A Correction of the Falsehoods in Lawrence Wright's Book on Scientology
>> Statement:
[Page 282]
“[Valeska] Paris had grown up in Scientology and joined the Sea Org when she was fourteen.
Three years later, her stepfather, a self-made millionaire, committed suicide, leaving a diary in which he blamed the church for bleeding his fortune. When Valeska’s mother denounced the Church on French television, Valeska was isolated at the Clearwater base in order to keep her away from her mother. The next year, at the age of eighteen, she was sent to the Freewinds. She was told she would be on the ship for two weeks. She was held there against her will for twelve years.”>> True Information: We have documentation and pictures demonstrating that Valeska Paris led a wonderful life aboard the Freewinds and was there of her own free will. Valeska Paris was a crew member aboard a ship. She was a waitress and a course supervisor in daily contact with dozens of parishioners. She left the ship hundreds of times to go shopping, for outings with her husband on islands such as Aruba, St. Barts and Curaçao, as well as for numerous other reasons. In 2001, she hosted six members of her husband’s family. We even have pictures of her as a tourist in some of these areas. She participated in extended projects in the U.K., U.S. and Denmark. She certainly wasn’t “forced” to be there. She was also never forced to labor in the engine room.
« Prev
Garry Scarff
Search
