEWS
ARCHIVE
5 Feb 2010
Church
of Scientology International & Religious
Technology Center Win in Court Against Former Member
On
April 2, 2010, the United States District
Court, Central District of California (Case No. CV 09-3987 DSF (FFMx))
granted a motion by the Church of Scientology International ("CSI") and
Religious Technology Center ("RTC") dismissing a claim for alleged
violations of federal and state labor laws based on the plaintiff's
years of religious service at CSI and RTC. In the ruling granting
summary judgment dismissing the wage and hour claims, Judge Dale
Fischer today agreed with the Church of Scientology that the members of
its religious order, known as the Sea Organization, which is comprised
of the Church's most dedicated members, are not subject to labor laws.
Because the plaintiff chose to join a religious institution under her
Church's doctrine, her work was not subject to the payment of wages,
the Court stated. Judge Fischer specifically found that the plaintiff
"was employed by a religious institution," that is, Church of
Scientology International and Religious Technology Center, "was chosen
for her position based largely on religious criteria," and "performed
religious duties and responsibilities." The Court stated that like
members of other religious orders, the plaintiff was only able to hold
these positions based on her commitment to Scientology. The plaintiff
was a member of the Sea Organization from 1991 until 2005. During her
years in the Sea Organization, the plaintiff held many positions within
Scientology. Both CSI and RTC are recognized as churches by the IRS.
The Sea Organization is a religious order for the Scientology religion
and is composed of the most dedicated Scientologists in the world -
individuals who have committed their lives to the volunteer service of
their religion. The first Sea Organization members formulated the
one-billion-year pledge to symbolize their eternal commitment to the
religion, still signed by all members today. As volunteers and members
of a religious order, Sea Organization members work long hours and live
communally with housing, meals, uniforms, medical and dental care,
transport and all expenses associated with their duties provided by the
Church. They also receive a small allowance to purchase personal items,
as all of their other expenses are fully covered by the Church. Sea
Organization members are at the forefront of spearheading the Church's
massive social mission, including the largest non-governmental drug
education campaign on Earth, the largest human rights education
campaign on Earth and many more programs that touch the lives of
everyone. Today, some 6,000 members of the Sea Organization occupy
staff positions in upper-level Scientology Church organizations around
the world, ensuring that the religion is available to the millions of
Scientology parishioners who live and work outside the Church. CSI and
RTC note that while the plaintiff has chosen to litigate her case in
the media, the Churches will continue to present their case in court.
Contact: Karin Pouw (323) 960-3500 phone (323) 960-3508 fax
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