Church of Scientology Exit Zone: Events

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Karen Pressley Presents Not In My Back Yard to GSA

The Georgia Sociological Association (GSA) held its 2010 Annual Meeting on October 29, in Decatur, Georgia that featured Ms. Karen Pressley, Scientology expert and former 16-year member.

The GSA was formed in 1964 and is an organization of academic and applied professional sociologists and students who strive to improve research, teaching, and discussion among persons in the State of Georgia engaged in the scientific study of society and culture.

The conference theme for this year's annual GSA meeting was Healthy, Just, and Sustainable Communities. Ms. Pressley was amongst the guest speakers and gave the following presentation entitled Not In My Back Yard: Cults, Communities, and Concerns.

GSA Pressley Presentation Part 1
GSA Pressley Presentation Part 2
GSA Pressley Presentation Part 3

Karen also participated in a panel discussion on the subject of "Rehabilitation or Religious Reeducation? The Intersections of Therapeutic Communities, Synanon, and Narconon" thats available on the following links.

GSA Panel Discussion Part 1
GSA Panel Discussion Part 2
GSA Panel Discussion Part 3
GSA Panel Discussion Part 4

According to the SP Times in 2006; Pressley left Scientology in 1998 and refused to come back for sec checks. She has publicly denounced "substandard" child care at church facilities around the world and criticized the church for the "condition of poverty" that staffers lived in. She endured disconnection from her husband along with the usual dead agent attacks in the aftermath, yet managed to find her own salavation along the path of Christian ministries.

Ms. Pressley also went on to successfully pursue a higher education that she now puts to good use when speaking out critically against the abusive practices the Church of Scientology inflicts upon its parishioners.

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Steven A. Hassan Lectures at NYSEC

The notable cult expert and author Steve Hassan, who is also the founder of the Freedom of Mind Center, gave a short talk at NY Ethical Culture Society on October 17th, 2010.

The lecture was approximately 40 minutes long and titled the same as Steve's previously released book "Releasing the Bonds: Empowering People to Think for Themselves." The discussion touched on Scientology and went into Steve's own personal story of how he was rescued from the Moonies in 1976.

Additional commentary on this recorded lecture has been covered by Jeff Hawkins on the Leaving Scientology blog, and Mark Bunker over at Xenu TV. Other discussions & lectures Steve has done regarding cults in the past that are available on the web include the following.

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Ex-Scientologists Speak Out at Center for Inquiry West

On February 12, 2010 in Los Angeles, CA six former Scientology Sea Org members took the stage at the Steve Allen Theater to expose abusive conditions inside the Church of Scientology. The event was hosted by the Center for Inquiry West and held to commemorate the two year anniversary of the Project Chanology segment of Anonymous taking a stand worldwide to peacefully protest the criminal policies and abusive practices the Church of Scientology adheres too.

News media coverage of this event included the following broadcasts.